Closing Doors
How pantyhose, a recession and monthly maintenance fees keep pushing me forward.
2009. Navy skirt suit. White button up shirt. Nude pantyhose (gasp) with navy pumps. Wake Forest logoed padfolio awkwardly in hand. Nerves through the roof as I uncomfortably followed an intern, comfortable in his khakis and logoed shirt, to my “sure, I’ll talk with her” interview with a professional sports team.
“So, what can I do for you?” asked the top level executive, clearly doing someone a favor by meeting with me. I vomited some word salad back and exited stage left as fast as possible. On the dirty cab ride home, I envisioned burning my most cringey suit, hose and padfolio as I was determined that would be my last corporate job interview. My next career move would rely solely on me.
The combination of a 2008 recession fueled layoff and that still dreaded twenty minutes was the formula that launched my life as a solopreneur. In the moment, those situations angered and embarrassed me. Looking back, they were two ginormous universe nudges that would lead me to create a new life - one that aligned my innate skill set of organizing and moderate minimalist lifestyle with my future visions of family life. Less Mess. More Life. was born.
2025. Readers on. Coffeehouse station playing background music, candle lit and perfect temp breeze blowing through my home office window. Comfy in my jeans. Nervously reviewing my business banking accounts. Monthly Maintenance Fee $26. From January. From February. From March…and on and on.
“Hello, Bank of America. How can I help you?” asked Sherise, her voice kind with a hint of southern hospitality.
“I’d like to close my business accounts.” Expecting (hoping for?) a bit of friendly push back, my ego was bruised when she quickly agreed to close them for me. No questions asked. I wanted her to put on a hard sell to maintain the accounts, buying me more time to keep one emotional and mental foot in the organizing and interior design door. I wanted Sherise to make exceptions for my past business, all the while knowing that would only prevent me from my future business.
I need to fully let go of what Less Mess. More Life. has been to fully commit to what Less Mess. More Life. will be.
Yes, income is definitely one of my goals for writing and a separate checking account to manage those future massive deposits (visualization helps, they say) will be necessary one day. Managing a credit card to float pricey client purchases and monitoring interior design resale accounts only serve as a frustrating distraction at this point. Paying for those distractions makes them that much worse.
My business has evolved. It’s time for my environment and structure to reflect that, too.
Sixteen years later, I can proudly say I’m not mad at the boss who laid me off or the executive who made me feel wee. One day later, I’m not mad at Sherise for not stroking my ego. I can thank all of them, noting they were all key nudges along my journey, leading me to fully commit to the latest evolution of myself and my business.
Are your surroundings or systems reflecting an old life? What changes could you make to better support the current version of yourself or your business? Is it a closet overhaul letting go of wrong sizes or a LinkedIn profile update adding in your latest accomplishments? Is it unsubscribing from shopping emails and unused apps or subscribing to a new doctor or workout regimen?
Something often must go to see the change we want. Let’s make it happen. Now.
Can't wait to see what comes next!
Love the LMML 1.0, 2.0 , 3.0 story - your best version yet!