Best Candles for Working From Home

The coffee is still hot.

For a little while, at least.

I settle into my chair, open my laptop, and take a look at the day's list. There are emails to answer, ideas to explore, fragrances to test, and plans to make.

Working from home is a privilege.

But I've also learned that it requires a different kind of accountability. There is no commute to start the day. No office full of coworkers. No one looking over your shoulder to make sure the work gets done.

At this stage of life, with my children grown and living their own busy lives, the quiet can feel very different than it once did.

When Bo leaves for work in the morning, the house becomes still.

Years ago, my days were filled with school schedules, activities, homework, meals, and the constant motion of raising a family. Today, much of that has changed.

In many ways, building Leveiza has become my therapy.

It gives purpose to my mornings and structure to my days. It keeps me learning, creating, and moving forward. Alongside Leveiza, I've begun working on a new collection of handmade amigurumi toys called Levie's Loveys, inspired by the grandchildren who have brought so much joy to our lives.

The work is different now, but the feeling is familiar.

I still enjoy building something meaningful.

The only difference is that much of the work happens alone.

That's why I appreciate the small things that help create an atmosphere for focus. A cup of coffee. A quiet room. A familiar fragrance in the background.

For me, that's often when I reach for Aspire, Create, or Learn.

They don't do the work for me.

But they help signal that it's time to begin.

Aspire

Aspire is the scent I reach for most often when I'm working on Leveiza.

Whether I'm answering emails, planning future collections, testing fragrances, or tackling a long list of tasks, Aspire helps create an environment that feels focused and productive.

It's the scent I reach for when the work deserves my full attention.

Create

Not every productive day looks the same.

Some days are about checking things off a list.

Others are about making something new.

Create is the scent I reach for when inspiration turns into action. Whether I'm working on a project for Leveiza or making handmade toys for my grandchildren, it's the scent that accompanies the creative process.

It's a reminder that ideas become meaningful when we take the first step toward bringing them to life.

Learn

Not every productive hour is spent creating.

Sometimes it's spent learning.

Reading about candle making. Researching ingredients. Exploring a new technique. Solving a problem.

Curiosity has always been one of the most important parts of building something from scratch.

Learn creates a calm atmosphere that supports concentration, helping me stay present with the task at hand.

Creating a Space That Supports Focus

Working from home isn't always perfect.

The laundry still needs folding.

The dishes still need washing.

Life continues around us.

But creating a space that supports focus can help us show up more intentionally for the work we have to do.

The goal isn't perfection.

It's creating an environment that helps us begin.

And sometimes, that's all we need.