Queen of the Nobodies

Well congratulations! We all made it through back to work week. I have to say, I was on the struggle bus, especially Monday and Tuesday. But tonight, as I’m putting the finishing touches on this newsletter, I can honestly say I feel like I’m getting back into the groove.

I have been working on a new recording space for the past couple of weeks, and I finally feel like I’m getting closer to what I envisioned. This is a little peek at it. I am actually very fortunate to have a large room where I have room to both write and record. By the way, that is not a Christmas tree in the background, it has been reclassified as an emotional support tree, Ha! I have three of these and they are too pretty to be hidden up in the attic for a year. They make me so happy, why can’t I enjoy them longer if I want to?

Thank you all so much for being here!

— Cathy

---

---

My First Speaking Engagement!

I may have a lot of ideas I want to share with as many people as I can, and I may be concentrating on using tools that spread these messages globally. But last week, I was once again reminded of an important lesson: don’t forget about the opportunities available in your local community!

When I launched my website last month, speaking engagements were not even on my radar. It is something I absolutely want to do, but something I figured would happen later this year at the earliest. When I was contacted, over the holiday break, to speak about my “No Buy Challenge,” my instinct, as always, was to immediately answer yes. I could think about the “how” later.

I am conditioned to never pass up an opportunity, even in cases where I’m not necessarily qualified, I will give it a shot. Like the time I was offered a job that required me to know how to type with a “10-key” keypad. Did I say I could do it? Yes. Did I know how to do it? No. Did I learn over the weekend? Yes. I know this type of drive came from my life experience growing up. It did not set me up for success. Being abandoned at 17, quitting school, and not having a secondary education, I have been operating in a way that is unfamiliar to most, seizing anything that even smells like an opportunity. I did not want to resort to repeating the behavior I had been shown growing up, that would lead me to a life of discontent, selfishness, and ultimately destructive behavior. Have I resorted to those at times? Of course, desperate times, desperate measures. But, I have to say, I have been very fortunate over the years to keep running into people that believe in me and offer up opportunities. This began to fill my toolbox with all types of skills, which I am now using to put this whole “Queen of the Nobodies” project together.

Interestingly enough, I do have public speaking experience, so I was excited for this upcoming opportunity. Among other skills that are helpful, I also have photography, videography, editing, sound system, website creation, social media, and marketing experience—all self-taught or learned volunteering, because, of course, that’s how I roll.

What I wasn’t prepared for last week, was some type of electronic glitch that introduced itself minutes before I was to speak. I often bring two laptops with me, but for whatever reason, I didn’t that day. So my super stellar, multimedia presentation that I had worked so hard on was not going to happen. I could have been upset or panicked, but instead, I made a conscious decision to try to put a positive spin on it and look at this presentation as a challenge. I was about to give my talk with a “worst-case scenario.” If I could get through this, I could get through anything. I then proceeded with the presentation, making the case to attendees why we all need to consider buying less. Yikes!

Well, my presentation was well received with audience attention, engagement, and no negative comments. Thank you Courtney and Granger Sunrise Rotary. This unexpected experience has given me such a confidence boost from the feedback I’ve received, the members I met, as well as the possibility of future opportunities that exist right here where I live! Don’t lose sight of this! Those who you connect with in your community will be your biggest cheerleaders!

If you can’t tell, I’m super passionate about this project, and when I’m passionate about something, it’s so easy for me to speak about it. For now though, I am taking a breath and getting back to my regular content schedule. I’m excited to see what the rest of 2025 brings!

---

Prepping my Breakfast for the Work Week

---

2025 No Buy New Clothes Challenge!

We’ll be starting our second full week in our 2025 No Buy Challenge Community. The community is like a classroom, a space where I post content related to the challenge and where members can ask questions and even offer advice of their own. It is free to join. If you would like to participate in the challenge with us, click on the button below:

Here are some tips that will help you with the process of creating and maintaining a more sustainable wardrobe.

---

Live Zoom Meet-Up this Wednesday, 1/15/25, 12 pm Eastern time

Join me for this a live Zoom call, where I can answer tell you more about the 2025 No Buy Challenge and what else I’m working on.

---