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Hey Reader,

I have three million ideas on what I want to write but have been absolutely terrified to start writing.

It's not logical.

Like, I'm a writer...an actual published author who has sold over 8 thousand books. And yet, lately, I haven't been able to start. Until right now, I guess.
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I recently decided to try and make this newsletter a WEEKLY thing (ahhh the pressure!) because after writing sooooo many email funnels and sales pages for my brand strategy course...I want to get back to writing more as a creative practice.

Not just because I want sales (don't get me wrong, I would like that, too!) but mostly because I like writing (it helps me process EVERYTHING) and because I can help people with my words.

Maybe it's my AuDHD or my past life writing wound (that's a story for another day), but deciding to do this feels like I'm being chased by a sabre-toothed tiger. It feels scary...unsafe.

And so that tangent is what has inspired today's email about safety.

Not like the "wear seatbelt" and "look before you cross the road" kind. The kind of safety that actually isn't good for us.

So *buckle up buttercup* because I have some thoughts...

There's something called the familiarity track that can make it really hard for us to get to that next level in our businesses.

Whether your goal is to write a weekly email, sell your new course....*wait, I'm not just talking about me here* or become more visible, it often feels safer to stick with what you've been doing.

It's comfortable.

What does staying comfortable look like?

Well, in branding, it might look like...

• Copying what's working for someone else instead of being yourself!
• Guessing what people want from you instead of creating what feels good to you.
• Watering or filtering yourself down to fit in.
• Not sharing your real POV because it might ruffle some feathers!

To get off the "familiarity track" there is a level of discomfort you HAVE to face in order to grow.

Most of the time, it's dealing with all the uncomfortable and human AF emotions that come up when doing something unfamiliar.

Even if something is BETTER for you in the long run, it can be scary to do something different. To try something new.

It's uncomfortable but necessary!

The thing I've struggled with the most as a business owner is training myself to NOT people please.
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The instinct feels safe to me, even though it's not good for me.

I could count the number of times readers of this newsletter have emailed me back to tell me that they are unsubscribing because the don't like my swearing or they don't think it's very "lady-like."

"Swearing is bad. Take me off your list!" (You can click unsubscribe at the bottom of any email people!!)

"You shouldn't say things like that." (True story.)

"You are going to hell!" (Okay...maybe this one's a bit of exaggeration.)

I don't think swear words are bad. There's literal science out there proving that swearing is actually good for you because it's a helpful emotional and physical pain relief aid.

Swearing is so f*cking good!

When I swear in my writing I like to include the little * to partially redact the word. It just kind of became a habit to ensure I wouldn't get flagged in many of the online spaces I've been in but it also adds a bit of my personality to my writing!

I'm not going to lie...my first instinct is to write them all back and explain myself.

I've thought "Am I being too much?" or "Do I actually have to swear to make a point here?"

But then I realize...nah, f*ck that.

You see, it feels uncomfortable for me to NOT people-please...for me to not write them back explaining that I am actually a very kind and empathetic person.

But when I resist doing things the COMFORTABLE way. That's where I find the sweet spot.

It's progress. It's growth.

It's how I call in the RIGHT FOR ME clients. The ones who don't care if I say f*ck...and who actually really quite love to hear about all the powerful f*cking brands I create (because they want one!).

I like to swear.

And I think that there are way too many stupid standards for humans (especially women and marginalized communities).

Social standards, like this, are meant to keep people in line...and sheeesh do I hate a straight line.

You have to do you! You have to be yourself.

And YES. It can be incredibly hard to do that.

Not because you aren't amazing...but because it's uncomfortable when you have to sit with other people's disapproval or rejection.

But on the other side of that?

That's where you find your people.

And you get to f*cking help them...

• feel seen
• be happy
• figure something out
• feel good
• be brave
• laugh
• feel less alone

I know who I’m for and who I’m not.

Figuring that out...your differentiators, your personality, the stuff you won’t water down...it's what my brand strategy course walks you through. And I think you should totally f*cking do it!

👉 Take the Brand Strategy Course​

*Discomfort may or may not be included.

P.S. If you count how many times I said f*ck in this email, I'll send you a $250 off coupon to my brand strategy course just because I f*cking can!

xo Emily 💋

xo Emily Lauren (she/her) Missed a previous email? Catch up here!​

🖥️ FREE Mini Masterclass Watch my brand strategy framework break down a big brand you already know. Then see how to bring that same energy to your own business! ​Watch Now​ 💋 Anti-Boring Social Templates Social media templates that were made to stand out, not blend in. Add your own images and words to make them sound like you. Only $27 CAD! ​Grab the Templates​ 🔥 Being Yourself is the Strategy Learn the exact framework I use with my 1:1 clients, in 6 short videos with guided prompts. You finish with your own brand strategy document! Lifetime access. ​Take the Brand Strategy Course​

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