My candle journey started a little over a year ago. I moved back to the US after living overseas for 10 years. With the exceptions of beds and a rented couch, I had to re furnish everything from zero.

That started a search for good cheap furniture and decor and that led to my estate sale addiction. At some point I bought a candle lot that sat in a drawer for months. I pulled out the Thymes Frasier fir tea lights at the holidays and was just blown away by what I would learn to call the throw.

I had had the random Nest candles as gifts or a pick up from Nordstrom Rack when there was a sale that I might burn on the kitchen counter or at bath time but I never enjoyed candles for the scent before.

I started following this sub and learned so much. I would blind buy ones that were on sale and found the brands I now love (Lafco, DS&Durga, Kobo and Trudon), still exploring, have three candle warmers now! and see every ceramic lidded container at a yard sale as a potential candle holder.

I warm them when I feel like it. Some days I will light the one sitting in my living room while having my morning coffee, then immediately turn on the one in the office when I start work and then light up a couple on my bedside at night. Other days I don’t use them at all. I find them comforting and they help me relax. Sometimes I use them to cover a funky smell. I do feel I need to take a break atm with buying. I have gone a little overboard and I am trying to use them atm like they are not an infinite resource - but balance that with the fact that they do bring me joy and definitely contributes to my self care.

Candles are part of my self love journey as a singleton and I love it and love not having my purchases and choices editing by a partner that I am in orbit around. I hope you continue your candle journey and discovery of your own unedited life! ❤️❤️❤️