Holding Space for Both Order and Expression

Black and white photo of a woman with blond hair and patterned shirt sitting on the floor in front of a sofa, looking to her left. 
The Story Behind the Stillness

Hi, I’m Sharla — a writer, systems strategist, and gentle disruptor of burnout culture.

After more than a decade in operations roles across fast-paced industries, I found myself unraveling in a system that wasn’t designed for minds like mine. I was burned out, disoriented, and unsure of how I had gotten so far from myself.

Then came a turning point:
I discovered I’m autistic.
And suddenly, everything made sense.

What followed was a slow, intentional return to my own rhythm — one that honors softness, creativity, emotional nuance, and the deep need for clarity without chaos.

Today, I bring that lived experience into everything I do.

Through Calm Ops Studio, I support neurodivergent and creative entrepreneurs with emotionally intelligent operational systems — the kind that don’t just help your business run, but help you feel safe inside it.

Through my writing, I explore what it means to be tender in a world that celebrates toughness. I write poetry, essays, and reflections on self-trust, slow living, and the quiet revolution of showing up as your full self.

Whether I’m helping you streamline your business or shape a sentence that finally feels like home, my work is here to remind you:

You don’t need to force clarity.
You can arrive gently.

A white desk with an open notebook, pen, and pen rest, a white coffee mug, a folded newspaper, a vase with green leaves, and small earrings. 
What I Value

Softness as strength

  • Structure as self-trust

  • Quiet over chaos

  • Neurodivergent wisdom

  • Creative expression as truth

10 Things About Me

  1. I’m a systems thinker with a poet’s heart.
    I love making things work beautifully, whether it’s a backend workflow or the rhythm of a sentence.

  2. I discovered I’m autistic in my 40s.
    It explained everything: the burnout, the sensitivity, the deep need for meaning in everything I do.

  3. Calm is my baseline.
    I don’t chase hustle. I build things that feel good in the nervous system — for myself and for others.

  4. I believe in the soft revolution.
    That gentleness, slowness, and emotional intelligence aren’t weaknesses; they’re world-changing strengths.

  5. I’m a self-published author and daily poet.
    I once wrote a poem every day for a year. Writing is how I process, connect, and reclaim space.

  6. Operations is my love language.
    I genuinely enjoy building backend systems that reduce overwhelm and restore clarity.

  7. I live in Ottawa, in a home full of stories.
    There’s usually sourdough rising, 90’s R&B playing, and someone asking me where I put the scissors.

  8. I’ve built a business from burnout.
    Calm Ops Studio was born from a need to work in a way that supports my brain and my boundaries.

  9. I thrive on quiet mornings, deep conversations, and open tabs full of ideas.

  10. Everything I do is rooted in care.
    Whether I’m writing a poem or refining a workflow, I’m holding space for softness, clarity, and truth.

Black and white photo of a woman sitting on a couch near a window with curtains, looking at the camera.

Let’s Work Together

Looking for some creative inspiration?

Need operational support that’s calm, clear, and compassionate?