Hey beloved!
I’m so grateful to share this week’s 🌿 Rooted & Rising with you! This newsletter is for creatives and founders who are practical, ambitious and not afraid of a little vulnerability in their inbox. (If you’ve ever said “I’m going to take it easy this week” then proceeded to have the most chaotic week of your life, this is the newsletter for you).
Each week, I’ll share real-time insights from my own journey as a founder and content creator through the lens of someone who thinks Jesus is dope. The goal is to give you practical takeaways you can use immediately and encouragement for the journey ahead.
If you’re open to Biblical lessons, weekly reflections, encouragement, and practical resources (like bussin’ playlists, tools & action plans) then this is the newsletter for you!
This week’s themes:
The tension between hustling and true self-care
The power of authentic community
Learning to trust God’s process vs. trying to prove yourself
But first…
🥭 A Spiritual Snack🥭
“Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust in the LORD will be joyful.”
Painting the Picture 🖌️
Can we talk about the biggest pitfall in entrepreneurship for a second?
You know the one: “I’ll rest when I’m successful enough to deserve it.”
This week I boldly declared that it would be a “Week of Rest” and proceeded to have one of the most ashy, sleep-deprived weeks I’ve had in months. I’m talking 5 hours of surface-level sleep because I decided coffee was a good idea (spoiler alert: it never is for me), meetings packed back-to-back, and that familiar cycle of “just one more task” and then BOOM. You look up and it’s 1 AM Eastern standard time.
If you’d like to watch my unfiltered (and slightly chaotic) week, you can do so here (I obvi hope you’ll ✨subscribe✨ too!)
But here’s what hit me by the end of the week: I was trying to prove my worth through productivity instead of resting in who He’s already called me to be.
The breakthrough came when I realized three fundamental shifts I needed to make and they’re probably not what you’re thinking…
Let’s Break It Down: Practical Strategies 🤏🏾
1. Stop Treating Your Body Like An Afterthought
I used to think self-care was using luxurious products and face masks. But this week I had no choice but to change something when my body felt stiffer than small talk with a finance bro. Last week, it was tough to acknowledge that my body required more from me than just a quick stretch between tasks. There always seemed to be something “more productive” I could be doing.
When I finally took the time to do my friend Sam’s 25-minute workout (shoutout to Sam for curating a weekly workout routine just for me!), my week took a turn for the better. I felt empowered, immediately less stiff, and more grounded. It wasn’t just about squeezing a workout, but about acknowledging that I only have one life and the quality of said life is directly dependent on how I treat this one body.
The real tea? You can make all the money in the world, but if your health is trash, it’s not gonna make a difference. Your body isn’t separate from your business- it’s the foundation everything is built on.
Try this: Pick ONE non-negotiable for your physical foundation this week. Maybe it’s a 20-minute walk, drinking water before coffee, or being in bed by a certain time. Treat it as seriously as your most important client meeting or the biggest deal of your life! Because it high-key is.
2. Authentic Community: Love Over Networking
Once I walked through the conference doors at Creator Economy Live East last week, I felt the usual pre-event discomfort. I immediately started thinking that maybe I should’ve worn something a bit more dressed up or wondering if I should’ve come later/earlier or hoping that I don’t forget anyone’s name - you know the usual rotation. But once I started seeing more and more familiar faces, I convinced myself: This is just a LinkedIn family reunion girl.
Instead of trying to “work the room” with an agenda, I fell into what I do best, loving on people genuinely. Celebrating wins, thanking people for the value they share, and geeking out about their exciting projects!
I’ve always found that when you lead with genuine love and curiosity instead of “what can you do for me,” community becomes magnetic. People could feel that I wasn’t there to extract value but to add it. This reminded me of something one panelist mentioned: the most successful brand partnerships come from long-term relationships, not one-off transactions. The same is definitely true for community. When you invest in people without expecting immediate returns, those relationships become remarkable in their own right.
I always want people to walk away from conversations with me feeling joyful, valued, and hopeful. That’s not a strategy, that’s just what I believe being God’s kid should look like.
Try this: This week, reach out to 3 people in your industry just to celebrate something they’re doing well. No ask, no agenda- just genuine encouragement.
3. Trust His Process: You Don’t Need to Prove Anything
Since re-starting YouTube with weekly vlogs where I allow myself to be as unhinged as I need to be to get through the week, I’ve gotten into the habit of watching the full video and THEN filming the last piece. It’s like I’m watching with the audience and can give unfiltered thoughts on what I just saw. Here’s the revelation that made me pump the brakes last week: As I watched myself on screen, I realized I’ve been treating this season like a 90-day probation instead of walking freely in the identity God’s already given me.
These past few months, I’ve been exhausting myself trying to prove I’m worthy of being called a “founder” and a “business-owner” or a “content creator” instead of just…being one. After reading this week’s issue of Quiet/Clarity by Srikar Karra where he shares on The Unnamed Emptiness of Success, what I’d been noticing was confirmed: I’d been like a kid doing every chore in the house trying to prove they deserve dinner. Any loving parent would be heartbroken to see their child working for something that was already freely given. And I’m sure God has not been gassed, sitting in heaven watching me burn myself out to earn something He’s already said was mine.
This is not to say that work ethic doesn’t matter, but it’s a stark reminder that God doesn’t need your hustle more than your trust in Him. He’s not waiting on you to hit certain metrics before He can use you. He wants you to trust Him. Simply walking in obedience and choosing to build with Him? That’s enough.
Try this: Write down 3 things you’ve been trying to “prove” about yourself through your work. Now write beside each one: “God already says I am _______.” Practice walking in that identity instead of working for it. Think, how would ______ act?
Your Monday Move: 🤸🏾♀️
This week, we’re practicing “rest as resistance.” In a culture that glorifies burnout and back-to-back meetings, choosing to honor your body and trust God’s timing is low-key radical.
What does that look like practically?
This week’s challenge: Choose one day to be your official “rest day”- no client work, no content creation, just rest & restoration. Use that time to move your body, connect with people you love, and remember that your worth isn’t tied to your productivity.
Bonus: Pay attention to when you feel the urge to “prove” yourself this week. When it comes up, pause and ask: “What would I do if I already knew God was proud of me?”
Reminder: You have nothing to prove to anyone! Find moments to rest and take that in.
On Rotation 💃🏾
Ready to stop overthinking and start creating?
If this resonated and you’re tired of treating your calling like a performance, here’s how we can go deeper:
Reply to this email - I read every response and often these conversations become the next week’s newsletter! Your questions help someone else who’s struggling with the same things.
Forward this to a friend who needs permission to rest without guilt ✨
Want to work directly with me? I help overwhelmed creators and founders show up confidently online while honoring their need for rest and authentic community. If you’re ready to build from identity instead of proving your worth, hit reply and let’s chat! Just last week a client told me she felt ‘hopeful’ after our discovery call- that’s exactly the energy I want to bring to your business too!
Stay rooted in God’s love for you. Keep rising in your calling!
Here for the journey with you ✨,
