In the spirit of trying new things (without fear of failing stop me), I’d like to report to you on what I’ve worked on lately. A new series, if you will, I’ll call: Working On Things.
Here are two things I’ve tried:
1) Last week I applied for an e-design assistant position. Say, what? It’s for an interior designer I have followed for years, to help in creating electronic design boards. It’s ideal for me because I am so interested in gaining a little experience in this field, and it involves working from home for 10 or so hours per week.
You guys, I have never made a design board. I also have zero experience so my “resume” literally included: “Blog Stalking.”
But, I did it. My house might have been a total disaster while I created my application, and my kids barely fed for two days nor well-entertained, but I did it.
I haven’t heard back from them yet and know it is a LONG SHOT, but I left that week feeling like “me,” because I felt so fulfilled creatively. I had no idea what I was doing, so it took me ridiculously long to create the design board and plan, but I learned new skills in the process that I’m hoping to use in the near future, even if it’s just for fun. So, here’s my design board for an eclectic family room:
2) I really stink at strength training. Which means I also get injured fairly easy while running, or simply carrying around my kids. I’m kind of tired of that, and tired of feeling like an old lady with a broken back. I do about ten minutes of strength training twice a week, and it’s time to step it up a bit all in the name of health.
I recently followed Muncher Cruncher on Instagram and she has really helpful videos of short strength training moves. I’m not sure what the guy next to me thought while I simultaneously watched my phone while squatting and doing a dumbbell move, but I needed to be sure of my form. I’ve decided to whip out my phone at the gym and choose three of her moves. It doesn’t take any pre-planning, it’s just enough of a challenge, but I will feel so much better than solely zoning out on the elliptical.
What have you been working on? I’d love to be inspired by you!
Monica, I love your board and totally thought you knew what you were doing when I first saw it before reading the post. I admire your bravery in jumping into this. Good luck!
Love it!
Ha, thank you Erin! Not even an interview, but at least I tried.
Thanks, Lisa!
I feel like you have seen my past (well, not all of it is in the past–wip), read my mind, and spilled it out on paper. I used to feel such pressure to be the best at everything and beat everyone at their own strengths. After several cross country moves and meeting fabulous people, I have gradually turned that obsession into admiration for others. And then I've tried to take that slowly learn to emulate them. It is incredibly difficult to let that perfectionism go and I'm still working on it. (Although I still really do like everyone to think I'm about near perfect 😉. I probably need to see your therapist, too!)
Somehow my comment landed on this post and not the one I was reading with your adorable 6th and 8th grade pictures. The perfectionist in me would delete it and pray you never saw it, but I'm going to leave it and admire my progress. Ha. Also, now that I've read this post, I feel like we are even more kindred spirits. I'm not very good at interior design (although I love it), but I find my creative outlet through knitting and cross stitch. There are tons of videos online that will teach you how to knit. Thank goodness for the Internet.
Alicia, this really cracked me up! I'm sorry it was at your expense. I'm very proud of you for replacing your "Should" with a "Could!" I love your thought about simply admiring people for who they are instead of having it feed your fire of proving something. Good for you! And I love that you have an outlet too. The Internet can be amazing.
Cute!! I have zero and I mean, zero, interior design skill. In fact, after putting away christmas I've pretty much cleaned out our front room b/c I hate it so bad. I'm planning on redoing it very soon with the help of a friend. I can look at a room and say I love this or that but to put it together in my house just isn't working. Sigh! I'll get there one day.
I can't wait to see what you do! I'll be out in February, so if you have anything perplexing that you'd like a second pair of eyes on, them I'm there! Pinterest is made for you then–get on there and pin all the stuff you instantly respond to, "I like that!" Then you can seriously copy what you like!
Monica! I stumbled on a link to your blog tonigh and planned to read just one entry as it is getting late but ended up eagerly reading through all of your posts at once! What honest and beautiful writing! I'll admit I laughed and cried my way through. I can relate more than you know. Such wise words. Makes me miss our long runs and heart to heart talks in Hyde Park a lifetime ago. I guess this is the next best thing. I'm excited to follow along and learn from you dear friend. So grateful to know you!