If you’ve been reading my work for a while, you know how much I love tea, vanilla peppercorn candles, and battle‑hero music. Those little pleasures have always energized me and filled my workspace with warmth. I adore pulled‑back curtains, sunlight pouring in, and watching the bunnies outside for creative inspiration.
But lately…something’s shifting. And not in a dramatic way…more like a nudge.
No, I’m not giving up tea (is that even a thing?) or abandoning candles (my nose would never forgive me). But I’ve felt a pause. An invitation to drink more water, open a window, smell the outside air, turn off the music, and listen to the birds instead. Yes, I said it…the quiet. The stillness. Even the thuds and creaks of my house have become part of the conversation.
So, what’s bringing on this change?
I think my surroundings are calling for something quieter as I move into a deeper creative season. In the coming weeks, I’ll be designing new collections and exploring additional products. And even though I’m in the same house, the same room…the energy is different. My body is asking for a shift in what I surround myself with and I’m learning to honor that.
Have you ever felt that way?
🌱The Takeaway: Listen to Your Body Even when you love your surroundings, your body may crave something different, and that doesn’t mean anything is wrong. It can be a signal that you’re entering a new season of growth, creativity, or renewal.
Your surroundings don’t have to compete with each other. One month you may want music pulsing in the background; the next month you may crave silence. One season you may want candles and cozy textures; another season you may want fresh air and open windows.
I often talk about surroundings as the spaces we occupy or the people we’re around, even our digital worlds. But today…I’m learning something new: Our surroundings can also be ourselves. The internal landscape. The cues. The shifts.
And it’s our job to listen.
Let's create together, Stephanie Christley Founder & Owner of SLChristley Designs All content and creative assets on this site are original to SLChristley Designs and may not be used without written permission.
