Jenna Lyons, a.k.a. the Creative Director at J. Crew a.k.a the most important woman alive, is forever an inspiration. Here are her life lessons from the Spring 2014 issue of Porter, Net-A-Porter's magazine.
January 29, 2015
January 28, 2015
Moving On from Yesterday
Do you ever have one of those days that feels like it's derailing everything you've been working towards? Like in one single day your whole life is being undermined?
Well, yesterday was one of those days for me. I woke up an hour late to find that the nails I had just painted the night before were already chipped. I was exhausted, and knew I had a lot of stuff to get through, including, of course, a huge history test, so I drank too much coffee, leaving me with heartburn, nausea, and jitters all day. I didn't have time to review for the history test, and my project for my Shakespeare class that I was supposed to finish up in the morning? Forget it. Plus I looked like a zombie.
To recap: yesterday was awful and I was feeling really done with everyone and everything, including myself.
But then, while on break in Art History, I opened an email from a Sweet Briar professor. I had emailed her earlier in the week letting her know how well I was doing at Portland Community College, and in life in general, and yesterday, reading her enthusiastic response, it felt like the whole email thread was mocking me. Until I read her closing.
"Onwards," she signed off. And I realized that it was just one day. My whole life wasn't derailing, this day wouldn't be the end of my entire future and everything I had worked for, it wouldn't be the end of anything. I would move onward from this day, and the next day after that, and the day after that, and so on. I would keep moving onward until I got to where I was supposed to be, until I got to who I was supposed to become.
And today? I'm in bed with a heating pad, drinking coffee, writing a blog post, catching up on some reading for Ethics, and knowing that today is just one day.
So, onwards,
Lily
January 24, 2015
Weekend Inspiration: Relax in the Woods
One of my resolutions for this year was to learn to relax. Here are some photos from cabinporn.com that I find incredibly relaxing, especially in the mornings while drinking a huge cup of piping hot coffee and listening to some music.
What do you find relaxing on weekend mornings?
January 22, 2015
My New (20th) Year Resolutions
I know what you're thinking, "New Year's was 22 days ago, isn't it a little late for resolutions?" And yes, you're right.
However, my birthday was on Monday, January 19th, and because my birthday is so close to the new year, I like to wait to make my resolutions until my birthday. That way, I can plan my life and my goals around my personal timeline. I know it's a little unorthodox, but I find it helpful.
SO. Here they are, my resolutions and goals for my 20th year:
1. LEARN TO WORK HARD
Over the past couple of years, especially, ahem, in high school, I feel like I've forgotten this skill. And trust me, it is such an important one. So this year I'm really going to focus on re-learning how to work hard. I need to learn how to just sit down and do something start to finish. This, for me, applies to school, work, my personal life, and also this blog.
2. LEARN TO SAVE MONEY
Let's face it, this is a skill I've never had. I love shopping too much! But now that I'm 20 years old--like, a real adult--I need to start thinking about the future a lot more, and saving money is just the beginning of that. For January and February, I'm focusing on putting $25 of every paycheck directly into savings. Hopefully in March I'll be able to put more, but I'm taking baby steps.
3. LEARN TO RELAX
Another thing I've never quite gotten the hang of. I'm literally always a ball of stress. My brain never stops going and it's exhausting. So in the new year, both 2015 and my 20th year, I'm going to spend some time trying to just relax, even if I have to schedule it.
All of these resolutions are hopefully going to help me take my 20th year by storm, which is really important to me. The idea of turning 20 is somewhat renewing-- I feel like I'm getting some real motivation in my life, especially after watching this TED Talk by Meg Jay. I'm reading her book right now too, The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter-- and How to Make the Most of Them. I'm honestly kind of obsessed with her right now.
Watch her talk and TRY to tell me it doesn't motivate you to get off your butt.
However, my birthday was on Monday, January 19th, and because my birthday is so close to the new year, I like to wait to make my resolutions until my birthday. That way, I can plan my life and my goals around my personal timeline. I know it's a little unorthodox, but I find it helpful.
SO. Here they are, my resolutions and goals for my 20th year:
1. LEARN TO WORK HARD
Over the past couple of years, especially, ahem, in high school, I feel like I've forgotten this skill. And trust me, it is such an important one. So this year I'm really going to focus on re-learning how to work hard. I need to learn how to just sit down and do something start to finish. This, for me, applies to school, work, my personal life, and also this blog.
2. LEARN TO SAVE MONEY
Let's face it, this is a skill I've never had. I love shopping too much! But now that I'm 20 years old--like, a real adult--I need to start thinking about the future a lot more, and saving money is just the beginning of that. For January and February, I'm focusing on putting $25 of every paycheck directly into savings. Hopefully in March I'll be able to put more, but I'm taking baby steps.
3. LEARN TO RELAX
Another thing I've never quite gotten the hang of. I'm literally always a ball of stress. My brain never stops going and it's exhausting. So in the new year, both 2015 and my 20th year, I'm going to spend some time trying to just relax, even if I have to schedule it.
All of these resolutions are hopefully going to help me take my 20th year by storm, which is really important to me. The idea of turning 20 is somewhat renewing-- I feel like I'm getting some real motivation in my life, especially after watching this TED Talk by Meg Jay. I'm reading her book right now too, The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter-- and How to Make the Most of Them. I'm honestly kind of obsessed with her right now.
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