For the past few years, after reaching another birthday, I start to re-examine my place. When I say place, I don’t mean my home, although I do partake in a little tidying up and cleaning out some things. However, in this case, place meaning the current moment of my living and the people and situations that I allow in my life.

I spent part of my birthday weekend attending a Women’s Conference at my church and on the first night, the message was about making peace with your place.

I just entered my 34th year of being on this planet and over these 3+ decades I’ve experienced and learned a lot about me and more importantly, about what I want. However, I have to admit that I spent the majority of those years not appreciating myself and the godly gifts that I already had and instead spent more time, almost obsessing about the things I didn’t have that others around me did have such as better clothes, nicer bodies, more friends, and that junior high diabolical desire; popularity. Oh, if only 14 year old could’ve hopped in a time machine to now and see that all of those things were not all what they cracked up to be.

One of the decisions you can make in your life, to me, is to not spend even one iota of time comparing yourself to somebody else. You should always strive to live a content life and learn to love and appreciate all the things that you do have in this life, because comparison is a thief of making peace with your place.

“Comparison is the death of joy.” – Mark Twain

I’m a warrior for people living a happy life and encouraging others, too. So, stop with the comparisons and focus on the people, places, and things that brings joy to your life.

My moment of complete contentment.

Recently, I rediscovered my love of drawing and sketching. I feel so content and happy with my place those times when I’m laying in bed, free-hand sketching whatever comes to mind with one of my guilty-pleasure podcasts that I love listening to at night. In that moment, I’m not thinking out any upcoming bills, filled to the brim inboxes, and I’m definitely not scrolling through Instagram looking about people post visually pleasing pictures of the things they want you to see.

I’m so glad that social media wasn’t a thing when I was in school. No telling how broken my self-esteem would’ve been then and probably now and for that I’m grateful and at peace with my place.

Can you say that you are peace with your current place in life? Either way, share below and we can continue to strive together.

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Today is officially the first day of fall and I’m so happy that my favorite season is back and brought with it all the reasons that I love fall; cool weather, colorful leaves, and legit reasons to borderline OD on everything pumpkin flavored and scented.

This fall, for me, is looking to be very productive. First of all, after countless of ideas and product and design sampling, I’ve finally narrowed in on the design and product I want to make. Although I’m only at about 70% done, I was able to finally able to get over that hump that I’ve been putting off for the past month.

For those inquiring, it’s nothing life changing like a cure for nail biting or growing your eyebrows back over night (that needs to be a thing, though), but more so random products and designs with a fun, but chic aesthetic that you can easily incorporate in your home, office, and style. However, more importantly, something that has allowed my creative juices to rejuvenate over the past few months.

Back to fall. I’m so amped. Although my fall wardrobe is pretty much finished, I still need to get a couple of more things such as a few more scarves (not too heavy or too light), and…some new Ugg boots. *insert shame face* Yes, I know Uggs are soooo basic and blah, blah, blah. I know. However, do you know what else I know? They are so super duper comfy and so easy to throw on to run out the door. They are in the fall what flips flops are in the summer; easy and comfortable to wear, but shouldn’t be part of a styled outfit. Plus, I haven’t had Uggs in a couple of years and feel that I’ve earned to get another pair. No shame.

What are you looking forward to now that fall is back? You know what’s the cherry on top for this season to officially be Fall? The red cups from Starbucks and they aren’t out, yet. Really, Starbucks? Get together.

Anyway….WELCOME BACK, FALL!!

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I’m a creative, meaning that I love and thrive on using my mind and energy on creating things such as writing and design and releasing it into the world. Actually, being a creative is probably the core reason that I started blogging, because it allowed me to writing what I want and even be creative with graphic designs for the look of the site (back when I used to hand code. ugh.) and display images. It was so much fun and kept my brain continuously grinding for new ways to express myself and flex my creativity.

Over the past few years, my brain doesn’t churn as much as it used to, especially when it comes to thinking off new ideas. Some of the main reasons for this decline include dealing with unhealthy friendships/relationships, personal issues (my health and my mom passing away), and having a non-creative job (the main reason). Therefore, the creative corner of my mind took a serious hiatus the past 3-4 years. I hit a creative slump and I realized that when it came to blogging and other endeavors, I was constantly drawing a creative blank. I knew that I had to do something about that…ASAP!

At the beginning of this year I decided that I wanted to get that old thing back. So…I did what I usually do when I fall off and lose track of where I’m going…I dusted myself off and started all over again. When I say started all over again, I mean going to Michael’s and buying sketch books and colored and graphite pencils and reverted back to 5 year old me who used to draw and color all the time. Doodling and practicing shading techniques became my past time. After scratching that itch, I decide to test another lane in the creative universe of sewing. When it comes to hand stitching, I’m a ‘G’. However, I need to take a sewing class soon, because my sewing  machine intimidates me. I really wish I could remember how to sew from taking home economic in junior high.

After hitting that blank, making the decision to do something about, and getting my creative mojo back I’ve been in such a happier mental space. Plus, my brain has been churning out so many ideas that I’ve been toying around with for a while that I’m so excited about and can’t wait to share with you all!

In the end, drawing a creative blank was just what I needed to force me to  purge my mind and get back on path.

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