Hello, and welcome.
My name is Ember, and this is my corner of Homegrown and Handwritten.
I’m an extroverted adult who feels most like myself dressed in black, writing from the heart of Georgia. This space exists because I needed somewhere to place my thoughts — somewhere they could rest without judgment, pressure, or expectation. Somewhere quiet, intentional, and safe.
This blog began as a way to grow closer to my mom through a shared project, even though we don’t live in the same place. Connection matters deeply to me, and I believe there’s something powerful about creating alongside someone you love. While this blog is a shared home, what you’ll find here from me is personal: reflections on everyday life, moments that linger, lessons that arrive quietly, and the occasional book review when a story feels like it deserves a conversation.
I want to be honest here — especially about mental health. There is still so much stigma around it, and too often people feel like they have to carry their inner world alone. I don’t believe that helps anyone. I believe honesty, when handled gently, can be healing. My hope is to talk about mental health in a way that feels supportive and human — never heavy, never sensationalized, just real.
If you’re reading this and feeling tired, uncertain, or like your dreams are farther away than you expected, I want you to know this: you are not alone. And you are allowed to keep going. You are allowed to imagine more for yourself. Sometimes encouragement doesn’t come as a loud declaration — sometimes it’s a quiet voice reminding you that tomorrow is still worth showing up for.
When I think of “cozy,” I picture sitting in a comfortable chair beside a fire, a good book in hand, a mug of hot chocolate nearby. That’s the feeling I want this space to hold. A place you can return to when the world feels loud. A place that doesn’t rush you or ask you to be anything other than present.
This blog is written like a journal because that’s how life often feels to me — a collection of thoughts, moments, and meanings stitched together over time. Some days will be reflective, some creative, some simple. All of them will be written with care.
If you’re open-minded, curious, and willing to sit with your thoughts for a while, I hope you’ll stay. I hope you’ll find something here that makes you feel a little less alone, a little more encouraged, and maybe even brave enough to reach for something you’ve been holding quietly in your heart.
Thank you for being here.
— Ember
