What Scented Candles Can Teach Us About Life, Aging, and Finding Our Voice

Written by Richard Valdez — “Fragrance and the City”

Scents as Stories — Why Fragrance Matters

Scented candles are more than décor. Each fragrance—lavender, lemon verbena, leather, gardenia—carries memory, mood, identity. In real estate and in life, what you bring into a room matters.

The Classic, the Bold, and the Unexpected — Phases of Life Reflected in Fragrance

The Classics — Dependable, Elegant, Subtle Presence

As we age, there’s something to be said for quiet strength. Some scents—and some people—offer solace without demanding applause. They ground us. They root us.

The Bold Scents — Confidence and the Courage to Be Heard

Gardenia. Coffee. Leather. These are the notes that announce arrival. They remind us of the times we stepped forward, spoke up, made our voice heard. In personal growth, being bold is necessary.

The Blends — Harmony, Complexity, True Voice

Tobacco‑vanilla. Sea salt & sage. Fig & black pepper. Unexpected combinations that complement. That blend. That’s a metaphor for aging, for finding a voice that respects both strength and softness.

Lighting Rituals, Life Rituals — Intention and Presence

Small Acts That Shift Atmosphere

Lighting a candle in my home has become ritual: a declaration of presence. In real estate showings, in life, presence matters. The scent you carry (figuratively or literally) shapes how people perceive you.

Maturity: From Loud to Authentic Resonance

At 60, I’ve moved through phases—quiet observer, bold voice, blend of both. Aging isn’t about fading—it’s about refining your voice, aligning your values, and letting your presence be felt without forcing it.

Finding Your Voice — The Fragrance You Leave Behind

Finding your voice is like choosing a fragrance: you want something that isn’t fleeting. It lingers. It becomes part of the memory of a house, of a community, of people you love.

Final Reflections — Leave a Fragrance Worth Remembering

Life, aging, and voice aren’t opposed to each other — they’re layers of a blend. You don’t have to dominate. Harmonize. Let your presence add warmth. Let your scent—your life story—linger.

“We’re all just trying to find our space in the room... and leave behind a fragrance worth remembering.”