A Cushion Full of Wisdom: Lessons on Fear, Growth, and Freedom

A Small Reminder of a Big Creative Journey

Sometimes the smallest thing reminds you of the incredible journey you’ve been on.

This morning, lounging in bed with a new book — Creatrix: She Who Creates by Lucy Pearce — I glanced up at the beautiful, colourful cushion in front of me. And just like one of those scenes in a film where life flashes before your eyes, everything about my journey replayed in my mind.

It's a tangible reminder of how far I've come — and how I overcame fear to live the life I once dreamed of.

A Dream Left Waiting

A few years ago, the dream of turning my art prints into cushions started dancing in my mind. I dabbled — researching suppliers, sourcing ethical materials, playing with costings. I even had a sample made with an amazing company... but that cushion did nothing more than sit prettily among the others on my bed.

A quiet, colourful reminder of a dream not yet realised.

Wintering, Reflection, and Unmasking

This past winter, I entered a season of deep wintering — slowing down, stepping back from The Wild Goddess, and simply allowing myself to be.

During that time, I started seeing myself more clearly.

I realised that even though I had been showing up through my podcast, YouTube, and offerings, there was still a veil between me and the world. I was still hiding, still worrying:
"Would people get me?"
"Would I be judged?"
"Was I too much or not enough?"

But winter showed me a deeper truth:
There will always be people who don't understand you — and that’s perfectly okay.

Circling Back to the Dream — This Time, with Courage

With this new clarity, I circled back to the cushion dream — but this time, I approached it differently.

I selected four of my favourite and best-selling designs and had them made into beautiful, high-quality cushions.

When they arrived and I held them in my hands, it was pure magic.
But then came the real challenge:
Could I be brave enough to share them with the world?

When Fear Creeps Back In

With the help (and creative photography genius) of my sister, we created beautiful shots of the cushions, ready for the shop. I had everything prepared — photos, descriptions, pricing strategy — everything.

And yet, as I sat at my laptop, fear crept back in like an uninvited guest.
The old doubts resurfaced:
"Who would pay that for a cushion?"
"Why would anyone pay me?"
"I'm not a fancy designer with a swanky studio!"

I froze. Days passed.

Choosing to Consult the Goddess Instead of Fear

But this time, I didn't let fear win.
I turned to the Goddess.

I sat in meditation and visualised the cushions being joyfully received by those who would love them.
I visualised myself stepping into my full creative power.

Nyx, the Goddess of the Night, stepped forward powerfully.
She reminded me:

• It’s not about pricing.

• It’s not about credentials.

• It’s not about other people’s opinions.

It’s about soul. It’s about trust. It’s about showing myself that I am good enough.

It was about breaking free from another link in the chain of fear that had kept me small.

Breaking Chains and Crying Waves

Trembling but determined, I uploaded the cushions onto my Etsy and my website.

And then I cried.

Not out of sadness — but from the sheer release of it all.
The years of shame, fear, doubt — crashing out of me like wave after wave.
(Cue Mr. Probz "Waves" if you know, you know!)

A Cushion Full of Courage, Freedom, and Growth

Now, as I sit here looking at that cushion sitting proudly on my bed, it feels like a lighthouse beaming a truth straight into my heart:

✨ I can push myself out of my comfort zone.
✨ I can expand into discomfort and trust my creative journey.
✨ I can overcome fear, again and again.

Running a product-based business (Kayleigh Marie Designs) for the past five years has taught me:
There’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like your work — and that’s okay.

Because the truth is:
My value isn’t in a sale.
My worth isn’t in approval.
My magic lives in my soul.
(And yours does too.)

You never have to prove yourself to the world.
You just have to create because it brings you joy — whether it's for your soul or for your business.

Looking Back, Leaping Forward

Six years ago, if you’d told me I’d be running a creative business with nearly 6,000 sales — plus a second goddess-centred business sharing folklore and mythology — I would have laughed you out of the room.

Back then, sitting at a 9-5 desk job that dimmed my light, creativity and freedom felt like a lifetime away.

But through following the Goddess, grounding into my spiritual path, and learning to overcome fear, I leapt — again and again.

And with every leap, I've become softer yet wilder, more empathetic yet fiercer in my truth.

Two Businesses, One Soul Journey

Although The Wild Goddess and Kayleigh Marie Designs are technically separate, they are intertwined by the same thread:

Both are expressions of my soul.
Both teach me to expand beyond fear and into freedom.

And yes — maybe it’s a lot of wisdom for one cushion to hold... but hey, who am I to judge? 😉

Your Reminder Today

If you needed a little reminder today:
Feel the fear — and do it anyway.

You have so much to gain and nothing real to lose.

Find something — a photo, a quote, an object — that symbolises a time you pushed through fear.
And when life gets heavy, when you feel small or scared — look at it.

You are courageous.
You are powerful.
You have overcome before — and you will overcome again.