Coffee Check-In: Community

Yesterday I met with the photographer about the photo shoot for 'The Clark Collective'; it was so fun and needed! While I'm nervous about it, like I mentioned yesterday, working with Anna is already wonderful and producing the collaboration, excitement, and energy that is exactly what our dream is all about!

As I was telling her about 'The Clark Collective,' I loved seeing the interest and belief in what we are building, in part because what she is doing with her business is what we want to be a part of the Collective in all it's stages, but also because this young woman is the same intelligent, sweet young lady who Chris coached seven years ago! Now at 19, she's telling me about the business she's created over the last three years, and I am in awe and blown away at her personal and professional maturity (though honestly not surprised knowing her for so long!). After discussing the photo shoot, we also talked about business - websites, content, marketing, etc.- her knowledge, sense of community, and adventure is inspiring and invigorating!

And that's really what 'The Clark Collective' is about - Community. It's something that hubs and I have dreamt of, worked on, and evolved in different ways since we started dating over seven years ago now. And it's inspired by both of our life experiences. Chris and his upbringing in swimming, along with his love of his UltraMan Ohana. From my upbringing surrounded by incredible artists and the need to feel like I'm part of something but BEING part of something more. We want to not only help create the space for community, but we want to help build, grow, and foster community. I'm beyond excited to have this dream begin taking shape outside of our conversations and future musings and be able to work on it in a real, tangible way.

It's definitely a balance starting this while also working on all the other projects I mentioned in my check-in yesterday, but even in the baby steps we're taking right now to get the Collective started, that little progress feels momentous. For example, after meeting with Anna, I was so motivated about all my projects that I went home and wrote another higher-ed blog!

And I'm still feeling that enthusiasm this morning and energized for what I get to work on today! YES! I am working today not only cause I want to finish up some projects but also because I WANT TO; I want to create. I want to produce positive energy when and where it strikes. I'm enjoying that feeling and leaning in when I have it. I know it's not always gonna be like this - projects and contracts will have timelines and deadlines in the "normal" Monday through Friday, 9-5 parameters. Still, I'm excited to be able to balance that to not only my creative process but also my needs as someone with ADHD and a few chronic "illnesses."

Off to enjoy this beautiful Saturday and create some fun stuff!! Happy weekend, y'all!

Usually, I drink my morning coffee in the clear Nespresso mugs seen in the first few check-ins, but I have some awesome mugs that I thought would be fun to shake up these pics. Plus, they're another way for y'all to get to know who I am! So this morning, we have a Half-Caff again (I slept through the night, but feeling the post-workout heaviness this morning - making time to stretch today for sure!) along with a little breakfast appetizer of peanut butter and Trader Joe's Chocolate Almond Spread on gluten-free toast. Hubs opted for the Vivida pod this morning, which we both love for its flavor and that it has Vitamin B12 (!!!) before he heads out on a quick bike ride.