I almost quit my business (Erin Jean Warde)

But in the end, the discernment was clear: I am not ready to give up on this work, this vocation, this calling. I love what I do.

As an autumnal girlie, seeing one tree full of orange leaves amidst a field of green gave me so much hope this week. <3

I almost quit my business

Hello friends,

I spent the latter part of the spring and the entirety of the summer discerning this exact question. Should I quit my business?

To be completely honest: I don’t make much money on my business, like honestly not enough especially with inflation/price gouging, and it’s been a huge struggle over the past few years. It is also the only income I make. I’ve had good months, good seasons, but very little consistency. If you add in the grief of losing my sister, and how that attacked every facet of my life, when it comes to my business I’ve had some hard years, especially financially. 

But: I absolutely love what I do. When I’m working for myself, I look at my to do list, and I’m happy. When I look at the list of people I’m meeting with, I’m excited to see them, every single time. I can’t explain the fulfillment I feel when I dig into my personal work. It genuinely feels like this is where I am meant to give my time. The only issue is finances. 

This year has been especially hard financially, which is why I discerned going back to having a job where I work for someone else. Opportunities became available, and I took them, or at least tried to take them — I applied for tons of jobs.

As I have reflected, I know what I was seeking: financial security, after 3 years of almost never knowing how I will pay next month’s rent. Because never knowing how I will pay next month’s rent has been hard on me, especially mentally. It’s just a constant anxiety.

But in the end, the discernment was clear: I am not ready to give up on this work, this vocation, this calling.  I love what I do. I know I need to figure out pathways into financial security, but as for now, it will have to be THROUGH my business, because I truly believe this is where I am meant to be. I feel more in alignment here than with anything I applied for. And as much as this is hard, it is good. I am, in many ways, grateful this is where my discernment led me, though I have many challenges to overcome. 

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Right now, I am re-branding a bit, as I work on launching the community, which will officially start in September, BUT you can get ready for it anytime by becoming a paid subscriber right here on Substack, because the community will be here, where it’s always been. And if you’re already a paid subscriber, you’re already set up for more goodies! (More info below!)

Over the years, I have changed, and I’m so wildly obsessed with aesthetics that I feel like they need to reflect the changes that have happened within me, interior and exterior, because if it’s going to be a space where I am, it needs to reflect who I am, and the space I’m able to hold for y’all.

So my Substack will shift from “Gather the Inklings” to “Chaos Land with EJW.”  By being here, you’re part of Chaos Land, and I’m grateful you’re willing to be here in this land of chaos with me. 

Here’s the breakdown:

Free subscribers 

• If you’re here, you’re in Chaos Land with me, EJW.

• I’ll be sharing all about my chaos, and holding space for yours, every week in my newsletter.

• Feel free to share in the comments anytime you’d like! I love hearing from you. <3

Paid Subscribers

• You’ll have access to paid posts (you’ll receive them just like you do the newsletter) that invite you to chat & share with the community.

• You’ll also have access to live calls via Zoom. I want to have at least 1 per month, but hopefully 2 I think? But with the possibility of growing past that (maybe to weekly?) as the community grows, depending on interest. 

• Book club! And with a zoom call to discuss. 

• In September I’ll be offering a link to sign up for a 20 minute 1:1 chat with me, if you’re in the paid community. I’d like to get to know you!

• Miscellaneous fun events we might have (movie night? random threads? seasonal chats?)

• Voice memos & video reflections as per my ADHD lol

So be looking for some changes in branding, but just know that I *think* they will better reflect what this space has always been — good chaos.

And again, I appreciate y’all more than I can say. Thank you for being here. You are why I couldn’t let this business disappear.

With love & care,
EJW 

If you missed my previous post…

Chaos Land with EJW starts soon. And it’s Chaos Land, because it’s a place where we love you for your chaos, not despite it.

Because your chaos is real. It is your life. It is my life, too. It makes us who we are — and yet, no matter your chaos, you might still need to be grounded amidst it, which is why we turn to community.

We also might love our chaos — chaos can be fun! — so we get to celebrate our chaos, too. We get to honor the complexities of who we are, mind, body, and soul. Some of that will be fun, some of that will be hard, some of that will need grounding, and some of our chaos might even be invitational. What if we embraced it? Or at least leaned into it?

What if embracing our chaos within community helped us navigate it better than thinking we could “fix it”?

What if you could hurl things into the main, to receive love, compassion, and maybe most importantly: laughter, in return?

Welcome to Chaos Land. You’re in it. Become a paid subscriber to go further into the spiral. <3

Coaching

As the new academic year starts, there’s just a LOT going on, a marked uptick after what might have felt like relaxing summer months. If you’re moving into this fall semester and hoping to change your relationship with alcohol, I’d love to work with you as your recovery coach. This is for anyone who wants to change their relationship with alcohol, whether that’s cutting back, quitting completely, or maintaining sobriety.

Spiritual Direction

If you’re seeking long term spiritual support, I’d love to hold space for you as your spiritual director. Supporting people in their spiritual lives is one of the deep joys of my life. I have supported people spiritually through deconstruction, daily life, seminary, grief, the big questions of life, the ordination process, sobriety, and more. I’m also LGBTQIA+ inclusive. If you’re hoping for a companion along the way, I’d love to be a companion to you, as your spiritual director.

And, if you sign up for a package between now and September 6, you’ll get 5 sessions in your package instead of 4. My way of trying to help you kick start this academic year with some support!

And if you have ANY questions about my offerings, please just reply, I’d love to hear from you! I’d like to figure out a way to remove barriers as much as I can, so don’t be afraid to reach out. <3