Article: 2024 musings from Mary
2024 musings from Mary
I hope as you read this you're able to look back at the holidays and smile – whether they were relaxing or full of busyness, I hope that you found space to rest and feel the excitement of a new year ahead.
I was able to slow down over the lost week between Christmas and New Years, partially because I wasn't traveling but mostly because my body, soul and mind needed it so dearly. upon taking the time to recover from the past year – which was a doozy for me personally – I realized some big things from 2024 that I want to share with you.
the first of four is community over everything - which is something you've likely heard me say before and will most definitely hear me say again. community has and always will be everything. trying times feel less so because of you, our community. seeing your joy in a first time purchase, a message sharing how you feel represented in our marketing and most importantly, a place you feel safe to spend time. without you, we wouldn’t be here. more importantly, as a solo founder, with you I wouldn't be able to show up for work day after day.
for me this one was very personal and became a pillar of how we as a brand worked – the need to slow down & show up. in some ways we achieved this and in other ways we have miles to go – more on that later. despite the fear that slowing down means we’ll fade away, it actually allows us to show up more intentionally and with purpose for you. it's not an easy transition and one I have to mentally fight myself with almost daily, but as we know (or are learning), the body keeps the score and as a solo founder, I have to keep my health and happiness at the forefront for this brand to not only survive but also thrive.
this year we returned to our early model of pre-orders, something we weren't sure was going to be received with open arms, especially with consumption being high and the desire for instant gratification aka next day delivery. but we focused on and committed to staying the course. more times than not we’ve had to remind ourselves to stay the course – stay focused on producing ethically and sustainably in small batches in Canada. what was easy to do ten, even five years ago, has become harder and harder, but staying true to who we are has and will always remain a priority for us.
the last big takeaway from 2024 is to celebrate it all. in a world, the fashion industry, that celebrates celebrity collaborations, 7 figure revenue reports, viral tiktoks and so on, celebrating things that aren't written up about on vogue or whowhatwear make it really hard to recognize those successes. it is so easy for us to focus on what’s next, prepare for what’s to come and miss what’s happening right before our eyes. by prioritizing slowing down we’ve also been able to celebrate things more – both big and small. from ten years in business to offering made-to-order exclusives to launching our first ever sleepwear collection, we have to admit that we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and plan to celebrate it all – and more in the years to come.
while these are four big things I've learned from 2024 there are of course smaller ones that I reflect on often and try to bring into practice as I move forward in not only business and but also in life. not to skip over the hardships of 2024, those who follow me closely know I've been struggling with my physical health for years and this year was no different. lots of lifestyle and dietary changes were made to keep going, to keep fighting my chronic pain (migraines, endometriosis, adenomyosis and infertility) and to not let them win.
aside from my physical struggles I was also re-diagnosed with anxiety and depression – not for the first time in my life - but what did come as a bit of a shock seeing as I couldn't put the blame for the diagnosis on a trigger or moment in life. it was a deep reminder that even when things are going well, we can still struggle with our mental health - and no matter how things look like on the outside, it can be a whole other world on the inside.
I'm so grateful to have doctors and a therapist to work with on my health, a partner who supports me endlessly and friends who love me even when I don't reply to their texts. for any of you who can relate to either struggles, please know you are not alone and there is help, support and love for you. please reply or reach out in whichever way you feel comfortable and I'll be there with open arms.
at the end of the day, or should I say year, most importantly I'm committed to honouring myself and the brand the best way I can, one day at a time. I'm planning and dreaming of ways to make more space to share my struggles and realities with all of you so we can continue to grow this community together. because like I said before, and will say until the very end, community is everything.
XX
Mary
Mary
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