In the tapestry of time, this year definitely felt massive. For the world, there has been so much sadness and horror that it almost eclipses any other feelings I’m having right now. As I sit here with thoughts adrift, 2023 stands as one of those monumental chapters—because it's such a big sadness for the world. The deep grief we collectively feel takes me out of the goodness that is closer to me. My emotions today are a muddled mix of feelings. I simultaneously hold the pain of the wars of the world with the good we’re creating at Botnia. 

This year my team and our designers created a new packaging system and relaunched Botnia using joy-filled imagery to bring lightness into your home and spas across the country. I see our new packaging as an antidote to the wasteful consumerist ways of the personal care industry. It’s one small place where I can make an impact with my company. This project took years—in fact as long as I have had Botnia I have dreamt of having actual sustainable packaging. In 2023 we achieved this milestone. When I reflect back on this year I feel proud of my team and personally of my convictions. We invested heavily in this new packaging system, and it felt like growing up this year. We are no longer a mix of compromise when it comes to our exterior. And that feels so good. 

I’m reminded of this quote my daughter's teacher shared with me: "Just turn your head, and you will begin to see the thousand reasons that are just beyond your sight. The reasons why I suggest this is the best time of your life."

For so many reasons this statement rings true to me. It's human to be in pain for other humans and to not look around at what’s immediately around us. For me, it's to see that this is in fact the best time in my life. Getting to create this company from my values, to be the kind of responsible employer that I am, to care for your skin with skincare that I know is as good as it gets is my dream come true—alongside watching my daughter grow up, having the love of my friends and family, and leading a powerful team of people at Botnia that believe in what we are creating together and work daily to make it happen.

So this holiday I hope you will luxuriate in your beautiful sustainable packaging, knowing that in this small way, you too are contributing to small changes that add up for the earth. Every pump you save and bottle you recycle will create less waste and a healthier future for all of us. I also hope that these beautiful plants we make our skincare with are a daily reminder of your beauty and the beauty of the earth, a reminder that we’re not separate from the plants but a part of the ecosystem that can live in synergy with them.

With love,
Justine