Not that I owe anyone an explanation. This year has been challenging to say the least. I own two businesses. V Calle Hair Studio and our interior design company Orange Grove Design. After flipping our house last year during the crazy housing market. We truly felt burned out. We had experienced buying, flipping, selling, and renting all within four months while simultaneously managing two businesses an hour away.
At the beginning of 2022, I made the decision to limit myself from social media and pause on taking any design clients to one - rebrand Orange Grove Design, two - organize our systems and processes, three - create new content, and four - most notably, focus on our health and family.
l was later on diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease.
For those who are unaware, Hashimoto's disease is when the immune system attacks your thyroid. Inflammation of the thyroid causes a leak resulting in excess thyroid hormones. When left untreated, autoimmune complications can be life-threatening. Such side effects are depression, fatigue, severe inflammation of the body, or worse, heart disease and thyroid cancer.
Needless to say, I was in pain and felt pure exhaustion. After months of managing, I eventually found a doctor who discovered my diagnosis. With the proper medications and the elimination of certain food groups, I finally have it under control.
Little did I know my health struggles were the least of our problems this year. First, we lost a family member.
And the most unexpected thing happened shortly after Jordan's grandfather's passing. Jordan woke up one morning, completely losing his vision. He was later diagnosed with Diabetic Retinopathy. Despite getting my health under control, bringing his vision back has been our number one priority, and taking action on mental health has been imperative in our growth as individuals and as a couple.
Ultimately, it deff has been a year of health and growth. For that, I am thankful we found doctors that helped us so immensely. I am thankful for our family's support, and I am grateful for my clients.
After an extensive surgery, Jordan has his vision back.
Losing connections and relationships with people has been very lonely thus far. I learned this year that it is okay not to be okay. Our minds and bodies need to take a break sometimes. I have come to terms with the fact that there will never be an ideal balance, and I may never get it right. But, as I continue to hone in on specific goals, I lean on my intuition as it guides me through this life journey, even if it feels like I am walking on a tightrope at times. I look forward to this new year showing more of myself, my work, and my life.
Today we celebrate 2 years of Orange Grove Design. We now open our new site to the public and are currently accepting new clients.
Our site has been an enormous labor of love my web team & I have worked endlessly on over the past twelve months. My muse, creative outlet, and dream job; I truly love what I do.
Happy Birthday OGD. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year from the OGD family. Here’s to a new year of seeing more of our faces and continuing to fight health head-on with grace and positivity.
