EP Studio.Creative

TWO MORE DAYS!! I can’t believe it’s already time again, but Moss & Moon is closing for June’s Strawberry Moon in just two days! The deadline to get “A Juicy Discovery” and Lenny the Hedgehog sticker is THIS SATURDAY, June 13 at 11:59 PM!

This Strawberry Moon edition has my heart, and I’m so excited to get it on its way to all of you 🍓🦔😍 join at the link in the comments!

Years ago, I would have punished myself for pushing myself too hard. I would have been upset that I did too much, but even more upset that my body wasn’t capable of handling what I put it through.

For years I pushed myself past my capacity every single day thinking if I could just “fake it until you make it” hard enough, maybe it would be true.

But all that did was push me farther from myself, dig myself into a deeper hole, until finally my body collapsed. I was bedridden for nearly 18 months, in a wheelchair because I was too weak to use my legs and I had lost so much muscle mass that my muscles couldn’t hold my joints together.

That time was a gift. It was the hardest, darkest, most rock bottom moments of my life, but it taught me that it’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to take a day off. It’s okay if I push myself a little too hard when I’m having fun because I know how to take care of myself when I hit a flare.

So here I am on a Sunday, painting a raspberry. Not for anything in particular, just because it felt fun. I’m allowing my body to rest, to recover.

I had to hit rock bottom to learn how to give myself grace.

If you’re living with chronic illness, I hope you don’t wait as long as I did.

Your worth isn’t measured by how much you can push through. Rest isn’t something you have to earn. And taking care of yourself isn’t giving up.

The work will still be there. The dishes will still be there. The world will keep turning.

You deserve the same compassion you’d give to anyone else. You deserve to take care of yourself. 💜

Happy Sunday 💜💜💜
Xoxo,
Em

Work in progress in my sketchbook with gouache

Windswept and completely blown away at the fact I got to meet so many amazing people in this community today.

Having a major “Who am I???” Moment because what do you mean people came to the market to see ME today?? I’m absolutely honored, in tears, and so grateful to everyone who stopped by our booth today, despite the insane wind that almost swept me off to Oz 🙈