Hi Friends,
I hope you are well. If not, I truly hope the changing seasons give you the courage to overcome whatever it is that bothers you. This is my first blog series and it felt like I had some bit of introduction and some bit of life update to share. For me, it has been a time of quiet reflection. I left my main job ( being a full-time product manager) to pursue a new path in my life. To experience life in a completely new city and grow the small business that has been trailing with me for more than two years.
SOSA grew out of my tiny kitchen in my 1 bedroom apartment in Mumbai. It was a very exciting yet very challenging time. The space was small and my dreams were big and I tried to fit them all in a 39 sq mt apartment. My days were filled with commuting to work three days a week, with four hours spent commuting to and from work and home. I personally enjoyed the days when I used to work from home, which meant two hours of extra sleep and a cosy home with beautiful smells ( too many benefits of running a small business from home you see :). After saving money for more than 3 years, I bought my first home with Saurav in Pune. It had a story of its own definitely, but I am glad we took the step of building a home together.
Pune is a beautiful city, and I am head over heels in love with my new space. I have been in the process of shifting the entire small business to Pune city and have been in the process of it for a month now. I still have some open pieces which I am trying to piece together. I personally enjoy the pleasant weather of Pune. It gets nice and cold during the night and days are nice and windy. As we are approaching winter seasons, it means many more cosy days to come with me trying to catch up with winters (FYI the only weather we had in Mumbai was hot and humid :) ) I am sure people from Mumbai can relate. Whilst having my own space is a blessing I do enjoy, I still can't seem to get over how smooth things were in Mumbai. For example, the work etiquette of people, the habit of valuing other people's time and the grit to get things done. Pune is a bit laid back and I do struggle with the laidbackness as Mumbaikar me had everything done in time, without any follow-ups. I am sure I will adapt to it with time.
Winter in India is marked by numerous festivals, starting with Diwali (Festival of Lights) and including Lohri, Makar Sankranti/Pongal, and Christmas. These festivals are celebrated with fervour across the country. The cooler months bring out certain special dishes and ingredients. Gajar ka halwa (carrot dessert), sarson da saag with makki di roti (mustard greens with maize bread), and moong dal halwa are some winter delicacies. Beverages like masala chai (spiced tea) become even more popular. Traditional shawls, especially from regions like Kashmir (known as Pashmina) and Himachal Pradesh, are popular winter wears. Woolen kurtas, sweaters, and jackets become the norm. Especially during the festival of Lohri, bonfires are lit to celebrate the winter solstice and the end of winter. In North India, especially in places with a more pronounced winter, the shedding of leaves from deciduous trees gives an "autumnal" look. The mustard fields in states like Punjab and Haryana bloom in yellow, creating a vibrant winter landscape. Foggy or misty mornings, especially in the northern plains, are a characteristic winter scene. The term "Dilli ki sardi" (Delhi's winter) is often used in pop culture to describe the intense cold of the capital city. Winter is also the preferred season for weddings in many parts of India, leading to a series of celebrations, special songs, and dances. Around Makar Sankranti, kite flying becomes a popular activity in many parts of India, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan. In summary, Winter is a vibe in India :)
I have been thinking of growing our candle collection and introducing three wick-scented candles. Whilst I already have a collection with a single wick candle, a wooden wick candle, I always felt like they did not meet the demands of a larger space. It became more and more evident as I could not smell much of the aroma when I lit my jar candle in my living space. Since I am thinking of large-size candles, which means, they would be lit in larger spaces like the living, dining or patio, it is important to be able to amplify the beautiful everyday moments these spaces create already.
I have had "Whispered Promises" on my mind ever since I started SOSA, as the dining table is where every couple spends their time after a long day at work, promising to love and endure life together no matter how hard life gets. There are also others that I have had in mind which I'd like to discuss briefly.
Winding down after a long day at work, taking a moment to relax and de-stress. Enter "Daily Unwind". Starting the day with a morning routine, aiming for a burst of freshness and motivation. Meet "Dawn's Awakening". A quiet moment with a book, diving into other worlds and stories. Meet Page Turner's Pause.
I have been thinking about the kind of labels I want to create and also deciding on the exact scents that would make these moments a living reality. I had been ruminating on piling my thoughts on my blog for far too long, but I am glad that I decided to start writing today as I finished chopping my bhaji for dinner. It's about 22:31 as I type the next words, and I am genuinely happy and relieved that I finally did it.
That's all for now, and we will have a catchup again soon. Until then, I am going back and finishing cooking my dinner and calling it a day. https://www.youtube.com/@sosacandles9321/ is my YouTube channel for anyone who wants to stay updated with my small business journey. Do like, subscribe and share your love, it means the world to me. Also, if you do use IG, feel free to connect with me @sonalasahani and @sosacandles. Lots of Love and Gratitude,
Sonal.