You know, I was going to do a wedding feature this week. Then, I was going to write about what sets us apart from the competition. And (yup, you guessed it), that is not what I’m writing about this week. No, no. This week, I’m sharing lessons learned from a year in flowers. I’m writing this as much for myself as I am for you. So, if you’re here-thank you for reading.

Before We Begin…

Before I dive in, I want to say-all of these lessons are real, they’re genuine. They may or may not apply to the floral design world, or the wedding world. You may or may not take away some nugget of inspiration. What this is NOT? It’s not meant to replace your own intuition. It may not apply to you or your business. It’s not intended to be an advice column. It’s one gal taking a few hours on a Wednesday evening to reflect on lived experiences in 2025.

Lesson No. 1: Trust Your Instincts

As a woman, I feel this is even more important. I’ve always been a people-pleaser, I hate to say the word “No.” I strive to find solutions and anticipate problems before they even arise. However, this past year, I found myself constantly doubting my inner voice, my SELF.

This happens in business and in the real world when you are constantly and consistently told what you should do, how you should act, how you should design, how you run your books, how you dress, how you wear your hair. Whether or not we realize it, we are subconsciously internalizing the steady and unending stream of media, news, TikTok, reels, trends, and algorithms. Our lives have become less ours, and more disconnected from the self, perhaps more than ever. And if you’re not careful, it will slowly chip away at your self-confidence, your self-esteem, and all of the things that make you unique.

We have one life, one shot at this. My first lesson learned is to trust your gut instinct. If a client is sending up red flags, listen to them. If a loved one’s behavior has become (or always has been) toxic, distance yourself. If you need to take a risk creatively, take the damn risk.

Lesson No. 2: There’s Room at the Table for Everyone

We recently moved (more on that another time), and as such, I’ve been navigating the trials and tribulations of starting my business in a new service area. It’s challenging, but I look at it as an opportunity to set down new roots, to start afresh, to turn the page.

As in any job or industry, when you’re the newbie, you get noticed (whether you want to be or not). For the most part, everyone I’ve talked to in the wedding industry here has been welcoming and kind. They’ve offered to meet up for drinks or bring me to a networking event.

However, I did have the experience of a colleague in the industry essentially marking their territory. I kindly, but firmly, told them that I offer an elevated, boutique experience and that I’m an established business in the northeast simply expanding my services to a new demographic. There is room for all of us. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry, and there truly is a florist for everyone. Once you start looking at it that way, competitors become collaborators, and everyone benefits.

Lesson No. 3: Credit Where Credit is Due

As a luxury floral designer, I find myself comparing my designs and practices to others. And I don’t think this is necessarily always a bad thing. When I was a skier, some of the best advice I ever received was to ski with people who are better than me, because it’s the only way I’ll actually improve. I wasn’t copying their technique, but rather watching and learning, and then doing it my way.

I think the same thing applies as a florist and business owner. The only way we can truly improve is by asking good questions of those colleagues we admire, the ones who inspire us. Maybe they’ll completely ignore you, but maybe not. And worst case scenario, you can study their work. Artists study the work of famous artists to learn their techniques, understand their craft, and to then find inspiration in their own lives. What they don’t (or shouldn’t) do? Copy their work and spin it off as their own.

It’s been said that “plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery.” Personally, I think that’s a cop-out. I think it’s a way for folks to justify essentially stealing someone else’s intellectual property. This has happened not only to me, but to a few other florist friends I know, and it seems to be happening more and more. Let’s just agree to not do that, okay?

Be inspired? Absolutely. Copy a fellow florist’s work? Not trending in 2026.

Lesson No. 4: Own It

Similar to Mel Robbins “Let Them” message, here is Emma Murray’s “Own It.” There, I called it. It’s mine. Anyways, this is a biggie.

Too often, we blame people/things/situations for the way that we feel or how we react. To that I say, own it. Own your emotions, own your reactions, own your work. No one else is responsible for our joy, our sadness, our anger. People are flawed. They will do things you don’t agree with. They will say things that cause you to feel enraged. You don’t have control over that. What you do have control over is how you react.

Have you noticed that Threads, while an entertaining and sometimes helpful way of networking, is essentially a constant stream of rage bait? I found myself more than once responding to a Thread I felt emotional about, but I’ve started just scrolling past if I don’t agree or if something is upsetting. This isn’t to avoid feeling things. I’m owning my reaction, my perspective, and my truth. It’s not the original poster’s reaction, perspective, or truth, and we should all be so grateful for that.

Own it.

Lesson No. 5: Don’t Make Assumptions

Have you read “The Four Agreements” by don Miguel Ruiz? If you read one book in your entire lifetime, it should be that one.

One of the four agreements you must make with yourself to stop manifesting beliefs that “rob us of our joy,” is (drum roll please): Don’t make assumptions. When you assume what someone is doing or thinking, you send your anxiety into overdrive. “Why haven’t they emailed me back? They obviously think I’m a terrible person.” Nope. But they did spend the day in the ER, so emailing likely wasn’t a top priority. “Why am I not booking as many weddings as I want to in 2026? I’m obviously not talented enough.” Also, nope. I won’t go down this rabbit hole right now, but we are essentially not in control of anything, including forcing couples to book us.

I truly believe that there is a reason behind every turn, every change, every experience, and every person who walks into our lives. Once we stop making assumptions, we see that things fall into place when and how they should. And that gets me through the doldrums and the low days. I hope it helps you too!

Bonus Lessons

• Mistakes aren’t failures. They’re lessons. Every mistake teaches you something, whether it’s about timing, sourcing, or trusting your instincts.
• Practice over perfection. Wabi sabi. Whatever you want to call it. In a world of AI, people are valuing truth and realness over perfection.
• Celebrate small wins.

This was definitely a digression from my normal blogs, but I felt totally drawn to just expressing myself in a more raw way. Maybe it’ll resonate, maybe it won’t. All I know, is living in your truth and expressing yourself is the only way to truly expand and grow.