09/03/2026
Hi my loves. I’ve missed you over the last two months since closed the Iowa City shop, and its been a year since we closed IRL.
I’ve been able to rest – truly rest, including decimating the time I spend on social media – for eight weeks. but you can’t keep a good bitch down and my hands are itching and my brain is tingling. 🍄🙈
I honestly didn’t know how much people loved CIELO until we closed the second store. I wasn’t able to acknowledge the love or feel that I deserved it intrinsically. Those last weeks at the Iowa city store convinced me – and it only took 10 years of constant work and stress, and putting every single thing back into the business to grow it. YOU GUYS showed me with your hugs and stories and support.
I was under the delusion of scarcity. my scramble to protect myself, and build a life for myself all those years, took precedence over everything – including my health and my sanity.
I saw the warning signs years ago as global prices rose and the country started swinging closer to fascism. But I held on, unable to see that I would still be a real girl without CIELO propping up my self-esteem and lifestyle.
I’ve been in recovery for 10 years for alcohol and the gift-no the miracle – has been to slowly learn that it’s OK to let go of the things that we love dearly.
Now here’s the controversial part for some – it was my connection with a god of my understanding that led me to life instead of death.
Catholicism is the holy golden thread of my family on both sides. I returned to the church on my knees- because surrender is what saved me. because humility allows us to reach our brothers and sisters. Because service to the least of us is the greatest form of joy I have ever known. Because my mother held my hand and let me home. 🙏🏼
To be continued…. It’s time to tell my story. I love you dearly. Mónica 🐰🌸💕✨
