Wait… Summer’s Over Already?

As September rolls in, I can't help but think, "Where did summer even go?" It feels like just yesterday we were soaking up the vibes in June, and now here we are, already diving into the last stretch of the year. My boy Drizzy said "Time's got a funny way of tickin" I feel that even more nowadays.

I've been lucky enough to stay pretty busy this summer, which is definitely a win, but it has not come with it's challenges. Work changes for sure, and the jobs I do have, I can't seem to get paid on time (this will take up a whole 'nother blog). In our line of work, summer in Arizona is when the desert really shows its true colors. Jobs tend to dry up, emails dwindle, and inquiries slow down like Bobby Valentino lol. You really have to dig deep and do everything you can to hang on until the season changes. It’s pretty typical for freelancers in our field to decide to take a vacation, or convince themselves they'll finally tackle those personal projects or reach out to potential clients.

This summer, like many before it, I found myself trying to juggle all of that. But honestly, it often felt like I was drowning in the reality that work wasn’t workin' if you know what i mean haha. I spent alot of hours thinking about where the next job would come from and in turn introduced unnecessary stressors into my life. Summer in AZ isn’t for the faint of heart—it can really make you question if you’re doing enough, if you should explore other job options, or if you could’ve planned things better. Trust me, I'm not immune to these thoughts either.

For anyone out there who’s feeling the same way, I just want to say: you’re not alone in this. During these tough moments, I’ve found it super helpful to talk to myself rather than just letting my thoughts run wild. I know it sounds weird, but stay me intellectually (inside joke lol) We humans have this tendency to fixate on the worst-case scenarios. If we don’t consciously push back against that negativity with some positive self-talk, it’s way too easy to spiral downwards.

Affirmations to Overcome Doubt

It’s so important to remind ourselves of the good stuff in our lives and to affirm that our circumstances don’t define us. Here are a few affirmations I lean on when things aren’t going my way:

• What my mind is telling me isn’t always the full story.

• No single job, no matter how big, defines who I am as an artist or a person.

• This is just energy; I can turn that into action.

• Let’s use this time wisely instead of letting it feel like a void.

It's not that I don't recognize the urgency of not working; I've just rewired my brain to expect the challenges that come with it, analyze those challenges critically, and then transition into problem-solving mode. This shift in perspective has been crucial for me. We don't do ourselves any favors by sulking or wallowing in self-pity during difficult times. Instead, I've come to understand that life is fundamentally about energy, and energy is reciprocal in nature. What you put out into the world, whether positive or negative, often finds its way back to you in some form.

Have you ever spent a day big dawgin' it? Doing all the right things? You know, tasks like answering emails, updating websites, or dedicating time to learn something new? Then, almost out of nowhere, you receive a text, an email, or a phone call that opens up a new job opportunity. I can't quite explain it, but it feels as if when you are actively engaged in the right actions, the universe tends to reward you in ways that might seem unrelated at the time. This reinforces my belief in the importance of staying proactive and focused.

I am deeply motivated by the understanding that I am in control of my own journey. This realization empowers me and grants me the permission I need to refuse to settle for less than what I deserve or to become complacent during my seasons of drought. Because I base my approach on this mindset, I find that I can step into seasons of abundance with a heart full of gratitude and a mind clear with purpose. I've learned to appreciate each stage of my journey, recognizing that every experience, whether good or bad, is necessary for growth. This doesn’t mean that I am immune to feelings of frustration, worry, or discouragement; rather, it signifies that I have equipped myself with the tools to navigate through those emotions effectively. I have developed a set of strategies that help me identify the next steps to take, even when the path ahead may seem unclear.

By sharing what I've gone through, I hope to inspire others to embrace their feelings as valid and important. Accepting one's emotions is the first step toward personal growth, and I encourage everyone to embark on their own journey of taking control over their lives. My wish is for the floodgates of opportunity to open for everyone, allowing them to break free from their own seasons of drought!