Life is one big lesson, and all too often, I am too busy to stop and listen to what life is trying to tell me.

This week, I paused for two days. No social media, no content creation—something I haven’t done since the first portrait I posted on IG in 2018. Do you hit the pause button sometimes too?

As much as I love both work and my private life, where is the balance in it all? From that first concept scribbled on paper on the beach in Thailand (read the beginning here), this journey has been one fabulous rollercoaster ride. The idea to start AndBloom stemmed from my own experience in my early 40s when I found that there was very little inspiring content for us. I searched everywhere for inspiration but couldn’t find it anywhere at that time. So, I wrote down my thoughts on a small piece of paper.

Unfortunately, I no longer have that piece of paper, or it might be in a moving box that I still haven’t unpacked. Hopefully, I will come across it someday to see what I wrote back then. But in short, my idea was to portray women between the ages of 40 and 100 and tell their stories. Besides an Instagram account, I wanted to create a website to build the community and organize events where the community could meet in person. I also wanted to appear occasionally to connect the portraits with the creator.

That’s how I started, and that’s how it has developed. Due to COVID-19, I have appeared myself more frequently on the feed. With the introduction of Reels on Instagram, my photography has become less important. By adapting to demand, innovation, and change, I am where I am now. And where exactly is that?

Just like in real life, many women like me juggle responsibilities for our families. We work, raise our children (including our pets), do the grocery shopping, the laundry, and cook whenever we can, trying to get a healthy meal on the table.

Dee

Lately, after very busy periods of work, I try to take some time to rest. On the advice of some fantastic people around me who remind me that I need to take breaks and not try to edit my reels and answer hundreds of messages on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok until 11 PM every night, I schedule social media breaks. Social media never sleeps., there is always something to do or see.

Just like in real life, many women like me juggle responsibilities for our families. We work, raise our children (including our pets), do the grocery shopping and the laundry, and cook whenever we can, trying to get a healthy meal on the table. We strive to be fun, engaged “do-it-all moms” where anything is possible. Then there’s the need to give attention to our partners so they don’t feel unseen and misunderstood.

We maintain a social life, wanting to be the best friends we can be, and on top of that, we aim to look good. What used to come naturally is now much less so, at least for me. Without good nutrition, enough water, supplement management, and plenty of sleep, I’m nowhere these days. This means going to the hairdresser, visiting the beautician, and regularly hitting the gym because we really need to start focusing more on our health around… 50?

Where is AndBloom headed, Dee? You start your new company and third career at 43 with a three-year-old toddler in your arms. Where are you headed with this step?

In 2021, AndBloom became a company—when the book was published. But what kind of company? I still often scratch my head when asked what I do for work but after many years I’ve come to realize, I am my brand. Over the past 6 years, several women, like Cristina Barr, have pointed it out to me: you are AndBloom, Dee, you are the brand. And I am slowly coming to understand that everything depends on my presence at AndBloom. The social media channels, the website, the webshop—without me, there is nothing, nothing happens. And that doesn’t make it any easier to take a step back. The same goes for my personal life; the machine runs on my energy. If I stand still, not much happens.

So what I have decided, for myself, is to accept that I am my own brand, in any form—the mother brand, the spouse brand, the friend brand, the entrepreneur brand, etc.

Dee

Realizing this, taking the time to reflect, and finally, after six years, understanding that I have become AndBloom, that I am the brand, makes me realize something else. We are all our own brand. I don’t know a woman who isn’t juggling everything. I don’t know a woman who doesn’t work tirelessly to keep her family happy, trying to fit a career into a personal life, staying (partially) financially independent, who doesn’t occasionally sit on the couch, exhausted and bewildered, wondering where the hours of the day have gone. I don’t know a woman who can combine working 16 hours a day with a private life, seven days a week, regardless of the balance in hours. Everything is moving so damn fast, and I’m struggling to keep up.

But how do you protect your brand? How do you keep performing at your best? I notice that I struggle with taking care of myself. I find that I am not as quick as I was 10 years ago, that I can handle less, and that I have less energy. I find this difficult. I sometimes talk about this with the community, and many women recognize what I write about, but there are also women who respond that 48/49 is too young to start feeling “a bit older.” And that throws me off balance. Maybe there’s something wrong with me.

So what I have decided for myself is to accept that I am my own brand in any form—the mother brand, the spouse brand, the friend brand, the entrepreneur brand, etc. And a successful brand needs to stay healthy to function well and thrive. I haven’t completely figured out how I’m going to achieve this because working hard with blind discipline and perseverance has always been my tactic. However, I think that, ultimately, this approach might lead me to hit a brick wall.

The pictures used in this article were made for an interview with Femtastic here.

Photos: Ninette Moorman

Makeup: Hannah Bennet for Mac Cosmetics

How I am planning to protect my brand:

Prioritize Self-Care

Why: My brand is an extension of me. If I am not well, my brand cannot thrive.

How:

• Set Boundaries: Establish clear working hours and stick to them. Ensure I have time for rest and recreation.
• Regular Exercise: Incorporate physical activity into my daily routine. Whether it’s a morning jog, yoga, or a gym session, keeping my body active boosts energy levels and overall health.
• Healthy Eating: Opt for a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Proper nutrition fuels both my body and mind, enhancing productivity.
• Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Good sleep improves cognitive function, mood, and overall performance.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Why: Staying updated and continuously evolving ensures my brand remains relevant and competitive.

How:

• Professional Development: Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences related to my field. Continuous learning keeps me at the forefront of industry trends.
• Feedback Loops: Regularly seek feedback from my community. Understand their needs and expectations, and adapt my strategies accordingly.
• Innovation: Be open to experimenting with new ideas and platforms. For instance, if Instagram Reels are trending, explore how I can creatively use them to engage my audience.

Delegate and Collaborate

Why: You can’t do everything alone. Delegating tasks allows me to focus on what I do best.

How:

• Team Building: Hire professionals or collaborate with freelancers for tasks outside my core expertise, such as graphic design, marketing, or administrative work.
• Collaboration: Partner with other brands or influencers. This not only expands my reach but also introduces fresh perspectives and ideas to my brand.

Strategic Planning and Goal Setting

Why: Having a clear vision and roadmap helps in maintaining direction and measuring progress.

How:

• Set SMART Goals: Ensure my goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, “Increase website traffic by 20% in the next six months through SEO improvements and content marketing.”
• Regular Reviews: Periodically review my progress towards these goals. Adjust my strategies based on what is working and what isn’t.
• Vision Board: Create a vision board for my brand. This visual representation of my goals and aspirations can be a powerful motivator and reminder of my direction.

Balance Work and Personal Life

Why: Maintaining a balance prevents burnout and keeps me motivated.

How:

• Schedule Downtime: Just as my schedule work tasks, schedule time for hobbies, family, and relaxation.
• Mindfulness and Meditation: Incorporate mindfulness practices to reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Apps like Headspace or Calm can be a good starting point.
• Regular Breaks: During work hours, take short breaks to recharge. Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique (working for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break) can boost productivity.

Authenticity and Transparency

Why: Authenticity builds trust and loyalty among my audience.

How:

• Share my Journey: Be open about my challenges and successes. Authentic stories resonate deeply with audiences.
• Consistent Communication: Regularly update my community about my brand’s activities, changes, and future plans.
• Honesty in Marketing: Ensure all my marketing messages are honest and align with my brand values. Misleading information can damage my brand’s reputation.

Financial Management

Why: Sound financial health is crucial for the sustainability of my brand.

How:

• Budgeting: Create a detailed budget that outlines my income, expenses, and savings. Regularly review and adjust it as needed.
• Investment in Growth: Allocate funds for marketing, professional development, and other growth opportunities.
• Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund to cushion against unexpected downturns or expenses.

I hope these strategies will help me organize my life, and I hope they can inspire you to do the same.

FAQS