05/18/2026
I’ve been getting messages all week telling me to drop out of the People’s Artist competition. That it’s a scam. That I won’t win. For a moment, I honestly thought about giving up.
But then I remembered something.
For the first time in my life I’m finally doing something for me. Something that truly makes me happy.
I grew up with very little but I had all the love in the world. My mom was a single mother who worked harder than anyone I’ve ever known. She is still to this day the strongest woman I know. There were times in our lives when we had nothing. At one point we were even homeless. I’m an only child & I never grew up spoiled with material things. But I was surrounded by love & that love carried us through everything.
Watching my mom fight to survive taught me what real strength looks like.
Later in life when I became a single mom to my daughters I understood exactly how hard that journey was. I worked 3 or 4 jobs at times just to make ends meet. I sacrificed so much to make sure my girls were loved & cared for and always believed tomorrow could be better. We didn’t always have much but we had each other & that meant everything.
Now my daughters are grown into beautiful young women & for the first time I’m allowing myself to chase something that feeds my own soul.
Four years ago I started creating candles. Funny enough I couldn’t even draw a stick man. But I created anyway. I poured my heart my healing my imagination, and my story into every piece I make.
So no. I’m not dropping out.
And no. I’m not stopping.
Because creating these candles brings me a happiness that no one can take away from me. Win or lose I already found something priceless my passion, my peace, & my purpose.
I want to see how far I can make it.
I was raised not to quit or give up. I was raised to see how far you can go. That my dear is what makes your story. Its about the journey.
❤️ Sonja Kuhl
Skuhl Candles 🕯❤️
Crafting Candles Feeds My Soul Each Flame A Quiet Glow, Each Candle Tells A Story, Each Creation Is A Piece Of My Light Shared.