Dear friend,
I had a full meltdown today trying to use QuickBooks.
Like, cried-in-the-park, called-a-friend-sobbing, questioned-my-entire-worth meltdown.
I’m a person with a book in airports across the country. A successful company. Films in progress. I have both objective, subjective success!
And yet — one confusing piece of software and suddenly I’m asking:
If I can’t figure out QuickBooks, how can I run a business?
If I can’t run a business, how can I make money?
If I can’t make money, what value do I have in this world?
That last one took me out and made me cry even harder.
I thought – if this is something happening in my brain, it’s probably happening in my readers brains as well. So I made you a video.
In it, I talk about art, money, capitalism, and what it actually means to keep living a boldly creative life, even when the world is on fire around you.
I say the world needs our stories now more than ever because it’s true.
As capitalism and fascism both rise in power, we need to surround ourselves even more with art and artists.
Subscribing to my Substack is a great place to start. I’ve got plenty of free and paid inspiration for you on here.
If you want lovely poetry and inspiration sent to your inbox, you should subscribe to my friend Katie Treggiden’s Substack Brackish.
15/10 suggest becoming a paid subscriber of hers so you can get poetry and art in the mail. It’s so lovely in these hard times to get letters from Katie.
You can do that here:
I’d love to know — how have you been?
For those in the USA, are you surviving tax season?
For everyone everywhere, I’d love to know what art you’re making or consuming right now.
Let me know in the comments.
With love and art,
Lauren
P.S. My accountant and friend Erica Martinez helped me to figure out my QuickBooks. Saved the day!
Erica and I have worked on two books together and I highly suggest both of them! One is a primer for taxes which I use as a guidebook in my business and the other is an adorable book helping explain taxes to kids.
And the kids book is wonderfully artistic with illustrations from Yuki Okada.
Check them out below:
Taxes 101 for Entrepreneurs: How to reduce your tax burden, stay in compliance, and keep money in your bank account
What Are Taxes?: A Fun Introduction to Money Concepts for Kids
