I went down the social media rabbit hole recently and Tumbled upon the beautiful words written below. Social media has the immense capacity to lead us into the comparison trap, but it also has the ability to do what it started out to do: connect us. To Katharine, That Kind of Woman, the stranger on the internet, thank you for writing, and thank you for sharing your voice. It’s resonated with me profoundly.
“i want to apologize to all the women i have called beautiful
before i’ve called them intelligent or brave
i am sorry i made it sound as though
something as simple as what you’re born with
is all you have to be proud of
when you have broken mountains with your wit
from now on i will say things like
you are resilient, or you are extraordinary
not because i don’t think you’re beautiful
but because i need you to know
you are more than that” -Rupi Kaur
“Writers write because they have something to say; readers read because they have something to learn.”-Ashley Abramson
Life has felt a little bland as of late. Somehow the hearty winter oats with their comfort and warmth have turned beige and starchy mid-bite.
I’m tired of the brown. I’m tired of the crunchy-dead grass underfoot, and I long for longer summers days when leaves tickle the sidewalk with light.
My insides are beginning to feel like my outsides, monochromatic and muddled. I’m longing for something new, something fresh with a lightness in spirit.
“They won’t tell you fairy tales of how girls can be dangerous and still win. They will only tell you stories where girls are sweet and kind and reject all sin. I guess to them it’s a terrifying thought, a red riding hood who knew exactly what she was doing when she invited the wild in.” -Nikita Gill
A few days ago a friend posted the above poem as a caption to her photography. When I read it I couldn’t decide if I wanted to embark on some grand adventure or weep.
There’s something about this poem that has resonated very deeply with me. Made me question what it means the be the one that invites the wild in- to make your own fairy tale.
“Maybe our girl friends are our soul mates, and boys are just people to have fun with.”
I think any true Colorado native would say that there is a tangible shift in the air this time of year. Something changes with the colors of the leaves as we pack away our summer shorts and pull out warmer layers. It’s this shift from the lightheartedness of summer, to something a little earthier- heartier, and full of anticipation for the colder months to come.
I also think it’s rare this time of year to not to talk to someone who is dying to escape to the mountains. To breathe in the fresh fall air and hear the crunch of dying leaves under their feet.
What a whirlwind these last few weeks have been. I closed on my first house, my cousin/best friend moved in with me and I feel like I’ve been running around the clock to figure out how this is all going to fit together.
This past Labor Day weekend was filled with so many wonderful people and things and it’s grounding me in who I want to be during this next season of life. I want to be open to new people and experiences. Say yes to more opportunities and embrace daring discomfort in the pursuit of adventures that bring a new spark to my soul and light up my eyes.
There’s something amazing (and sometimes horrifying) about being responsible for your own home, and the people that you allow to come into it. I think part of becoming older and owning who you are is setting the boundaries to be the truest version of yourself. To know when to say “no” and who to say it to. It’s up to me to decide who I want to invite into my new sacred space and create a home that resonates with me down to the very nitty gritty of my soul.
“When life is sweet say thank you and celebrate, and when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.”
The above quote is from one of my favorite writers, Shauna Niequist. I first read her book Bittersweet when I was in my first semester of college, thousands of miles from home, searching for a new community and new identity. It was the first truly transitional phase of life I had ever been through, and the words that Shauna wrote somehow became the thread that held me together during that phase of life.
“I am a subscriber to a wine program that delivers 4 bottles of wine to your door every 4 weeks… it’s not enough.”
What is it about your early 20’s that are both wildly exciting and beautiful, while simultaneously being overwhelmingly confusing and at times incredibly lonely? And how come no one warns you about it?
Does no one want to admit it? Or is just maybe that the more you talk about it the more f***ed up your life feels? What is it about people in their 30s that look a little less frantic and a little more put together? And when does it stop being acceptable to eat cereal for dinner and using paper towels as plates?
Chances are they did warn us, but if you’re anything like me you didn’t quite get it because you were too busy looking at the world through your rose-colored Ray Bans to notice the misty grey of the unknown come seeping in.
Fernweh (n.)- A crave for travel; being homesick for a place you’ve never been.
I’ve never been to Paris. But let me just go ahead and say that I think the Parisians and I would get along great.
There’s something about spring that stirs an undercurrent of nostalgia. This season is filled with graduations, the ending of another school year, weddings, showers and so much more.
Spring is beautiful, with new life around every corner. They days are longer and the nights are shorter. Happy Hour is surrounded by a golden glow and the drinks are rich with sweet berries and refreshing mint.
One thing I’ve always valued above anything else is friendship. I feel very fortunate in my life to be surrounded by women that are strong, confident, creative and caring.
One such person is my friend Claire. We met when we went through sorority recruitment and have continued to stay friends years later. She is one of the boldest people I know, and someone I consider a total Lady Boss. I’m super excited to feature a story she wrote for Elite Daily, and hope that you find as much inspiration in her story as I do. Thanks for being you Claire!