Little darling, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter,
Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here…
Here comes the sun…
And I say it’s all right…
It’s been more than a long winter. It’s been a long and daunting couple of years, and for the first time in a long while, we’re beginning to feel hopeful about the days ahead (or at least working on it).
“Symphony of Seasons” was probably my favorite theme to date – even though I didn’t think “A River Runs Through It” or “Garden Club Ladies Gone Wild” could be topped. Compliments on the upcycled instruments in our funky displays always made us smile and we loved being able to reuse things that were considered “junk” to create something beautiful. We loved this theme so much that we even considered leaving it for the rest of the year… but creating a new space and aesthetic is our second favorite part of Inspired Chaos – our relationships with our customers being the very first.
So much has changed since last year at this time. My mama left her main job (her longtime dream job) that no longer served her and I couldn’t be more proud. Both of us have cut off relationships that we felt took from us instead of giving; we’ve cut out toxic individuals (even some family) and started speaking our truths that we once silenced. We’ve given ourselves permission to take a day off here and there and are trying to have more fun. My mama’s first grandchild (my first nephew) arrived this winter and we’re doing everything in our power to heal our personal traumas to create the best possible world we can for him. I regularly see a therapist to work through some life-altering experiences and after feeling stuck under a storm cloud for a very long time, we both finally feel like we’re seeing some light peeking through from the other side.
There are days when overwhelming sadness and anxiety try to grab hold of me, but with help, I’ve realized that staying optimistic and positive doesn’t mean that you feel or act happy all the time. It means that even on the most painful and dark days, you know that there are better ones to come. You learn that sometimes internal strength and hope isn’t always an obnoxiously large flame for all to see. Sometimes it’s a tiny ray glimmering through the darkness, keeping you warm while you seek out more light. Instead of striving to be “go-getters,” we’re working to become “glow-getters.”
And, with our most hopeful outlook for Spring/Summer 2022, our newest theme, “Here Comes the Sun…” takes over Inspired Chaos.
We’re channeling our inner hippie, playing on our favorite late 60’s/early 70’s vibes, and creating a new sunshine-focused jewelry display. Can you guys hear The Beatles playing from there?!
Every single sign, poster, and flower spray is pulled from our displays for a deep cleaning (who knew old Victorians could be so dusty?!) and then we put everything back together as quickly and differently as possible. We’re excited to be adding a whole new area with two fitting rooms and even more display space! (Our personal living area is currently crammed to the max– ha-ha!) We’re enjoying the shift and not putting the usual pressure on ourselves to create something so big and different that we miss the fun of being creative. We’re playing our “cleaning music” on high and taking breaks for dance parties and mimosas. Life is short, and we’re genuinely trying to have fun, even with silly little tasks. With the addition of even more new products, it’s like the ultimate game of Tetris to fit everything into this limited space. As always, things aren’t going quite as planned, but I’m trying to be less of a control freak and more go-with-the-flow… it is Inspired Chaos, after all.
As we redesign, rearrange, deep clean and complete some minor maintenance, we’re excited to introduce bright bold colors and happy touches. We hope they make you feel warmly invited and like you’re facing the sunshine – shadows cast behind you and ready for what lies ahead.
Here comes the sun… and I say, “It’s alright.”
❤️