275 Days of Waking Up 3x / Night
Lessons for when your business is in the thick of a growth phase
I woke up to my baby crying at 2:45 am and said a silent prayer that he would fall back asleep.
But the crying became louder.
And then it morphed into tearful calls of “mama” and I was done for.
I pulled myself out of bed and silently cursed my still-sleeping husband as I stumbled my way out of our bedroom. Eyes still closed, expertly avoiding the dog, half folded pile of laundry, and bookshelf, I walked down the hall to my son’s bedroom.
As I picked him up out of his crib, I kissed his wet cheek and we sat down together in the rocking chair.
He started nursing and his whole body relaxed, but mine tensed up.
This was my third time out of bed to feed him.
(How hungry could be be?)
I was ti-YERD. Frustrated. Jealous. Annoyed. Guilty for feeling frustrated, jealous, and annoyed.
Then, as he’s eating, my son reaches up with his free arm and strokes my face. The gentlest gesture of love. His little version of a thank you.
And I soften. The annoyance at being woken up for the third time in six hours melts away for a moment and I marvel for the millionth time (like the sappy mom I am) at the little miracle in my lap.
When you’re in a cycle of monotonous repetition, it can feel like you’re stuck in place. Frozen in time.
Motherhood is like this.
Charlie’s only been alive for 9 months. That’s not super long in the grand scheme of things. But 275 days in a row of waking up multiple times a night feels like a lifetime when you’re in the thick of it.
Entrepreneurship is like this, too.
When you are in a growth phase, it often feels like your wheels are spinning, but without any actual motion forward:
The idea for the beautiful new offering is muddy instead of clear.
The inquiries are coming from the people who don’t fully get the value of what you do, instead of from the dreamy clients you so badly want to serve.
The money comes in spurts, but without any consistent reliability.
And this period of limbo is exhausting. Like you’re running on a hamster wheel, giving out all the energy and not seeing those incredible results you *know* you’re ready for.
Here’s the lesson to call yourself back to:
Every small step of the growth journey contributes to your big-picture vision.
Even if the clients currently inside your world aren’t the dreamiest, I’d bet they’re receiving an incredible result from hiring you.
Even if the money is unpredictable, the freedom to build your own legacy is probably way better than the 9-5 grind alternative.
Even if it feels like you’re saying the same mundane things over and over on Instagram, I’d bet someone is watching and thinking ‘wow, her content is good.’
The growing pains are part of the process when you’re building a heart-led business. Because when you care deeply about the impact you make on your audience and clients, you don’t take shortcuts. You take the time to build it right.
The love, care, intention, and energy that you’re pouring in right now will pay off.
Just like the sleepless baby-hood nights, business growth phases are temporary. And – while I give you FULL permission to feel frustrated, annoyed, and jealous of all the other entrepreneurs who are currently sleeping through the night, I also invite you to consider how you can pause and notice the gentle gestures of love and gratitude that your community is offering you in return, right now, in the messy middle.
Sending my love,
– Samara
Ways to work together right now: