We're on this journey together

This month of love has me thinking about relationships, all of them—past, present, and future. Perhaps I’m just getting (ahem) older, but one of the things that continually blows me away is how relationships evolve. It serves as a reminder to be patient, allow space, and always leave room for growth.?

As part of the Studio’s courageously bold start to 2024, I want to share a few stories and observations. If any of them resonate, please reach out !?I’d love to hear from you.

Managing a business has been an eye-opening experience, particularly in the world of relationships. I’m a friendly introvert and I can be a bit of a control enthusiast. Navigating emotional intricacies with all these other humans can be challenging! It’s a constant evolution.?

Wouldn’t it be easier if we were all robots? Probably. But it would also be just so boring. I’m still learning in this crazy laboratory of life and am?very much a work in progress. Here are a few relationship-related principles that I have embraced:

• Take my time. Carve out time and space to get to know people. New beginnings often pave the way for the most enduring connections. What may seem initially low-key can transform into a profound, enduring partnership—and that is nothing to rush!?
• Give it a night’s rest. When it comes to communicating, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of occasionally taking a step back—no acting, no talking, no sending—simply putting on hold. Sometimes, the most effective strategy is to take a pause and allow a little space for the path forward to appear. If you are anything like me, somehow the most brilliant (or obvious) course of actions tend to appear while making my tea or taking a shower.?
• Be me! When I get caught up in who I’m “supposed to be,” I shortchange whatever relationship I’m in. This involves embracing a style that may differ from those around me—whether it’s expressing genuine enthusiasm for a color swatch or posing what might appear as an unconventional question. It’s not a bad thing to show my personality… and it’s just so much fun to get to know other personalities!?

Does any of this resonate? I’d love to hear your perspective. This is, after all, a letter about relationships and it’s reassuring to not be alone in this journey.

Julie Sherman , Founder and Creative Director