Lose Control and Let It Fly…

I haven’t written here since my first post in March 2016. Figured I’d pick it back up and try to record more of this journey for posterity’s sake. I’m going to write here more frequently in order to document this crazy journey. But in an unrefined, unfiltered manner….giving myself only 10–15 minutes to write. No revisions, no editing.
The last time I posted on here was a year and a half ago. Before we decided to open a business. Before we opened our first location. Before we landed our first customer. Before we received our first loan. Before we signed a lease for an expansion location. Before we really knew that we knew nothing.
I’ve come to an absolutely breathtaking understanding over the past few months as Andy and I continue to build Neyborly. This understanding has brought me immense peace and a truckload of wonder.
The truth that I’ve accepted with this project is that I’m really not in control.
Our society and culture — steeped in the myth of stoic individualism — tells us daily that we are solely responsible for everything that happens to us.
For me, this concept created a nauseating effect that only added to my stress and anxiety of opening and running Neyborly. It felt like all the details had to be perfect. Since the outcome was 100% dependent upon Andy and I’s work, that we were 100% responsible for the ultimate success or failure of this project.
I’ve learned over the past year that not only is this a fallacy, it’s harmful and quite misleading. In the process of learning to give in to a journey that I’m not 100% in control of, I’ve been able to find a newfound since of energy, health, passion, and wonder.
We started this project with the idea of importing furniture from China…and 9 months later it became a full-fledged community space….I think the only thing one can logically take away from this that you’re not in control.
Most things are completely beyond our grasp and influence. But that is exactly where the magic lives.
So as Neyborly continues to grow, change, decay, and flourish…I’ve taken a decidedly supporting role in this transformation. I wake up every day ready to pitch in where I can, to bring hard work and positive energy to the project, and to be ready to bend and flex in any direction necessary.
This is how Neyborly has grown from an ethereal retail concept to a six-figure business within the space of only nine months. We have to let fly what we can’t control…and in that process, we allow the unique gifts we’ve all been given to take root.
