One coffee at a time
Beginning of spring, I reached a peak of exhaustion from my presence on social media and made the decision to take a much-needed break from Instagram to re-evaluate my goals and direction for SLC. As I begin to use my time wisely and sit at the feet of Jesus, I found myself in awe of a wonder-working God.
You might have seen me sneaking back to Instagram. After weeks of hiatus and fighting out the emotions that were not sitting well. I am glad to meet halfway. Still healing from the lostness but I am back, with FOCUSED.
After enjoying a holiday in Fukuoka with my husband, we returned feeling refreshed and ready to pursue the path that God has placed in our hearts. Our first priority was to establish a physical space, a roof/studio, for our endeavors. To those who have been following my journey, you may know that we have been striving to secure a place since 2020. Life has taken unexpected turns for us, and both my husband and I have become self-employed. Despite financial challenges, we persevered and held onto our faith in Jesus, who is the Jireh of our lives today.
I have some good news to share, but I prefer to keep it private. If you're interested in glimpses into my personal life, you're welcome to subscribe to slow letters, where I will share testimonies from my life and the lives of friends I have met through SLC.
Over the past two weeks, I stayed at home due to a toothache. I have an upcoming appointment to extract my wisdom tooth next week too (too nervous about it). Well during my time at home, I started writing again, not in an intense manner, but rather capturing thoughts and quotes that resonated with me during the trip. One random afternoon, I decided to use Canva and devoted around 5 hours to creating new content. However, despite my eagerness, I didn't feel a sense of peace about posting it, so I decided to leave it and went to bed.
The following morning, my toothache subsided, and a girlfriend invited me for coffee (so timely). She came with questions and we engaged in a slow conversation by the beach for some hours. I shared with her my uncertainty and self-doubt about whether I’m doing it right. It's challenging to acknowledge myself as an artist, as the value of my creative work cannot be quantified by a price tag.
Her response was simple yet comforting:
"I understand."
At that moment, I felt reassured that despite my self-doubt, I am exactly where I should be •ᴗ•
ONE DAY / DAY ONE
My dreams seems slow but
my attitude
can choose growth.
Longing til death, may my days be
rooted in grace, kindness and love
Through it all I’m growing in wisdom so that
my fruits may bear much more
— generation to generation.
by Crystal @slowlivecreate
For 3 years, I’ve been wrestling with my own. I have visions but there are days I can’t see the future brightly. This role that I have taken on is a virtual reality and spirit-led journey that only God can comprehend. Nobody is going to be responsible for my responses and my ultimate purpose in life too. This means the likes and number of views on my social media will not be accounted for/included in the success that I am living!
I understand that many creative individuals are experiencing burnout and discouragement due to social media, which seems to be the go-to platform for attracting clients and customers online. The pressure to maintain a constant online presence on social media can feel unnatural and overwhelming for some creators.
I remember a time when I felt compelled to show my face online in order to gain traction and demonstrate authenticity.
However, I discovered that showcasing myself visually did not enhance my creativity. I had no desire to become a social media influencer.
Slow, live, and create may not sit well for everyone but it will certainly have a place for anyone who wants to find new acceptance and be freshly inspired. I believe this is what slow-creatives will mean in the near future. It will be a season for restfulness; of quarantine slowness.
This mindset may become more prevalent as people seek a different pace and perspective in their creative endeavors. For those who are drawn to this idea, it offers an alternative approach to finding fulfillment and rejuvenation in your creative pursuits.
Dear friends, I understand that the world around us can be overwhelmingly busy and chaotic. However, I want to offer my assistance in helping you find moments of slowness and tranquility if you're open to it. Whenever you feel the need for a break, I'm here for you. If you simply need someone to talk to, I'm here as well. I will be here, supporting you, one coffee at a time.
Moving forward, my sharing will be segmented to make it clear what SLC is about as it is not only about Procreate Floristry. SLC is a movement for slow beginnings, this might sound quite far off from Procreate Studio but I am convinced I am on the right track again.
Well, I am not an expert in this area but I am broadening my knowledge and also experimenting with how it may work for SLC. While social media platforms can be effective for promoting your business online, there are still several ways to increase your online visibility without relying on social media. Here are some strategies to consider:
Optimize your website for search engines.
Start a blog and publish informative content.
Consider SEO (search engine optimization)
Build an email list and send regular newsletters.
Participate in online forums and industry communities.
List your business on popular search engines.
Encourage online reviews and testimonials.
Create and share valuable content through content marketing.
However do note that it's often beneficial to have a diversified online presence, so consider combining multiple strategies to increase your business's visibility and reach. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your online presence and attract more customers without relying on social media platforms.
Whilst I am integrating these changes, here’s an update on what is crossing over my social media platforms so that you can decide what you want to follow •ᴗ•
Instagram – slowness aka SLOW-creatives
Newsletter – LIVE stories and testimonies
TikTok/Youtube – CREATE via Procreate Studio
Meanwhile, take care. And if you ever have any questions, or would like to connect more deeply at any stage, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email.
