tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777011306948620482024-03-05T16:47:39.993-06:00Simply, ValorieSimply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.comBlogger441125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-77712166877904684662013-07-31T09:30:00.000-05:002013-07-31T09:30:00.857-05:00there's a new blog a-comin'. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yup. If you somehow haven't heard the news - Simply, Valorie is soon to be no more.<br />
<br />
Yes, a moment of silence would be great here.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
BUT. BUT. There's a new blog. And I've made it real easy for you to switch. You can do it right HERE: <br />
<center>
</center>
<center>
<br /></center>
<img alt=" photo CPsubscribe_zps534bf6d0.png" border="0" src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/thevalorieclark/CPsubscribe_zps534bf6d0.png" /></div>
<br />
<a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo CPemail_zps44ade08f.png" border="0" src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/thevalorieclark/CPemail_zps44ade08f.png" /></a>
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/thevalorieclark/chasingpavements" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo CPrss_zps5f6667d6.png" border="0" src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/thevalorieclark/CPrss_zps5f6667d6.png" /></a><br />
<br />
via email OR rss<br />
</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-84200098728860803862013-07-30T18:52:00.002-05:002013-07-30T19:03:12.778-05:00the July EFF YEAH list <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
July was a really, really big -- like Big with a Capital B -- month, y'all. Here's what went down.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
1. I bought a new blog domain. Have you subscribed in time for the big move on THURSDAY? ::falls over in excited squeals::</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<center>
<br /><img alt=" photo CPsubscribe_zps534bf6d0.png" border="0" src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/thevalorieclark/CPsubscribe_zps534bf6d0.png" />
</center>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo CPemail_zps44ade08f.png" border="0" src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/thevalorieclark/CPemail_zps44ade08f.png" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/thevalorieclark/chasingpavements" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo CPrss_zps5f6667d6.png" border="0" src="http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/thevalorieclark/CPrss_zps5f6667d6.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
via email OR rss</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
If the gold glitter doesn't tell you a lot about the new blog, well... !!! </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
2. I got not exactly a promotion, but a new role at work. And it has to do with goalin'. I'm am the most excite about it.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
3. I got ink'd! It hasn't quite finished healing yet so I haven't taken a lot of photos but I'm real excited about this one. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
4. I started doing yoga again! (I had basically accidentally fallen off the band wagon since BiSC. Whoops.) </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
5. I got my finances hard core IN ORDER. BOOM. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
6. I started running again which leads to number 7...</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
7. I SIGNED UP FOR A 10K. Obviously this is not as exciting as RUNNING a 10k, but you guys. The <a href="http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/new-york">Rock n Roll Brooklyn 10K</a> through Prospect Park on October 12. I'm going to be there. Want to join me? </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
8. I signed up for another BPC juice cleanse to start on August 23rd. Remember how much I loved this <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/07/288-ounces-of-juice-that-changed-my.html">last time</a>? This time I'm doing 4 days. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
9. I didn't write this, but I was pretty excited to read <a href="http://www.refinery29.com/2013/07/49666/iced-coffee-guide-washington-dc">this article</a> about my company's iced coffee. I didn't exactly "interview" with this, but I did meet with the author back in June, so I was proud to see it finally go live. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
10. I turned 23! I almost forgot this one. Don't know how. Whoops?</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
11. I remembered all my loved one's birthdays this month and either called or sent a card (or both). </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 26.666667938232422px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Have I mentioned the new blog by the way? Because new blog. The links to subscribe by <a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify">email</a> or by <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/thevalorieclark/chasingpavements">rss</a> only lead to those pages. There will be a link to the new blog on August 1. I AM SO EXCITE YOU GUYS. </div>
</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-17037080117556828752013-07-21T19:11:00.003-05:002013-07-21T19:11:41.464-05:00The Mid-Year EFF YEAH List<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Summer is a rough time for me. Not because I hate summer - <i>God, I love summer</i> - but because where I work means my summer is full of 6 day work weeks and a few too many 12+ hour days. Spring? 5 day work weeks and a few 12+ hour days. Fall and winter - somewhat normal. But summer... Man. Summer is where I fell off the wagon with all my goals last year, but it won't be this year.<br />
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
And I mean, yes, I *DO* realize that it's actually July 21 already. I'm a little behind posting review because I decided to do a bit of a retooling of some of my goals for the year, based on <a href="http://www.lifelessbullshit.com/grab-life-by-the-balls/">Nicole's</a> pretty kickass mid year review and her <a href="http://www.lifelessbullshit.com/goal-setting-formula/">15-step goal-setting formula</a>. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
My goals for 2013 looked kind of like this:<br />
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">The Future</b></span></div>
<ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; list-style: disc outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Apply to grad school for Fall 2014.</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>[<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Frankly decided that this is not going to happen. I want to spend a few years teaching English and saving money first.]<b style="font-weight: bold;"> </b></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Take the GRE</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[Welp. Don't need to take this yet.]</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Study French four times a week</b>. [I FEEL ALL THE GUILT. This hasn't happened. It's my number two priority for the next six months though {#1 - new blog}.]</li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>The Relationships</b></span></div>
<ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; list-style: disc outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Visit everyone in my family and several friends</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[I've seen everyone on my mom's side and took a trip to see my BFF in Ohio, so half done! Now I just need to schedule trips to see my dad's side and go to Texas.]</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Remember birthdays.</b> [It took some struggling, but I've finally got a system in place that gets all my friends birthday cards somewhere in the week of their birthday. Let's be real - day of is just too tricky.]</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Make time for phone calls/Skype.</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[This had to go on because my closest friends are spread across, you know, A CONTINENT (GOD YOU GUYS)... And it hasn't been going well. I try though. Thank God for texting.]</li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Health & Wellness</b></span></div>
<ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; list-style: disc outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">One "Spa Day" per quarter</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[1/4 I need to be better about this - I need at least a mani/pedi and to drink champagne at noon once this month.]</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Yoga three times a week</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[I was really good about this until May... And now I can't remember the last time I rolled out my mat.]</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Build meditation into my life</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[Yoga was helping this, but when the yoga stopped the meditating stopped. I also find that thinking of meditation AS meditation infuriates me. Am I the only one?]</li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Explore!</b></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[This is my favorite bucket, and along with relationships is the one that's definitely getting done.]</div>
<ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; list-style: disc outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Leave DC once a month</b> [6/12 -- California, sailing in the bay, Ohio, Vegas, Rehoboth Beach. I need to figure out where I'm visiting in July still. Suggestions?]</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Make a schedule of museums/exhibits in DC and hit them all</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[I literally didn't realize what a huge task this would be. I've started this list, but it keeps growing. And my time to see this exhibits keeps dwindling. I've been to a few favorites though!]</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Save $150/month to start traveling.</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[Not a huge number, but living in one of the most expensive cities, it's what I can spare. It's going... okay. Expenses came up, life happened.]</li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b style="font-weight: bold;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">Creativity</span></b></div>
<ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; list-style: disc outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Start a Dancers Photo Project</b> [On hold. Mostly a time issue, and a lack of clarity on what I really want the project to look like.]</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Read 2 books a month</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[?/12 Have completely lost track of how many books I've read when... but I'd guess I've read at least 8 this year, which is close to 12.]</li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Writing</b></span></div>
<ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; list-style: disc outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><span style="line-height: 14px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Make writing a habit.</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[I did okay with this for a while, but I haven't found a way to reconcile my work schedule that can have me working until midnight one night then back up at 6:30 am the next day with any sort of timed habit, like writing.]</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Submit to 10 lit mags</b>. [Nope. I haven't even found a lit mag I'd like to submit to. Haven't written anything to submit to it if I did!]</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Start a Writers' Blog</b>. [Actually did! Then decided I wasn't a fan of the idea anymore, didn't have time to dedicate to it, and scrapped it before I really even announced it. This is how life goes.]</li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<u><b>Miscellaneous</b></u> </div>
<ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; list-style: disc outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><span style="line-height: 14px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Spell 'miscellaneous' correctly on the first try without thinking about it.</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[I actually just added this to the list but FUCK I'm proud I just did that.]</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Start my new blog.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>[This is in the works. Finishing up the header after this, actually. GOAL SMASH.]</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.714285714rem;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Barista Certification </b>[This is something that will happen in October.]'</li>
</ul>
Over all, I feel pretty good about the past six months. Did I get everything done? Obviously not. Are my upcoming goals the same as the past six months'? Nope. I got in touch with a lot of Things I Actually Want instead of Things I Just Think I Want, which is really the best thing that could have happened. So here's to the second half of 2013. Ready, GO. <br />
<ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.714285714; list-style: disc outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</ul>
</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-73701588980534589882013-07-13T16:15:00.000-05:002013-07-13T16:15:18.135-05:00It's my birthday, and I'll blog if I want to. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Remember that time <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2013/05/i-have-emotional-hangover-because-vegas.html">I went to a blogger's conference</a>, then totally stopped blogging? <br />
<br />
Yup, me too. My disappearance was part <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2013/05/i-have-emotional-hangover-because-vegas.html">emotional hangover</a>, part lack of time (summer at work is busy and exhausting), and part Beginning of a Relationship Syndrome, when the other person is the only person you want to talk to and see and the rest of the world doesn't exist anymore <i>sorrynotsorry. </i>So even when I had time, I didn't really make time. You know? <i><br /></i><br />
<br />
And, I mean, normally I wouldn't blog on a Saturday because <i>omg no one will be around to read it, waaaahhh.</i> But you know what? Today's my birthday, and I'll blog if I want to. <br />
<br />
Basically this whole post is to say that I bought myself a new blog domain for my birthday - not like I haven't been talking about doing that forever or anything. I've been spending all my spare internet time over there prettying that up. It'll be live by August 15, barring all major catastrophes.<br />
<br />
As for my actual birthday - I'm not sure what I'm doing tonight, honestly. Will it be fun? Oh yes. <br />
<br />
I have a pretty good feeling about being 23.<br />
<br /></div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-77900736147992089792013-05-21T17:45:00.001-05:002013-05-21T17:51:02.071-05:00I have an emotional hangover. Because Vegas.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">I had no idea what to expect when I signed up for Bloggers in Sin City. I mean, <i>"I knew"</i> because there was an itinerary and you know, all the #BiSC tweets from last year and the year before that, so on, etc. But I was nervous - would I fit in; would I have fun; are these people all going to think I'm too young or too weird or too not-a-serious-enough-blogger to be here? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCufSJLQLiWKQiTX6s6-6W7f93dUtR2hqtSrwSvBJGsSzrfQVnbq756iym6McGlho6W9IUmmKzrgrpIai_QNjNBBHpU2mEcJo43ov6BJ93ECJk5-CmyxcYHda4hFIKxDCPRKotSkwV5JlN/s1600/IMG_1555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCufSJLQLiWKQiTX6s6-6W7f93dUtR2hqtSrwSvBJGsSzrfQVnbq756iym6McGlho6W9IUmmKzrgrpIai_QNjNBBHpU2mEcJo43ov6BJ93ECJk5-CmyxcYHda4hFIKxDCPRKotSkwV5JlN/s400/IMG_1555.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> I feel like I make this face 99% of the time. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">But then I moved in with a fellow BiSC-uit, and through a few brunches met several other BiSC-uits, and suddenly the overwhelming nerves tempered down to only some kind of nerves and by the time our limo arrived at the Flamingo, I was just BELLIGERENTLY EXCITED.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sn4lJgp4KY8mnvCpcL4STB0pbgbzxpPyFPEC5k4qu8DkRfSUHwej2XHiIIkMg9NF3-zsbl12R2y4jbreMSzmNG9967O_31mMvvUICBI2d-zCiiJxqrWY6gtGDE-WSQD56TAD4v9pvmLS/s1600/IMG_1565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sn4lJgp4KY8mnvCpcL4STB0pbgbzxpPyFPEC5k4qu8DkRfSUHwej2XHiIIkMg9NF3-zsbl12R2y4jbreMSzmNG9967O_31mMvvUICBI2d-zCiiJxqrWY6gtGDE-WSQD56TAD4v9pvmLS/s400/IMG_1565.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">What happens when you put a bunch of bloggers together in a limo? They instagram it, of course.</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I don't know what it is about BiSC that creates deep emotional bonds between so many people who were basically strangers before the weekend. Is it that it's four days fueled by debauchery and laughter, or is it because it is full of the type people who would sign up to spend 4 days with a bunch of other strangers and LOVE IT? What combination of awesome people and awesome circumstances makes me cry at a brunch listening to wonderful people say even more wonderful words about all their feeeeelings? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Whatever magic comes together and makes it happen (I'm thinking glitter + 8 second hugs + Nicole & Doni's sheer willpower), I have never walked into a group and felt so instantly comfortable and loved. Between all the 8 second hugs and ALL THE EATING and all the photos together and whiskey tasting (whiskey! tasting!) BiSC was easily one of the best weekends of my life, and some of the most fun I think I've ever had. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykLvrQqtC4_0vwZHGzLZPw9fpN1cl2IIU2oBxDUk8RcbXj0GRT9_xqGwNAZTzU5mnTXOYgroaPhmffsSaI54Ch-e_ZfducHL49TM-_zeQQYCqu9_QxHuLQAa2WeVpVCYeJekIbYKMV1un/s1600/IMG_1571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykLvrQqtC4_0vwZHGzLZPw9fpN1cl2IIU2oBxDUk8RcbXj0GRT9_xqGwNAZTzU5mnTXOYgroaPhmffsSaI54Ch-e_ZfducHL49TM-_zeQQYCqu9_QxHuLQAa2WeVpVCYeJekIbYKMV1un/s400/IMG_1571.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">To go margaritas, beautiful weather, and some of the most fun people on the internet? I'm all about that life. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72JvjIQWjWJqv_Otcvq4lok6mtbQ0qWCRAMkh4OXt9K2SmxkgTAdRJER17kbNcgvKIeOHFyzm0naR_7iXiurDsr8z87K7yDdKOwgBZ8sWYN5sJ8U9rI6Sz9ut2eSNFOJ5PJU3C9IM83E4/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72JvjIQWjWJqv_Otcvq4lok6mtbQ0qWCRAMkh4OXt9K2SmxkgTAdRJER17kbNcgvKIeOHFyzm0naR_7iXiurDsr8z87K7yDdKOwgBZ8sWYN5sJ8U9rI6Sz9ut2eSNFOJ5PJU3C9IM83E4/s400/IMG_1580.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAEmeVTkLNl3gxO_u3jT1z6zZcuc-VxWzRg25NxlVcoljRiPtibpbxcV-4zlStXzUy0VZTcaiiy5Z8_IXXizP6SPhrSMqZ_761e6qY2WPUm7te8nYTWFd92L6e2YuemPbd8mJ8VvjtVJM/s1600/IMG_1586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAEmeVTkLNl3gxO_u3jT1z6zZcuc-VxWzRg25NxlVcoljRiPtibpbxcV-4zlStXzUy0VZTcaiiy5Z8_IXXizP6SPhrSMqZ_761e6qY2WPUm7te8nYTWFd92L6e2YuemPbd8mJ8VvjtVJM/s400/IMG_1586.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pool day is the best day.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbSi1tWGIg5s7DckbZNQCkv85Ij6JXIWbPGlUsgup0kqLjIVr5PRz6r37QEHdyzgmRZ8B7j9qnF8gL9iiidMAQC1LfPRCqJVv_yYO3eMD1wPQsjBAC_CiCEjhfeaym_H5OvxC0E4ls990/s1600/IMG_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbSi1tWGIg5s7DckbZNQCkv85Ij6JXIWbPGlUsgup0kqLjIVr5PRz6r37QEHdyzgmRZ8B7j9qnF8gL9iiidMAQC1LfPRCqJVv_yYO3eMD1wPQsjBAC_CiCEjhfeaym_H5OvxC0E4ls990/s400/IMG_1602.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">4 of the many DC bloggers. Reppin' the District in style, obvs.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQht1N4oHbz_mLNzeq_xEagzTLV-OiBUMHdTfSHzXnW_tSQBXuHrzMwkZjsmbhdo24SvQ7lyQBfolJsIiy02HojDyofOeEOnr5Iht5hYIyIxaWjfOFtsbyZqsSPcDFGwlnuPV2lq5g_xyI/s400/IMG_1613.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Largest whiskey collection in the US. I want to go to there... again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUM0u7oW2cZavEq-VxRXfZM25dZlw2p_SjDggqachyphenhyphenaEDLAdDVnKJJ9Th0q0rwn9VL9p6CyzksC_yf8fVo2Fnh7_teYbI18dT-wsWxbyC9XZE6X5kxZlTdh2seWHK1eTzPaudv5BcioBE/s1600/IMG_1621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUM0u7oW2cZavEq-VxRXfZM25dZlw2p_SjDggqachyphenhyphenaEDLAdDVnKJJ9Th0q0rwn9VL9p6CyzksC_yf8fVo2Fnh7_teYbI18dT-wsWxbyC9XZE6X5kxZlTdh2seWHK1eTzPaudv5BcioBE/s400/IMG_1621.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Our sampling. Blackberry whiskey? Delicious. The Knot? Like a warm Christmas hug in my mouth. </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And now? Now I have this bizarre emotional hangover in which I can't believe I'm not in Vegas anymore surrounded by 68 of the most amazing people ever and I just CAN'T DEAL WITH EVERY DAY LIFE, Y'ALL. It's more than missing the planned all-you-can-eat brunches and gift bags full of goodies from <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/">Firmoo</a>, <a href="http://vegasport.com/">Vega</a>, and others and playing in the pool and using our badges to bypass the line at Pure (though those things I'll definitely miss). I can't find the words to explain the magic and the warmth of BiSC that makes people feel like they are free to be the most honest and wonderful versions of themselves -- because that's definitely true. Four days of completely genuine, lovely people all telling each other how genuine and lovely everyone is. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Sometime when I wasn't looking, I learned a lot this weekend. But the biggest takeaway I've got to offer is this: If you want to be part of amazing things (like BiSC), you've got to be brave enough to sign up for them. The moment you open yourself up to the possibility of amazing friendships and experiences, they're available to enjoy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And now I have to stop because FEELINGS AND TEARS. I LOVE AND MISS ALL OF YOU BISC-UITS. </span> </div>
</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-18079931981164526722013-05-14T07:38:00.000-05:002013-05-14T07:38:09.031-05:00#BiSC is THIS WEEKEND. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This post exists only to say that I leave for <a href="http://www.bloggersinsincity.com/">Bloggers in Sin City</a> tomorrow night, and I'm so belligerently excited that I just spelled 'belligerently' wrong approximately ten times because my brain is moving faster than my fingers can type.<br />
<br />
VEGAS! VEGAS! VEGAS! <br />
<br />
That's all I've got. How am I expected to work when this is all my brain can think about? <br />
<br />
VEGAS! VEGAS! VEGAS! </div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-30886990081089005772013-05-09T13:56:00.000-05:002013-05-09T13:56:20.321-05:0015 Things You'll Never Hear Me Say<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Ever.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
1. Travel? No thanks, I'm content to stay in one place forever and ever.<br />
2. I've had enough chocolate chip cookies.<br />
3. Ew, keep dogs away from me.<br />
4. I love it when people interrupt me.<br />
5. Let's never do anything outdoorsy.<br />
6. I hate <i>Friends</i>.<br />
7. I would like to live in an apartment free of books.<br />
8. Rick Perry is my favorite.<br />
9. No, I don't want another hug.<br />
10. <a href="http://www.gq.com/style/blogs/the-gq-eye/2012/08/this-is-real-the-ryan-gosling-coloring-book.html">RyGos coloring book</a>? Lame.<br />
11. What? I never obsess about things.<br />
12. I want to spend the next 50 years in a cubicle.<br />
13. Coffee is the worst thing on the planet.<br />
14. I would totally rather watch this movie than read the book it's based on.<br />
15. But really, stop giving me hugs and stop inviting me on cool trips around the world.<br />
<br />
<br />
Not sure where I saw these lists start, but it was too fun to pass up.<br />
<br />
Happy Thursday! </div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-20121890939662176922013-05-02T08:30:00.000-05:002013-05-02T08:30:03.209-05:00on perfectionism.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am a perfectionist. As one, I can be pretty negative, pretty prone to "Welp, fuck it!" moments, and when I fail, I fail hard. Because perfectionism is not just a relentless drive for better, better, better and more, more, more; It's a mentality of varying degrees of extremism.<br />
<br />
Perfectionism is finding myself hungry and stranded without a <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-internet-rabbit-holes-good.html">sugar-free option,</a> so just eating a Butterfinger for lunch because, well, I have to have sugar no matter what so WHATEVER.<br />
<br />
Perfectionism is wanting to quit my job because it's not going exactly how I'd like it to, even though really, it's pretty good.<br />
<br />
Perfectionism is convincing myself that because I wasn't successful right out of college, I never will be. <br />
<br />Perfectionism is giving up on dating entirely "for the rest of my life" because one relationship ended badly "and I like dogs better than humans anyway!"<br />
<br />
Perfectionism is setting goals that are obviously
unrealistic but assuring myself that I'll "find a way to make it work." <br />
<br />
Perfectionism is not writing all month because I already didn't one day so I mean, obviously that 'write every day!' goal is in the toilet.<br />
<br />
Perfectionism is not taking a step forward because I feel like if I can't do it the completely right way, I shouldn't do it at all. <br />
<br />
Trying not to be a perfectionist -- to be nice to myself, to forgive myself when I make mistakes, to allow room for mistakes in the first place (as well as time to relax, breathe, and not be doing something) -- is a battle.<br />
<br />
Combating perfectionism (for me) is yoga. Because in yoga each practice is <b>simultaneously imperfect </b>(I <i>will</i> fall out of a pose, I <i>will<b> </b></i>lose track of my breathing, there is <i>always</i> a more advanced pose my body isn't ready for), <b>and perfect </b>because I showed up on the mat, I am trying, and that is freeing. <br />
<br />
Perfectionism is the most self-defeating mentality. And fuck that, man.</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-64492107210342134632013-04-29T09:00:00.000-05:002013-04-29T09:00:01.473-05:00the internet rabbit holes, good influences, and 31 days of DETOXY HELL, PROBABLY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I joke with my oldest friends that I've spent the better part of my life "broken" somehow - I always seem to have a cold, or a stomach ache, or knee pain, or a head ache or some other minor health annoyance. And while it was always annoying, it somehow ended up being a funny joke. (YEAH YOU'RE SICK ALL THE TIME, HA. HA.) Then at some point I woke up and said - <i>surely this isn't how all people feel all the time</i>?<i> BECAUSE THIS SUCKS. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I've tried various changes to combat this. Stop drinking milk! Take ALL the multivitamins! Give up ALL the meat! Nope? Okay, give up ALL the bread! Eat <strike>ALL</strike> <i>kindamore</i> fruits and veggies! Juice cleanses! ALL organic hippie food ALL the time! Drink ACTUAL ~60 oz of water each day! <br />
<br />
Each change had it's pros and cons (except being vegetarian - it was all cons, all the time, starting and not ending with the crazy amount of weight I gained and haven't completely lost since). But none of them really changed anything about how I felt day in and day out.* At some point I gave up on the experiments and while I still eat mostly organic foods with a little more balance than when I was a kid, I also still feel like crap. <br />
<br />
Fast forward to more and more people I know giving up sugar. Not just like, no longer adding sugar to their coffee, but taking all forms of non-naturally-occurring sugar out of their diet. And feeling great. And sustaining it for the actual rest of their lives.<br />
<br />
Cue the moment when I finally clicked a bunch of links to articles and videos like "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sugar-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0">Is Sugar Toxic?</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM">Sugar: The Bitter Truth</a>." Cue me quickly ignoring those tabs as they sat open in Chrome for weeks, because I wasn't ready to learn that something delicious I had everyday could possibly be the root of many of my problems. <br />
<br />
Find me with nothing to do one night and finally reading the articles, watching the video. Falling into the rabbit hole of researching sugar-related health problems. Learning about links between sugar and joint pain. Joint! Pain! Wondering why no one has described processed sugar as an "addictive mind fuck" because that's sure what it seems like.<br />
<br />
Get to a point where I'm sitting in front of the computer, not sure I can give up sugar for the actual rest of my life (no more Nutella? Ever? THE HORROR) but knowing I can do it for one month. Knowing that it'll be hard as hell and a detox-induced emotional rollercoaster
(during the same month as BiSC! when I work somewhere that serves <i>gelato</i>!!) but knowing I can commit to 31 days to see if it actually helps. If anything changes. If I feel any better at all - if my knee pain, and the sluggish feelings, and the headaches, and and and... will get better. <br />
<br />
May 1. Sugar free for 31 days. Ready go. <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Except <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/07/288-ounces-of-juice-that-changed-my.html">my three days with BluePrintCleanse</a>, which made me feel <i>crazy awesome</i> but wasn't financially sustainable for, you know, EVER AND EVER. </span></div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-9726760544013806452013-04-16T09:36:00.000-05:002013-04-16T09:36:05.062-05:00Boston.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Anyone who has ever met me <i>ever</i> would tell you that I'm a sensitive person. It's okay, it's not always a flaw.<br />
<br />
So when I was at work yesterday and heard about the bombing at the Boston Marathon, I felt as if I'd been punched in the gut. I told my coworker over and over again that I thought I was going to throw up. I stepped away for a few minutes to get my head on straight. I gave in to my concern for the city and our nation when I got home by watching CNN for three hours straight and crying. On a day that was far from routine for our nation, this reaction was completely routine for me.<br />
<br />
I think every blogger contemplated saying something, the only question was what? What is the right thing to say when some of us - like me - have no words, just feelings? And lots of them?<br />
<br />
Now is the not the time to place blame, to speculate about who did this and why. Now is not the time to be partisan, nor for jokes. Now is the time to take care of Boston and to take care of our loved ones who were affected by this, both directly and indirectly. <br />
<br />
At a time when it's so easy to wonder what the world is coming to, to be afraid for our safety, to fear our neighbors, and to lose faith in humanity <i>it is so important not to. </i>Don't listen to the voices that tell you to give up, that there's no hope. Remember that yesterday afternoon, directly after the explosion, professional first responders, runners, and spectators alike ran TOWARD the wreckage to help in any way they could. Remember the runners that continued running past the finish line to the medical tents to donate blood. Remember the people that opened their homes, that fed the uninjured runners. <br />
<br />
In the aftermath of this senseless act committed by a person or persons or a group, please remember that there is so much good in this world. There is more good in this world than there is evil. And while evil is often more flashy, good conquers evil all the time. <br />
<br />
Do something good today. Do something good tomorrow too, and the day after that. Be part of the good that conquers the bad. </div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-91326950476251359812013-04-15T09:04:00.000-05:002013-04-15T09:04:00.301-05:00What I'm Reading When I'm Not Refreshing Twitter #2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I promised this post wouldn't be a weekly feature, but I never said it wouldn't happen again. Here's what I'm currently reading on the internet when I'm not refreshing Twitter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">"After all, grammar has nothing to do with job performance, or creativity, or intelligence, right?
Wrong. If it takes someone more than 20 years to notice how to properly use "it's," then that's not a learning curve I'm comfortable with." -<a href="http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/07/i_wont_hire_people_who_use_poo.html">I Won't Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar. Here's Why.</a> By Kyle Wiens.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 1.25em 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">"I don’t want more than I need, of anything. I want enough. Enough to be healthy, and safe. Enough to share with everyone. Enough for everyone everywhere to eat, sleep in warmth and safety, to learn freely, to express their ideas, to choose their partners, to believe what they choose. <b>I think most of us have forgotten what enough even feels like</b>." -<a href="http://marianne-elliott.com/2013/03/enough/">Enough!</a> By Marianne Elliot (emphasis mine.)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 1.25em 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br />"<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In the past, I have sought to understand "men" instead of the person right in front of me. And I have expected myself to be "woman," ignoring my very own heartbeat, my very own Self." -<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lauren-dubinsky/the-most-difficult-but-gr_b_2960095.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003">The Most Difficult but Greatest Lesson I've Learned in One Year of Marriage</a> from Lauren Dubinsky </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 1.25em 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;">What are you guys reading these days? <span style="font-size: small;">Share some links in t<span style="font-size: small;">he comments - I can a<span style="font-size: small;">lw<span style="font-size: small;">ays use something new to read!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 1.25em 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;">(</span>Also - did you guys know that ReadAnyBook.com is a thing? Because, oh yeah - that's a thing. No, I was no paid to tell you about this. Jeez, internet police.)</span></span></div>
</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-35963006959320824982013-04-11T09:00:00.000-05:002013-04-11T09:00:07.668-05:00we went strolling and drank lemonade.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's seemed like summer the past few days in DC. Hot and sunny, not too muggy. I know this weather will end because it's too good to last and we'll
get a real spring soon - it will get rainy and humid and I'll wonder
why I forgot AGAIN to invest in a good pair of rain boots. But for now, it's been perfect weather for shorts and having a beer outside with your bare legs propped up, on a boat if possible. Yesterday was my first time seeing the East Coast shoreline from somewhere other than a plane and my first time sailing. (And, let's be real - my first sunburn of the season.)<br />
<br />
This summer, I want more of that. More days sailing and hiking. I want day trips to the beach and nights out with friends. I want to wear flip flops and sunglasses everyday. And lots of sundresses. I want those freckles I get on my face every summer. I want to think a little less and laugh a lot more. I want to cool off in museums or by pools. I want picnics on the Mall and reading in the park and a hand to hold. It's been a while since I had someone to laugh with late at night and I want that again too. <br />
<br />
Here's to the next few months of hot, muggy days and warm, summer nights.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/G9sxnW6cIoE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
(I also want to find this movie on DVD. <i>Grease </i>forever!)</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-35835903498407787302013-03-31T22:04:00.001-05:002013-03-31T22:04:05.246-05:00moving out is moving on is moving forward is moving toward. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just finished my last solo dance party in my first DC
apartment. In the thirteen months I’ve lived here, I’ve had a lot of those.
It’s one of those things that reminds me that, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">oh yeah, I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">am</b> only 22. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hand back my copy of the key to my landlord this week. And
while I’ve already been living with my new roommate <a href="http://www.ihatesomuch.com/">Maxie</a> for a
month and my stuff hasn’t been here for a while, it’s just hitting me that
moving out means leaving this apartment behind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPqS61LXB5OaCBa0JlMMbz2zP9Mxxtn89qbxYzaaP37-IkS7Rsb8SplODhLkn1gxYpLEJAesxrkO9kZrp_9w1aK_s8o-bXAOXQH4rKUmMzOss0x8MKN2yFmXXEuHQdTHf5Oy4yGyqL7mq/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPqS61LXB5OaCBa0JlMMbz2zP9Mxxtn89qbxYzaaP37-IkS7Rsb8SplODhLkn1gxYpLEJAesxrkO9kZrp_9w1aK_s8o-bXAOXQH4rKUmMzOss0x8MKN2yFmXXEuHQdTHf5Oy4yGyqL7mq/s320/-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The thirteen months I’ve lived here have been a little
turbulent. I moved in with a significant other, loved it, hated it, and then
watched it all turn to hell. I realized that the college major I’d picked –
while fascinating – wasn’t the right career field for me. I struck out on my
own then realized I wasn’t ready for entrepreneurship either. I took what was
supposed to be a temporary job while I “found myself” and ended up finding
myself loving it. I realized where my real future is – in teaching.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did a juice cleanse for the first time while in this
apartment. I started caring about what I put in my body, cut out a lot of
processed trash, started eating mostly organic foods, and decided that not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i> green things are terrible. I found
out that I actually kind of like running, and finally, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">finally</i> got into a yoga routine. I got “too busy” and too obsessed
with my job to take care of me then reclaimed that time for myself that had
always been built in during school. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjQY0JZwmpDQkXOD3A-aC22HQyUJPZynRGktBt97N_531_uJ58SXZHu8M-0UuAHr75MWRUxJk8JWT-uA86UswbQ3xXA5cW_QmR0UuKaIQyGI2yvPmKduwzy_x51VzB1H9c0nSfO2o6QrP/s1600/photo+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjQY0JZwmpDQkXOD3A-aC22HQyUJPZynRGktBt97N_531_uJ58SXZHu8M-0UuAHr75MWRUxJk8JWT-uA86UswbQ3xXA5cW_QmR0UuKaIQyGI2yvPmKduwzy_x51VzB1H9c0nSfO2o6QrP/s400/photo+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While living here, I found a few friends I don’t think I can
ever give up, strengthened friendships with some people back home and have
watched some of those other bonds start to fade. I dated a much older man, cared
too much for someone else – someone I shouldn’t have – and I completely broke
someone else’s heart. For God’s sake, I even gave life-long celibacy some
serious consideration while I lived here. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I lost someone very close to me while living here: a
beautiful, strong woman that helped raised me. And while I’m <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-question-of-framing.html">still not ready</a> to
talk about it, I know that my mom is who my grandmother raised her to be, and
so every time I speak with her, I’m speaking with my grandmother too, in a way.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I learned two very big lessons while I lived here: The first
is that it’s okay to be wrong. I’ve always held myself to ridiculous standards
and I hate being wrong. But celibacy? Wrong. Career in politics/non-profits?
Wrong. Getting emotionally involved with someone I shouldn’t have? Wildly,
ridiculously,
borderline-anxiety-attack-inducing-what-the-actual-fuck-was-I-thinking?<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> wrong</i>. And you know what? Everyone may
not make the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">same</i> mistakes, but we
all make mistakes. And that – while horrifying in the moment – is as important
as it is forgiving.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the second lesson? I learned to stand up for myself
while having solo dance parties in this living room. I learned to stop taking
shit from people, and to say no when it needs to be said. I’ve just barely
started to grasp the meaning of the phrase, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We accept the love we think we deserve</i>.” I’ve spent a lot of time
fighting with myself over the kind of love I think I deserve. (And I’ve read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Perks of Being a Wallflower</i> a hundred
times.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve done a lot of crying and a lot of drinking in this
apartment. (Sorry, Mom.) But I also learned that finding the bottom of a bottle doesn’t
make me feel any better. And tonight, as I walk out and turn off the lights for
the last time, I think a little part of me will want to cry again, both for the
memories of what transpired here and the freedom to have a dance party whenever
the fuck I want. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But that’s what moving out – and moving <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">forward</i> - is, isn’t it? Leaving some things behind to accept and
embrace the new things that are coming. We have to hold on to a positive
perspective in order to make it through without always looking back. Leaving
this apartment and the freedom of living alone means I get to have the company
of a roommate (and an adorable cat!) and the financial freedom to save money
for grad school. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbPZoIwYQTQh9PQ80UovqkoRza0x4SiJUY1OcmB3tXe3NMPZkyBByVG5VBgcJN8p542AIDfJGkKC93q61PPno3uTDxDdhf6YqSTHugsuPfV7hwXCRk3mRgtxcuotYQXtzVE_Oz55h8oRG/s1600/photo(1)+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbPZoIwYQTQh9PQ80UovqkoRza0x4SiJUY1OcmB3tXe3NMPZkyBByVG5VBgcJN8p542AIDfJGkKC93q61PPno3uTDxDdhf6YqSTHugsuPfV7hwXCRk3mRgtxcuotYQXtzVE_Oz55h8oRG/s320/photo(1)+copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And hey – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">only </b>22</i>. I don’t think I’m ready to
give up dance parties in my living room yet, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">if ever.</i> </div>
</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-79723043694509696932013-03-13T10:30:00.000-05:002013-03-13T10:30:00.753-05:00habits, things that work until they don't, and time for the things that matter.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXj4OPb5U0386ecFwfS48RC97uwbu_R0YlI0Ni3D30fP6v7sjERsZE41wvCwC-Ruvfcn23csJIwuT7wEcIMJe8SORKNk4uE8vXEypVPtYmNc4KqvmYVSgPRC3U155I36qITCDNz-07ULy/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXj4OPb5U0386ecFwfS48RC97uwbu_R0YlI0Ni3D30fP6v7sjERsZE41wvCwC-Ruvfcn23csJIwuT7wEcIMJe8SORKNk4uE8vXEypVPtYmNc4KqvmYVSgPRC3U155I36qITCDNz-07ULy/s200/photo+(1).JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">{<span style="font-size: x-small;">E</span>ven Gmail gave up on counting my un<span style="font-size: x-small;">read email - I don't b<span style="font-size: x-small;">la<span style="font-size: x-small;">me 'em.}</span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
Here's the thing about systems: They work until they don't. But if they <i>never</i> worked, they never will. You can't just close your eyes and cover your ears and whistle and then poof! Zero inbox, organized desk, schedule that works for you, clean apartment, healthy body, etc., etc., INSERT WHATEVER GOAL HERE. <br />
<br />
I've fought against the ideas of systems, habits, and routines since I was a kid - I thought that since I'm all a 'free spirit' and an artist, I didn't need routines and deadlines and systems because, you know, I was above that. Habits and systems and routines were for Wall Street and "<i>boring people."</i> <br />
<br />
And then? Then I found myself drowning in my email - I still have ~300 unread emails as we speak. I had all but completely stopped blogging, and reading others' was all but impossible. Learning French was NOT going well. Writing became a rare privilege instead of a daily thing. I rarely used my camera - and I was supposed to be running a photography business! I was losing contact with my friends. I was forgetting little things at work. My apartment looked like it had been ransacked and robbed, regularly. And I don't even want to talk about my finances. <br />
<br />
Every once in a while I would sit down and spend time "catching up" and never really "getting ahead." It was <i>exhausting.</i> And it was taking up so much time - taking away time from the things that really mattered.<br />
<br />
So I'd cover my ears again and sing to myself some more and close my eyes really tightly and hope - HOPE - I'd stop receiving emails or would just magically have time to do ALL THE THINGS. But as I've even talked about before, <i><a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/11/five-hours-day-and-most-vulgar-but.html">our time is limited</a>. </i> <br />
<br />
Slowly, I've started admitting I need systems to help me out - 2013 marks my third year with an <a href="http://www.erincondren.com/">Erin Condren</a> planner. (And this year mine is color coded for different responsibilities!) My gmail inboxes - oh yes, <i>plural</i> - now all forward to one catch-'em-all email address so I don't have to log in to multiple accounts to check my email. I have discovered the Archive button - how did I live without it? <br />
<br />
I'm admitting that you know, habits? Some of them - like folding laundry - ain't so bad. With them my apartment doesn't become a clusterhell of clothing and shoes and dishes and <i>hey-is-this-clean</i>? Like the Archive button in Gmail, now habits like immediately writing things in my planner are things I can't believe I ever survived without. And I think that's the best sign of a good habit.<br />
<br />
I've still got <strike>some</strike> <i>a lot of </i>bad habits. (Damn you, Netflix 15-second auto-play feature!) But I keep coming back to three things that help me find the strength to work on replacing bad habits with new more helpful ones.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The first is this article from the <i>Harvard Business Review</i>: <a href="http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/06/how_to_say_no_to_a_controlling.html">If You Don't Prioritize Your Life, Someone Else Will</a>. McKeown talks about how to start framing moments in our lives as choices instead of obligations, which can make it easier to make the <i>right</i> choice for our priorities.</li>
<li>The next is the book <a href="http://charlesduhigg.com/the-power-of-habit/"><i>The Power of Habit</i></a> by Charles Duhigg. I haven't even finished it yet and it's making me look at the relationship between success and habit wildly differently. Duhigg shows readers how we create habits, how we can replace habits, and how habits can lead to a happy, more successful life.</li>
<li>Asking <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/11/five-hours-day-and-most-vulgar-but.html"><i>Why the fuck?</i> </a>over and over for every commitment I make.</li>
</ul>
Listen, routine doesn't have to be bad. We can't change everything and start a million new routines that will simplify our lives all at once because - hey! starting a million things at once is effing <i>complicated</i>. But if you're feeling how I was, pick one thing and start there.<br />
<br />
I started with <i>just writing</i> in a planner. When I started goal-setting, I learned that I needed to actually <i>schedule</i> action steps for myself. Eventually, I started to print my monthly goals off and frame them so I'd see them without opening the Word doc. Later, I started using Chrome exclusively so I could have the <a href="http://www.any.do/">Any.Do</a> to-do list extension to sync with the Any.Do app on my iPhone. Then, I forwarded all my email into one catch-all inbox that is organized with labels, then unsubscribed from a whoooole lot of email lists. <br />
<br />
Notice though - Started. Eventually. Later. Then. It's taken a long time and I'm not done. (Next up is limiting how much time I spend checking/responding to email.) Building systems that work for you is sort of always "in the works." Because, to come full circle, your systems will only work until they don't. Having <a href="http://reederapp.com/">Reeder</a> on my iPhone used to work for me for reading blogs, but now that I have a car and don't take the bus as much, it doesn't work for me anymore. I need to find a way to replace that system, but maybe it will work for you. <br />
<br />
<br />
Do you guys have any good habits or systems that help you simplify your life to make room for the things you care more about? <br />
<br /></div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-27717402324718835022013-03-11T10:00:00.000-05:002013-03-11T10:00:09.757-05:00the question of framing.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdf77AmDgR9NoKbiqkJRpFqGXc84MefntSfeowBoiFUI7BxU-JULxXMrzk4TcIZeuHINYO0Qj6Xm6jhwgiEpk3w-SpQWJPO_aOJduJhdTv0eP7D-QPq0RBq5lrsXN0kNE6eMhvNH3i7Fb/s1600/IMG_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdf77AmDgR9NoKbiqkJRpFqGXc84MefntSfeowBoiFUI7BxU-JULxXMrzk4TcIZeuHINYO0Qj6Xm6jhwgiEpk3w-SpQWJPO_aOJduJhdTv0eP7D-QPq0RBq5lrsXN0kNE6eMhvNH3i7Fb/s1600/IMG_0249.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
On February 26th, my grandmother passed away at 87 years old. She had been diagnosed with cancer a little over a year before - an aggressive cancer that had sapped her strength and left her exhausted soon after her prognosis.<br />
<br />
I'm sad she's gone, of course, but I'm also relieved she's no longer in pain. I'll miss her and I regret that I hadn't seen her since September, but my desire to see her again is tempered by my relief that I never saw her when the pain got really bad, when she got really sick. My memories of her will always be ones full of health and happiness. <br />
<br />
The only thing I'm struggling with though, is the framing of it. As society, we see cancer as a battle. "She's <i>fighting</i> cancer," we lament. Sometimes, we rejoice: "He <i>beat</i> cancer!" It's supposed to be empowering. And for many people with cancer, I think (hope?) that helps. <br />
<br />
But what about when they <i>don't</i> beat cancer? I don't want to think of my grandmother passing away as her <i>loss</i> in a battle. I don't want to frame it as a "defeat."<br />
<br />
My grandmother left El Salvador at the beginning of their civil war. She raised three kids - a son and two daughters - mostly on her own. She put them through school, my mother through UCLA, without having gotten a high school diploma herself. She hadn't learned English before moving to California, but she worked hard as a nurse to put food on the table, clothes on their backs, and create a life for them here.<br />
<br />
She was <b>strong.</b> One of the strongest women I've ever had the fortune to know, let alone be related to. She worked hard, protected her family, and in many ways fought a lot of battles so my mother and her siblings wouldn't have to.<br />
<br />
The idea of her losing to anything? Now? I'm not okay with that. I can't - won't - see it that way. But when someone isn't sure of Heaven and doesn't see death as "going home," and therefore a "win" (so to speak), how do you frame it? <br />
<br />
No matter the answers, one thing here is clear - Don't miss out on a chance to go see someone, especially if they're sick. Hug your loved ones today <i>and</i> tomorrow. There may not be a day after. <br />
<br />
And also? Screw cancer.</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-23602642754462993562013-02-10T15:00:00.000-06:002013-02-10T15:00:00.481-06:00What I'm Reading When I'm Not Refreshing Twitter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm not even going to pretend that I'm ever going to do this again, that I'll ever make this list again, or that this will become a weekly thing. But, for this Sunday, I'm sharing a few things that I've been reading when I'm not mindlessly refreshing Twitter. <br />
<br />
"There isn’t an audacious type. We’ve all got it, the audacity to do the
things no one believes we can, we’ve just got to unearth it." <br />
-<i><a href="http://www.xojane.com/healthy/i-ran-a-half-marathon-and-havent-stopped-since">I Wasn't the Exercise 'Type' -- Until I Was </a></i><a href="http://www.xojane.com/healthy/i-ran-a-half-marathon-and-havent-stopped-since">by xo, Jane</a><br />
<br />
"Growing up, we were told by guidance counselors, career advice books,
the news media and others to 'follow our passion.' This advice assumes
that we all have a pre-existing passion waiting to be discovered. If we
have the courage to discover this calling and to match it to our
livelihood, the thinking goes, we’ll end up happy. If we lack this
courage, we’ll end up bored and unfulfilled — or, worse, in law school."<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/jobs/follow-a-career-passion-let-it-follow-you.html?_r=2&">Follow a Career Passion? Let it Follow You</a> by Cal Newport <br />
<br />
"Those of you who walk around telling everyone how busy you are, get a
grip. Make some tough choices and calm down. There’s a big difference
between a busy day and a full day."<br />
<a href="http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2003/10/23/dont-tell-me-youre-busy/">Don't Tell Me You're Busy</a> by Penelope Trunk <br />
<br />
"At 41, she’s the youngest woman to join this year’s Forbes’ World’s
Billionaires list without help from a husband or an inheritance. She is
part of a tiny, elite club of American women worth ten figures on their
own, including Oprah Winfrey and Meg Whitman." <br />
<a href="http://forbesindia.com/article/worlds-billionaires-2012/sara-blakely-youngest-selfmade-woman-to-join-the-billionaires-club/32606/0#ixzz2KSZQbqQf">Sara Blakely: Youngest Self-Made Woman to Join the Forbes Billionaires Club</a><br />
<br />
"So write... Not like a girl. Not like a boy. Write like a motherfucker."<br />
by <a href="http://therumpus.net/2010/08/dear-sugar-the-rumpus-advice-column-48-write-like-a-motherfucker/">Sugar</a>. <br />
<br />
And now, I'm off to catch up on episodes of the Daily Show, do a little journal-ing, and write (like a motherfucker). What do you guys do when you're not refreshing Twitter? </div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-3913879694338149342013-01-12T09:15:00.004-06:002013-01-12T09:15:36.135-06:00the mayans were wrong, so where does that leave us?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g3WIBzwrloWKrWbM7AIAKRhhloPhJF4ijTUGPh5-0s2Wnr4CAqhZgdc7oeKEtHaJL8ovGL8U4Ft4q-ttuvVLEsTmVzPXmH558_TeY9Rsprj4GbCD6D6VfXGR7IZ6GsXcGJa99NtKBmCF/s1600/tumblr_l97u10NndC1qd3ppyo1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g3WIBzwrloWKrWbM7AIAKRhhloPhJF4ijTUGPh5-0s2Wnr4CAqhZgdc7oeKEtHaJL8ovGL8U4Ft4q-ttuvVLEsTmVzPXmH558_TeY9Rsprj4GbCD6D6VfXGR7IZ6GsXcGJa99NtKBmCF/s320/tumblr_l97u10NndC1qd3ppyo1_400.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
{<a href="http://ridic.tumblr.com/post/1174331546/thatll-freak-somebody-out-someday">via</a>.}</div>
<br />
<br />
Real talk: I'm a little bit superstitious. Since the day I heard about the whole Mayan prophecy, a liiiittle part of me always kind of expected it to happen. Maybe not in an apocalyptic fire and brimstone kind of way, but you know, maybe.<br />
<br />
So, naturally, I wasn't surprised that as December 21st got closer and closer, I got more and more reflective over my (short) life - successes, failures, regrets, plans unfinished, ideas should the Mayans be wrong... And now that we've survived and know they were in fact wrong about the whole End-of-the-World thing, I've been feeling a little more free. It's like there aren't any deadlines anymore.<br />
<br />
And maybe this is just the thrill of the new year and a "clean slate" (and a new planner to fill!) talking, but it feels good. I feel like the opportunities are innumerable, like 2013 could go anywhere I want it to, and like any goals are possible to accomplish.<br />
<br />
What are you guys going to try to do in 2013, since the Mayans were wrong and all? <br />
<br />
And Happy (<i>super belated</i>) New Year everyone!</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-46193541668736261682012-12-31T12:02:00.001-06:002012-12-31T12:02:34.388-06:00The 2012 EFF YEAH! list<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Anyone who has been around a long time knows that at the end of every year I like to make an EFF YEAH list that celebrates accomplishments big or small, and anything worth celebrating. It's fun to look back at the year and think DUDE. I DID ALL THIS. <br />
<br />
In no particular order and with links to more details included where possible, here is the 2012 EFF YEAH list:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/01/moving-mother-daughter-realizations-and.html">Moving</a> to Washington DC <br />
Starting a wildly neurotic and detailed <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/01/resolutions-being-honest-and-desire-to.html">life planning system</a> that I love<br />
Beginning to learn French<br />
Beginning my <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/p/life-list.html">Life List </a><br />
Living alone in a bad ass apartment in DC<br />
Incorporating my <a href="http://valorieclarkphotography.com/">gutsy wedding photography business</a><br />
Shooting <a href="http://www.valorieclarkphotography.com/category/the-weddings/">four weddings</a> and numerous portrait shoots. <br />
Traveling to California, Texas, and Arkansas to see family and friends<br />
Learning to say 'no' and to stand up for myself</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finishing the <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=923454&c=ib&aff=202809&cl=106622">Joy Juice prompts</a> and feeling AWESOME because of them - I highly recommend them!*<br />
Writing <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/05/one-with-manifesto.html">my personal manifesto</a><br />
Finishing the <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/06/today-is-end-of-1001-days-that-sounds.html">101 in 1001</a> list <br />
Buying a 50 mm lens<br />
Doing a crazy but awesome <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/07/288-ounces-of-juice-that-changed-my.html">juice cleanse</a> and starting to take my health seriously<br />
Donating my hair </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFhQpLOYSJ8zvVvz4LWZk6G_aW75XM1jf8TSbPiHtw9gN93oCpdLXx4rTzklXMdu_am2HUj2e0XakV5aK1DMrAiSHYvRd1xArjEfH7HxuCmXLe30WKQdzzEbH-DudvOq4jmuA_2BROKBy/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFhQpLOYSJ8zvVvz4LWZk6G_aW75XM1jf8TSbPiHtw9gN93oCpdLXx4rTzklXMdu_am2HUj2e0XakV5aK1DMrAiSHYvRd1xArjEfH7HxuCmXLe30WKQdzzEbH-DudvOq4jmuA_2BROKBy/s1600/-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Working a random job for a few months<br />
Managing to learn some really cute but fake calligraphy <br />
Sending cards/presents for birthdays, holidays, etc.<br />
Becoming a barista, then starting to teach others to be good baristas<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRq9PIVUwWufAdj-dGiPNIPZXH33soz_84oIq_fzl4ecMGRQVjF73G8ayFvWOs_RtDXw6dz7FQw5vF-YZFSywuEhunOnDOMA92tUJIT8Er1lfEDjVH8ynsuRbk6ChaIVQR18S9uhGmu37/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRq9PIVUwWufAdj-dGiPNIPZXH33soz_84oIq_fzl4ecMGRQVjF73G8ayFvWOs_RtDXw6dz7FQw5vF-YZFSywuEhunOnDOMA92tUJIT8Er1lfEDjVH8ynsuRbk6ChaIVQR18S9uhGmu37/s320/-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Realizing that I want to be a teacher or professor someday</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Deciding to go back to grad school, though it will take me a long time to get there<br />
Meeting internet friends in real life<br />
Reading countless numbers of fantastic books<br />
Starting to save money to <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-only-regret-and-thing-that-anyone.html">go backpacking</a> </div>
<br />
Did I accomplish everything I wanted to in 2012? In short: No. Do I regret that? Eh, some of them. For instance, I really want to go bungee jumping but I'm TOO FREAKIN' SCARED to even book it! I signed up for a 5k, trained for it, then was too sick on race day to get out of bed. But what I did accomplish? Totally worth all the things I missed.<br />
<br />
But for the most part, I like where 2012 has gotten me. And I think it's okay to say that. If you were around last January, you know that what comes next in my crazy life planning bucket list system is my goal-setting for 2013. But that's for another post.<br />
<br />
Happy New Years, everyone! Have a wonderful, fun, crazy (and safe) night tonight! See you all in January. <br />
<br />
*Affiliate link. Just saying. Don't hate lawyer peoples. <br />
<br /></div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-47208389052073418962012-12-20T09:00:00.000-06:002012-12-20T07:37:32.440-06:00the idea of scheduling, of free-form versus no-form, and making excellence a habit.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've said it before and I may say it again: 2012 has been the single most challenging year of my life. I pushed myself past my emotional, physical, and mental limits more than probably ever before, and I came out of it not a different person, but a stronger and more resilient version of myself. <br />
<br />
Two of the things that were hardest for me in 2012 were related to plans: Plans that weren't well thought out so didn't come to fruition, and things that happened that I couldn't have planned for. When I sat up late one night after graduation making my <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/01/resolutions-being-honest-and-desire-to.html">2012 Goal to be Furiously Proud</a>, I never imagined both my grandmothers would be diagnosed with late-stage cancer during 2012. I didn't dream that the boyfriend I had then would stop being wonderful and become a huge toxin in my life. I also didn't account for the fact that my internship I was excited for would make me <i>less passionate</i> and want out of my field, rather than inspire me to work harder. I didn't know I would take a huge departure from politics and non-profits and rediscover my passion for teaching by training baristas.<br />
<br />
On the one hand, that's life after college. All that is the beauty of not knowing. And it teaches you that strength and resilience.<br />
<br />
But on the other, I realized that when I made that list in 2012, I hadn't left room for self-renewal, for a support system, for time to absorb and grieve and really take care of myself. So when January through June was really hard, July through November because months of nothingness. Of work, and sleep, and watching <i>Friends </i>or <i>Sex and the City</i> every night. I spread myself so thin that when I couldn't do it all, I made the choice to do none of it.<br />
<br />
And maybe that's okay - maybe we all need a time to sort of lay fallow. But after a field lays fallow for a season, a good farmer plants it again. <br />
<br />
When I picked myself up in November and said to myself, "Okay, something has to change," I realized what needed to change was me. Since then, I've been reading about success, and effectiveness, and excellence. What turns normal people into effective people, what separates leaders from good leaders. In all this obsessive reading, I've come to believe in three big things: that <a href="http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2011/07/13/obsession/">obsession is a prerequisite for success</a>; that there is a such thing as "too much" and therefore there is value in asking "<a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/11/five-hours-day-and-most-vulgar-but.html">Why the fuck?"</a> then prioritizing your life from there; and that <a href="http://zenhabits.net/spiral/">building positive habits</a> is one of the most effective ways to get shit done. <br />
<br />
I thought for a long time that to be artistic (which I am) meant to be free-form, to not have schedules, to just <i>go with the flow</i>. And while there are absolutely merits to being able to go with the flow, I realized that the way I was living was not free-form, it was no-form. It was waiting for inspiration to strike and motivation to appear and thinking that creativity doesn't happen on a schedule. In going with the flow, I was letting the flow just take me where it wanted to and that left me eating in bed watching reruns of no-longer-running TV shows, without WiFi in my apartment, not writing, not taking my camera out, and feeling very lonely and estranged from my friends and family. <br />
<br />
When I started 2012 I spread myself too thin, I gave myself too much to do, no schedule to do it on, and no room for recovery when things went wrong. Now as I'm planning for 2013, I'm not searching for balance, I'm not going to try to DO ALL THE THINGS like I did in 2012 - I'm going to be doing a few things a lot, and one of them is making self-renewal a habit. Scheduling self-renewal and recovery. Planting seeds for habits that more success and better habits can grow out of. (You knew I wouldn't leave you hanging with that farmer analogy.)<br />
<br />
The only balance then will be balancing obsession with habits. I'll be talking about all this more with the new blog coming soon, and as I wrap up 2012 and starting thinking a lot more about my goals for 2013. Until then, what are some of your favorite good habits, or - my favorite question - what are you obsessed with right now? <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." -Aristotle. </blockquote>
</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-91114137617451401432012-12-17T09:00:00.000-06:002012-12-17T09:00:08.285-06:00tales from a recovering approval addict. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Truth be told, I hesitated to write (and then to post) this. In a lot
of ways, I didn't want to acknowledge that it's already December 17,
2012. That <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-closing-time.html">I graduated from Texas A&M</a> a
year ago today. It was a silly fear that held me back - Oh, I'm not
where I thought I would be! I'm not who I thought I would be! I'm not
with the guy I was then! I'm not, I'm not, <i>I'm not...</i><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I
thought to myself: Am I ashamed? Afraid to admit that that I decided
not to work in politics? Do I wish I was doing more or doing something
different? Am I embarrassed? <i>Why am I so hesitant to talk about it? </i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Then I realized the weird truth, the truth that is only weird because it's not the truth anyone else wants to hear - <b>the truth that I'm okay with where my life is right now</b>. I enjoy being a barista and training other baristas. I enjoy <a href="http://valorieclarkphotography.com/">photographing gutsy couples in love</a>,
and I like not knowing if I'll still be doing all this next month, let
alone next year. I like studying French in my spare time, and I enjoy
thinking about the grad school I'm applying to for fall 2014 - a program
so perfect for me, I couldn't have designed it better myself. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Yes,
my life can be stressful. Making ends meet... well, it doesn't always
happen. I live paycheck to paycheck every month, hand to mouth some
days. The status of my savings account can be up for debate, which is
rough when I'm trying to apply for grad school, and I -- in the name of
honesty -- I am not super happy every day, sometimes not every week. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My point here, and the whole reason I'm writing this post at all, is to say that I almost<i> didn't </i>write this because I thought people wouldn't approve that my degree is <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/09/heres-your-proof-that-there-is-such.html">"going to waste."</a>
As the days went by, I noticed that the thought people might not
approve bothered me more than my own feelings on the subject. Then one
day I realized how ridiculous that is - <i>of course</i> there are people that don't approve. But you know what? <i>Fuck 'em.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
There
will always be people that don't approve of something you're doing.
Always. Because if you're pleasing everyone, you're doing something
wrong - you're not staying true to yourself. And so you (read: I) have
to decide - are you going to ruin your happiness and your life to seek
and gain their approval, or are you going to work toward being happy
without everyone's approval? </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
This
has been a startling transition, one that I didn't quite know how to
digest immediately. As I've moved into this stage of life, I've found
myself starting to feel like I've outgrown <i>Simply, Valorie</i>. So
starting in January, I'll be blogging at a new location, which will
focus on my new lifestyle as a recovering approval addict. I'll post the
new link soon to make it easy for you to update your RSS feeds. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Cheers!</div>
</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-89402166925622191542012-12-05T10:00:00.000-06:002012-12-05T10:00:02.305-06:00doing things that scare you, growth, and the tricky concept of bravery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The first time I heard the phrase "Fake it 'til you make it," I was 17 and giving my first speech in my high school speech class. Since my complete paralyzing fear of talking in front of my peers was obvious to anyone with eyes or ears, that was basically what my speech was about - that I was shaking and my face was a disturbingly tomato-like shade of red and I hated this and I never wanted to do this again <i>ohmygodgoodbyeforeverhyperventilate</i>.<br />
<br />
When I was done, my friend (bless him) raised his hand, lied to my face, and said he couldn't tell I was nervous. "Fake it 'til you make it," my teacher said, and winked. I sat down, was baffled that I got an A on that speech, and promptly shook during every speech I gave after (and to this day). <br />
<br />
But I tremble less now, and my face only turns pink instead of that-girl-is-going-to-explode-red. And that's only true because I've had to speak in public since then. A lot more than I'd like, and just enough to be starting to get used to it. And all those talks forced me to face the fact that public speaking isn't as bad as I built it up to be in my head. <i>Yes, really.</i><br />
<br />
I never would have described myself as brave. I still probably wouldn't now, but I learned when I was 17 that we shouldn't be so afraid of half of the things that scare us. That really we've just built them up in our heads as these unconquerable, terrifying things when they're probably not. <br />
<br />
When I left for <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/p/letters-from-china.html">China</a>, I was scared. I cried on the plane -- <i>twice</i>. When I first moved to DC, I think I trembled for approximately two weeks straight. Hell, I used to be completely neurotic and freaked out about talking to a guy I liked. That scene in <i>Friends</i> when Monica asked Chandler what's the worst that could happen if he asked a girl out and he replied, <i>"I could die!" </i>-- yeah, I've believed that.* <br />
<br />
But I've done all of those things anyway, and as terrified as I was, I enjoyed them. Being forced into uncomfortable situations gave me two options: Freak out and give up, or do it anyway and get over it along the way. Fake it 'til I made it. And now that I've done them, they don't seem so scary. By extension, a whole lot of other things don't seem so scary -- things like <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-only-regret-and-thing-that-anyone.html">going backpacking</a>, continuing with grad school, moving abroad permanently.<br />
<br />
I don't know if this makes me brave, but I know those things aren't unconquerable. Little is, really. And if this shy, quiet, still-turns-red-when-more-than-two-people-look-at-her-girl can conquer living in China, moving across the country, and asking out a cute guy, then maybe there's hope for everything else too. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*In case you've never watched that scene, here's a clip, which is hilarious: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/mnkSlslUS0U?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-18760092625963496102012-11-20T09:00:00.000-06:002012-11-20T09:24:48.196-06:00i'm just saying.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDclcqO7Byh0lVz249Q2DY49saWEUSK_JPuxAVX8D9q4OgcTORo1xur8UZ27j2O1-WkmEcCFRw33Ewnc1-Ufhda8ttwxioII25kUYXylqigJ_njNX4k43DR2OuMwMjw2DJYclu5XOaake0/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDclcqO7Byh0lVz249Q2DY49saWEUSK_JPuxAVX8D9q4OgcTORo1xur8UZ27j2O1-WkmEcCFRw33Ewnc1-Ufhda8ttwxioII25kUYXylqigJ_njNX4k43DR2OuMwMjw2DJYclu5XOaake0/s400/IMG_0526.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
{mine, taken in College Station on a <i>super short</i> visit there this last weekend.} </div>
<br />
A lot of the things I've blogged about recently have been of a fairly serious strain -- <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/11/eleanor-roosevelt-quotes-and-belief.html">deciding our feelings</a>, super <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/11/five-hours-day-and-most-vulgar-but.html">vulgar but productive questions</a>, and that whole <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/10/relationship-hangovers-geology-class.html">relationship hangover</a> thing -- and I just wanted to take a day to have a more relaxed, happy post.<br />
<br />
Life is pretty good guys. I'm happy. And that is good.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-20576381192518578572012-11-12T09:00:00.000-06:002012-11-12T09:00:08.071-06:00eleanor roosevelt quotes and the belief that we actually can decide our feelings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTilUQf-GFzzBTR5BkAQg8a-C6uwh1pR4NOCogEDiRLIZkeOQyP45iwgDCTaLfBCzPjWzOmvjbPoPMgn5ReDDqLcyQttJIFgNhTt6sBMkeqoH0Pfkk1_kWAqEZsOnemgnr0bYUeZQqxwO/s1600/128915608053006048bYT48sRNc_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTilUQf-GFzzBTR5BkAQg8a-C6uwh1pR4NOCogEDiRLIZkeOQyP45iwgDCTaLfBCzPjWzOmvjbPoPMgn5ReDDqLcyQttJIFgNhTt6sBMkeqoH0Pfkk1_kWAqEZsOnemgnr0bYUeZQqxwO/s1600/128915608053006048bYT48sRNc_large.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
{<a href="http://www.thecoolhunter.net/article/detail/1999/i-feel-good-today-at-erste-liebe-bar-hamburg">cred</a>}</div>
<br />
Eleanor Roosevelt once <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/5368741-this-is-my-story">very famously wrote</a>, <b>"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." </b><br />
<br />
She meant that your emotions are just that - <i>yours</i>. You get to decide to feel them or not, and when someone makes you feel inferior, it's not because of something they did, it's because you're letting them make you feel that way. I've been living this philosophy hard the past few months (along with the <a href="http://simplyvalorie.blogspot.com/2012/11/five-hours-day-and-most-vulgar-but.html">Why the fuck...? philosophy</a>) and Big Damn Surprise: The woman was right. And not just about feeling inferior. <br />
<br />
During this past summer, when I basically spent every second I was at home with my ex anxious or despondent or downright angry, I tried everything to avoid feeling that way. I tried not going home except to sleep, I tried reconciliation with him, I tried dating other people, I tried complete celibacy (really), and I tried just making sure I had plenty of alcohol if I knew I was going to be home. When all those options didn't work (anyone surprised?), I came back to Eleanor's idea - to just fucking <i>decide</i> that I wasn't going to feel anxious or despondent or angry anymore.<br />
<br />
And you know what? It worked. <br />
<br />
Because here's the thing about emotions (and I mean <i>emotions</i>, not <i>mental illness</i> - let's get that distinction clear): After our initial reaction to a situation, we get to decide how we're going to continue to feel about it. Being angry that my ex still lived with me didn't do anything except make me miserable, so I just stopped caring. Now, when I stumble across a photographer whose portfolio gives me all sorts of jealousies, I feel that jealousy (and inferiority)... for about a second. And then I decide that instead of feeling jealous, I'm going to use it as inspiration to become a better photographer myself.<br />
<br />
I'll be real: It isn't always easy. When my boss at my day job is yelling at me, it's really hard not to feel angry or stressed. But then I think, "You know what?<i> </i>I'm a <i>barista.</i> I refuse to feel stressed out/angry about this because, well, <i>why the fuck would I do that?" </i><br />
<br />
How much better of a place would the world be if people were less stressed out and angry about the small things? If we could all just <b><i>decide</i></b> to literally keep calm and carry on?<br />
<br />
So the next time you're thinking "My job is stressing me out..." or "My boyfriend/husband is making me so angry..." <b>Ask yourself: can they really <i>make</i> you feel that, or are you just letting them? Then act accordingly.</b> And I promise to keep doing that too.</div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-66536714980981418622012-11-04T15:40:00.001-06:002012-11-04T15:40:14.666-06:00five hours a day and the most vulgar but productive question ever<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You know how sometimes we get so busy with the day-to-day things of life, we forget the big picture? It's that whole seeing the forest through the trees thing, right? Somewhere in the mire of daily life, we forget that our lives are supposed to be building toward something, toward happiness or fulfillment or accomplishment or, you know, something outside of complete abject misery. <br />
<br />
I went through this recently and it was incredibly frustrating. As someone who is almost a year out of undergrad (<i>ugh, it's already been almost a year?</i>), it was annoying to already see my priorities falling out of order and my life dictated by silly daily tasks that weren't actually getting me anywhere. I still don't know how to get to happiness or fulfillment or accomplishment, but I have started to figure out how to not get lost in the chaos.<br />
<br />
This is something that is so hard to keep in mind: <b>A lot of these things we think we "have" to do are things that don't actually put us any closer to our dreams, they're just time wasters</b>. And we don't even realize they're time wasters until we think about the amount of time we <i>actually have.</i><br />
<br />
<b>We have to start by accepting that our time is limited.</b> If we go to work 8 hours a
day and need another 8 hours of sleep, that only leaves us with 8 hours
to do things not work and sleep related. You have to eat and bathe during that
time (right, guys?), and if you live in DC you should probably allow for a minimum of
one hour of your time that WMATA will waste.<br />
<br />
After the math, we're
working with about five hours. <i>(That's all?)</i> We've got five-ish hours a week day to accomplish the things that matter
to us. <b>So we
have to build our lives in a way that allows us to maximize those five
hours with the things that matter the absolute most.</b> We have to prioritize - and by that I mean, <i>actually prioritize,</i> not the kind of prioritize where we convince ourselves that everything is a priority and we can DO ALL THE THINGS. <br />
<br />
It isn't easy, by any means. My first list of "priorities" was approximately eleventy-billion things long, and included things that aren't really priorities, but things I thought I should be doing, or just kind sorta want to do. So I pared it down one by one, asking myself over and over again "<i>Okay, why the fuck is this on the list?"</i><br /><br />
I started asking this awesome question after I read <a href="http://pandodaily.com/2012/08/14/the-ultimate-productivity-tool/">this wildly fantastic article</a><i>. </i>I learned that getting things done isn't about being busy, because being busy is kind of bullshit. The kind of "busy" I was was just procrastination, it didn't move me anywhere. As Francisco Dao writes, "the key is honesty;" you have to be honest about your priorities, or this won't work.<br />
<br />
What's left on my list today covers 5 things that are extremely important to <i>me. </i>They're things that when I ask the question "Why the fuck...?" I have a solid answer, because they're fundamental to my happiness. After those five things, there are some things that are Tier Two - important but not necessary, then everything else that just happens when it can. And the beauty of this system is it allows room for values - my answers are never going to be the same as anyone elses'. Sometimes my answer to the question is "Well, because my dad wants me to." And while that may not be a good enough reason for some people, it is for me. And that's totally okay because they're <i>my </i>priorities, no one else's. <br />
<br />
These days, I use this question for every decision I make<i>, </i>and I'm radically more productive because of it. And, frankly, I'm radically <i>happier</i> because of it. I'm less stressed. I've removed the crap from my life that's not a priority, that didn't have a good answer to the "Why the fuck...?" question, and all that's left are the things that <i>really do</i> matter. And I can use those five hours in a way that allows me to see both the forest and the trees. </div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-877701130694862048.post-64960468627928806662012-10-10T11:00:00.000-05:002012-10-10T11:00:02.640-05:00relationship hangovers, geology class, and the concept of waste.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I spent my summer single. I didn't go on dates, I didn't do much of anything except work, read, drink and -- <i>unfortunately</i> -- come home to The Ex every night.<br />
<br />
That's right - we broke up in May, but he didn't move out until September 30. <br />
<br />
It's a long story why, but I'll save you the head scratching and just say that yes, it <i>was</i> terrible and awkward and basically felt like one really long hangover. You know the hangover I'm talking about - the one where you wake up and think "Jesus, why did I think making out with <i>him</i>/riding that mechanical bull/taking eleventy billion tequila shots was a good idea?" Except it was a person, and I was looking him in the face every day and wondering, "Jesus, how did we ever get along well enough to date? For over a year? To move in together?"<br />
<br />
But I suppose those answers are neither here nor there. <br />
<br />
The weird thing about living alone now is not that I suddenly miss him - I don't - it's that I feel this weird sense of confusion, like I've wasted a lot of time, somehow. <br />
<br />
The thing about dating someone for a long time is that it's like taking a course in another human being. You learn their likes and dislikes, what makes them tick, what they dream about, where they're going, and what they're afraid of. You learn all these little details, their ins and outs so to speak. When you're together, it's great - you feel like the only person in the world who could know this much about them, who can speak with authority on them - but when it's over, it feels useless, and part of you doesn't want it to be.<br />
<br />
Ending a serious relationship with someone feels like getting an A in a geology class when your major is English.<br />
<br />
When it's over, you're left wondering: Was it a waste? Wasn't it? You got the experience, you learned a lot, but to what end? Was it worth it? <br />
<br />
What I'm trying to say is: What do you do with all that knowledge about your ex? You can't use it in your next relationship, but you can't just forget it either. No one else wants to hear about it, and I wouldn't share it with anyone anyway. No matter how badly the relationship ended, I just think there are some things that should be left sacred, between the two.<br />
<br />
So what do you do? </div>
Simply Valoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16750464898156390331noreply@blogger.com4