Hey there, beautiful people, and Happy 2022! I can’t believe we are 2 months (now 3) into the new year and I haven’t written a blog post! It’s been months since my last blog post, and I feel so ashamed. One of my goals for 2022 is to be more consistent with my blog and take it and my online business more seriously. I own my blog and with all of the changes that most of these social platforms go through on a daily have pushed me to pour more of my time, energy, and heart into The CCW Blog. So cheers to that and please make sure you are signed up to #TheCCWSquad C-Weekly Newsletter! This blog post is pretty much a catch-up post so if I’m all over the place, that is why! But I feel like I have sooooo much to catch you guys up on so let’s get into it!
Pregnancy Update
So if you haven’t heard or have been out of the loop, we are expecting Baby #3 in April! God has blessed us with another little blessing, and we are so excited to welcome them in the next couple of weeks. You can watch our announcement video HERE and if you’re curious to know what we’re having, you can check out the video HERE! The countdown is officially on and we are literally down to the final 9 weeks of this pregnancy. We still have so much to do to prepare for our newest arrival. We have to get a bunch of new items such as a new car seat, stroller, clothes, bassinets and so much since we gave away everything that we had from both of our kids. We have to do a hospital tour since we will be giving birth at a new hospital in a new city. I also need to get in touch with a local doula. I found one online and I’m hoping that she will be a good fit for this journey.
We are in need of a new, bigger AND reliable family car. My car can’t fit three car seats comfortable in the back for our kids and our van isn’t as reliable as we thought but it’s what have at the moment. This car search has been a struggle because there is a shortage, so a lot of car dealerships are low on new cars or aren’t expecting new shipments for a while! We have a few choices that we would buy but don’t want to buy until we see it in person. At this point, we are just being patient and trusting God’s timing. He knows it’s a desire of ours to have a newer family car and in due time we will have it.
So yes, as you can see, we still have a lot to do in such little time. But we will get it done so that it is less stressful once we are close to time to give birth. But I’m praying all goes well and that we bring our newest blessing earthside safely and healthy.
Entrepreneurial Update
This year makes it 11 YEARS since I started blogging! It’s still mind-blowing to me that I have been doing this for all of this time and STILL doing it. Can I be honest for a second? I love what I do and am so blessed to be in a position to do what I love: enlighten, empower and entertain women all of the world through my life, my style, and my journey through motherhood, and I get to work from home and be present with my kids. Although I had no intentions of EVER being a full-time blogger, content creator, or entrepreneur, obviously God had other plans for me and has shown me time and time again that as long as I don’t give up, it will all make sense.
But as of late, I feel like my passion has shifted for some reason. Maybe because I’ve been focused on having a healthy pregnancy and making sure I and baby are okay but social media has been taking a toll on me mentally and it shows. My analytics have tanked tremendously. I’ve been trying to hit specific goals for years and it just seems impossible, the constant algorithm changes, the need to fit in and hop on trends just to grow, and having to hear the same sounds/songs on two different platforms.
Things have truly changed and as hard as I am trying to keep up and try what works, it’s like something won’t let me. I truly feel that I was created to stand out! I never was the type to fit in, I was never into cliques or had a clique of friends, I cringe at the thought of copying someone or feeling like I have to look and act like other people just to succeed. And that’s what I’m seeing online and I can’t get with it. It even feels and looks like other influencers are being influenced to look, sound, and act like other influencers and celebrities. And that’s why I’m not easily influenced by others because it just seems like everyone is trying to keep up or compete with others and it’s just sad. I can’t get with it.
So I’ve been praying hard for God to show me how I can do what He has called me to do on this journey without feeling like I have to do what everyone is doing. How can I still utilize my platforms to fulfill my passions in a saturated market? How can I continue to engage and build my beautiful community of women and be there for them? When I say I have been praying hard about this, I have been praying hard.
Because honestly, I want to quit. Well, I have days when I just want to throw in the towel for the sake of my peace, mental health, and finances (because running an online business is NOT cheap. Please don’t let people who share their incomes and figures make you think otherwise.) I even gave myself a timeframe where if nothing changes, I’m done. But I can’t y’all. I love what I do! I love the community and support I’ve gained over the years. The brands and opportunities that have come my way over the years. In spite of how I feel, so much good has come from this journey and if I just quit, I will not see what else lies ahead for me! Also, the fact that my daughter tells everyone that I’m a boss and she wants to be a boss lady like me when she grows up does get to me every time. I have to remind myself that I have little humans who not only depend on me but are watching me as well! So I can’t give up and refuse to quit!
So I’m going to give it all that I have this year and just see what happens. No more excuses. No more comparing or waiting for the perfect time. Just full trust in God, believing in myself, authentically showing up for myself and my community, and just give it all that have! I want to look back at the end of 2022 and remind you that I spoke this into existence and I LITERALLY gave it all that have! Of course, I have other business ventures that I am working on behind the scenes (don’t want to say too much but a few hints: better apparel, Mommy and Maddie projects, wraps and something pertaining to writing) so I’m hoping those things will come to fruition by the end of this year or next!
Whew like I said, I feel like there is so much that I need to catch you all up on but if you follow me on my social platforms, you can get more updates there and more! But honestly, I’m excited for what 2022 has to offer! I don’t know what it is but I feel a shift happening in myself that is aligning me with where God is trying to take me. For so long, I feel like I have ignored what God truly wanted me to do and go in my life because of fear, comparison, fear of failing, again and again, lack of support, and more! But that is all about to change! I’m really tapping into my gifts, my femininity, my calling, asking for help (because I can be prideful at times lol), and truly being the woman that I envision and who God has called me to be. Not because it’s trending but because it’s the lifestyle I’ve always dreamed of and want to live on a daily! So I’m excited and I hope you’re excited as well! I wish the same upon you and hope that you are following the call that God has upon your life as well! He has so much in store for us and if we keep prolonging the process and allowing fear to hold us back, we will never see those things come to fruition.
So please stay the course, keep pushing, keep working but most importantly, keep praying and trusting God’s timing! It will never fail you! So enough about me, how have you guys been doing? Feel free to share any major life updates or things you’re looking forward to in 2022!!! Looking forward to hearing about it!! 🙂