Lessons Learned on My Creator Journey

This creator journey has been more emotionally layered than I expected. The matrix of it all—algorithms, metrics, strategies—can be discouraging, especially when you see people subscribe one day and unsubscribe the next. Even though this is an education journey, every creator I watch seems to pull me in a different direction, and it’s easy to question whether I’m doing this “right” or just spinning my wheels.

What I’ve found, though, is that four things remain consistent no matter who you listen to. First, this takes time—building a true following and a real business doesn’t happen overnight; Rome really wasn’t built in a day. Second, commitment matters more than motivation. Showing up every day, even when results are invisible, is part of the work, and I know my approach will change many times as I learn and grow. Third, finding the right side hustle is also a process, not a quick win, and it requires patience and experimentation.

Finally, it comes down to putting in the work—scared, tired, unsure—just continuing to show up, learn, and share along the way. With her illness returning, that resolve feels even stronger. There is now more urgency to keep pressing forward, to find the right side hustle that can pay the bills and cover the extras, and to continue building something sustainable for our future, even on the toughest days.

Some days I have to remind myself that progress doesn’t always look like numbers going up—it often looks like resilience. It’s choosing to learn one more thing, create one more piece of content, or try one more approach, even when the outcome is uncertain. This season is teaching me that consistency is an act of faith, especially when life feels heavy. I may not have all the answers yet, but I’m building them slowly, honestly, and with intention—and that, in itself, is movement forward.