Be Still and Live
Be Still and Live is a soul-centered podcast for individuals, couples, and households ready to slow down and reconnect with what matters most. Hosted by Gillian Gabryluk, speaker, coach, and founder of Sileo Health & Wellness, the show explores what it really means to thrive - not by doing more, but by embracing the quiet strength of stillness and simplicity.
Each episode offers thoughtful conversations, gentle insights, and practical ways to bring calm back to your days. Rooted in Gillian’s Be Still and Live framework, you’ll hear from wellness experts, faith-filled voices, and everyday people choosing to live slower, steadier, and more intentionally.
If your soul feels weary, your home feels hurried, or you’re simply longing for a deeper sense of peace - welcome. You’ve found your space to be still… and live. New episodes every Tuesday.
New here? Start with episodes 1-3: “Take Back Your Life”, "From Hustle to Healing", and “5 to Thrive.”
Be Still and Live
#09: The Power of Pen and Paper: How Handwritten Notes Heal in a Digital World with Carly Brenton
What if the cure for overwhelm isn’t another hack, but a pen, a card, and ten quiet minutes?
In this episode, Carly Brenton, founder of Paperscript, shares how a simple, human ritual like handwriting can cut through the noise, rebuild connection, and bring us back to ourselves.
Carly’s story begins in loss and unfolds into creative repair: painting at her kitchen table, rediscovering stillness, and building a business rooted in intention rather than speed. Together, we explore why handwritten notes matter more than ever - the memory in a grandparent’s script, the comfort of a camp note saved for years, the drawer of cards we return to on harder days.
We talk about slow growth, choosing what truly matters, and the courage to do less so you can do it better. Carly offers practical ways to bring more presence into everyday life - like keeping staple cards on hand, gifting intentionally, and using her PS Plus subscription to make connection simple.
If you’re craving a quieter way to create, give, and live - this conversation will feel like a deep breath. Subscribe, share, or send this episode to someone who could use a moment of stillness today.
Connect with Carly:
New here? Start with episodes 1-3: “Take Back Your Life”, "From Hustle to Healing", and “5 to Thrive.”
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Free Guided Fog to Freedom Meditation ...
Again, I just think that we live in such a busy and digital world that those little moments of intention and effort are what we're seeking.
SPEAKER_02:If your days feel full, but your heart longs for more meaning, you're not alone. Between the screens, the schedules, and the never-ending noise, it's easy to lose your sense of peace. But what if the way forward isn't found in doing more, but in learning to slow down, to simplify, to be still. Welcome to Be Still and Live, a podcast for individuals, couples, and families longing for calm, connection, and a more meaningful way to live. I'm Gillian, speaker, coach, and founder of Sileo Health and Wellness. And I'm here to help you create space for stillness and step into a life that feels whole and good again. Today I'm joined by Carly Brenton, founder of Paperscript, a Canadian-made stationary brand rooted in connection and community. Through her work, Carly helps people celebrate life's moments in heartfelt, tangible ways, reminding us that the smallest gestures often carry the greatest meaning. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to build a business from authenticity, how to say no to the good things to make space for the great ones, and the importance of choosing what truly inspires you, not what others expect. If you've ever caught yourself between creativity and expectation or long to reconnect with something more meaningful in your life, this episode will meet you right where you are. Good morning, Carly. Welcome to the Be Still and Live podcast. Hi, Jill. Thanks so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here. I'm so excited to have you. And I love that you call me Jill because I'm not Jill to this audience, but I have known Carly since I was in high school. She is the little sister of one of my best friends, Kristen. And I've just loved witnessing her evolution, the way that she stepped into the career that she's in today and how she's living so authentically. So I asked her to be on the show because she's doing something that I believe we all want to do. She's really stepped into the creative side of herself. And you'll hear her story and how it's really transformed her own life and given her this very positive outlet. So, Carly, your work completely captures the heart of what we talk about here: slowing down, connecting with others, and creating from a place of meaning rather than constant motion. Before we talk all about PaperScript and what it's become today, I'd love to go back to the beginning, to the spark behind it all. What was life like before you started Paperscript?
SPEAKER_01:Um, thank you for that intro. Thank you so much. I was always a creative kid. I was always drawn to arts and crafts and paper and gifting and those types of things. Um, and I always found myself, you know, tracing like hand lettering and greeting cards, or I knew that my Bhakti would sign a card a certain way, and my mom would always sign a card a certain way. And I was just always really interested and drawn to those things. Um, so it was always a piece that was there, but I never knew that it was something that I could turn into a business or career. Um, and it kind of started with um a journey that my husband and on and I were on after we got married. Um, I was doing work in a different industry and found myself um starting a family or trying to start a family, and it wasn't going as planned, as life doesn't always do. Um, so we were experiencing multiple miscarriages, and that led me to seek out a creative outlet and take it a little bit more serious and kind of look to it as a form of therapy at a tough time in my life, um, which brought me to purchasing a watercolor kit from the dollar store. So, you know, as a kid, I'm tracing over hand lettering, and then I found myself as an adult picking up a paintbrush and forcing myself to kind of turn off my brain at a time when things were really chaotic and traumatic for me to seek that out, like to slow down and find some joy and something new and something different. Um, so that kind of led me to begin to create again and find that spark and that passion that I found when I was a kid and bring it into my adult life as well. So that's kind of how things started and where that change kind of happened from where I was to kind of how I began the business.
SPEAKER_02:So yeah. I appreciate your sharing that vulnerable story, Carly, with um the listeners today because it's something that a lot of us have experienced. And it's so hard to know when you're in the thick of something so emotional, something so difficult. It's difficult to know sometimes what to do and how to have those outlets that remind you who you are and what brings you joy. So it's it's wonderful that you shared that with us and that it was as simple as purchasing a watercolor set from the dollar store. It doesn't have to be anything too complicated, right?
SPEAKER_01:No, so simple. And watercolor as an art medium really forces you to slow down and concentrate because watercolor kind of have a has a bit of its own mind. Like you can put paint down, but it will spread, it will blend, it will um meld into or mend into different things. Um so it really kind of took me out of the control that I was seeking when I was going through that tough time and like forced me to release a little bit. Um, and then it just kind of spiraled from there. So um it really allowed me to pour my heart into something at a time when things were just not going the right way. So right, right.
SPEAKER_02:Beautiful, Carly. And I love that you talked about your babsha. I mean, I'm married to a Polish man and he has a babsha, but he always talked about his Grammy and how she would sign cards. And uh, she would always finish the card by saying, with God's choicest blessings. And that's something that he remembers. And I'm sure that he can picture the way she wrote that, the way her handwriting looked, right? And uh how heartwarming that is for him and nostalgic it is for him to write that in cards himself these days.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that's so special. And I hate to say it and not to sound this like negative, but there's there's so many times, you know, when we lose someone in our life. Often the first thing that we look for is a photograph. We look for a voicemail, we look for an old card or handwriting. Like, think about how many people tattoo handwriting on their body from somebody, right? Like it's a tangible piece that is in a card or a note or a message that we can hold on to after that person is gone that really just holds that little bit of memory and that that special. So, like there's something so special about a handwritten note and somebody's handwriting, you know, that you can't replace and you can't duplicate.
SPEAKER_02:So very true. You're right. And as we move to the digital age where everything is communicated through text messages and emails and such, it becomes more and more of uh, like I said, that nostalgia to have this card that you can pull out and read and really feel the presence of that person, especially if they've passed along.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, absolutely. One of the things that we talk about in paper script all the time is that offline has become the new luxury. Like, you know, people, the value that we put in the Facebook or the message from Facebook or the text or whatever, versus getting a message in an envelope or, you know, even like a post-it written on the mirror in the morning, or those types of things. Like those are those moments that carry the intention and the thoughtfulness that you can't get from an email anymore, or those types of things. So it really has become more meaningful, even though it's more of a traditional way of communicating. It's kind of flipped because it's such a digital world right now that slowing down has become the luxurious things that we can't always do, but we need to make effort to include that in everyday life.
SPEAKER_02:So I totally agree with you. That's kind of where we're moving. We're coming back to simplicity. They have these retreats now on farms, and uh people are coming back to doing things that are handmade because it just feels that much more special. So that brings us into our next question. In a world where everything feels instant and digital, it's so refreshing to see people reconnect through something tangible: a handwritten note, a piece of paper, a moment of thoughtfulness. The very mission of PaperScript that you have on your website is to encourage offline connection through the simplicity of paper, which is so beautiful. What made you, Carly, believe that slowing down and tapping into your creative side and sending something meaningful still matters?
SPEAKER_01:Again, I just think that we live in such a busy and um digital world that those little moments of intention and effort are what we're seeking. Um, you know, the notifications constantly on our phone, all of those types of things are becoming a piece of the everyday that are clouding some of our days sometimes. And the intention and the um thoughtfulness behind it isn't always as impactful as receiving something like a greeting card in the mail. Like there's a bit more effort. And it can be in so many different areas of your life. You know, you go for a job interview and sending the email saying, Thanks. It was great to meet with you. I can't wait to hear the next steps, those types of things. Or are you going home and sending the message via a card or a tech or um a little note saying, I can't wait to continue this journey and get to know you more and those types of things. So it's finding these little pockets in life where we can pop that little piece of thoughtfulness into. Um, and I think that the simplicity of paper is a really, really great way to do that. Um, and that's again, the whole idea behind paper script is forcing people to slow down and just put a little bit more love in the world via pen to paper.
SPEAKER_02:You're completely on point there, Carly. I just presented a keynote, and one of the stats that I shared is one in three people feel lonely. And they feel lonely even when they're surrounded by people. And I think that you're you're right in saying that people are craving, I think you said, moments of intention and effort. People are craving that that personal touch. They're craving that extra effort that's put into connection, right? Because connection has become so easy. It's become so, you know, fast-paced. And, you know, we throw text back messages back and forth with each other and we communicate mostly online now that when you receive something like a handwritten note, you really do feel the love.
SPEAKER_01:Right. And everybody loves seeing their own name in handwriting, like or, you know, using a pen as opposed to an email that goes into a folder or whatever. Like oftentimes they hold on to those things. And like you had mentioned before, it becomes a tangible piece of a keepsake, you know, like how many scrap papers do we have, or little notes, or those types of things. Like often people have a box where they keep these special little things, even if it's something like, you know, the first ticket stub from a movie date, like these tangible little pieces that bring meaning into life are what people are desperate to hold on to right now because it's become so fast-paced, so digital, so polluted with constant notifications and um things that are trying to grab our attention all day long.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, yeah. I'm just picturing walking to the mailbox. It's mostly junk mail. I want to say 99% of the time, maybe more. How special does it feel when you walk to your mailbox and you see that that handwritten name and address with a personalized stamp on there? It it really does make your day. And uh, it's just such a special way to show that you care about somebody.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, exactly. And it's becoming so less um common that it becomes so more special. So we're just paper script, like I'm trying to bring it back and show everybody the importance of it and the impact that it can have and why it's so meaningful.
SPEAKER_02:So I love that, Carly. I'm curious to know if you have any moments in mind where a card or note has made a difference in someone's life, maybe a story somebody shared or something in your own life.
SPEAKER_01:So I definitely get um feedback from customers and people all the time about sharing that, oh, I got your card from this, or I, you know, I have your card framed because my husband gave it to me during my wedding. There was one moment for me, though, that really speaks to the impact that um something so small can have. And I'll just kind of give you the Coles notes here. But I used to work with children um at an organization locally, and I was working with a young boy, had him all summer, and it was a camp program. And at the end of the day, uh, sorry, I would have them Monday to Friday, and at the end of the week, I would always write them a tiny little note, you know, from your camp counselor, all those things. And I would be like, You excelled at this, like you did really great at this. I'm proud of you because of that. And this boy was struggling. He had a really rough week. There was, you know, swear words flying at me, and there was physical things and all the things that this boy was just having a really hard time at home, at school, at camp, and I was just trying to support him. So, you know, like I did for everyone, I wrote down this message for him and um this quick little note just to say, like, you did this and I was proud of you, and whatever, trying to identify something that he excelled in. And he was one of the only kids at the end of the summer who still had that little note. And it was crumpled and dog eared and all that kind of stuff. But the kids who often hear those words very often or having a really positive experience right now, they didn't, you know, necessarily always hold on to that. But for him, it was somebody believes in me, somebody cares in me or of uh cares for me and took the time to write something down and he was surprised by it, you know. So I felt good because I'm like, oh, I know he kept that in his backpack. And he was probably about at that time, maybe eight or nine. And then fast forward, I was still working for the same organization, but I was starting to work with youth outreach programs. And here I am. I I saw him again. So this was probably, gosh, he was probably like maybe 13, 14, 15, in and around that age. And I wasn't typically a staff that would be a part of the program that I was working. And he was there and I could feel him looking at me. And I knew who he was, but at the same time, like, you know, it's just a different approach when you're working with a 15-year-old versus a 14-year-old or sorry, a nine-year-old or whatever. And he actually came up to me and he said, Do you remember me? And I said, Of course. And he said, um, he apologized to me. And he said, like, you know, you, you, you, he brought up the note. He apologized. He's like, I wasn't really um helpful or I was not acting very nicely and those types of things. And the fact that that experience stood out so much to him, um, it just made such a difference to me because I'm thinking, okay, here I am just jotting these little notes, not thinking anything of it, you know, throwing a sticker on it or whatever, and not recognizing at that moment how much of an impact those words can have for a child, let alone anyone else, too, right? So um yeah, that was a big one for me. And it was always a story that stuck with me because it just was so impactful for him. And then and then that turned really like a light bulb on for me. There's like, there's an opportunity there for connection in so many different ways. But using that little note as a medium was big for him and me too.
SPEAKER_02:So that's such a heartwarming story, and and it really does bring to life what what you're doing with the business that you're running today. And uh those cards do make a difference. I mean, I have a little drawer beside me on my desk. And when I'm having days where I feel like I'm not enough, like I'm, you know, out of out of my element trying to start a business and and to share this um mission myself. I open that drawer and I start to read these cards where people wrote these heartfelt messages about the gifts and talents that I have that they've seen in me since the beginning. And it reminds me that, you know what, I am in the right place and I am following my heart and it's all going to be okay. But it is those timeless notes that you can keep returning to that really do make that difference, especially when you're feeling down on yourself.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that's so that's so important. I do something very similar where it's it's so nice to revisit those moments where somebody celebrated you or just said a kind word, you know. Um, because we all kind of have to take that temperature check every once in a while to say, like, am I doing the right thing or those types of things, but you don't have an idea who uh, you know, all you're impacting at one time. So yeah, I do the same thing and just kind of revisit those things when I'm feeling, you know, down or gray or those types of days. So yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, yeah. Another example that comes to mind is the greeting cards that I've received from my husband. And when we're going through Rocky Station or a marriage, I can go back to that pile and be like, oh my gosh, look at the love that we built this relationship on. We do have something here that is uh beautiful and it just reminds you of the foundation of where it all started and you know, those little moments along the way that that have blessed you.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, absolutely. It's the perfect little reset, isn't it?
SPEAKER_02:Absolutely. Yes. So on that note, Carly, we will be um dropping this episode in December. And I'd love to hear your thoughts on homemade Christmas gifts, homemade cards, homemade gifts that you can share with others. What does this look like to you and and why do you feel that's important to kind of make that shift from, you know, purchasing something that that can be bought online and taking the time to make something yourself to give somebody that you care about?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I mean, it all comes back to the element of love that goes into a craft that goes into creating something, whether it's handmade by somebody else or homemade by you, your kids, whoever, again, it comes back to that action of what it takes to make that come to life and what it takes to, you know, write that card, to send that card, the effort that's behind it and the meaning behind it makes it so much more um meaningful and full of love. So I think now more than ever, you know, it how fast and easy it is to like shoot something from Amazon to your doorstep and and how easy and I think we've lost a little bit of the meaning behind what gifting sometimes should be. Um, and don't get me wrong, we all use Amazon. We all shop at these places often, you know, um, or when needed. But I think that the more we can try to incorporate some handmade elements or some homemade elements into holidays, into everyday, it becomes a bit more special and uh brings us back to why we're doing it in the first place. You know, instead of loading a whole bunch of things under the tree, what is actually going to be long-lasting, impactful, and going to make a difference in the maker's life, the craft, the person who created it, whether it's you or not you, that difference as well, and the recipient too. So I think that I feel a bit of a shift. And I think that there's more people that are putting emphasis on shopping homemade and purchase and purchasing from local makers, those types of things as well, right now. And it's it's really nice to see for sure.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, I I totally agree with you that it's a gift for both the creator and the recipient, because in order to create create something, you have to make space in your life to invest the time into being creative. And uh that's a gift. Sometimes you can look at it as a task on a list, but once you sit down and you make the time and the space to start creating, you realize how much of a gift it is to yourself. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. So, Carly, one of the things I love about your story is this idea of saying no to the good things so you can make space for the great ones. This is something so many of us struggle with as we're constantly bombarded with endless options in our lives. What does this practice look like for you and your business and your personal life?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, saying no is so hard. I think it's something that we all struggle with, especially, you know, as a business owner, when you're trying to just seek out opportunity and scale and find ways to grow the business and to meet new people and all of these things, um, saying no can be one of the hardest things. And in the early years of the business, I didn't know how to say no. And then I just ended up burnt out faster than I could expect, right? Um, I don't know if you can see it like really tiny back here. I actually have a sign in my office that says do less to do better. Um, and I try to always remind myself of that, that if I'm spreading myself too thin, you know, how much energy am I pouring into, let's say, 10 tasks poorly than if I decided to do five tasks and really give them everything. So um I started to evaluate like what's actually making the business pro like move forward, what's bringing me joy, what do I want to focus on, you know? Um, and that made it easier for me to say no when I started to decide what the reason behind saying yes was. Um, so trying to find that little bit of balance as to what's gonna be good for me, good for my family, good for my time, and good for the business. And using those pieces as my deciding factor of what I was saying yes and no to. Um, so for example, like I used to try to like paint and design all the trends that were happening and things that I thought people were looking for. Like at one point, unicorns were really big. Like, I don't want to paint a unicorn. It's beautiful, but not my style, you know. But I'm like, oh, every buying, everyone's buying unicorn. So I have to have a unicorn card, you know? Um, so at one point in the business, I completely rebranded, completely like sat down and built um out like a vision board of like this is what I want paper script to be. I changed the name. And now I only actually like do things that I love, make things that I love, and that truly represent who I am. So everyone always laughs, like, oh, the black and white and the polka dots, the stripes, like the the actual like visual style of the business is very recognizable. But it's like I'm okay with that because I was able to take a step back and say, this is what brings me joy, this is what is inspiring to me. And I'm only gonna do these things as opposed to trying to appeal to everyone. So I started to say no. I started to really limit what I was putting my energy into. And then things just got better for me at home, at work, and then the business started to grow because I was able to niche down and really identify my style and my intention behind what I was doing and why I was doing it.
SPEAKER_02:That's such an important journey to share, Carly, because I think every one of us experiences that we we get into this zone where we are just losing ourselves because we're trying to keep up with external expectations and we're not staying true to our authentic selves. And um, sometimes we have to crash and burn and experience how that doesn't work. And I talk about this a lot just to understand what does work and what is what does look like a healthy balance in your own life. And I'm sure for you as well, the why behind the business is so that you can be present for your family, be present for the things that matter most. You talked about, you know, you have these opportunities, constant opportunities to grow and scale your business. And we live in a world that tells you absolutely, if you can scale, if you can grow, why wouldn't you do it? But when you take a step back and remember your why, remember your values, you have a very clear understanding of why it doesn't make sense to scale, at least not in this moment, because it's going to take you away from the things that matter most. So I really love that you are walking the walk and you're mirroring what that looks like for your own children and the people around you, of what it looks like to stay true to you and to build in a way that makes sense to you.
SPEAKER_01:I'm trying. It's easier said than done. But I try all the time. And it's really hard to say no, especially when you have like fear of missing out and those types of things. Um, but the more I've learned, the more I continue to say no and understand why I'm saying no, like you said, the reasoning behind it, the easier it has become for me to say no and and be okay and solid in my decisions.
SPEAKER_02:So I had some great advice at one point, and it was to build a business that works for your life. Yeah. And I think that's that's so important. And do the things that bring you joy. And um, that's what makes it work long term. That's what continues to allow it to be sustainable and something that you enjoy. Yeah, exactly. So important. Okay. Well, Carly, you shared that a piece for you right now looks like balance. And we were kind of getting into this a little bit. Staying close to your intentions and the moments that inspired a paper script in the first place. How do you protect your time and energy so you can keep creating from that grounded place? So just talking about more practical things like the rhythms and boundaries that help you to hold onto that balance when things get busy and when you're tempted to do more than you should?
SPEAKER_01:I think the biggest thing for me is evaluating the time that those things will take. So, for example, um doing a three-day event for a retail market or those types of things with the business, what would I be doing if I wasn't there in that moment? And what piece of it is going to make my life feel more balanced at home? So, do I want to spend three days away from my family when I have a husband who travels during the week and we don't see him very often? And I have two little girls at home. Do I want to be there spending my time away from them or do I want to be home with them? And how can I make that work for me and work for the business at the same time? So I always think, okay, this is gonna be an eight-hour task. What could I have done with my kids in eight hours? You know, what how can I have spent that time differently and made it make me, you know, feel more balanced at home or feel more productive in the business in a different way, you know? So um really trying to evaluate the two sides of what that piece could look like, saying yes to something, saying no to something, you know, signing up for something, those types of things, um, and and questioning what the right decision would be is kind of where I'm at right now. So um, and again, it's just following back to that saying no and becoming more comfortable with doing it. But I always am like, oh, I just spent this amount of time or this much effort or this much money doing this. But I could have done this and that would have made me happier at home and I wouldn't have missed my kids and I would have been able to go on a hike and spend the day with them doing this or whatever. Um, and then having the luxury, because it is a luxury to be able to choose to do that instead as well. So I think really focusing on that balance and then finding out where I want to pour my time is a big thing for me right now.
SPEAKER_02:Right, right. It really is understanding what you're willing to sacrifice. And sometimes you are willing to sacrifice that time with family to get things done in your business. And that's good for you as a person to grow. But uh, when you understand what you value and what that balance looks like, it makes it a lot easier to make those decisions. Yeah, exactly. They talk about, you know, the midlife squeeze. When you're raising children, that's the time you're expected to be on point with all things in life, with your career. You're supposed to be going after that the next level in your career and growing your financial portfolio. You're supposed to be super fit, you're supposed to be doing all of the things during this midlife squeeze. But what if while we're raising kids, we slowly grew businesses and these opportunities to grow both professionally and personally in a very organic way. And then after we launch our kids, that's when we dig into it. But it seems to be a little bit backwards that we're expected to do all the things when our kids need us the most and when we really want to embrace and cherish those moments the most.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. And it's funny because it's like so many, so many people and businesses and goals are chasing, like, I want to go viral. I want my business to blow up. And like, of course, everyone wants to be successful, but like I don't, this sounds bad, but like I don't want to go viral. Like I am a one-man, like or one woman machine. I can't handle like 300 orders in a day that people are like blowing up on these social media platforms and stuff. Like, that is not my goal. In in my mind, like, I'm doing this so I can walk my kids to school. I'm doing this so I can volunteer in their classes, I'm doing this so that I can take time off in the summer and do something that I love. But I want to do it in a slow and meaningful way. Like slow growth is good growth, in my opinion, you know? So maybe it's taking me a little slower and longer to get here. But look at all the things that I get to do on the other side of my life and be present with my kids and like, you know, be up with them and making lunches and doing all the things that make me happy at home as well. Like going viral for me is not the goal. And I'm like scared of that, you know, because it's too much and too fast. And I think that everyone is chasing that right now, which is a little scary.
SPEAKER_02:So yeah, it's so important to reflect on that, Curly, because you know, you have to ask yourself, what is it gonna feel like when I get there? If I get there, do I really want that? And do I want to be managing a team to be able to maintain that? It looks like the bright, shiny thing that we should be chasing, but that's not true. And that's the message that I'm trying to share here and why it's so important. It was so important for me to have you talk about your story because these are the Things that matter most. You have the rest of your life to go viral. If you decide to go viral when your kids are, you know, in college or off doing their own thing, it might make more sense to you at that point, but it might not make sense right now. So it's really good to understand that and to really embrace the phase of life that you're in right now. That being said, Carly, I know that giving back is a huge part of your mission. Can you tell us about paper scripts, cards that give back initiative? How does that tie into your mission of community and connection?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, absolutely. So I used to work for an organization that was a charity, and that was one thing that I knew that I wanted to incorporate into my business and to create as one of the main pillars of what we do and why we do. So Cards at Give Back was born through that desire. And basically, once a year, I work with a chosen charity that has meaning to me or is local to my area and my community so that I can find a way to give back through what I do in PaperScript. So Cards at Give Back, every year we create or offer a trio of grading cards. Um and we donate 100% of the proceeds back to that chosen charity. So this year we're actually working with uh Community Care, St. Catharines and Thorald. Um we're launching, I believe December 14th, or sorry, November 14th. We're running for um mid-November to mid-December. And I'll be selling greeting card trios for the holidays that again will give right back to the community that I live in and support people at a time like this when obviously needs are so high during the holidays, you know. So it's important to me to find a way to stay connected to my community and find a way to give people an opportunity to find community and stay connected to something that is meaningful for them as well. So um, yeah, I just it's something that I found was missing when I left the work that I was doing that was very focused on charity and community and connection and that I wanted to incorporate into my business. So it's it's incredibly motivating for me and incredibly inspiring for me to work on these um little campaigns and these initiatives. So um yeah, I'm very excited to be offering the holiday cards this year because we've never done a holiday trio before. So really pumped about that. And it'll be launching in yeah, less than two weeks. So super exciting.
SPEAKER_02:Wonderful. And just to be clear, this is St. Catharines and Thorald in Ontario, Canada. That's right. Yeah. So can people access those cards who don't live in that area? Or is it specifically for that community? Okay.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, so absolutely. I have them listed on my website. I have people buy from all over the place, um, from the United States, from all across Canada. And it's nothing that is um like there's a piece on the back of the card that identifies the charity that it goes towards, but people can use the cards for anything as well, too. So yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Wonderful. Thank you, Carly, for the awareness you have that those needs are out there and that you have the power to contribute in your small way through paper script. Thank you. So, Carly, as we wrap up, I always like to bring it back to the listener, the person who might be feeling stretched thin or disconnected from what really matters. What would you say to someone who's craving more connection or creative purpose but doesn't know where to start?
SPEAKER_01:Start with paper. I think it's so simple. Like you, you know, it doesn't have to be difficult and it doesn't have to be intimidating. Like you could literally jot down a three-word note and stick it on a mirror for your loved ones at home, you know, or you could sit down and you could write um a letter to a friend. I always say, like, you know, it's great to receive the Christmas cards and the birthday cards, but sometimes those unexpected notes are what are the most special and the most um impactful because they're they're unexpected. So I would say grab some paper, grab a pen, and just put your feelings down on paper. It'll surprise people, I think, that it forces them to slow down and really hone in into what's going on in their life and what they can put on paper. And sometimes it's easiest when A, you keep things on hand. So try to just keep a couple cards on hand, maybe a stamp or two if possible, but really just take the pressure off of yourself. And if it's a post-it, if it's a like lunch note that goes into your kids' um lunch pail, those types of things. I think that that's a really way, really great way to ground yourself and focus on connection in a really, really easy and simple way.
SPEAKER_02:That's beautiful, Carly. I love that. And I'm curious to know, do you have any packages that people can purchase? I love the idea of having go-to cards in my cupboard that I can just pull out when I'm feeling inspired to send people because when you have to drive to a store, you have to put it on the grocery list and you're waiting another week to send it. I I don't there's a disconnect there. I like the idea of just being able to respond to that nudge when I feel like somebody, you know, could use that uplifting note and just pull it from the variety of cards that I have and send it their way.
SPEAKER_01:I don't have an actual box set, but what I do have is a recommended list of cards we should all keep on hand at all times that'll kind of cover your bases. So I always suggest you, of course, have birthday, thank you, sympathy, um, a congratulations, usually like a love or a simple card like that, um, and then like a note card or a just because, because those are going to cover all of your occasions. So if you have um a stash to keep um those on hand, then that would be what I would suggest. But we do also offer a subscription box too that works to stock people up every month. So our PS Plus box is a box that gets mailed out once a month and it ships four cards right to your doorstep. And we work on building that stash right for you. So we're making sure that we're sending um specific occasions at specific times of the year, and we're working to make sure that everyone has got all of those pieces covered so that you have that quick box to, oh, this just happened. I need to pull a really easy paper script card out. Um, so that is available, and we often get a lot of people gifting them for the holidays, which is a really great fun way because it keeps coming throughout the year. So we have lots of gift options for the subscription box as well. Um, but that's our way of kind of supporting people to make it approachable, make it easy, and to make it convenient to constantly just have that really easy card to pull from in your own home.
SPEAKER_02:So what a great idea, Carly. And I love the name PS Plus. So cute. Thank you. I'll have to look into that. And uh I encourage everybody to go to Carly's website, paperscript.ca, I believe it is. Yes. And I will put that in the show notes because her cards are so beautiful, they're so creative, they're simple, and they're just you just have to have a visual for what she's created. Thank you. On that note, Carly, where can people find you and follow along with what you're creating through Paperscript?
SPEAKER_01:So, as you mentioned, I have a website, so paperscript.ca, all my information's on there. And then I have um an Instagram account as well. So at Paperscript um is the Instagram account. And I'm always open for a chat or DM and love connecting with people. So I'd encourage people to reach out at any time.
SPEAKER_02:Wonderful. Carly, your cards are absolutely beautiful, and your mission is something we can all stand behind. You're showing the world that it's possible to build a business that cares about people, social impact, and leading with integrity. This is so important to um really present to the world, especially right now. It's something that people can stand behind and something that gives people hope. It was such an honor to have this conversation, and I can only hope that this conversation will help support PaperScript without making you go viral. I don't think this podcast is anywhere close to helping you do that just yet. But uh, I can tell that you're a heart-led business that's paving the way for a new norm. And uh I really appreciate that. So thank you so much for being here, and I look forward to staying in touch. Thank you so much, Jill.
SPEAKER_01:It was so fun to catch up and chat today, and I really appreciate the support.
SPEAKER_02:It was wonderful.
SPEAKER_01:Have a great day, Carly. Great chatting with you.
SPEAKER_02:Thank you. You too. Carly's reminder to slow down, to create from authenticity, and to connect in real ways feels like such a breath of fresh air, especially in a world that often rewards speed over substance. You can connect with Carly and explore her beautiful work at paperscript.ca. Until next time, may you find moments of stillness, presence, and inspiration right where you are. Thank you so much for listening to Be Still and Live. If today's episode brought you a breath of peace or a moment of clarity, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who might need it too. For more resources to support your journey toward a slower, simpler, more connected life, visit SoleiloCoaching.com or connect with me on Instagram at Soleil Coaching. Until next time, be still and live.
SPEAKER_00:This podcast is produced, mixed, and edited by Cardinal Studio. For more information about how to start your own podcast, please visit www.cardinalstudio.co or email Mike at mike at cardinalstudio.co. You can also find the details in the show notes.