It's Ok To Focus On You Sometimes

Does everything seem overwhelming to you right now? Goodness! The past few weeks have been surreal. Sometimes this cookie thing can feel overwhelming all by itself, but now...with everything going on in the world, you may be even more stressed. It may be a slow time for your cookie business or maybe you are extremely busy. Maybe you do it as a hobby, but can't find the joy in it right now. You started decorating cookies because it is something that you love to do! Some of you are moms who have kids at home from school and you don't have a free minute because you are home schooling right now. Some of you may be at home, your kids are grown, and you don't have enough to do because you can't go anywhere or you don't choose to go anywhere right now. And that is lonely. Even during this crazy time, taking some time for yourself is really important. We need human interaction and we need to take care of ourselves mentally and physically.

The following advice is advice that I need to heed myself. I am known for trying to do way too much. I want to remind you(and me)that we need to take care of ourselves and that it is ok not to do and be all the things for all the people…
 
It’s okay to sleep in and not do your hair…again because you were up all night working on cookie orders or you because you are worried about something and can't sleep.

It’s fine to let the laundry pile up because you need time to put your feet up with a good book. Your family knows where to find the mound.

It’s okay if the cookies you decorated were not "perfect" in your opinion. Everyone else will think they are lovely and be amazed by what you created. They will say, "These cookies are too pretty to eat!"

It’s okay to say no to customers who expect way too much and customers who don’t want to pay for custom work. You deserve to be paid for your skill and hard work!

It’s okay not to get that new stencil or cookie cutter design right on the first go and walk away from the computer and machines for a while. You will get there!

It’s okay to ask for help.

It’s okay to be nervous about taking that next step, and it’s okay to wait until you’re ready. It is also okay to do things even when you’re scared.

It’s okay to cover up that dent in the icing with a flower or royal icing transfer; it’s a cookie and someone is going to eat it (and love it).

It’s okay to take a short break or a long vacation so that you can remember what brings you joy.

It's okay to say no to your neighbor’s aunt’s favorite nephew who wants baby shower cookies by next weekend and wants you to do them for free.

It's okay to skip out on lunch dates or work parties(from your "other real job") when you have hundreds of cookies to package or just need a good soak in the tub.

It’s fine to cancel that happy hour - or to schedule one if you need it.

Your husband will live if you’re not full-faced when he sees you covered in flour and icing instead.

It is fine to let go of or adjust the goals you made that just aren’t working for you and to be proud of the ones you’ve already accomplished.

It’s fabulous and very important to be delighted by what you’ve created and not judge yourself against what others have done.

It’s wonderful to fail at a technique and be able to learn from it or decide that way of doing things just isn’t for you. That is called "falling forward". Everyone does it!

Let’s stop driving ourselves crazy trying to keep up with what we THINK we have to do versus what we NEED to do, while ignoring ourselves and what we really WANT to do.

You don’t have to do more, go more, achieve more, be more. You don’t have to compare yourself to anyone else.

You deserve comfort.

You deserve contentment.

You deserve rest.

You deserve peace.

You deserve to do what you love.

Tell your stress, anxiety, and to-do list to go eat a cookie and then take a nap, you deserve it!

The world needs more love, kindness, and our prayers.

Much love to all cookiers everywhere!