Welcome to The Reinvention Diaries, where hosts Michelle and Nicola explore the challenges of reinvention, rediscovery, and regaining confidence. In this episode, they tackle the January blues, the silence of starting something new, and finding validation when no one's clapping yet.
Episode Highlights:
Blue Monday & January Struggles
- The hosts discuss Blue Monday and whether January really lives up to its gloomy reputation
- Michelle shares how January and February are traditionally slow months for her photography business
- The feeling of starting over each year, even when you know the seasonal cycles
The Silence of Reinvention
- That difficult phase when you're working hard but no one's noticed yet—no applause, no validation, just silence
- How silence can feel harsher than criticism when you're trying something new
- The importance of self-validation before seeking external validation (as their previous guest Rachel emphasised)
Keeping Momentum When Money's Tight
- Why the financial pressure of starting a business is one of the biggest barriers to making the leap
- The challenge of proving the concept to yourself when cash isn't flowing yet
- How being forced into change (like redundancy) can sometimes make the transition easier
Building Self-Belief & Social Proof
- "Fake it till you make it"—projecting confidence even when you're uncertain
- Starting with testimonials from friends, and building reviews
- The importance of visibility: "People buy from people they trust, and if they can't see you, they can't trust you"
The Grief of Starting Over
- Nicola's experience going from Director of Operations to beginner photographer—losing mastery and starting from scratch
- The emotional toll of stepping backward to move forward
- Dealing with self-doubt: "Whose she to tell me what to wear?" (Michelle's internal struggle)
Comparison & Competition
- Why comparing yourself to someone in year three when you're in month three is unfair
- The value of befriending others in your industry rather than seeing them as competition
- How collaboration and networking can accelerate growth
Practical Advice for Getting Through the Silence
- Say yes to everything early on (even if you learn from mistakes)
- Get your face everywhere—networking, social media, business cards
- Build proof for yourself through testimonials and small wins
- Remember: exposure doesn't pay bills immediately, but it leads to opportunities that do
Random Acts of Kindness
- Michelle's almost-act:
- Nicola's avoided act:
- A sweet mention of Nicola's 12-week-old grandson
Key Takeaway: When you're in that silent phase of reinvention—when no one's clapping yet—you have to validate yourself first, keep showing up, and trust the process. The sunshine is coming.
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