The ‘C’ Word

5yo ago, at my son’s first Christmas, I couldn’t afford to buy him a present.

I was broke, just making enough to pay the mortgage and bills, and no more.

We didn’t have a tree, or lights, or any ‘extras’. (The pic was taken at my in-laws)
I was so ashamed.

He was 2mo old, completely clueless about what was happening. But I knew, and it hurt.

At the time - being self-employed - December was always the worst. People cancel or ask to reschedule, and new clients are non-existent. Christmas is not something a lot of people look forward to, largely for financial reasons.

I was also in the middle of changing careers. Trying to balance keeping my current business going, with interviews, applications and unpaid projects to get experience.

I was broke, but I was grafting. We hadn’t seen the return yet but the faith was there.

That shame was a huge catalyst for me to fix things.

I had been relentless in improving our situation and feeling pride in myself again.

By the next Christmas I was working at Gymshark and was on a completely different path.

I’m sharing this for anyone in this position now. It’s hard out there, and you’re not alone. Many of us have been through it, or going through it too.

It’s painful, and it sucks. But it’s going to get better.

Please remember 🙏🏼:

You’re there, and you are trying. That’s what matters.
Don’t be ashamed, be motivated to keep going.

So just don’t stop showing up and trust me, it will come.

We’ve all been there. It’s part of the journey.

Keep going.