What a Weirdo!

I’ve been called weird a lot in my life. I’m loud, sparkle obsessed, lack a filter — the list goes on. People call me weird.

I’m here to tell you:

Whatever makes you weird, that’s your greatest asset.

Read that back. And own it.

I’m known for being extremely into glitter, sequins, anything sparkly. And I’m 33. I’m not a 5 year old watching Frozen. I’m a grown woman obsessed with all things that shine. It’s weird. And it’s also dope.

My sparkle is my asset. It’s what makes me resilient, passionate, HAPPY, and fiercely myself. It sets me apart. It’s what makes me a little weird but also when people think of sparkle, they think of me. And it makes them smile. It makes me unique. And it’s my superpower.

We all spend so much time trying to fit in. Of course we want to be well liked and some of us even want to blend in. But if there’s something that makes you a little weird, but that wholeheartedly makes you feel authentically you — embrace that quality. It’s what’s going to give you a leg up in life because it’s what you’re the best at.

If you’re really into science, random trivia, drawing cartoons - own that. There’s a place for that in the world and because its what you’re passionate about, you’re going to excel at it. And somebody somewhere, they’re going to need you for it.

Think about it — if we all look the same, act the same, love the same — where is the opportunity to thrive? You thrive because your weirdness is uniquely yours. And it can’t be replaced. So it’s your greatest strength.

I get it - some other person out there is wildly obsessed with shiny things like I am. But they don’t act on that in the same way I do. We don’t have the same personality. So how that weirdness shows up for me isn’t how it shows up for them. Our assets are just a little bit different.

And the difference is what makes us really awesome. It’s what you can contribute to the world. It’s how you leave your mark. And fuck anyone who says differently.

When someome tells me I’m weird, I thank them. You know who you don’t forget? The weird one. I’m not easy to forget because I’m weird.

People who don’t appreciate weird, they’re not for me. I don’t want to see another average Joe. I want to know what makes your face light up. What keeps you up late at night because you can’t put it down. What gets you going in the morning because you can’t wait to get back to it.

We have a world right now that’s absolutely breaking down people who aren’t the same. You have to be American, white, male — or we have to build a wall. We have to deny you citizenship. We have to say you’re weird and different and you’re wrong.

YOU’RE NOT.

The differences — the weirdness — that’s what keeps us going. It’s what keeps us thriving. It’s how we create greatness. Embrace your weird. Never apologize for it. And find out what makes others weird, and celebrate that.

Your weirdness is your greatest asset because its what you’re really really good at. It’s your niche market. Your greatest skill. Don’t lose it. Don’t hide it. Don’t apologize for it.

Show the world your freak flag man, it’s got the potential to make the world a better place.

Thankful.

Its the annual celebration of giving thanks.  And while I am thankful for so many things every single day - it's fun to acknowledge those things publicly.  Especially since Santa has surely not purchased all of my presents yet.  

This year - I'm thankful for a lot.  I know, every year I'm thankful for a lot.  But 2017 (2016 too now that I think about it) has been a doozy.  You know what, the past 5 years have been years of incredible highs and lows.  So that's given me more time to reflect on some of the things I'm thankful for.

First - I'm thankful for the insane lows of the past year.  Didn't see that coming did you?  Well I am.  I'm thankful because for the first time in my life, I feel indestructible.  On my own.  As myself.  I know that anything that comes at me, I'm in a position to overcome.

I am also thankful for the people that have been placed in my world.  For the humans who have becomes my support.  I'm thankful for your patience with me, your challenging me to open up and rely on you, and for reminding me that I am pretty awesome.

I'm thankful or growing up.  For oddly letting 32 feel like a defining year when its nothing but a number.  It's only been a month and I feel like 32 has challenged me to own being an adult on my own terms.

Social media.  I have a love/hate relationship with social media but I am thankful for how it's allowing me to slowly give me hope that my dream of being a writer could become a thing. One day.  

My dog.  Obviously.  I'm thankful for your unconditional love and for teaching me that everything in the world is exciting if you let it be. 

I'm thankful for so many things.  And writing them down, gives my soul a little extra shine.  What are you thankful for sequins?

Miniature Smiles

I've been really busy at work lately.  Working 7 days a week at times busy.  We are short staffed and so I've been stepping up to the plate to get things done and I'm exhausted.  I'm burnt out, I'm cranky, and I'm not handling stress well.  My anxiety is at an all time high and I should not be left alone without adult supervision.

One of my closest girlfriends and fellow anxious babes suggested I take life hour by hour right now until things are able to slow down.  And as insane as that sounds to break your day down by every hour, it's not a bad idea.  So here's what I've done.  I've decided to find a little happiness and reset in each hour.  

These little acts of joy aren't big.  Sometimes they're 30 second breathers, but what I've learned is that it's actually helping me from going off the deep end.  Make no mistake, I'm still one broken nail away from packing up and moving to a yacht in Italy and letting myself be funded by a wrinkly 85 year old sugar daddy, but I haven't done it yet (Moo is so proud).

So what are these sparkle breaks you ask?  Kind of you to inquire.  Here are some examples:

  • Grab an iced tea or coffee
  • Surf social media
  • Text my family
  • Take a walk
  • Eat a snack
  • Chat with a friend
  • Get a workout in
  • Cook a meal
  • Snuggle my dog
  • Shop online

Clearly I'm not changing my life with these.  They're things a lot of you are probably doing on the daily thinking how is she calling these wins?  But for me, during a completely chaotic time, these are HUGE wins.  If you're in a very "no two days are the same" career like I am, we don't have normal working schedules.  We fly by the seat of our sequin pants sometimes and being able to slow down and make personal time is the biggest success of our day.  Simply not walking out or killing anyone is the most proud I feel all week right now.

If you're living that non stressful, perfect work life balance life - this blog is not for you.  Continue on.  But for the rest of my fellow sequins out there who often have a hard time managing the stress of being superwoman at home and at work - have hope!  There are small victories and there are reprieves in your day.  But it's on YOU to put in the effort, set your boundaries and effectively create that balance.  

Now go forth and make the most of your day.  And send me your ways that you incorporate a little sparkle into your hours at work.