Lacuna Studio

To the overwhelmed soul, this is for you 🤍

If you needed to hear this, please know that you can be so so proud of where you are and how far you’ve come.

You might be at crossroads, or the in-between of things hoped for but not yet seen, or perhaps not sure where you might be headed next. Still, know that every ‘yes’ you’ve said leading up to this point — they are not small.

You are worthy of celebration; And so is your journey. 🤍

Was so late in creating this post I decided to combine June and July’s! 🤪

And very aptly so — Life has been very eventful now that we’re already halfway round the sun (!?)

It’s so important that we take a step back (especially when we feel least like it), to pause and take a breath. Take stock of how your heart and soul and body is doing.

I’ve come to learn that peace is more so a product of perception than it is a reflection of the circumstances you might be in.💡

Perhaps you could take a few moments while on your daily commute or even in the bathroom, to pause and re-align. 🤍

And if you feel a need to say ‘no’ to that appointment or to take that day off, do it! From someone who took an entire week off in the midst of a very crazy period, your mind, body and heart will thank you later 🍃

You can be gentle with yourself and the way you were wired ✨

I had this thought the other day: The first step we can take to embrace ourselves would be to stop apologising for how we’re made 🤍

It takes so much to muster courage and say no to the nagging voices of doubt and self deprecation - Just wanted to say that you are not alone 🥰

Sending warm hugs as you begin your week!

Give yourself the permission to celebrate yourself and others ✨

I recently came across a beautiful analogy about how each individual could be seen as a unique bouquet: Each with its own mix of flowers, each full of strength, grace, and beauty in its own special right.

It was such a freeing thought for me — I’ve always struggled to fully embrace uniqueness. (If everyone were different, then being unique wouldn’t mean anything anymore?)

But this was a lovely, lovely way to embrace not only others, but ourselves at the same time 🤍

That we might be challenged to look at those whom we deem ‘different’, through kinder eyes;

And at the same time, not put ourseves down/ doubt the value that only we can bring to the table ✨😌

To the ones who find it difficult when you cannot see what’s ahead:

Letting go is a kind and bold thing to do. ♥️

Kind to yourself, because you no longer have to live up to the pressure of knowing. Bold because it goes against our usual way of life, demanding we know our next steps, 10 steps forward.

Taking life by the day and savouring in its moments can sometimes be really liberating; Sometimes it can help one breathe again.

/

I recently took a week-long break off work (and life, really). It was a time of much needed rest, and returning to the simplicity of trusting the process, and finding joy in that.

I can’t wait to share more in due time. Meanwhile, I hope everyone is keeping well. In any case, I am always a pm away 🤍✨

Nat

One doesn’t make light of the other. 🤍

I’ve had this one sitting in my drafts for some time, and how apt a reminder it was for myself today.

I ended the work day on a rather stressful note. I felt I wasn’t grasping certain things I was supposed to know, yet I knew I have been making crazy big strides in this area - Doing things I never imagined I could/ would do, and being a really different person than I was a year ago (in the best way possible).

It might feel a little crazy, but you can feel them conflicting feelings together + fully. 🤍 A single words doesn’t always fully encapsulate what you might be going through internally.

So take a deep breath, you can feel both parts equally — at the same time. 😌🤍

- Nat

I often live in the future:

My mind wondering about where I'll need to be (and have not reached it yet). Or the past – Hyperfocused on what I could have done.

Patience is refining. Until we begin to savour the present moment in its entirety, both the good and bad, we would find ourselves carrying the heavy burden of where we are, and what should have been.

This month, I am learning to trust + enjoy the journey. 🛣

Rose, bud and thorn check-in 🌹

I recently came across this meaningful framework — It helps process your day without it getting too overwhelming.

What is one thing you’re thankful for / liked about today? (rose)

What did you find challenging? (thorn)

What is something you’re looking forward to? (bud)

If you’ve found it hard to slow down and pause, perhaps this might be helpful for you 🤍

Sometimes, a reassuring reminder is all we need. 🤍

The city begins to breathe again, but its mornings need not be hurried. 🌤

A note to self for this month 🤍

It takes intention to cultivate joy, and protect it. Here's a gentle reminder that you are fully worthy of having joy in your life 🥰

This is the cadence that trees take to grow,
that flowers take from bud to bloom;
we can be okay with taking things
a moment at a time.
To ask ‘when will we get there’ less
and instead be a part of its unfolding.
And in it, seek to find beauty.

A simple lesson from the flowers and the trees. 🍃 To let life run its course, and to slowly embrace/ hold the tension of not knowing, fully. When it gets overwhelming, and we only have the capacity to take things a moment at a time, perhaps pausing to be in that moment might just be what we need. 🤍

This is the cadence that trees take to grow,
that flowers take from bud to bloom;
we can be okay with taking things
a moment at a time.
To ask ‘when will we get there’ less
and instead be a part of its unfolding.
And in it, seek to find beauty.

A simple lesson from the flowers and the trees. 🍃 To let life run its course, and to slowly embrace/ hold the tension of not knowing, fully. When it gets overwhelming, and we only have the capacity to take things a moment at a time, perhaps pausing to be in that moment might just be what we need. 🤍

Introducing: A kind thought for every moon 🌙

Inspired by a particular Bruno Major album, where he released a song every month.

Each month I will be sharing a thought that I am walking through myself. A small and simple way towards leaving the world kinder and more beautiful than we first found it. 😌

Always available for convos to navigate these emotional territories together. DM me 🤍

Here's to gathering strength that kindles a little spark of hope. And no matter how small, let its light melt away the fear that so obscures our vision. 🤍

Image: Pinterest; Edits are mine.

The Lacuna Studio Vision

I spent quite some time thinking about what I wanted this new Lacuna to offer, and tried my best to encapsulate it here.

In a world where comparison seems to be the default OS our inner selves are running on, it is important that we learn to embrace ourselves fully - The parts that we like, the parts that we don’t. And be okay with struggling through the parts we don’t. And at the same time to never settle but constantly grow into better versions of ourselves.

All this growing should never limited to this comfortable bubble called ‘me’. Kindness and beauty are best expressed when shared or given away, and I sincerely believe that the gentle thoughts that come through this page can turn into actions that bring the world a little more light. 🤍

A new Lacuna 🍃

Last year, I found myself crazy caught up with the busyness of work. It was necessary to pull those extra-long hours, but so was making time for myself; To pause and take stock of where I am, to breathe and to be.

It’s easy to miss these moments of be-ing, only to regretfully find out much later that I hadn’t savoured them.

Moving forward, this page will be a space to creatively explore what it means to live well. I’m so excited to share content that might inspire hope, strength, and beauty amidst the daily moments of life.

Sending love 🤍
Natasha

A quick sneak of REFLECTIONS, a Mother's Day Collection I've put together with launching TOMORROW

Each piece is written by hand, and arranged with the daintiest light pink hydrangeas in the ever-popular DREAMER float frames.

They come in two desk/ bed-side table friendly sizes, perfect to display at home.

Swipe to the end to take a peek at the titles of the four pieces!

These delightful sail-shaped beauties are still available this Mother's Day. 💌

There is ample space at the back of each A5-sized card for you to pen your personal messages, and they come with a complimentary calligraphed name of your recipient.

Each card is $8, mailing included.

Should you like one (or more) for yourselves, drop me a PM to order 🥰

You don’t write poems, instead they find you. And these words first turn into flesh: They are deeply, and fully felt, only for them to the spurned into language again.

I have found beautiful words for to articulate my poetry writing process. Every piece past and present has been a lovechild of raw and honest emotion, from the stories of others mixed with that of my own.

And with this I am excited to give you a peek at my collaboration with , launching this Saturday, 1pm. 🥰 A series of FOUR hand-calligraphed originals for mom 💓Each piece filled with gratitude, hoping to give language to what you want to express to mom, in the most beautiful way. 😌

I’m delighted to walk you through each of the 4 pieces and share more about the collection over the next few days.

Who’s excited? 🙋🏻‍♀️🥰

AN ODE TO MOTHERS 💐
This piece is about the safe havens that many women - not just mothers - are. The one who comes to mind when a difficult situation arises, the one who makes everything seem a little better and brighter. ✨

These women have immense strength, bearing the tears and burdens of others, in addition to their own.

This poem was written not just with mothers in mind, but also aunts, grandmoms, godmoms - To anyone who is a motherly figure, this piece is for them. 🥰

Each card comes with a complementary calligraphed name for the recipient - Adding a personal touch to this meaningful gift ☺️

Should you like to order this in time for Mother’s Day, please fill up the link in my bio before 4 May 💐

A whole lot of Beauty has just touched the earth 😍 Presenting my first collaboration of 2021 - for Mother's Day! Honestly was so excited the moment Jyrminn shared the photos of her flower arrangements with me. I used her arrangements as inspiration for my two poems penned for our Mother's Day collab.

To purchase the flowers together with the cards, head over to on Instagram.
Should you like to order just the cards, make your purchase via this link https://designbylacuna.cococart.co/

OASIS 🏜
A lovely birthday gift for Evangelyn. I thought it would be fitting to arrange the dried plants in a manner that looked somewhat like an oasis. 😆

Thus the bed of green, and those tall rice plants resembling the silhouettes of palm trees. I do hope these words bring you refreshment - As an oasis would do to the weary, parched sojourner.

This poem also marked a breakthrough in my creative process. It was the first poem penned after being gently nudged to actively read other poets!! 🤩 I am still taking time to put to words all that I am feeling, and will share about this little milestone real soon. 💓

Meanwhile, swipe to read OASIS ✨

Presenting a new means to engage with my poetry 🥰

I realise the photos do not do enough justice to actual poetry. I don’t get to share my process of weaving these words together. They are pieces of art themselves - Even with the other elements (calligraphy, dried flowers) removed. While they may be simple words strung together, they deserve to be appreciated for the time and effort and heart poured into their formation.

Swipe to read the poem and for a moment enjoy it in its purest, text-only form. Swipe again to see what goes on in my head as I craft them 💓

What do you think of this one? 😌

It was sooo good getting to meet with some of you last week. I especially loved listening to your stories and aha moments! In case you missed it, here are some snippets from our time last Friday!
-
Add a 🙋🏻‍♀️ if you’d like to see more of such experiences! ✨

Happy Friday! Here is She, A Mountain for .viv ☺️
-
The frame’s compact size and earthy colours means it fits nicely a desk or bedside table. After all, each piece is meant to be an everyday reminder to encourage and inspire the modern woman. 💓

I got to speak with last month, who had a custom poem gifted to her. This was what she has to say as someone receiving the piece. 🥰

CLING ON
This one, and its mountain themed references celebrates the strength that comes when one walks through difficult situations.
-
Mountain’s ascent
seemingly unsurmountable;
Cling to vertical rock,
rest in its crevices,
pause and remember:
How long you held on,
how far you have come.
-
Penned and calligraphed by hand for dear .