Countdown

I'm trying to keep this in mind as I prepare to go back to school on Sunday. 

Fall is coming much too fast...

Make It Happen

It's down to the last few weeks of school for me, which means scrambling to make sure all of my final projects and papers are complete. Extra stress has been added to my load because I am going to London the day after I get out, which means I have to be moved out of my room by then. I just keep telling myself to push forward, and make it happen. I will be UK-bound soon enough.

Be Exactly Who You Say You Are

Deep in the Sea

Smile, Breathe and Go Slowly

Transformation Is the Key To Clarity

I was thinking last night when I was trying to fall asleep, that it's so difficult, if not impossible to see something clearly, unless some sort of a transformation takes place. Whether that transformation is viewing a situation from another person's eyes, or getting better at your craft. Something has to give. When something becomes clear, comfort sets in.

Over the past five years or so, I have been following and creating and maintaining relationships with people over at Free People. I'm not sure how to entirely explain it, but I am so unbelievably comfortable in the Home Office. My anxiety vanishes, and I feel confident. I have never found anything aside from music that completely reflects who I am and how I hope to grow.

As an artist, there really is never a piece of work, I don't think, that describes or reflects me....part of that is because I am constantly changing. I don't know. It's weird, but as far as Free People's clothing goes, it is totally me. I love the business side of it too...the graphics on the site, the app, the store displays, the bags, the playlists in the stores, how as a company, Free People integrates smaller brands to sell their products. I was at the Home Office last week for a day of photo shoots and surprises that I will tell you about soon!

I have never been to a place where I felt as comfortable as I do at that Home Office. It is so strange to me. I could see myself working there tomorrow. I always joke that I'd sleep on their couches in Building 543 if I had to. ;) I hope I get the opportunity to work there...it is my goal and my dream. I feel so lucky that I have a place where I feel like I fit in, and is somewhere where they want me too.

So, I guess where I'm going with this, is that maybe a transformation, even a gradual one, will take you somewhere that maybe you didn't even think of or consider. Just work hard and do your best to ignore the crap people say.

Food For Thought: 15 Things That Emotionally Strong People Don’t Do

This article was brought to my attention by the woman who I'm working for, Tracy Radcliffe, who knits shawls for Free People. It seems to be popping up all over Facebook recently, but I just took the time to read it. I have been having some trouble with 'haters' (I don't know what else to call them) recently, and this article confirms what others, including Tracy and my parents, have been telling me. Maybe this will help some of you too... 

You can read the full article by Paul Hudson, here. 

1. They Don’t Beg For Attention

Needing attention is directly linked to emotion. Those who feel the need for recognition only find themselves experiencing feelings of worth when others make them feel needed; it’s as if these people are uncertain of their value, or if they have any ounce of self-worth. Feeling unsure of your worth is a self-fulfilling prophecy; if you don’t know you matter, then no one will ever believe you do.

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2. They Don’t Allow Others To Bring Them Down

Emotional strength requires resilience. This world is filled with haters and trolls. There are jealous eyes lurking around every corner. The unfortunate truth is that often the people who hold us back the most are those closest to us. Getting rid of these people is often the best solution, but also the most difficult. If you can quietly remove these people from your life, that’s one fewer bridge burned and much less of an emotional trigger.

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3. They Don’t Hold Grudges

If you’re holding a grudge, then you already care more about a situation than you should. If a person apologizes genuinely, forgive him or her. If this person doesn’t apologize, then don’t interact with him or her, but don’t hold grudges. People with whom you seek to alienate and hold grudges against take up too much of your mental energy, doing more harm than good.

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4. They Never Stop Doing Their Own Thing

Emotionally strong individuals do what they do because they love doing it. They don’t plan on slowing down or stopping for anyone who deems their happiness inappropriate.

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5. They Never Stop Believing In Themselves

Those who love themselves and understand themselves — those who aren’t afraid or proud to be themselves — never doubt themselves. You amount to your own self-worth, not a shilling more.

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6. They Don’t Act Like B*tches Or Assh*les

People are mean. But we wonder, why? Being a jerk is only good as an intimidation factor, and if you’re trying to intimidate people, then you better be a negotiator by profession; if you’re intimidating just for the sake of it, you’re obviously overcompensating for a lack of confidence. Do you also drive a very large automobile, perhaps? I hear they make pills for that.

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7. They Know Better Than To Let Just Anyone Into Their Lives

The emotionally strong are emotionally strong for a reason: They don’t expose themselves to people who break down their defenses and crush their morale. Most people in the world are lost and will be more than happy to take you along with them. Don’t let an awful acquaintance ruin your happiness.

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8. They Aren’t Afraid To Love

If you’re afraid to love, you don’t have enough confidence in yourself. You obviously think you can’t be in a lasting relationship, but only in one that is doomed for disaster. You don’t want to get hurt again because getting hurt really sucks. There is no reason for you to get your heart broken again because you are awesome. If things don’t work out, it’s not you. It’s the two of you together. Unless, of course, you are an awful human being; in that case, it is you.

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9. They Don’t Lie In Bed Dreading The Day Ahead Of Them

The best part of your day should be the moment you wake up and realize you’re still alive. We take life for granted too regularly.

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10. They’re Not Afraid Of Slowing Down

Emotionally strong people aren’t in need of constant action and excitement. They don’t need to run around all day and keep moving in order to avoid their demons. They appreciate a slow moment because it brings them closer to what it feels like to do nothing but living, breathing. This is not to say that they don’t enjoy excitement in their lives, but they aren’t junkies and are more than happy to just go for a walk and smell the roses.

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11. They Don’t Do Things They Don’t Want To Do

We all do things that we don’t love to do, but we should never do things that we don’t want to do. The emotionally strong understand that and almost always manage to figure out a way to focus on what they love, which allows them to figure out what they need to do, in order to do what they love. Although they may not love every second of it, they like doing what they are doing because it’s bringing them one step closer to what they would love to do.

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12. They Have No Problem Saying “No”

If you can’t say “no,” you will get abused. You’ll be considered a pushover and no one will ever ask you for your opinion or take it seriously when you give it. Saying “no” reminds people that they don’t have control over you.

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13. They Don’t “Forget” To Give Back

We’re not too busy or too poor to donate our money and/or time. We don’t forget, either. Some people just choose to ignore our responsibilities as human beings. The stronger you are emotionally, the more you come to appreciate others and life itself. You give life more worth and you begin to empathize with those who were dealt a bad hand.

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14. They Don’t Feel The Need To Fit In

The stronger you are emotionally, the more independent you become. You don’t feel the need to fit in because you fit in where it matters: the world. People form smaller social groups that are often skewed and unhealthy. Wanting to fit in doesn’t say much more than “I’m afraid to be myself.”

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15. They Don’t Forget That Happiness Is A Decision

Most importantly, the emotionally strong have learned to understand the power their brains have over both the mind and body. They understand that emotions are reactions, not reactions to direct physical causes, but to the way we perceive those causes. In other words, our emotions don’t reflect reality; rather, our emotions reflect the way we interpret reality. Understanding this gives us near-full control of our emotions and, therefore, our lives.

You Cannot Shake Hands With A Clenched Fist

Create A Life That Feels Good

photo via Mystic Mama.

Your Calling

Create The Things You Wish You Existed

Time To Retreat

I feel like after a week of being off from school, I am finally starting to relax. I have a lot more time to dedicate to my creative ventures and new job (more about that later!). It's pretty amazing how a break from the clutter of a schedule can let your mind breathe and think up new creations. Have a great Monday!

photo by Me, quote via Mystic Mama.

Between the Wish and the Thing

Image by Rachel Urquhart of Pony Gold.

The Wound is the Place Where Light Enters You

"The wound is the place where the light enters you." ~Rumi