A Year For Healing
I have never been big on New Year's resolutions, and bravo to those that find them effective! That's not to say that I don't believe in new goals and self-evaluation. I think self-evaluation is critical to being your best self! Not to mention for your growth and survival, from both a personal and business perspective. Admittedly, I am a bit obsessed with reflecting and striving to do better, and like most creatives, I am often my own worst critic. Thankfully we have amazing clients who do trust us to work a little magic in their sacred spaces. We hope this sweet client is finding life a bit less stressful in her recently reinvented kitchen!
As with the rest of the planet, 2020 proved to be a trying year! The fear of the unknown loomed large on every level. Would my kids and family members maintain their employment and, most importantly, their health?! Would this pandemic spell the death of our industry? And the most stressful and heartbreaking scenario of all, how would we continue to care for our mom?
If I have to quarantine please let it be in a space that looks like this, right!
My early notes for survival; “batten down the hatches. We are in for a long and tumultuous stretch.” I honestly had no clue as to the staggering impact of what lie ahead. On the work front, all of this went down while juggling and managing multiple projects. Including a massive renovation design, with our client’s home open to the winter elements. Thanks to a fantastic team, we survived the renovation and made it to the finish line, with end results that we are all so proud of. But our real low point was inevitable. It came in October when we lost our beloved mum after a long and tortuous decline from Alzheimer’s.
NOTHING can take away the pain of loosing someone we love but there is comfort in being surrounded by little treasures and mementoes that remind us of them and tell their stories. Our environments can aid in the healing process.
How to cope and process; life + business ownership = no balance?! Many think an interior designer's life is all fun and fluff. If they only knew, the reality is quite different. Like all small business owners, we are faced with endless obstacles and challenges. The stress level is high, and many give up due to burn out and lack of sufficient income. We are so very grateful that our business is amongst the fortunate. Lucky for us, Covid has had a positive impact on our industry, versus all the companies that are barely surviving. Our hearts truly ache for those who will not make it, despite the heroics of their owners and employees. We know what it feels like to invest your heart and soul into a business; it is all-consuming.
We have invested our hearts and soul into this business and we are so grateful for all the love and support we have received!!!
Until 2020 I managed life and business at a pretty even keel but the Covid pandemic threw everything out of balance. Workouts and walking helped me maintain some level of sanity, but I needed and longed for more! Like all proud moms, I marvel at the adults our kids have become, with wisdom beyond their years. Yes, they still do dumb things occasionally; who doesn’t? But wow, their insight at their young age is quite impressive. They recently shared some valuable resources that they find useful for dealing with stress. A couple of which I have incorporated into my daily routine.
This lakeside retreat is sure to lower ones blood pressure and stress level!
I have read about mindfulness and meditation for years, but I never really took the time to pursue it. Honestly, I just did not see or understand the value in it; now I get it! My daughter introduced me to an app called Headspace. I try to log in daily. It helps me put aside some of the stress and worry that dominates my mind these days, even if it is just for 10 minutes. Believe it or not, a little does seem to go a long way. I am sure the gifted and more advanced can soar without the aid of applications, but for me, an amateur, the meditative voices, and music help me get into my meditating groove. Without which, I would be obsessing over a deadline and an endless list of “to do’s”!
We are sourcing product for a new Cape project, I think I would be quite content meditating here!
My son introduced me to a book called The Daily Stoic, by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman. It contains 366 short but compelling meditations on “wisdom, perseverance and the art of living.” I don’t care how busy you are. You have time to incorporate this little gem into your daily habits. There is so much power in acknowledging that much in life is beyond our control. Hopefully, we can gain some peace in accepting that and directing our energy and focus towards more realistic goals, which will create a positive impact both at home and in our communities. Boy, does our crazy world need that! You can find the book on Amazon, of course, with additional information on; dailystoic.com
Here is a perfect perch for reading, aided by the lakeside views just outside. Water views are oh so soothing to the soul!
A little reflection and meditation, in combination with daily workouts and walking, are helping me maintain my sanity and some level of balance–sort of! We are all so weary from having our lives upturned, with yet another tough stretch ahead for 2021. Thank God for those that continue to battle on the front lines. They are true HEROES! We will continue to persevere and focus on the positives and all the joy that lies ahead. Take a deep breath, everyone. Change is not going to happen overnight but just think of all the fun and possibilities that lie ahead!
xo ~ Mary