How is it already December?! 2021 was a pivotal year for Paper + Oats. But not in a biggest-growth-year-ever type of way. I actually made the least amount of money this year since going full-time as self-employed back in 2015. I attribute some of that to the pandemic, but a lot of it can be attributed to my own lack of motivation and enthusiasm in my work.
I've felt very burnt out since late 2019, and itching to try different things. Then 2020 hit, and my focus was certainly on different things. But as 2021 rolled around, it didn't feel right to go back to business as usual. My heart wasn't completely in it like it used to be, and I still had that itch to try other things. So I did some experimenting this year, particularly with my new ceramics hobby and with taking on some freelance clients again, primarily book design. I didn't – and still don't – want to completely abandon the business model and digital products I've worked so hard to build over the last 7 years. Those aren't going anywhere, don't worry! But in 2022, you might just see me continue to branch into other industries and revenue streams, and experiment with the future of Paper + Oats.
This is your subtle reminder that as much as you see some course creators and online entrepreneurs blowing up on Instagram and doubling and tripling their income in the wake of the pandemic, that's not the case for everyone. There are just as many of us itching for something different, or going back to the drawing board completely. Keep going, but you don't have to do the same thing forever.
All that being said, here is my 2021 recap:
January
Planned and launched my Book Design Batch Day offer for custom 1-on-1 book design projects. (Pssst, if you want me to design your book in 2022, send me an email! kelsey@paperandoats.com)
February
Wrote and recorded a new workshop for The InDesign Field Guide – cut it in half from 90 minutes to about 45 minutes, and included a brand new design demo. You can still watch it right here!
I was a speaker for the Home Biz HQ summit again this year, hosted by I Heart Planners. I love this summit, they always have such a great variety of topics and sessions!
March
Launched that new InDesign workshop along with a flash sale for the InDesign course.
Turned 33 and got vaccinated!
April
I didn’t do many house projects this year, like I’ve done in the past, but the biggest thing I had done was getting a new driveway poured in April. I never thought flat, smooth concrete would bring my such joy, but it totally does. Too bad excavating that new driveway created some new ground water issues in my basement, but what’s new in this old house. It was worth it.
May
Updated my Etsy on Autopilot ebook and relaunched it with a flash sale.
We wrapped up the small pod school I helped start and run for Poppy and few other families in our neighborhood. This whole year, creating a school out of nothing in a matter of weeks in the middle of a global pandemic, was one of the most fulfilling and challenging experiences of my life... and maybe it’ll be a book one day!
Took a quick trip to Nashville to surprise my mom for Mother’s Day and her birthday.
I lost my sweet grandfather on May 15. My grandmother passed away just 7 months prior, and he was ready to go be with her again. I helped care for my grandparents in their final years, which was such an honor to do, but made his passing a bigger loss.
June
Hosted my annual mini-class summer sale.
I usually scale back my work time a lot in the summer since I have Poppy home with me every day, so this month kicked off a good season of rest for me. And the pool. Poppy and I basically lived at the pool this summer.
July
Created a new batch of YouTube videos and blog posts for some InDesign tutorials.
Started making and planning ceramic pieces to include in my very first pottery sale.
August
Took my first real trip since pre-Covid! Poppy and I traveled to Nashville and New York City to visit family, and it was a blast!
Launched my first pottery collection of about 40 pieces and sold out within 24 hours!
September
Hosted a fall flash sale for The InDesign Field Guide.
Officially started a separate Instagram account and brand for my pottery work – Maud & Faye, check it out here!
October
After launching my Book Design Batch Day services in January, my first client project for this new offer wasn’t until October! Patience is easier said than done 😉 I worked with author Tim Arnold on his new book, Lead With AND that comes out in February 2022. We worked on the front/back cover, complete interior layout, and ebook design. This project was so fun, I'm really proud of it.
November
Worked on two other book projects in November, and LOVED getting to bring these other clients’ books to life. This confirmed that I want to pursue more book design work in 2022.
Hosted my second pottery sale, and sold out on the first day again! Another confirmation of what I want my new year to look like.
Squeezed in my Black Friday sales, and hosted two Thanksgivings at my house – whew, October and November were busier than all the other months combined!
December
Launched a small collection of ceramic Christmas ornaments – still have a few left here!
2021 reflecting and 2022 planning, here I come 🤓
Other things I did this year that I’m proud of:
Read 28 books so far – hoping for an even 30 by the end of the year! These were my top 10:
What Happened To You? by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Perry
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
The Only Plane in the Sky by Garret Graff
Everything is Spiritual by Rob Bell
Jesus & John Wayne by Kristin Kobes du Mez
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenson
The Less People Know About Us by Axon Botz-Hamilton
At the start of the year, I decided to make and give ceramic mugs to some of my closest friends for their birthdays. This was well before I was ready to sell anything, and the purpose was to get more practice, try different styles, and basically have something to do with all these mugs. I gave away 20 mugs, and I can tell you exactly what each person’s looked like. This was such a fun year-long project.
Started working with a life coach. I’ve never done life coaching, and it’s been such an interesting new way to approach my goals! It’s helped me be more intentional about how I want to live and work and be in relationships.
Started going to a chiropractor regularly. This may sound like a weird thing to put on this list, but I’ve had back problems since I was a kid (spinal fusion back surgery at age 14 thanks to scoliosis!), and have been feeling it more now that I’m in my 30s. I would sleep weird on my neck and have to drop way too much money on daily chiro visits for a week or two to fix it. Now I’ve been going once a month for an adjustment, and it has made such a difference in my upper back, shoulders, and neck. And since pottery is not the easiest hobby on your body, especially your back, this was good timing.
Dating. Oof. Let’s just say, I dated someone for a couple months, I really like him, then it ended abruptly, and it still hurts. BUT – I am proud of myself for putting myself out there again, because lemmetellyouitissofreakinghard. 😵
This year has been a steady mix of:
being totally on top of that work/life balance
procrastinating like a pro
taking on way too much at once
having full weekdays of rest and being so glad I have the means to do so
feeling hopeful and excited for the future
feeling completely lost and directionless
Not all bad, but not all rainbows and unicorns either. 😉 Running a full-time business comes with a ton of ebbs and flows, and it seems like I'm still learning that going into Year 8.
🚨 To help me plan my 2022, would you mind taking my super quick survey? Guess how many questions it is? ONE. Yep, just one main question for ya. Click here to answer it.
As always, thank you SO much for all your support this year, it truly means the world to me. I still get so excited each time I see a new person has joined The InDesign Field Guide or purchased a printable kit or simply bought a ceramic spoon. Each one counts, and I'm grateful. 💛
