Fashion Business Owner Musings: Everybody Feels Uninspired Sometimes

I always chuckle when people say that if you’re doing what you love, it doesn’t feel like work. Sometimes, that’s true. But other times it’s definitely not true.

Just because you love it, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t require a hell of a lot of work to make it all happen. It doesn’t mean that we’ll jump out of bed every morning thrilled to tackle those tasks. And it certainly doesn’t mean that every day is full of exciting ideas and perfect plans.

There are days when we all feel uninspired by our businesses. And that’s ok. Don’t allow that feeling to make you doubt what you’re doing.

Feeling uninspired with our businesses is something that a lot of us deal with. Especially those of us who have been running them for several years.

You know those days when you have no interest whatsoever in the things you need to do? Like make those phone calls, write those blog posts, review those spreadsheets, and check in with that sample maker? We all have those days. It’s expected.

What is less expected is when we feel uninspired by the things that we usually love to do. Like source next season’s fabrics, sketch new pieces for the next collection, plan a photoshoot, or interact on Instagram. This is the feeling that we don’t like having, right?

Because these are things that we normally love to do but some days find ourselves completely uninterested in doing. And when this happens, it’s harder to deal with because we wonder why we’re feeling so uninspired by the businesses we used to love so much. And that leads to that little voice asking us whether or not we should be doing this at all.

Don’t listen to that voice!

Remember that this feeling doesn’t mean you aren’t still in love with your businesses. It just means that, like any relationship, you have to reconnect.

Of course you won’t like your businesses every day. It’s a tumultuous relationship! The highs and lows are constant. Some days you’re happy and excited and so very much in love. And other days nothing goes right, and you can’t stand the business. But that feeling never lasts.

You just have to find ways to fall in love again.

Here’s what I do…

The first thing I do when I’m feeling uninspired is re-read my vision and my mission statements. It really helps to get back in touch with why I’m doing what I’m doing. I usually get knocked over with all kinds of new ideas, simply by re-reading what I wrote at a time when I was completely inspired and thrilled. This also usually leads to updating and revising my statements with fresh and exciting new goals.

The other thing I do is reflect on the last week or month or year of my business. I look at all the great stuff I’ve accomplished and how wonderful my business made me feel.

I also think about you all, the people we serve, who come to our website regularly and the wonderful messages and comments you send us. This is an incredible reminder to me that we are doing something that means something to others, is helping others, and is important.

So when you’re having those stretches of time where you’re run down or exhausted from all the researching, designing, pitching, marketing, and networking, take a step back. Reflect on your business and why you do what you do. Allow yourself to remember all the exciting things you want to accomplish.

And remember that just because you’re not head over heels in love every single day, does not mean that you are not working on something incredible.

Lots of love and encouragement,