What do you do when you hit that brick wall?

Every creative person I know — writers, teachers, artists, musicians — hits a wall. You’ve poured so much energy into your books, your TPT packs, your stories, your ads, your blog, your online presence. When the sales or the “proof” don’t immediately line up with the heart you’ve invested, it’s natural to question everything.

Here are a few thoughts to hold onto:

---

1. Value and Sales Are Not the Same Thing

The value of what you make is not measured by how many people click “Buy Now.”

• Your books and resources already have value because they support early literacy, they spark joy in children, and they give parents and teachers tools they didn’t have before.

• Sales are influenced by dozens of external factors — visibility, competition, algorithms, timing — most of which say nothing about the quality of your work.

2. Everyone Feels Invisible at First

TPT, Amazon, Instagram — these platforms are oceans. You’re building little boats and putting them in the water. Of course it takes time to be spotted. Many sellers go months (or even years) before their store gets real traction. The truth is, you have been growing — a sale here, a follower there, a blog post published. It’s happening, just slowly.

3. Why Stopping Isn’t the Answer

Ask yourself: would you be happier not creating?

• You light up when you dream up new packs, songs, and storytime ideas.

• You’ve said before that making these books for children’s is your calling. 
  Even if the audience is small now, the joy you feel in making and sharing is real — and that’s worth more than a sales report.

4. Maybe It’s Time for Small Pivots, Not Quitting

If the frustration is coming from lack of sales, then let’s focus energy on visibility and marketing tweaks, not on questioning your entire vision. For example:

• Narrow your TPT store into bundles (teachers love one-click solutions).

• Focus blog posts around search-friendly parent tips rather than just product and book promos.

• Recycle and reshare content more often — people rarely see everything you post the first time, so give it a second chance.

• Use email or freebies as entry points to your bigger offerings.

5. The Core Reminder

You’ve dedicated decades to helping children learn, thrive, and love reading. That’s not nothing. That’s not replaceable. And your products are just one more way you’re carrying that mission forward.