This year has truly been a dumpster fire. Not that I expected any less from this shitshow of an administration. But the one accidentally beneficial side effect of absolutely incompetent grifters holding the highest offices in the land with a complete lack of self awareness or any sort of experience or skill: it’s done great things for my imposter syndrome! 🤣
Lord, grant me the audacity and confidence of a mediocre white man.
Why am I over here worrying about being good enough when the world is literally on fire, anyway? It’s silly. Let’s stop this nonsense and start making bold moves like we’re Pete Hegseth without a care in the world what anyone else thinks (or what the impact of our action on others is). Ok, maybe not so much that last part. It’s really hard to just not care, when you care so much!
Which is why I had to learn the art of Not Giving Fucks. Or, rather, giving only selective fucks and saving them for what really matters. Because a lot of the things we worry about are really just… not worth our time. (Seriously though, read The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, it’s life changing).
I don’t know about you, but I constantly question and doubt myself, and even though I know comparison is the thief of joy, I often feel unaccomplished or unsuccessful in my career and my life. I don’t know if it’s an eldest daughter thing, but this imposter syndrome definitely seems to show up in women. And I’m kinda over buying into it and letting it live rent free in my head. Can we just… not?
Easier said than done, I know. But one thing I am trying to do more of is tracking my own small wins. Screenshot the process, the work I create in the trenches and the work I’m slowly starting to do more for MYSELF too.
A lot of my imposter syndrome comes from a traumatic relationship that swallowed me for most of my 20s with a narcissist. That’s a looooong story for another time, but healing trauma is never a straight line and I think that noticing its effects and how it shows up, even decades later, is a good sign that healing is happening.
So despite a cluster headache of a year, for the country, for the economy, for any feeling of stability crumbling away… I am proud of myself for surviving it. But also for taking some big steps towards stepping more fully into who I am, what I do, and what I can offer the world. For listening to myself more, and investing in ME. So let us count a few of this year’s wins, shall we?
This year I did a lot of research, began shifting my lifestyle and eating habits, and sought out pathways to getting an endometriosis diagnosis (or any diagnosis?), listening to my body and getting the treatment I need to face this down before it takes more of my energy, my health or my health.
This year I started this newsletter, grew my humble audience and even made a tiny bit of money from ads and paid subscribers on beehiiv. (Huge THANK YOU to my mom and my partner Wesley for supporting me by being my first two upgrades). I redesigned my website for the first time in like 7 years, and I invested in my business by starting to treat marketing myself more like marketing my clients. I deserve some of that Pru Magic too!
One of my main contracts over the last couple of years that I loved ended, but that opened the door to honing my offerings and processes, making new connections and working with some new people. I have some amazing new clients and have been doing more networking.
There is so much I have to be grateful for and to be proud of. That’s what I’m focusing on as we head into a new year. I have a stable, supportive family, two badass and loving partners and two of the cutest kitties ever to walk this earth (and possibly also the most obnoxious, Boba!). I have a roof over my head and a working computer and I’m part of teams that I love working with.
I have an ABUNDANCE of mandarins, lemons, and persimmons on my porch and a cupboard and fridge full of food I can whip up into something tasty, and I’m learning new anti-inflammatory recipes that are starting to make a noticeable difference in my digestion and endo symptoms. I love life, and food, and I am capable and badass.
So, Imposter Syndrome, I hereby banish you from carrying your sneaky energy into 2026. Stay in this dumpster fire of a year where you belong. We’re doing Boss Bitch Shit now, and we don’t need you anymore. 💪
But first, can I have a nap? With less than a week until I fly to Idaho for the holidays, I’m a little overwhelmed with the holiday hustle and bustle! Send help with all this marmalade! 🍊
🎇 Things We Can Banish to 2025: 🎇
🖕 Self-Doubt, Playing Small, Staying Quiet: as mentioned above, F off, Imposter Syndrome, we’re done listening to your bullshit. Instead of being overly self aware (my default state), can I outsource my overthinking brain to Trump for just a day so he can reflect and have a shred of accountability? Happy to throw in the worst period cramps imaginable so the message really sinks in.
💪 Self Sacrifice & People Pleasing: the tides are slowly turning of course, but women especially have been conditioned to put everyone above ourselves, even total strangers. It’s kinda weird. It’s ok to prioritize yourself. Put your mask on before you can help others with theirs like the airplane safety guide, right? You can’t pour from an empty cup. In 2026, we invest in OURSELVES first.
🌮 The Narcissist in Chief & His Entire Administration: I don’t think our fragile democracy is gonna make it to the end of Trump’s term or even until the midterms. We need to get this entire complicit narcissistic grifting administration the F out of here. To the Hague with all of them. It’s already going to take decades to undo the damage they have done this year. Project 2026 just dropped and I just want to barf.
🤑 Living Paycheck to Paycheck: I’m rethinking my services and offerings, how to market myself, whether I should just give it all up and get a “real” job - ha! The job market is horrific btw. I’m so sick of feeling like all I do is work and I never get anywhere closer to ever owning a home. The economy is rough, we’re definitely in a recession, but I am trying to think long-term stability. Time to learn new things, refine my career trajectory, and manifest some serious abundance next year. Mama needs a vacation, but first to pay off some shit!
🍟 Processed Crappy Foods: I’ve been researching endometriosis pretty heavily this year and finding that I need to shift to an anti-inflammatory diet. I’ve been vegetarian (and mostly organic, with a whole foods focus) for over 20 years, but I may need to fully cut out things like soy, gluten, alcohol and dairy to help reduce the inflammation and estrogen dominance that feed endo. And I definitely need to continue my avoidance of anything processed. Oof. Not easy in today’s world, but really, our food system is so broken (and with “MAHA” in charge, is getting even worse), it’s good riddance to eating crap. I’m giving myself through the end of the year before I get strict about it.
❓What Are You Letting Go Of? Reply or comment on my posts about this newsletter to let me know. Sometimes writing it down and making a list is what can help us release it. Don’t make me sing that song from Frozen… Let It Go!
📆 Other Recent News & Timely Highlights 📆
It’s One Plant - Hemp Advocacy Email Toolkit: My friend Ishqa of The Canna Boss Babes and I just launched a badass free download to help you turn your email list into an advocacy engine for hemp access! It contains Email Templates and Graphics you can download, customize, and use to get your audience engaged to save hemp access. Download the Free Toolkit Now!
Canna Boss Babes Email Marketing Packages: And speaking of Boss Babes, Ishqa and I are also launching Email Marketing service packages geared towards plant-loving brands who want to launch or optimize their email channels. You’ll get two Boss Babes with decades of combined experience in marketing, strategy, email, and the plant medicine movement for the price of one! We’re excited to get some clients booked, but we will definitely have a limited capacity as busy Boss Babes. Fill out the interest form on my recent blog post all about this exciting new collaboration and we’ll get a discovery call on the books!
CannaGen Sesh Success: Other than taking a moment to realize I had to hit the Go Live button twice, our first CannaGen Sesh webinar went off without a hitch! It was a great discussion and we’re planning the next one for January 7th. I’ll have the registration link up soon, but you can watch the first one (and get on the list to get an email when we launch Sesh 2 - The Breeding Grounds) by registering for free & watching on StreamYard.
Mandarin Marmalade Madness: Holy moly is it citrus season! 🍊 The mandarin and lemon trees at Josh’s house are popping off, and someone gave us a huge bag of persimmons. So I have been a mandarin marmalade machine the past couple weeks. Picking, juicing, peeling, chopping, removing membranes from each little piece, canning, etc. A lot goes into these little jars of sunshine but the results are SO worth it! Holiday gifts are shipping this week and I’m stressed but ready to see family and relax next week.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS: Even if you find yourself having to force the holiday cheer a bit more than usual, crank up those cheesy xmas tunes, light some candles, and share a moment with someone you love. The holidays are super hard for a lot of people, and I send big hugs to everyone struggling this time of year. I hope we can all find a little solace and warmth in the cold this season and take care of each other!
Time to Plan for 2026: It’s hard to believe that there are only a couple weeks left in the year. It’s past time to be planning for next year. If you are an entrepreneur, business owner or have a personal brand and you want to get your content game on point, make next year your b*tch and PLAN it. My secret sauce is in the spreadsheets - plan your Marketing from top level on down with my Ultimate Marketing Calendar & Content Planner. I will also send it as a perk to all my paid subscribers. Become an Awesome Supporter and I’ll send you a special email with a download. 📆
Support My Work by becoming one of my Awesome Supporters. It’s only $5 a month, less than a fancy matcha latte! Or you can share this newsletter with a friend - look for your unique referral link below to earn Rewards. I publish on beehiiv, which is a great platform if you’re looking to start your own newsletter (use my recommendation link). I will be coming up with some fun perks for my Paid Subscribers like marketing templates, checklists & guides. I’d love to hear your ideas, too - what would get you to put $5 on it and Upgrade to Paid?
THANK YOU and HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 🎄 Clicking on the ad or newsletter recommendation below, or referring my newsletter to a friend using the link below all help me out.
Shoppers are adding to cart for the holidays
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