From Our Community:

Real People, Real Rituals

A Love Letter to Our People

Borne Real was never meant to be just a brand. From day one, it’s been a soft space for growth, grief, celebration, surrender — and everything in between. We create mugs, journals, and candles, yes — but more than that, we create rituals. And behind every ritual is a real person with a real story. That’s where you come in.

This page is a reflection of the heartbeats behind the purchases, the hands behind the pages, and the women behind the healing. These are the stories of how you have brought Borne Real to life. We don’t just want to sell to a community — we want to grow with one. That’s why your voice matters here.

Whether you’re just beginning your ritual journey or have created an entire morning ceremony with our products, your story is sacred. Thank you for choosing to share space with us. Thank you for letting our tools meet you in your most tender places. We’re honored to be part of your soft return.

Why We Celebrate Our Community

There’s something powerful about hearing your story in someone else’s words. The kind of recognition that reminds you: you’re not alone in your transition. You’re not the only one building a new version of yourself from a quiet place. Every review, every message, every tag on social — it adds to a shared ritual that spans time zones and emotions.

We believe that the best kind of marketing is lived experience. That nothing we write could replace what you feel. So this page is yours. A soft spotlight on your voice, your rituals, your return.

Your Stories, In Your Words

“My Borne Real journal helped me move through my breakup with intention instead of spiraling. It felt like a conversation with myself.”
— Mariah J., Oakland, CA

“Lighting my Holy Lavender candle before bed has become a sacred part of my routine. I sleep better, dream deeper, and feel calmer.”
— Tasha L., Brooklyn, NY

“The Waiting to Exhale mug makes me feel seen. It’s a simple thing, but it carries big emotion.”
— Keisha M., Atlanta, GA

"I bought the 'Gentle Return' journal thinking I’d write occasionally, but it became my morning ritual. I literally light my candle, grab my mug, and give myself ten minutes. I’ve never felt so rooted in my own story."
— Imani R., Chicago, IL

“I gifted my sister the 'Shadow Pages' journal and she cried. She said it was the first time someone gave her something that said, 'I see your pain and your healing.' That’s what Borne Real does.”
— Dani A., Houston, TX

“The candles shift my entire space. The first time I lit Fresh Air, it was like opening a window in my soul. That’s not even an exaggeration.”
— Bre S., Portland, OR

“When I hold my Exhale mug in the morning, it feels like a permission slip to be soft. Like a deep breath I didn’t know I needed.”
— Renee L., Charlotte, NC

“Borne Real products aren’t just beautiful — they’re intentional. You can feel the care in every scent, every word, every detail.”
— Ashley W., San Diego, CA

What These Rituals Have Meant

The stories above aren’t just feedback — they’re reminders that ritual doesn’t have to be complicated to be life-changing. For many of you, it’s lighting a candle after a long day. It’s journaling your way through a breakup. It’s sipping your tea from a mug that tells you to choose yourself first.

Our community rituals look like:

  • Morning quiet with an affirmation mug and soft playlist

  • A handwritten journal entry before bed with lavender in the air

  • Gifting a friend a candle for courage, with a note that says, “You’re not alone.”

  • Celebrating transitions — jobs, moves, relationships — with tools for grounding

Your rituals shape our mission. You show us that beauty lives in the slow moments, the heavy ones, the soft restarts.

Growing Together — One Story at a Time

As Borne Real continues to grow, we want your voice to stay central. That means:

  • Featuring your stories in our newsletter and blog

  • Reposting your rituals (with permission) across socials

  • Inviting you to co-create collections and name future products

  • Hosting community events, virtual and in-person

This isn’t a brand talking to followers. This is a collective of returners — people on the path of emotional honesty, spiritual nourishment, and radical softness.

We grow by listening. And your story is the soil we grow in.

Words from the Founder

“As a Black woman who has had to rebuild from many chapters, I created Borne Real because I needed something real to return to — something soft, something sacred. I never imagined how many of you would resonate with that. Now, every time I see a photo of your journal on your nightstand, or your candle lit next to your altar, I feel like I’m witnessing a prayer fulfilled.

This community isn’t an audience — it’s a garden. And every review, every ritual, every moment you choose yourself... it waters all of us.”
— Shenell, Founder of Borne Real

What You’re Saying (Highlights)

On Journals:
“The prompts felt like therapy. I’ve cried in these pages more than I expected.” – Alia, LA
“Finally a journal that honors transitions without forcing toxic positivity.” – Brittany, Detroit

On Candles:
“The scent hit me before I even lit it. Pure magic.” – Maya, Baltimore
“It’s the calm in my chaos.” – Jada, NYC

On Mugs:
“My mug tells me to rest. And I listen.” – Natasha, Philly
“Coffee just tastes more intentional now.” – Simone, Miami

Let's Keep Glowing

Want to stay close to the community? Join our Ritual Circle to receive:

  • Exclusive community features

  • Ritual tips and affirmations

  • First looks at new drops

  • Invitations to share your voice

You Are the Story

This page isn’t complete without you. Every word you share makes this space more real, more warm, more honest. Borne Real doesn’t exist without the people who light the candles, write the pages, and drink from the mug like it’s sacred.

So, thank you. For your softness. For your stories. For letting us walk with you through your becoming.

We’re here. We’re growing. Let’s exhale — together.