Should it?
I know running a business isn’t easy. I know there’s curve balls along the way, and lessons we learn the hard way. But. This year has seemed unusually challenging. Not challenging in the sense that I’m failing, but challenging in the sense that GROWING the business, expanding online, and setting up new selling platforms is extremely time consuming, confusing, and tiring. I have hit wall after wall after wall. Every time I make a small stride forward, it’s like there’s two steps back.
Many of you know I have spent a lot of time researching a platform to sell yoga recordings on. I’ve had students inquire, and interest from people who can’t attend in person or online. I had a great vision, and I was hopeful. I started on YouTube (for free offerings) and then looked into Vimeo, Offering Tree, and finally settled on Shopify.
Why shopify? It seemed the most straight forward, I could upload my products and buyers can access them easily without a “membership” or “profile.” There was no third-party needs. I could sell videos, audios, books and PDF’s, and if I wanted to I could even add my art. It seemed like the perfect way to sell. So I started the account, uploaded my first meditation, and launched the “opening” through my June 2026 newsletter. Success! I thought. Until I went to upload my second product, and it wouldn’t let me. I would have to pay more to upload more (and keep in mind, I have already paid for the account and services, and I haven’t even sold anything yet).
This really hit me hard. It feels so hard to get ahead, and even harder to stay motivated, when every time I think I’ve figured something out, I haven’t. These online companies just drain your finances from the get-go… and without any guaranteed sales, it is also a risk and possibly a loss. Possibly a complete waste of my time, of the past year, and my money.
This has me second-guessing my choice. It also has me wondering, should I just pay more? Sometimes you have to spend more to make more, right? It has also been a huge reminder that my passion for technology is zero. None of this is coming natural to me, and it has been a real process of force to just keep going.
So Now What? Excellent question.
The Gentle Way of Hatha 