Chapter Twenty-six: Week 26

Design Labours and See you laters

Workday 30/04/2025

Today was a shorter but deeply fulfilling day, shaped by my ongoing efforts to balance my Château responsibilities with university deadlines, specifically my upcoming DPS essay. Managing both worlds has challenged me to become more adaptable and agile, constantly reevaluating priorities while maintaining resilience. To stay grounded, I always set realistic goals for myself each day, ensuring that I can keep momentum without becoming overwhelmed. This approach helped when I learned that our gardener couldn’t make it in.

Rather than delay progress, I adjusted my dress and tackled the physical task of moving all the heavy mulch bags myself. Instead of delaying, I adapted quickly. Though it took longer, it felt rewarding to see steady progress in the garden while also getting a surprising workout in.

Once the outdoor work was complete, I transitioned to a quieter, more reflective design task: reimagining the Mancha bedroom. This space will be used by a member of the Clews family during the upcoming board meeting, making it an important project with high expectations. My challenge was to enhance the room’s comfort and livability while respecting its historical charm and aesthetic integrity. Through careful research and thoughtful decision-making, I curated design choices that balanced heritage with subtle modern elegance. 

Working closely with Nelcy, who trusted me to take the lead, I communicated regularly to ensure the vision aligned with what was truly important. I successfully finalised and ordered everything needed for the transformation, perfectly timed to arrive before the board meeting. I’m proud of how I stepped up to this challenge and used my initiative to bring the project forward.

To close the day, I took a meaningful moment to say “see you later” to Cynthia, one of my favourite artists at the Château. Our conversations are always full of depth, ranging from the layered histories of the Château to potential creative projects we hope to develop together. These exchanges inspire me profoundly, reminding me of the beautiful network of creatives I’ve had the privilege to connect with here. Cynthia’s energy and vision motivate me, and I look forward to the day we’ll work together again.