Crafting Heirlooms, Crafting Life
The Power of Values-Driven Decisions
I started a business development class this year, and I’m absolutely loving it. The insights they share are invaluable and applicable to both business and life.
One piece of advice from the coach really resonated with me recently. She said, “When you align your decisions with your values, you rarely have room for regret.”
I’ve got a new product line in development — a series of sculptural candleholders and vases (have you seen my latest post on Instagram? Stay tuned for more!) — and I’ve been having some trouble sourcing drip cups, a small, barely-seen metal component for these pieces.
I’d found a few options and even gotten samples, but nothing felt quite right. Everything off-the-shelf just felt so lightweight, cheap, and insubstantial—nothing that would reflect the quality of a modern heirloom. I want these pieces to be treasured for generations.
“When you align your decisions with your values, you rarely have room for regret.”
I reached out to my community, and even when I didn’t get immediate suggestions, I didn’t give up. I stayed curious, and eventually found a partner who could customize and mill the perfect piece.
The result is not cheap—neither in price nor in quality. And deep down, I know I made the right call.
I also want to apply this philosophy in my personal life. I’m thrilled to have booked my first vacation since I was pregnant. (And should I say, my first vacation that’s not to a family member’s home!) For someone who struggles with feelings of financial insecurity, it wasn’t an easy decision, but it feels so right to spend money on an experience that my family will hopefully carry with us for a lifetime.
How do you make decisions? Do you find yourself questioning if your choices, big or small, align with your values? Do you check in with your body to feel how your decisions physically manifest within you? (For those of us who tend to be big “should”-ers, this can be a particular challenge.) It’s not always easy to slow down in the moment and really assess how a decision aligns with your values, but I believe it’s an exercise that pays massive dividends.