I have been working solo non-stop for almost 3 months to get my finished pieces digitized and placed on cool items, get this blog designed, get my website designed, get some items onto Amazon (which is no small feat!), create my Amazon page, set up a means to provide intuitive readings, create a Facebook page, and create and run ads, work on Search Engine Optimization. Phew! Let’s hear it for that good old autistic hyper focus ability! Though, I have to admit, I have to keep a close eye this level of activity because I am a workaholic. I do not want my burnout to come in full force again.
All of this work, this creativity, has been more than welcome. My painting has indeed helped me recover those nice brain to hand to external physical objects pathways. It’s not at 100%, but I feel much less like a toddler. The realization that I kind of really like a lot of the artwork I have created and could possibly earn a living from doing all of this has helped reduce the dread I was experiencing when I realized I simply could no longer do what I was doing to earn a paycheck. It dulled the fears that were telling me I might have lost some of my most basic developmental skills forever because, frankly, #autisticburnout can be different for everyone and while more research is being performed these days to understand autism, there is no way of knowing how long recovery will take.
I have been breathing, moving, and divining to heal myself more than I thought was possible in this short a time period. Of course, I would be remiss in my duties as a workaholic if I didn’t acknowledge that I am not a stranger to pushing myself to get it done fast. I have lost hours on this entrepreneur learning curve as proof, and I have quite a bit more curve to hike before I make that first organic, total stranger sale. But here I go!
I found out I can get assistance in running a business for free via the DVR. My Occupational Therapist is going to continue to work with me on my functioning and prepare me for a side hustle as I grow my business so I won’t have to use my limited energy reserve working for The Man.
So, what is next? My Shopify store has enough items, and I have reached the self-assigned goal for the number of products I have on Amazon, which I will continue to add as I gain approval for more item types. I’ve done all the stuff.
Now it’s time to get the word out! More importantly, it is time for me to get my words out.
I started this blog because, after more years than I care to think about, I finally had an idea. My ideas had been all swallowed up in abusive relationships with partners and employers. But here was one that would allow me to move at my own pace as I wandered the landscape of who I am, better yet, I could share it with others. Maybe by sharing some of my vulnerability, my tenacity, my 2nd to 3rd stage transition Leo joy (as my partner describes it), I can spread just a little bit of my good vibes. Maybe, after feeling like my life’s goal, to make my small mark on humanity’s exploration of the Universe, was squashed by my inability to deal with the instruments of that goal, the industry driving it, I could do it another way.
I can share through my artwork. I can make things people like to look at. I can write little posts like this.
Oops! Haha! My communication skills still need work, don’t they. I still sound kind of funny when I talk…the brain to mouth pathways are a bit rusty. The brain to hands to keyboard pathways still need some work. I should probably post more, but I would like some help.
I need to get the word out about my business and I need to get the words out of my brain to share here. I grew up talking to myself, partially because I’m autistic, partially because I was an only child. I could just keep posting into the internet to work my skills. But an engaged audience is far more preferable!
So, my poor communication skills and I are finally trying to get subscriptions here! I am giving one free product to my first 20 subscribers. I have given out a couple of items already. That means I am looking for 18 more subscribers. Go ahead and give it a try! Click the subscribe button at the top of this page and I will reach out to you for your information personally (because I am the only person running this train)!
I hope I can provide at least a little bit of entertainment.
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