If there’s one thing I’ve always been guilty of, it’s taking things to heart. Even the smallest offhand comment or backhanded compliment has, at times, felt like it was chiselling away at me. Call me soft, but words have always landed deeply. It’s something I’ve had to work on for years - learning to separate my worth from someone else’s throwaway remark.
I can still recall little comments that were probably never meant with malice but have stuck with me like burrs. Someone once laughed about how “weird” all my chickens looked, as though my eclectic little flock was something to poke fun at rather than the joy they bring me. Another time it was about my cushions - “they clash,” someone said with a smirk. But that’s the point! Cottage chic is about comfort and charm, not matching sets fresh off a showroom floor.
And yet, I still think about those silly remarks years later. They’ll bubble up out of nowhere, usually at the most inconvenient of times - when I’m trying to fall asleep, or right before I post something new I’ve created. That’s the power words can hold when you’re tender hearted. They stay with you, whether you want them to or not.
Since becoming a mum and a business owner, though, I’ve had no choice but to start building a thicker skin. There’s just so much noise out there - opinions, comparisons, expectations. If I let every comment take root, I’d never get a moment’s peace, let alone create anything. Slowly, I’ve learned to stand a little stronger, to let things roll off more easily, and to keep my focus on what really matters: my little family, my craft, and the joy that comes from doing what I love.
Of course, the trickiest part of it all is living authentically in a world that thrives on comparison. Social media is both a gift and a curse - it connects me with beautiful people, inspires me endlessly, and helps me share my work with the world. But it also feeds that little voice that says you’re not enough or you’re falling behind.
As a creator and business owner, I am a part of that world, and some days it’s hard to remember why I started in the first place. The drive to succeed can so easily take over. And success isn’t a bad thing - it’s something worth celebrating! But if chasing it means losing sight of my creativity, my values, and the heart of my work, then what’s the point?
So, I’ve been grounding myself back in the “why.” I started this journey because I love flowers, I love storytelling, I love creating beautiful things that connect people to a moment, a memory, or a feeling. That is what matters most.
And maybe, building a thicker skin isn’t just about brushing off the noise - it’s about being so rooted in your own authenticity that the noise doesn’t shake you anymore.
Springtime Lamb Shanks
Now, because I always like to leave you with something seasonal and delicious, here’s one of my favourite springtime recipes. These lamb shanks are slow cooked until tender and full of flavour, with a sweet little twist that makes them extra special.
Ingredients (serves 4):
4 lamb shanks
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, chopped
2 cups beef stock
1 cup red wine
2 tbsp caramelised onion relish (the secret ingredient!)
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 bay leaves
Salt & pepper, to taste
Method:
Preheat oven to 160°C (fan forced).
Heat olive oil in a heavy ovenproof pot or Dutch oven. Brown the lamb shanks on all sides, then remove and set aside.
In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, and carrots until softened.
Add red wine and let it bubble for 2–3 minutes, scraping up all those delicious browned bits.
Stir in stock, caramelised onion relish, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
Return lamb shanks to the pot, cover, and cook in the oven for 2.5–3 hours, until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
Serve with creamy mashed potatoes or a simple spring salad.
The caramelised onion relish adds a gorgeous sweetness that balances perfectly with the richness of the lamb and the depth of the red wine. It’s a dish that feels both comforting and celebratory - the perfect meal to share as the days grow warmer.
I suppose what I’m learning - slowly, sometimes stubbornly - is that life will always be full of noise. People will always have their opinions, whether you’ve asked for them or not. The trick is to choose what you let in. To remind yourself that softness isn’t a flaw, but a strength. And to keep returning, again and again, to the things that light you up from within.
For me, that’s my family, my flowers, my flock (weird chickens and all), and the little cottage dream I’m building piece by piece. If I can stay true to that, then I know I’m on the right path - no matter what the noise around me has to say.
Have a wonderful week, honeys.
With love and wildflowers,
Kels x