Hard Truths for New Beginnings - A Slow Start to 2026

The English countryside glistens with frost, covering roofs and fields. The last few days have been cold... really cold for what we’re used to in Somerset, in our cosy, mild part of England. And yet, the sky is intensely blue and the sun blindingly bright, and I can’t help but feel optimism in the air.

The rest of the natural world is at its deepest winter stage, just before it begins its slow ascent towards the renewal of spring. We are on the brink of a new season - in old English calendars, spring began the 1st or Candlemas 2nd of February - and although in modern times the season officially doesn’t start until March, if you look closely, the stirrings of new life will be revealing themselves all around us in just a few short weeks.

Read all the posts in the
"A Slow Start to 2026" series here

With three weeks until Imbolc, I’ve spotted the first daffodils and primroses blooming in warm, sunny, sheltered spots. Perhaps it’s a little nudge from Mother Nature to begin gently stitching together the dreams and early plans for the coming spring. There is no rush yet, and no need to make hard declarations - just natural progression.

(Below are the daffodils I spotted in our village very recently)

I thought I’d share with you today something that will hopefully come in useful in the coming weeks and months - my own, hard-learned lessons for new beginnings. Things I’ve experienced both at work and in my personal life.

I titled this blog Hard Truths because I thought it sounded cool (lol!), but it’s not meant to worry or alarm you - quite the opposite. I hope these lessons will be helpful during your planning stage and later on… when reality comes along kicking butts, you can always come back here for reassurance and some gentle advice.

I’m not a business shark, and I don’t have my life fully figured out either, but if I can help, I will.

Not all of the points may relate to your plans, depending on whether you’re thinking about starting a new hobby, business, weight loss journey - or on the opposite end, actually doing less and not feeling guilty about it - but I hope everyone will find something worthy here for your own new chapter.

1. You don’t have to love or be passionate about what you do… but it will come in useful.

It was one of the early business lessons someone with far more experience once shared with me. You see, you don’t have to be wildly passionate about washing dishes to become a successful sponge producer. I’m sure plenty of huge corporate CEOs don’t necessarily love the products they offer - they simply have enough knowledge to make the sales happen.

But at the beginning of your journey, it will most likely be just you. And loving and believing in the thing you want to do, whether that’s starting a new YouTube channel, a candle company, or weight loss journey, will carry you through the hard times. If you start something just because you think it’s easy, you’ll likely give up at the first real challenge. 

2. You friends, family and neighbours are not your customers.

I wish you could see me rolling my eyes every time I see the sad posts about those closest to you not supporting your business. All that’s missing is a sad violin playing in the background.

No - expecting your close circle to become your customer base is extremely MLM-ish and short-sighted. Firstly, you simply don’t have enough friends and family to build a viable full-time income. Secondly, not everyone - even if they love you - will be interested in your products or services. If someone buys from you out of guilt, it creates pressure that can affect your relationship with them.

If your loved ones support you in any way - attending a market where you have a stall, purchasing from you, or recommending you at their workplace - count yourself lucky, because you have wonderful people around you. But they can’t become your entire business plan.

3. You are not a charity

While your family might not be your customers, you are also not a charity. Thankfully, this isn’t directly my story, but one from a beautician-turned-friend from many years ago. She often told me how family members expected her to do their nails and eyelash extensions, asked her to work after hours, always had the most urgent reasons why they needed it now… and yet weren’t willing to pay for it.

Remember: you are not a charity. You have to charge for your materials and your time.

And if you feel guilty about it, I’ll help you reframe it. Think about your nicest customer -  the one who’s always on time, kind, and genuinely lovely to talk to… and who pays the full asking price. Is it fair to them that people who pressure you get the same service for cheap, or even for free?

Of course not. So treat all your customers equally. Simple.

It also applies to your free time. If you are retired and others try to decide how you should use your “free” time, remind them that your time is yours alone. You might not be charging anything for your help, but you are the one who makes the rules.

Remember that your retirement years are not exactly free - you have spent your entire working life earning them.

Find our cosy bookish candle collection here

4. Not everyone will love what you do... and you have to learn to accept it

There are many different scenarios here. Some people may genuinely dislike your service. Others might think you’re not a very talented artist, your vlogs are boring, or that striving to improve your life is simply delusional. And frankly… they have every right to think so. My only advice is this: accept it and move on.

There will be moments when criticism is truly unfair. When you receive a one-star review because a delivery truck drove over the parcel and still delivered it to the customer afterwards... (just why??)  When your other half is against your weight-loss journey because, deep down, they know it reflects badly on them for not joining you - or because they are simply afraid of change.

Your heart will ache, and the unfairness of it all may hit you hard. But you will have to learn to deal with it and move on, because your life and business needs to go on.

I’m afraid to tell you that sooner or later, you will receive negative feedback - no matter what you do. And when it happens, take the lessons, but also remind yourself that it’s not a catastrophe (even if it feels like one in the moment), but actually a pretty normal day in life :D

5. "Keep an eye on the competition, but don’t stare at them"

This was another nugget of wisdom shared with me at the very beginning of YR Studio. It was meant in relation to other candle businesses, but I’ve found it applies to all aspects of life.

You do need to be aware of what’s happening around you - yes, even when it comes to your direct competitors. On a bigger scale, you are all part of a community gathered around the same thing. It’s important to keep your finger on the pulse, to know what’s going on within that community.

But not to the point where it makes you question your own choices, or tempts you to copy others because they seem more successful. That is the fastest way to lose your identity and your unique selling point.

This also extends beyond business. For example, if you’re trying to lose weight, you might start following all the fitness chicks online - one swears by Pilates, another by weights, another by yoga - and before you know it, you’re completely lost in the chaos of advice, goals and motivation.

You forget that your original goal might have simply been to lose a bit of weight so you feel lighter when hiking, or have more energy throughout the day. You don’t need to wear a tiny sports bra or to master the splits for that!

6. Yes, you will doubt yourself more than anybody

There will be times when you doubt the idea, your progress, and whether it all makes sense at all. Even more, it won’t be a one-off - these thoughts will come back regularly. I have 7 years of business experience, a strong group of readers, and I truly put in the work… and yet there are days (usually connected with my monthly cycle!) when I’m just asking myself: what am I even doing? Writing a book? Pff, get back down to earth, girl. 

You will have those moments too. I just want you to remember that you are not the only one feeling this. Taking a short break, regulating your nervous system, and getting inspired really helps. As for me, I like to go for a country walk and read a spooky book - two things that immediately perk me up and remind me why I’m doing what I’m doing: because I love it.

7. Success is not black and white.

This is HUGE to remember. When we think about our plans, we imagine going from A to B... but life rarely unfolds in a straight line. For example:

Weight loss: You want to lose 25 kg. You end up losing 15 kg, but you feel lighter, have more energy, and everyone comments on how glowing you look. Did you succeed or not?

Business: You want to sell 1,000 products to 1,000 customers. You end up selling to 700 customers and secure one large wholesale order of 250 products - but it’s a one-off. Total 950 product sold and 701 customers. Is this a success or not?

Slow Living: You decide to slow down - fewer commitments, quieter weekends, more time at home. But daily life is still busy: you’re working, caring for your family, and some days feel very rushed. But at the same time you no longer feel constantly overwhelmed and feel more present in your everyday moments. Did you succeed or not?

Do you see what I mean? The finishing line won’t look exactly how you imagined it at the beginning. But as long as you made progress and enjoyed the journey, that’s what truly matters. You’ll need to adjust your goals and navigate life’s twists and surprises. Having a goal in mind is perfectly fine - just don’t attach yourself too tightly to a picture of “perfect” success, because it will most likely look different anyway. 

A few closing words

Of course, there is a lot more that could be said about new beginnings, but in this post I wanted to stick to sharing my own experiences - things that were said directly to me, or that I witnessed in real life.

Beginning new things is hard… but continuing through thick and thin is the true challenge. Thankfully, YR Studio hasn’t had a year where things were so bad that we considered closing down, but that doesn’t mean it was always easy or straightforward.

We’ve had our ups and downs over the last seven years, and I’m certain more will come. But with the love and passion we have for everything we do - the candles, the writing, nature, the seasons, the countryside - I know we will be alright.

And you will be alright too. My husband always reminds me to move through life with courage, and for 2026 that’s exactly what I wish for you. Courage to make the right decisions, to begin the project or business you’ve been quietly thinking about, to say no when things feel too heavy, and yes when your heart tells you to...

Thank you for being here for another week. I read all your comments, and I’m so incredibly grateful for you.

Adriana x