Some of my sensitivities I was born with, some were birthed out of my childhood trauma. For most of my life I have been plagued with digestive problems, anxiety, easily irritated skin, overstimulation, hypervigilance and more. Going outside was often where I sought refuge and solace to cope with my difficult home environment and the world around me, and this continues to be true in my adult life today. In high school and college I found escape in drugs and alcohol, which took me down a decade long path of substance abuse issues. In 2011, I hit rock bottom and found sobriety with the support of 12-step recovery. Despite struggling and partying heavily, my love for nature prevailed as I pursued a degree in Environmental Policy and Planning. After getting clean and sober, I met my husband where we joined our love for the outdoors together and started a permaculture farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachian region of the United States. Between our farm and woodland property and our house that is adjacent to an 800-acre nature preserve, my family and I spend every day in communion with the earth.

Due to challenges with the covid pandemic and getting pregnant, I decided to put my skincare business on hiatus for a number of years. Upon getting pregnant with my son, I also developed yet another sensitivity, this time to fragrances and essential oils and had to go totally fragrance free in our household. This sensitivity has continued to the present day and has been a significant change in my life to navigate. In the winter of 2023-2024, I decided I was ready to bring back my herbal skincare business. However with my new fragrance intolerances, and my already existing sensitivities, I realized I would have to do things differently this time.