Remembering July

A creativity dump, a #TTPO win, and testing some new ideas

Aug 08, 2024

July, July, July… what a month. I think that months are starting to feel like weeks and I don’t know what that says about time and age, but I am feeling it big these days.

July was filled with core memories and for that I am grateful. July held dinners hosted in our tiny townhouse kitchen, baked Brie and snack plates, trivia nights, coffees with dreamers, and bad news at work, books that call me higher, stress baking cookies, and getting quotes to fix the AC. It was a month of more creativity than I expected which honestly was somewhat of a coping mechanism but getting out of the funk I wrote about has mattered and we are getting there.

THE PHOTO DUMP:

MAKING AND CREATING:

I have been sewing again and loving it. There is something about creating with my hands more than my brain that has been wildly refreshing lately. I am such a newbie and every project is riddled with mistakes but we are still out here tryin’ ok! I am so proud of my progress. I am learning the most from Sydney Graham and everything she is posting on IG and YouTube. I have linked the tutorial to the current project I am working on. Her low-key take-the-pressure-off teaching style is welcome around here!

Here are a few photos from my own skyline dress construction:

I have been loving trying creative mediums outside my comfort zone and one of them is pastels and mixed media art. I found Dear Elaine Co. on Instagram and fell in love with her YouTube videos. She is an excellent teacher and I just love how light and airy her style is. So girly pop I can’t!

HOW I TOOK THE PRESSURE OFF:

I was invited to a gathering of women where we shared dreams, and things we are passionate about creating. Each gal spoke so much life over each calling up one other bringing Kingdom vision into the world. (My literal dream girls’ night situation). I was truthfully nervy about being in that space because I am not a business owner (yet) and wasn’t sure what I was going to share. Coaching myself up, I chose the pressure-free route, the path of not trying to be someone I am not, the path of honesty, and from that posture shared our #TTPO message.

I chose to be exactly myself - wildly hopeful, dreamer, potential seeking me.

I shared about how teaching women to take the pressure off has been well received. I explained to them how to start noticing pressure in their own lives. But the most meaningful thing I shared was that I deeply believe that by not letting pressure keep us stuck, it’s actually obedience and wild worship. As I kept going… I shared about how I can see a future merch line of life-speaking hats and postcards for creatives. I shared hopes of reviving the podcast dream. I shared that it’s the message that pours out of me at every corner.

I was worried it might be too much but it really wasn’t at all.

I share this win with you because the feedback was extraordinary. I don’t know that I have ever been more inspired to keep writing than after that night. I hope that by going first, you feel less pressure to show up in rooms with powerhouse gals and not be worried about being too much or too little. You are allowed to #takethepressure off and just be you. You are the best!

A BETA TEST:

THE PODCAST

I am aware that sometimes creators, writers etc. don’t always tell the humans who consume their work where they are headed next… so this is me trying to keep you all in the loop! Nobody left behind ok?!

I am considering changing the name of the podcast. It’s funny because the podcast hasn’t even seen the light of the internet yet but in the spirit of #TTPO I am believing that is ok. I would be so encouraged if you would help me think this through!

The current name of the elusive podcast is “The Something Good Podcast with Sarah Irene.” I am considering changing the name to something related to our key message of “Take the Pressure Off” so please please please vote below:

THE EMAIL LIST

Ok, last thing I want your feedback on! Currently, my substack (this email list) is entirely free. I love creating free written content for you and I am also so grateful to write on a platform that believes in the value of writers and words. Substack gives me the option to create a paywall because they value building community and potential revenue streams for writers. In considering this paywall option, I have been brainstorming what could be included. It matters to me that if you are paying me your real dollars you get to read/access things that would be of value to you!

For clarity - this email list would stay the same. Free, fun, frill. The paywall would be a subscription charge that you pay to get additional content, extras etc.

Things I am considering that might go behind a paywall:

Unreleased PDF resources to help you dream, pray, create, plan
Having access to purchase first when merchandise goes live
First to hear episodes of the podcast and get more behind-the-scenes content about how the process is going
Unreleased “car chats” (if you are new here, they are voice memos from my car, and feel like we are running errands together, the OGs know!)

I am so aware that you are brilliant humans with excellent ideas and if you have content ideas that would serve you I want to hear them! Please message me ideas as they come. I am looking for feedback and ideas here to make sure if we go this direction it will serve you so please leave a comment!

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