Nikki Newbauer is a writer and founder of Little Hope Notes, which is a ground roots effort to spread hope in little ways each and every day. Nikki started Little Hope Notes because she wanted hope to be accessible to all. The recipient has encouragement at their fingertips not because of anything they had to do, but because of beautiful happenstance. Little Hope Notes is the perfect marriage of Nikki’s love of writing and desire to make a difference.
Here’s what we discussed in today’s episode:
- How acts of kindness can change someone’s life.
- What is Little Hope Notes and how can you get involved
- Being open about our mental illnesses
- Finding Your Groove in Business
Connect with Nikki
Website: http://www.littlehopenotes.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/littlehopenotes
Can’t listen? Here’s the transcript:
Nicole Neer:
Hey everybody, and welcome to the Spooniepreneur Podcast. I’m Nicole Neer, an online business manager living with fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder. On this podcast, I’m going behind the scenes in my business and talking to other spooniepreneurs to get real about what it looks like to be an entrepreneur living with chronic illness, to inspire you to start the business of your dreams no matter what life throws your way.
Nicole Neer:
Hey, everybody. Welcome to another episode of the Spooniepreneur Podcast. I cannot tell you how excited I am for you to hear this next interview, and I know that I say that every week, but this week’s guest is somebody who I met through Instagram and to has worked with me in my business. She’s an amazing copywriter, but what I think is even more amazing is the way that she is spreading hope in communities by just doing little acts of kindness. So, this week’s guest is Nikki Newbauer. She is a writer and she’s founder of Little Hope Notes, which is a ground roots effort to spread hope in little ways each and every day.
Nikki started Little Hope Notes because she wanted hope to be accessible to all. Amazing, right? The recipients have the encouragement at their fingertips, not because of anything that they had to do, which is so important, but because of beautiful happenstance. Little Hope Notes is the perfect marriage of Nikki’s love of writing and her desire to make a difference. And if you’re anything like me, I think we’ve all had those moments where the universe just dropped that little piece of hope in our laps at the moment we most needed it. And I am obsessed with the fact that Nikki is out there doing that each and every day. So, let’s just dive right into the interview.
Nicole Neer:
Hey, everybody, I am here with Nikki Newbauer. Thank you for coming on the show, Nikki.
Nikki Newbauer:
Yeah, of course. Thanks for having me.
Nicole Neer:
So, I like to start these interviews with just giving people a little flavor of who you are, what you’re doing in the world, and what chronic health issues you’re dealing with.
Nikki Newbauer:
Yeah, of course. So, I am pretty much a humanitarian at heart that had an idea about a year ago to do a very small act of random kindness as my husband and I were traveling. I own Little Hope Notes. That’s the kindness initiative, and I am actually transforming that into a writing business. So, that’s really exciting. As far as the health conditions that I, myself, suffer with, live with, fight though, however you want to say it. And I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, type one fibromyalgia, and most recently endometriosis, which was discovered in a recent surgery.
Nicole Neer:
Wow. So, I could imagine, I remember trying to start up my business when I was in the middle of some serious health stuff. So, what does that look like for you? How are you balancing that?
Nikki Newbauer:
So, I think that this is really, it bloomed from a place of desperation honestly. I spent years and years trying to fit a certain mold, like graduating with a bachelor’s degree and then moving onto your master’s and getting your full-time job and all of that. And I hit a wall at step one, so I wasn’t able to finish out my degree. And I say that laughing, but honestly, it was a really tough 11 years before I even got a diagnosis. And in those 11 years I learned, I guess my strengths, my weaknesses, got to really know myself and how my own mental health, it’s not limiting in the way that I’m less than. But it is an opportunity to learn boundaries that I don’t think other people get, they don’t reach those deeper, darker places of themselves.
So, balancing is a struggle always, but I think that I’ve learned or am learning to have grace with myself on those bad days. And I think that’s really what makes it a joyful experience because I’m not fitting in that box. I’ve gotten to know myself, what I can do, what I even want to do and don’t want to do, and really push past the negativity of thinking that I’m stuck back in those past 11 years. Those were then, this is now, and that’s motivating even on my worst days.
Nicole Neer:
And I’ve followed you on Instagram for quite a while and I think one of the things that makes Little Hope Notes so powerful is that you’re really doing this because I feel like you understand how important it can be just to get that little glimmer of hope on a day when you’re really struggling. So, I would love to hear some stories of some of those random acts of kindness that you’ve done or other people have done and what that really is looking like.
Nikki Newbauer:
So, some of my first memories are of random acts of kindness. I was raised by a single mom that she got pregnant with me when she was 16, had me at 17 and we lived in a very small shack of a house, honestly, in poverty. And I remember at night sometimes, I would overhear her praying at just a whisper that we would have money for our utilities or that food would come to us in some way or we’d have enough gas to fill the car. And I remember without fail, there would be somehow, some way a person or a family would write us a check and it would be just enough to cover the utility bill. Or they would give her $5 and way back when, and that was enough to get you a car.
So, when it was under a dollar, but some of my earliest memories were built on just acts of kindness and also a sense of gratitude. Learning to appreciate the kindness that comes into your life. Not just what you put out, but what’s coming to you too. And I think the more gratitude you have with what is coming your way, the more you want to return that favor and return that kindness. After those specific examples, it was just this beautiful thread, just childhood to adulthood of things happening at really crucial times that I needed that encouragement.
Nicole Neer:
And, so Little Hope Notes, what does it look like right now?
Nikki Newbauer:
So, she had been a baby that has grown pretty quickly. I’m so proud of her. So, Little Hope Notes now, at its most basic level is postcards that I have had printed. And I sit down and I write messages for people, for strangers that I don’t know, obviously strangers you don’t know. And then I take and I leave those in public places anywhere from an aisle at Target to a car wash or a bathroom in a restaurant. And what I really tried to do is make each message different from the last. So, I’m very much a believer that we are individuals and we are meant to hear certain things at certain times. There are some things that don’t fly with some people, they don’t want to hear the mushy gushy stuff. And then other people, they need that extra encouragement for whatever circumstance they’re in to feel real for them and to feel personalized. And I really tried to marry encouragement and also really direct, don’t give up. And I’ve written very specific regarding suicide. If you’re suicidal, here’s some resources.
I also started a blog to not just navigate the Little Hope Notes process and how to get involved, but I just wanted to have a place, a platform to talk about mental health. Really deep dive into my own experience or give people a place to come and find a safe haven. Because I would say that most of us from whatever degree of separation have loved or been loved by someone with a mental illness. And I think that it’s not just those that suffer with the illness, it’s those that also are caretakers and supporters that need encouragement too.
Nicole Neer:
And it’s so true. And one of the things that I love is that you’re open about your journey because I truly believe… I talk a lot about chronic health issues, but one of my chronic health issues is bipolar disorder because it is a chronic health condition that I will live with for the rest of my life. And so, I think that it’s really important that you’re opening up that conversation because I truly believe that the only way we’re going to move past that stigma is just to talk about it, right?
Nikki Newbauer:
Yeah. And it hurts to talk about it. It truly does because it’s one of those disorders that other people may understand it scientifically or know the symptoms. It’s so interwoven into your physical health, obviously your mental health, but also emotionally and spiritually as well. It affects your entire being. And I do have my moments where I shy away from wanting to even mention it, but I try to put myself out there. So, I’m glad that you appreciate that.
Nicole Neer:
Well, and I think a lot of people have this view of what they think that bipolar disorder is and I find that the experience of living with it is so different than what you would see on a TV show or what you see in those really extreme examples. And so, I think that I’m sharing the experience of what that’s really like, whether that’s bipolar or anxiety or depression. I think it has the power to give people hope that it is possible to live a really full life even when you’re dealing with that issue.
Nikki Newbauer:
Absolutely.
Nicole Neer:
So, if people want to get involved with Little Hope Notes, what does that look like?
Nikki Newbauer:
Oh gosh, so that’s the question really. In my own time of thinking and vision boarding and all of that, I think what could this look like? And the first word that always comes to mind is community and the second word is advocacy because that’s really what this whole initiative is built on is creating community with those that we don’t even know. So, the Little Hope Note is that initial point of contact and what happens from there is really up to the recipient. But when I think about people getting involved, I think about primarily the blog and also my Instagram page. I love hosting people that want to share their stories. I have a few stories on the website right now that people have shared, whether it’s chronic illness or being encouragers themselves and how a tangible thing to do to make a difference is always just in reach.
So, being a guest on the blog or Instagram page and honestly just reaching out and starting that conversation with those in your own community. I do have some of the Little Hope Notes for sale in bundles and that’s always up for grabs, but I’m hoping to provide a downloadable template for people to use. And of course, people can always use their own as well. I’m not territorial over who gets to write notes and how.
Nicole Neer:
Yeah, I love that. And so, I know you mentioned that you’re taking Little Hope Notes and now you’re starting to create a writing. You’re doing some freelance writing. So, what does that look like?
Nikki Newbauer:
Yeah. So, this is really my heart is… I have written since I was, I think I legitimately started when I was around nine and a lot of that was just my way of processing the death of my grandmother and writing has served me in so many ways since then. It’s just so therapeutic and being able to share my heart with others as well and encouragement. So, I started as a freelance writer about a year ago and I was using various platforms to find clients and as that time has evolved, I have discovered that my niche is really for those that are the do-gooders in the world. Those that are entrepreneurs that are coaches or in the mental health advocacy realm, or even creatives themselves that want someone to come alongside them and help them write out their content. And so, I’m just really passionate to see where that goes. In the background, I am writing my own book and stuff, but as far as the everyday business, I love writing and partnering with businesses in that way.
Nicole Neer:
Yeah. One of the things that I said when I started my agency was that I wanted to help people who are helping people. I think that when you’re able to tie your own personal sense of wanting to create something bigger in the world, even if you’re supporting other people who have a bigger platform, I think that it is part of what makes that whole process fun and makes you want to get up and do it. Which I think when you have a chronic health issue, having that, I want to get up and do this because it serves a bigger purpose, it’s really important. Would you agree?
Nikki Newbauer:
Oh, absolutely. And I also, I don’t know if this is true for you, but I will self sabotage myself every single time. So, if I were waking up every morning and just doing my own project in my own little niche by myself and it wasn’t necessarily being a supportive role to anyone else, it would be cut off and it would be delayed. And you’re right, there’s a motivation in serving others and helping in that way. Absolutely.
Nicole Neer:
And so, one thing I know when I work with people who are just starting up their businesses, one of the biggest struggles is just the showing up consistently and building that routine of what does my day need to look like? What does my week need to look like? So, I would love it if you could share with listeners what that process has been for you, because I think it’s really powerful to see how other people are doing it?
Nikki Newbauer:
So, I don’t know if I’m going to serve the role of inspiration right now. In all honesty, I would say that I’ve landed in a good groove in the past month, and I’ve been doing it for a year.
Nicole Neer:
Right?
Nikki Newbauer:
Yes. So, honestly, one piece of advice I would say is that the mistake I made jumping into freelance was, I have flexibility and I’m working from home. This is amazing. And I pretty much like taking your bra off and just throwing it across the room. And that that was fun and it was great until my deadlines are stacking up and I was rushing and my own mental health was suffering because I wasn’t strategic in my approach to my workday or my work week. And so yeah, enjoy the flexibility, but also realize that it doesn’t work in your favor to be entirely flexible.
Nicole Neer:
No, it’s so true.
Nikki Newbauer:
And one other piece of advice I would say that I learned the hard way was, I’m an introvert and when I’m having a really hard time with my bipolar, I am even more introverted. I want no part of anything or anyone. And I would get to the end of my week having spent very little energy or output on all of my clients and my family and have nothing left for myself, which made me spiral even more. And I know that flare-ups with any condition are very unpredictable. So, what I started doing, again three weeks ago, I’m no expert here, but three weeks ago I decided to come up with a really cheesy name for my morning routine. And so, I called it my power hour. So, for one hour I do my workout and it isn’t really anything intense, even stretching. Having breakfast, making sure that I have lots of water and that I’m in a good mindset to start my day. It’s just one hour, but that one hour has kept me from hating everything. Yeah, and it’s also allowed me to be motivated first thing in the morning to where I am blocking out my time for clients and being really strategic about that.
Nicole Neer:
Yeah. I think one mistake that any entrepreneur, whether they have chronic illness or not, I think everybody goes through the, well, I have all of these hours in my day and I’m flexible, so I guess I can take on all of these clients and it’ll work just great. And then, you realize that you have to serve all those clients and meet all of those deadlines and do all of that. But I really love that you are able to bring it back to, I have to fill my cup before I can help anybody else because that’s true for anybody. But I think when you have chronic illness, intentionally building that time into your routine, it’s crucial.
Nikki Newbauer:
It really is for so many reasons.
Nicole Neer:
And I also love, it does… They say that the first year of business, if you can get through it, that you’ll be good. And I agree because I think that we all go through those learning pains and I think I hit my stride about a year in, so I’m really excited to see you hit your stride because I think that you have a really unique viewpoint to give to the world.
Nikki Newbauer:
I’m glad I’m not alone in those learning curves.
Nicole Neer:
So, if somebody wants to work with you, how would they get in touch with you?
Nikki Newbauer:
On my website, littlehopenotes.com and that is very much a work in progress as far as my website goes. I’m polishing it up as we speak, but I do have a contact form on the website that works perfectly and if anyone’s in need of content writing then they’re more than welcome to reach out on the website. Or on the initiative itself, they’re more than welcome to catch me there.
Nicole Neer:
Awesome. And so, I like to end interviews with a simple question. What did I not ask you that I should have?
Nikki Newbauer:
One thing I will add, although I don’t know how you would format the question, but I think it’s important that people know that, just like you were saying earlier, people can struggle with something and very much still help others. There are no prerequisites for helping someone. And I think that if you think about a kid coming up to you with something that they’ve drawn or colored, and they take so much pride in it, there’s no embarrassment or feeling less than. They are presenting you with something that they know that you’ll love and will be representative of how they love you.
And I think that we just need to look at it like that because chronic illness certainly has a way of telling you a lot of lies and then social media on top of it. So, I don’t know how that would be formed into a question. I guess that would just be my last bit of encouragement for the listeners.
Nicole Neer:
I love it. That is an amazing place to stop. Nikki, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us today.
Nikki Newbauer:
Oh, thank you.
Nicole Neer:
Thank you so much for listening to the Spooniepreneur Podcast. If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, recommend, rate and review on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. To find show notes and to get connected to our community of Spooniepreneurs, Go to http://www.theresilientva.com. Thanks for listening and we’ll see you next week.