From Chemo to Candle Wax: How My Cancer Recovery Inspired Me to Fight the Floral Fragrance Industry.
Let's be real: nobody plans for cancer. And certainly, nobody plans for cancer to completely rewire their sense of smell and their tolerance for... well, everything. Before the endless appointments, the IV drips, and the subtle metallic tang in the air, I was just like anyone else, vaguely tolerating the fruit-and-flower scented assault on my senses in every home goods store.
Then came the diagnosis. And with it, a relentless, all-consuming journey through cancer recovery.
The Floral Fragrance Fiasco: When "Pleasant" Became Painful
Chemotherapy changes things. It's not just the big stuff; it's the insidious little things, like how every "fresh linen" or "sweet pea" candle suddenly smelled like a chemical weapon. My olfactory system, already on high alert, simply couldn't handle the saccharine sweetness. It felt… weak. Insincere. It definitely didn't smell like resilience.
I craved scents that felt real. Grounded. Scents that acknowledged the fight, the grit, the sheer iron resolve it takes to get up every day and face down something truly awful. What I found on the market was a desert of despair, filled with candles that smelled like cupcakes or a field of daisies. If I had to smell one more "lavender vanilla," I was going to throw something. Hard.
This wasn't about being picky; it was about survival. I needed my environment to reflect the strength I was trying to cultivate within myself.
The Spark of Grit & Wick: Hand-Poured Defiance
It was in that space—that desperate need for authentic, powerful aroma—that Grit & Wick was born. I realized I couldn't be the only one sick of the fragrance industry's soft, sugary surrender. There had to be others who craved masculine candles that weren't overpowering colognes, or women who appreciated a scent that hinted at a dark, oak-paneled library rather than a brightly lit bakery.
So, I started experimenting. With raw wax, with complex fragrance oils that blended notes of worn leather, rich tobacco, aged whiskey, and even subtle hints of gunpowder. It wasn't about making "manly candles" for men; it was about making non-sweet candles for anyone who valued depth, character, and a bit of a rebellious spirit.
Every single hand-poured candle at Grit & Wick is a testament to that journey. It's crafted with the meticulous care I wish I'd found in other products during my darkest days. It's a refusal to settle for blandness.
Beyond the Burn: Our Mission & Custom Concoctions
Grit & Wick isn't just a small business owner's passion project; it's a philosophy. It’s about facing adversity head-on, finding strength in unlikely places, and scenting your world with purpose. Our unique candle scents are designed to empower, to ground, and yes, to be a little bit cheeky in their defiance of the mainstream.
And if you can't find the exact scent of raw determination you're looking for in our collection? We even offer custom scent formulation services. Because everyone deserves a candle that smells exactly like their inner badass.
My healing journey with cancer taught me that grit isn't just a word; it's a way of life. And now, it's a way to scent your home.
Ready to upgrade your ambiance and ditch the sugar? Explore the full Grit & Wick collection today.