Reflection

Reflection

The end of the year is a great time to reflect on the happenings of the past year. This year is a tale of 2 halves. Well, really 2 quarters times two but I digress. The year 2022 opened with optimism and energy. Was this the year that we were going to get back together as a design community and see each other more often? We were hopeful! As it turns out it was slow going to our disappointment but we persevered with virtual connections and any in-person meetings that we could get; enjoying the smiles, laughter and gratifying feedback loop of presenting and meeting face to face. Conferences were back and parties and events were coming back. Momentum was building!

Then we were handed our next challenge in April. The Architex Studio space in Madrona that we called home for 3 years was no longer available to us. It was time to find the Architex Seattle Studio part deux. The hunt began in May and we finally moved in July first. We unpacked most of the month of July and caught our breath in August. I took the last week in August to spend on Lake Michigan with my whole family including my mom, dad and brothers. I returned to learn that my assistant of 6 years decided to make a life change and move to Portland. The search for the next Textile Ninja was on!

In September, things changed. I felt a major shift in the Northwest design community. People were coming back to the office. It felt like the lights had been flipped on! It felt GREAT. We started receiving requests to update libraries. Firms started hosting multi-rep mini trade shows in their offices. When we reached out to make appointments we were met with enthusiasm instead of hesitation. The need for virtual presentations began to fade. I certainly felt a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration! October was consumed by interviewing candidates to support the West Coast. By November I had hired a new assistant and I am so excited to introduce you all to Katie Cheetham! You can read more about her in the Maven Feature next week.

As we round out the year, that is when reflection becomes top of mind. As I write to you today I am proud of the perseverance, tenacity and courage we exhibited in the face of yet more challenges on top of existing challenges. We were still productive and consistent and we accomplished a LOT! That is something to be proud of for sure. We celebrated with an end of year open house and the theme was 1970’s Christmas. It featured a live band (my husband’s band) and my brother bartended. It was a family affair…just like a 1970’s house party! Do not worry if you missed it, we decided to make it an annual event!

Reminder: Anytime that we go through challenges (like the last 2 ½ years we have all collectively been through) there is always some healing to do. I will be mindful of that and continue to focus on self care wherever possible. There is a saying that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. However, there is also a saying that “you cannot serve from an empty vessel”. 

To a prosperous New Year,

Namaste.