The Arctic Joy Story
Peace is one of the many words we crave in difficult times.
We want peace that goes beyond our current circumstances. We want peace to transcend through the storms and give us that inner calmness to move forward.
But we all know that peace doesn't come easily or naturally for us. When our world crumbles, when we experience deep losses, we are left broken and traumatized with nothing to hold on.
So what happens when our peace was broken by the very people who were supposed to love us the most? What happens when the very experience that broke you was perpetuated by the same people who were supposed to protect, guide and cherish you?
How will we ever find peace again?
In my journey as a trauma survivor and interacting with trauma survivors, I can tell you right now: There is no easy answer. Finding peace is not something we can follow on a map. Reconciling with your past requires more than just time and personal strength.
When I started designing our winter print, the challenge was finding an idea that captures peace with a healthy encapsulation of the unseen struggles.
On the one hand, I didn't want a fairytale explanation of peace. I didn't want to dismiss the difficult journey of finding peace, which is often a lifelong commitmenet.
On the other hand, I didn't want an overwhelming undertone of darkness and trauma. Instead, I wanted a print that tells the story of strength and resilience. I want to bring hope admist the cold.
A Cherished Memory...
In my brainstorming session I began to reflect my visit to a Christian group home. My mind went to the large property surrounded by nature and little houses. I thought of the gardens the kids planted. The horses they rode as a part of the equine-assisted therapy. I remembered having dinner with the children in their assigned homes. I had the opportunity to talk with the kids, go on hikes together, and play hide-and-seek.
The children living at the Christian private group home have experienced great losses. A lot of them couldn't thrive in the typical "foster care" system. Many have a "family" but couldn't really go home to them. They were sent to the Christian home through voluntary sponsorship of churches and Christian individuals. They were sent to a safe haven with all their costs covered and an opportunity to start anew.
From this long reflection, the idea of Arctic Joy was born. I thought of a winter theme of various animals "being together." I envisioned animals doing things that reflect peace and warmth, like the mouse roasting the marshmallow. The expressions we put on our animals were that of innocence, contentment, and patience. While their eyes reflect subtle melancholy, their entire disposition is a display of strength and resilience.
Adding the Seal
We completed our design with a precious seal. In case you didn't know, seals are my daughter's favorite animal. She is also affectionally called our little "Seal" at home.
Since I had the design with her in my mind, I thought it would be perfect to add her seal teddy to the print (that seal in the print looks almost identical to her security animal!). We put the igloo right beside her to show how close she is to finding her forever home. It's also our way to show how your purchases are making a difference. Adoption is very expensive especially for complex cases like hers. We are so grateful for everyone and their support to our brand.