The secret to trusting yourself is found in your failure.

Heya, friends.

How have you been holding up? Feeling a little frayed on the edges? So much feels like an assault on the senses these days, but I hold on to hope. I am going to share a few reasons, and the first one feels a little silly to share in this context, but I swear there is a solid reason for it.

I was recently honored with a couple of features from MplsStPaul Magazine about the work I did 20 years ago. The first one was about the history of Fashion Week in Minneapolis, which I founded 20 years ago this fall. The second is part of an online series featuring 20 icons of the MSP fashion community over the last 20 years. 

Here's the thing. 20 years ago, while I was filled with this insatiable drive to create a sense of community and connection for the emerging fashion industry in MSP, I did not know how to pace myself. I was full-throttle. I had to take a leave of absence from my full time job due to a breakdown. I had what I call my "gave myself baby bangs" moment. I lost a lot of money that first year. 

But after some adjustment, I/we hit our stride. People started to catch on. It really grew. 

Five years later, I was once again at a major crossroads. I decided to step down from the organization. I felt like an absolute failure. I had run out of energy and vision. It took years to realize I had not failed, even though there were many who were vocal about how I had let them down.

Anyone who has ever experienced something similar (I know you are out there!) knows what I am talking about.

So why am I so hopeful? 

Because right now I have a distinct vision of us being able to create solutions for our world by tapping into our creative life force to forge deep connections with others. I am in it for the long haul- I am dedicating the next 20 years of my life to making sure you and I can impact change for the kind of world we want to live in.

All this because I have even just the smallest personal proof that even if things feel like they are falling apart and we may be far from succeeding, that our work wins out eventually. 

"The beauty of building when things are falling apart is that it is going to take time. Some days will feel like you are moving backwards. But as things fall apart, we need things to fill their place. And what you create will likely be the very thing to meet the new needs."

So I am curious- where have you felt like you may have felt like you failed, but over time realized you had done exactly what you were supposed to do? Perhaps others needed to catch up to your ideas, or maybe it was you who needed to be convinced of your brilliance? 

Because I want you to braid that realization into your current existence. Let's get aligned and in line together. 

Much love,

xoxoMsAnnaLee

PS Need some loving support and encouragement? My calendar is full again, but I still have some time set aside for you if you are in need of a Creative Guidance Session. Or join us for a MotherTrees Collective session in a couple of weeks!