Planetary Parade and Thoughts on Spring from Wallace, Nova Scotia

Some nights, like tonight, when the air is clear and the sky stretches wide, we get a front-row seat to celestial wonders—a planet parade, where the heavens line up in a rare cosmic dance. These alignments are fleeting, but they remind us that everything moves in cycles. That shift is always coming.  And that unity is possible.

Spring is its own kind of alignment. It arrives in fits and starts, winter hanging on with a stubborn grip before finally loosening its hold. This season of renewal is when I feel the stirrings of movement in my small business too—shaking off the slower days of winter and stepping into the momentum of change. The customers return, new ideas take shape, and the creative energy that felt sluggish in February suddenly feels possible again.

But this year, there’s a different kind of shift in the air. Not just the predictable turning of seasons, but an undercurrent of uncertainty. Talk of impending tariffs and economic fluctuations looms like heavy clouds on an otherwise hopeful horizon. For a small business like mine, which thrives on sourcing vintage and unique finds, these changes could mean higher costs, lack of customers, and a market that’s harder than usual to navigate.

It’s easy to wait for a shift to happen, to look for signs that the tide is turning in our favour. But what if we didn’t just wait? What if we chose to be the shift?

I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. The temptation to brace for impact, to play it safe, is strong. But playing it safe has never been what drew me to this business in the first place. I started because I wanted to carve out a space that felt different—where creativity, authenticity, and a deep love for craftsmanship mattered more than mass-produced trends.

So, instead of waiting for the market to dictate my next move, I’m leaning into what makes my business unique. I’m doubling down on storytelling—showcasing the history behind each piece, connecting with customers in a way that algorithms and big-box retailers simply can’t. I’m exploring new ways to offer value beyond just selling items: sharing knowledge, fostering community, and creating an experience that people want to return to, tariffs or not.

Spring is the season of reinvention. If the economy is shifting, if the retail landscape is changing, then let’s meet it with our own momentum. Let’s be the ones who decide what comes next.

Maybe you’ve been feeling that same itch, whether in your own business, creative pursuits, or personal life. The sense that something’s got to give, that you’re ready to move but unsure where to start. Maybe this is your invitation to go first—to take the risk, to try something different, to trust that even in uncertainty, forward is still the best direction.

Just like the planet parade tonight, everything moves in cycles. And when you choose to be the shift, you’re not just watching the stars or planets align—you’re aligning yourself with something bigger. You’re part of the movement.

So here’s to stepping into spring, not waiting, but leading. The shift is happening, and we’re already in motion and I can’t wait to see where we land.