3 Lessons I Learned in 2023 from My Business and Content Creation

Hello!

As the long winter nights draw in and I find myself curled up with a hot cup of tea, it's the perfect time for a bit of reflection. The quiet of these evenings is ideal for looking back on the year that's passed. 2023 has been quite a journey for both me personally and for YR Studio. In this blog post, I want to share with you three key insights, hoping you might find them useful or relatable.

1. **Less Can Be More:** This year, I've really seen how sometimes having less of something can actually be beneficial. Of course, there are times when more is better (like when we're talking about charity donations!), but I've learned that cutting back in other areas can be good too. I've managed to lose weight by not indulging too much, and worrying less about how many people see my social media posts has helped me focus on making real connections with my audience. I've also learned that getting loads of views on viral videos doesn’t necessarily translate to real business or a truly engaged audience. A smaller, more intimate group of followers who truly understand and support my small business has proven to be invaluable.

2. **Focusing My Energy in the Right Places:** This is related to my first point about less being more. 2023 was the year I took content creation more seriously and tried using different platforms. My biggest takeaway is that you can be successful anywhere if you really focus your energy there, putting in both time and effort. I learned that spreading myself too thin over too many projects isn't a good strategy for 2024; instead, I need to focus on the platforms that work best for me and my business.

3. **Not Everyone Will Like Me… And That’s Okay:** Up until mid-2023, my content was mainly faceless, focusing on cozy setups, beautiful places, and baking, which made for a really sweet and positive comment section. When I started creating more personal content, showing my face, and stepping up as a business owner, things changed a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I still receive mostly lovely comments, but I’ve also seen an increase in not-so-nice remarks about my appearance, lifestyle, and more. This year has taught me that it’s impossible to be liked by everyone, especially online. I'm okay with that. I know by putting myself out there, I'm open to criticism, but I'll keep doing what I love, focusing on the people who actually enjoy my content.

2023 was a fantastic year for both me personally and for YR Studio. Looking back, I'm really thankful for everything I've learned. Here’s to bringing these lessons into 2024 and making it an even better year!

Adriana x