As someone who has an English degree and worked in the world of marketing, to say storytelling is often on my mind is an understatement. Doubling down on that is the fact that I have three young girls who ask me to tell them stories from when I was little, and I have to be honest, I’m running out of stories to tell.
You may be reading this at 3am in the midst of another night of anxious thoughts and “what ifs” that are robbing you of your sleep. Maybe you’re sitting at your kitchen table with a new resolve to finally end this chapter and make the next one your best one. Or maybe you don’t know if a divorce is in your story, but you know that something has to change.
Wherever you are right now, know that your story isn’t ending. You didn’t fail; there is no “F” on your life report card. Many women carry the weight of their family (the invisible mental load), and carrying this weight, while also weighing the idea to start over with your life in ways you never imagined, can be debilitating.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with Amy on the marketing side of her business for over two years, and as we’ve built her story into a brand, the through line of her heart and work is clear. The space of Healing House exists to help women heal. Yes, it’s to give you a clear and realistic picture of exactly how your finances will play out as you move into a new season, but moreover, the work of Healing House and Amy is to hold space for women to feel seen, heard, and validated, something many of her clients haven’t felt for a long time.
That brings me to you.
When I work with brands and businesses, one of the first things we do is get really clear on who they are, what they value, and where they want to go. Sometimes that means rediscovering what made them special in the first place, and sometimes it means recognizing that they've grown and changed, and their story gets to reflect that. The same can be true for you, especially when life takes a turn you never expected. You may not recognize the life that you’re living right now, but that doesn't mean you’ve lost who you are.
I want to share three questions that may help you in the midst of your pivot. Ready?
What is your mission statement? Make it really simple. How do you want to live out your next season (think 5-10 years) for yourself and the ones you love? Maybe looking that far ahead feels overwhelming right now, and that's okay. Start with the next year. What do you want your life to look and feel like? What do you want to be true about the way you're living?
What are your current brand assets? If you were a brand, this might be your messaging or visuals. For YOU, this is what is positive about you. What strengths, experiences, or qualities do you bring to the table? Maybe you've spent so much time caring for everyone else that you've forgotten some of those things. Pick three. Write them down.
What are your core values? This is for you, and you alone. Your values may have been silenced, sidelined, or demeaned. What do you value for yourself? Not what someone else expects of you, or what you've always felt obligated to prioritize. What matters most to you, and how can those values help guide the decisions you make moving forward?
I hope you took a few moments to sit with these and write them down. Finding yourself in the midst of transition or a heavy season is incredibly empowering, and gives you the ability to let the hurricane happen (because it will) without taking you out with it. I’ve watched women who come into Healing House with no hope, and walk out with their head held higher because they understand their future and their financial options. This is your invitation to do that, too.
Here’s the good news: you’re still writing your story. In every good story, there’s a story arc, where the hero (that’s you!) faces challenges they never expected. You may not get to choose every twist or turn, but you do have a say in how you move forward. And sometimes, conquering the dragon simply means finding the courage to turn the page and begin the next chapter.
Guest post by Marissa Klennert | Marissa Lee Marketing
If you’re walking into the next season and a business is in your heart or horizon, I help business owners take their thoughts, dreams, ideas and build out a tangible brand strategy. If you’re interested in working with me, connect with me here.