Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Like writing a song or a poem, I struggle to find the right words to describe the love I'm given. And if you're wondering, no I have not listened to Folklore. They say (whoever they may be) that by your late twenties or early thirties you should have found your "true match" or what ever you hope that means. But that's not the love I'm talking about. I'm talking about the unspoken, annoying, and unconditional type of love. Love we salvage for ourselves and love we ration for others.
I'm not a love expert, and usually hate the four letter word for its ambiguity, but people are driven by it. People are in this world because of it.
Throughout my life I have done a great deal to not take for granted the amount of love I've been given. Friends, family, and the people I meet all have different stories to tell. I can only find myself gracious and humble, knowing that this great life is made a little bit easier by it. How selfish could I be not to accept it? Not to acknowledge it? Or to even suppress it?
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Even in a sky full of grey, we bloom
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I take note of the people I meet: the things they say, the things they do, the things they don't do, and have never been the type of person to just walk away from a boring conversation because I know that everyone has something to give. I do realize though, that there are those specific few people who do not deserve the love I give. One of the truest and most unfortunate realities of life.
We imagine the type of life we want to live, cutting out the pieces and putting them together to form this perfect big picture. This picture perfect love story. And I've realized, I'm not living a love story—I'm living my story and I'm going to write it.
Sometimes we need to ease up on love. We give it a bad rap. We expect so much from it and from people. We find ourselves blind to what forms it manifests. I've even taken the love language quiz and you should, too. I'm not sure how much this quiz is backed up by science, if any, but it has definitely got me thinking. Our actions reflect our feelings and emotions, so much so, that my two tied love languages are "acts of service" and "words of affirmation". To put it lightly, my vacuuming the house, reorganizing the linen closet, creating a garden for my mom, or developing a blog for my 92 year-old grandfather are some examples of random acts of "service" to name a few. It could be my maternal instincts, obsessive cleaning behavior, or just the satisfaction of knowing I did something for someone else to make their lives a bit easier.
However, "words of affirmation" are quite the contrary to acts of service, because sometimes actions don't speak louder than words. It's ironic because as a writer, I am so in tune with language and written sentiments that I often find them more endearing than just a hug or a gift at all. I'll be honest, I like hearing or reading the encouragement, the reasoning behind the affection, and maybe it's because I like having the proof? Not that I ever go looking for it, but I feel like a lot of people give the type of love that is confusing, undefined, and at times discouraging. No more guessing games—just say it.
I found love, and I was never able to really see it or accept the way I was given it. I kept worrying and counting my life on one type of love, finding that one person to get it from, but it's all around me. Finding those tiny blips of joy, laughter, conversation, and connection with a person are closer than you think. Don't be afraid to write your own love story and wait for the love you rightfully deserve.
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Every time someone asks me, "Natalie, what do you want to do when you grow up?". Most times I would muster something along the lines of public relations, communications, content creation, but above all else—creative. A percentage of the time I might say something like an environmental conservation PR person, in hopes of one day escaping to the mountains, breathing fresh air, and doing social media for the National Park Service. In reality, I imagine myself working downtown Chicago, as my roots have brought me up here and it would be stupid not to. I mean Chicago is the epicenter of creativity.
In all things I do, I find myself inspired. Less recently, though, it has been hard for me to find creative freedom in what has been a rather challenging and uncertain time period. Our world is going through a lot, and it was time for me to reflect on the things that mattered most. Whether I was comfortable with it or not. You see, creativity does not always come easy. There are many factors that play into these ground-breaking ideas. Great artists didn't just escape onto a yacht in the Mediterranean and say "Here is where I make art". Many of them suffered through current turmoils and strifes—pandemics, even. I'm no Bill Nye of the creative mind, but to put it in perspective; great ideas don't always come easy. When or how we want them to.
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Sometimes creativity comes from nothing (and I wholeheartedly sneer at those who can constantly come up with stuff), and other times it comes from your 8 a.m. iced chai tea latte and that's just your luck. After five years of writing, creating, and developing this blog, I am constantly in a struggle with my own creative agency. Many of my ideas were just sub-par articles of what Google could already tell you. What products you already knew you needed to buy, what ideas were already valid, that golden retrievers are cute, and so on. However, I took ahold of my creative agency, because I knew that my ideas would come if I was patient. I did not dig up some article ideas (although I will be held guilty for those late night Pinterest researches) and I was not happy with what I was writing until it just flowed right off my fingertips.
Being confident with your own creative agency is like creating a dinosaur diorama in fifth grade. We were SO proud of them. The amount of hours spent on the basement floor, hot glueing, cutting cardboard, and making sure your little sister wouldn't play with your Little Tikes dinosaurs that were secured to little plastic ferns you found from your Thomas the Train set. You were ready to show everyone what you worked tirelessly on. Even though we knew that Samantha had the name brand crayons and sequins to win the ribbon and a round of free mini golf. That diorama has, to this day, sat in your basement game cupboard. You will never throw it out because you want your kids to bask in its glory.
I might have gotten a little carried away with dioramas, and there may or may not be one sitting proudly in a closet, but the point is, being confident with your own creative agency comes with its rewards—even if you mess up, fail, or lose the ribbon to Samantha. There's a time and a place, and your time will come.
I live and breathe creativity when it comes to public relations and advertising. Sometimes so much that I can't take it anymore. I need to read someone else's creative ideas, immerse myself on current news, watch commercials, get lost in a book, run outside rather than on my dad's old treadmill, or play somebody else's playlist for a change. Being creative sucks, I get it. Constantly trying to be inspired—to know what the right thing to say, create, draw, or compose is—can suck the living right out of your soul. With all of the late night scribbling in my head, I knew I needed to do one thing to solve my creative road block:
And it was nothing.
In the creative world, everything is fast moving. One idea after the other, and they're not always great ideas. What I've learned is that it's okay to doubt your ideas, to doubt your abilities, and it's definitely okay to stop. There's a lot going on, in the universe and in our minds, and sometimes the best remedy for our creative consciences is to just...pause.
A pause to reset. To realign and reflect has been helpful for me to focus on my 1) mental health, 2) accepting my creative flaws, 3) and to focus on being comfortable with the uncomfortable. In terms of having the time to pause and rationalize with my own inner dealings, but also the fact that these past few months have felt like a never ending social media binge and I knew I had to cut myself off for a bit for the sake of keeping me sane and grounded in the things I love the most.
Here's a little update as to what I've been up to during this pause...
01. Reading. Reading, reading, reading. Articles, news, too much news, and books. My normal summer activity is to fill the last two hours of the day snuggled up reading. I read a lot and take in a lot of information, partly because of what is happening in our world, but also because I have come to realize that it's a pretty nice escape.
Reading has been my most inspiring hobby and I kick myself for not getting into reading sooner. My town has these Little Free Libraries, or these little library mailboxes. Our library is closed, so I've been venturing out and finding random book selections all over. I just finished reading In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware. It's a page turning thriller and the best book to read before bed...if you dare.
02. Running. I've always hated running, but the stiff air inside has kept me long enough from running on the treadmill downstairs to creating short little routes around our neighborhood. I like the open air, sometimes running without destination, and just having space and a time to think. There's much solitude in running, so it has been a pleasant heart rate lifter and break from being inside all day.
03. My creative internship with FCB Chicago just kicked off this week! I know it's not much of a pause, but it is a great start to something that will engage and spur my creativity throughout the rest of the summer. My first week of orientation felt somewhat like virtual summer camp. I also learned that FCB Chicago was the founder of orange juice, so the more you know! I am thrilled to continue this internship and learn from some driven industry professionals who work on some very distinguished clients like Coca-Cola, Levi's, and Canon. Although it is an advertising position, I will be able to listen and learn to creators and innovators alike. I'm very grateful to have this experience and get to meet some inspiring people in the process.
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I know having time to think can seem intimidating, even a few days of not creating or being productive can feel like I'm at a stand still and I'm left unmotivated. However, I've learned that taking necessary breaks—even when you don't expect them or think they're needed—can remedy a feeling of distrust with our own creative conscience. This world seems to go a little bit too fast. It can be all talk with not much space to listen and learn. Slow it down and trust yourself. Your ideas will be heard.
While the world is unraveling at the seams at traumatic rates, I wanted to continue to use my platform as a space of positivity. Being able to reflect on what this outlet has allowed me to express has also made me appreciative that I have the freedom to voice my opinion and be heard—much like everyone else should have the ability and freedom to do so. That being said, today marks my fifth year anniversary of my blog! What began as a summer hobby on my iPod has turned into a timepiece and growing extension of my creative identity and self expression. This time has allowed me to reflect on all of the highs and lows of my life, but I think one things for sure, my blog has always been there for me and it is incredible to think that it has stuck with me for all of these years.
To give a little snapshot of how my blog started, the summer of my sophomore year of high school was spent nannying kids across the street. While I loved having a job, I knew there were definitely times I found myself wanting to do more with my free time. Growing up, I was always reading articles, blogs, or watching vlog channels on my iPod. Whether beauty, fashion, or lifestyle related, I was always finding creative ways to stay inspired and work on DIY projects or makeup tutorials. When I found Blogger, I began writing really small posts on my iPod about my favorite makeup products and using my less than average iPod photography skills to start creating flat lays or doing photoshoots in my backyard.
My blog was just a side hobby, but as I started getting feedback from friends and bloggers online, I began to realize what this outlet might become. This blog has grown with me through everything and has allowed me to escape, share, and explore parts of my life that I wouldn't have reflected on if I didn't have a blog. For this anniversary, I thought I would share some of the most memorable blog posts from the past five years.
01. Dealing With Flying Anxiety | June 2015
This was my fifth post on the blog and my first very honest and heartfelt post about flying anxiety. It was not one of the conventional makeup or product review posts I became used to, so I think this was me trying to break the ice with my blog as an outlet where people could relate and find solidarity in knowing that someone else was very afraid of flying. I can fully disclose that my fear of flying has resolved since I've been traveling throughout the years.
02. My 20 Pose Sun Salutation | May 2016
This was a very memorable year for me because it was the beginning of my yoga journey and the year that I began to to become more passionate about fitness. I have always and still am very passionate about doing yoga and am an advocate for its numerous benefits for your body. While I focused mainly on yoga during high school, college opened me up to a wide variety of other exercise regimes and work out classes that have made me interested in boxing, pilates, meditation, and trying out spin classes. I will always remember how yoga grounded me, as I have become stronger and more in control of my mentality because of it!
03. A Northern Getaway | September 2017
My fondest memories growing up is going up north to Petoskey, Michigan to go camping with my family. This was the last time that I was up there on Mackinac Island and we biked all 9 miles around the perimeter. I'm not sure the next time we'll be able to go up there, but camping is near and dear to my heart. My love for nature began with spending late nights stargazing and searching for Petoskey stones along the beaches. I hope I can continue to camp and document my trips for years to come.
04. Why You Need to Love Yourself First | December 2018
One of my greatest insecurities is not realizing that self-love is more powerful than relying on the validation and dread over what society says "love" is and why everyone should have it, experience it, and that their self worth is dependent on it. I don't think I've ever been real or more heartfelt about my feelings about this, and I was probably very much in my feelings the night I wrote it, but the message holds true and I'm glad I was able to be so open about it.
05. What Happens in Europe Stays in Europe | July 2019
This is just a moment I had of pure bliss during my study abroad trip last summer. Honestly, one of the best experiences and trips I have ever been on. It felt like a dream being able to do what I love and travel the world's most vibrant countries. I keep yearning for this trip and I am very keen to keep on exploring new countries in the future.
This blog has been through a lot of my life and has evolved as I've grown with new experiences. It's humbling to know how much this art form allows you to do, to express, and to voice your own opinions and thoughts about anything and everything.
If there is anything special I would ask of this anniversary is that anyone reading this is inspired to use their voice as a power for change of thought and positive discussion. I plan on continuing this blog and this community I have created because of the impact even just one voice can make. I am passionate that writing will allow us to all find creative and expressive direction in all that we aspire to do. Thank you all for supporting my blog and creative endeavors throughout the years! Cheers to five more :)
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It's been a few months since the beginning of stay-at-home orders and Chicago is extended until the beginning of June, but there is still not much promise for what's to come this summer. To the amount of areas already opening up, I can feel that people are beginning to become more complacent with the order, but might not realize the severity of returning to our "normal habits" quite yet. However, I think a lot of people are still doing things to cope with the uncertainty and are trying to distract themselves with things they necessarily didn't have time for. We've started gardening, trying new bread recipes, or playing Animal Crossing from dawn to dusk and I have realized that we've lost a fundamental piece of what life should be about—happiness.
Over the past couple of months, I've really come to terms with what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. Maybe it's because I'm a bit existential, although I'm sure a lot more people are feeling the same way. I've been reflecting on the reasons I chose the path I chose: emotionally, in school, in my social life, or for my career goals. It seems as if everything has paused, but at the same time, going at lightening speed. To avoid feeling this weight of overwhelm and a bit of confusion, I've been monitoring my happy habits and all of the things that make me feel good. I think the one thing that we can do is take everyday with upmost positivity, even if it seems so hard to roll out of bed each morning.
Give Yourself Time...
There are high hopes that everything might even itself out and we might eventually go back to "normal," but with the time being, there's nothing promised, every day seems like the same, and I understand that the whole wake up, eat breakfast, get to work, exercise, and do it all over again is not the normal for everybody.
Setting an alarm has been my saving grace, even if it's one to three alarms that I need to actually get me going. Find a way to make yourself get out of bed because you and I both know that we would sleep in every day if we could. I have fallen in the routine of waking up, checking my phone, scrolling through unimportant articles and emails, and being later than I expected with no time to get the day started. So, whether that be making a cup of coffee, making your bed, or brushing your teeth, get up and get your day started! You will feel more motivated to get things done.
Do One Thing for Yourself Everyday...
My focus lately has been set mainly on electronics: getting work done, answering emails, making to-do lists, watching lectures, or hosting Zoom calls. I live a pretty busy, but mundane life throughout the week and I'm always trying to tackle assignments and to-do lists ahead of time, but that leaves me drained and unmotivated to keep going. Sometimes uninspired, I find that retreating to a playlist, my Reese Witherspoon Hello Sunshine book, a little puppy play time, or doing my nails allows me to reset and recharge. When I feel the most overwhelmed, I find that escaping for a bit does the trick.
Stay on Top of Things...
I am all about getting on top of my work ahead of time as a little "thank you to my future self". I know that working one thing at a time is usually the best way to put full focus into things. If I can set myself up for success and not create a pile of things to get done during the week, I'll focus on big assignments over the weekend and feel better set knowing that I got a start on it ahead of time. Forward planning has been one of my most well-known traits because I like structure and planning out manageable tasks.
Working from home can feel stifling, a bit claustrophobic, and one thing is for sure, I always keep my windows open. Air filtration is key and even better being outside and staying active has helped me balance daily tasks. Daily dog walking, reading outside, or backyard tanning has given me a sufficient amount of vitamin D, but sometimes I wish we lived near nature preserves and more scenic areas. Finding a time to get a breath of fresh air and some sunlight make me feel less like a hermit crab.
Mind Your Thoughts...
Sometimes I wake up with a really bad mood. I mean we all have moods, and lately I've been kicking myself for feeling bad mentally because there are so many other things I could be putting my energy towards than negative thought bubbles. Even if I just manipulate my thoughts in a way that makes things more positive, for example, telling myself I got enough sleep, or saying one thing I love about myself, or simply shutting off my phone puts it in perspective. Making daily tasks more like fun opportunities or looking forward to that night's online yoga session has changed the way I think for the better.
Stay in Touch...
I've read this before, but this time is crucial for checking in with loved ones and those you have not talked to in awhile. There's no excuse not to meet for coffee or go on that brunch you previously planned. My best friends and I have made time to chat and catch up, which has been the most refreshing and socially exciting. Even rekindling friendships with motivational messages goes a long way and it makes my heart warm to know that I have someone else to confide in. Even if it means finding a mentor or meeting up with someone from an online class over Zoom, having some human interaction other than your family can keep you from feeling isolated.
I came to realize that all of these habits have just become daily parts of my routine now and I think they are all pretty manageable. Finding one happy habit a day and sticking to it will help you with your daily goals and relieve some of the stress that come with them. What are some things you like to stay on top of?
It's already the second week of May and I'm sure everyone has been counting down the days until we can find a little more normalcy. My best friend just graduated college, my sister is done with her freshman year, and I'm still pulling out the last four weeks of my junior year online. Maybe counting down the days has made these past few weeks go by quickly or just the desire to be in a different time period. May is usually one of my favorite months because there's some promise for tomorrow and of course, summer.
I think I've embraced this slower pace of life and not having a specific plan for every day. It has been refreshing and humbling. I just feel content and more grateful, there's not much going on, but I thought since I've kept up with the monthly goals, I would stick with it!
01. Slowing it down. Like I said, I've kind of enjoyed having a little bit of a pause and not feeling like I need to keep up with everything. Whether it be with school, my blog, or future plans, I have felt a release from needing to make appointments for everything and checklists to do later. I've seen a change in myself and not having a reliance or need to control everything.
02. Winning an honorable mention. I've mentioned this briefly before, but over the past two semesters, I have been involved in the PRSSA Bateman Competition where over 70 other PRSSA chapters compete and implement a full public relations campaign promoting the 2020 Census. After all of the hard work was done, my team and I were proud to be awarded an honorable mention for our campaign, Love Where You Count. Not to mention the other DePaul team ranked in the top three finalists, this year's competition results made history and heightened DePaul's public relations program. Overall, I am just beyond grateful to have had hands-on PR experience and learning what it is like to be dedicated and passionate about a specific cause and its ability to motivate and encourage change. It will be an experience for the books!
03. Being optimistic. It's easy for me to switch moods and during times like these, I've definitely juggled with my own mentality and being okay with things not being okay this moment in time. I've found ways to put my energy towards my creativity. Sometimes I still have moments of doubt, anxiety, and just sudden waves of overwhelm. I'm sure there's a common feeling of doubt and worry right now, but you're not alone! It's a new month and I'm hopeful that there will be more positive days ahead.
04. More silly moments. Sometimes I'll FaceTime my best friend Lauren and we will just crack up about the dumbest things and it just changes my entire mood that day. Even my sisters and I are either laughing about TikToks or memes. Laughter has been real medicine on gloomier days, so May has been the month of letting go and having a good chuckle.
05. My gardening skills. My project for quarantine was to re-amp our back yard flora with lavender, sweet mint, herbs, and hopefully sunflower that has been sprouting oh-so-slowly, but I think there are sunnier Chicago days ahead. Now that garden stores are open and it's past Mother's Day, I've seen more people out and about trying to spruce up their yards. The trees are blooming and we've seen a few woodland creatures grazing around the neighborhood. Signs of summer are just so promising.
What have you been up to lately?
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Check-ins are probably the most important thing keeping me sane right now: family check-ins, mental check-ins, physical check-ins...it's already May and it feels like the beginning of quarantine was forever ago. I have to say keeping a routine has not been very difficult for me lately, probably because it's the one thing that is normal for me. Waking up at an early hour, beginning work, giving myself breaks, and rewarding myself at the end of the day with me-time.
Everyone has their own definition of "self-care," and I think it's important to realize that my version of it is not anyone else's. Sleeping in and choosing not to overload yourself with work is self-care. So is taking a bath, putting on a face mask, or tuning out and listening to a podcast. I think self-care for me has really come down to what I feel most inspired to be doing, whether it be reading or re-reading one of my favorite books.
Lately I have revisited Marie Kondo's The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, a great way to refresh and reorganize your spaces during this time. I have also been following Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine bookclub, I am currently reading Conviction by Denise Mina. It's a great murder mystery that takes place on a yacht in France and will have you turning the pages!
I have been trying to stay active as much as possible. Whether it be walking the dog, running on the treadmill, or doing some Corepower: Yoga On Demand. There have been many times where I felt unmotivated to exercise, so I just wouldn't. I think it's good to know when you need balance and not feel pressured to workout when you're at home. Corepower also offers some nice meditation videos and I know there are many free ones on YouTube, as well.
Gardening has also been something new I tried—haven't completely failed—but, it has definitely tested me and I think that's because I was so eager to start planting a ton of plants that I never realized that Chicago still becomes winter late at night in the spring. So, all I have to say is that my cilantro is doing great, but my sunflowers will have to make a dire comeback.
Lately I have revisited Marie Kondo's The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, a great way to refresh and reorganize your spaces during this time. I have also been following Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine bookclub, I am currently reading Conviction by Denise Mina. It's a great murder mystery that takes place on a yacht in France and will have you turning the pages!
I have been trying to stay active as much as possible. Whether it be walking the dog, running on the treadmill, or doing some Corepower: Yoga On Demand. There have been many times where I felt unmotivated to exercise, so I just wouldn't. I think it's good to know when you need balance and not feel pressured to workout when you're at home. Corepower also offers some nice meditation videos and I know there are many free ones on YouTube, as well.
Gardening has also been something new I tried—haven't completely failed—but, it has definitely tested me and I think that's because I was so eager to start planting a ton of plants that I never realized that Chicago still becomes winter late at night in the spring. So, all I have to say is that my cilantro is doing great, but my sunflowers will have to make a dire comeback.
Cooper has definitely been thriving with all of the attention and extra play. If there's anyone that has benefited from us staying home, it's him. Funny enough, his main form of entertainment has been bubbles. Emily and I will stand out in the yard and he could jump and catch bubbles all day long. There's something so wholesome about finding joy in the little things.
Self care is crucial at a time like this and it doesn't have to look like whatever spa days and pamper sessions people post online. It could simply be sitting outside and taking in the sunshine. How have you been coping lately?
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These past few weeks at home have brought uncertainty, but I have to say that being home has made me embrace being a homebody. I miss the city, having my own place, working with my closest friends, and having the freedom to do just about whatever I want. However, having a fully functional kitchen has been a plus. My down time is either producing more work or trying to feed my creativity into writing and trying new hobbies. I think a lot of people are trying to fill the time with things that make them happy and I can completely advocate for that.
Whether it be reading new books, doing yoga, painting, gardening, or cooking new recipes, art has been one of my saving graces during a time like this. A big part of our lives comes from being creatively stimulated and entertained, I empathize with families trying to come up with intricate science projects for their kids or Zoom play-dates, because I cannot imagine what it's probably like keeping your kids entertained and busy right now.
When I'm taking a break from school work, I have been trying out new and old recipes. Every now and then my family will order takeout, but I've been really curious with using only the ingredients we have to make food. Before, I was always hesitant to make recipes, mainly because I never had the time, but I've found a new comfort making food that my family can enjoy at the end of a long day.
Joanna Gaines's second cookbook, Magnolia Table, was something I indulged in because her definition of food capitalizes on bringing good company and good memories to each meal. Not just recipes that are set and stone, but ones that I can assimilate with my grandma's famous recipes, too. So I set out to make homemade pizza. I made dough that consisted of Joanna's and my grandma's recipes, and my personal added touches for toppings, to create a deliciously balanced margarita pizza. What's not to love about that?
Making pizza dough is actually quite simple. I've never made bread before, but you can't really mess it up if you go little by little. If there's anything I learned from my family and consumer science courses, it's that less is more.
All you need is active dry yeast, sugar, flour, salt, oil, and warm water. To their distinct measurements, you gradually knead in each ingredient until you get a nice ball of dough, simple right? I'm no Bon Appetite chef, but my grandma has taught me that there's delicacy is making dough and not over-kneading it or adding too much water. Sticky dough is a no-go.
I think the most satisfying part about making dough is that you make it with your hands, clean obviously, but the process is just as gratifying as taking a bite of that first slice. The best thing about pizza is that you are not limited to the toppings you put on it, so pineapple it is. You can make extra dough for later and pizza night can be every night. Making pizza engages you and brings me back to my Italian roots.
I've already made Joanna's famous oatmeal cream pies, which are undoubtably the best things I have ever made. In her cookbook, she also includes a variety of herb and spice pairings, which are great if you have random spices lying around. An abundance of salads and soups you can make in a crock pot, and of course my favorite, desserts like creme brûlée and flourless chocolate cake.
My reliance on food may have sparked a new hobby, but at the end of the day, it has given me appreciation for having food on the table and a roof over my head. What has been on your menu lately?
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I have been seeing an abundance of dinner tables converted into home offices, "soft offices" or just people's beds converted into offices, some really killer home offices that were built for actual work, and some really creative set ups, so I was inspired to share my at-home office. Which I'm actually quite proud of.
What has evolved from a makeup vanity now into a dual-purpose vanity and desk has become my place of production and zoom meetings. As a kid I'd use it to play school, pretending it was the teacher's desk, but now I get to live out my 10 year-old fantasy and write all of my assignments, blog posts (even this one I'm writing), and participate in class at my desk.
I keep my productive spaces pretty organized, and I think a lot of my friends from school can abide by that. I am the most focused when I know where everything is, the main tool, my MacBook Pro, has been my saving grace through all of this. As a matter of fact, my camera has been broken for the past month, so Zoom meetings have been less awkward to say the least.
As you can see, I have a small gold tray that I bought from Target's Project 62 line, wouldn't we all love to go back to Target? I linked a similar one I found and I love to keep my makeup brushes, perfume, or Q-tips at hand because you never know when you need a quick Zoom session touch up. I also have this really quirky eyelash mirror. Folder organizers are also the way to go, I mostly love them because they hide all of my legal pads I use for notes.
Next to me, I usually have some type of liquid. I have been loving citrus infused water and hot tea. It gives me a boost and isn't something sugary or overly caffeinated. I'll have my AirPods handy, as well as, a note pad or a weekly to-do list to keep track of my online assignments and meetings. Rifle Paper Co. makes a lot of pretty ones that are functional and pull off like a sticky note.
I have also been really into these blue light glasses, although I don't know if they actually work or if I'd just gave into the trend. Staring at my screen all day does strain my eyes, but I've not worn them enough to find out if they have lasting benefits. All I know is that I feel more productive wearing them, so maybe that's a hidden plus.
I think everybody needs a sufficient desk lamp. I brought this one back from school and I use it every day. The lighting in my room is nice, but during the afternoon or when Chicago decides it'll be cloudy and snow, I feel like I could just take a nap and not do work. This one was also purchased at Target (who could have guessed).
Above my desk is usually a wall calendar. I always buy the Paper Source ones that have pretty landscapes or national parks on them. Once the year goes by, I cut off the bottom calendar part and keep them as wall art instead. All of their calendars are more than 50% off, so I would highly recommend giving them a quick browse!
I know this is a weird time and a very different adjustment to our every day routines, especially for those who have never worked from home. I am hopeful that this will not be the normal routine forever, but uplifting each other by showing the ways we get productive and maintain our daily routines always helps me stay motivated when times are hard and confusing.
Trying to stay engaged online as a college student has presented its challenges, but remembering that I have a support system of professors, advisors, family, and friends makes it just a bit more doable. What has your work-from-home routine looked like?
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Hi. Hello. I'm back! It's been about a month since I've written a blog post as there have been some pretty big and troubling circumstances going on. It has taken me a while to get back on my blogging feet, so now is the time for me to finally update you all.
These past few weeks have been challenging to say the least, being a college student especially, transitioning all of my classes, job, and extra curricular activities online. Sadly, I know that a lot of other people have lost their jobs, reverted to homeschooling their children, or even work on the frontlines. I am so very grateful and extend my love for the countless number of healthcare workers, emergency services, truck drivers, farmers, essential businesses, teachers, and those who have to sacrifice it all in order to make our country safe.
I have the tendency to believe that a lot of things in life are a constant waiting game. We are always after something in the future, a proposed goal or ambition, and we are counting down the days until we get there. I know I get very psycho-analytical on my blog—a bit deep at times—and am in no way an expert on our human-like tendencies, but just from what I know and feel, there's something about this waiting "game" that has resonated with my current situation so much.
Whether it be sending out pitch emails, applying for an internship, or even ordering cupcakes at 10 o'clock at night, I feel like there's always something to be wanted, awarded, or desired and we are just too insistent on getting that cupcake ASAP.
My amateur knowledge of psychology and what I have learned about delayed gratification is that an individual resists the temptation of immediacy and the "I want it now!" Veruca Salt mentality. The selfish greed in all of us wanting to know the unknown, I mean everyone hates not knowing, right? I've had many instances where I've found patience a virtue and I'd like to say that I have become a pretty patient person, but sometimes that patience turns into obsession and, as a result, inexhaustible self-doubt.
I think many could agree that life is just a waiting game. We are all going after our ambitions, applying ourselves, testing the waters, taking our shot, in hopes of finding something bigger and better—and something as delicious as a 10 o'clock red velvet cupcake. At times, I've found myself dreading over exam grades, scholarships, and getting accepted into my number one college. It made me the most persistently annoying human being during high school because my future, as I believed, was determined by this one "congratulations" email I so desperately yearned for my entire senior year, only to find out I got a scholarship a week after my graduation of high school.
I have the tendency to resort to self-doubt, and therefore lose all the agency I had when I applied myself to these things in the first place; whether it be an internship, job, or study abroad program. It's so easy for us to give something our all and then when we don't get a response within a week, we slowly start to chip away at the fine marble that is our ambition, our passion, and everything we worked ourselves up to be.
There is truth to the delay of the reward, and that is not only a huge feeling of relief but also a sense of greater significance. We seem to forget how much work we put into these things when the suspension isn't built or we don't recognize this sensation of gratitude that should arise from it.
I've grown an appreciation for these opportunities to reflect, and as I wonder where these opportunities will take me, I find myself more present and focused on what I'm currently doing, rather than dwelling on whether or not I'm going to make it in the end. I'm more in tune with my passions this way, and to cultivate a sense of gratitude for these aspirations that await for us, who knows what could happen, so why wait?
I just find life so much more bearable when we commit fully to the things we aspire to most and move on from wondering for a second why we might not be capable of achieving these things. Whether you find out tomorrow, next week, or a month from now, that cupcake is going to taste so good later knowing you were right where you needed to be.
Many times do I find myself in silence, either right before bed or as soon as I wake-up. Times I think to myself what needs to be accomplished the next day and making lists or to-dos in my head. I have this obsession with creating lists and "next steps" for what needs to get done and to be quite frank, it's exhausting. Counting down the days, scratching out the lists, ripping off the weeks, it's just a matter of time before I'm onto the next thing and the next and the next. I need to breathe really.
There are times when I find myself wondering how I got here. There are also times when I find myself wondering when I will leave. Never would I have imagined where I would be now ten years ago—and I don't know what lies ahead of me either. I think that's just the process of time at work.
I could never have guessed that I would be halfway through my junior year, continuing this blog for more than five years, being a writing tutor at my college, being promoted to the Executive Vice President of PRSSA, visited five countries in Europe, or even have three tattoos by the time I'm twenty-years-old. I feel good and proud.
There are times when I digress into my humble little puffer jacket shell and question my abilities, my passions, and what the hell I'm doing. I mean, I think it's valid and common to feel that way, but let's be real, winter doesn't help and I will blame the weather as much as I want. February is one of the worst "second chance" months, you know after you tried so hard to get back at it in January, but then February just sneaks up on you with a pile of deadlines, emails, and applications to be sent out.
This month has really sneaked up on me, but what I've come to realize is that it can be very easy to set ourselves in neutral during these seasons. It can be easy to lose sight of the purpose that drives me to do the things I'm passionate about. I'm stuck in the past or the future, not taking full advantage of the present moment for what it is. It's easy to place myself on a scale of productivity and obsess over what must be done—not what is being done.
Thinking about what gives me purpose motivates me to take everything I do at full force and focus, knowing at the end of the day, that I tried my best. Remembering where I stand now and not wasting my life trying to figure out what my end-all-be-all "purpose" truly is because this is it. What I've learned, though, is that our life's purpose is not a "one-stop arrival," and as cliché, as it is true, it's about the journey, not the destination and trusting the process along the way. Nothing is permanent—we're all just figuring it out as we go. How can you find purpose in today?
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My month ahead...
A rather long January has finally come to an end, as much as I love wishing my life away, I'm pretty excited that we are one step closer to lighter mornings and brighter days. In a recent yoga class I took, my instructor's mantra for us was, "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom," at this point in my life it was something that really resonated with me.
I'm almost halfway done with my junior year of college and all I can think about are the unmade plans for the future and the anxiety that lurks not knowing exactly what might happen a month or even a year from now. There's something true about growth, and it's that we have to trust the process, our ability, and our strength to get to where we want to be. February is action-packed for me this year, and while January treated me off to a smooth start, I thought I'd fill you in...
01. I have been trying to sort out some travel plans for spring break, I know a lot of people go to Florida, the Bahamas, etc. but, I've always loved the idea of taking spontaneous trips to areas of the U.S. that I have yet explored and aren't the most ideal spring break hot spots. Oregon, for example, is a destination I have in mind and I am all for a mountain escape and a breath of fresh ocean air. I've always wanted to explore Portland, but also the western coast, so hopefully, I can make a trip happen this year and see some family that lives out there, too.
02. The summer internship search is on! Now that I've finished my first public relations internship with Papergirl PR and Marketing in December, I've been jumping at opportunities whenever and wherever. There's so much pressure, at least at DePaul, in order to find an internship and I have to say I am one with the process on this one.
I've sent out my resumé and have already had some interviews, but I know I need to be true to myself in what I'm looking for exactly—definitely paid, but a creative role is ideal. So we'll see what happens and I am more than confident that I will come to find an agency that I love.
I've sent out my resumé and have already had some interviews, but I know I need to be true to myself in what I'm looking for exactly—definitely paid, but a creative role is ideal. So we'll see what happens and I am more than confident that I will come to find an agency that I love.
We have been conducting research and pitching our campaign, Love Where You Count, since the beginning of September in order to connect the things people love with the importance of participating in crucial decision making in federal funds nationwide.
It's been stressful, to say the least, but by the end of February, we should have fully executed our campaign and will submit it to the national judges.
Never did I think that in college I would be working with the government, so it's quite cool to be gaining this hands-on experience and opportunity of a lifetime. I will for sure update you all once the manic and excitement of February that is to come has died down.
Never did I think that in college I would be working with the government, so it's quite cool to be gaining this hands-on experience and opportunity of a lifetime. I will for sure update you all once the manic and excitement of February that is to come has died down.
04. After five years of writing on my blog, I've finally bought a domain name for it. For some reason, I was so reluctant to own natalierohman.com, but one of my really close blogger-boss ladies told me it's about time that I should. Lately, I've been giving myself more time to write and be creative on my own terms, so expect more juicy content to come!
I've been thinking about sharing my tutoring experience so far, as well. I started tutoring at DePaul's writing center in September and have been promoted to the Writing Fellow position where we work simultaneously with a specific class, which is about the psychoanalysis of fairy tales—who knew Beauty and the Beast had so many complexities?
That looks like all I have for February, but I am really looking forward to a fresh month and even more exciting opportunities to come. While uncertain now, I have trust in the process and in the journey that it will take for me to get there. What's on the radar for you next month?
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