by Joey | Feb 2, 2016 | Throwback
There hasn’t ever been anything in my life that I wanted that I didn’t somehow make happen. Before you click out and think I’m an asshole, bear with me.
I’m a compulsive person. I think I want a haircut? I need it that afternoon. I decide I want a lipstick? I’m jumping in my car without a bra on to run to the store. My husband has been on so many wild goose chases with me in search of lord only knows what (ask him about the great clutch adventure of 2007. No really. I dare you).
When I want something, I don’t pass go. I don’t collect $200. It’s mine. So let me ask you a question.
Why was I that way with practically everything else in my life, but not with what I want for my life. I would see people accomplishing different things, and I’d think to myself that kind of stuff doesn’t happen for someone like me. What the hell is that voice? Who is that voice? And why couldn’t it be me?
I don’t know where that belief came from. I really don’t. I’m sure a psychologist could have a field day working through some of the things I innately believe for whatever reason. But the process of retraining my brain to believe it could be me has been…exhausting. Eye opening. Nauseating.
Because here’s the deal. Anything can happen for anyone. No, really. Anything can happen for you. You just have to be willing to put the time in. The work in. The effort in. You have to do the work.
I see these seemingly overnight successes pop up everywhere. You see them, too. I know you do. And I know you ask yourself why isn’t it me? I know that because I was right there with you.
But the reality of it all is, if you’re willing and able to do the work, you can do whatever you want.
I’ve hinted that I have some big projects coming soon. And over the weekend I met some friends for lunch who asked the ever constant so what have you been up to question. And as I sat in that booth explaining my vision, my plans, my projects, I could practically feel my heart exploding.
Congratulations! my friend said.
Don’t congratulate me yet. It could all totally flop.
And that’s the truth. All this effort. All this work. And it could really be all for nothing. But maybe it’s not about that. Maybe it’s about the process. Maybe it’s about the work, what I’m actually doing. The fact is, I want to do these things. And if they fall short, then so be it. I can live my entire life wanting to do these things, wishing I could do these things, or I can just do them.
I’m almost 30 years old. My life looks nothing like I thought it would when I dreamt this world up as an innocent teenager. But the dream isn’t over yet, people.
The dream’s not over.
So get after it.
What’s stopping you?
by Joey | Jan 28, 2016 | Throwback
>> I am the most vocal sick person on the planet. I can deal with most sickness, but when it’s a sore throat, you’ll hear about it. And you’ll hear about it until it’s gone. I cannot handle a sore throat. So basically, I want to scratch my throat out at this moment. So there’s that.
>> I finished Parenthood on Saturday. It was hard to watch, but I think it was cathartic in a way. The finale isn’t even what did me in–that, I could handle. But there’s an episode titled How Did We Get Here, and it was basically like watching a video replay of the last three weeks of my life. In fact, I kept things pretty together through the whole experience, but I had one major breakdown after a family meeting on how we’ll handle the inevitable. I just broke down into my oldest sister asking how did we get here? So yeah. I commend the writers of that show. They were pretty on point.
>> I’m in such a cold medicine fog that while driving the kids to bible study Wednesday night, a place I take them literally every single week, one of the kids looked out the window and asked wait, isn’t this the way to baseball? Yes, yes it was. Whoops.
>> I went to Luna’s Living Kitchen for the first time on Saturday. I get the appeal if you’re into the whole vegan lifestyle. But hot chocolate should have chocolate in it. I paid $9 for the worst beverage I’ve ever put to my lips. The food smelled really good though, so maybe I’ll give it another shot. I’d skip the hot chocolate though.
>> I worked extended hours on Monday and Tuesday due to snow days (which weren’t really snow days for the city–really just for the schools), so today is my Friday. I’m unreasonably excited to spend the whole day in a coffee shop tomorrow working my butt off on some big projects. I know. I get a “day off” and spend it working. That’s my life, people.
I hope you all have had an easier go of a week than I have. Tell me what your favorite part of your week has been? Mine was Sunday–J and I took advantage of restaurant week and had an early date night at Chima. We stopped at Amelies on our way home for coffee and desserts, then watched the game. It was a perfect evening.
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by Joey | Jan 27, 2016 | Throwback
I don’t know about you, but when I walk through the door at the end of the day…I’m done. Spent. The idea of doing anything else seems out of the question.
I’m at the age when taking care of my skin isn’t really an option anymore. But if you knew how often I have an internal battle with myself trying to convince myself to get off the couch, wash my face and brush my teeth just so I can collapse into bed, you’d judge me. Hard.
So when micellar waters started taking the US markets by storm, I was totally intrigued. Skeptical, but intrigued. I mean, I’m totally down for anything that can get me into bed quicker.
So I picked up the Simple Micellar Water right when it hit stores back in early 2015. I wanted to love it. I wanted it to be the answer to my prayers. It wasn’t. It took entirely too much effort. Washing my face with as standard cleanser would have been quicker. It took entirely too much product, and far too many of my coveted cotton rounds to do the job. And it broke me out. Fail.
But when I saw the Garnier Micellar Water hit the shelves about a month ago, I thought maybe just maybe it would be better. You all know how I feel about the Garnier HydroRecharge Shampoo & Conditioner line, so I thought it might be worth a shot. Garnier has stepped up their game recently.
Uhm, you guys? Yes. Yes yes yes yes. First of all, I’m in love with the packaging. Not important, no. But we’re girls. We like that stuff. The product itself is exactly what I’ve been looking for. It removes all of my makeup without harsh rubbing, and it even removes some waterproof makeup (I put that to the test the week of my father’s funeral). It’s incredibly gentle on my sensitive skin. It leaves my skin clean and refreshed without ever leaving it dry or tight.
I found mine at Rite Aid, but it’s now available at places like Target, Walmart, and other standard drug stores. If you’ve been looking for the quickest way to get undone in the evenings, you have to give it a shot.
by Joey | Jan 26, 2016 | Throwback
We spend a lot of time stuck inside of choices that we know were mistakes because we are too proud or too embarrassed to just admit that we changed our minds. What’s wrong with trying something?
I think that’s maybe why so many of us are afraid to try anything. Because what happens if we try it and realize it’s not right? Tell me which is worse– trying something and changing your mind, or not trying at all for fear it’s not right?
When it’s put that way, it’s a pretty obvious choice, right? Exactly. That’s what I thought.
Just because you make a choice doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to change your mind. I was talking with a friend a few weeks ago–and she was confessing that she was just so afraid of making the wrong choice. Of living the rest of her life stuck inside all of her mistakes. And hearing her admit that shattered me, because until that very moment, I hadn’t realized that was exactly what I was afraid of, too.
When someone comes to me for advice, I can find the words to shock them back to life. And far too often after ending a call I find myself looking into a mirror shaking my head. Why can you tell them but you can’t take your own advice?
I told this friend to stop putting so much pressure on herself. Make the choice that feels right then reevaluate. If you find you don’t like it, do something else. Simple as that. I told her to be more like a Roomba. When a Roomba hits a wall, it doesn’t just give up, continuing to smack itself into the same corner over and over again. No. It backs up and tries another direction. It might take it a few times to get it right, but that doesn’t stop it from trying. Eventually, the room gets clean.
It’s been a few months, but I’m ready to admit it now. I changed my mind. Only a few months after launching Blush Communications, I dissolved the company. So much work, so many hours, flushed right down the drain. I could very easily see this as a failure, but I don’t feel that way at all. It was entirely my choice, my decision. The point of starting that business was to be my own boss. To do what I wanted. I didn’t know it wasn’t what I wanted until I gave it a shot.
But the truth is, running a freelance communication’s business made me feel important but it sucked the life right out of me. Guess what. When you work for clients–you’re not really your own boss. Instead, you have several bosses. And I wasn’t writing what I wanted to write. I was doing what everyone else wanted me to do. So one morning I woke up, and I dissolved it all. I changed my mind.
I’m one step closer to success because of that, well, failure for lack of a better word. If I never tried it, I would have always wondered.
I chose the route of the Roomba. I hit a wall. I backed up. And now I’m trying a new direction. Eventually, I’ll get it right.
And so will you.
by Joey | Jan 22, 2016 | Throwback
It’s a snow day! I woke up feeling quite sick, so it’s a good thing that work has been called off for the day. I’m sure I would have been fine and would have been able to power through, but when life hands you a snow day, you take full advantage.
Today, I want to
Make waffles
Binge watch Netflix
Write
Color in my adult coloring book
Drink Not Your Father’s Root Beer
Clean out the pantry
Drink too much coffee
Paint my nails
Visit with girlfriends
Tackle all of the laundry
And play in the snow.
I feel like Buddy The Elf. I’d add cuddle to that list, but the husband is stuck at work. Hopefully he’ll be sent home soon. What will your snow day look like?
Anything is possible on a snow day!
