Why I Create

My best friend lost her life to a silent battle of postpartum depression (PPD). I chatted with her the night before and there was not a single. red. flag. Her baby was only four months old.

At the time, I had three kids four and under. The tragic loss triggered my own PPD journey. I would have panic attacks when nursing my three month old son. I completely lost myself for a while. As soon as I was pulling my head above water, I unexpectedly got pregnant with our 4th child. I fought perinatal depression and anxiety every day during that pregnancy. Anxiety overpowered every thought with the lie that my family would be better off without me. I strived to deafen the repetitive untruth - listening to my beloved praise and worship music and throwing myself into activities that made me feel like I wasn't a failure. 

If you are struggling with depression, anxiety or PPD, know that you are not alone. Do not be ashamed and suffer in silence. Seeking help could save your life. 

For years, I prayed for the Lord to give me a platform to discuss these hard topics and in 2020, with nothing but white space on the calendar, He placed painting in my lap. God nudged me to explore something new and do it for His glory.

As soon as I drove over the creek onto Glentivar Farm I felt like it had a calling to be a safe haven for people, women especially, to feel comforted, seen and loved. Our first day living here was the anniversary of my best friend's suicide. I had a few close friends come over to pray in the stone folly located in the front yard. That evening there was the most vibrant rainbow that felt like a blessing over the house. That stone folly has been called the prayer garden ever since. We conclude Tonic + Bloom, my dream come true, in that exact sacred spot. 

Success, in my business is when someone, having gone through a dark season, looks at my work and is reminded of a time they reached for the sunlight, asking for help. It's adorning your home with art and decor that celebrates your story, allowing your house to feel like a home. It's bringing guests onto the farm for a day of restoration, community and self discovery so they can flourish in the season ahead. May everything that I do be a reminder of your inner beauty and strength.

Passing the peace from my home to yours,
Britt