I spent the day Sunday mostly doing nothing. Seriously nothing. Teddy miraculously sort of slept in. I made coffee at home and went to Starbucks. I watched a couple episodes of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, read a couple of chapters, and even took a nap. Teddy and I roamed Third Ave for a little bit because a street fair was going on and I can’t resist the smells of fried Oreos, kettle corn, or sausage. I forced myself to take a shower, to tame my hair, to put on makeup. Cabbed down to Lincoln Center for the Nanette Lepore show, which was amazing and I saw my favorite Bill Cunningham and, of course, it was definitely worth it. It was the laziest of days. My apartment went unorganized for another day and I completely forgot about writing Prep Talk altogether.
I rarely have days like that and it felt pretty nice.
Until Monday morning when there were about fourteen different straws that broke my back. I really love Mondays normally but I typically work for at least four or five hours on Sunday. Not doing anything on Sunday put me in a really terrible position for Monday. By 9 am, I was completely out of sorts. Overwhelmed. Frustrated. Upset. I just wanted to crawl into bed and pretend like it was the weekend again.
The day had to continue on… I was fortunate (isn’t it funny how things work out even when they don’t feel like they are?) to be working that morning with someone who got it and could provide advice, wisdom, plus a good listening ear.
I’m in this super weird transitional point that can really be summed up nicely as growing pains. I’m all for the growing, but gosh the pain part of that is not fun!!! While I’m really looking forward to some of the things down the road for me, I found myself at a breaking point Monday morning as I put together a team. This type a girl has finally reached a point where it’s impossible to do everything that I want and need to do on my own. A good problem, but it’s definitely hard to relinquish elements of my life to other people.
So what did I do Monday? I essentially took a personal day. (Sounds ridiculous after doing nothing on Sunday, but I needed to do purposefully do some soul searching!) I cried a bit, talked to my mom a lot, put a lot of things out into the Universe (have you read Zen and the Art of Happinessyet?!), went for an hour-long massage, and then binge-watched Oprah videos on Youtube! Duh.
Isn’t it amazing that we can pull up videos, Ted Talks and Youtube videos and whatnot, of incredible people with the most perfect advice whenever we need it?!
I felt a lot better going to bed last night and was looking forward to clicking reset on Tuesday morning. And in case your wondering, it was a killer day. I woke up feeling totally renewed and a lot of thinks worked themselves out. Add in a couple of meetings with great people to get realigned on my path. (Even though I wish it weren’t the case, sometimes it’s just nice getting validation from someone else that you’re on the right path and going in the right direction… you know what I mean?)
Oprah is definitely someone I turn to, you know because I imagine her being my BFF, when I need inspiration! I love pulling up interviews she’s done, speeches she’s given, and I really love her commencement speeches (clearly). But there are plenty of men and women out there that you might find speaks directly to you. Find time looking through quotations, watching videos online, and if you’re lucky speaking to someone in person!
A long-winded post… all just to say, sometimes the answers you need are right under your nose. It might take a day or two, but it’s worth immersing yourself in inspiration, surrounding yourself with the most supportive people you can find, and taking time for you.
Great post – I am glad you feeling better! Those videos are really inspiring, didn't think I needed her wisdom this morning, but boy was I wrong, they made me feel super fueled!
I understand 100%! I'm going through this time of life where I'm trying to figure out what it is I'm going to do with my future, since I had to quit my job due to my health over the summer. I know some of what's coming up for me – a master's in English literature & writing and publishing my next 2 books – but getting there is really really difficult!
Oprah is amazing! I'm glad your feeling better & I totally understand growing pains. I'm at a stage in my life where a lot is changing. All good changes but still stressful at times. Sometimes I think about what my life is going to be like in 5 years and I freak out.
It’s October and you know what that means… Time to bring out my bring out the compilation of my greatest hits. Cute Halloween costume ideas…. Which is your fave? 🥂 Annie and Hallie from The Parent Trap 👑 Mia Thermopolis and Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi Princess of Genovia 📚 Rory Gilmore 🎀 Samantha Parkington (The American Girl)
Taken on a much sunnier day ☀️🕶️ I used to think I could live somewhere gloomy and rainy, but… after this bout of clouds, downpours, and overall gloom, I’m realizing I wouldn’t last a week. #tuckernucking
I was so excited that @MyMyrtleBeach invited me to come play pickleball with them! I am obsessed with pickleball and had a blast playing at City Pickle, right here in NYC. We brushed up on the rules, practiced some dinking, and got to play a few rounds of the game– it was the perfect way to spend the day because everyone plays at the beach! #ad
I loved watching The Parent Trap growing up and still do to this day. It is one of my go-to comfort movies… There’s so much I love about it: the cast, the soundtrack, and (of course!) the wardrobe. We all have a little Annie James and a little Hallie Parker in us! I’ve always been drawn to Annie’s style, but love the carefree nature of Hallie’s. #parenttrap @nmeyers #tuckernucking
The British brand @me_andem is now available in the US! If you are on the hunt for beautifully tailored, quiet luxury pieces for your wardrobe, you have to take a peek. The clothing is the highest quality and feels designer, but since they are direct to consumer, they don’t have the typical designer markup. The brand follows what they call “The Three Fs”: flattering and functional, with wear-forever appeal with each piece they create checking all three boxes! #meandem Shop my head to toe look with @shop.ltk! https://liketk.it/4j8Hg #liketkit
I`ve been looking forward to cooler temps and fall activities.... and the outfits that go along with them! @saksoff5th is having a sitewide sale now through 9/24– save an additional 25% OFF orders $150+ with code ITSON (excluding select brands and products) The perfect time to stock up on pieces for your fall and winter wardrobe. @CollectiveVoiceHQ #ad #SaksOFF5th
Wearing vs styling an outfit with a bump! I feel so much better when I’m wearing something cute (dress well to feel well maybe?)… I’ve been fighting the temptation to wear comfy clothes while pregnant though! So far I have found blazers and cardigans an easy way to dress up my second trimester bump, especially as we enter fall.
Fried Oreos! I have yet to encounter a fried Oreo, but I'm looking forward to the day I do :p
— Alex at Cashmere Kangaroo
I love Oprah too – she's amazing!
laurenroseprep.blogspot.com
Great post – I am glad you feeling better! Those videos are really inspiring, didn't think I needed her wisdom this morning, but boy was I wrong, they made me feel super fueled!
I understand 100%! I'm going through this time of life where I'm trying to figure out what it is I'm going to do with my future, since I had to quit my job due to my health over the summer. I know some of what's coming up for me – a master's in English literature & writing and publishing my next 2 books – but getting there is really really difficult!
So glad you watched those videos!! xoxo m
Oprah is amazing! I'm glad your feeling better & I totally understand growing pains. I'm at a stage in my life where a lot is changing. All good changes but still stressful at times. Sometimes I think about what my life is going to be like in 5 years and I freak out.
Sounds like the PERFECT day! You are allowed to take those days every so often.. don't feel bad about it!!
xo ClassToCloset
Oprah has great advice!
Sometimes we just need to slow down and take a break from everything.
xo,
Amanda | affordablebyamanda.blogspot.com
Oprah is great! Just picked up her book "What I Know For Sure." You should check it out!
Great post! We all need some soul searching…I feel like I have needed a personal day lately as well. Good for you for taking some time for yourself!
xo, Taylor