One Year In: A Reflection from the Heart
I’ve been staring at this blank page for what feels like forever, wondering: How do I begin this post? What do I even say? Time has a funny way of moving both impossibly fast and incredibly slow. It’s hard to believe, but it’s officially been one whole year since I took the leap and went full-time with my interior design business.
As this anniversary approached, I found myself reflecting—not just on how far I’ve come, but also on everything I haven’t done yet. The goals still sitting on my vision board, the dreams waiting to be checked off. Maybe you can relate? It’s so easy to focus on the gaps instead of the growth. Honestly, I almost let this milestone pass without celebration… until my new intern gently reminded me, “Wait—you have to go all out.”
So here we are. Along with this blog post, we’ve got a few fun surprises up our sleeves to mark the moment. And I’m so grateful she nudged me to pause, reflect, and celebrate—because the truth is, I have come far. I’m not the same person I was a year ago. Not even close.
I didn’t plan what I wanted to write today. I just knew it had to come from the heart. And if I’m being honest, it’s been a wild and unpredictable ride. If you had asked me in January 2024 where I thought I’d be now, I never would’ve said “laid off, freshly moved, and diving headfirst into entrepreneurship.” But life has a way of revealing your path in the most unexpected ways.
People often ask if I miss my corporate job. The answer? Absolutely not. But I do miss the consistency—of paychecks, of routine, of knowing that if you did the work, the rewards would come every two weeks. Still, none of that compares to the freedom I feel now. The stress I carry is mine. The clients I serve are mine. The work I wake up to every day? Mine. And the fact that I’m self-funded and building this from the ground up—that’s something I’ll never take lightly.
My kids are watching, too. Watching what it looks like to chase a dream with grit and grace. Watching what it means to start over, to hustle, to believe in something bigger than fear. That alone makes every hard day worth it.
This past year has been full of learning curves—some gentle, others steep. I’ve learned how to navigate a new state while supporting my children’s emotional needs. I’ve learned how to run a business full-time, how to speak up when boundaries are crossed, and how to pivot when something isn’t working. I’ve learned that not everyone will stay with you on this journey—and that’s okay. I’ve learned the importance of showing up for myself, even on the really, really hard days.
And yes, there have been many. Moments of doubt, tears, second-guessing. But my heart and my gut always return to the same truth: this—all of it—was meant for me. And for that, I wake up grateful every single day.
The last 12 months have taken me on a roller coaster of emotions—from overwhelming anxiety to overwhelming joy. I think about my 17-year-old self looking at me now, almost 40, and whispering, “You got there.”
There’s still so much more I want to do—more projects to complete, more beautiful spaces to design, more dreams to bring to life. But I’ll always look back at this first year with pride. Twenty spaces transformed. Twelve full projects completed. Clients who trusted my vision. A support system—small but mighty—that kept me going.
To my community in this little corner of the internet: thank you. For following along, trusting my recommendations, hiring me as your designer, engaging with my content, and showing love in all the ways you have. I couldn’t have done this without you. Truly.
So here’s to Year One—what a ride it’s been. And here’s to many, many more to come.
Here’s to creating happy spaces,
Rashmi
Chirag
Proud of you.