Create a Beautiful Life

with Carrie Thachuk

About Me

Hi, I'm Carrie Thachuk, the creative soul behind The Passionate Home. Back in 2006, I embarked on a journey to create a haven for all things home, fashion, and education. The mission was simple but powerful: to help others create a beautiful life.


Fast forward to 2023, and I'm filled with gratitude for the incredible journey so far. Life is a constant evolution, and after much contemplation, I made the heartfelt decision to close our beloved retail store. It was time to embrace what's next.


For me, authenticity and making a difference are non-negotiable values. So, here on these pages, I'm sharing the unfolding chapters of my journey—marked by curiosity, positivity, and growth.  A journey of self-discovery with the desire to live a more intentional and beautiful life.  It's not just a story; it's an invitation for you to join me in this exploration.


Your presence, dear reader, is the most valuable resource. As we navigate this path together, your participation becomes the brushstrokes in our collective canvas of a beautiful life. It's a shared endeavor, and your company makes it all the more meaningful.


So, here's the call to action: Join me on this adventure! Follow my blog, be a part of the community, and let's create something beautiful together. Your company means the world to me, and I can't wait to share, learn, and grow with each and every one of you.


With gratitude,

 Carrie Thachuk

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By Carrie Lee Thachuk 18 Mar, 2024
Where do I even start? I took a hobby and built it into a successful and thriving business that fed my soul, and many others for 17 years. Last year I took an epic adventure in New Zealand with my husband and kids. We rented a Range Rover Defender with two roof top tents and hit the glorious roads of the South Island. Our daughter and her partner had created a 16-day road trip itinerary that took us from Queenstown down to Invercargill, the southernmost city on the South Island to Kaikoura. The five of us lived side by side (literally), all while experiencing places high in the air like Fox Glacier and low underground in the Clifden Caves. We swam in the Tasman Sea and explored the miracles of Milford Sound. We stood on the famous spherical Moeraki Boulders and my daughter taught me how to surf. I could go on as it truly was a trip of a lifetime. Life is such an incredible gift and upon returning home I just knew deep in my soul that I wanted more out of my life. As blessed as I am to go to work every day doing what I loved, I felt a sort of calling. Fast forward a few months and I am staring 55 in the face. In the 1980’s the concept of “Freedom 55” was born, does anyone remember? The goal was to retire and be financially set at the age of 55. Well for me, Freedom 55 means something totally different. I want to be free to see what else is out there for me to explore. I stepped out of my comfort zone, closed my business and stepped into freedom. Freedom is a powerful word with many meanings. Freedom can lead you away from yourself or to yourself. I am finding you need to have some real strength within you to control freedom. I made this huge decision in my life, and I don’t want to waste it, but I will be honest with you, I don’t always feel worthy of this freedom. I am currently reading Jamie Kern Lima’s book Worthy and this morning I turned the page to Chapter 19 titled Transformations. In this chapter she talks about the journey of transformation of the caterpillar to the butterfly…. metamorphosis. She explained something I did not know that during metamorphosis the caterpillar completely dissolves into liquid inside the cocoon. It eventually develops and transforms. Its wings take shape, and it emerges through the cocoon. It emerges from the cocoon with wet wings, unable to fly. It's tremendously vulnerable and it does what it needs to survive. If it makes it through, and its wings dry and it spreads them and they start to flap, it can fly away to its future. I think I am going through a transformation in life. I remember turning 50 and my husband and I were empty nesters. I remember thinking I was going to write a book called “WTF Happens after 50”! Today maybe my book should be called “Freedom 55 or Midlife Crisis”? In the book From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks, chapter 7 is titled Starting your Vanaprastha. He talks about the ancient Indian teaching that a proper life must be lived in four stages- these are the ashramas. Ideally, ashramas last twenty-five years each. I had never heard of this before but found it very interesting and reassuring that what I am going through and maybe you too, is normal. I am entering into the third stage of life, the Vanaprastha, which comes from Sanskrit words meaning “retiring” and “into the forest”. This is the stage you begin to pull back from your old personal duties, step away from your four walls and enter into the forest or garden of life. Realizing your own mortality, it is time to look inward, to have faith and to connect with the world around you. This is how I interpret it anyway. It is a transformation similar to the butterfly, not easy but worth it. When life gets you down and things get difficult remember that so often our greatest victories come after our most difficult seasons of transformation, and you are worthy of the journey.
By Carrie Lee Thachuk 21 Feb, 2024
The last race I ran was 5 years ago and in 2021 I was unable to walk due to a popping sound in my knee while hiking. It was discovered that I had degenerative meniscus. I will never forget how helpless I felt or forget the promises I made myself while sitting on the couch day after day waiting for doctor’s appointments and later physiotherapy. I think we all make promises to ourselves about making changes when faced with a difficult challenge. Why do we wait to have something taken away before we realize its great value? It was back in October 2023 that I announced my “Day One”. Twelve days after the store had closed, I set myself up to take action on creating the next chapter of my life. What I knew for sure was that I needed to get moving and to take action, so I bought myself some new runners and set a goal to get outdoors every day in preparation for a 5km run in Fort Langley that would take place the following February. What an opportunity to overcome the limitations in my mind about my knee and my mental wellbeing. Goals provide a sense of direction and purpose in life. They give you something to strive for, helping you focus your time, energy, and resources on activities that align with your values and aspirations. Can I just share with you that had I not had a purpose every day, I may have started feeling sorry for myself. How easily that inner critic can turn up the volume. Step by step, and day by day, Summit and I would explore parks and trails, evolving from walks to power walks, and eventually, from one hesitant minute of jogging to an empowering 20 minutes. The journey was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, proving that progress is born not from giant leaps, but from consistent, determined steps forward. This story celebrates the transformative power of goal setting. It's a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we can reclaim our sense of direction, purpose, and happiness. Goals are not just destinations; they are the milestones that mark our journey towards a beautiful life. So, if you find yourself at the starting line of change, remember that every step you take is a victory, and with unwavering determination, you can overcome any challenge. Today is your day one – take that first step, and know that a brighter, more fulfilling future awaits. You've got this, your finish line awaits, and the world is cheering you on! I'm curious to know if there's something specific, you're looking forward to achieving or improving in your life. Care to share? Send me an email, Summit and I are here to cheer you on!
By Carrie Lee Thachuk 16 Feb, 2024
In my pursuit of being true to myself, I recently made a big change by closing my store and stepping out of my comfort zone. This has given me a chance to learn, grow, and to work on the next chapter of my life. This self-reflection has brought to the forefront an internal barrier from my youth... perfectionism. When I was younger, I often felt like I had to meet certain standards that I thought were expected of me. (can anyone relate?) Those standards were unrealistic, but they stuck with me into adulthood. Why do we carry these expectations from our younger selves into our grown-up lives? I think it's because those early experiences had a big impact on how we see ourselves, our self-worth & self-love. To change this, I'm trying to recognize when I'm being too hard on myself and remembering that those old standards weren't realistic. To live in the present and plan for the future. I can acknowledge the little girl I was, but it's time to lean into my true perfectly imperfect authentic self. By sharing what I'm learning, I hope to help others let go of the idea of being perfect. I want to show that it's okay to grow, make mistakes, and not always have everything figured out. This journey is ongoing, but I'm committed to reframing the way I see myself and inspiring others to do the same. Living authentically requires honesty with oneself. It involves acknowledging and accepting one’s strengths, weaknesses and imperfections without judgement. To let go of what no longer serves you and honor your unique path of creating a beautiful life. I think it's time that we all challenge our childhood beliefs and reframe them into something more positive and empowering! Who is with me?
By Carrie Lee Thachuk 13 Feb, 2024
In the last five months, I've been on this journey of closing my store and venturing into the next chapter of my life. For the most part, I would like to think I've been handling it well – incorporating exercise, nature, positive reflections, and writing into my routine. (you know…all the things) But, let's be real, every so often, that feeling of overwhelm creeps in, and it makes me dizzy with emotions. Does anyone else know what I am talking about?? Despite years of writing and journaling about what I'd do if I ever got a chance to start anew, I find myself surrounded by a chaotic mix of ideas on papers and in journals. It's a struggle to find a clear starting point, and the fact that I'm not contributing financially to the household adds an extra layer of stress. I know one thing for sure – I'm creative. I believe there's a solution, and things will eventually fall into place. Today, I want to share some of the ways I deal with this overwhelming ogre, hoping it might resonate with someone else going through a similar journey. Firstly, I remind myself that this overwhelming feeling won't last forever. When it hits hard, I turn to nature and movement, realizing that sometimes the best way to get unstuck is to get moving. Stepping away, taking a walk, and letting my mind breathe offer a fresh perspective. Plus, it makes Summit happy which makes me happy! I close my eyes and focus on my breath, giving my mind a brief break from the stress. There is definitely something to be said about meditation! Tidying up and decluttering my space is my way of regaining some control and mental clarity. Even just seeing the top of my desk can make me feel like I am accomplishing something that matters. Reframing overwhelm as opportunities is tough but crucial, coupled with a deep sense of gratitude for the chances to craft a more beautiful life. Maybe today, I'll shift my perspective and see my stress as gratitude overwhelm, appreciating the blessings of sharing and growing within a community striving for a better life. I'm grateful for the freedom to work on making my life better, to share, and to be of service. As they say, creativity takes courage. Let's be courageous together... how do you personally regain control when feeling overwhelmed? What are the strategies that resonate with you? I would love to hear from you!
By Carrie Lee Thachuk 07 Feb, 2024
Do you want to be happy? As part of living a beautiful life, I am educating myself daily in order to learn and grow. Today I wanted to share these 10 tips, thanks to Ed Mylett on how to “BE HAPPY”! 1) BE you – Being authentically yourself empowers you to take control of your life. It allows you to set boundaries, make choices that align with your values, and live a life that feels meaningful to you. You are enough! 2) BE love – Being more loving not only benefits those around you but also positively impacts your own physical and mental well-being. It creates a ripple effect, fostering a more compassionate and interconnected world, and boy, do we need that! 3) BE truth – Acknowledging and admitting the truth, even when it's uncomfortable, is a key component of personal growth. It allows you to confront challenges and learn from experiences. Honesty is so powerful! 4) BE kind - Acts of kindness, whether big or small, often lead to a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Knowing that you've made a positive impact on someone else's life can be deeply rewarding. Kindness can be easily paid forward! 5) BE beautiful - Your uniqueness is your strength. Embrace the qualities that make you different, for they contribute to the richness of your character. You are beautiful! 6) BE moving - Paying attention to your emotions, understanding their triggers, and consciously choosing positive responses can empower you to move in a positive direction. Movement is so powerful! 7) Be growing - The pursuit of growth can lead to an improved quality of life. Whether it's in the realm of career, relationships, or personal development, continuous growth tends to contribute to a more fulfilling and happier life. To live is to grow! 8) Be playful - Holding onto childlike enthusiasm contributes to overall well-being. It adds joy and fulfillment to daily life, promoting a positive mental and emotional state. You can’t help but smile while being silly! 9) Be forgiving - Forgiveness allows individuals to release negative energy associated with past hurts. This release can lead to a more positive and optimistic outlook on life. You deserve the peace of mind! 10) Be courageous - Courage is essential for pursuing dreams and goals. It involves taking risks, setting ambitious aspirations, and overcoming challenges on the path to fulfillment. Make the heart felt decision to believe in yourself! While each person's journey to happiness is as unique as a fingerprint, I hope these gentle reminders inspire you to explore the vast possibilities that align with your authentic self and aid you in creating the beautiful life you deserve. "Happiness is a choice, not a result. Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy.” Ralph Marston
By Carrie Lee Thachuk 25 Jan, 2024
Life becomes more beautiful when we weave the threads of contribution and service into our everyday moments. You don't need unlimited resources or boundless time – even small acts of kindness can make a world of difference. I always make a point of holding the door for others. It allows me to smile, connect and feel good about myself. 😊 Contribution is not just about giving financially; it's about giving your time, lending a hand, or simply being present. Similarly, service doesn't mean sacrificing all your energy; it's about finding small ways to bring positivity to someone's day.🌈 The joy of giving is a universal truth – in contributing to others, we find fulfillment beyond personal success. It's not just about what we gain; it's about the connections we build, the growth we experience, and the impact we have on the world.🌏 Consider kindness as a love language. It's not about grand gestures but the simple, everyday acts that express care. Imagine if everyone added a bit more love to the world – the collective impact would be profound. ❤ You don't have to change the world in a day; start by leading with kindness in your daily interactions. A smile, a helping hand, or a kind word can create a ripple effect, making your community and the world a better place. Crafting a beautiful life is not merely an accumulation of personal achievements but a deliberate embrace of opportunities to make a positive impact. So, today’s #dailyriskchallenge is to give yourself the gift of a small act of kindness. Let your actions of contribution and service make the world a little brighter for everyone. ☀
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