Wow, what a year this year has been?! 2020 has been the furtherest from what I expected, but I'm starting to find that it's all ended up being for the best. Maybe my 2020 vision board isn't coming to pass, but hey, why not look back a few years at the other things I haven't accomplished. Let's challenge them. Particularly, I'd like to step back into 2012 Liz's goals. I always knew this was going to come, but I needed to make sure I was ready to let go of what was no longer serving me, to be able to fully step into where I am needing to be now.
Since 2012, I've had this dream, and over the past 8 years that dream hasn't had my full attention. I get given ideas here and there.. some I ignore, others I grasp lightly, but eventually they fizz out. I've always known I needed no excuse, and 2020 seems to be the perfect time to cut those excuses free.
You see 2020 seems like such a bad year right? and in many ways, it has been. The lifestyles we have all built, lived and known have all had the rug pulled from beneath them. You could almost say the earth has temporarily labelled us 'unwelcome'. But I've always been a proud 'look on the bright side' kinda girl. So one afternoon I was sitting in the quiet and stillness that 2020 has helped me find. I realised everything I've been doing is so cluttered, Ive been so 'busy' starting ideas and running with them, but not getting their full benefits.
It's hard to go into it and say it out right without feeling like some will be sad for me, or maybe confused? But I want you to know that I'm okay, in fact, I'm better than okay. This isn't me giving up, its me realigning my dream and continuing to chase after it. Its been an 8 year journey and I'm not here to waste anymore precious time. I have a message to share, a legacy to leave and nows a better time than ever.
"Day one or one day? you decide."
So my news tonight is that Design Yourself Beautiful is being laid to rest.
It feels peaceful, like she's served her time. A project that I always knew wouldn't be a lifelong journey, but I needed her for those years. She meant more to me than anyone will ever know.
You see, DYB actually came to me in a time of grief. I was going through something that scared me and I didn't fully understand it all. I Invested my time and energy into a healthy outlet that helped me process emotion; that was the most valuable thing for me in those moments. (I may one day feel ready to share this part of my story).
Nows the time. 3 years on. I feel the bigger parts of that grief have healed and its important for me to release the final grip. (I know I'll still have my days - grief is like an ocean after all - but I feel confident saying I'm past the hardest part of it).
Design Yourself Beautiful taught me beyond what it means to run a small business. Theres so many beautiful people out there who I have gotten to meet only through this project. The pop ups, the markets, even Instagram. It taught me more about my craft, mindfulness, discipline, how to speed up in the busier moments, and how to be still in the quiet. I learnt a new craft, and an art that I will forever be inspired by.
And through everything that DYB has brought me, it's brought me to this moment. Where I know a lot of things are uncertain, but at the same time, I feel the alignment.
Thank you to those who have supported me, its been an awesome (And oh so important) 3 years!
Thank you,
love,
liz x