This weekend, I went back to the Cleveland Botanical Garden for the first time since I was 10 years old. I didn’t expect it to hit me the way it did, but as soon as I walked in, I was completely overwhelmed—with excitement, emotion, and something deeper I couldn’t quite name at first. I cried. Right there, in the middle of all that beauty.

It was a reminder of how far I’ve come.

The occasion was Deep Roots, a powerful art show curated by Black artists, each exploring themes of growth and connection through their own creative lens. To witness that level of expression—in a space that already holds so much wonder—was beyond inspiring. It was like seeing creativity bloom in real time. To have it happen right here, in our city, made it even more special.

I went with two of my best friends, Substance and Kadijah. We haven’t been out together much lately, but being with them felt grounding. Safe. Their presence reminded me why existence—my existence—matters. There’s nothing like being around people who hold space for your growth, especially when you’re learning to hold space for it yourself.

These days, I’ve been stepping out of my comfort zone more than ever before. It’s not always easy, but moments like this show me it’s worth it. I’m proud of myself for making room for new experiences, and for allowing joy to move through me—even when it catches me off guard.

Just like the plants,
I am growing.
And this time, I feel it.

With love and light,
Sierra Delaine

Food for Thought: What moment in nature or art last reminded you of your own growth?

And so it begins—we back on movement timing!

Shout out to @forartssakecle and @ilthy for taking the time to recognize some of the dope artists in Cleveland 🤭 including ME. We work hard, and we’re growing spaces every chance we get.

Being a part of this event reminded me how crucial it is to lift each other up in this city. I felt honored to be surrounded by so many incredible creatives who are pushing the culture forward through art, music, style, and heart.

At the same time, I want to be real: while I’m very happy to be recognized, I also felt a twinge of disappointment in the lack of acknowledgment for some very influential artists in Cleveland. There are so many voices that deserve to be seen and heard.

We’re building spaces, yes—but we have to be intentional about building inclusive ones. Because light can’t truly fill a room if we’re not letting it shine into every corner it can.

We are the movement. And we’re just getting started.

Food for Thought: How can we create more inclusive spaces in the creative communities we’re part of?

Tonight was magic.

I stepped out of my comfort zone in more ways than one—lashes on, guitar in hand, and heart wide open. This whole month has been a quiet invitation to stretch myself, to explore new parts of my creativity, and to trust that showing up differently can lead to something beautiful.

Performing solo always feels raw and intimate, but tonight it felt like something more—it felt powerful. The energy in The Elliot was incredible, and I’m so thankful to every person who showed up, tuned in, and supported not just me, but the gig workers this show was for. You made this night unforgettable.

One thing I’m learning: when you intentionally allow yourself to step out of your comfort zone, you’re not just trying something new—you’re stepping directly into your power. That’s where the magic happens.

So I’m passing the question to you—
How do you think you can step out of your comfort zone next month?

Let it be small, let it be big. Just let it be yours.

With love and gratitude,
Sierra Delaine

Lately, I’ve been deep in the process of working on my EP, and let me tell you—it’s been hard. Beautiful, exciting, but also incredibly challenging. There are moments when the music feels like it’s flowing perfectly, and then there are other times when I find myself stuck, unsure of how to push through.

The hardest part? Realizing that I need help.

I’ve always been someone who likes to handle things on my own, but as I’ve been working through this project, I’ve come to see just how much asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. It’s been hard for me to express my needs, especially when I’ve had past experiences that left me feeling disappointed or let down.

But here’s the thing: those moments of feeling stuck—those are the moments when you need to reach out. They’re the moments when you have to be honest with yourself and with the people around you about where you are and what you need. No more pretending like you’ve got it all figured out.

And guess what? It’s okay to reach for help. It’s okay to lean into the community, even if it feels vulnerable or scary. I’m learning that my growth is not just about what I can do on my own—it’s about who I surround myself with, who’s lifting me up and walking alongside me.

A huge shoutout to Will Cherry and Unknownphrazes for taking the time to help me with this project and honestly opening their minds to my process. They’ve been absolutely wonderful, and I’m so grateful for their support and insight.

So if you’re out there and you’re feeling stuck, like the world is waiting for you to have it all together—please don’t let past disappointments or fear keep you from reaching out. Your community is here, and it’s waiting to support you.

I’m so proud of myself for taking this step and asking for help when I need it. It’s a hard, beautiful step, and I’m learning to trust it more every day.

We’re all in this together.

With love,
Sierra Delaine

Food for Thought: Who can you reach out to when you're feeling stuck—and how would it feel to let them in?

Let me tell y’all,
My days have been moving in a way that feels unsteady at times, like the numbers don’t match the moments. You feel that?

Honestly I think I’m stepping into a phase that’s serving me more than before. Grateful for the people on this journey with me—their growth is just as impactful as mine. Seeing us become our best selves is a beautiful thing.

It’s wild how sometimes the hardest transitions lead to the clearest transformations. It’s like I’m finally learning to appreciate the middle, not just the outcome. I’m beginning to welcome the in-between stages of growth and let them be enough.

Excited to perform this Friday and Sunday with @joerangelguitar doing what I love and connecting with all of you. Feeling the strength of growth instead of the pain from it is something special.

Let’s keep creating better y’all.

Food for Thought: In what area of your life are you starting to feel the strength of your own growth?