We recently connected with Stacey Darling and have shared our conversation below.

Stacey , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Between 2020 and 2021, when the pandemic forced school and business shutdowns, I was an isolated stay-at-home mom with four little boys to care for, ranging in age from 7 years to 7 months. My husband was deemed an essential worker, so I was home most days by myself, and to say that I was struggling would be an understatement.

I had a 2nd grader and a Kindergartner who were participating in online schooling and needed my almost constant attention and assistance, while I also had a baby on my hip and an almost three-year-old to tend to.

My anxiety intensified from moderate to severe, to the point that I was experiencing debilitating panic attacks almost every morning. I endured weeks and eventually months of depression that I could not escape from. Despite my private mental health struggles, I was committed to taking care of my family every day while silently suffering internally.

It was also during this time, I felt like I had lost my ability to create. When I picked up a brush, I would be overcome with emotional paralysis, freeze, and retreat. Having never experienced this before, it resulted in me putting away my art supplies and giving up on the idea that I would be able to create art again.

Eventually, by the grace of God, virtual friends of mine recognized that I was struggling and that I needed immediate help. Their concern and intervention led me to connect with a trauma-informed coach. My time with her provided me with the opportunity to address past and present traumas. Additionally, she equipped me with the necessary tools and support to ensure that my mental, emotional and spiritual well-being remained a priority. Not to sound cliché, but she changed the course of my life.

It was during the healing process where I discovered I was able to express my testimony, emotions, and healing journey on canvas. I found that in the combination of healing and art, I could expel all the things I had internalized that were keeping me from being my true authentic self, thriving as opposed to simply surviving.

I endearingly refer to these specific works of art as “my girls” as they represent different times in my life or different parts of me. This ongoing series will always be the most meaningful form of creative expression for me because, in a sense, it saved my life.

Stacey , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

I am the owner and professional decorative furniture and canvas artist behind Renewed Spirit Home, LLC. I am also the proud and busy boy mom of four amazing boys.

If you ask me how I got here, creating decorative furniture and original works of hand-painted canvas art with four little boys in tow, I will recite Proverbs 19:21 as it best describes my journey.

Having taught special education for almost 15 years with two Master’s Degrees under my belt, I was well on my way to meeting my career goal of becoming a school administrator.

Unbeknownst to me, God had other plans for my life.

As soon as my first son, Elijah, was born, my husband and I felt the nudge from the Lord to make some drastic changes. The decision was made that I would leave my career as an educator to stay at home full time.

The Lord’s ways are certainly mysterious and in His perfect plan, He had me stumble upon this passion for transforming vintage and antique furniture into beautiful, functional pieces and creating original works of art for your home.

We now have four sons, Elijah, Jeremiah, Josiah and Caleb. My children are my motivation and my inspiration, and my husband has my heart. My love for them ignites my creativity and my drive.

Out of the many hats I wear, being a self-taught artist and creative is one of my favorites. I create art from my heart, perspective, and personal experiences. I try to be as authentic, transparent, and genuine as possible as I feel the best way to touch people is with our truth and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable.

I am greatly inspired by transformation, healing, emotions, nature, history, love, architecture, cultures, literature, poetry, and artists who forged a path for me both historically and in present time.

When it comes to my furniture and art, my heart’s desire is to paint the world beautiful, one piece at a time. I love the idea of my art bringing peace, comfort, and beauty into your home. For this reason, each piece is lovingly and sometimes painstakingly transformed and given a new life, a renewed spirit.

Renewed Spirit Home is a reflection of what is in my heart and my obedience to the Lord’s command, “Let everything you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I’ve had to do a lot of mindset work around my choices to stay home to raise my children, opting not to go back to work as an educator, deciding to pursue a creative path rather than a traditional occupation. Every single day, I am learning and unlearning varying mindsets that are either propelling me forward or keeping me shackled.

Like many of us, I am a work in progress. I think one of the biggest hurdles for me has been recognizing and accepting that I have worth, regardless of what season I am in.

So much of my worth was wrapped up in my career before I had my children, at which point it shifted to motherhood. Being a stay-at-home mom really challenged my perception of what made me worthy. I internally struggled for many years after the transition from working outside the home to staying home full time. I went from making excellent money, being a financial contributor while stacking up degrees and accolades to not making any money, depending solely on my husband for financial stability and spending most days alone with my baby and my thoughts.

My mindset is much healthier now, recognizing that my worth is not tied to external or material things. I’ve also created a niche for myself where I can be both a present mother and a professional artist, contributing not only financially but to the well-being of my family.

I’m really proud of my journey and the encompassing lessons along the way.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

It wasn’t until midway through the pandemic that I began to address the unhealed traumas I had experienced throughout the course of my life. And if I’m being honest, it wasn’t because I wanted to or felt compelled to, it was because I had to in order to save my life.

Prior to doing the internal and external work required to regulate my nervous system and heal from stored traumas, I battled ferocious bouts of anxiety and depression, including intrusive thoughts which eventually led to passive suicidal ideation.

I shared earlier that during the pandemic, I was losing the daily battles with my mental health. What scared me the most was the repetitive, intrusive thought that my husband and boys deserved better and that it would be best for them if I was no longer here. I had no idea where that thought came from, but it went from a passing thought that I could brush off as ridiculous to a part of my belief system in a very short time. I was locked onto this idea and it terrified me.

I worked especially hard at keeping these thoughts hidden out of shame, embarrassment and fear. In turn, this resulted in me withdrawing and feeling incredibly isolated and alone. My husband, a very kind, patient, empathetic man, did his best to support me, but in truth, I didn’t allow him in very much. He had no idea the gravity of what I was going through.

It was after a long day of internal torment that I reached out to a friend and shared what I was going through. I am forever grateful that that was enough for her to spring into action, rallying a support system around me and connecting me with the resources I so desperately needed.

When I look back at this time, a time when I not only gave up art but was preparing to give up my life, my heart aches. I have worked incredibly hard to get to this place where I am sharing my story of resilience without feeling shame, guilt, or embarrassment.

My art continues to evolve with me. I find that since experiencing such a dark vulnerable time in my life and having the resilience and determination to come out of it stronger, wiser, healthier and happier, I pour a lot more of myself into my works, each one now reflecting and sharing a piece of my journey and my heart.

My hope is that by sharing my story, whether through my art or my words, it has a ripple effect, reaching anyone who might need a reminder of just how worthy, precious and loved they are.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.linktr.ee/renewedspirithome
• Instagram: Instagram.com/renewedspirithome
• Facebook: Facebook.com/renewedspirithome
• Youtube: https://bit.ly/StaceyDarlingYouTube