The 17 feelings I felt today
I hope you got a dose of #6
Launch is Tuesday!!! Can I convince you to preorder?
The 17 feelings I felt today:
Delinquency. I started reading this new book on book marketing and even though the book says “you don’t need to do all of these things” I did indeed feel that I needed to do all of those things, have not done all of those things, and was therefore failing.
Badassery. After that spiral into despair, I hopped on a podcast and answered questions about fun at work like nobody’s business. I love the feeling when I know exactly what I want to say. When I show up as understanding, enrolling, and with some seriously good wisdom.
Bafflement. That badass podcast interview I did? I did it with my shirt on backwards.
Hunger. I did not stop for a proper lunch, and although I’ve written a book about being a human at work, once in a while I fail here. Oopsies.
Guilt. Whenever I’m working with partners, I’m very sensitive to being a “good client” given how much client service I’ve done in my life. Am I asking too much? Making someone’s job hard? Making someone feel bad?
Delight. Mid-spin, my dad’s caregiver sent me this picture of their walk today, and I can’t tell you the joy it brought me. (For new subscribers, my dad has Alzheimer’s.) To see him enjoy the water and the day… nothing better.
Jealousy. This author got on that major podcast. This other author is working with an agency to sell 20k books via bulk order before launch day. Comparison is the thief of joy, I know. Consider me mugged.
Stress. I hadn’t written my Substack post for the week and this is a BIG week. Where are my priorities? Why can’t I just sit down and do this? I spent 30 minutes cutting name tags at FedEx for the book launch party instead of writing. Why, Bree?
Tenderness. We’re growing watermelons this year. Urban watermelons. They’re so stinking cute. I think I’ll grow watermelons forever.
Exhaustion. I’ve been pushing so hard and for so long for this book, I think I’m in the stage of book pregnancy when I’m ready for it to be born already.
Uncertainty. What will happen in my life post-launch? Will the book be big or just one more book about work? Will nothing change at all?
Hope. Sometimes I forget how much I’ve done to this point. I’ve recorded 22 podcasts and have 14 more scheduled. Done a dozen media interviews. Local news. Bylined articles. Sent 150 personalized, human notes to fancy people to see if I can send them the book. Packed 70 slices of babka into book boxes because is a book box even good if it doesn’t include babka. Sent out another 50+ books to media. Walked into bookstores and cafes and told them how to stock the book. And a zillion other things. At some point I just need to call enough, enough. To hope that I’ve sent enough notes in bottles out to sea and the right people will find them.
Grace. I tell myself, “Bree, most things, most days.” You did what you could today. And yesterday and the day before that.
Worry. Do people even want to read about 17 different feelings?
Pride. I gave my dad my book yesterday. I think and hope, somewhere deep down, he understands what I’ve accomplished. I wish my mom could be here to see it too.
Aliveness. My friend
is a psychotherapist and talks about how maybe, beyond seeking happiness, the ultimate aim is truly and fully feeling alive. When we can access and experience the full breadth of our humanity. Perhaps that’s why my 16 other feelings today don’t feel “bad”. They feel like “I’m really getting the full author experience”Gratitude. I’m grateful to you for reading this. Grateful to my husband for being on the phone as I type with the wine shop that will supply the launch party. Grateful to my daughter for creating book-themed artwork for the party. Grateful for all the friends who have sent supportive messages.
That’s enough of my emotions for one day. Tell me about one of yours in the comments? Are you all wearing your shirts the right way today?
OMG I meant to shout out the pre-order thank yous in this post and instead my heart popped a seam and this came out instead. If you pre-order send your receipt to todaywasfun@breegroff.com and I’ll send you a digital version of this calendar! Buy 10 copies (team budget anyone?) and I’ll send you the full Kit for Ever-Better Days complete with the babka.
Bree, I'm a relative newcomer to your work but HOO BOY do I love everything you stand for and I've been gobbling up everything you've written lately. (I just pre-ordered your book!) I'm sure it's always felt this way, but with the current status of the world: We urgently need your message now more than ever! Thank you for putting it out into the world.
I will fully admit that I don’t know how preordering works but I DO know that I picked up my copy of your gorgeous book from my local bookstore yesterday and I’m on page 43 and it’s giving me life. I read 3 sections out loud my husband because they were potently wise and also very funny. I’m going to take some of this energy into my early morning VP call. Oh, and I put some cinnamon in my coffee to help, as per your recommendation. Dare I say it’s working?