12/10/2024
Christmas is two weeks away, and while many are focused on gifts and holiday parties and treats, this time of year always gets me thinking about the year I'm leaving behind and what to focus on moving forward.
2024 was a year of many challenges professionally and personally. I suppose there's some "rule of Instagram" where you're supposed to keep from over sharing, but honestly I'm so burnt out on that.
I suppose if you don't care to know more, just keep on scrollin' -
I have many friends who are small business owners like myself and the resounding feedback from everyone has been that this was a tough year; turnover, decline in sales, the general public wanting MORE but being too impatient or unwilling to pay for their high level demands. It's all just too much. And I just want to take a moment to say - the heartbeat behind your favorite small business is still a person. A human being with emotions, struggles, families, mental/physical/spiritual health that is all valid and important.
This year may have been difficult, but I will always be grateful for the opportunity to flower all of life's occasions. Designing runs deeply through me, it is what I cannot live without doing. The physical demand it requires of me, the long nights, early morning market trips, countless hours planning.. I love it all.
And most of the grind is what you may not see or understand, but it's there. The constant hustle to get to the beauty of what you see on the surface is only a fraction of the work.
And so my ask is this : finish your holiday shopping / planning by supporting the small, local businesses around you. Be patient. Smile and actually acknowledge those who are human helping you. Thank the business who served you, leave them a five star review, and tell everyone you know how incredible they are.
