"Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later. "
– Bob Goff
"If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies." – unknown
We are fast being propelled to the end of another year. How in the world that happened is a
constant question I ask “time” itself.
It’s been a year of some beautiful gentle changes for me but also some intense ones. People who know me, especially from my past, know that change is a familiar tour de force in my life. At one stage, I was in the waves of change so much that it wasn’t good for me but each year I have been choosing changes that are far more nourishing to myself. A few months ago, I moved home. That wasn’t that calming I do admit, but I moved out of the town centre of Penzance into the countryside of Cornish hedges, bright star-filled night skies and nature’s silence.Back into natures’ embrace.
The silence has been the one thing I had been craving for a long time. There is a deep sense
of peace when one doesn’t hear everything human beings are doing. Natural silence is the
sound of nature being herself; the winds rustling the autumn leaves; pigeons coo-coo-ing and splashing in the bird bath outside my door and the light patter of a squirrel’s paws dashing past my window in search of extra nuts and seeds for the winter hibernation. I feel closer to the natural rhythms of nature and this brings me peace.
It’s been in this space of silence and talking things through with my partner, that I have
decided to change things within Sōlseed too. Some things just haven’t been flowing.
I have made the decision to stop creating skincare products commercially under the Sōlseed
name. I know it’s a big decision but the cons started outweighing the pros.
With the increase of imported ingredients, of which 99% of the raw ingredients make up the
skin care products. This has put financial pressure on the business. Coupled with that, is the
red tape with the Cosmetic Authorisation Board which won’t allow me to use the organic
Calendula petals I grow that I then infuse in coconut oil. So unless each and every batch is
tested, which adds further costs to the products these products are not being certified. The
The calendula oil that they say I can use is in my opinion inferior.
I have lost my joie de vive for this fight.
Part of me is deeply sad that natural simple things have become so entangled in the amount of red tape that holds the same weight as products that are laced in chemicals and harmful ingredients. Small ethical businesses are forced to stand under the same judgement as large-scale corporations do, but they have the collateral which small businesses don’t.
Letting go of making the skincare marks the end of a chapter. This is not a fight I have
enough oomph for. It’s been a bittersweet process, filled with a mix of emotions – sadness,
nostalgia, relief, and anticipation. For it is not just the skincare but the other pressing
expenses too. The e-commerce website will now shift to the Etsy website and I will be saying
goodbye to the most talented Wendy.
My Social Media and Creative PA wizz. I am not sure if I will be able to create nearly the beautiful content she has created over the past 2 years or motivated me to write blogs but this is the discipline I will need to have moving forward with
Sōlseed.
I am embracing this ending so that I can focus on the part of Sōlseed I do love – the hand
painted seed packets I create. I have become even more enchanted with growing seeds and
germinating seedlings and admiring the flowers that attract the most enchanting beneficial
pollinators. It’s been a wondrous summer in my growth, Sōlseed seed growth and nature’s
growth.
In this process of letting go, I remember that every ending is a chance to reinvent myself. It';s
an opportunity to shed old skin and emerge as a stronger, and maybe even wiser person. At
the very least, experiences where we throw everything at with love, passion and
determination teaches us compassion for the so-called failures. Our experiences are the
substance we grow from.
So, the next time you find yourself facing an ending, embrace it as a catalyst for
transformation. Let go of the past with gratitude, and step into the future with courage and
hope.
Wishing you all a most magical transition from 2024 into 2025. May it bring peace,
connection and more nature into your lives.
With love, light and laughter
Erica
Note: I would like to say a special thank you to Wendy for all that she has done for Solseed..
If anyone is looking for a free-lance Social Media, Web Designer and general Creative PA
please get in touch with Wendy Guy wendyjoan22@gmail.com
Comments