When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned

Life really never goes as planned…

Let’s just say, I didn’t kick off 2021 where I wanted to. But hey, I told myself 2021 would be the year of zero expectations.

Right now, I’m currently really focusing on my efforts on being THE best merchandiser I can be for Lou & Grey. I truly, truly LOVE my company, my team, and my brand, and I’m trying to work to the next level. And that really only benefits YOU because we’ll be able to continue to give the BEST product we can think of. I work with amazing people, and for a while I was feeling like I wasn’t giving 100% to my job. That’s always been the case for me because I’ve always juggled my full time job and running my business (I wrote about balance here). I think the more I grow in my career, the more I feel the pressure to balance both. I’m still not at the point where I want to give up one or the other…so until then, I’m just going to keep trucking along.

I’ve been seeing SO many posts on Instagram about how influencers are moving away from the platform (not in the way you think, but trying to focus efforts elsewhere) and trying to stick with their blogs and newsletters. Some of these people have never even had blogs or newsletters. But I gotta be honest, I’ve been really thinking about this as well. Instagram is great for snippets of life, connecting with people easily, and having a bunch of different people all in one app. But when you’re on the business side, it’s A LOT of work for not a lot of return. Typically. Some people obviously do VERY well on Instagram.

For me, I’ve always focused on my website. Yes, it’s much easier to post on Instagram. But I really love my blog. I’m still working on what I want my newsletter to be. I want it to be extra personal and extra special for those taking the time to subscribe.

On the personal front, there have been both amazing and sad changes. My family got some AMAZING news, and we are seriously just over the damn moon. I’ll share more than I can, but let’s just say life will look different in the upcoming months;) On the flip side, I went through a break up fairly recently. It’s actually been one of the healthiest break ups I’ve ever had — so I’d like to think I’m finally maturing LOL. While life looks a lot different than I thought it would, I realized it’s ok. Life happens. I’ve always been a relationship girl — I just love connecting and being with someone. But I started to question what I truly want from someone else. I think with all of my previous relationships, I now know what I really, really want and what I just won’t tolerate. I’m finally in a place where I’m super ok with being alone because I have SO. MUCH. GOING. FOR. ME.

It’s actually been really relieving in some sense. I’m sure you’ve gone through a break up before, and even though they SUCK, I took comfort in knowing that it probably should have happened when I started feeling RELIEVED. Going back to the “no expectations” thing, that’s where my head is at when it comes to relationships.

So yeah, while life hasn’t really gone as planned in over a year or so…I really don’t have many complaints (ok, real complaints). When you start living life more in the moment, things really are never as bad as they seem. You start seeing the good in small, every day things instead of worrying about what’s to come. I think I’m going to stick with this mentality.

photos by allie provost