I used to think that closing my cookie business (ArmStina’s Cookies) was a failure. That I was a failure. I closed that chapter of my life and moved on. Never looked back. Tucked those memories deep in the cave of my subconscious. The place that holds all the ghosts of my past. The place that even holds some memories hostage which is why I have huge memory gaps. Sorry… that’s a tangent for another time and also a big piece of my book. 🤪
Anyways, what I’m trying to say is that I carried a lot of shame about closing the business. I lived in that shame for a couple years and absolutely dreaded when people asked, “Why did you stop doing cookies?”
But it’s been about a year now since my cookie ghost emerged from the cave. She came back to remind me that those years of my life were not a failure. She reminded me that she was the woman who taught me how to build something from nothing. She reminded me how brave I am, how to bet on myself. That I am strong, resilient, and smart AF. And even when I don’t know the answer, I put my head down, do the work, and figure it out.
Honestly, without her reminding me of all my greatness, I’m not sure I would have ever been brave enough to step into the writing world and start my first book. She even inspired one of the characters in it.
So I’ve decided to let her have a few weeks front and center every December. Last year was totally unplanned, but I see now that she forced her way through to remind me of the joy baking, decorating, and gifting cookies brings me. I’m excited to live in the cookie world for a little bit as I close out this year.
And if you have any ghosts of your past you try to keep buried, I encourage you to look at the good things they gave you. A lot of times we think failure is the end, but really it’s the beginning. As long as we’re willing to look for the lessons and bring them along on our next adventure.
Oh and one more thing…
This year I wanted to share some of my cookies with you. As a thank-you for supporting my writing, I’m giving away a baker’s dozen of classic ArmStina’s Cookies vanilla mini Christmas cookies to one subscriber of The Dark Petal.
If you’re already a subscriber, you’re automatically entered.
If you’re new here, just subscribe with your email below to join in.
The giveaway closes December 10th, and I’ll announce the winner in my December 13th newsletter.
**Shipping is available only within the continental United States.
