With a Heavy Heart, I Write...

Today, I write my very first blog of the month — and I write it with a heavy heart. If I’m being honest, I’ve been putting this off. Not because I didn’t want to write, but because I didn’t know how to put everything I’ve been feeling into words.

The last two weeks have felt… heavy. Not just for me, but for so many around me. There’s something in the air lately — fear, uncertainty, exhaustion. And it has quietly crept into my mind and spirit too.

At the beginning of this year — 2025 — I felt fired up. I had big goals. Clear intentions. I wanted to make this the year of even more impact. I wanted to do more for others. Be more present. Expand the reach of Namaste Brows and Boutique. Uplift the women we support in Nepal. I had a vision for growth — not just in sales or numbers, but in meaning. In connection. But somewhere between the storms of life and the quiet struggles that don’t make it to Instagram, it’s felt like I’ve been standing in deep water — still determined, still holding on — but deeply tired.

People often ask — sometimes casually, sometimes seriously “Will you keep your shop open?” And I smile. Sometimes I even laugh. But deep down, those words linger longer than I want them to. They echo in my mind when I lock up at night, when the shop is quiet, and when I wonder if all of this is sustainable.

It’s not a joke to me. It’s my life. My purpose. My healing.

This boutique isn’t just a business. Namaste Brows and Boutique is my heart space. It’s the physical reflection of the journey I’ve walked — the healing I’ve done, the risks I’ve taken, and the people who have poured into me when I had nothing to give. It’s the space where I help people feel beautiful on the outside… while silently praying they know their inner beauty too.

It’s the place where women walk in carrying the weight of the world, and for a moment, I hope they feel lighter.

But the truth is — and I say this with honesty and love — some days I need someone to carry me too. I’m a business owner, yes. But I’m also a mother. A woman. A survivor. A dreamer. A mentor. A provider. A human being. And lately, it feels like I’ve been carrying not just my own emotions, but the weight of others too — my customers’ fears about money, my community’s anxiety about the world, my family's silent hopes that I’ll be okay.

As entrepreneurs, we’re often expected to hold it all together. To smile. To serve. To pour.

But rarely do people ask us: “Who’s holding you?” “Are you okay?” “What do you need today?”

The shop has been quieter than usual lately. Fewer people have walked through the doors. And I find myself making excuses “Maybe they’re enjoying the sunshine.” “Maybe they’re traveling for spring break.” “Maybe they’ll come next week.”

But the truth is, I know people are being cautious with their money, their time, their energy. The world feels uncertain. And so does retail. Especially for small businesses like mine.

And yet, here I am. Still showing up. Still keeping the candles lit. Still rearranging displays. Still telling myself that this space matters because it does.

Namaste Brows and Boutique was never just about selling things. It’s about creating meaning. It’s about reminding women and men, whether here in Roseville or across the ocean in Nepal that they matter. That their stories are worthy. That beauty is not just in what we wear, but in who we are.

So even on the slow days, even when the questions feel heavy, even when I cry in between customers. I choose to believe in this space. And I choose to keep it alive. Because this boutique has been a lifeline for others. And it has been one for me, too.

So, if you’re reading this and you’re someone who’s supported me with a purchase, with a kind word, with a silent prayer thank you. Truly. You’ve helped me more than you know.

And if you’re someone who’s struggling right now, let me say: You are not alone. Your feelings are valid. You don’t have to carry it all.

Sometimes, just showing up is enough. And today, I’m proud of myself for showing up — not just in the shop, but here, in this blog. With honesty. With truth. With heart.

With love,

Jeena Gurung Vomhof

Namaste Brows and Boutique