In March 2023, I booked a trip to San Francisco in the midst of the worst burnout of my life. I had just launched Jupiter Society Books and was already preparing for our first event after only being in business for one month. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing — I never considered myself to be a great business person, but I knew I loved books. I was passionate about making books accessible to as many people as possible, and offering an escape from the craziness of every day life through literary adventures.
I had made the snap decision to book a ticket: three days in San Francisco away from my job and the chaotic energy of New York (no shade, to my city but girl, it gets hectic). I had spent the past 10 years of my life through undergrad, grad school, research presentations, a master's thesis and two career changes. I had finally arrived at pushing myself in a writing career that caused me more stress than was normal. I'm talking sleepless nights and through the roof anxiety. I had felt guilty for being 28 and back in a rut, still feeling like I had to figure out my entire life all over again.
During my little escape, I had found myself at Baker Beach, the one place my brain could finally rest. I bought my books, snacks, and enjoyed 4/20 while I admired the Golden Gate Bridge. Later as I stood at the edge of the ocean, suddenly, everything back home seemed so small. I had renewed focus in my purpose and the purpose of the store. It was more than just about being a bookseller, but having an avenue to pour my passions into something other than the corporate space. I had never felt so at peace with myself and my life than I did sitting on that beach.
By the end of that week, I had made it back home and jumped straight into prep for our first event. We survived it, and it went much better than I ever anticipated. By October, we'd be crushing it at our second ever event in Brooklyn and it would be yet another sign that my ideas and vision for the store weren't stupid after all. That same week, I'd be impacted by layoffs at work. The one thing I had been afraid of happening for months ended up being my liberation. I remember calling my mom screaming for joy that I was finally free.
A few weeks after that, I found myself traveling yet again, this time in Bali. I had reached the light at the end of the tunnel: now, it didn't matter what career I had or didn't have or what milestones I was hitting. I was determined to go into 2024 giving my all to what I love and diving head first into new adventures. Now, I'll be juggling life as a new mom and business owner.
Jupiter Society Books is more than a store to me, and represents more than just my lifelong dream. It's a place where there's no need to push myself to exhaustion. I don't have to pretend. I can just be. I'm excited to introduce my son to the world of books and maybe, this will be something he wants to be involved in one day— at least I hope so!
For now, I'm kicking my feet up finally, and preparing for our glorious return this summer. No more burnout allowed.