A New Season
Hi friends!
It’s been a wild few months. Wait… 8 MONTHS?!?! It’s been much longer than I anticipated being absent from writing.
Yikes.
It doesn’t feel like so much time has passed. Probably because so much of my mind has been on Little Goose Garden as a business beyond the blog. That being said, there are a lot of blog posts I want to write soon so stay tuned for those.
First off, I want to update you on all the things going on in life. And just for fun (or torture), let’s compare with the list of things I stepped away to focus on.
In my post about rest, I mentioned the reasons I was taking a break.
Finalizing wedding plans (seriously, I've tried half a dozen times to write my vows)
Getting married!
Managing the retail store with which I’m entrusted
Hiring for that store so my team isn’t so overwhelmed
Christmas shopping and holiday festivities
Quality time with Andrew, Rose, and our families
Building and setting up the greenhouse
Prepping content for when I come back to the blog
Starting seeds for early spring plant sales
Making a garden plan for Spring
Getting Married!
We did the thing! It was a whirlwind and magical all at the same time. But boy was it stressful. It’s a lot of little things that don’t seem overwhelming until you’re doing all the little things at once.
But the most important parts were beautiful. I think I’ll review the wedding in a post of its own, but my quick advice, whether you’re planning a wedding or not, find the three things you won’t compromise on. Focus on the three things that matter the most to you, and let all the little details be just as they are: little. Life and wedding planning advice by Katy. (You’re welcome.)
And because it’s on the list above, I did get my vows written. I cried delivering them, but that’s a good sign, right?
The Day Job
This is where some big updates come in!
We made it through Christmas with a solid team and not many issues. We were busy, but not overwhelmed and I 100% give the credit to the solid team I work with. Also, shout out to my Mom, who passed through while moving and helped spin a sign on street corners in the drizzly, cold, Missouri Christmas time… while fighting a cold. She’s Wonder Woman. (Mom, Marlene says “Hi!”)
Now, about 6 months later, I’ve put in my resignation in order to focus entirely on Little Goose Garden. It’s a scary leap to take, but one Andrew and I put a lot of thought into. Financially, we’re more stable than we’ve ever been… as adults (no one tells you to cherish the freedoms you have with your first job and no bills). We’re still young and don’t yet have children. So now is the time for the leap of faith.
That and I’m so incredibly fortunate to have the support system I do. Family and chosen family alike have been on the side of LGG’s success. I don’t think any of them will let me fail.
I’ll go into more detail about the plans for LGG in a dedicated blog post.
The Holiday Season
I’ll be completely honest, the 2022-2023 holiday season was a blur. Right after the wedding in early November, the retail store I manage went into full swing, as it always does in mid-November. I was prepared for that, which is why Andrew and I decided to postpone a honeymoon.
After the wedding, there was always something to do, and somewhere to be. I think I did all my holiday shopping online because I didn’t have the time to go shopping. Though I can’t say I would’ve if I did have the time. I hate the craziness.
Anyway, because it was such a blur, I don’t recall most of it in detail. The timeline is muddled. I could tell you various events that happened but I doubt I could pin them down in an accurate sequence. But that’s the reality of many people at that time of year. Let’s resolve to slow it down next year, huh?
Greenhouse and Spring Planning
We laid the foundation for the greenhouse in early October and had the greenhouse structure up by the 17th. It was such an amazing moment for me because, while a small hobby greenhouse, it opened up so many possibilities.
In the real world, I lost half a dozen mature plants during the learning curve of winters in a greenhouse. I’m much more prepared for the coming winter.
Now I’m dealing with the learning curve of summers in a greenhouse. Maybe next year, I’ll lose fewer plants.
I’m lucky that Andrew lets me take over part of the basement of our home because the cooler ambient temperature with grow lights makes a much better environment for a lot of plants. Though, that system has not been without its tough lessons.
This brings me to the whole seed starting plan. In short, I have nothing to show for that. I’ve struggled with the timing of the temperature mats, the timing of the grow lights, and the time in general to provide the care I want for the seedlings.
So basically, no plant sales this spring. I tried so hard to balance a full-time job and a full-time dream and end up burnt. I’d be lying if I claimed this wasn’t part of the desire to leave my job. For some, a balance happens much easier, and without sacrificing one or the other. That wasn’t the case for me.
Summary
Writing this update, as minor as it is, has been healing for me.
As time kept creeping on, beyond when I’d planned to be back from my absence, the harder it was to get back to it. I couldn’t explain why until writing this post. I now see it as it was: guilt.
I felt guilty for being absent so long. I felt guilty for not prioritizing my own joy. I felt guilty because the only person keeping me from it was myself. Then self-doubt found root and the emotions circled, convincing me that even getting back to it was futile. But nothing that brings you joy is futile. Nothing done in the intention of improvement is futile, especially self improvement.
So by that argument, letting the break be as long as I needed it to be was NOT wrong. Was it as planned? No. Was it just as long as I needed (whether I knew it or not)? Yes.
That fact has been emboldening. I feel stronger than ever because I’m learning to embrace where I am in the moment and meet the needs of my mind, body, and soul in that moment.
As I wrap up this story time, the most important reminder I have for you is to do what feels right, not what you’re told is right (even if it’s by your own inner voices).
Be kind to yourselves, friends. And know you have someone in your corner.
“Be aware of what season you are in and give yourself the grace to be there.”