Thursday, January 10, 2013

It's your choice

via


At one point in my life or another I have felt stuck. Caught it a rut. Whatever expression you would like to use to say that my life had gotten stagnent in a place I didn't like.

When you are in that spot I think it's easy to be resentful of all of our circumstances.
If only I had finished college I wouldn't be stuck in this crappy job. 
If only I had a different manager. 
If only I hadn't gotten pregnant so young.
If only my parents cared about my education.
If only I had more friends.
If only I made more money.
If only I was skinnier.

This can go on for a long time, meanwhile nothing in life is changing. I know this phase all too well. I've hated my job before. I've lacked money before (who hasn't?). I've not liked what my life looks like sometimes. And the easiest thing to do is blame that on someone or something else. If only that thing would change, then I would be happy.

Well, I'm going to share with you some valuable advice today. Something that I've had to learn on my own over the last year.

If you want something to change, then do something to change it.

I know. There are obstacles. But unless you get off your rump and do something about it things will continue to stand in your way.

If you don't like your job, find a new one.
If you want to lose weight, then make healthy food and exercise choices.
If you don't know how, then get help.
If you are depressed see a counselor.
If your marriage is falling apart, talk to your spouse about it and figure out what you need to do to make it better.

Don't be afraid to get help.

I'm tired tired tired of people telling me all of their issues and then doing nothing about them. I'm tired of classmates complaining that they don't get the material in class and refusing to go to talk to the teacher about it. I'm tired of hearing the complaints coming out of my own mouth. If you (we, I) can't do it alone, then DON'T, get help.

You are always going to encounter some "Negative Nancy's". But sometimes you have to open your eyes and realize that maybe you are one too! So knock it off! You are bringing everyone else down too.

I'm sorry if I am being brutal, but I think sometimes we need to hear the hard things. And honestly I'm coming from a place where I've just had to look really hard at myself and learn all of these things.

A year ago I was in a very different situation. I wasn't happy with the direction my life was headed in. I saw no end in sight. I had no idea how I was going to dig myself out of my own hole. And I finally realized that I just had to do it one step at a time. Regardless of how painful it might be, what I might not like about it.

And now, I'm in a good place, and I constantly have to remind myself that I am in control of my own future. It can really suck or it can be awesome, but it's up to me.



Friday, January 4, 2013

Priorities | Level and Lace

There is something about a brand new year that always makes you re-evaluate your priorities. Maybe it is hearing all of the New Year's resolutions. Maybe it is thinking about the fact that another year has gone by in the blink of an eye. Who knows? All I do know is that my priorities have gotten lost along the way.

I've been struggling for awhile with this blog. Trying to figure out what I want it to be and how much a part of my life I want it to be. And I've decided that what is important in my life is not this blog or having it be huge. I want to get through school and through the week without feeling like I'm going to fall apart for how much I am putting on my plate. I want to have a healthy marriage. I want to accomplish things. And if that means spending less time here worrying about this place, then so be it.

So, I have some good news and some bad news.

The bad news (depending on your perspective) is that I'm not going to be posting so much (or at least as much as I was posting back when I was a "good blogger"). I'm just not feelin' it. The posts that I have been writing at just lackluster. I've focused more on quantity than quality. So from now on I'm just going to post as I see fit, or as I actually have something to say. And for once I'm not going to beat myself up about that. I might write a couple times a week, I might write a couple times a month. It just depends on what I want to write about. If I lose followers, I'll survive. If I never gain another follower for as long as I blog, it will be because I didn't let this blog consume my life. And that will make me feel happy and successful.

The good news is that I am going to be focusing on the thing that I love most about blogging! The thing that is important to me are the relationships that I have developed through blogging. I'll be focusing more on your blogs and reading the awesome things that you have to say. And adding my own two cents here and there. Hopefully this means actually responding to my emails. ;)


And now I have something new to share with you guys!

www.levelandlace.com

I've been working on this new blog for a little while, trying to figure out exactly when would be a good time to introduce this. And there was no better time than the present.

This will be a compilation of anything style and design related that I may want to post about. It's going to stay simple, mostly pictures and minimal writing. It won't be updated daily, but as I have something to post. This is my new baby, and something I expect to take more of my attention that this blog here.

If the things you love about my blog are my fashion updates, diy posts, building projects, or anything home decor related I suggest you head over there now. It's where all that stuff will be located. ;)

So... things are going to be different around here. Hope you guys will stay with me for the ride, but if not I understand!


Sweater and Plaid




Sweater: F21 // Shirt: Target // Pants: AE // Shoes: Vans

post signature

Polka Dots and Pink Shorts



Shirt: AE // Sweater: Target // Shorts: TJmaxx


post signature

Bows and Pleats



 Shirt H&M // Skirt, bracelets, necklace: F21


post signature