All the things.

I’m a big fan of things. I genuinely try the live simple lifestyle but in all reality, I like my things. 

For the past two months, I’ve lived in corporate housing. I put all my things in storage and have lived out of two suitcases for 60 days.  

When I started this journey, I was convinced I’d Immediately realize how much I don’t need and finally embrace minimalism. I’d become super enlightened and learn to make 182 outfits out of a white t shirt and jeans. I’d grow to wear simple staple jewelry and two pairs of shoes and just be endlessly chic.

That is not what happened. I am not chic. I do however thrive off wearing the same version of an outfit over and over. That is my lane. 

Fashion aside though - there’s a darkness’s to this all. 

Hard truth? I miss my stuff.  

While it has been pretty easy to get by with minimal outfits and shoe selections, I miss my photos, kitchen goods, bedding, the whole damn kit and kaboodle. 

Oddly, it makes me feel more thankful for the things that are mine. Not the stuff that clutters up my space, but the things that remind me of all the experiences and people who make me whole.

From the photos I print of all the places I’ve been to the plates that were my parents first set they ever owned - I like having things that make me feel at home. 

I will never be able to exist as that woman you read about who has a rug, a vintage couch and a Levi jacket from 1984 and just is happy and whimsical. I can’t live off 3 things.  

Things aren’t all bad. Things are to be held onto very tightly when they are the right things. 

I’d say continue to strive for minimalism, but in a new way. Minimize the clutter. But maximize the things in your life that give you joy. It’s not about having all the things, just all the things that make you feel something special.  

Cut yourself a break if you’re like me and minimalism just isn’t going to be an all in commitment.  

This Christmas, I hope Santa brings you all kinds of goodies. And I hope that while you enjoy some of the things that are superficial, I hope that you remember the things that aren’t. 

2018

Happy New Year Sequins!

I have no idea what just happened to 2017 because I swear to God I just moved to Texas 20 minutes ago, but here we are, January 1, 2018.  Holy shit.

I'm sitting here trying to reflect on 2017 and I honestly just have a lot of memories on an airplane watching Girl's Trip 32 times laughing obnoxiously while Carol from Iowa shot me dirty looks from peasant class.  STFU Carol, let me live my first class life.

2017 brought me to yet a new state.  It brought me a whole new career in a whole new industry I honestly knew nothing about.  For the first 6 months, I mostly got by on charm and pure grit.  The second 6 months I've questioned myself, my skillset, and everything about what I know.  And at the end of every day, I have reminded myself I didn't get here without earning every moment.

2017 brought me the strength to commit to my mental health.  It got me into therapy, into actually trying to tell my anxiety to step TF off, and it's challenged me to chill out.

2017 has brought me a body I'm in love with more than I have been since being 98 pounds and growing boobs.  Because of my discovery of new ways to workout that don't bring me pain, I am physically stronger, healthier, and happier.  And I'm surely not 98 pounds.  Still got those boobs though.

2017 has brought me new people.  Who knew a liberal agnostic loud crude (but really pretty) California girl could find one of her closest friends in a Christian big hearted Texan (Be cool guys - she was born in California and her family is just the bees knees). 

2017 has brought me closer to me.  It's challenged me to face things I frankly don't like thinking about and forced me to feel things I'm not fond of feeling.  Because of that - it's given me confidence in this sparkly yet out of her mind woman I've become.  It's also taught me when to face my flaws, apologize when I need to - and move TF on when I don't.

2017 I don't really know if you even happened because I swear it's still January and I just got to Texas, it was snowing and I couldn't by alcohol before Noon on Sunday.  But here we are - 2018 and I'm itching to see where it takes me.  All I know is don't miss me with that First Class ticket.