Of course she is. She's still learning how long it takes her to drive from home or school to different places around town. She's a senior in high school this year and wanted to meet me after school for coffee before she meets up with some friends for a football game. Now that I'm living on my own, we don't get to spend as much time together, so we've been trying to meet up once a week for brunch or coffee.
It's abnormally hot for a mid-September afternoon, so I decide to head inside the shop to wait for her. And that way I can order something that isn't coffee for both of us too. That girl is heading towards an addiction if she isn't careful. Completely joking of course.
I pocket my phone after double checking her location to make sure she is actually on her way. She is. I should only have to wait for her for about fifteen minutes. I find my spot at the end of the line and begin looking over the menu.
Who puts lavender in coffee? Apparently the brunette in front of me.
"Ooh, they still have the lavender latte! I'm already over pumpkin for the year," she casually tells the other woman next to her. They both appear to be in their mid-twenties. And they are both fully engrossed in the coffee options, and their conversation, to notice my attention. Don't worry - not being a creeper, she is just the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen.
Her medium brown hair falls in light waves around her shoulders and contrasts the blush pink sweater she's wearing beautifully. She's wearing those black leggings that my sister says are insanely comfortable, but from what I can tell, they just show off her curves all that much better. I don't take long in my assessment before her conversation draws me back in.
"I was so excited about the possibility of doing events this year, being able to connect with local business and do more than just apply my makeup in a camera. But as soon as I saw the RSVP list and the venue," she trails off and it's obvious she's trying to find the right way to word her response. What was wrong with the guest list? Is she okay? Is there an unsafe venue in the area that needs to be addressed? I have to force myself from Googling everything about Northern Colorado venues right now so I can keep listening.
"I just am not ready to do in person events, I think. I'll just have to see how much I can do behind the camera. And that's going to have to be enough for now," she's resigned with her response as she grabs her coffee and sits at a table by the window with her friend. What does she do? And what is holding her back from doing what she so obviously wants?
Her friend picks up the conversation as I grab my own drink and sit in the table behind her. I get my laptop out and begin working on something I don't have to actually pay attention to so I can listen without being weird.
"Sasha, whatever you decide you are ready for, you are going to be amazing at. You love what you do and it shows. Have you thought more about seeing someone? The anxiety isn't getting better and I hate that you feel like you can't even try to do in person events."
"I think I'm ready to talk to a therapist. I'm over being at Home Depot. I may need to pause content for a bit while I figure out what I'm wanting to do. Do you think that's okay?"
"Sasha, your platform will still be there if you take a break for a bit. Take care of you. And I'll be there to support as much as I can along the way. Sashaloveslipstick is more than your channel and your account - it's your passion. You may see a dip in engagement when you come back, but you talk all the time about following what you need. And right now, you need this."
And I'm going to help her.
Read what happens next in The Funnel to You by Nikki Grant.
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