“We can’t underestimate the value of silence. We need to create ourselves, need to spend time alone. If you don’t, you risk not knowing yourself and not realising your dreams.” ~Jewel

When I was younger, people would describe me as quite, reserved and more of a listener than a talker.

Inside of me I knew they were right but I never used to like it and when I heard those words out of people’s mouth I would cringe. Because I always thought there was something wrong about my need to be alone. I was ashamed. Something was wrong with me and I was not going to accept it. I had to change.

I wanted to be loud and I wanted to be someone who talked a lot because at that time I thought that was the way I was supposed to be. In reality though, even when I tried, it felt wrong. It felt like I didn’t belong to that space…yet I wanted to fit in it so badly. To be accepted, liked and wanted.

It is only recently, in the past few years that I managed to accept this as part of who I am. And now, I am free. Not from others, but from myself, from my own limitations and my own judgment. And it feels so good to be here.

It was never personal to anyone and still isn’t, it is just my own need. And that’s ok. I need time alone to recharge. My quiet space it’s vital to me.

I am an introvert.

I am an artist.

I am a lover.

I am a dreamer.

I am a fighter.

I am a seeker.

Beautiful things I learnt to treasure. Things that make me, me.

I am a very sensitive character. I am sensitive to situations, to people.

I love quiet and calm.

Like sitting on a beach staring at the sea and its limitless power.

Like walking in nature and get right on top of that mountain and breath it all in and get that beautiful and immense inner overwhelming feeling that view brings you.

Like a night in, chatting for ages about dreams, plans and things that light you up inside.

Like a spontaneous lunch with your best friends, talking about everything and nothing, but laughing loads.

I observe. I listen. I think. I travel with my thoughts. I travel far. Sometimes too far. I create.

I crave real connections and can’t stand small talks and gossips, it’s when I feel the most lonely.

Embrace who you are and be it.

Own it, with all of you.

Express it, in every way you can.

You don’t have to be any different than how you already are to do anything in this life, including running your own business. You don’t have to be anything you are not. In fact, please don’t waste time trying.

When I first started my business, I thought I had to be a certain way to be successful or to be “good enough”. I should be a bit more like him and a bit less like her. I promise you, there isn’t such thing.

It’s when I started letting go of all the “should” I set myself free and I allowed myself to just be…and be ok with ok. Be ok with making the mistakes, be ok to fail. Really, who cares. I rather fail because I tried than not fail because I never tried. That, in fact, scares me even more.

Create work that is an extension of YOU.

Be an introvert, if you are an introvert.

Be an extrovert, if you are an extrovert.

Be both.

Be neither.

Be whatever you soul already is.

There is no other way.

There is no escape from the YOU you are meant to bring to this world.

So bring it.

Shine.

For yourself and everyone around you.

All my love,

Ilaria x