Embarrassing Moments | 2
It's been a while, guys.
I haven't shared my most memorable embarrassing moments in quite some time (part 1 here). Now keep in mind, I am not really one to get embarrassed easily, so it took me a long time to conjure these back up from the repressed sectors of my mind. Since I put my foot in my mouth so often, humiliation is a distant memory. That being said, I'm pleased to bring you some of those rare memories today. For the sake of your entertainment and good humored fun, here are my embarrassing moments. Enjoy!
The Panicked-Mother-Call
My freshmen year of college, I was dating this guy.
We weren't together more than three months, I think, but in that time span I had told my mom, sisters, and one of my brothers (who thoroughly did not approve hahahaha) about him....
Anyways, it was spring break and I had to stay at school the entire week because my classes at the art institute were not on the same spring break, and we weren't allowed to miss any classes there. My mother was not a big fan of me being all alone, on a nearly empty campus, in a strange city for a week. She was constantly checking in and worrying about me. CONSTANTLY.
One evening after class and work, I dropped by this boyfriend's parent's house (where he was living) to say hi. He and I had gone outside for a while, and I had left my phone in my purse on silent in the foyer. I was only there for thirty minutes or so. No big deal. When I got to my car and looked at my phone, I had two or three missed calls from my mother. I called her back right away, and she proclaimed,
"Gosh, honey, I was so worried about you! I called his house and talked to his mom. You need to keep your phone on you!"
Of course, she was joking... right?
"She seemed like a really nice lady,"
She wasn't joking. She had actually Googled their names and found a phone number.
I. Was. Mortified.
"Mother, I can NOT even TALK to you right now!!!"
I promptly hung up and called my sisters. They, of course, empathized deeply.
The next day he visited me at work and brought up how weird it was (agreed, buddy, agreed).
As a bonus embarrassment, I should add that on this little work visit, I had a child on my lap (I worked in a daycare). While we were quietly talking over the previous night's event, the little one on my lap was facing me and asking what "these were"... while poking me in the chest. I awkwardly tried to steer her attention elsewhere - to no avail - and she thought it was even more hilarious to keep poking and ask louder what "these were" as my boyfriend of like two nano-seconds looked on in horror. In the child's defense I'm pretty sure I was wearing a white shirt with a bright undergarment, so... just one of many outfit faux pas in college (hint: read on).
Needless to say, things didn't work out with that guy. Although, on the bright side, I did spend that terrible, lonely, spring break week carpooling to my class with my tall, debonaire, handsome, lithe, thoughtful, kind, chiseled-chin, huba-huba of a future husband, so all’s well that ends well.
Wedding Trippin'
This isn't too big of a deal, but I did trip going up to the front of the church after my dad passed me off. Thankfully he passed his clutzy daughter off to a guy that can handle her missteps, and Tom kept me from full-out face planting, but it was enough to elicit a gasp from the guests. It may have had something to do with my shoes being too big. The toes were stuffed with Kleenex! But they were super pretty, so #YOLO
Awkward Outfit
College. A time for testing all the boundaries.
I was fearless, you guys. And I had no shame whatsoever. And also the cutest little figure known to man, so I happened to be able to pull a lot of weird things off.
This was not one of those times.
One night, there was a basketball game going on. All my friends were going, but I needed to finish studying one last thing and do my laundry, so I said I'd try to get there for the second half. Our basketball teams were legitimately good, so the games were usually pretty well attended for a smaller university. Well, since I had no normal looking clean clothes, I showed up in knee-high socks with some weird pattern on them, neon green pajama short-shorts, a tank top, slide-on furry slippers (admittedly, I totally still rock these), and my hair in pigtails. I think I thought my tall socks paired with my short-shorts added up to full pants, but of course, that's not even remotely logical.
I walked across the gym like this and every single person in the stands had their mouths gaping open at the sight I was to behold. Cheerfully, I climbed up to my friends (guys and girls alike) as they all quietly huddled around me, inquiring about my thought process, while offering me clothing because I looked like a cold, immodest, clown. Hahaha I can still hear them..
"Joy. What the heck are you wearing?! Those are barely shorts?! Why didn't you just wear a sweatshirt?! Here, take my hoodie."
And my perfectly acceptable response...
"Sorry guys, it's laundry day."
It was one of my shining moments.
I hope that's enough to fill your cup for now, friends, and I hope this post started your week off right. Maybe things at home or work have felt a little overwhelming or you're crumbling under the stress of something. Hopefully this lightened your day and helped you feel like less of a disaster in comparison :)
Adult Friendships
So much of life is learning as you go. It constantly ebbs and flows upon peaks and valleys. Some of us will learn lessons that others never will, and we'll navigate hardships in many different ways. There is no telling what we'll encounter in this life, but one of the parts of humanity I cherish is how we can relate to one another. There is inevitable common ground among all of us, and finding that commonality can be discovered in a five minute conversation, or it could take years before we find that we can relate to certain individuals.
Growing up, finding that bit of commonality among classmates was easy. Whether it be on the grade school playground, high school extra-curriculars, or in college classes, creating friendships was fun and exciting. There was always plenty in common among so many peers, and often times lasting friendships were made. I think back to my own college experience and how incredible it was to have chosen my friends based on shared morals or values. For those four years, we were an inseparable crew, witnessing the next stages of one another’s lives in college, after graduation, through engagements and weddings… and now, babies!
Many, I think, are blessed in finding meaningful friendships during school years. Whether you have a shared faith or not, it’s easy to sift through a large group of peers and nurture friendships based on shared values. Those values can create enduring bonds which can lead to lasting relationships.
Eventually, of course, you’re out of this realm and on to the bigger, wider world. You see less of those friends you love, and you’re challenged to create new friendships among the new landscape of your life. The thing is, it’s so hard and different from the only reality you knew for the last seventeen years. Of all the things my parents, teachers, older friends, and siblings had taught or warned me about over the years, none of them mentioned how difficult adult friendships would be.
It just often strikes me as odd, though, that I had never even heard it mentioned. Especially since it has been an overwhelmingly common topic of conversation among my old and new friends in adulthood. We all seem to echo the same insecurities, so why in the world do we only know about this phenomenon upon entering post-grad life? How has this not trickled down to the soon-to-be grads in hopes they’ll remember to exercise friendship-gratefulness now?
But I hope to change that.
I hope this reaches the right circles and it can offer a well-meaning hint at life beyond classes and peers. Most college seniors have their eyes fixed on careers, new adventures, first apartments… and maybe even marriage - as they should!
But somewhere in that exciting time it would have been nice to have been warned that friendships later on would be so very, very hard. Not even just hard, but often times… weird. Awkward even. Suddenly, you feel as though you’re back in middle school, wondering if you said something dumb or if you’re reading into something more than you should.
Am I calling them too often?
Would they rather spend time with friends they know better?
Am I more of a nuisance to their schedule?
I wonder if they think I’m dull/uninteresting/whiney?
What’s the etiquette in _____ situation?
There’s no one way of defining what makes adult friendships difficult or awkward. Many times I think it has a lot to do with stage of life.
For example, in my first job out of college, I worked in a company with lots of young women my own age. We all got along great and the 9-to-5 was enjoyable together, but when I got married a few months after starting, a change started to occur. I started getting invited less often to happy hours or get-togethers outside of work, and on the flip-side, I would have rather spent the time with my husband anyway. I had a small sense of FOMO (fear of missing out), but mostly was more delighted to go home and be a newlywed. So, after a while, I became a loner and kept face-value friendships at the office, but worked for the weekends and nights with my husband. I still had my dearest friends from college within driving distance, and we tried to get dinners together every month or so. As my co-worker’s office friendships remained the same, mine grew more distant.
When we moved, I no longer had the buffer of family or close friends nearby, and the new idea that I had to make adult friends hit me like a ton of bricks. I worked from home, lived in a strange city, and suddenly adulthood seemed less enticing than it had only two years before. My husband was one of the youngest employees in his office, and meeting other couples with similar interests, in a similar stage of life, was rare.
I remember one night in particular that demonstrates the awkwardness well:
A few weeks after moving, we had discovered a small brewery nearby and made a date out of our first visit there. The brewery had a giant Jenga set, and soon we merited an invitation from another young couple to play against them. There were few other people at the brewery that night, and the four of us had a great time laughing between sips of beer and exchanging competitive remarks. After a couple of rounds, we said our goodbyes and left for the night. But shortly after pulling away, we commented on the chemistry between the four of us and wondered if asking for their number would be weird.
Did they have as much fun as us? Would they think it odd if we asked to hang out with them again, after only a couple hours worth of drinking and Jenga-ing? Should we really turn around and get their number.. or does that just look desperate? Is there even a way “ask out” another couple without sounding like creeps?
Needless to say, we kept on driving. We had never been in that scenario before, but it was the first scenario of many like it.
After several months, and upon further investigation (aka conversations with those I love and admire) I discovered that the awkward navigation of adult friendships isn’t an uncommon matter. Yet, the topic seems hush-hush or goes unspoken while we all silently struggle through. There’s nothing wrong with bearing it and learning our way as we go, but for some, knowing we’re not alone in our ‘feels’ can help us make sense of it.
It can help us relate, when later down the road, a ‘new adult’ comes along and mutters their secret struggle in making adult friends. We can look both ways before voicing loudly to them, “Welcome to the club! Let me buy you a drink!” We can hear them out, knowing full-well the struggles they’re facing. They can exhale a sigh of relief, knowing they aren’t some society reject, and can rest easy on the knowledge that fitting-in looks different as you age.
That it depends on shared values, or at least shared interests. That it doesn’t always mean being the same age, but maybe having similar lifestyles. That ‘clicking’ with someone doesn’t always happen right away (or at all). That desperation for a friend doesn’t usually bode well for anyone. That it’s okay to be choosy, but not okay not to give someone a chance. That friendship isn’t a one-size-fits-all. And that people may surprise you - in good ways and in bad.
There’s beauty in the struggle too, but sometimes having someone around to validate your feelings can be enough to help you turn your struggle into a new adventure. For a long time I felt no sense of validation, and I grappled for anyone to ask me how I was, just so I could finally pour my feelings out to any living thing that had ears. Sometimes, of course it fell upon deaf ears (the cashiers at Target, poor souls), but one day it fell on ears that responded with a ‘Hey, me too!” and new friendships were born.
If you’ve joined the Adult Friendships Are Hard Club, let me welcome you. Let me put a loving arm around your shoulder and validate you. You’re not alone, and your vibes on the matter are not just you. A lot of us get it. Just know, you’ll reach the other side. With prayer, a pinch of bravery, and an adventurous spirit, you’ll find your tribe. And inside jokes will live once more.
September | 2016
September has been so lovely. Even among the ups and downs, it has been truly wonderful. I turned 27 in the prettiest southern city, with the handsomest guy I know. My parents dropped in for a visit. We got our living room to a 'done' point. The medical tests I've been going through have given me some answers, and I am beyond grateful to have such an attentive doctor. The weather has begun to cool down, which puts me in great spirits. And so much more. September has always been a favorite month of mine. Not just because my birthday is in it, but fall weather seems to bring out a part of me that I miss during the summer. Here's this month's video recap (and I do not have fleas/lice.. I guess I just scratch my head a lot?!):
If you missed the August recap, you can see that video in all its awkward glory too. I'm having fun learning how to edit these videos, and I hope you're enjoying them! Let me know if you're curious about any other topics, and maybe I'll cover it in a post or video in the future.
blogs to explore
Candor and Rose - I found Lisa's blog on Instagram recently, and not only is it visually stunning, but her posts are so well written. She has a great mix of topics - check it out!
Coffee With Summer - Summer writes about blogging world etiquette, fashion, and life lessons. She's so relatable to me (and many others) and she's so worth checking out. Ever had a quarter-life-crisis? She wrote about that.
Simple Moments Stick - Susannah talks about everything! Being a mom, fashion, house hunting, you name it! Reading her blog is truly like getting to know her as a friend, and I love that she let's us in on it.
Punderdome
Finding games that can suit varying groups or personalities can be hard. Not everyone appreciates the speed or thought process of card games. Word games use yet another part of the brain that not everyone can find enjoyable. And still others find mindless games of "war" or "Candyland" to be a small taste of hell (haha).
Tom and I can personally become ultra competitive when card or board games emerge at a party, and not everyone can handle smack-talk or smug winners/losers. When we discovered this nature in our personalities, we started to seek out games where all players unite or where personal opinions are welcome. When I read about the background of Punderdome and how it actually originated with a father-daughter duo in New York, I got a little more intrigued. They created this game, and its been a live pun competition in Brooklyn for several years.
Having tested it out with my parents over the weekend, I can honestly say it will soon be a game-shelf favorite. Others have compared it to the vibe of Cards Against Humanity and I would fully agree. Points or prizes are awarded based on a prompter's preference (like in CAH) and it creates a less competitive, more enjoyable atmosphere. Even the really awful puns at least elicit some laughs for dorkyness! The conversations it creates are downright funny and have players morphing phrases or words into hilarious concoctions. Here's a little overview on how it's played:
"A player (the prompter for that round) draws two prompt cards from the deck, and then reads the prompts to the rest of the group, who have 90 seconds to create a single, groan-worthy pun that combines the two prompts.
When time is up, pun makers share their puns with the prompter, who awards the prompt cards to the player whose pun he or she likes best. The winner then draws the next pair of prompt cards and the process repeats. Players win by obtaining 10 pairs of cards"
Above is a really bad example, but it helps you get the drift. Create a pun that somehow involves The Beatles and Banking. Penny Lane and Can't Buy Me Love are pretty easy, obvious choices, but they demonstrate it well.
I'm so excited to own this little game and am truly looking forward to pulling it out for dinner parties and ice breakers in the future! If anything, you can always laugh about how terrible you all are at trying to think of puns! Follow this link to learn more and see a video by one of the creators.
For the sake of transparency with my readers, I will always tell you when I've received something for a discounted price (or free) or could potentially receive a commission off a purchase made through one of my links. Thank you for understanding the benefits these sponsorships bring to your favorite bloggers!
I received this game from Blogging for Books for this honest review.
twenty-seven
Dear friends,
It's hard to believe what my life looks like today, on this my twenty-seventh birthday.
It is not the vision I had in mind even two years ago, but it's better than I could have imagined. One reason being that I am about to enjoy the sight of Savannah's Spanish moss covered trees. My husband, the wonderful man that he is, knows that things don't have nearly the effect on my restless soul that experiences do. Every year he asks, "Do you want a thing or an experience?" and every year without fail I reply with all certainty, "An experience." The same thing happens at Christmas and at every other 'gifting' opportunity. So life as I know it is richly blessed. (Here is last year's birthday adventure)
Of course there are the pages in my life's story that I wish I could skim ahead to, and pages I wish I could skip past all together. Such is life and the fact is, I am not the writer. God is the author and perfecter of my faith... and of my story. He has a plan for where this life will lead, and though it is easier said than done, I trust in Him and in His plan. There are days when it's hard to see that plan at work, and days when it is so abundantly clear. But regardless of where my feelings are at on a given moment, I know that the faith He gives is rooted on solid ground.
I am thankful for where my twenty-seven years have taken me.
From Iowa, to Wisconsin, to Georgia, and all the visits and adventures in-between. From an insecure grade-school child, to a confident college graduate with an unbeatable spirit, to the young wife of a man twice her height and equal in sassiness. From a blond to a brunette. From a desk slave to a free-spirit. From a learner, to a better learner. From a talker to a listener. From an apartment dweller to a homeowner. From a pushover to a powerhouse.
Yet so much has remained the same. I am still a bad driver, heights and I don't bode well, mornings are still my enemy, and coffee my fuel. Cheesy breadsticks still make me salivate upon thought, and dogs still cause me to emit a gasp from the passenger seat that scares my husband half to death (though he's gotten good at seeing the dogs before me and preparing himself). I still love my routine, my long, dangly earrings, boots in fall and winter are still my favorite, and talking on the phone with my mom and sisters is still the highlight of each week. Of course, being married to the most wonderful, loving, thoughtful, and handsome husband is still my greatest pleasure.
Twenty-seven will bring with it more joy, excitement, hardship, and tears. More uncertainty, fierce love, hair dye, and lessons learned. It will challenge me to grow, push me to new heights, and remind me to be quick to forgive and to say sorry when I'm wrong. I refuse to let my humor, my outlook, and my personality age; they aren't synonymous with the years I've spent on earth.
Today, I rejoice. I thank God for another year and I ask His blessings on the next ones.
I'll raise my bottle of wine to the shores of the Atlantic and say, "cheers"... and I'll thank you, dear readers and friends, for joining with me each step of the way. You're in this too. Somehow wrapped up in my joys and messes and haphazard DIYs... and I'm grateful beyond words. You're the ones I share my cup of coffee with each morning. Though, you should know I am usually donning a large tee, messy bun, and giant glasses on our coffee dates - hope you don't mind. Thank you for sharing in my travels, marriage adventures, house renovations, and hard lessons learned. You're some of my favorite people and I know you'll be there through twenty-seven too.
Much love today and always,
the 27 year old
Shopping Habits Of A Minimalist
Have you ever felt possessed by your possessions? I'm sure anyone who has made a significant move knows the feeling. You know, the one where you start packing boxes and going through drawers and storage while exclaiming under your breath, "Where did this even come from? How do I have so much stuff and not realize it?"
We all do it.
But it's a habit that can be broken and free you of the possession of possessions. For some, it may mean changing the way in which they shop - the topic I'm covering today. And what's better, it can not only free you of material excess, but of the excess found in financial burdens and excess of the heart. Minimalism has, more than anything, given me freedom.
What draws me to minimalism is the mantra of putting the simple joys in life above the things we surround ourselves with. It puts an emphasis on experiences or travel (read this) and creating an organized, manageable life (read this) so that you can give experiences or loved ones more of your time. Our things won't follow us when we pass on, but our lively natures, stories, and memories will be there for others to cherish. That's not to say that our things don't sometimes offer sentimental joys or make our lives easier by owning them... just that we should be choosy and realistic as to what is necessary, beautiful, or valuable.
As someone who used to spend a lot of my free-time shopping, this was a hard habit to break. A dress, a purse, a pair of earrings, shoe sales, hair products, a new throw blanket, decor I had no place for, and so on. I could never leave a store empty handed. Sound familiar? It was driving me into deep excess. Often times it was out social pressures. Of course when you're with your girlfriends and they tell you how amazing that dress looks on you, you've got to buy it! What's weird is that a lot of those items were hardly worn or used even once. In paring down, I've been shocked at how many items I've come across that barely saw the light of day.
When I graduated from college and was broker-than-broke, those habits came to a screeching halt. New priorities replaced them and I had to learn to manage my own finances. Somewhere along the way of living independently, getting married, and moving, we've embraced the minimalist lifestyle. Our purchases are well-thought out and always intentional.
Let me share how we shop, while still holding onto minimalism. Remember, it's not about owning nothing, it's about owning less.
1. Decide on what you want to purchase well in advance.
Leave your house with a plan or a list (and stick to it). Give yourself a price maximum and don't go above it. If you don't find the exact item you were on the hunt for, go home empty handed - it's better than hating the item two months down the road and not being able to return it. If you think you've found the right thing, maybe you need to take it home and try it for a day. Just be sure if it's wrong, you take it back ASAP.
2. The question of quality.
Will it last you a long time? Or is it made of cheap materials that will easily be ruined after short term use? This is one that personally differs to me. I tend to take very good care of even my cheapest items and they last a long time. If I like the look and price, but the quality isn't great, it's usually not enough to scare me off. However, for others, buying higher quality items may be very important.
3. Is it necessary?
Seriously. Is it? Do you need it? Will you use it once and then shove it into a dark corner? This is the main question I almost always answer 'no' to, and end up putting it back. This is also the main question that causes me to leave a store empty handed... and it feels good!
4. Is it replacing something I no longer have, or am planning to throw out?
Did you break your corkscrew and legitimately need a new one? Then go for it.
Do you have a set of old dish towels that you want to replace? If you buy a new set, remember to actually toss the old ones. Empty promises add to the cause of excess.
5. How does this add to my life or improve the life of my family?
Will it make a daily task more efficient? A new microwave, for example. Is your old one barely getting the job done? Perhaps a new one would cut down on cook times or be safer to use.
6. Do I already own a version of this that works just fine?
Like that corkscrew I mentioned before. Do you have one that works, but you like the new version better? Why would you need two working corkscrews? If you can part with the old one, then perhaps the new one will serve you better.
7. Is it decorative, functional, or needed?
Are you buying it for the sake of buying it?
ie. it's on super sale, it's really cute, it's funny, it made you think of someone, it seems unique, it might come in handy, etc...
The problem with many of those phrases is that they're justifying. Guys, we can all justify a purchase 12 times over. That doesn't mean it really will fill a decoration void, or a function, or a need. And if your purchase will financially or personally take away from the well-being of your family, I would hope you'd have the strength to say no. Simple as that.
8. Will I love this in a month, a year, ten years?
It's not super likely that you'll love the same wall art for thirty years, but if you think you'll be tired of it by the year's end, maybe it's not right. If you do tire of it, will you sell/donate it, or store it until one day you might like it again (hint: if you don't like it now, you won't like it ten years from now - toss it!)
Currently, we're looking at new bed frames. I want something I'll love forever, but the reality is, styles change. This is one reason I tend to buy very inexpensive pieces. I'm not buying it to last for decades, I'm just buying it to serve a purpose for about five to ten years. Then, I'll donate a well-cared for frame to someone who may really need it, and update my style.
9. Is it easy to clean?
Maybe this isn't for everyone, but as a clean-freak, it's a question I often raise. Dry-clean only? Probably not for me. Too many crevices to dust? Pass.
Being able to deep clean my house quickly and efficiently is important to me, and owning too many items will slow that down or make the process frustrating. If my 'stuff' is hindering my cleanliness or organization, it's time to pare down.
10. How does this simplify my life?
The biggest question of all.
If you are aiming for a minimalist home that encourages simple living, does this item add to the noise and take away from what you really find important? What's important is defined by you and your beliefs. There's not a one-size-fits-all mentality to minimalism. Give yourself a clear definition and stick to it!
Hopefully this post offered some insight into shopping like a minimalist. Some will do it differently, but to me, these questions are reminders of the purpose my 'things' should play in my life. It can be hard to stick to when living in a world where excess is praised and encouraged, but it has been one of the most rewarding challenges I have ever taken on.
Are you a minimalist? What would you add to this list?
Do you aspire to minimalism but don't know where to start? I'd love to chat with you!
August | 2016
This is so nerve-wracking. And awkward.
Today, instead of a fully written post, I decided to try my hand at creating a video. I wanted to challenge myself to try something new and learn to edit, piece together, and transition videos into a little month-in-the-life. Unfortunately, I didn't even think of this idea until a few days ago, so I don't have a ton of actual video footage from the month, but I'm going to try for that in September!
This month, I'm filling you in on some bits and pieces... but of course, after I finished editing, I realized a bazillion things I left out.
We also got to see Tom's parents who stopped for a little visit, tried a local seafood restaurant, got a recessed light installed above our sink, found the cutest local park, met some new friends, I had brunch with my good blogging friends in the area, and we installed some floating built-ins to hold all our TV and sound related stuff. Work has been increasingly busy for both of us this month, so maybe that's where some of our spontaneous dates have come from; a desire to stop our minds from churning for just a millisecond of peace.
Between my staying up till all hours of the night trying to answer emails and come up with proposals, and Tom's bizarre bouts of waking up at ungodly early hours to the beckoning of the app he's working on, we are getting through our days in zombie-like states. We're living for those Saturday mornings and slow sips of coffee. All is well in the world, though, and there's not much we can complain about.
Anyways, I won't keep you from the glorious(ly embarrassing) video in the next scroll. Even though this is a little rough around the edges, I am looking forward to the challenge of getting better at this with time. I hope you enjoy!
current favorites
Okay, this is the last time I'll mention this book, but seriously, for ten bucks, you've got yourself a great read. Also, I've linked one of about a million throw pillow covers you can find on Amazon. I'm looking for a couple for our living room, and have yet to sift through enough to find the exact ones I want. For whatever reason, I forget that Amazon has items like this, so I was glad when a friend recently reminded me of this fact.
blogs to explore
Hey Sweet Little Thing follows a family of three and their little adventures in life and in baking. I can't seem to leave her pages because of her adorable photos and drool-worthy desserts!
Hello Rigby is a fashion blog and she's been featuring some really adorable 70's statements lately (bell bottoms!) and I'm getting serious style envy.
Rachel Lynn is just darling! Her photos always draw me in and I love the genuine happiness in her latest fashion post in the blue dress.
That's the latest from my front... how was your month?
Overwhelming Inspiration
We live in a world of sharing. As someone who has been coined by close friends as an open book, the world of sharing is A-okay with me. I don't mind seeing the highlight reel of the people I love, or even the strangers I share this world with. However, there's always some bad with the good, and the technological-sharing-world is a prime example. The good I see, is that it's become a place where people find commonality. Some articles validate the loneliness some may feel in the trials they face. They give them a sense of community, support, and knowledge that others have been there too. Along with the good, though, there is the bad. The online trolls, the overwhelming amount of articles based on nothing more than speculation, and the deep crevices of the constantly offended human race.
I'm not sure how many times I need to reiterate this, but as someone who has lived more than half my life, thus far, without the technology of today (believe it or not), I will always hold fast to the belief in proper balance. In stepping away and looking up. That life shouldn't be lived through a screen. I feel fiercely protective of screen-free time, and will always advocate for this... even though I am not perfect at practicing what I preach. (Read more of my thoughts on this topic)
But what I'm touching on today, is the overwhelming inspiration we face each day. Not just online, but everywhere we go.
Is it just me, or does everywhere we look seem to call out "Create! Create this or create that! See this picturesque home? Create it for yourself! See this organized closet? This handlettered card? This novel I wrote? This packing hack? This cheap way to travel the world? This 10 minute exercise? This healthy cookie? This way to get the most from your morning? These tips to healthy living? This meal I made? This item you need on your wall? This and this and this and this???"
We all add the the noise through our constant sharing and hope to inspire.
I'll raise my hand first, because I hope to inspire and encourage on this little, online space. But as I spend my time perusing local stores and scrolling through my feeds, I've begun to notice that the overwhelming inspiration is beginning to stomp out my own creative juices. If there is so much to create, why does it seem that it's all already been done?
In my pursuit for inspiration, I find my own creativity dwindling.
"Oh that's a good idea, maybe I should try that!"
But then, is it my own? Are we being inspired, or becoming copies? How do we fight against this spiral of inspiration vs. imitation?
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: limit your screen time.
Don't allow yourself to be so immersed in the creative flow of others, that you forget to have your own unique, creative voice. Love and admire the creativity of others, but do not find yourself so deep in so-called "inspiration," you come out the other side feeling limp with motivation.
Lately, I've been in a terrible writing rut. As if all the thoughts and ideas in my mind start, and suddenly stop in the wake of reading the thoughts and similar ideas of others. Maybe you can relate in terms of other life routines.
Maybe you want to try all the new recipes you see scattered across your feeds, until you realize your go-to is just faster.
Maybe you want to DIY a piece of decor, until you find an 'easy' store-bought version.
Maybe you want to try your hand at an entrepreneurial effort, until you see the saturated market.
Maybe you have something you want to say in writing, but someone else has already said it better.
Maybe you are looking to design something new, until you fall in love with the design of someone else.
Maybe you want to change the way things are done in your office, but your idea gets quieted amongst the other demands.
Maybe you are desperate to get in shape, but you realize you've spent hours looking at ways to do so, instead of just doing it.
Get out of your heads, guys. Put on your blinders to the overwhelming inspiration around you and create from the ground up. Don't live in someone else's "how-to" - go create your own. Connect with the real people around you and collaborate side-by-side. See the potential in what you have instead of the potential of what others have. How does anyone learn to create? Through confidence, practice, and learned skill. We are not all born creative, some of us are self taught. And like anything, if you don't use it, you lose it! I've begun to lose myself to the saturation of inspiration and it's time for me to kick my screen to the curb and exercise my creative muscles. Sometimes we all need that wake up call, and I hope today I can INSPIRE you to wake yourself up. Maybe I can be the small voice amidst the inspiration saturation (catchy terminology, right?) that calls you out of your rut.