Closing One Chapter, Choosing Kindness

It’s Sunday, and I close a chapter of my life.

I waited until now to write this because I wanted these words to come from honesty, not hurt.

Two and a half years ago, I started a job I genuinely loved. Caring for pets and supporting the people who adored them brought me real joy. I’ll always be grateful for the wonderful clients, the amazing animals, and the colleagues who showed me kindness.

Then life changed.

Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, fibromyalgia and chronic pain changed what my body could manage, but it never changed how much I cared.

During some of my hardest days, Dolly & Co was born. 

It gave me something positive to focus on and reminded me that even when my body struggled, I still had creativity, purpose and something meaningful to offer. It wasn’t just my business — it was something my family helped me build, piece by piece, on the days when I couldn’t do everything alone.

Then I was called into a meeting. I asked directly, “So I have to choose between my job and Dolly & Co?” and the response I received made it clear that, yes, that was the expectation.

HR later confirmed that I was allowed to continue with the business, but after that conversation, things never really felt the same.

Before my website had even launched, it was blocked on the workplace network. At a time when I needed compassion and understanding, it felt like both became harder to find.

Most people were kind, and I will always remember those who supported me, checked in, and treated me with care.

But there were also moments that stayed with me for very different reasons.

Being ignored.
Having backs turned.
Feeling excluded.
Reading messages that chipped away at my confidence.

Lovely feedback from clients often passed without acknowledgement, yet the things I struggled with never seemed to go unnoticed.

What people didn’t see was everything happening behind the scenes 

My husband and family helping me when my body couldn’t keep up, the pain after a working day, the exhaustion, and the moments I questioned my worth.

They kept me going.
They helped me build Dolly & Co.
They reminded me who I was.

As my final day has approached, I planned to write a message in the work group chat to thank everyone for the last two and a half years. Before I had the chance, I realised I had already been removed.

It might seem small, but it hurt. Not because I expected a fuss, but because after everything, I hoped for the chance to say goodbye in my own words.

This experience has taught me never to underestimate the impact one person can have.

One person can make others feel supported, welcomed and valued.
One person can also make more than one person question whether they belong.

Kindness has a ripple effect.
So does the absence of it.

Despite everything, I’m leaving with gratitude.

Gratitude for every client who trusted me with their pets.
Gratitude for the colleagues who were genuinely kind.
Gratitude for my husband and family, who carried me through the hardest parts.
Gratitude for Dolly, who helped me find myself again.
And gratitude for every person who has supported Dolly & Co — whether you ordered, shared a post, visited a stall or simply encouraged me.

You reminded me that kindness still exists.

I may not know exactly what comes next, but I do know I’m moving forward with something that feels like mine. This chapter may be ending, but another one is already beginning — one built with more purpose, more freedom and a little more belief in myself. For the first time in a long time, I’m excited to see where it takes me.

So, as this chapter closes, I’ll leave with one final thought:

Choose kindness.
You never know what someone is carrying, and you may never realise how much your actions could affect them.

Love Louisa,
The Dolly Way 🐾