Issue 7. What does connection actually mean to you — and when did you last feel it?

Read until the end for a special announcement and next week’s question.

Dear Collective,

I’m writing to you from Ninh Binh, Vietnam. It’s a dramatic change from the chaos of Hanoi, and a much-needed reset. I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’ve been incredibly inconsistent with putting out content on TikTok. But I have to tell you, that although a part of me wanted to push through and post every day as originally planned, I am so proud of myself for taking the break that my body needed.

The jet lag has been rough—to say the very least—and my body was screaming at me to take things slowly, to take in Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and now Ninh Binh, and to creatively recharge. And I did all of those things when not that long ago, I would’ve pushed through until my body broke. We’re taught from a very young age to ignore what our bodies are telling us because we have to go to school, go to work, start a business or a family.

But ignoring your body’s warning signs signals to your brain that you don’t feel safe trusting yourself. When you continually force yourself to perform no matter the consequences you’re teaching yourself that your needs don’t matter as much as the needs to everyone else. And that is incredibly harmful, especially as women because of the societal pressure to “lean in” and be everything to everybody.

I’m not saying that there’s not a season in your life to girl boss; I think it’s the opposite. But what we’ve been taught is to girl boss 24/7 when it’s just simply not sustainable. We not only need, but deserve time to rest and recharge, especially when building a business. Because we can’t continue to do everything for everyone without filling our own cup first. It’s like putting on your oxygen mask first on a plane—you have to give to yourself before you can give to others. And that’s not selfish, it’s self-preservation.

Wide Awake, Now What?

Bethany

Current Obsessions

The Founders’ Room: In my absence on TikTok, I’ve been working on something really special. It’s called The Founders’ Room, and it’s a small community of purpose-driven femme founders who are building their businesses together. In short, it’s what I want to see in the entrepreneurship space—a room where you can build your business with women who want to make the world a better place.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve watched, listened to, and read tons of entrepreneurship content that tells you that building a business is hard, lonely work. I’m not saying that it won’t be hard, but I’m saying you don’t have to feel lonely while doing it.

The Founders’ Room—because you were never supposed to build alone:

• A small group of 4-6 femme founders who are actively building their purpose-driven businesses

• Weekly 90-minute group calls—think of this more like a college course where we bounce ideas off of each other and learn from each other’s experiences

• Weekly checkins via Loom—you send in your problems, questions, thoughts, and I answer them every week

• A business plan—over the 6-month container you’ll get a business plan that you can use over and over again every time your business needs a refresh, rebrand, or a change of strategy.

Closing and Announcements

Collective—thank you so much for your patience as I’ve gotten settled into life here in Vietnam. I truly cannot wait for what’s to come. If you have any suggestions about The Founders’ Room and what you would like to see inside of it, feel free to reach out. I’m @bethanyrosemorris on TikTok. I’m very much looking forward to the future that we build together.

-Bethany

Next week’s question: What's the hardest part of building your business that you haven't been able to say out loud yet?