This is the moment I’ve been waiting for - that feeling of validation from a stranger.
On Thursday, I made my first Etsy sale to someone I hadn’t met before. I was so happy. So elated that someone, completely new to me, saw value in what I’ve made. I’ve had a few sales from lovely friends and family which always mean so much but this one hit differently. It just felt… real.
A Sign at the Gym?
Weirdly, I was on my way to the gym when the sale came through somewhere I haven’t been for a while. I mainly keep fit by running outdoors, and the gym’s more of a “toning” zone for me so it hadn’t been a priority for me to go for a while. But that day I made time to go, and the first time I walked through those doors in over a month… ping - a sale.
It felt like a little sign from the universe reminding me that stepping away can be a good thing. I still work a 9-5 job, and when I’m not doing that, I’m usually pouring every spare minute into Wild Minder. So carving out time to exercise, or even rest, can feel impossible. But that moment reminded me that balance matters.
The Doubt Demons
I’m writing this on Sunday, a few days later. The order is packed up and ready to post. And while I’m still buzzing, the doubt demons are definitely creeping in.
What if that’s the only sale I ever get?
What if they don’t like it?
What if it’s not good enough?
But I keep telling myself: someone out there chose something I made. Out of all the things they could buy they picked mine. That has to count for something.
I just need to remember I just haven’t reached the other “someones” yet.
A Gentle Reminder: Keep Going
So I’m going to keep going. Keep stitching, keep sharing, and keep showing up.
I attended a course on Etsy recently, and I’ve got a few things I want to try based on what I learned, especially to help my work reach more of the right people. I love Wild Minder so much, and I believe in the mission behind it.
That said… the anxiety is real. But through the course I’m doing, I’ve learned that I’m not alone in feeling this way. A lot of handmade business owners feel the same, the pressure, the perfectionism, the imposter syndrome. This week I made some new connections, and I’m reminding myself that I do have a support network. I’m not doing this alone.
One More Win…
And in the same week as my first proper Etsy sale?
I hit 100 followers on Instagram 
Growing an Instagram from scratch is hard, especially when you’re not someone with a big online presence to begin with. Most of the time, it feels like I’m just shouting into the void. That’s why each new follow is a genuine win for me. It’s another little sign I’m doing the right things and that if I just keep showing up and being consistent, Wild Minder will find the right people.
Every unfollow still feels like a punch in the gut, I won’t lie. But I’m learning to remind myself, they’re just not my people. There’s no point having thousands of followers if they don’t care about what Wild Minder stands for. I’d rather have a few hundred who truly believe in the mission.
They might sound like small milestones from the outside, but to me, they feel huge. And I wanted to take a moment to write them down, so I remember how far I’ve come when the doubt creeps in again.
Until next time,
Lucy
Founder of Wild Minder