Dec. 2, 2023: To Do Renew health insurance Run report to reveal meager take-home pay last year; determine if it will yield higher or lower government subsidy, lowering the otherwise $1,800/mo sticker price for a family of two. Consider when it’s time to move abroad, given how much you hate the health care system in the U.S.
You made me smile and laugh so many times with this post. Because it was so transparent and authentic. It was a real gift. It was like stand-up comedy but better because it was written.
The line below stood out to me.
"Wonder if you need to be a 20-something MFA to participate in the ‘zine scene."
Possibly my favorite writing to date. It made me laugh, I could relate to practically every point and it gave me the gift of knowing I am not alone in this idea that "solopreneur success" is very rarely what it is sold to be. AND still worth it. Thank you !!!!!
Oh my goodness - I agree with Petra about this possibly being the favorite so far. It seems to me that you’re fully stepping into your amazing true voice.
Your style is evocative of the “it” factor I’ve observed in some of the most beloved modern writers. I always wished I could write like this! Sooo funny - I laughed out loud multiple times. So sharp-witted. So clever. So poignant and real. Pure magic.
Maybe what it takes to write like this is dropping all pretense and self-consciousness and just telling it like it is. But I believe it also requires being the magnificent Jenny Blake ❤️.
Sending so much love! Instead of feeling worried for you I feel weirdly excited...
Your transparency is a breath of fresh air. But are the podcasts really going on pause? I love your takes and would be sad to miss them (and also raising my hand to connect when the podcast is no longer a forcing function to dive deep with humans. We all need more business friends!)
Once again. You have me both laughing and crying about the absurdity of so many similar aspects of my own life. (Though I will slightly have to amend 3.a.iii as my gremlin pain resides in upper left side of back not lower.) Solidarity hug incoming on Thursday!
I wonder if we were seething with rage at the same time, at the bureaucratic health insurance mess that ate up 2.5 days for me! I was definitely promising myself to move out of the US - again.
P.S. I listened to the BFF podcast yesterday and I hope I can make the (last for a while) December meeting - planning for it!
I wish I could comment on every line in this post. Could lead to some great conversations! 💕
Best👏🏽one👏🏽yet (I keep saying that after each written masterpiece). If there was ever a place to feel human, it’s DOH. Best place on the internet right now. Keep it coming.
You’re so funny, and I’m glad you decided to share this list. Just a couple of days back, I mentioned in my latest Substack post how traditional publishing reminds me of going out with Mr Unavailables. The blowing hot and cold, the Future Faking and Fast Forwarding, the actions not matching words, the managing down your expectations and making you feel decidedly unspecial. Ugh! 🤣 Like you, I think about writing another book and then remember the shite I’ve just been through.
I learned about zines from Kate Bingaman-Burt. She has a great class on Skillshare.
Wow, I get your brain. Such a refreshing change. And yes to medical bills. Its not why I moved abroad 20 years ago but now in my 50s it IS why I stay abroad. Wish things were different.
Thank you, Jenny, for once again voicing my reality - along with the previous post on 13 things about do what you love and the money will follow. Ha! I was laughing, crying, cringing, and relating to both posts as my own business moves through a pivot that also includes a WTF around financial resources.
I'm currently reading Christopher Wallis' Near "Enemies of the Truth: Avoid the Pitfalls of the Spiritual Life and Become Radically Free". He speaks to many of these issues in the first chapter - on the adage "do what you love and the money will follow". I'm only on Chapter 3, so I'm not sure how I'll resonate with the rest of the book, but so far, I'm finding it quite helpful as I navigate this pivot.
It's always good to feel in community in entrepreneurship and I'm glad to have found this one!
The person who asked us “ what’s next?” deserves a bit of time and space to answer that question for herself right now. Thank you for making us smile as well as think this time.
By the way, moving to Spain would answer a lot of questions and solve some of the outgoings and health stuff 🧡
Thank you for sharing this and giving a voice to the reality of entrepreneurship so many try to hide (I love when you give voice to the wins, too! Those are just as much a part of ‘doh!). I’m not worried about you at all; this is a journey that’s sure to yield what’s needed for you and for us. ✨
Kudos for the bravery of going all in on the thing that feels right in this moment. Your big changes sound terrifying and energizing, and I hope this gives you the space you need to discover your next right thing 💖
I experienced a lot of ‘doh last year, and this episode of We Can Do Hard Things — Glendon’s discussion of “molting” — was enlightening and strengthening for me:
Jenny,
You made me smile and laugh so many times with this post. Because it was so transparent and authentic. It was a real gift. It was like stand-up comedy but better because it was written.
The line below stood out to me.
"Wonder if you need to be a 20-something MFA to participate in the ‘zine scene."
Possibly my favorite writing to date. It made me laugh, I could relate to practically every point and it gave me the gift of knowing I am not alone in this idea that "solopreneur success" is very rarely what it is sold to be. AND still worth it. Thank you !!!!!
Oh my goodness - I agree with Petra about this possibly being the favorite so far. It seems to me that you’re fully stepping into your amazing true voice.
Your style is evocative of the “it” factor I’ve observed in some of the most beloved modern writers. I always wished I could write like this! Sooo funny - I laughed out loud multiple times. So sharp-witted. So clever. So poignant and real. Pure magic.
Maybe what it takes to write like this is dropping all pretense and self-consciousness and just telling it like it is. But I believe it also requires being the magnificent Jenny Blake ❤️.
Sending so much love! Instead of feeling worried for you I feel weirdly excited...
Your transparency is a breath of fresh air. But are the podcasts really going on pause? I love your takes and would be sad to miss them (and also raising my hand to connect when the podcast is no longer a forcing function to dive deep with humans. We all need more business friends!)
Once again. You have me both laughing and crying about the absurdity of so many similar aspects of my own life. (Though I will slightly have to amend 3.a.iii as my gremlin pain resides in upper left side of back not lower.) Solidarity hug incoming on Thursday!
Enjoyed this SO much, Jenny! So relatable...
I wonder if we were seething with rage at the same time, at the bureaucratic health insurance mess that ate up 2.5 days for me! I was definitely promising myself to move out of the US - again.
P.S. I listened to the BFF podcast yesterday and I hope I can make the (last for a while) December meeting - planning for it!
I wish I could comment on every line in this post. Could lead to some great conversations! 💕
So so good 🤩 You are the voice of so many small business owners looking at the end of this year and feeling 🤦♀️💩🤪😵💫
Loved the format, the detail, the refreshing honesty. And I KNOW you are not out of ideas and stories for the next ‘Doh. Each is the best one yet.
Standing O. Sitting O. Skipping O. Love this the most. ❤️❤️❤️
Best👏🏽one👏🏽yet (I keep saying that after each written masterpiece). If there was ever a place to feel human, it’s DOH. Best place on the internet right now. Keep it coming.
18. Give self a break.
1. Yay for quiet sabbaticals!
You’re so funny, and I’m glad you decided to share this list. Just a couple of days back, I mentioned in my latest Substack post how traditional publishing reminds me of going out with Mr Unavailables. The blowing hot and cold, the Future Faking and Fast Forwarding, the actions not matching words, the managing down your expectations and making you feel decidedly unspecial. Ugh! 🤣 Like you, I think about writing another book and then remember the shite I’ve just been through.
I learned about zines from Kate Bingaman-Burt. She has a great class on Skillshare.
Wow, I get your brain. Such a refreshing change. And yes to medical bills. Its not why I moved abroad 20 years ago but now in my 50s it IS why I stay abroad. Wish things were different.
Thank you, Jenny, for once again voicing my reality - along with the previous post on 13 things about do what you love and the money will follow. Ha! I was laughing, crying, cringing, and relating to both posts as my own business moves through a pivot that also includes a WTF around financial resources.
I'm currently reading Christopher Wallis' Near "Enemies of the Truth: Avoid the Pitfalls of the Spiritual Life and Become Radically Free". He speaks to many of these issues in the first chapter - on the adage "do what you love and the money will follow". I'm only on Chapter 3, so I'm not sure how I'll resonate with the rest of the book, but so far, I'm finding it quite helpful as I navigate this pivot.
It's always good to feel in community in entrepreneurship and I'm glad to have found this one!
The person who asked us “ what’s next?” deserves a bit of time and space to answer that question for herself right now. Thank you for making us smile as well as think this time.
By the way, moving to Spain would answer a lot of questions and solve some of the outgoings and health stuff 🧡
Thank you for sharing this and giving a voice to the reality of entrepreneurship so many try to hide (I love when you give voice to the wins, too! Those are just as much a part of ‘doh!). I’m not worried about you at all; this is a journey that’s sure to yield what’s needed for you and for us. ✨
Kudos for the bravery of going all in on the thing that feels right in this moment. Your big changes sound terrifying and energizing, and I hope this gives you the space you need to discover your next right thing 💖
I experienced a lot of ‘doh last year, and this episode of We Can Do Hard Things — Glendon’s discussion of “molting” — was enlightening and strengthening for me:
https://pod.link/1564530722/episode/5c0ca1512b760cde5b7d5484db731155