“I am brave enough to find out what is hidden in my stillness”

I’ve always loved creating environments that evoke an experience, ones that awaken something meaningful inside of someone. This desire to create and recreate space has been in me since I was little, but what was I meant to do with it? Like all good questions, they led to more questions. And as I leaned into the answers so my story unfolded… and like all good stories, mine was made real in me through pages of trials, heartache and a few sharp forks in the road.

“Leah…Go.. And take your time coming home.” One of the best gifts I’ve ever received was wrapped in those words.

In 2010, myself and my two boys (age 3 and 5 at the time) were living with my parents while I was going through a divorce. I found myself just surviving- not being present for my kids and not knowing how to get to the next chapter in my life. I would often times just lie on the sofa, heavy-hearted and defeated. Sometimes, hope for my future slipped in like a light through a crack in the door… I could feel it, and I would squint to see if on the other side of the door we were happy. I really believed we would be. But the reality was- I’m still on the sofa.

My parents offered to spend time with the boys on Mondays and it was my job to get out of the house. I would meet with my counselor for an hour and then I would ‘take my time coming home’. Finding the right counselor or mentor is like finding a diamond in the rough. Not easy, but worth the dig. However, it was the second part (the whole ‘taking my time coming home’ part) that turned out to be magic.

At first, I didn’t know what to do with myself in the moments where I didn’t have an excuse to be busy. In fact, I didn’t know who I was without the busyness. Life had become a frantic upkeep of the narrative that ‘defined’ who I was. Like I was playing the role I cast myself in but felt no control over the writing of the script. My lifestyle was void of my essence, void of intention, void of life.

The self-care it took to regain my soul-footing was not pretty, but it was sacred.

At times it looked like sitting in my car and crying. Other times it was listening to music. Hiking. Going to public places completely alone and noting how I felt and acted. A lot of paying attention. Writing. Dancing. Reading. Observing. Whatever my soul needed in those moments. I learned that self care wasn’t necessarily comfortable, but it was deeply comforting.

The body has a way of bringing to mind what the heart needs.

Maybe you know where you want to be in life. Perhaps you can envision it through that crack of light, or maybe not, yet.

Maybe you want a better version of yourself- more peace, direction in life, assurance, to discover your essence, to have a say in the script.

Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more, or share a creative project with the world.

Maybe you just need uninterrupted time to practice the thing that makes you feel alive.

Whatever it is, please know this- you don’t need my studio to start ‘taking your time'. But I created it for you, because it’s what I need. It is an intentional collection of inspiration meant to awaken your inner light. It’s a place that has been prepared for you- with you in mind. All you have to do is show up.

I hope you carve out time to visit, and lose track of time while you’re here. I hope you come as you are. And I hope you experience the magic of ‘taking your time’ before going home.

Love,

Leah