Hello there – long time no write. We’re in the final stages of construction over in Shirley, and the move is officially imminent…we’re talking days away as opposed to weeks or months. I’ve wanted to write about how excited I am to move (which I am), but what’s been happening every time I start to write is that my inner insecure girl pops up and tells me to be quiet. And when you’re feeling just slightly insecure, trust me…that inner voice can get pretty loud very quickly, and more often than not, at least for me, that voice can be deafening.

And so, I would like to introduce you to insecure Karen. She’s not nearly as fun as normal Karen. She wakes up in the middle of the night, filled with anxiety, and worries about every decision she’s ever made. There are times when I am adept at keeping this part of me under control, but right now, this hand-clenching girl is beating me down.

I find the timing of insecurity to be most interesting. From the outside, people look at me, observe the growth of my company, and compliment me on my success. I appreciate everyone’s support more than I can express. The only challenge is that when I’m feeling insecure, these compliments morph in my head and end up feeling like reminders of what I’m not doing well enough. I end up feeling like a fraud, and so the downward spiral goes.

This morning was one of my lower moments, which blows me away because there are so many positive, exciting things that are bubbling around me. Thankfully, I have friends and family who always come to my rescue. It is because of the people around me that I am able to find the mental space to take a step back, take a deep breath, and gain some perspective.

And so, with this perspective, here’s what I’m able to see & appreciate: We have finished the re-design of our website and blog – sneak peek soon to come – and today is day two of the photo shoot. The new space is almost done & we plan on transitioning over there within a week or so. We continue to add key members to our team, and I am truly blessed by my work family; Never have I been so fortunate to have such a strong support system keeping everything running smoothly and ensuring that I remain focused, grounded, optimistic and sane. Our customers are wildly supportive and enthusiastic, and all I can say is that I cannot wait to plan our welcome to Shirley party – it will be an open house you will not want to miss.

I have learned so much in such a short time, and I look forward to my brain truly comprehending and recognizing the progress that I’ve made as a business owner, a pastry chef, and as a person. Until then, if you see me wringing my hands, just remind me that my cup runneth over.

Onward…