Never give up!

I "launched" the blog last night while I was laying in bed, trying to stay cool in this ridiculous San Diego heat wave. I didn't feel like it (or I) was ready, but I gave myself a deadline and decided to keep it despite some unexpected interruptions yesterday. Deadlines are good for me. Without deadlines, I'd wait for perfection, and that would be a really long time.

It was exciting to launch (which basically entailed sharing the link with 300+ Instagram and Facebook friends). It was even more exciting to wake up the next day and see the blog had reached 600 views (of which at least half are probably mine). Twelve hours later, the blog now has over 800 views.

I've never been so happy about someone "following" me (wilderlis) in my life! And this is just the beginning. I know if I'm going to be successful, I need a million views. Or maybe a billion! I have to get myself out there in every way possible. Inst-y. Facebook. Twitter. Pinterest. Etsy. Dot dot dot.

Ya know what? It's awkward, promoting yourself.

The self-doubt is real! Why would anyone read my blog? Who would want to buy my art? Stephen Colbert said this interesting thing in an interview the other day regarding his new show. When asked what would make his show successful, he responded (in some form or another) that he just had to hope there were people out there who felt the same way he did.

My sister sent me a wonderful and very encouraging email right before the launch. Here is part of it: "I cannot tell you how happy it makes me that you are [going for it]. You will never regret trying, and I have a suspicion it will work. If I can encourage you with one thing I have learned... never give up. Never make the mistake of judging the value of what you are doing by how easy it comes. It may come easy, but it may not. God is faithful time and time again, sometimes only after feeling like it is a lost cause or impossible."

It was what I needed to hear that day. And it is what I need to hear now since here I am again, thinking about deleting this post because I can't imagine why anyone would want to read it. I guess, like Colbert said, I just have to hope there are people who feel the same way I do. I think there are. And if you're reading this, DON'T GIVE UP!

Finally, a huge THANK YOU to all of my friends and family for your support with the launch.   Every "share" and "follow" means so much to me because I know how much easier it is to skip over.  Thanks for stopping by!

 l, lis

Also proven to help with not-giving-up... one smile from this guy!