126: [INTERVIEW] How to Chase Your Dreams & Foster Community Along the Way w/ Erin Carpenter

If you have ever had a dream that you felt passionately about, but also felt like it was so far out of reach, this episode is for you! Today I sat down with Erin Carpenter, a local Charleston woman who recently gained national recognition for her and her husband’s laundromat flip. 

In our interview, we talk about what it’s like to pivot in life to try on a new identity that is different from what people know you for, what to do when you are at the crossroads of choosing your current life and choosing your dream, and the power of fostering intentional community along the way. 

I LOVED getting to chat with Erin and she is such a cool human I know you will love. Be sure to check out all her things via the link below and give her a follow on Instagram! 

CONNECT WITH ERIN ON INSTAGRAM: 

https://www.instagram.com/erinv_carpenter/ 

REYNOLDS LAUNDROMAT TRANSFORMATION:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqDqE--AEB_/ 

FIND ERIN IN ALL THE PLACES:
https://linktr.ee/the_carpenters 

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Transcript

Maddy: 0:01

Hey, bestie, and welcome to the living in sunshine podcast. I'm your host, Maddy fry. And around here we are all about encouraging, inspiring, and giving you the tough love that you need to hear to get out there and live as your best self. Each and every Wednesday, you can expect to learn tangible tips to help you find your bigger purpose. be given simple action steps that you can take in order to make progress toward your biggest dreams. And hear how you can purposely pursue joy on the daily. So sit down, grab your favorite drink. And let's have a girl chat. This is the living in sunshine podcast. Good morning. Good morning, my dudes. And welcome back to the living in sunshine podcast. I am so excited that you are tuning in for today's brand new podcast episode, because today is another interview here on the living in sunshine podcast. And I am super pumped because today we're talking to Erin carpenter, a local Charlestonians woman who I've connected with over on Instagram, she is probably one of the coolest people I know locally. Her and her husband have a really great story. And I'm so excited to share their story with you today. Like I said, Erin and her husband live right here in Charleston, South Carolina, with their cute little puppy named Skipper. She's super passionate about transforming spaces and using them to build a community. And I really think that you are going to love our interview, we talked about going after a dream and transitioning into a new identity that is completely different from what people know you for. And we really talk about the key and the power of creating community around us, and what can happen and the results that come from fostering really intentional communities. So without further ado, let's go ahead and dive right in to this podcast interview with Erin carpenter. All right, Erin, thank you so much for joining us here on the living and sunshine Podcast. I'm so excited to have you.

Erin: 1:56

I'm so excited to be here. Thanks for having me.

Maddy: 1:58

Yeah. So for those of us who don't know who you are, or don't follow on you follow you on Instagram, which I encourage you to follow her and all of her amazing, beautiful property accounts on Instagram. Can you share with us a little bit of who you are and what you do for a living? Because I think what you do is super, super interesting and really unique and something that my audience hasn't ever really heard anyone talk about before?

Erin: 2:21

Absolutely. And I'm still getting the hang of summarizing what I do. Yes. So me like layers to it. I'm trying to feel that concise way I feel. Yeah. So I think basically, if I was to sum it up, I am two parts. One part designer of just properties for, like residential properties was my forte in the past few years. But recently, I've branched into more commercial with the laundromat. And then the second part of my job is facilitating the community that comes from those projects. So for example, we renovated this house and turned it into kind of like a bed and breakfast except we run it remote, like we provide the breakfast, but I manage that property from afar. So that's the community aspect of that. And then for the laundromat, I manage kind of like community events for that. So that's really fun. And I also host women's retreats quarterly through our other property, which is the another community aspect. Yeah. Invest recently, actually. We this is the first you'll hear of this actually, we haven't announced it yet, but we just got a contract for designing a laundromat in New York City. So that's very cool. Our next big project is going to be kind of I guess we're designing another laundromat.

Maddy: 3:38

So, so crazy. Okay, so for people who don't know, Erin and her husband, can you share your husband's name?

Erin: 3:45

Yes, it's John.

Maddy: 3:46

Okay, so Erin and John. I found them both through Erin's Instagram account, she and her husband designed and renovated and flipped and design this beautiful laundromat here in Charleston in North Charleston, which is close to where I live, actually. And it went mega viral like crazy viral. It is so stunning. I will link the reel in the show notes if you want to go watch it. But can you Erin, share with us how that came to be. And the opportunities that have come from that because I maybe I'm wrong. But I'm assuming that this opportunity for the laundromat in New York probably stemmed from this because you guys were picked up from Good Morning America, all of these major news outlets. So share with us that that story of of how Reynolds laundromat came to be because I think it's amazing.

Erin: 4:33

Thank you. Thank you so much. And yeah, it was very, like you couldn't have planned it. I never would have expected it. Right. So I came from actually a totally different background. I've been a video producer for eight years. So that was my like corporate nine to five job. I've been doing it for a long time. And then me and John when we got together, we got married, he'd always done the real estate thing. And that became more and more interesting to me. It was really fun to work with him and then we he tackled so many projects, so many different things that it would became really hard to manage a full time video production job that would have to be on set, you know, long nights late night. And then we're doing projects too. So we had to make this choice basically, of do I go all in with our projects? Or do I just kind of like scale back on the project and, you know, devote more time to video producing? Yeah, and it was very scary decision because it wasn't super clear at the time. I wasn't like, oh my gosh, this is the right thing to do. It was just like, I don't know, so I'm just gonna go for it. But this I love our projects. We had bought the laundromat. We hadn't renovated it yet. The laundromat is a whole other story. But basically, John, he's very creative. And he's very entrepreneurial. And he loved the idea of it. And so he just started searching and it came up for sale. And we bought it, like three days later, like, okay, it's ours. Um, so, and we've had it for a while, you know, we were running it in. So then in January, I had just quit my job, like a couple months before that. Yeah. And so I was like, I have the time. I'm just gonna throw myself all in on this laundromat. Long story short, we renovate it for about three months. I you know, it was my first commercial project, like I said, and so I really had a ton of fun with it. And I also decided to create a tick tock, I'd never made a tick tock before, but I had actually deactivated my instagram at the time, because I was tired of, I don't know, I just wanted a break. And I was in basically so I wasn't really into Instagram at the time. Fallen on tick tock. And then that just that consistency of showing up and making these videos, I challenged myself as like, I'm just gonna do one tick tock a day while we're renovating. Yeah. And then, I mean, I had zero expectations. I was kind of like, you know, I have the time. Why don't I just document this? And I also think, because I knew I was a beginner. I wasn't like, trying to shift the story at all. Here I am

Maddy: 7:07

like, yeah, yeah, like we're gonna figure this out together. Like, I don't know what I'm doing, but we'll figure it out.

Erin: 7:14

That was 100%. Like my whole vibe. Yeah. Um, because also Tiktok was new to me. I'm like, oh, yeah, the youths are doing these days, literally. So yeah. And then I reacted my I reactivated my Instagram. We're done. I posted that tic tock that final tic tock, kind of like here. Here's our little journey. And I had been getting some traction, like I had, you know, a couple 1000 views or a couple No, like 20,000 views, at least on some of the videos, but it wasn't anything crazy. Yeah. But then that one video. Like, I remember watching it like it just all of a sudden it took off, it jumped from like 200 views, and then just kind of spiraled from there. And then I just posted it on Instagram, too, to be like, Hey, friends and family. This is what I've been doing on tick tock. Yeah. When also they both started to, like, take off at the same time. So it was very strange. Because I had no it happened so fast that it was happening, you know? Yeah. And it also just felt like, I've kind of talked about this before, but we're like, why, like, we don't deserve this attention, you know, people who have done these amazing projects, and, you know, like amazing professional designers who have done these amazing things. But I think really the heart of it was, you know, the community. And I've talked all about the community before, but it really was, I think that's the heart of the project. And that's what when it took off, I wanted to keep focusing on be like, this is like clearly nothing that we could have done ourselves or planned or like, it's not anything, you know, it's like Q it turned out great. We love it. It's not like, doesn't demand worldwide attention, you know, so I think it was almost the fact that the laundromat can be a place like it, it brings people back to their childhoods or memories of laundromats it's part of people's lives. And we wanted to focus on that part of it and say, okay, great people were attached to this, like laundromat concept. So what can we do with that? So that's one version, I guess of the story.

Maddy: 9:12

Yeah, yeah. And I think you're right, I think it was, I think the reason why so many people, and when I say people, I mean, people outside of the DIY, or the house flipping space, really attracted to your story and this project of the laundromat because of the community being at the heart of it. And so I'm wondering for you, where does that desire or that focus on community stem from? Is that something that you feel like you have been looking for? Is that something that you feel like you had a lot growing up? Why is community for a lot of your projects, right? You said you have a b&b. I know that you have a couple of Airbnb s I believe you do retreats, why is community such a big part of who you are and what you do?

Erin: 10:00

Yeah, that's a great question. Um, and I don't think I had really, like dug into that it's always been a part of my life until this launch. And I realized that that's the thread that's connected a lot of our projects and a lot of my desires and passions. But I think, one, we moved a lot growing up. And I think it was something that like, and I loved moving like, it wasn't something that was daunting or anything, I loved adventure and travel. But it was one thing that helps to, you know, when you get to a new place, you start with your community, you meet your friends, and I think even like, all through college, I like I transferred schools, you know, so I had to make a new community. And I realized that in times of, in those times of transition, like the community is like, what you need to get you rooted right away and feel stable and connected. And I just love, I don't know, I've just had such great experiences in community in all different types of communities I've been a part of throughout my life. It just felt like the heartbeat of you know, what? Life you know, life goes on, you know, but the piano, doing it with really seemed like it impacted a lot of that. Yeah. The older I get, the more I really cherish that too, because I feel like it's harder and harder college it's built in. And then your graduates like I really want that for us. And then also for people around us to be able to like be part of it.

Maddy: 11:23

Yeah, yeah. I love that so much. So you said that you were a video editor? Correct? Am I saying that correctly?

Erin: 11:30

Yeah, pretty sure.

Maddy: 11:31

Okay. So how do you? How did you go from being a video producer? How did you make that transition into being an interior designer, whether it's commercial or residential? Because I know that you mentioned and you kind of touched on, it felt really scary. It wasn't sure if it was the right choice. But like, what was that thing? Or? Or what came to your your mind where you're like, I just got to do this, like, I've got to jump because a lot of women in the living in Sunshine Community are in that same kind of crossroads of do I chase this dream? Or do I stay on the path that I'm currently at? Because I want both one feels really comfy, but one feels really exciting. It's kind of lighting my soul on fire. So in your own story, how did you go about navigating that? And what was kind of that thing that pushed you over the edge to be like, I'm going all in on this?

Erin: 12:21

Yeah, absolutely. And I think there's like, there's many layers to that as well, like, there was that moment when I made the choice. And it is that moment when you have to decide, but I do think that there's a lot of preparation that went on beforehand. Because I think there's first a spark in me that felt like I wanted to do something more than I mean, I loved my work I loved I did a lot of travel for my work. I did a lot. It was like pretty much I get a text and then I would be sent on a trip. And so I think the first was wanting to be more rooted in a community because I was so transient, you know, and I knew that there's that part of the discontentment that wanted to be somewhere stable. And I also just felt like I had so much creativity in my brain overflowing that, like, just my work alone was not scratching that itch for me. Yeah, they loved my work. But there was like, I just felt like there was so much more like that was just the tip of the iceberg. And there was so much more to me. And it just felt like it wasn't getting used. Yeah. And I was so tired at the end of the workday that it's like, you know, what, what is that iceberg? And how am I ever going to, you know, reach that if I'm not if I don't have the time. So I think one was recognizing it. That was the first step and kind of identifying what some of those things were. Yeah. And then honestly, a lot of it was doing it while you're doing your nine to five, preparing, and it was so exhausting. Like, it's hard in that phase, when you're doing both, yeah. Because you're just like tough, you know, you're working long hours at your job, and you're working long hours, you know, outside of your job feels really hard. And I think there's different ways you can do it. Like, you could just jump into it. But I do think that preparing and having that experience while I had that, you know, that framework that helped me it's like the stability.And, you know, so like my husband and I both worked together on these projects. So a lot of like, he helped a ton, you know, and be a good way to a new interest too. And that's how I started learning. So it all boils down to that. I think like preparation is important and not just like making a snap decision because I I've tried to do that before. I'm like, I'm just gonna move and you know, and yeah, just, it didn't work out for the best reasons. I'm glad it didn't work like that. But I think remembering those desires and then doing some careful planning, like what does it look like to do this? You know, what are the risks weighing that? But then it does get to the point where you have to make a decision, you know, you've put in the work, you know, everything you can know, yeah, and I think for me personally, I just hit a breaking point. Like I like I wish it was this glamorous, like, When did my hair I'm gonna do it Every day I was in my car was like sobbing, you know, I just ran out, my mind was worn through, I just felt so torn between these two things. And I just I didn't know what my purpose was, I didn't know which direction to go. And I, honestly, until I just said, I don't think I can do both. And this is the one thing like, we knew that that salary would be replaced by one of our projects. And so we're like, okay, the time is right, like if I was ever going to do it, like, that logistical part was taken care of. And I like, I was scared till the like, literally the day I walked out, like it was talking to my boss and saying, I'm quitting. Like, I don't have another job lined up. And yeah, that was so terrifying. And it was scary. Like telling my co workers I'm leaving, you know, it was scary, every single moment until I had made that decision, and then started throwing, like, I have the energy and the brain power to pour into the other stuff. And that's when it clicked on like, oh, my gosh, I'm finally like, yeah, holy, like activate my brains activate. I'm so I'm having fun. And I'm tired at the end of the day, but I'm not like burnt out. And

Maddy: 16:05

yeah, yeah, you're living in alignment, like you are truly living in alignment to who you are, and what brings you joy. But the thing that I think had to happen first was you had to hit that line in the sand, right? That metaphor of like this, I can't do both. And I don't want to do both anymore, by being honest. And I just love that because you said it. I'm tired at the end of the day. But I'm not burnt out. And I think that that's a really good self checking that people can can use and can implement in their own life is at the end of the day. Are you both physically and mentally exhausted? In a good way or a bad way? Or are you just exhausted because you exhausted the best parts of who you were your creativity, your joy, your passion, your purpose? All of these things? Right? Yeah. I love that. I love that.

Erin: 16:57

That's so well said I love that.

Maddy: 16:58

Yeah. So when you were telling all of the people, right, family, coworkers, bosses, husbands, that you're like, I'm gonna go all in and go do this other thing. That is like a 90 degree turn from what I'm currently doing peace out, I'm gonna go have a great time. Did anyone along the way make you feel like what you were doing was not gonna happen? Or was silly or was a waste of time?

Erin: 17:24

I feel like I honestly didn't know what I was going to do for so long that I didn't really tell people, like everybody knew about our projects, like, yeah, you know, we're always doing these projects. We're always busy. And I think that's another hard part of it is that when we're in Project mode, we're absent. So I think people always knew that part of us that was very, like, devoted to these projects. And I think, I don't know if I ever vocalize like, I think I'm gonna quit my job. And my family, I guess my friends knew. But I think the people that I was telling knew what was going on, like, they knew the full picture of it. Yeah. They knew what I how I was feeling. And just, I think a lot of people were like, Yeah, that makes sense. I don't know. But I think the hardest part for me was telling the people that I hadn't told yet, you know, that now all of a sudden, I don't have this thing. Like, I'd always been like the video produced. That's what I do. That's who I am. And then all of a sudden, I had to explain it. And Virtus part was my Instagram bio, which sounds so stupid, but no, that's how I like kind of told the world. Okay, this is who I am. And that's all that was in my Instagram bio was like, video producer, like, and I have been on that for eight years. And it was that weird moment of like, who am I now? And yeah, it was really hard, actually, for a long time, like, yeah, first few months. To put it into words, like people would say, what do you do? And I remember just not knowing what to say, like, I don't know what I like, I guess I help with renovations. And I'm managing property. I guess that's what I said. I said, I manage our property. But I just like, oh, my gosh, is that like, Did I do the right thing? But I think I had to take a lot of the power out of that word, like that word that I allowed to define me that I was defining myself with it. I'm sure a lot of my friends were like, we don't even think of you that way. You know? Yeah. I think that was the that was the toughest part. I think my friends and family knew but then telling the world okay, this is what I'm doing now and then being confident enough to say, yeah, it's gonna work. And it did, which is great. I had to just be patient.

Maddy: 19:27

Yeah, yeah. It's like, it's almost like an identity shift or like finding a new identity, right? And it's so uncomfortable, because I feel like we are a generation where we were taught that you go to school, and you do one thing for your whole life, and if you ever change, you're doing it the wrong way. And we are circumnavigating this whole new journey and this whole new permission slip of being like, I'm bored of doing that thing, right? It's not in alignment with me anymore. I'm gonna go try something new. And you can come on Well, I'm for it or not, but I'm gonna figure it out. I don't know what I'm doing, but I hope it works out.

Erin: 20:05

Exactly.

Maddy: 20:07

Yeah, I love it's oh my gosh, so relatable because so many people do that nowadays. And I think that it's really important that we normalize that that identity shift and the discomfort that comes with that. You know what? That discomfort with trying on a new identity trying on a new version of you. Because just because we shed an old version doesn't mean that the new version is any less or any worse. It's just a new version of us, which I think is really, really cool. So you left your old job when at the end of last year.

Erin: 20:39

I left in oh my gosh, what years is it? 2023? Where does the time go? I feel like I have no idea. I guess I left September of 2021. So it's been a while so I put it No, it was October. So I put in my notice. Then we launched the wanderer, which is our like guest house. I think it was like the week after. And then we started the laundromat renovation January. Wait till give us was it 2020 It must have been 2022 because I guess we did the renovation this year. That is crazy. Yeah. 2020 do that. Yeah, I quit. Yeah, we were turning 22. So a year ago. Wow. That's crazy. Sorry. I quit my job last year, around this time, October. And then we launched our guesthouse right after that. And then we started the laundromat renovation. Yeah, January of this year, which is I love that.

Maddy: 21:38

So how does your new identity feel a year later? How's it feel now?

Erin: 21:41

Well, it's so crazy. That's why it's so hard for me to wrap my brain around that last year that I was still like working my nine to five because I've lived 1000 lives. And I think I feel way just I feel way better. Obviously, that just

Maddy: 22:00

I love that so much. I love it so much. So you I love happens with time. But I think, um, yeah, I think I can't imagine it's me and my husband were talking Yeah. About how like the mental shift between because we both started at nine to five. And this is kind of a long answer to your question. I'm sorry. We were talking about how you it's like easier mentally, almost, when you're in a nine to five because you, you can shut your brain off. You're at work, you know, you're just it's kind of nice. And we're like 100 It's nice to be in a nine to five all the time. Like, yeah, whatever you're like, but but it's not the same. It's like, there's so much more to life when you're, I mean, at least for people who have that type of mindset who want to be entrepreneurs, and then the nine to five life is amazing to like some days. Wow, that was great. that you just brought this up, you do these women's retreats, Yeah, I think like when you are aching for something more, they are quarterly, and you have an Instagram page. Can you plug there's so much more. out there. There's so much more potential that Instagram page so people can go stalk you as they listen to this?

Erin: 23:32

Yes, it is the arize creative is the Instagram in you. It's strange to come back and be like, wow, like a handle. Okay, and the website is the rise creative.com.

Maddy: 23:40

Okay. And you said that these women's retreats were an year ago, I was at my desk. Because now I'm actually chasing idea in 2019. And they did not come into fruition until this these dreams that I've had for so long. Like my women's retreat year 2023 people for years. How in the world did you hang on to thing. It was I started the idea in 2019. But I didn't get to and I've been there I've had dreams, people who have listened to my podcast. Three years ago, I created a course. In the fully carried out till this year. Yeah, I didn't have the course I said on my vision board. I live in a little white house with a yellow door in Charleston, South Carolina. I time. So I think yeah, I'm feeling much better. And I think moved into a little white house in Charleston, South Carolina, and I painted my my front door yellow within two months of it's an ongoing journey. But I definitely feel happier and more living here. And I listened back to that to that video, literally that I recorded 2021 and almost crapped my pants because I was confident. like, You know what it feels like? It's crazy. So anyway, my question is, how did you stay the course with that dream, right? Because sometimes you and I both know, dreams almost never happen overnight. And they take a long freakin time sometimes longer than we even anticipate that they should to happen. So how did you keep that dream of having these women's retreats? How did you hang on to it? How did you keep working towards it? How did you maintain the motivation to not let that dream go? Because I think sometimes people get frustrated that it's not happening or it's not happening fast enough. So can you share your process and staying the course with a dream when it really matters to you?

Erin: 24:58

Yes, I can because I feel like this is so important and to anyone who's listening who has a dream or an idea and is discouraged. Just don't worry. That's part of the process, because I gave up on my idea so many times, but it always came back to me. I really feel like that's something that God put on my heart in 20. Yeah. 2019 Yeah. And because it was something that I was called to do, and I didn't even know what it was like, at the time. Like, in my mind, it was an Instagram page that was, and it was something for creative people to come together. I wasn't even sure like, I have a vision in my mind, like a feeling revived. You know?

Maddy: 25:37

Yeah, I love that.

Erin: 25:38

And, and I just didn't know, but I was so excited about it. I was like, I want to find like minded women and bring them together. And I was like, Instagram is the best way to do that. Yeah, then I remember just feeling so discouraged that there's so many other Instagram pages, and I'm just defeated that it only had, like, 500 followers and that I just lost sight of what the actual like what I wanted to do and what I wanted to how I wanted to help people. Yeah, so I really like I let it lay dormant for about a year. And I just was like, Okay, that was like a stupid idea I had. And, but then it kept coming back to me in different ways. Every time I would come up with like a new idea, it was pretty much the same as my original idea. Yeah. But the crazy puzzle piece that did not come into the picture was our property that we got in 2021. Yeah. And it wasn't until we had fully renovated it. When I remember that my friends. And I used to do these women's retreats together, just there'll be five of us, we'd go off to this one house in the woods, we turn our phones off, and we would basically do that. And I was like, Oh my gosh, I want to do that. At the guest house at the wonder Yeah, yeah. And then I started realizing, oh, my gosh, all these other elements, that was part of my original idea can all it all connects. So I think that that missing puzzle piece was clicked into place with, you know, being faithful finishing all of this other work, then it was like, Oh, my gosh, now that has a place in

Maddy: 27:04

Yeah, I love that. I love it. Sometimes you just got to what we're doing. stay the course. And you, you mentioned it without mentioning it. It's this idea of the power of yet. This is an idea that I have, this is something that matters to me. I just can't flesh it out yet. Because I'm trying to figure out my job trying to figure out my life. I have so many other things happening right now. I'm just gonna set this down. And I'll come back to it later. And that's okay. I'm so glad. I'm so glad that you said that. So, a few more questions. And then we'll wrap this up. So along the way, in this whole long journey of figuring out who you are and becoming this new identity, which I've loved hearing about what kind of and you don't have to give specifics, but I'm assuming correct me if I'm wrong, that there have been roadblocks and perceived failures, things have gone wrong along the way, right? That always does. What when you are faced with a roadblock or a slip up or a trip and fall or whatever. What do you do to get back on track? What do you do to to stay the course what do you do to continue moving forward when things get really tough in that dream chasing journey because it's never as linear as we want it to be? And I think sometimes that can be discouraging for people is feeling like they see on Instagram, all of these beautiful compilation videos, these picture perfect Instagram Stories, these beautiful finished projects, but like, we rarely show the unsexy bits of getting to a dream. Yes. What do you do when you face an unsexy bit in in chasing a dream? Yeah, because those moments are way more often than you would imagine. Yes.

Erin: 28:51

Especially at the beginning, it's just filled with those moments. You're like, Am I doing something wrong? And then I really just part of it. So I would say that really part of those like what's prompting those moments for me is consuming too much of other people's lives like like Tiktok and Instagram and like everything around like looking around at everything around me consuming content, comparing myself what I'm doing and allowing that to just like spiral me. Yeah, you know, and thinking oh my gosh, I'm you know, like I'm not doing anything like or thinking I should be doing this or I should be doing that. And I'm taking pieces of inspiration, inspiration, distraction from all these different things that are not connected at all and thinking this should all be part of me. So I think the best thing, step one for me is kind of taking a break like taking a break from social media Instagram, Tik Tok, and remembering the ways that I like the way I use my voice the best is writing like journaling, verbal like writing processing. Yeah. Um, and I think when I go through spans of time when I'm not journaling. I'm not like channeling my own thoughts and my own ideas. And I'm just taking in other people's ideas that I just think stopping it, like the intake and just remembering. Okay, let's create not consumed right now. And yes, yeah, using my own voice and remembering the things that, that inspire me that get me excited. And you know, like my mission, like, I want to help women, I want to, you know, create XYZ. And because I think in this day and age, social media takes on a whole new meaning. It's almost this idea of everyone's making money, hundreds of 10s of 1000s, hundreds of 1000s of dollars from social media. So what's wrong with you? Like, why haven't you figured out you're not doing it, too? Yeah. Yeah, yeah. And I think that was something that gaining followers too, like I was always kind of distracted. Like, I sort of figured, like, all these other people figured out how to make money from this. Well, I have an eye and I think that was the biggest line distraction for me is trying to figure out how, how to learn that. So I can be like everybody else. But I think that's not like remembering your purpose. Like, it doesn't have to be what everybody else is doing. It doesn't have to be growing like it doesn't have to be, you know, growing in other ways, but not necessarily growing and Instagram, or monetize things, or whatever it is around you that you're looking at and saying I should be doing that. But remembering like, what are your skills? What are your passions, and do more of that, like I did not get anywhere from looking at everybody else and trying to emulate what they're doing? Literally just something so random, you know, on the side, and that's where my own, like, my creativity could shine. And so I think yeah, just disconnecting from all that, and doing more of what you love.

Maddy: 31:43

Yeah, I love that. All right, here's my final question. And this is a question that I asked all of my podcast guests. So if you have to take a second to think about it, because people are usually like, oh, I don't know. Take a minute. It's no rush. Yeah, if someone is listening to this episode, and they're like, this girl is so cool. She's got it going on. I want to be just like her. What would you tell them?

Erin: 32:04

I would say that there's two, there's twofold to this. One is that, like, we're all created uniquely and differently with our own purposes. And I think well, it's it's good to be inspired by other people. But it's not good to compare, and allow that to spiral you. So I think I think it's really helpful to identify like, what pieces of other people like who inspire you, what pieces inspire you about them? Because I think that's what I've had to separate and people who inspire me, it's like, who am I just trying to, like, compete with or just trying to, like, be like them for no reason? And who am I truly like, this person does this for people and I want to I want to do that for people like they do. This person loves people really well, or this person has really great, like, a skill that I want to have. And then like, learning from how how they did it, you know, like, oh, like, what resources did they use or what books they write in? Because I think I felt like that about certain people, like some are just Oh, I feel like I should be like them. And some are like, Oh, I can learn from them. Yeah, and you can get resources that help you kind of walk the same path that they are and it's actually really helpful. So if there's somebody that doesn't inspire you, I guess just identifying what about them inspires you and then learning how to get involved with that.

Maddy: 33:24

Yeah, I love that so much. Erin, thank you so much for all of this I think so many people are going to really connect and find that connection with your story of pursuing a dream and figuring it out and and kind of taking on that new identity and trying it on and really leaning into it to live a life of alignment. Can you please shamelessly self promote all of your things right now? Instagram properties, retreats, anything? Throw it in? Now's your chance.

Erin: 33:52

Okay, so my Instagram my personal Instagram is Erin V underscore carpenter. Sorry for my dog. And the arise creative is my women's retreat Instagram. The Wanderer Guest House is our property and Instagram is the underscore wander w a n d art, our guest house. And then also in my in my bio on my personal Instagram, there's links to everything else. So that's probably the easiest way to find everything else. But if you're a creative lady, and you want to come on a retreat, fall once full, but Winter is coming up. So just message me whatever you want. And hope to see you there.

Maddy: 34:31

Yeah, well, thank you so much, Erin. I so enjoyed it coming having you come on the show. And thank you so much, everyone for listening. Be sure to share this episode tag your favorite people in it on Instagram tag, Erin and I and thank you so much, Erin for being here. I really appreciate it. Hey, thank you, girlfriend. Thank you so much for listening to today's new episode. If you loved it, please send it to a friend share it on Instagram and tag me so I can see and consider leaving the show rating or review, ratings and reviews are kind of like sharing or liking a post on Instagram, and they really help the show grow and reach new women just like you. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a new episode. And until next week, I am sending you all the sunshine, good vibes, and I hope you make it a great day.