THANK YOU ! MERCI ! 謝謝 ！

I am not a blogger although I think about blogging all the time to spill my brains. Then I think of how, what, why and worry if it’ll be too depressing, too aggressive, too offensive, too this or too that, that I end up not blogging at all… Ugh. *roll eyes* My story of 2019 since moving to a new continent.

So now I’m chugging a hot cocoa, wolfing down chocolate cake and popping chocolate pills (just kidding, no such thing! Just chocolate from my recent anniversary gift) at 10am. It’s helping so far …

It’s been dead silent at Pillowbook. I’ve been troubled of not having anything to say nor new content to show. Just before launching two new collection, I pulled back in fear and fell deep into my own trap, aka depression, yet again. Now I don’t want this post to be about that D word but to put the spotlight on how AH-MAZING the community of Pillowbook are.

All you ladies and lovers with such beautiful souls that reached out asking if I’m doing ok, sending positive vibes, and sharing your perspective. You are so patient in waiting for the new collection and even more so forgiving that it’s taking forever to drop. (I promise, it WILL happen) What is so incredible is how you all are so understanding when I float in and out of activity as I deal with motherhood, cross continental move, mental instability and costume jobs that pay all the bills. As the French love to say, C’est la vie! I can’t even count how many times I wanted to throw in the towel for this brand but something keeps pulling me back. It must be you all and I owe you so much gratitude.

You know what the best part of all this is? I see that all this patience and understanding stems from a strong community that supports slow fashion. There is no pressure for me to create new collections every year. (Did you know that fast fashion releases 16 collections a year. Some even more! Euw! Imagine all that waste…) There is no pressure for me to fulfill an order immediately because we are not talking quantity + instant gratification = speedy journey to the landfill. We are having meaningful conversations about quality + nurtured appreciation/gratitude = longevity.

You know Greta Thunberg? She is THE wonder girl of our time. (if you don’t know her, google her! Here, I did it for you- click here) I’ve listened to a lot of her speeches lately and admire all those students that took a stand in the recent climate strike. For months, it made me worry if what I’m doing is just adding to the problem/landfill. What’s the point of pretty lingerie when we should be panicking about the 6th mass extinction and our children’s future is at stake? I felt guilty at times…sometimes ashamed to continue. Then you lovers knock on my door, checked up on me and reminded me of everything important that I tend to forget when I’m drowning in self-pity. (Euw me! I can be really pathetic sometimes. Only human.)

A lot of you spend time and effort to save up for a purchase. A lot of you share how each piece is treasured with great care and not something that is worn a few times and carelessly disposed of. A lot of you share the positive effect it has on your cultural identity/discovery. A lot of you share the unique vision you appreciate in the brand. A lot of you share your values in supporting independent designers or greener life style by purchasing from Pillowbook. All of you invested time and thought to customize your colors. There *really are* so many details that make up the brands DNA that are precious and worth keeping around! I created Pillowbook with a vision to change how and why we shop to align ourselves with a more environmentally friendly attitude. Even if it’s one person at a time, or one dudou at a time, I can not, I repeat- can not, give up.

Thank you all, my ladies and lovers, for keeping me focus.

Like. Srsly. Thank you. THANK. YOU. and YOU … and YOU… and yes YOU TOO ! … yeah, I’m looking at you also :)

LOVE,

Irene from PILLOWBOOK

PS. I binged on the TV series “6 Feet Under” and I recommend it to anyone who has thoughts of taking the easiest way out.

PPS. I also highly recommend reading “Furiously Happy” by Jenny Lawson for anyone who struggles with anxiety, depression, and few other mental illnesses. I laughed so hard throughout the entire book and will read it again and again and again. If you’re also curious about my strange sense of humor… this is the book.

PPPS. I don’t know what to do with this sugar-high. Write another brain vomit post ?