A NEW YEAR, WILLING A NEW YOU

Wow, the blog lay dormant for a year -- a fitting metaphor for the sinkhole that was 2017.

I was anxious all last year, triggered by the election and my loss of faith in decency. Coupled with some family health issues and I spent 2017 feeling like a raw ball of nerves.

But it's a new year and to remind myself of all the light in my life, I'm going to try an experiment and document little things that bring me joy.

Join me on my Instagram (@slintbee) to hold me accountable and follow along!

Here's to a brighter 2018!

LALALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU!

Soundtrack: Lotus Flower, Radiohead

Happy 2017 everyone!  It's been ages since I've written here.  To be honest, the election and its aftermath threw me into such utter confusion that I had to make some radical shifts to my daily routine.

One of the biggest changes is that I logged off Facebook.  Almost entirely.  I check it once a week at most, usually scrolling for about 30 seconds before closing out in disgust.  In fact, I've given up virtually all online "news" sources.  I don't miss them at all (and my hunched, zombie-like phone time has decreased dramatically).

As a result, I now live in a post-reality fantasy land, somewhere between denial and blissful ignorance.

(Headband, River Island; dress, BCBG; shoes, Jessica Simpson; sorry all old)

The air up here is so nice PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME LEAVE

Though I'm thoroughly enjoying this starry-eyed catatonia, sadly reality beckons and I know I can't keep my head in the sand forever (that should be my next Photoshop!).  I doubt I'll ever return to Facebook, though, so I apologize in advance for missing your birthday.  In fact, I wish you a happy birthday in 2017 right now.  Happy birthday (whenever it is or was), I hope you have (had) a wonderful day (to come)!

Thanks for reading, friends.

xxo.J

GOAL #2: ALWAYS BE LEARNING

Soundtrack: Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want, The Smiths (Pretty in Pink soundtrack, specifically)

Hello everyone! My posts have been increasingly infrequent; I apologize.

If you've been following along, I've been sharing some of my goals for the remainder of the year. My 2nd goal is to KEEP LEARNING.

Senior year rules! Dress, F21; socks, H&M; shoes, Tory Burch (old); Kate Spade Wordsmith clutch, available on eBay.

I've always loved school, and if I didn't have to work I'd be a full-time student. I doubt I'd run out of classes to take. Physics, car repair -- it's all fascinating to me.

When I find myself stuck in a rut, it's often because I've stopped learning. Things have become too routine. Work and motherhood provide opportunities but these "life lessons" can be heavy. It's much more escapist to immerse yourself in the intricacies of, say, welding.

A few things to help me Always Be Learning (coffee's for learners!):

Read more books by picking less difficult books. I naturally gravitate towards books like The Theoretical Minimum. But snuggled into a warm bed after a long day, it's physically impossible to read more than a few pages of The Theoretical Minimum.

Enroll in a class. Community colleges in Cleveland have great continuing ed courses, including Astronomy, Content Marketing, and Holiday Desserts.

Do unfamiliar things. Last year I joined -- of all things -- a fantasy football league (I am currently in first place!). You can't believe how much the world of conversation opens up with the most basic sports knowledge. I'm sorry I looked down on it for so long. I still don't care much for professional sports but I think my prior disdain cost me from getting to know some interesting people.

In summary, read easier books, make Holiday Desserts, root for NFL teams based on points assigned to players known to me only by their first initial, last name, and geography.

Have a great week everyone!

xxo 

(Blouse, Asos (old); sunnies, vintage Dior)