Rise & Reign: How to Keep Going When Life Tries to Break You

There are seasons of life that bring you to your knees-illness, grief, betrayal, loss, exhaustion.
And yet…we rise.

I created Rise & Reign during one of those seasons. When I was sick, grieving, and barely holding it together, the idea whispered to me like a lifeline: you don’t have to be perfect to rise-you just have to refuse to stay down.

This blog is for anyone navigating the chaos, the numbness, or the deep exhaustion of rebuilding.  I want to remind you: your story isn’t over. Even if you’re crawling, you’re still moving forward.

You are No Defined by Opinions

People will misunderstand your silence, your art, your pace, your decisions. Let them.

I’ve learned [the hard way] that other people’s perceptions are projections-not facts. Your path doesn’t need permission.  When I started sharing my art, I was met with judgment, confusion, and even pity.  But the truth is, only you get to define your rise.  Only you decide what you’re here to reign over.

Know your Limits-But Don’t Stay There

There’s strength in knowing when to rest, when to walk away, and when to say, “not today.”  But eventually…we have to return to ourselves.

Consistency isn’t about perfection- it’s about realignment.  I’ve had to start over more times than I can count.  Through heartbreak, through health scares, through financial struggles.  What matters most is that I kept returning to my art, to my purpose, to my vision.

And every time I did, I found new strength.

Why I Blend Art and Apparel

My artwork lives in emotion.  It tells stories of duality-light and shadow, chaos and clarity, grief and glory.

But I wanted to take it a step further.  Rise & Reign apparel was born from the belief that we carry power in our presence.  Wearing a pierce of intention can remind you of who you’re becoming-even on days you feel like you’re falling apart.

It’s more than clothing.  It’s armor.
It’s more than art.  It’s soul on canvas.

Even during my darkest hours, I’ve bought prints from other artists-just to feel closer to hope.  Just to remind myself I wasn’t alone. Supporting someone else’s dream while mine was still forming… that’s the kind of energy that comes back around.

So when you purchase from Rise & Reign, you’re not just buying something beautiful.  You’re affirming that beauty within yourself-and supporting a vision that refuses to quit. 

Let Creativity Anchor You

If you’re stuck, heartbroken, or lost right now, pick up the pieces – any pieces.  Scribble.  Paint.  Walk.  Cry.  Dance.  Reorganize your space.  Cut up old magazines.  Write one sentence.  Sketch one symbol.

Let doing become your way out of the dark.
Let creativity be the rope that pulls you back,

And if you need a little help staying consistent, this has saved me:

Burn After Writing Journal
It’s a place to be brutally honest with yourself.  To write the truths you’re too scared to say out loud – and then let them go.

Burn it. Release it. Then rise. 

And Still, You Rise

You are allowed to be a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same time.
You are allowed to rest.  You are allowed to reign.
You are allowed to keep showing up, even when your hands shake.

So Rise.
And Reign.

– London / Lund3on