This week is another one where I need to be honest instead of polished.
I didn’t get a recipe posted.
I didn’t keep the schedule I wanted.
And the last couple of weeks have been unexpectedly hard.
Life on life’s terms isn’t always easy, and lately my days have been very much minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour. I’ve been trying to stay present for my mother through an incredibly painful season — losing the last living piece of my father. That alone has been heavy in ways that don’t neatly fit into words.
On top of that, this week I caught a stomach bug that completely knocked me out. Fever over 102, sick from both ends, and honestly just wrecked for the better part of the week. There was no pushing through that — the body simply said no.
I am beyond grateful that things cleared enough for Valentine’s Day with my wife. That mattered. A lot.
And this past week was also my step-daughter’s birthday, which added another layer of family time and emotion into an already full stretch.
It’s been a lot of life all at once.
Because of that, my routine hasn’t been holding the way it needs to — and that’s on me to own. I’m also struggling more than I expected with parts of this computer and Mac learning curve. There are systems, concepts, and tools I simply never learned earlier in life, and sometimes it feels overwhelming trying to catch up now.
But here’s the part that matters:
I will continue to show up.
I will continue to read and learn.
And I will not quit just because something feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable.
Looking forward, there are a few things shifting that I believe may help. My wife starts a new job this week, and while I’m proud of her, I also recognize that having some alone, quiet, in-house time may be exactly what I need to reset my own rhythm.
I haven’t even been to my sewing machine once this year — and that needs to change. This week, it will. I’m committing to a daily “get off your butt” list. Nothing fancy. Pick one thing. Do it. Grow from it. That consistency has to return.
Sitting and numbing out in front of the TV isn’t healthy for me.
Facebook can’t be casual background noise — it needs to be a tool, not a hiding place.
These are self-discipline habits I’ve always had to work on, and I know I’ll only go as far as I’m willing to push myself.
I’m choosing to be more accountable — first to myself.
On the business side, I have continued some marketing posts and will keep doing so for the books I already have published. I did not get approved as an Amazon affiliate through KDP, so for now I’m simply marketing that my books are available on Amazon, not as affiliate products. That’s okay. One step at a time.
Right now, I’m intentionally limiting myself to three platforms for marketing. I don’t need more platforms — I need a work schedule I can actually stick to. That’s the focus moving forward.
🧵📘 Featured This Week: Quilt Coloring Recipe Journal
Even in the middle of all this, I want to continue highlighting the work I’m proud of.
The Quilt Coloring Recipe Journal is my newest release and one that truly represents growth for me. It’s over 150 pages, featuring original quilt designs of my own, turned into coloring borders surrounding large, usable recipe cards.
It brings together creativity, function, and legacy in one book.
📘 Quilt Coloring Recipe Journal
👉 https://amzn.to/49B3UcO
This is the kind of project that reminds me why I started building in the first place.
There is still much growth ahead.
Much learning to do.
And much discipline to rebuild.
I’m not where I want to be yet — but I’m still here.
Still building.
Still choosing to move forward.
One day at a time.
Thank you for being here and following along.
If you’re reading this, supporting the work, trying the recipes, or simply checking in — it truly matters.
If you’d like to:
- follow the journey as it continues
- ask a question or share feedback
- learn more about the books and future projects
- or just say hello
I’d love to hear from you.
Gregory Stephens
Digital Growth Group LLC
📧 digitalgrowthgroup3@gmail.com
One step. One habit. One lesson at a time.
Digital Growth Group 