Life Lessons: When It's Time to Say Goodbye

4 Minute Read

I’ve got the short version of the story and the full download. Whichever you decide to read, just know there's something for you at the end.

The short and sweet is this: it’s time to make some major changes. 

I’ve tip-toed around this decision (my loyal email subscribers might recall the pause and pivot emails in 2019), but now I’m ripping the band-aid off and completely restructuring the business and doing some purging. Why? So that I can show up for you, myself, and the people around me without sacrificing my peace and the priorities that matter most to me. Let me tell you, I already feel so light and free!

Now, let’s dive into the details ...

One thing you should know about me, in case you don’t already, is I am the QUEEN of simplicity.

Let me paint the picture for you. In my handbag, I carry only the essentials: keys, cards, cash, lip balm, and maybe a few bobby pins. When I travel, I tote around the smallest suitcase possible with my clothes compactly rolled and tucked away inside. Two pairs of jeans on a two-week trip? No problem!

My wardrobe is super effortless, complete with my go-to blazers, flowy cardigans, skinnies, camis, and tanks. At home, my tabletops and cabinets are thoughtfully arranged with containers to keep things in their proper place – and if something doesn’t fit, friend, we must purge it. 

You get the picture. 

My lifestyle will either inspire you or make you roll your eyes, but simple, clutter-free living is what my mind and body require to function. I can’t do clutter. It’s just the way I’m wired. 

But the business side of life? Well, that was a Jekyll and Hyde situation. 

I don’t play when it comes to Cheriss & Company, and if you’ve placed an order you know it’s all about quality and details over here. I stay true to my type-A personality when it comes to creating products and serving you. 

But mentally … that’s a different story. Until recently, I was all over the place. I was in a constant frenzied state of “I have to create something”, “I should sketch”, “I need to post”, “I need fresh products”. On top of that, work was spilling into places where it quite frankly had no business. Family movie night in? I’d be there, splitting my focus between the story line and pecking away at my keyboard or phone. 

In the moment it felt exhilarating. I mean, your girl was kill-ing it. I was juggling all the things and taking care of business.

But I wasn’t taking care of me. And technically I was spending time with family, but good luck peeling me away from work first.

Over time, work changed from what felt like a lush creative utopia, flowing with ideas, into an isolating, draining obligation. Eventually, I developed a mental block and I couldn’t get any of the ideas bouncing around in my head out on paper. But there was still so much I wanted to say and create for my customers. 

My work habits were literally killing my passion and energy.

So, it’s time to say goodbye and purge the things that don’t belong. 

Looking back, those creative blocks I dealt with were probably my ideas’ way of protecting themselves from me, the crazed, well-meaning creator who just didn't know when to turn it off. The pressure to produce was consuming me in ways I was just too busy to realize. And we can’t change what we’re not aware of.

So, I took a season to pause, and I became very aware of what needed to change. And that’s what this "goodbye" is all about. I’m scaling things back and I’m taking unnecessary and unproductive pressure off my back and shifting the focus back on the most important things. 

Between now and 2021, I’ll be retiring most of your favorite products that are currently on the site. When the supplies run out, that’s a wrap – the products won’t be coming back for the foreseeable future, but stay tuned to see what’s coming in it’s place. 

Some products are going away, but I’m certainly not.

I’m working on creating a life that’s true to this simplistic, sensible-blazer wearing, type-A, Container-Store-loving woman who’s on the other side of your screen.  

One hard lesson I’ve learned in the past 6 years in business is this: figuring out what you need is the first step before deciding to go after that thing you want right now. Get clear on what success looks and feels like for you. Whether it’s a career, a relationship, a home, or health goals, find a path that doesn’t require sacrificing your standards or peace of mind. Besides, success is no good if we’re drained and crumbling into pieces while pursuing it. 

Fact is, we can do life our own way. We don’t have to conform. You’ve got your own mold and it fits perfectly. Get your life, build some boundaries, and give yourself permission to live a life you’re genuinely excited to wake up to.  

If you’ve made it this far into this post, thank you so much for sticking with me. I’ve got a little something for you. Enjoy extra savings when you shop the goodbye sale with code: KEEPITSIMPLE.

Oh, and be a good friend and forward this message. Never know who might need to read this.

Here’s to living and loving like we mean it ;)

Now it’s your turn. Did a part of this message speak directly to you? Would love to know! Comment below.