You are enough just as you are
+ being a social media manager is exhausting + languishing is the word of the week
Hi friend,
Whenever I start a habit or a routine, I set high expectations.
For example, I absolutely must drink 16oz of water when I wake up and then do a full yoga routine and write up a gratitude list and do a Headspace meditation all before I start work for the day. (Note: this isn't my actual morning routine)
So when I don't actually do that full, ambitious routine, I feel like I've failed. I go back to 0 and have to start again and keep my streak as long as I can.
I always felt like I needed to be perfect with my habits or give them up altogether. But what happens, as a result, is feeling like I can't show up imperfectly or halfway.
I lose out on experiences that could be beneficial. I could do a meditation every other morning. I could do yoga only on Friday mornings. But with such strict expectations, I'd never know if they were worthwhile. I'm frozen from even starting.
Anyways, if this resonates with you, the point is:
You can keep moving forward with grace and acceptance for the things you didn't get to do. For what you learned. For what you will do as a result of this.
You don't need to try to make up for your misstep or make yourself feel bad for changing course.
You don't have to do back and make everything perfect.
You are enough just as you are.
with warmth + love,
N
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📚 The Click Throughs
Long-form reads for the marketing geek + content creator
Where's Your Ed At: The Raiders, Social Media Managers And The Vortex of The Internet's Hate
Like you, I was also shocked at the incredibly insensitive Raiders post-verdict tweet. But this piece hits at the crux of the issue: social media managers are often not empowered to fully own their company's social media decisions.
Digiday: 'We don't post much organic content': Pepsi sees TikTok as a pay-to-play platform
TikTok was slow to pick up for brand usage, but now brands are getting creative about how they show up on the platform. Pepsi's take? Spend less money on creating content and more on distributing it.
The B2B Bite: What Do a Milkshake Bar and B2B Marketing Have in Common?
My friend and B2B expert Jason Bradwell wrote this piece in his latest B2B Bite newsletter about two cafes in his town that opened during the pandemic + how their different approaches to business can be a marketing lesson for us all.
High Tea: How to survive a scandal in 2021
I've mentioned recently how much I love the High Tea substack, but a reminder that their internet reporting is so good. This piece covers the latest TikTok drama: the faux feminist brand TRAMP STAMPS (don't you just love a name in all caps?)
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🧘🏼♀️ Mindful Moment
One actionable thing to get you through this week
Today's mindful moment is a prompt:
What is one thing giving you joy in this moment right now?
p.s. if you want to share it, feel free to reply or DM me with your little joy 🤍
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🔗 Link(s) in Bio
Things I’ve been loving that have absolutely nothing to do with marketing or business
New York Times: There's a Name for the Blah You're Feeling: It's Called Languishing – I know everyone + their mother is sharing this article right now, but it grounded me in what I've been feeling recently.
Shondaland: Why I Married My Platonic Best Friend – This writer married her best friend + their marriage is built on life compatibility, seeking romance + sex elsewhere. I'm fascinated.
Elle Magazine: It's Time For Women To Break Up With Politeness – For my fellow over-apologizers + people-pleasers, we need to do better.
New York Magazine: Why the Second COVID Shot Makes You Miserable – I've talked about this situation with many people but no one's been able to explain the scientific reasoning to me as clearly as this article does.
The Cut: Ask a Boss: 'I Feel No Ambition Whatsoever at Work' – A reader writes in about how their company is pushing career growth options, but they don't feel the drive to take them on. I know I've been in this place at a previous job, maybe you're feeling similarly right now?
NPR Life Kit: 'Comfort Decorating' Is All About Making Your Home A Sanctuary – I didn't know there was a name for all the cozy things I've been buying the past few months, but I support it.
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💭 Content Calendar
Ideas for you to take into your week ahead as a content creator
It's probably fair to say that most content creators are creative, artistic people.
But as social media + community managers, we often get bogged down in answering comments, analyzing metrics, + general admin work that doesn't create a creative, artistic headspace.
So, here's a challenge: Can you take one hour this week to dedicate to heads down creative flow time?
When you're not getting pushed around with various asks + notifications, what could you do? What would your mind create if you just gave it the space to create?
I challenge you to get in that uninterrupted flow at least once this week + see what happens.
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👋 The (ring) Light at the End of the Tunnel