09/13/2026
Sorry this is longβ¦
I need to have a vulnerable moment π₯Ί
Iβve been going back and forth about whether or not to share this, but I think sometimes itβs okay to be honest about the hard seasons too. π€
Lately, Iβve been struggling. Iβm mentally and physically exhausted, and honestly, I just havenβt felt like myself.
Itβs been an especially hard year. Sales and foot traffic have been down, and on top of navigating a difficult year for the business, I went through my pregnancy and am now navigating postpartum life while learning how to balance being a mom and running my business. Itβs been a LOT, mentally, physically and emotionally.
I need to emphasize how much I LOVE being a mom. π€ Becoming a mom has been the most beautiful and rewarding thing Iβve ever experienced, and I wouldnβt trade it for anything. But that doesnβt mean this transition has been easy. Iβm learning that I can be incredibly happy and grateful while still admitting that Iβm exhausted, overwhelmed, and struggling sometimes. Iβm not sharing this to complain or focus only on the negatives. I just want to be honest about where Iβm at.
Lately, Iβve felt really discouraged. I feel like Iβm letting my customers down, my confidence has been out the window, and there have been a lot of moments where Iβve felt disappointed in myself and wondered if Iβm doing enough.
Some days I honestly just miss being an employee. I miss being able to clock out and leave work at work. Being an owner means the work never really turns off. Sometimes I just miss not carrying that weight, and I think itβs okay to admit that.
I feel awful about cutting back the shop hours, but itβs what I need to do right now. After taking 10 weeks off and having such a slow summer, Iβm just not in a place where I can hire the help I need. My summer employees have gone back to school or moved on to full-time positions. I am so sad to see them go, but incredibly proud of all three of them. Alexis, Annie and Brogan, thank you for all you did for me during my pregnancy and over this summer. I am forever thankful and love you girls so much. I will forever cherish all your hard work and love you poured into my shop.
I have been doing my best to manage the shop alone, but I have had to send an SOS a couple times now lol! My friends and family have been helping me so much when and where they can, and I truly canβt ever repay them. π€
And something I never want to forget is that I did not build this business alone. So many people have poured their time, support, love, and trust into Gracelynβs Goodies. My customers, consignors, friends, family, and this community are the reason Iβve been able to do this for as long as I have. I truly would not be here without you. π€
Iβm doing everything I can to keep this dream alive, continue partnering with our community, and provide a place to shop secondhand and consign.
To everyone who shops, consigns, shares, recommends my shop, stops in, or simply cheers me on, thank you. π₯Ήπ€ You probably donβt realize how much it means to me right now.
I love my people. I love this community. I love being a mom. And I love this little dream Iβve worked so hard to build. π«ΆπΌ
Thank you for giving me grace while I navigate this season. Iβm tired, but Iβm still here. Iβm still trying. And Iβm not giving up. π€
