This Week

I start my new position next week 

and I've been enjoying my mini staycation this week. 

Lots of coffee, cleaning and netflix.

So far I have adopted a new plant, 

spruced up some old frames 

and spent way too much money on new area rugs.

Hopefully my spring cleaning will rush spring weather my way.

Here's to hoping.

Because Life Is Too Short

 

"Most people work just hard enough not to get fired 

and get paid just enough money not to quit."

George Carlin

I read that quote back in October when I was feeling discouraged by my negative work environment and posted this:

"I've been called innocent before, because of my positive attitude in the work place. It's not that I don't get bogged down working the nine-to-five or fed up with office politics. It's that I work hard to not let those things define my work ethic or keep me chained to a desk I'm no longer learning in. I think I'm who marketers like to call, "a mysterious millennial". 

We're not all lazy and non-committal. We crave more out of life than just a j-o-b, we're picky and our dreams go far beyond the white picket fence and pretty pensions. But we work for Gen X and they just don't get it."

I realized that this quote defined the majority of my coworkers.

And I wasn't going to let it define me.

So I quit.

I put my resignation in two weeks ago without having another job.

I know risky.

I've battled my own fears and insecurities,

feeling like the most irresponsible 25 year old "typical millennial",

who throws in the towel on a stable job.

I battled for several months if I should just quit,

all the while submitting resumes left and right for positions within other companies.

Over the holidays I had a refreshing conversation with my cousin who's in residence at Mayo Clinic.

In his very calm, confident, "doctor voice" he asked me two simple questions and told me if I answer yes to both I have to quit, but if I answer no to at least one I have to stay indefinitely;

Doc: "Are you unhappy at your job?"

Me: "Yes."

Doc: "Would you be happier if you quit?"

Me: "Yes."

Doc: "Well, then you have to quit."

In those two very simple questions I found my answer and courage to quit my job.

Today is my last day and I already feel like a burden has lifted.

Don't get me wrong,

I don't think that everyone should quit their job if they're unhappy.

There was a lot more that went into my work environment that led me to quit that I don't feel is necessary to disclose.

However, too many people settle for desks that don't challenge them to keep growing and learning.

I hope to never settle and to always have the courage to move on when it's necessary.

Because life is too short.

W o r k S p a c e

I used to work for an art gallery.

I was surrounded by sculpture art, canvases and photographs every day. 

I loved being in a creative space. 

After 6 months of now working in a cubicle, 

I am desperate to surround myself with creativity again. 

I've been dreaming of working for myself someday. 

Starting a digital marketing agency that 

combines the art and effective communication 

of videography 

with the cause, brand, product or idea.

All it takes is a day away from the desk 

and I start to dream-up creativity. 

Someday.

Saturday

 

I love the transition between summer and fall. 

By the time fall comes everyone is so ready for scarves and bonfires, that we all seem to forget how long the winter months last. 

But we will all be grateful for when summer finally comes back again. 

After all, the grass is always greener... well in summer. 

But the weather is perfect right now. 

And I enjoyed possibly my last iced coffee in a tank top and tennis shoes.

Cheers!

When You Least Expect It ...

Things are about

to get really

good.

Whispers of Profound Truth

Truth realized 

is the beginning of restoring a heart that has fallen away.

And He woos me

with the truth 

of my shortcomings

&

the infallible grace

that He relentlessly 

extends to me.

His truth, 

light & love 

will always

pale in comparison 

to the remedies of this world.

And yet,

I will not

always choose 

to see it.

help me to have eyes to see

Never Lose Sight

8 reasons I could never...

Live the "cube" life...

8 Things I've learned from life the "cube":

1. I need creative, colorful, imaginative decor on my gray cube walls

2. I don't think I could work a nine to five job in one of these

3. Coffee, coffee, coffee

4. I should probably invest in a candy jar

5. It's all about the chair, is it mesh and stiff, does it swivel, is it leather...

6. Women really do share recipes over their left-overs during lunch the next day

7. It really is like The Office...

8. #printingproblems 

DIY Bedroom

I love DIY projects, especially when I finally have time for them.

This is my semi-finished bedroom:

I painted over an old brown dresser and gave it a fun coral color.

The walls are light gray with an accent wall of a dark gray

and after cleaning out my garage, 

I found an old 1950's vintage Vogue pattern book. Success.

The lamp is Threshold by Target.

I found the cute little owl at Michael's. 

Feels good to be home.

"Louie Louie What To Dooie"

I remember being a senior in high school, 18 years old and my best friend and I sat at her counter in the kitchen drinking tea, trying to think of something to do on a Friday night.

Her mom made the comment after listening to us complain about having nothing to do, "This age sucks". We're not old enough for the bar scene and we are too old to join the teeny-boppers getting dropped off at the mall or movies. 

There really is not much out there to do on weekends for the young crowd, the not-yet-twenty-one-year-olds. 

After listening to my 19 year old cousin talk about having nothing to do for her age last night, an idea emerged. 

Sarah's 19, just graduated from high school and is staying in St. Louis for college. She lives in University City, right in the bustle of the St. Louis Loop. While tons of cool bars line the streets just minutes away from her, she and her friends are left to figure out something to do on their Friday nights.

"That's why high school kids drink and do drugs. There's nothing better to do." - Sarah

photo credit: Me

"LouieLouie" a party planning events team that seeks to: Encouraging the young St. Louis crowd to discover the awesome of St. Louis, connecting through places and events all over the city and giving 18-21 year olds something FUN to do. 

Our idea is to help the young crowd of STL get connected with each other and discover all the different places and things to do in the unique neighborhoods of Saint Louis. We want to sponsor events, but also keep a community calendar that informs this crowd of different events already going on in our city open to their age group. 

We hope to not just give the young crowd something to do on the weekends, but to offer an alternative to underage drinking. This is a major untapped market and LouieLouie wants to help local St. Louis neighborhoods and business bridge the gap. 

LouieLouie is sure to morph and grow into a more fully developed idea and I'm excited to see where it goes!

More transition.

Home again,

Home again

Jiggety-jig.

After being away (for the most part) for 5 years, I'm excited to move back home to Saint Louis. It's where I've always wanted to end up and where I want to plant my roots. 

In all senses of the word, it is home. So, I'm packing up and leaving Dallas behind. 

I'm so thankful to have had this time here. The relationships that I've made and the growth that I've had, where all so necessary for my transition after college. I will always think of my Dallas family and remember the amazing, god-fearing people who have invited me to their tables and offered authentic community in a strange new city. 

I've come to the realization that there is nothing like community. 

And the sweetest gift to give and receive is ourselves. 

Our time, our presence, our words and our touch. 

No material possession can ever suffice to fill what authentic and true fellowship offers. 

I'm excited to build new relationships, create new authentic fellowship and contribute to a new faith community.