Hello, First name / friend!

It's Sarah here today! It is so wild to me to think that we have been designing together as a group for ten years. TEN. The women in Ruby Star Society are truly my sisters, and the fact that we've maintained such a tight-knit bond for a whole decade doesn't escape me. It's truly a special thing. 

Just the thought of ten years together has me feeling all sorts of introspective. Recently I was asked by a student (I teach a number of sketchbooking and Photoshop courses) what I would do differently in my career, it was SO EASY to say “I would do it all again in a heartbeat." Obviously, over ten years, we've had some ups and downs and bumps in the road together, but we've grown together too, and that's so incredibly important. I love to think of that quote that says that rough seas make skilled sailors. I firmly believe that our mistakes are where learning happens! Mistakes are vital part of the process. I'm also a firm believer in the butterfly effect, so if some mistake I made eleven years ago brought us together ten years ago, I'll take it!

 

You might be thinking "Okay Sarah, but could you give us some insight into some mistakes you've made so we can just avoid them?" Don't worry, I've got you. Below find the three top mistakes that I've made throughout my career. Sound familiar? Don't worry, I know how to fight them too. Read on…

 

 

 

Mistake One: Perfectionism: I've always been too hard on myself. And not in the accountability self-discipline kind of way. The kind of crushing perfectionism that can make you feel like you are not enough. To fight this, I would say to let yourself play. Let yourself discover things and make mistakes. Let it be a curiosity-seeking journey, not a perfection-seeking journey. Happy accidents turn into creative treasures ALL THE TIME. 

 

I can't count how many times I have made a piece of art that I thought was just “meh” and then came back to it later finding that I LOVED the piece. The same goes for bigger things. I had made choices that I thought were wrong at the time and looking back, most of them led me to better horizons. 

 

 

Mistake Two: Repetitive burnout: In all seriousness, if there's one piece of advice I wish I had taken more seriously, it's to let myself rest. Over the years I have been known in my friend and family circles as the workaholic. Honestly, I was proud of it. I wore that badge like it was a special award. The truth was I was drowning myself in work to distract myself from some mental heath issues that I was having. There is a lot of backstory there…which I will save for another time. But by 2017 I became a mother and everything changed. Becoming a mother was a hard transition because I found that I didn't get to control my schedule anymore.

I had to start making smarter decisions about what I took on, what brought me joy, and how I could spend more time with my kids. I was forced to take quiet moments. I was forced to sit with days that weren't my idea of being productive. Meanwhile I was raising two smart, hilarious and creative kids, running my own business and maintaining a long and happy marriage. I WAS productive. If only we could see what we are building in the moment. Which brings me to my last point.

 

Mistake Three: Not taking time to integrate my accomplishments: I learned last year from a Brendon Burchard workshop that people are really good at celebrating a win for one day or one night out, but they don't integrate it. They don't remind themselves daily of the things that they have overcome or have accomplished. That was ME. Daily affirmations are now a part of my morning routine. I make myself write down three things that I am thankful for. This has done wonders for my well being. I can at the least start my day feeling like I am thankful for exactly where I am.   

 

So yes, absolutely try the above and see if any of those work for you. BUT the most important tip I have is just not to be too afraid of making mistakes in the first place. Everything I've ever done has led me here. For the last ten years, I've gotten to be part of this amazing circle of women, and together we get to be a part of this magical community of makers and dreamers. 

Check out Sarah's free surface design workshop called 3x3 where she reveals 3 surface design industry secrets, 3 Photoshop art tutorials all with 3 live art Q+As!

Melody's Instagram! Plus stay tuned for a print sale from Melody exclusively dropping 

here on The Charm Pack on September 5th!

Kim's Instagram and check out Kim's Etsy shop!

Alexia's Instagram and check out Alexia's shop!