On a darker day, I can get a bit navel-gazey and wrestle with the negative opinions I have about myself.
That I massively overthink things. A text saying “Can we talk?” is overthinking kryptonite for me.
I’m super emotional, and I care way too much. I’m forever reminding myself that the car honking, the free trial refund request, or the person being a bit snippy because my French isn’t perfect isn’t about me.
And I really hate feeling like I’m not being heard properly. Being ignored can spark quite the outer response.
Why am I telling you my worst personality traits? Because they’re also what make me great at what I do.
I’m not perfect. I’m not trying to be a role model, but before I wax lyrical about how good spending time with me could be, I feel like the shadow needs some acknowledgement, too.
Those things that I often don't like about myself, but I'm learning to accept, are the reason I do my best work.
Inside the paid newsletter, live classes, Ask Me Anything threads, or in-person events are where the real magic happens.
That overthinking brain? It works at Sonic the Hedgehog speed when it comes to analysing your work and finding new hooks and ways to talk about it.
The emotional side? I will get so excited about the thing you want to create or launch that you can’t help but get swept up in it and actually start putting yourself out there.
And the not-being-ignored thing? I do not want that for you. I care deeply about small businesses and independents, and I genuinely believe that the more I can help amplify what you do and get you paid for your expertise, the better the world becomes.
Another negative I told myself was that being in France was a hindrance to my career. Once I started to tap into living here as a strength, unsurprisingly, the work came next.
And in the spirit of when you feel like it the least is probably when you need to promote that thing the most, I’ve got a few things to share:
Because if I don’t tell you what I’m doing, you can’t come…
🎟️ If nothing else, take this as a permission slip today to share that thing you are selling.
Creative Atelier in Nice, France
I’m collaborating with Adobe on my first in-real-life Nice event at Mama Shelter on April 7th. It’s free, and we’re creating our “Ways to Work With Me” posts together.
VIP Day at My House
Think Hype sprint in the morning (two classes), five seats only, then a delicious Provençal lunch, my favourite walk at my local lake, and a gentle close.
One seat left for May + June dates now open.
Creative Writing Retreat
I got hideously overexcited about selling out, but we now have one last-minute spot for June (good news for one of you?). It's £150 off the marked price, and, as it's short notice, we can, of course, arrange a payment plan.
It includes accommodation, optional workshops, and a WhatsApp group that’s already discussing whether we want to bolt-on art classes and massages. Some people are staying extra nights, you can fly to Limoges or take the train from Paris.
You’ll be joining Dominique, Ingrid, Lorna, Emily and Leila.
Or September?
We’ve got three cabins left. You’ll be joining Maeve, Nicola, Kendall, Fiona and Niamh.
Maeve, Nicola and Kendall are returning for the second time, which I think speaks louder than any words I can tell you about how great it is.
I’m sharing more about these opportunities to spend time with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, so if you see something in the wild, a reshare means a lot 🙏🏼 to help me reach the people who need these things.
Paid readers, I’ll be in your inbox on Sunday with the story of that time I made a vegan fish & chip shop go viral on TV (and what you can steal from it for your own business).
Another example of where my slightly delusional, overthinking brain paid off.
Lucy x
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