A New Year, a New Mindset

January 7, 2022

Every January, I think to myself, “where did the last year go?” Time flies faster and faster the older I get, and I always have a hard time reconciling that when the Gregorian calendar begins another year and I find myself missing the last. There is a lot of opportunity for this reflection as the calendar is not only changing, but I celebrate another trip around the sun at the beginning of January and birthdays always make me extra thoughtful.

2021 was packed full of change for our family: the kids finished elementary school, and began middle school; we took a leap and opened the brick and mortar storefront; and we balanced as best we could school, work, life, and the continuing pandemic. I felt myself focusing on the goals to accomplish and put everything else on the back burner.

Everything else included being present at home. I found myself missing the little things or bouncing from one to the next, not really savoring them or being in the moment. I felt like I missed a lot.

But, resolve and change can happen anytime we put our minds to it, and I am determined to refocus and make the space to actually be present.

The last week gave me the perfect opportunity to dig in and decide exactly how I wanted to change my mindset: we got all our winter snow in the last week, so I gave myself permission to close the shop for a couple days and just be at home with my family.

Having the new storefront is helping me change my perspective and giving me the opportunity to move toward a slower pace. I know, that sounds weird and all my small-business-owning friends are rolling their eyes, but hear me out. My family now has a mom working on her own terms. Yoke’s continues to be so flexible and understanding - they are an amazing place to work - and I’m still working there, but now I also have a job where I can put a note on the door, lock up and go pick up my kids. I can create the hours that work for my family. I have a place where I can teach my kids my craft and spend quality time together.

All of this is to say that there is Magic on the horizon in 2022 for Earth Spirit. I am working on new offerings for our product lines, putting together ideas for small-group after-hours classes, and lining up other small businesses for pop-ups.

Each and every one of you has made this possible. The last couple of months were more successful than I could have ever imagined and when I think of all of my candles burning in your homes, every piece of jewelry worn or given as a gift, every one of you who has walked through the doors, my heart is full to brimming. And I am looking forward to continuing to create a space of safety, magic, and inspiration with this little shop in Downtown Kennewick.