letters from practice: project-based living, mid-autumn

2:35

Sunday in sunshine at the car wash, reader. Hope you’re well and had a satisfying holiday. After mine, I’m in need of resets: clean car, clean room, a brand new week and month and to-do list.

I finished my planner on Halloween, sent out for a test copy I’ll get on Friday. Then I’ll post about it and figure out how to set it up for print-to-order so people can buy it (if they want…I’m still a little shy to suggest people buy my work. I’m mostly excited to be fully followed through on a project I thought about for years).

The last burst to completing the planner took longer and more finessing than expected and I’m looking forward to moving on and restructuring my priorities. There are already clear front-runners for the top spots. But that’s project-based living for you—there’s always something to focus on.

Destiny’s roommate, for example, has suggested we collaborate on a yoga event for her brand this month. She sells breathing strips for your nose with designs on them, and my yoga class would be breathing-centric—isn’t that cute? It’s occurred to me to take this as an opportunity to go all out and begin presenting myself as a brand collaborator. After this past year of hosting gatherings and my career making connections with clothing and skincare brands, I have the pieces to start building up a solid income stream there.

And that’s my real, overarching priority! Sam and I have settled on a date to aim for moving in together—leaving the valley again, hopefully for the east side. March 1st! By then, I want to be making a certain amount monthly, which is difficult to declare when you do freelance, but I’m deciding to believe in myself.

Would love to hear what you’re working on, reader. Wishing you well.

Z