I've been swishing this idea around in my head for a few weeks now. How personal should I get on these blogs? Isn't the real purpose of a blog to connect with people? Well, here's my attempt. Let's see where it goes...
Some of you already know who I am. You know that I've lived in this small town for over 12 years now. You know, by trade, I'm a professional photographer and that I absolutely love the connection I get to have with my clients and being able to provide them with happy memories they can keep forever. Knowing that, some of you may question my opening of The Dandelion Den. Well, I've been making the salves and lip glosses for years. The salve started when my youngest developed eczema. The lip glosses began, well, because I love a good lip gloss.
Like most of you, these past two years have been challenging for me. I had a daughter who was in the class of 2020, got covid right before she was suppose to go to college, two boys virtual learning, my photography business was at a complete stand still. I had to navigate all the programs that were being offered due to the pandemic, just to try to get by. I did it, none of it was easy.
Then things began getting back to normal, but the aftermath took a toll on one of my sons. I won't give complete details, but the phrase 'You're only as happy as your least happy child', is completely true. So, basically, I've been unhappy for about a year and a half now. Every day is a challenge. That's no exaggeration. Watching a child struggle and thinking you're doing everything you can to help, and nothing seems to work...it's been hell.
I'm not saying all of this for any sort of empathy. I think there are quite a few of us out there, trying to get our kids back on track. We're looking for some sort of normalcy and trying really hard not to just lay down in our beds and shut down completely. I was on medication for a small time period. It helped, but it also detered me from being my normal busy, 'get shit done' self. I had no motivation. Once I realized it, I stopped the medication, and decided I needed to do something for myself.
I began applying for part-time jobs. I went on interviews, which was crazy since I hadn't interviewed in over 20 years, but I was really proud of myself. My motivation was coming back, then things at home started declining again.
Walking around with the feeling of desperation, of feeling completely incapable returned. All I want is for my family to be happy. I want them to do well in school and figure out who and what they want to be. I want them to be able to survive on their own, without me, and be happy. That's it. Who knew being happy could be such a struggle?
So, I had the realization that, for now, getting a job out of the house was not going to be an option for me. I had regressed to being a full-time care taker of my 17 year old. The weight is heavy.
That's when I decided I wanted to start another side-business, and how The Dandelion Den began. I started with the lip glosses, added teas, then decided the DandyRose tea was the one I wanted to focus on. I now offer salve, aromatherapy inhalers for migraine relief and others, I also have hand blended bath salts. All of my products are made with natural ingredients. This makes me so happy. Realizing that, as mother's, doing even the smallest things for ourselves, does so much good for our mental health is a new concept for me. Building this business is part of my healing and strength, so I'm going to keep going.
I do have plans to add more products
and find more eco friendly packaging. I have shampoo bars in the works and will be working on an acne treatment in the next month or so. I'm loving it. Slow and steady.
Starting this business gave me another purpose, another focus. I'm still able to work from home. My photography business is amping up for the spring, I'll be at the Catonsville Farmers market every other Sunday. Things are looking up. (ps I have grandeur dreams of my farmers market set up, but being on a budget means one thing at a time) I hope some of you will come by and say hi.
Keeping things in perspective is so hard sometimes. I chose to do what I do, photography and now this small business, so that I could always be there for my kids. I've been able to make 90% of their practices and games, school activities, birthday parties, everything. I know how lucky that makes me and I'm grateful for ever
y minute of it. I'd do it all over again and would only change a couple of things...
The weight of everything falling apart around us will pass. Everything is a season. Sometimes, like the Maryland weather, the seasons just last a little too long.
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