clarity in numbers

I knew that looking at the numbers would be a challenge. You’ve heard it from me, and I’m sure you’ve heard it from other small businesses, it has not been our year.

And in my case, I have to remind myself that I asked for this. When I chose SETTLE as my word of the year, I knew what I was signing up for. When I chose as my intention to let enough be enough, I was in some ways calling this in.

And yet, to see the numbers in their actuality was a cold splash of water. I mean I knew they’d be down. I knew this would be the first year that my business saw a dip rather than growth.

I was prepared for that. Constant growth, always that upward trajectory is a lie that late stage capitalism has sold us. And I’m not buying into it. Dips are normal. Plateaus are beautiful. Integration and rest are just as vital as growth.

Still, I did not realize the numbers would be like pre-2021 numbers.

And I feel like the universe is asking me, did I really mean it? Did I really mean it when I said I wanted to settle for less? Did I really mean it when I said I want to let enough be enough?

Turns out, I did.

I’m not mad at the numbers. I’m not ashamed that my business dipped, even significantly.

In fact, I’m proud of it. I’m proud that I prioritized other things. I’m proud of the work that I’ve done and I’m proud of the work that I haven’t done.

I think we need to normalize dips. Exalt plateaus. Celebrate integration, rest, and recreation.

I share this with you not to trauma dump (I’m good. My business is good. It’s all good.) And not as some weird play to get you to buy something (this isn’t about that at all), but just to point out a few things.

1. If you’re a small business and you’ve seen a dip, you are not alone. So many folks are experiencing the same thing.

2. It’s easy to blame the economy or an election year, but the truth is cyber Monday 2024 was the biggest shopping day in recorded history. People are shopping. But for the love of god and all things holy, we need to be more mindful about where we are spending our money.

3. You can see a dip and still be thriving. What I lost in sales, I more than made up for in living. It was a good year indeed.