,

Prior to my sabbatical last summer, I was on autopilot, unaware of how much fear and scarcity ran my business.

I would experience a near-compulsion to overwork and push myself beyond my limits.

Surprisingly, this overworking didn't entirely dampen the joy and fulfillment of my clinical and copywriting work. 

Truth be told: 

→ I loved my clinical work with therapy clients. I had an overflowing caseload of ideal clients, carefully curated through a wonderful referral network, solid copy, and screening processes.   

→ I loved writing done-for-you copy for brilliant powerhouse therapists and helping their vision come to life. (Even if that vision meant more leisure and less writing because they outsourced like a boss.)

→ I loved coaching therapists and holistic practitioners on how to unlock their inner writing voice and show up authentically in their copy. 

The issue? No matter how much contentment and alignment I felt in my business, there was still fear running the show. 

This fear was a quiet hum in the background, like the soft trilling of a fan in a distant room. 🪟

Other times, the fear deafened me with a roar, drowning out all creativity, leaving only a never-ending need to DO MORE. 

No progress in my business would EVER feel solid until I worked on my relationship with fear.

As an IFS therapist, I know it's important to not gaslight the parts of us that feel fear, but learn to work with them and compassionately honor the burdens they carry. 

(Many of which may be traced to generational, ancestral, or collective wounds.) 

I have a part that experiences the fear of living in a capitalist society where my safety is literally tied to being able-bodied (enough) to make money -- or being connected to someone who can. 

I have parts that question if I'm strong enough to allow more of myself to be seen. 

And what about the parts of me that are deeply creative, curious, ambitious, and driven. Is there space for this, too? 

The list goes on...as I'm sure it does for you. 

Well, hello, fear! 👋

Fear is ever-present as I prepare for my first brand photography shoot and launch a brand-spankin'-new website this fall. 🍁

I’m both excited and overwhelmed! Between the endless minutia of tasks, I want to write you like 500 emails about what I'm learning on the client side of this process! 

(You know how much you learn about being a therapist when you are a client? It's like that.)

At the end of the day, I've worked a lot on my business.

I've cut down my hours, hired help, raised my rates, improved my messaging, launched new offerings, and more.

But the result I'm most proud of? 

I feel Less Pure Terror.

Oh, and the even better part? 

The peace and delight I feel in my business continues to grow each day.  

So, , I am curious about your relationship with fear, joy, and everything in between. 

Is it something you acknowledge within your business?

Do you talk about it with your business coach? Your colleagues? Your friends?

If you don't, why not? 🤔

-Ari

P.S. Curious about sabbaticals? This no-holds-barred podcast highlights all the lessons learned after 2 months away from the office. It's eye-opening! 👀

P.P.S. If you want to embrace your fear as you write powerful copy, you might be the perfect fit for the container of a 1:1 VIP Copy Coaching Intensive. I'd love to work with you.