Time to quit being lazy!!

[JoArtyJo]

So- I used to be very active on etsy, working all hours and checking in ALL the time. For the last year (I don't get how it's gone so quickly....) I have been seriously lazy. Well, I have had my second baby (7 months old today), so I have a valid excuse for some of my time off (severe morning sickness, general pregnancy stuff, newborn weeks, c section recovery)- but that does not excuse the extreme length of time my shop has been totally neglected for!

I am extremely lucky in that my shop has basically been running itself- no new items, no promoting at all, but still regular sales of instant downloads which send themselves automatically. But I don't take this for granted and know I really should give my shop some TLC!

I need some motivation to get going again- I literally haven't drawn anything in about a year- and I'm thinking I won't know what to do! Has anyone else had a break like this? How did you get started again? I am thinking chatting more in teams is a good way to get started and back in the swing of things again :-)

[Former_Member]

I've been so lazy this whole summer which isn't very good because that means I wasn't preparing for the winter. I did work on tags and titles which is pretty good I did get some sales this summer which is great. Congrats on the baby. I didn't really have a huge break I would take a week off and a week on. Good luck on the store.

[maryfrancessmith]

The last Christmas season left me somewhat burnt out. I've been enjoying this slower pace. Hard to believe the next season rush is just around the corner!

[JoArtyJo]

Thanks Olivia :)

Yes Christmas will soon be here again! That's one reason to get myself busy again I suppose! I think the last new items I made may have been Christmas themed. They didn't even do very well lol.

[SnarkFactory]

Wow, that's so awesome your shop essentially took care of itself. I remember looking at it a few weeks ago (or perhaps, months ago. It's strange how fast time goes by with Etsy?) and admiring your intricate designs. If that's what your shop looks like when you're being lazy, it must be a force to be reckoned with when you're on top of it!

I'm 24 and stopped drawing and creating after I graduated high school. About a year and a half ago I started up again and I was so happy I did! It's like a void in my life (that I didn't even know I had) was filled! Just don't put too much pressure on whatever new thing you're just starting out with :)

Good luck to you and keep us informed!

[JoArtyJo]

Thanks Mallory :-) yes I trained my shop well! lol- More like a year of obsessive round the luck addiction built up enough steam to carry me through I guess. And a lot of good luck I'm sure is playing a part....

I am thinking if I do start up again I will feel much like you describe. And I know once I start I am likely to be addicted! You're right about the pressure I think. I keep thinking in terms of what to create that would be a good seller etc, but maybe I should start by drawing something, anything, just for the sake of drawing....

Glad to hear you were able to get back into it, and your shop looks amazing :-)

[Former_Member]

Having purchased your items in the past I'd love to see you draw some new creations. :)

[JustForGiggles]

BAAAAABIES!!!!! If I ever get around to procreation, I swear I'll be like a ghost here!!! hahahaha!!! Congratulations :D

& good for you coming back to your passion :~)

[Africancrab]

@Joan, yes time to get busy, I'm working on my Christmas Collection and some Halloween.

[JoArtyJo]

Thank you Natasha :-) I wasn't even thinking about the repeat customers I must be missing out on!
Wanda- lol, yes procreation is somewhat time consuming ;-)

[JoArtyJo]

Well I just spent the evening creating 2 new pages of bookmarks :-)
Not added as yet but am on my way!
:-)

[IstriaDesign]

Congrats on your new baby, Joanne! I am in a similar situation. I had a second baby too. She will be 7 months next week and my shop definitely suffered because of it.

I've kept it open for this entire time because we really need the money, but it is very challenging for me to find motivation and create new stuff in this chaos.

I think we can't wait for the inspiration to come, we just need to sit down and get started. Once that first piece is done, everything will feel like it used to again. At least I hope lol.

All the best to you, I know you'll do great!

[JoArtyJo]

Hey Ivana- congrats to you too!

Your shop looks like it is doing amazingly well! Not sure how you are managing! I don't have to make or ship anything which is the only way I am coping!

I did sit down and make a start tonight so feeling better now :-)

How you finding being a mummy of 2? Hard work here! Amazing too of course :-D

[IstriaDesign]

I find it hard too. My son is 3 and he is sooooo active (wish I could bottle his energy). Baby girl is a lot calmer and I'm grateful for that.

Honestly, I would never be able to do it without my husband. He is a disabled veteran and can't work so he is stuck with the kids most of the day while I'm working on orders. It gets stressful, but I still enjoy doing this and don't want to give up.

[JoArtyJo]

Amazing teamwork, it's great you've managed to keep it all going! :-)

I also have a crazy 3 year old boy.... No explanations needed! My baby boy is also calmer. I think he is happy as he has a constant source of entertainment- life is rarely boring with his older brother around!

[Former_Member]

This is such a great post! I've been lazy all summer long so I'm glad to see that I'm not alone!

I just started working more on my shop yesterday. Just because I got sick of being lazy.... I've just had enough!

[Former_Member]

the only bigger Freaks i've had so far are when i went on vacation or Business trips like now. i never put my shop in vacation mode because i don't have that many sales but i'm always itching to do something when i get back so i never had issues to get going again.

[JoArtyJo]

Glad it's not just me being lazy :-)

Barbara- I was always like that before, it's just this "maternity leave" which has been a proper break. Time to change it!

Been working on new stuff last 2 evenings which has been great :-)

[Former_Member]

I think we all go through "lazy" times. My husband does lumberjack competitions and I am involved not just with helping him but also scoring, etc. a number of the competitions we do. The month of August followed closely by September are the busiest for the sport.

Then you add a 17 month old. And I hurt my right hand at a competition and ended up with 8 stitches in my finger. Hard to crochet. So just when I was picking up steam again, I had to rest. Life just happens.

I've only been on Etsy since January but the one most important thing I have learned is: don't let the business control your life. Family, home, life comes first. Don't neglect the shop but don't let it rule your life either. Sounds like you did a good job taking some time to focus on kids, c-section recovery (I've been there too), etc. :)

[JoArtyJo]

I've just started a whole new section! Decided to add bundles of my colouring pages- extra listings with no extra work! And I have 5 new pages to add as soon as they are scanned (scanner not working how rude!)

Not feeling lazy any more- in fact I'm feeling motivated and inspired woohoo! In my typical style though I am doing this in the middle if the night- it's now 1:47am and I seriously need some sleep. Tired eyes!

Anyone else feeling inspired tonight?!

[inkanddot]

I've got a bubba arriving in october so I'm trying to work extra hard to make sure I've done as much as I can before that busy newborn time hits and I hand it all over to my fiance! Thankfully we're both graphic designers so the shop doesn't have to go on holidays unless we're super overwhelmed!

I now wake up inspired every day to do more with my blog, portfolio and logo designs. I've got more digital downloads in the works and everything is going pretty smoothly. I think my time limit has really made me get my backside into gear.

[PiecesofMeCardsnMore]

I don't have babies to use as an excuse (that factory closed 15 years ago - ha!) but I was quite lazy about my shop this past summer. I finally got my mojo to get back into it and BAM I've had 5 sales since Sept. 1st (which is a lot for my shop). Two of those orders were made to order custom listings, another was a quantity of four ready to ship items. And I'm working with a potential buyer on finalizing details on a very large custom order - my largest ever. I've been kind of forced out of my laziness. LOL Not that I mind. The larger orders have enabled me to splurge on a few small treats for myself. :)

[Former_Member]

I know! I used to be semi-busy on Etsy (never did TOO much, but kinda kept things a float:), but for some reason I've just been slacking off on it. :( I have been super busy so I kind of have excuses, but I don't want excuses!
Just this week I've been getting back onto Etsy more. I'm trying to start treating it more as a job. :)
Yay for you getting back onto Etsy more! Just go out and be the creative person you are with your shop! :) Good luck!

[Former_Member]

I think it's great that you've had some time out to enjoy being with your baby, they grow up so quick. If your a creative person, which you most definitely are:) you'll always have the urge to get back to it.

I've been a little disheartened lately as my views and sales are down:( but I'm determined to keep on trying.

Let the creative juices flow!!

[Former_Member]

For me motivation comes and goes. Right now I'm super excited about my shop, but come December I'll be having my third babu and know that after that I may not be getting much done. I like to think of the big picture. Right now my shop falls into the category of a "hobby" but I'm trying to look at the work I put into it now as setting it up to be a real part time business in a year or two when my kids are more occupied with school. Maybe if you do the same and think about where you want to get to, it will help you to put some work in now. Even if its just little bits here and there when you can squeeze it in.