The Courage to Create: How Hard Things Shape Who We Are

Our First Apartment in Vence, France.

When my husband, Marko, and I moved to the south of France for his work, I found myself far from home, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to rebuild my life. It was difficult to leave behind everything familiar and start over in a place where I didn’t know anyone and didn’t speak the language fluently.

Our adventures didn’t stop there and Marko’s work took us to Switzerland, New Jersey, and Amsterdam, each move brought its own challenges, and although extremely difficult, I leaned on the arts to build friendships and create a sense of belonging ... and boy did I ever lean ... like backwards and forwards ...

Why Doing Hard Things Matters:

My journey has taught me that tackling tough challenges leads to growth and transformation. Here’s why doing hard things is so important:

Celebrating our First Year at Studio Mooi.

1. Hard Things Build Resilience: Challenges teach us to adapt and grow. Starting over in unfamiliar places taught me to embrace difficulties and find strength.

2. They Spark Creativity: Tough situations push us to think differently. My crafting journey began as a way to connect, but it evolved into a career I love.

3. Hard Things Foster Connection: Challenges often bring people together. The communities I’ve created through art have led to lifelong friendships.

Getting ready to open our doors in 2022.

4. They Build Confidence: Every obstacle I overcame boosted my belief in myself. Moving from one country to the next and building a life in each one proved I could handle whatever came my way.

5. They Open New Doors: By embracing challenges, I discovered my purpose, which ultimately led to Studio Mooi.

Your Next Challenge Awaits

We all face challenges, big and small. Lean into them. Whether you’re learning a new skill or chasing a dream, hard things often lead to the most rewarding outcomes. In our studio, you remind us everyday. Creativity isn’t some elusive gift that only a few possess. It’s about taking risks, learning to pivot, and saying yes to doing hard things. It’s a skill we all have the potential to unlock when we embrace challenges and let ourselves try.

Our" We Can Do Hard Things" light reminds us everyday at the studio not to give up.

At Studio Mooi, I see this transformation every day as people try new crafts, meet new friends, and discover joy through creativity. During workshops we get to witness risk-taking and aha moments, and all because WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!

xo Tanya