The Beginning of Sun and Ruins

This is a blog where I talk a little bit about my childhood.

My Struggles

My inspiration

And what started Sun and Ruins.

The inspiration for Sun and Ruins came to me long before the brand became a reality. As a young kid, I was always drawing. I spent my time creating a world outside of my own and used it as an escape from real life.

School was hard growing up. I was bullied and didn't really feel like I belonged. I was shy and often silenced and really struggled to keep up with the other kids. Amid the challenges, art and writing became my refuge. These subjects allowed me to express myself without the pressure of verbal communication.

In intermediate school, I met my best friend. We did everything together and still do to this day. It was during those years that I found a lifeline in her family, especially when her mother allowed me to stay with them for a few weeks. My home life wasn’t always the safest, and their home became a sanctuary for me.

One day, while we were both just sitting in her bedroom, I discovered my love for poetry. With a pen in hand and a notebook resting on my lap, I began to write. I crafted a story about a boy growing up in a world filled with barriers—addiction, war, and sickness. The weight of society bore down on him, much like the burdens I felt in my own life.

As I poured my heart onto the pages, I realized that this boy was really just like me. Through my writing, I found a way to cope with my struggles, to express the things I couldn’t say out loud. Poetry became my voice, a means of exploring my emotions and experiences without having to confront them directly.

My best friend was my anchor during those times. Together, we navigated the complexities of adolescence, supporting each other through the highs and lows. Our friendship was a testament to the resilience of youth, and it was through our bond that I learned the importance of connection and understanding.

Those weeks spent in her home and the poetry I wrote shaped who I am today. They taught me that even in the darkest moments, there is light to be found in creativity and companionship. As I continue to write and share my story, I carry with me the lessons learned during that pivotal time in my life, forever grateful for the friendship that helped me find my voice.

I went on with my education and eventually graduated. I believed that the pain I experienced during my childhood might finally be over. I was at last getting away from the bullies. However, I still wasn't sure about my future identity, and the thought of life after high school scared me.

Every morning, as I boarded the bus to college, a wave of anxiety washed over me. I felt like I didn't belong in a world that I didn't want to be in. When I wasn't in school, I was working at a job that I grew to dread each and every day. My mental health hit its greatest downfall.

I also faced significant challenges in college. It felt as though I had completely lost my voice due to the difficulties I encountered in relationships and various external obstacles. During this time, my poetry evolved considerably. In one of my classes, I wrote a poem titled "Pull Me from the Ruins."

I was taking life one day at a time, dreading each new morning. I had no understanding of peace.

However, life went on.

One night, my best friend sent me a link to a job that she wanted me to apply for with her. Little did we both know, it would change both of our lives. I got out of a not so great relationship and eventually quit my first job. I couldn't keep doing both jobs because one of them was a night shift and the other was during the day. We got a place together with the money we had saved, and I finally learned what quiet felt like. I began to pick up writing and drawing again now that my brain wasn't clouded with all the noise.

Something brought me back to that poem I wrote in college, which became the inspiration for the brand. I first composed it in 2019 and revisited it in 2022. Since then, Sun and Ruins has been an ongoing project.

Ever since I sketched the initial design connected to the poem years ago, it has been my greatest dream, and now it's time to turn that dream into reality. It's a tale of hope, perseverance, grief, love, and triumph. It's about weathering the storm.

Sun and Ruins is more than just a clothing brand; it's a story.