The end of summer has come a bit unexpected. The days feel longer, but the weeks seem to just pass by as I wonder what it was like back in March when everything felt so uncertain and summer plans were put on hold. It goes to show just how fast your life breezes by when you're planning your days out long enough until you can finely just breathe.
This summer for me has been quite the eventful one. With my advertising internship at FCB Chicago coming to a close, I was positive that going into my senior year (virtually) will reveal the same opportunities—maybe even better ones. All we can do is hope for the best, but sometimes you have to absorb the current moment for it to reveal its beauty. I spent a lot of my time at the beginning of this year waiting and waiting for things to become known and set for my future. I dwelled on it so much that it consumed me and what I truly wanted to be doing. Whether it be spending much needed time with family or taking a pause, this summer has been quite the road to recovery from what had been a very frightful spring.
I turned 21 this past weekend and I could not feel more fit to be my age. Maybe it's me figuring out what to do with my hair, or this newfound sense of ambition I have finishing college, or the endless amount of possibilities for what my life could be like one year from now, five, or even ten. I couldn't be more excited to begin what will be the best time of my life. Who doesn't love their 20s anyway?
Since being 20, I've gotten tattoos, ridden a motorcycle, travelled abroad, and have done many radical things you'd do in your 20s, but I've also done a lot of adult things already like updating my license! I'm in no rush whatsoever to keep on aging, though. I am certain in the fact that I am capable of great things that I set my mind to. It often becomes my greatest weakness when I want to accomplish so many great things, that I become burnt out and overwhelmed by it all. However, I've found joy and reassurance in spontaneity and not always having a plan figured out.
[All pictures taken by my lovely cousin, Lindsay Livingston, on the Oregon Trail in Baker City, Oregon].
Since summer has been different, to say the least, my family and I have been continuing to take precaution when we leave the house. I think it's valid to say that after all of that staying at home, many of us have felt like we've needed an excuse to get out. Even to the grocery store. On occasion, my mom and I will hit up some stores, but we're still really weary of where we're going and if it is even necessary to go there.
With that said, I thought I would share some of my carry out essentials and what I bring with me if I do plan on going out. Obviously masks and hand sanitizers are no question, but I have found that the contents of my purse are purposeful. If you have known me for a while then you might have seen me just carrying around a wristlet let alone my phone along with it.
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This cute orange bowling style bag has had me swoon. Unlike the large bowling bags I've seen on the luxury purse market, I picked this little guy up from TJ Maxx. You'd think that since this purse has such a defined round shape that it would hit you on the hip, but I've adjusted the strap just right so it's not sitting awkwardly on my hip. Here is a similar dome satchel I found by the same brand, Isabelle, on Poshmark.
I always have some type of small beauty product in my bag depending on where I'm going. Either perfume, lip balm, lotion, you name it. The Chloé Nomade perfume has been my absolute favorite scent to wear—even if I'm just going out to buy groceries. It's a warm floral, perfect for summer and fall. With hints of oakmoss, freesia, and mirabelle plum liquor, you'd think it's a sophisticated fragrance, and it is! If you don't love really sweet or floral, but more musky and warm scents, this is the fragrance for you. The travel size spray bottle is indeed a plus.
I always make sure to have at least two masks in my bag wherever I'm going. You never know if you might lose one, someone in my family forgets one (although unsanitary, I wouldn't recommend on the regular), or it gets dirty. No one likes the feeling of a makeup covered mask, so you always have to be prepared. I love the Athleta Everyday Non Medical masks. They come in a pack of five neutral colors. At first, I thought the blue mask would be more of a navy color, but mine turned out to be teal and I can't complain, it's so cute!
My carry out essentials definitely change from time to time, but I think it's good to only take what I really need with me. I couldn't possibly ever go anywhere with a huge bag full of stuff, it's not ideal for me. Now when I do need to go somewhere, I am more mindful about what is truly necessary—masks and hand sanitizer are the number one essentials and I would hope everyone feels the same way. We have to be cautious, thoughtful, and smart about where we are going, what we are bringing (or what virus we might be bringing), and use our best judgement always. What are some of your carry out essentials?
We spend a majority of our time relying on other people's time. Making plans, setting dates, marking our calendars, creating group chats, booking trips, planning late night Sunday Zoom calls, and carving parts of our lives so that it molds with others. Life wouldn't be sweet if we didn't plan our winter break family reunions or uphold our Sunday brunch traditions. Everything revolves around time. Since we've all spent time staying at home and finding ways to cope from our bedrooms, I've come to re-evaluate the way that I let other people's time dictate whether or not I'm happy.
Seize the Day...
What I've come to realize, during my withdrawal of social events and special group outings, is that I did a lot of waiting around for people. Waiting for them to text me, make plans, confirm they're available, make a decision on where to get take out, and the like. It's been a bit freeing knowing that I can lay out the plan for the day on my own time and make the most of the day on my own terms.
I've dealt with people who don't follow through, who keep me waiting, who cancel late last minute, while I'm twiddling my fingers. You can't live your life with that BS! Do what you want and you will feel more fulfilled, motivated, and mentally sound knowing that you don't have to wait on other people to make plans with you.
Be Mindful of Your Power
For someone like me who lives with order in their lives and fancies structured plans, I've learned to let go of the control and pressure of knowing that other people are more deserving of my time. It's ultimately up to me to decide how I want to spend it.
I want to disclaim that making plans with people is great and you should never feel guilty giving people the time if you mindfully do so. However, don't give into guilt trips, or people who pressure you into doing things because you'll "regret" it later. Trust your word and don't let other people dictate your time or self-worth because you "just don't feel like it". No one needs an explanation for why your time is just as valuable.
Establish Personal Boundaries
Sometimes I find myself complaining about the things I have to do, but more recently, I've become susceptible to being around people who complain more about what they have to do and why it should matter to me. Sometimes it's not your responsibility to reckon with other people's goals, plans, or conflicts—just stay out of it and keep in your own lane.
We get blindsided by the amount of comparing that we do and most of the time, we don't even know we're doing it. We compare our personal, financial, and professional goals with other people so much that we are dumbfounded by rejection and stoop down to others just so we can doubt our own potential and move on with our lives. Time is precious, so why dwell on other things we can't control?
The truth of it all is that we invest our time in people, so much so, that it consumes our daily lives. Who we work for, who we eat with, who we live with, who we exercise with, and so forth. A simple way of not falling accustomed to letting other people take your time, energy, and power away is to realize that your time is valuable and no one should take advantage of it. Become the driver of your life. Hone your potential, inspired motivation, and start seizing back the control of your life on your own time.
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