On my desk sits a framed Bible verse: “She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future” (Proverbs 31:25). My best friend gave it to me when she asked me to be her bridesmaid, saying she picked verses for each friend that reflected who they were.

That gift made me reflect more deeply. Am I really as carefree as others see me? Do I carry myself with strength and dignity? Half the time, my easygoing nature comes from distracting myself with fun things instead of facing hard ones. I’m confident in some areas, but I carry a lot of self-doubt too.

I can be extremely self-critical, always striving to live up to values like honesty, kindness, joy, and love, even though I know perfection isn’t possible. That plaque reminds me that people often see something in us that we can’t see in ourselves. It reminds me that the future isn’t mine to control. All I can do is wake up, try hard (or have a lazy day and give myself some grace), and move forward.

Yes, I like to get deep and personal. I’ll happily talk about the meaning of life, why we suffer, or whether aliens exist. Honestly, that’s kind of my M.O. — I love to talk, to give too many examples, and to paint pictures of what’s going on in my head.

And somewhere in all of that is where my studio comes in, a place to express this. At its core, it’s about connection, and spreading joy, love, and humor through the smallest gestures. A card or a small gift doesn’t have to be expensive to matter. The thought behind it is what counts, and it goes such a long way.

So, welcome to Studio Kick. Please reach out and say hi — I’d love to hear your thoughts, your stories, and even your dislikes.

Talk soon! xx, Kick