Fashion Business Owner Musings: Sometimes We Get in a Funk

08.20.2021 | Fashion Business Advice

Fashion Business Advice

Are you ever just in a funk with your business?

Sometimes it’s that you’re not as inspired as you usually are, or maybe you have a lot of decisions to make in the business and feel overwhelmed, or maybe your routine is off, or any other number of other reasons…sometimes it just feels funky.

Being in a funk can make you feel doubtful, question your abilities, or doubt your decisions.

I think it happens to everyone for different reasons. For me, it’s often a lack of structure. When my routine is thrown off, I scramble to focus. Something changed and I haven’t acclimated to that change yet so it makes everything feel off.

Being in a funk can suck the excitement out of things and the energy out of us.

But here’s the thing: I’ve learned that funks can only be dissolved by action.

If you don’t physically do something to change the situation or adjust to the new circumstances, they can become rather debilitating.

You can find yourself making rash decisions and maybe having some regrets if you don’t actively participate in getting back to yourself.

It’s so easy to let ourselves get down when things are uncomfortable, challenging, or not working right. But I think by recognizing when you’re in a funk and making a conscious effort to pull yourself out by identifying what got you there, you can get yourself back to those feelings of excitement for the work you’re doing and the businesses you’re building.

Lots of love and encouragement,

Nicole Giordano

Nicole is the founder of StartUp FASHION, an online resource and community supporting for independent designers around the world with building their businesses. A deep love for the craft of fashion paired with an adamant belief that success is defined by the individual, led her to found StartUp FASHION, where she helps independent designers and makers screw the traditional fashion business rules, create their own paths, and build businesses they truly love. More than anything else, she’s in the business of encouragement and works every day to remind makers and designers that they have something special to offer the world and that they can, in fact, do this thing!

9 comments
  1. Nerisa

    I really hate it when I have a bad day or when I am in a bad mood because I almost can´t work while feeling bad I don´t concentrate at all. It´s of course even worse when it lasts for days. I also have depression once or twice a year and it lasts months. I´m tired all the time, without motivation to do anything… and sometimes I have a real anxiety either. And for long time I wondered if it would be even possible to have my own business… but I found out that it would be even worse to have a real job which I can´t do from home and I wouldn´t be able to work eight hours everyday. So… yeah… it´s kinda bad. I feel quite good right now and my business makes me happy and all but I´m worried what will happen once autumn is here and my mood goes straight down to hell…

  2. Elyse Kaye

    I totally hear you, Nicole. I think recognizing the funk is so important because it means you know it is all temporary. Having sounding boards like this helps since we can all relate. You just are coming off of such a mind-blowing trip. Your emotions are all over the map. Finding focus takes time!! I will be in Brooklyn next week if you want to meet up. Love the site!!

  3. Erika (Neumayer) Ehrat

    TOOOOOOTALLY!!! I feel like coming back from a mini vaca or getting some weird or nasty feedback can get me thinking crazy thoughts and doubt myself. The best thing for me to do is #1- go to yoga and #2- physically work on something… like get back to the sewing machine for a day, bust out a few blog posts, or walk orders over to the post office. So pretty much exactly what you said “dissolved by action”.

    Thanks so much for sharing!!! So nice to know we’re not alone. Good luck with the funk!

  4. Kat

    Hey Nicole,
    Thanks so much for sharing. I totally hear where you’re at – it can be quite lonely out there. You will find your way out of the funk … I’ve found my best moments come after a period of looking inwards and having self-doubt – it’s kind of like a little gift that can be the start of a beautiful thing. I absolutely love your website – it is such a great source to have as a solo designer. Good luck xx

  5. Coral

    Thanks Nicole,

    Your musings are like a nice big mug of hot chocolate, sorry more food!!:) Comforting, allowing you to pause for thought, and just what is needed. Indulgence over, your head clearer, you are now ready to take action.

    Thanks for sharing and being the voice of reason for us independent designers; hot chocolate finished, its time for me to get back to my sewing machine.

    Coralx

  6. Vanessa

    Wow, the “funks can only be dissolved by action” part is so true!! I think we try to talk ourselves out of things, but then it goes into a downward spiral. I think the best thing is to find a distraction (walk, break, talk to a friend on the phone) or a long weekend. Both make you feel so much better, refreshed and rejuvenated. For me it’s the change of scenery that helps the most 😀

    • Nicole Giordano

      Hey Vanessa. Distractions are good, for sure. But for me, it’s been best to identify why and then do something to change it. 🙂

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