This was one of my very first custom card projects, and in typical me style, I over-stretched myself spectacularly. By the end, my hair was thinning, my hands were permanently mimicking the motions of folding and gluing, and my Cricut and I were no longer on speaking terms. In all honesty, this project pushed me right to the edge of a breakdown. I can say, without exaggeration, that it took blood, sweat, and tears. Was it worth it? Yes.

These friendships have taught me something I didn’t learn until much later in life: I don’t need to change who I am to belong. I don’t need to be louder, more present, or constantly available. The right people don’t need a polished version of me,  they’re quite happy with the slightly chaotic, tea-fuelled, often absent one.