Who's setting your high expectations?
+ a lot of articles on TikTok + a CBDiscount (dad jokes not included)
Hi friend,
I'm betting you generally set high expectations for yourself.
I'm betting you love to fulfill a certain goal and vision.
But have you ever stopped to question those expectations? To ask yourself why they're there in the first place and why you're setting them so high?
When I started tweeting about mental health as a social media manager, I honestly loved growing an audience. I thought it was so fun and cool to expand my community and reach more people.
Now, don't get me wrong, one of my favorite things is hearing how what I'm doing or saying resonates with you.
But to tell you the truth, the expectations that came with growing my community became so heavy.
I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. I didn't really know who I wanted to be. There's no real resolution to this because I'm still figuring out who I want to be and what I want to do.
But the one thing I have learned is that those expectations were mainly built in my own mind. Sure, some people will have expectations of you, but those are mainly because you've built them first.
If you want to pivot those expectations, you may be surprised at how many people will pivot with you.
If those expectations feel like a boulder on your chest, stop. Question them. Continue however you need to.
with warmth + love,
N
P.S. People in India are facing a deadly second wave of COVID-19. If you're able to help, I'd encourage you to check out Mutual Aid India which is curating opportunities to donate to. You can also check out this list + article from New York Magazine which explains more about the current situation.
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📚 The Click Throughs
Long-form reads for the marketing geek + content creator
Link in Bio: Let's Talk About Leaving Social Media... Maybe?
This interview between Rachel Karten + Amy Brown made me feel a lot of things about being a social media manager + the need for us to hold social networks accountable.
New York Times: What Is 'Cheugy'? You Know It When You See It.
Remember last week when I said I love Taylor Lorenz? This week I'm diving into her piece about the latest term gaining popularity on TikTok: Cheugy. It's hard to define exactly, but I already feel insecure about my life choices.
Vox: Hey bestie, why is everyone saying "hey bestie" online?
This is a good complementary piece to the NYTimes piece above. It sums up some of the "cheugy" discussion + adds more around the general anti-girlboss movement.
Vice: TikTok's New Trend is 'Best Friends Kissing,' Unless You're Women
I know this headline reads like a Stefon skit, but it's actually a really concise guide to another new TikTok trend that's slightly problematic.
The New Yorker: TikTok and The Vibes Revival
One last article about TikTok because I'm clearly obsessed with it this week. This article is all about the #vibes + how creating experiences around curated vibes is making a comeback.
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🧘🏼♀️ Mindful Moment
One actionable thing to get you through this week
Hey, when was the last time you actually just focused on breathing?
Cool, let's do one right now:
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🔗 Link(s) in Bio
Things I’ve been loving that have absolutely nothing to do with marketing or business
Fashionista: All Your New Favorite Fashion Influencers Are Dogs – Yup, this adds up.
Well + Good: 3 of the Best Neck Pain Exercises To Nix Soreness, According to a Physical Therapist – Okay, we don't have to acknowledge this one, just take the tips + do with it what you will. (shoutout to Emily Abbate's Weekly Hurdle for this rec)
Women's Agenda: The tampon removal globe created by men that got investor backing is an example of a broken system – SCREAMING at this company for all the reasons so well outlined in this article.
Brianne Fleming is one of the most impressive people I've met this year. The community she's grown around her #PopChat weekly Twitter chats with her niche mix of pop culture + marketing is so incredible. Even better, her #PopChat Happy Hours are a gem (+ stay for the after-dark portion for the real madness). On May 12, she's hosting her next one with my other favorite human Alexa Heinrich talking about accessibility. I'm hoping to join + hope you will too! RSVP + get the Zoom link here.
I haven't talked about House of Wise here in awhile, and what better time to talk about them than when they're having a sale?! If you don't know House of Wise yet, they're an incredible CBD brand led by the brilliant Amanda Goetz made up of a community of strong, trailblazer women with products to help you manage your sleep, stress, and sex. My favorite are the stress drops which have become a must-have for recent particularly stressful days. My mom swears by the sleep drops. And now until May 10 they're inviting you to treat yourself or the mother figures in your life to $20 off your order. Use code MOMORNOT at checkout. houseofwise.co (full transparency: I earn a commission off any sale from this link)
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💭 Content Calendar
Ideas for you to take into your week ahead as a content creator
To practice what I preach, I want to make sure I'm providing YOU with content that's useful. To figure that out, I'd love for you to let me know if this section is useful to you.
You can do that by clicking one of these links below OR by replying to this email OR by DMing me. Thanks in advance!
Yes, I love the tips in this section!
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👋 The (ring) Light at the End of the Tunnel