To the Person who Purchased the Notebook
For those of you that read my content, this isn’t my usual shtick. What spare time I have, I dedicate to producing content that I hope so very much, will help other Bloggers to keep moving closer towards their dreams.
Today I took a step towards mine.
I have spent much of my career up until this moment, building the brands of others. But today, I decided to invest in myself.
Without knowing my story, this may not seem like much at face value. So, I’m going to try and put it down on paper as best I can.
In 2014 I graduated with a BA Hons Illustration Degree. It was an INTENSE three years, and I worked near enough full time alongside my studies. It nearly killed me. After graduation I felt that my creativity was useless.
I caught that awful sickness called apathy. For anyone with a creative soul, you will understand.
Creativity is often overlooked and left to wilt.
So, I graduated and forgot. I forgot what drew me to art in the first place. I forgot my home.
I spent the next few years feeling lost, even worse, useless. Like I was wading through mud emotionally, spiritually, physically…all of it.
In 2016 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Gosh, where to begin with that. I don’t speak about it often, because ninety percent of my life involves trying to pretend it doesn’t exist, until it brings me to my knees.
The diagnosis explained a lot, the long periods of sickness in my childhood, the extreme fatigue and pain, despite motivation.
One day in the spring of 2017, the mental fog seemed to lessen. I had this strange window of clarity. It felt foreign. I could think?
I had an idea.
I picked up a half finished notebook from my University days. It started with small sentences at first, and then doodles and then … patterns.
My patterns were back. The creations I assumed were useless became actualized once more…It was amazing. In that moment, I was free.
I was home.
Next, I picked up a canvas. A few months later I had finished a whole one. After years of feeling empty, something had sparked inside of me again.
By the next year I had started to build up my website and blog content.
It starts with an IDEA. Where will yours take you?
From my heart to yours.
Thank you.
Until next time!
Rach x
P.s. If you appreciate the content I share here, why not buy me a coffee? 🙂
Let’s connect on the socials!
polley93
September 2, 2018 at 5:00 pmI am just so darn proud of you and I loved this post. Welcome home! Much love to you.
Rachael Hope
September 2, 2018 at 6:26 pmThank you so much I appreciate you stopping by and all of your continued support. You are amazing!
polley93
September 2, 2018 at 6:27 pmAmazing isn’t a word I use to describe myself! But I am a fan and love pretty much everything you do. My notebooks are made and will get them around the 10th!! Yay!
Rachael Hope
September 3, 2018 at 5:54 amThat’s so exciting 🙂 I didn’t realise they shipped worldwide until you said! I kind of just uploaded, shared a link to it and ran pahaha!! Xx
julivaglobal
September 2, 2018 at 5:09 pmRach it’s good that you have shared your journey with where you started to now, everything is a process.
Suraj Sharma
September 2, 2018 at 6:34 pmIt’s very nice … That you share things here… Your work is very appreciative…
Aakanksha
September 2, 2018 at 7:04 pmVery inspiring indeed. I am going to be teaching creative writing next term and this reminds me of how one should write with just one idea!
Nina
September 2, 2018 at 8:16 pm“Creativity is often overlooked and left to wilt.” You’re absolutely right. It is also a struggle to maintain the same zeal especially if you are surrounded by people who don’t appreciate it.
Andrew Koscielecky
September 2, 2018 at 8:29 pmGood story, The funny is I also thinking today I was thinking, to purchase the notebook 🙂
Kristina @ Spirit of the Soul
September 2, 2018 at 10:36 pmThank you for sharing. Never give up and something wonderful will come from it.
SiennyLovesDrawing
September 3, 2018 at 7:31 amWow!! Really enjoy reading your sharing here. Absolutely right!! Never give up!! 😀 cheers, siennylovesdrawing
rachaelstray
September 3, 2018 at 9:52 amGood luck with the notebooks – they look fab. I’m so pleased you’ve found your creativity again!
Rachael | https://rachaelstray.com
Christy
September 3, 2018 at 4:59 pmThat’s great. I think that being active and productive can help one deal with issues like Fibromyalgia.
Deserted_Queen
September 3, 2018 at 7:21 pmIt’s really good that you shared your story here. Never give up, the better time is just around the corner.
Kelsey
September 3, 2018 at 8:40 pmI love this. One of the reasons I first started my blog was because I was feeling my creativity vanishing, and needed a creative outlet.
Sarah
September 4, 2018 at 1:41 amLOVE the notebook! Beautiful design!
Aleese Hughes
September 4, 2018 at 4:25 amCongrats on your success! I love the design!
aisasami
September 4, 2018 at 6:58 amGlad you found your creativity once more!! Love the design! You are a inspiration as I am trying to find that creativity inside myself again.
Thomas Dillon
September 4, 2018 at 7:36 ami like this post. it reminded me of… me. I am a musician/creative type and have always felt like music was my home but unfortunately it has been left to wilt. I know exactly how you felt.
healthyfitcouple.com
September 4, 2018 at 2:23 pmIt always starts with an idea, but motivation and dedication is what takes us to the next step.
Prabashi Hirunika
September 4, 2018 at 4:08 pmIts a really nice concept to note down your journey. Love it so much. Its must have been quite a process
Charu Sharma
September 4, 2018 at 6:40 pmIt is important to understand your inner capabilities and strengths. Just one idea can change your life.
amayszingblogs
September 5, 2018 at 3:00 amWhat a great journey of you. I wish you will be successful someday. I know you can 🙂
Coleccion De Fotografia
September 5, 2018 at 3:37 amYou are such an amazing person Rach! I am more than inspired! Thank you so much for always sending positive vibes to your readers.
dagniee
September 7, 2018 at 11:20 amSuch a great work, thanks for sharing 🙂 love it
krish
September 7, 2018 at 2:06 pmYes everything starts with an idea and gets going with focus and dedication..
Thank you
Tiffany
September 10, 2018 at 7:50 amLoving your work. Such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing ♥️ ♥️ By any chance you are interested on doing collaborations, you can check out the collaborations portal of Phlanx.com and connect with amazing brands!
Xoxo,
Tiffany
Heather
September 10, 2018 at 5:03 pmI am so happy to hear this and thank you for sharing your story. I have hypermobile ehlers danlos syndrome and ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so have the same symptoms as fibromyalgia. My recovery since being diagnosed with ME has been extremely slow, and it always heartens me to hear when someone else has won their own personal battle against a condition. So massive congratulations and keep fighting! 🙂