mid-year check-in/recap: signed a studio lease… then had 3 surgeries & went to the Amazon jungle

In this episode, I’m sharing something a little more personal — a mid-year reflection on my creative business journey so far in 2025. After signing the lease on my dream studio and planning to scale my workshop business, my health unexpectedly collapsed. What followed was three surgeries, a total pause, and eventually… a trip to the Amazon jungle for a plant-based retreat. 🌿 That time in stillness gave me the clarity I didn’t know I needed — and a new vision for what I’m building now. If you’ve ever questioned whether the path you’re on is your path, or felt pulled between ambition and alignment, this one’s for you. In this episode, I talk about: ✎ The behind-the-scenes of signing a studio lease and crashing straight afterwards ✎ How a cheesemaking friend sparked the idea for my online academy ✎ My Amazon jungle retreat (and what being offline for 3 weeks taught me) ✎ Why I’m moving away from high-volume workshop models ✎ What lights me up most about the Crafts Workshops Academy ✎ How I’m shifting into a season of learning, collaboration, and creating the things I wish existed ✎ Why clarity doesn’t always come from doing more — and what to try instead 📝 Want to go deeper? 📌 Join the Crafts Workshops Academy: craftymariana.com/crafts-workshops-academy 📌 DM me your thoughts or lightbulb moments @craftymariana on Instagram 📌 Join my free community: Crafting Workshops Community on Facebook 📩 Want behind-the-scenes content, resources, and support? Join the newsletter: craftymariana.com/newsletter