Taylor Swift finally won me over with her quotes on reinvention. Clipped from Miss Americana on Netflix, snippets of her now fill my feeds – describing how women are expected to constantly reinvent themselves to amuse society. While she was speaking more directly about her career in entertainment, as a marketer, feel this concept in my soul. Even when only in my own perception, if my personal “brand” has gotten too boring or stale – I want an injection of something new. If things are too chaotic or bland, I ache for a refresh. Despite not being on such a grand scale, others do notice too.
Of course, as the brander of brands, my own personal story is often on the back burner when it comes to doing something new.
The past 5-7 years hit me like a freight train if I’m honest.
From self-employed marketing mastermind traveling the world to married with kids and living on a farm (still traveling the world, but oof, that’s harder) – I’ve suffered a bit of an identity crisis lately. Along the way, I’ve mourned the perceived loss of who I was. Ultimately, I discovered that grief was very closely tied to perinatal and postpartum depression. With that, I brewed my own magical blend of anxiety. And, all the while, I re-learned how to navigate my career as a new mom. It turns out, that’s no easy feat.
Today, in this era, the universe is guiding me to woman after woman after supporter of badass women that are leading, reshaping and molding a new society for how women are empowered in their lives and careers – whatever their desires may be. Working moms in leadership. Successful business owners that travel. Mom, not a mom. Career-oriented, or not. Life experience-driven, or something different. All of them matter – a lot – and contribute to a new world in which endless paths are represented for our daughters to be inspired and carve their own.
In lieu of lamenting on the past (which I may very well go back and write about later) – I’d like to introduce you to my “girl, here’s some grace” era. It’s not on the tour, although, I often imagine Taylor is a true pro at this part too. As I’ve rediscovered my passions, voice, and creative mind in the past couple of years, I’ve offered myself one critical new perspective: I require so much grace.
I rarely do things perfectly anymore. (Ha! They were never perfect before, but they’re really not perfect now. Hang with me here.) I’m not the corporate machine I once was. I can create enormously incredible things – but I have to love it. I have to want to give it my attention and joy. I have to want to make something of my talents in whatever direction I am pointing them. Otherwise, it’s very suddenly, not worth the time away from my family.
I know this about myself now.
Instead of pushing myself forward with guilt for not being a good enough mom or a good enough employee or a good enough friend, I’m simply being who I am when I can from where I am with what’s available.
It turns out – that’s pretty f*#@ing spectacular when all the pieces collide. But, when they don’t, I refuse to be disappointed in the attempt – because failing and learning is all a part of the experiment.
If I show up, I learn.
I fail fast. I fail often.
I learn and apply.
I experience.
I discover.
I eliminate “what if.”
And, I don’t just do that for clients. I’ve applied these fundamental beliefs to my own life. Weirdly enough, it’s…working.
My journey into new motherhood has been a wild one. I by no means can claim that I’ve figured it out. I have, though, made a healthy shift into new mental space that is serving me well. Alongside this shift, I’m giving new space to my passions – highlighting them, writing about them (again), and spotlighting the ways in which all the different angles of my life collide in something beautiful.
So, welcome, friends. This is the new laura-crossley.com with a little of the old Laura but probably a lot of new too. Here, see my art (something I’ve never shared publicly before), entrepreneurial adventures, and big family travels. Explore the world, my business projects, and find inspiration. Because, why not?
It won’t be perfect, but it will be.
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