I recently set a new goal for myself to transition my introverted ass from being online constantly to being out in the "Real World (tm)" and making in person friends... But today's Saturday and stormy to boot, so after I get my work done I'll very likely still be online simply as something to do. Here's something I never do in real life: talk about myself. :D Curious if anybody here relates to any of this.

I retired early from corporate employment at the beginning of the pandemic, but I had my own small business already established by then. I'm still not pulling income from it, but starting the middle of last year the cash flow has been Healthy with a Capital H, so I think next year I'll budget myself an income. It's a very simple little business but it's mine. My pride and joy. My raison d'être. It's basically online retail but instead of doing it like other people do, I've taken the reins hard in hand. I research and carefully select what products I offer. I refuse to offer cheap shit that sells well. When my customers were asking for a product with a specific feature and I could not find or convince any existing manufacturers to sell it to me, I went out and had the item designed and found my own fucking manufacturer. Took on my first business loan to pay for my very own mold tool for plastic injection molding of that item. I went out and learned basic leather crafting so that I can now customize certain things. That simply motivated me to keep going so now I'm also working with a rope manufacturer for another bespoke item to slap my brand on and sell.

Did I mention that I'm introverted as hell? Knowing that feeding that impulse isn't very healthy, I recently found and joined a women-only entrepreneur networking group in my area. Unlike typical biz networks that hold events where thirsty people simply trade business cards and pester each other for leads (GAWD, I hate that!) this one is more focused on education, building a social circle and events that are literally JUST socializing and morale support for our business efforts. I'm loving it.

Trying to reconnect with a few irl friends I haven't seen in a while. Planning to connect with a new friend that I met online but happens to live near me. Applied for a volunteer job with my local Fire/EMS agency to help them with office admin tasks.

I can't wait for all of that to really get rolling. I'm patient but sometimes the best things seem to test me. :D I want to be busier. (Steps away from podium and blushes.)