Entrepreneurship is one of the most humbling experiences. It can be especially challenging for people pleasers, who have to find the balance between providing excellent service and experience and making a profit to cover expenses. Whether you’re an advocate for shopping small and local or want to find a way to support your favorite small businesses, here are a couple of ways to show your support that don’t require a financial investment.

Word of mouth remains one of the oldest and most effective marketing tools out there. Have a product or service that you absolutely love from a small business? Spread the word! Customer testimonials are key to building trust with new customers. Whether you are raving about your favorite product to someone in person or leaving a 5 star review on someone’s business page, the potential ripple effect of your words and actions is endless. I rely on good customer reviews when I am contemplating trying out a new product. Positive words are just the nudge I need many times to take the plunge and give it a go.

Comment, like, or share your favorite small businesses’ posts. The algorithm is constantly changing, and it’s maddening to keep up with the trends. Your comments, likes, and shares ensure that more people see and are made aware of what your favorite businesses have to offer. While small businesses should not rely solely on social media for their marketing, it can be a great leveraging tool to get the word out there about what they have to offer. Your engagement in their posts and stories ensures that more people will be exposed to your favorite local shops.

Use your voice in person or via social media platforms to encourage others to shop small and check out your favorite products and services from businesses that you know, like, and trust. Your words and actions go a long way. In fact, they’re priceless.

In this month of Thanksgiving, I want to challenge you to set aside time each day to write an entry in a gratitude journal. It doesn’t have to be profound. You can even use bullet points rather than paragraph format if you’d like.

Science has shown that the brain cannot process anxiety and gratitude simultaneously, so during this season that ramps up with activities and celebrations, take a moment to pause and reflect on what brings you joy and peace.

Some days will be a struggle, and your list may be as simple as, I have breath in my lungs, and tomorrow is a new day. That’s ok. Other days will overflow with gratitude. Give yourself grace and space for it all, but acknowledge that there is ALWAYS something we can be grateful for.

For years, I strictly focused on gratitude when it came to journaling, but this year I gave myself permission to lament as well. The ebbs and flows of life will knock us down and take our breath away at times. I do not allow myself to wallow in the sadness, but I do permit myself to process what I’m feeling and then reflect on what I am grateful for. I hope that whether you are in a season of abounding or a season of despair, you are able to catch glimpses of light and take time to recognize and write them down.

XO, Katie

I could give you a checklist of must-haves to throw an epic grad party, but a gazillion blog posts already exist with those tips. Instead, let’s focus on the intangibles that you and your senior will cherish long after the party decorations have been thrown in the trash and you’ve had your fill of leftovers.

The month of May is jam packed with allllll of the end of the school year events and activities. It’s a whirlwind amidst time that is already flying by at what feels like the speed of light. You’re desperately grasping for some–any–quality time with your senior before they launch into this next exciting phase of their life journey.

As much as they may want to spend every minute of their free time with friends, they still need you, and family time is a non-negotiable. Be intentional about scheduling time together. Do something they enjoy, and connect. Set aside time every day to see them face to face. See how they’re really doing as they approach this major milestone and transition. As excited as they may be about wrapping up this part of their adventure, they may have some reservations about jumping into their next step. Hear them out and give them a safe space to voice their expectations as well as concerns.

Every kid is different. Some may come home and give a complete rundown of their day while others hold things in until the lights are out and you’re saying goodnight, and they say, “Can you stay a little longer?” You are the best parent for them. Be in tune with what they may need, and then be there, however that looks for your family.

As parents, we can get completely engulfed in our daily responsibilities and caring for others. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Emotions can run high as you’re preparing to let your senior leave the nest. Self-care is just as important as being there for them along the way. Whether that’s quiet time alone, an adventure with friends, talking it out with a counselor, or treating yourself to a day of relaxation, just do it.

When the big day comes, relish the moment together. Congratulations! You’ve seen a child through high school graduation. The best is yet to come.

XO, Katie

This one’s for the Enneagram 2’s. Where are my helpers? I’m giving you permission, right now, to stop what you’re doing and assess when the last time was that you did something for the betterment of yourself, be it physical, mental/emotional, or spiritual. Although cliche, the statement, “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” is truer than true. And we helpers are guilty of endeavoring to pour from an empty cup all too often.

While I can uplift and encourage others all day long, my self-talk is less than kind at times. In mid-November, it had become dire, and I desperately needed to change something. One of the best decisions I made was to make time for myself every day to get 30 minutes of fresh air and activity. The health benefits of walking far exceed the physical. Those 30 minutes a day away from screens and all other responsibilities gave me the space I needed to process life’s challenges and make it through one of my toughest winters of Seasonal Affective Disorder yet.

In February, I began to notice a pattern of increased anxiety. It escalated so rapidly, that I broke down and called my primary care physician and got started on some blood pressure medication as well as scheduled an appointment with a therapist. My ability to control everything was spiraling, and I needed professional help to process past trauma that I could no longer stuff down, as it was manifesting itself physically. That week was an emotional roller coaster, as the pain of letting go of my pride, surrendering, and getting help was astronomical. As many times as I have told others that there is no shame in getting help, I had to convince myself that the same was true for me.

The bonus to prioritizing my health is that I was able to serve others more and better because I was refueling my mind and body to do so. Allowing professionals to do their job and help me brought me closer to optimal health. Sit down and take a minute to check your body battery. Are you running on empty? What would help you recharge? Write down some ideas of steps you can take, starting today, to refill that cup. They don’t have to be costly or require a ton of time, although I am not against a splurge when needed. I promise it’s worth the investment in yourself. Fill up, and then keep pouring, friends!

XO, Katie