Ok, where has the time gone?! How is it already the end of the year – and dare I say – DECADE??
Like many I’m sure, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting in the last month. Reflecting on how much has changed in my life over the course of a decade, on my first 6 months as a new small business owner, and of course how much has changed in the last year.
Though I may not get to see all of my dear friends throughout the year, holiday get-togethers are usually the occasion that everyone makes a greater effort to attend – one last chance to see each other before the new year! During this particular holiday season, I have found myself repeatedly in awe of how much has happened in just one year. Many of my interactions with friends this month have had me exclaiming “wait, that was in 2019?! It felt like 2 or 3 years ago!”. 2019 was so full in my personal life, professional life, and even globally! Can anyone else relate?
I ended my 2018 year still adjusting and settling from the move over the summer into our new/”forever” home (at least, hopefully for the next ~20 years!) and unfortunately doula coursework and business-building ended up on the back burner. It wasn’t until the start of spring 2019 did I feel mentally and physically ready to dive deep in to completing my labour/birth doula and postpartum doula certifications (through Doula Canada) and launch my business.
In the early Spring of 2019, I started spreading word that I’d be taking postpartum doula clients soon (I didn’t have any availability to take on birth clients yet). Amazingly, I had a client seek my support even before my website and social media were launched! Helping my first client definitely lit a fire in me to dismiss any excuses to launch everything else. By mid-July, I officially shared my Instagram, Facebook, and website (including this blog!) to the world and it’s been a wonderful whirlwind since!
As a new small business owner, I had so many lofty goals for how I envisioned my in-person and online life to look like. So far in my first year since officially launching, I’m pretty proud to say I’ve met all of my goals, except one…!
Since the early Spring of 2019, I’ve taken a lot of leaps as a new business owner. I leaned on my dear friend and photographer Leah to capture some gorgeous branding photography for my business. I joined the amazing Edmonton Area Family Doulas team where I’ve been so fortunate to find a mentor in April. I became a member of the Doula Association of Edmonton, a community full of other local, inspirational doulas. I also joined the Doula Boss Society and YEG Boss Babes, both groups where I’ve been able to connect with so many like-minded people locally and globally, and have had opportunities to take my business and business owner mindset to much greater heights than I had envisioned even a year ago.
I’ve reach the halfway point in my certifications. In the fall, I took part in Doula Canada’s Advanced Comfort Techniques Workshop and learned some of the director’s best tricks to provide comfort for pregnant and labouring persons. I even got to fulfill a bit of an impromptu passion project – a hamper for families in need who seek assistance at Bissell Centre (you can see the posts on my Instagram from December 12th to 24th). I’m also very grateful to have had the opportunities to support a handful of families throughout the summer, fall, and winter – thank you to all of my 2019 clients who have chosen me to support them during their postpartum year!
It’s been a very fulfilling year, with many of my goals proudly checked off. There’s one that I let slip though, and that’s the regular posting on my blog. I enjoy writing, researching, and educating, and so I was very excited to maintain a regularly-posted blog covering many, many topics (I have a list!). For lots of reasons though, I couldn’t complete this goal for 2019… and I’m totally OK with it. In place of the time I thought I’d have to blog, I decided that time was better spent in other ways – and I’m quite at peace with that decision. What does that mean for this blog moving into 2020 though?
I actually saw a post yesterday from The Doula Toolbox’s Instagram account that states “you are 42% more likely to reach your goals if you write them down”. I totally relate to this! I feel so much more accountable to do what I say I’m going to do if I tell others. So, world… help me stay accountable this upcoming year! Though I have many goals for 2020, the one I will share with you is that I will publish more blogs. More specifically, my goal is to share at least 12 blog posts in 2020. How can you help? I would love it if you could message me on Facebook, Instagram, or through my website contact form any topics you would like me to cover!
What are your goals for 2020?
