Lavenders Flowers

Working in a creative field is a very personal and rewarding job. So much of the job inspires and still gets me excited even after 10 years of flowering. On the flip side, it can be physically and mentally draining (we do more than play with flowers, lol) to routinely create unique ideas while managing clients' expectations. Finding balance in my job has been more challenging than any installation or cascading bouquet I've ever made. I've spent my entire adult life practicing my craft, but I still get moments of self-doubt and second guess my skills. On top of the balancing act, so much of this job changes with the seasons, not just flowers. Florists are magicians; we navigate the complexities of business with grace and make it look easy, beautifying all we touch. 

Every floral wizard I've had the pleasure of meeting is figuring it out on the go, no matter the years they've been at it. To be an event florist, you are expected to be a great floral designer, planner extraordinaire, business accountant, human resources expert, salesperson, client manager, marketing guru, self-motivator, creative genius, and much more. Floristry is a job with a wide range of requirements that often leaves you running on empty. I can't tell you how many times I've gone a whole day without stopping to eat or use the bathroom, pushing myself beyond what's expected of me. With that level of intensity comes a letdown, and what you do in that phase prepares you for another step forward. This is the time for recovery and to give balance to the daily grind. I find that in the time I take to recover, I can tap into a well of creativity and intentionally find inspiration in the mundane. The time off gives me space to wonder and spark joy. I give myself time to observe the iris growing along the sidewalk or note the unusual pattern in the clouds. I used to think my time away from the studio was selfish, that I should always be working on my business or I'd get behind, but it's so far from the truth. The time away brings balance and fuel to my craft, restoring my sense of curiosity and wonder.

There have been many points in my career where I felt stagnant or lost motivation to keep pushing on. Not from lack of ideas or inspiration, but from the dreaded imposter syndrome. Thoughts like, "am I any good at this anyway?" "Look at so and so; they have it all together. Will I ever get there?" "Maybe I should switch careers and do something I'm better at." I'm guilty of having fears just like those, worrying about not being good enough despite years of training and accomplishments. I use affirmations to conquer self-doubt and remind myself that I am an expert. Start by picking a true statement about yourself and make that your daily affirmation. Something like: "I am an expert at my craft" or "I am a creative being capable of great things."

Choosing a factual affirmation will make it easy for your mind to actually believe. These statements are for you to repeat again and again until it sticks. On the contrary, if you let negative thoughts about your job abilities ruminate, they will similarly become affirmations in your mind, leading to burnout and fear.

Just as the seasons change, so do you. Take advice from the daffodils, peonies, and rain pods. Take comfort that there is a season to shine and one to restore. Don't try and burn bright all year long, then lose your spark. Learn to take time to recover and root for the next season ahead.

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Janelle Nicole Thomson, of Lavenders Flowers, is a California-based florist and educator for creative entrepreneurs. She is highly sought after for her creative direction and is widely published for her thoughtful and transformative wedding installations, editorials and laser-focused work-ethic. Working in tandem with her luxury textile company, Tono + co., her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, Style Me Pretty, Magnolia Rouge Magazine and Utterly Engaged Magazine.

Janelle has a BA in Studio Art, and has studied at the renowned Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze. She has used her education and visionary intuition to create unique designs for hundreds of weddings world-wide. Janelle is an artist through and through. She strives to create long-lasting bonds with her clients that are built on trust and a common wish for things that are wildly unique and magical. With a passion for living life to the max, Janelle wants to empower her clients, fellow creatives and entrepreneurs to realize their full creative potential.