10/17/2025
Heading into the holiday season at The Found Cottage as the Creative Lead, I put a lot of pressure on myself. My job requires a lot of creative bandwidth. This year I had absolutely nothing left in my tank. I had no ideas that ignited my creative fire, no jaw dropping innovations, or things that made me excited for the season. Everything was a last minute plan, only weeks if not just days before we flipped the shop for the holidays. As a planner - that stressed me the heck out. I was disappointed in myself and feared disappointing others. Yes, I knew it would come together. I knew no matter what, it would be beautiful, but I didn’t have a vision or a plan, and that made me physically uncomfortable.
The discomfort tested me. As someone who likes to have control, I hated every moment of it, but I see now that it was a lesson. It forced me to let go. To let it happen. Let it unfold. Go with the flow. It allowed me to let others assist in executing creative projects - something I never would have had the trust to release before. It allowed me to be open to new creative ideas and perspectives. It allowed my team to shine & play with creative freedom. It allowed me to grow in my ability to delegate (something I’ve been working really hard on), and it paid off! I’m so proud of what we created this week. I’m proud my teammates & my friends, and I’m proud of myself.
The shop is looking magical in its seasonal glory, as it always does, but this year it hits differently. For me it’s a lesson tied in bows & pearls. Shimmering with twinkle lights & politely whispering, “told you so.” It’s a symbol of growth & the turning of a page.
It’s a lesson I may need to relearn a time or two, because letting go is hard, but I’m here to receive the lessons the universe has in store for me. Cheers to growth & cheers to the holiday season! 🖤
