5 Things Keeping Me Sane Right Now...
#10 (Plus a small biz wishlist, cat photos and more!)
Hi Friend!
At the risk of adding more doom and gloom to your inbox, I have to talk about tariffs for a minute. Especially the ones levied on China, because they are destroying your favorite small businesses.
If I was still making pins and hair clips, I honestly don’t know what I’d be doing right now, but here are my first thoughts since tariffs are pricing people out of outsourcing:
Definitely putting orders of new products and restocks on hold.
Pivoting to products that I could make the US and leaning in to stickers and apparel. Though, a lot of basic shirts and hoodies are still made overseas.
Seeing what products I could mark up a smidge while leaving most at the current price and eating the difference because I’m not a soulless CEO only thinking about profit, but I still have bills to pay.
And probably assessing if there are any products I could make myself.
I’d be leaning on my community (I still have monthly meetings with folks who bought my course years ago and we’ve been talking through it all) and I’d try my hardest to stay positive while still screaming into a pillow when necessary.
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I don’t have a business anymore, but the stress of it all is felt across the board. So, here are a few things I’m doing in my personal life that are helping my brain:
Reading the Newspaper - I’m sure I’ve talked about this before, but not scrolling a newsfeed on my phone has been one of the best decisions I’ve made this year. I read the paper, attempt the crossword and then have fodder for paper mâché. Perfectenschlag.
Journaling - You know my feelings about journaling and I swear, if I didn’t get that junk out of my head first thing in the morning, and then again at night, I’d start and end each day in an existential spiral.
Listening to 90s Music - This is still generating dopamine and I can’t recommend it enough. Andy and I decided to make our ultimate 90s playlist and it’s the best! My inspiration was: every song you got super excited to hear on the radio. And, y’all. It brings me so much joy! When I’m making dinner, I set my phone down, put on the playlist (we named it Sparklemania lol) and it’s like I’m transported to the 90s. I pretend no one can get in touch with me. It’s glorious!
Library Cookbooks - You’ll see more further down, but library cookbooks, rule! You can try so many things and not have to commit to a whole book if there are only a few things you like. Every time we go to the library, I pick up at least two to try.
My Sleep Hygiene - I have a very specific bedtime routine and my therapist told me that I had good sleep hygiene! I’d never heard the term, but apparently it’s the official term for a bedtime routine. This feels a little silly to share and I know it’s a lot, but here’s what I do every night:
Take a shower and all my meds
Put on the same instrumental music I listen to every night
Write in my journal
Read a couple of chapters of a book (it can’t be anything too stressful)
Turn off the light and meditate (just a breathing exercise: in for 6, out for 6, ten times and if you know what that’s from, we’re best friends now)
Cognitive Shuffling (this is what puts me to sleep so fast! I hardly ever go past the second letter)
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Ok, that was a lot. Small businesses are so important for our economy, so please, when you’re buying gifts or looking for something cute to help you through this burgeoning dystopia, please check with local businesses and independent artists first. You’re here, so I assume that’s already your priority and omg you are the best for helping us keep human art alive!
Podcast!
This week, I decided to do a little metaphorical spring cleaning of my creative projects and gave some small business advice for folks who might want to refresh their product-based businesses as well. It’s very practical advice and I’d love if you’d take a listen!
Check our the full episode below (or listen on Apple, Spotify or watch on YouTube).
Small Biz Wishlist!
Doodle by Meg - I just saw this post on IG and knew I had to include this shop in the newsletter. This sticker is perfect for my elder millennial soul lol.
Feral Notions - This shop has lots of great quilting rulers, thread cutters and cute, practical quilting things, but this shirt made me cackle when I was browsing the shop, so here we are.
Hot Dang Press! - I was just browsing through Crush & Touch’s site when I came across Hot Dang Press and I think they’re hilarious and brilliant! These are iron-ons to decorate your clothes with! They have a ton of cute stuff, but I figured you’d like the cats best.
Crush & Touch - Speaking of Crush & Touch, they did a collab with Gentle Thrills and I can’t stop laughing at this little dude’s face. I need him for Halloween!
OM Ceramic - Apparently I love fruit mugs and these are just too cute. Look at that chunky apple!
Huyen Dinh - Huyen is an incredible illustrator, letterer, designer and I love her shop. This sweatshirt speaks to my soul. And it’s on sale!
Crafts!
I’m sure that you can guess that no crafts were made this week. I did organize my quilting things to make it easier for me to finally baste my quilts, so maybe it’ll get done this weekend? Only time will tell.
Please give me a little encouragement and share what you’ve been making! I need to know it’s possible to carve the time!
Also, don’t forget about Snart if you’re looking for some crafty ideas!
Outfits I Love
I’d love to say that the weather is transitioning into spring and I’m getting out more spring things, but that’s just not the case in Michigan. IT SNOWED YESTERDAY! So, I’m still in sweatshirts and fleece-lined leggings. We’ll get there eventually!
I found Aysat recently and I’ve been OBSESSED. I used this quick tutorial for an outfit the other day and felt so put together.
Julie is just incredible in general, but this outfit left my jaw on the floor. It would turn into a hyper-fixation outfit SO FAST for me. I loooove black and white and all the patterns and textures make me very happy.
This post made me think about what pieces I’d like to define my style. Right now, I think it’s just a black graphic t-shirt, necklace stack, high-waisted jeans and an over-sized sweatshirt. Surely I can expand that!
Current Reads
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi (audiobook on Libby) - I’m powering through this series because I have to know what happens to my friends! This one is just as action-packed as the first.
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer (hardcover from the library) - I saw a few folks mention this one as a weird, thought provoking book, and not gonna lie, the first chapter was triggering for me. It’s about sentient sex robot who is grappling with her programming. She’s constantly reading her owner’s moods and adjusting her behavior to suit him, so if you’ve ever been in an emotionally abusive relationship, it might not be for you. I’m going to try to stick out because I’m hoping for a good, sci-fi ending.
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli (paperback) - I’ve heard good things about it and so far we have a mysterious, hot-headed FMC who’s been in an oppressive prison for half her life and has been kidnapped and put in a trial to compete to be the queen of the Sun Kingdom? She doesn’t know about her past and I’m sure that will be *significant* later on. I’m digging it so far.
Honorable Mention: The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords by Akira Himekawa (paperback) - My kid loves these Legend of Zelda books and he asked me to read this one because it’s his favorite. It’s been a long time since I’ve read any manga and I’m just so glad he wants to share it with me. We’ve been chatting about during the week and I love hearing his feelings about it!
Library Haul
We popped by the library last Sunday to pick up a few holds and, of course, I added to the pile. I actually found
on substack and immediately placed a hold for her book because I really enjoy her writing and perspective as a dietician.Also, neither of us are actually diabetic, I’m just trying to cook with less sugar, but so far, Cookish has the most little tabbies in it for stuff to try.
This kitten has an official name now.
Beanjamin J. Picklepouch.
Look at the pickle face he’s giving in that first photo and tell me that name isn’t perfect! You can’t! Because it is. He’s an absolute nut and we love to bits. Even though he’s currently rummage through our coat closet, omg cat whyyyy?!
Thanks for hanging out with me this week and soldiering on to very end of this ever-expanding newslettter 😬. You’re a trooper and I appreciate you!
Don’t forget that you can comment on this newsletter (and it lives forever) on Substack!
K, love you, byeeee!
♡ Becky
I’m going to try that somatic shuffling tip, as someone who has trouble falling asleep!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy ☺️