A note to my younger self:
Hey kid,
Everything we feared about life has come true. We failed, we’re on the brink! Everything felt hard for awhile. We lost ourselves. We forgot that we can do anything.
We decided to start tapping back into the things we did when we were little. Remember? We spent a lot of time alone, drawing “fashion ideas”, staging concerts, designing photo shoots, and fake album covers. We’d sew clothes and style outfits but never wear them out of the house. We had a desk – and a business name – and business cards. We’d have our closest friends over to collaborate on songwriting, fashion shows. We’d throw performances and host events. We totally forgot what it was like to feel free to do whatever is on your heart and mind. It’s true that creativity helps us get back in touch with our inner child.
Now we’re 30 (fuck), but we’re hungry. We’ve been having revelations. We also lost our job 3 consecutive times, got our light dimmed out by shining it too brightly for the wrong people. We got diagnosed with a bunch of brain-stuff. We go to therapy now! (Shoutout <name redacted>! I <3 you. We do not have a parasocial relationship you are my therapist, duh!) We’re learning, growing, expanding. We stopped shaming ourselves, we put up healthy boundaries, we speak our mind loudly, hold ourselves and others accountable and (try) to lead with kindness and love; or at least humor. We learned that everything is here, now, existing for us, all at once. We choose the direction we head in, and with bold choice comes bold living. We’ve literally always been bold. Why stop now?
We want to contribute to a more sustainable, conscious lifestyle. We discovered the beauty in repurposed fashion. We can embrace our individuality without compromising one another or our planet. We’re re-launching Naked Moon Vintage as seckondhand. We’re going to empower people to express their unique style.
We want to use seckondhand to host events and collaborate with likeminded people. We’re going to keep up with a monthly blog called seckondhang to stay accountable an in touch. We’re going to give back to the community by sharing what we’re passionate about, donating unused apparel and material to those in need, and partnering with local social service organizations. We’ll teach others what we’ve learned, and we commit to being a life-long learner ourselves. We have goals for seckondhand and we can’t wait to tell everyone about them.
We always loved the gold Irish Claddagh rings we found in Mom’s jewelry box. Love, loyalty, and friendship. Grandpa Jack gave her one. Grammy, I believe, the other. Two helping hands to hold our heart in place while our mind wanders in exploration. Signing off now, slipping on the sterling silver Claddagh ring of our own, a precious gift. We’re gonna go have a glass of red wine and conquer the world, but you’re much too young for all that.
LLF (love, loyalty, friendship),
Shannon
Owner/founder – seckondhand