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Kristin Vanderlip's avatar

In the words of my Tiny Brand Designer and founder of The Inspired Studio, Karla Peters: "We’re celebrating, and I don’t want to hear another word about it!

Ya know why?

Because.

That’s the reason.

BE. CAUSE.

Because we can. Because why the hell not. Because when you put something out into the world, you deserve a party.

Because I know what it takes to dream something up and toil over it and question it—and *still* build it."

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Beth Rice's avatar

I always glean from your vulnerability in your posts, Kristin. Your words sometimes speak what we struggle to find words for.

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Kristin Vanderlip's avatar

Thank you, Beth. That really means a lot to me. I so often write from that place where the words are hard to find, so it’s incredibly meaningful to hear when something resonates or helps name what feels unnameable.

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Julie's avatar

Thank you, Kristin! Appreciate bringing so much of yourself into your posts.

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Kristin Vanderlip's avatar

Thanks so much, Julie. I really appreciate your kind words—it means a lot to know the sharing lands gently and honestly with you.

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Kellie Brown's avatar

It is both hard to live in a both/and world but also freeing to accept that it is light and shadow. Like you, I wrestle daily and get frustrated when the celebrations I want to have get dimmed by the hard things in my life. The bad things stick to us like velcro and the good things seem to slide off. All I know to do is keep rubbing the joys all over me.

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Kristin Vanderlip's avatar

That image of joys sliding off while the hard sticks like velcro? Those are powerful metaphors. I love the idea of rubbing the joys all over us! Holding this close today.

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Katie Drobina's avatar

The joy of living—what a holy act of resistance. I appreciate you sharing yourself in these words. My therapist and I often talk about the experience of living with prolonged grief (chronic, if you will). I’m learning (very slowly) to accept this part of me that will always have a foot in the shadows. She helps me remember and honor. . .and, oh, I’m learning she makes the joy/celebration a bit sweeter and more vibrant—like your most recent collection. <3

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Kristin Vanderlip's avatar

Katie, thank you for sharing this. That phrase—“a foot in the shadows”—names where I often find myself, too. I'm so grateful for therapists like yours who help us do the holy work of holding both the sorrow and sweetness of life. And thank you for your reflection on my art collection -- I so appreciated that.

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Kellie Brown's avatar

Those are similar conversations that I have with my therapist. I want more joy and ease in my days but it's hard when you have to do daily battle with the shadows.

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