Shit or get off the pot

Everywhere I look, I see people making things happen. They’re building businesses, launching creative projects, chasing dreams—and it looks effortless from the outside. But what they don’t always show is the messy middle: the trial and error, the long nights, the learning curves, the self-doubt. The two steps forward, one step back.

The truth is, nobody skips that part. The difference between people who actually build something and the ones who just talk about it? Action. Consistency. Following through—even when it’s slow, uncertain, or unglamorous.

And this hit me—because for years, I’ve been one of the talkers.

I’ve dreamed about starting a stationery business. Talked about blogging, about creating, about finding a way to turn my creativity into something sustainable. And I’ve told people, told myself, told the universe… but for a long time, that’s all I did. Talk.

And listen, I knew I had what it takes. The ideas, the skillset, the passion. I even knew where to find the answers I didn’t have yet. But none of that matters if it’s not backed by action.

Yesterday, I hit one of those moods. The kind where you feel like you’ve been working so hard and still have nothing to show for it. I was frustrated, comparing my timeline to friends who seemed to find instant success in their creative ventures.

And to be honest, one of the hardest parts lately has been watching friends and mutuals cheer each other on—hyping up each other’s ventures, resharing their posts, flooding them with support—while mine seem to quietly go unnoticed.

It’s not that I expect attention. But it stings when people I care about, people I thought would root for me, don’t even acknowledge what I’m working so hard to build.

I’ve been putting in the time, the energy, the effort—while also raising a family, balancing life, and navigating everything else—and yet, it sometimes feels like I’m doing it in a vacuum. Meanwhile, others get celebrated just for starting.

And look—I know comparison is a thief. I know it’s not healthy to base my worth or progress on anyone else’s reaction. But knowing that doesn’t make it easier. Especially when all you really want is for someone to say, “I see you. I’m proud of you.”

I’m learning to give that to myself now. To stop waiting for the external validation and instead find it in the fact that I showed up today. That I kept going. That I finally did the thing.

Because I finally hit “publish” on my very first printable download. It’s live, it’s real, and it’s mine. It might seem like a small step, but it’s a massive shift in energy. I’m proud—not just of the product, but of myself for following through. Because now I know: I can do this. I can keep creating. I can grow this into something real. The only thing that was holding me back… was me.

The Truth Is…

The truth is, this whole “sh*t or get off the pot” energy? It’s not just about being bold. It’s about finally honoring what you say you want. Because dreaming is easy. Talking is easy. But actually starting, actually sticking with it, actually putting your work into the world—that takes guts.

It’s easy to make excuses. To blame timing, circumstances, lack of support, or overwhelm. But sometimes we’re just looking for something else to blame so we don’t have to admit the truth: the power to move forward has always been in our hands.

So if you’re like me—sitting on a dream, idea, or goal that’s been circling in your head for years—this is your sign:

Shit or get off the pot.

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💌 Closing

If you’re curious what I’ve created, you can check out my very first printable here. It’s simple, but it’s mine—and it’s just the beginning.

And if you’ve been sitting on your own idea for far too long, come say hi. Let’s cheer each other on. You can also sign up for my monthly newsletter, Your Internet Pen Pal, for more behind-the-scenes updates, encouragement, and little letters like this one. 💜