A Talk With Teens
Hi there! Are you finding yourself feeling a bit alone on the other side of this screen. Trying to find your place and space in this world and get back into it? You are totally not alone. Despite what people post on social, a ton of us, and I say us because that includes me, are learning to find our rhythm in a post-pandemic world.
I’m Erin and here to simply be a friend today and share with you why we should talk about this and that it is a thing. It’s not in your head, but if you can better your thinking, you can better your life.
While I’m talking, type any question in the chat privately and I’ll answer them along the way. I won’t say your name or call you out. Ask me a question.
Here’s 5 things right off the back that have helped me readjust to social life post-pandemic:
Have quiet time every morning.
Journal my hopes and dreams and what I want to do.
Put action steps into my calendar.
Tell a trusted family member/friend my plan.
Reward myself when I get one of them done.
Starting anything new is hard. It requires a bit of faith and to your benefit, time and lack of experience. Yes, some lack of experience actually helps you to get moving because you aren’t over analyzing, doubting, and talking yourself out of it because you don’t know.
I’ll break this down for you into smaller steps that you can apply to anything you are trying to start. Whether it’s starting your own little side business, going to a new school, looking at majors or colleges, thinking about a job, or mustering up the courage to go to an event.
Starting a Business (example)
Quiet alone time with myself and God. Not what the world thinks, but ensuring every day this is what God wants. What is good for me.
I journal out what I hope for our team, partners, customers, business, the growth and balance I hope for us to have and what the next quarter, year, or five years looks like.
I put into my calendar the big goals in each month for the remainder of the year and block off hourly blocks each week to do a little to help me get closer to that goal every day.
I share this plan with my team and review it with them and the personal side of the business with my husband.
I have rewards planted out for all of us including bonuses, time off, trips.
Doing An Event (example)
It has been a while since we’ve done a pop up event. It’s a whole thing and it requires a lot of planning including emotionally for me since it’s a social event. Here’s what I am doing NOW to prepare following the same five points above.
I pray about the event.
I journal out my goals for the event. Bonding with my team, providing them new experiences, pushing myself to get out, see and reconnect with old business friends, and of course, let people know who we are and make some sales!
Put in my calendar due dates of what we need to work on to prep (make chocolates, signage, practice packing, prepping the packing list)
Share the plan with the team, RSVP, and tell someone at the event “I look forward to seeing you” so that I feel like I have to go
I set rewards or things that make it manageable like I only have to go to the social for 1 hour minimum and will take chocolates to pass out. At the pop up event, I will get to buy one thing from another vendor to take home or share with the team.
Finding a Part Time Job (example)
Pray about what you want to find a job
Journal what you’re good at, not good at, what you like, what’s important to you (location, pay, co-workers, company values, benefits)
Put in your calendar 30 minute time block to Google research, 30 minute block to make a post that you’re looking for work, a note in your next family gathering or social event that your question will be “Where have you worked one of your first part time jobs? What did you like about it? Not like about it?
Tell your plan to a friend and do this together. Or tell a parent who can help keep you accountable and drive you to check out places
Make a reward like a piece of chocolate after you finish____ or a new pair of shoes once you get your first pay check.
erin’s experience tip & call to action:
You can apply these five tips over and over again no matter what you are trying to do. Whether it’s getting out again, asking for help, planning for your future, or starting a business. Don’t worry about the end game of “finding yourself” because you never really do. Or just when you do, you’ve grown and change a little so you’re constantly re-discovering who you are. It’s an ongoing journey and I’m here to say enjoy the process.