So, let’s get real and talk about something not-so-pretty today. I personally have been struggling in my own business with this topic…and it’s been laid on my heart to share it because I believe that maybe you are silently struggling, too. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this post leaves you feeling inspired and encouraged today. If it does, share it with someone who may need to hear it, too!

Lately, especially in the last 9 months, Instagram has exploded into an incredible tool for businesses. It has changed the face of marketing for small business owners and has been used as an amazing source of clients in my life, too! I LOVE Instagram…I could talk and teach about it for hours! It does amazing things for businesses…but it does some not-so-amazing things to confidence levels.

You see, when you are looking at someone’s Instagram feed, you are looking at the “highlight reel” of their life. The best moments and the BEST images. You’re seeing flat lay stock photos, beautiful styled shoots, amazing husband and wife teams, adorable children in stylish clothing and exciting announcement after exciting announcement after exciting announcement. Doesn’t it seem like EVERYONE has exciting announcements to share!? It feels like everyone around us constantly has something bigger and better to be sharing. Educational products, goals they’ve reached, publications they’re featured in, travel plans, luxury weddings…it can be overwhelming sometimes. And lately, for me, I feel like I’m struggling to keep up.

Like most of us small biz owners, I spend all day every day working to grow my business. I am constantly working hard behind the scenes to create new content and build new business. I work from home, in my yoga pants and messy top knot, tirelessly behind my computer. Emails, blogging, editing, accounting, marketing, social media, communications, gallery delivery…you name it, I’m doing it. And I know you are, too. And you know what the hardest part is? That hustle is very rarely seen. Because that hustle isn’t Instagram-able. The all day, every day hard work that goes into our business isn’t styled beautifully enough to fit into our perfectly-curated feeds. It’s hidden. And when you’ve been working 15 hour days the entire week and you have nothing Instagram-worthy to show for it, it can feel like you’re failing. It can feel like you aren’t good enough. And, to me, it sometimes feels like I’m never going to measure up because I don’t have any exciting announcements coming up or new beautiful images to share. Even though I’m working harder than I ever have…the daily Instagram scroll sometimes causes my confidence to dwindle down to nothing and makes me want to throw in the towel of whatever big project I’m working on that isn’t being seen.

But let me tell you something…you are not failing. The work that you are doing is WORTH it. It is important, it is vital to the growth of your business and I SEE you. I know that hustle and I am so proud of you. Your hard work is going to pay off, and I am cheering you on, whether I can comment on an Instagram about it or not. When you begin your Instagram scroll every day and watch as your thumb swipes past so my beautiful images…remember that the person you are following is most likely facing the same struggles as you. They have the same fears, dreams, insecurities and small business struggles that you do. We are all in this together…don’t ever loose sight of that. I love you guys!!!

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