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I was rushing toward the bus stop. I misjudged the time it would take for the bodega chef to toast the bagel that accompanied my bacon, egg and cheese. I caught the B43 bus up to Metropolitan Avenue, then waited my turn to catch the L train into Union Square. Unbeknownst to me, that day was going to be different. I was going to have a check-in with the CEO. He was going to tell me that I had been let go.

Instead of retracing my steps on the L train in the evening, I’d catch a noon-day 2 train back to Brooklyn and cry my eyes out beside my best friend while she sat in a salon getting box braids.

Those same gut punch feelings followed me back to California and onto my mother’s couch.

My mental health was out of whack and the pressure of what to do next kept my thoughts from making any progress. The only thing that kept me sane was lighting a candle for five minutes and being by myself. I started to write intentions and eventually landed a job, working to pay off my student loans. The daily intention setting began to bring more joy into my life and led me to start a business: BeSpeak Candle Company.

BeSpeak Candles is meant to give motivation through consistent intention setting. The goal is to light the candle daily and for five minutes, write an intention or perform an act that gives you joy. Through the company I’ve seen people make baby steps and set intentions around spending more time with family, finishing an art project or developing more focus in their daily life.

As a millennial, sometimes I feel as if there is supposed to be this big moment where the money, relationships and opportunities merge and life becomes nirvana. The sobering truth about adulting is that it's just not true. I started my business because I truly believe it is the baby steps that our biggest moves are made of.

As my life changed dramatically, the lighting of candles helped me relax and focus on the bigger picture. Now, through my candles, I encourage others to set daily intentions or purchase a candle for someone who is having a rough time.

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Corinne is the founder of BeSpeak Candle Company LLC, you can find ways to connect with her and her business on her blog, BeSpeakCandles.com

Corinne Bridgewater

Writing since February 2022 · 1 story contributed