Laura Lemur Update: Where I've Been & What's Next!

Life Updates & A Creative Comeback!

Hey everyone! If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been, you’re not alone! It’s been a while since my last post, and for that, I apologize. Back in 2023, I launched Laura Lemur Art as my creative hub, a place to showcase everything from drawings and digital art to traditional pieces and even my YouTube content. Last year, I had big dreams for this space: a craft section, a blog, continuing my thrift vlogging, a website revamp, promoting local art shows, and so much more. Well, here we are in 2025, and many of those exciting plans haven't quite taken off. So, what happened? Let’s dive in and catch you up on where I’ve been and what’s been going on.

Good Vibrations (and Some Big Milestones!)

Before we get into the "why," I want to share some truly wonderful things that have happened in my life since I last posted. It hasn't all been quiet on the personal front! Last October, I got engaged during a trip to Wisconsin’s Door County, on the stunning Pebble Beach on Washington Island. It was a dream! On the practical side, I've also been in the process of purchasing the house I live in through a rent-to-own contract, with plans to convert it into a rental property down the line. Plus, in April 2024, I landed a new day job in a completely different, yet incredibly rewarding, field of teaching and non-profit work. It comes with a higher hourly salary and slightly fewer hours, which has been a huge blessing. Beyond that, I’ve been hitting the gym, lifting weights several times a week, and I’m physically stronger than I’ve ever been—which is a huge deal for someone who’s never been the most athletic! I’ve also been re-establishing my relationship with God and finding my spirituality, which has been grounding. And of course, I'm making sure to carve out time for things I genuinely enjoy, like thrifting, baking, and simply hanging out with friends.

The Reality Check: Navigating the Bumps in the Road

While there’s certainly a lot to be grateful for, it hasn't all been smooth sailing. Being engaged is amazing, but planning a beautiful yet affordable wedding has been a real challenge (and let’s be honest, long-term relationships always come with their own unique set of struggles!). Saving up for a down payment on a house, on top of constantly needing to repair things that seem to break every other week, is tough on an already tight budget. Starting a new job is exciting, but it also means processing past trauma and mistakes from previous employment, adjusting to a new schedule and culture, and consciously ensuring I don't bring any toxic energy or habits into a new workplace. And speaking of challenges, I've gained around 70 pounds over the past year. While some of it might be muscle, it's certainly not all, and I've been dealing with resurfacing "weight trauma" as I process being the heaviest I've ever been. Reconnecting with my Christian faith has been a beautiful journey, but I've also had to contend with feelings of embarrassment, knowing that any line of faith (or lack thereof) often comes with judgment. Trying to balance all of these life changes while still finding time for my creative endeavors, with a busy schedule, issues with setting boundaries, and a head full of massive ideas, has been an uphill battle.

A New Chapter for Laura Lemur Art

Now, this isn't a pity party! It's more about acknowledging that I don't have all the answers, but I do have a solid plan moving forward for my creative pursuits. For now, I won't be returning to vlogging on my ArtsyFartsyThrift channel. While it was fun, it hasn’t been as financially or personally rewarding for me at this time. All my videos and the channel will stay up, so feel free to watch anytime! A huge thank you to everyone who supported me as I explored that endeavor.

So, where does that leave Laura Lemur Art? It’s here to stay, but for now, I’ll be showing up mostly through these blog posts. I've realized I need to tackle things piece by piece rather than trying to do everything at once, and the Laura Lemur website (and all its elements) is no exception. Eventually, I do want to return to revamping the website and, of course, uploading art in all its forms, but that will take time.

In the meantime, I've got a super exciting creative endeavor brewing: making apparel designs for my Amazon POD (Print on Demand) store! It’s called Munky Studio, and my goal is to create colorful, edgy, and humorous apparel specifically for artists, because I’ve noticed a real lack of that out there. I only have one design up currently, but I'd love for you to check it out!

Looking Ahead

So, that’s the plan moving forward! I can’t guarantee that everything will work out exactly as I envision, but I’m learning to trust the process (and God’s process) that it will all work out in the end. Thank you all again for your continued support and for sticking with me on this creative journey!

What are some big life changes you've been navigating recently? Let me know in the comments!