Ok, people--starting up a business is no joke.  There are a lot of things to do and so many skills to learn!  It's easy to feel overwhelmed, but I'm trying to focus on the good.  When people ask me how it's going, I know they care and are genuinely curious.  I also realize they don't want to hear the minutia of whatever is challenging me today.  So when people ask, I'm trying to share the things that are good, things that bring me joy and pride.  Make sense?

Like Humphrey here.  He makes me smile.  Plus, I knit him a little blanket as our contribution to my son's classroom's Humphrey box.  I think he loves it, obviously.  (Yarn is Research Lab on my Aurora base)

Now I'm not saying there's no stress in creating my business logo, finalizing bases and suppliers, or learning to photograph yarn, but I am saying there are some things that can help.  As I find my way through cameras, tripods, and lightbox research, I can enjoy the little things...

like a super yummy from-scratch brownie my daughter made.  It takes the edge off of the to-do list, for sure.   I mean, I'm still figuring out the best place to buy labels on a roll (any suggestions?) and which supplier of online postage is the best.  While I research and mull it over, at least I have some chocolate on hand, through.  It definitely helps.

And when my nerves falter about putting something I feel so passionate about (Jilly & Kiddles) into the world, I can look at the #topnine2018 from my Instagram.  It reminds me that there are so many people I'm passionate about too.  They all support me, and that feels pretty comforting.  Don't we all need a little comfort and support sometimes?

Feel free to follow me on Instagram @jillyandkiddles, by the way.

Project above is the Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig.  Yarn is Jilly & Kiddles Velvet sock in Nineteen.

When things really get stressful, though, the best way for me to focus on the good is still grabbing a bit of knitting and knocking out a few rows.  It does the trick every time.  Every.  Darn.  Time.