A couple of weeks ago a friend called me to say “You seem really happy lately. Really, really happy.” And at that moment was I was kinda upset about something, it reminded me that these last couple of months have been really great. I’ve had the opportunity to travel a lot (Houston, Seattle, Mexico, and back to Seattle) which makes me happy. But I kinda need a break after this last trip with 2 dogs on a plane that kept shitting the ENTIRE 5 HOUR FLIGHT. Cannot make this shit up! But hey, hopefully the chances of that happening again are slim…… I am really happy with everything that has come my way this year. I’ve worked really hard to get where I am and I have a lot more work ahead. There’s still so much more left to accomplish this year…….

My Etsy shop has been a fun and scary adventure so far. I love working on pieces and creating things. January and February were really good months for the shop. In March I was a vendor at my first pop-up market. March was an okay month for the Etsy shop and the pop-up wasn’t the huge success that I hoped it would be. I have let the disappointment of the March market get to me more than I’d like to admit. It’s really hard for me to say that. The pop-up market made me second guess everything I was doing. The rest of the month of March I’ve was running scared. The perfectionist in me is not good at handling average results. I’ve always wanted to be the best at something or not participate at all. But to be honest we all have a longer list of things we’re average at, than a list of things we’re the best at.

My experience at the pop-up market reminded me that “Sometimes happiness doesn’t come from money or fame or power. Sometimes happiness comes from good friends and family and the quiet nobility of leading a good life.” There were a lot of friends who came out to say “hey” and hang out with me at the pop-up. Words can’t describe the how I felt about everyone who showed up that day, including my mom who sat with me all day, and my dad who called almost every 30 minutes to check on everything. It may not have been the most profitable day, but I was reminded that I am really lucky to have an amazing group of people in my life.

I’ve also been on the path to find a new DIY project in the form of a new house. I’ve been able to put all my effort and free time into my Esty shop since all my projects at my house are completed. But it’s time to find a new home and space to make my own. I am excited, but also a little reluctant to leave my current place. I talked about this a little bit in a previous post, here. I’ve struggled with this decision a lot. Part of me is really excited to find a new place to do projects at. Part of me doesn’t want to let go of my current place because I’m scared that nothing will ever be as great as all of the things I did here. Part of me is apprehensive with all the changes a new place will bring into my life. And part of me is worried that buying a single family house will add one more thing to the list that most guys see as reasons that I’m too “Miss Independent.” I hate that last sentence. I hate it more than words can describe. But to be honest I think there’s a lot of truth in it, unfortunately. The truth in statement is that I’m perceived as too “Miss Independent” but, the reality of who I am doesn’t match people’s perception.

I have struggled this past month deciding on whether or not I was actually going to embark on the journey of finding a new home. I know I can’t put my life on hold and I can’t be untrue to myself. So I’ve de-cluttered, painted some walls, and shoved a lot of stuff into closets. And now that my realtor has taken pictures of my house, in preparation to list it, I know that I’m on the right path. I’m ready for a new place to decorate, to demo, to make my own. I am excited about what the future holds with this endeavor. My place feels empty and not my own anymore. The gallery wall is gone, which was probably the hardest thing (emotionally) I had to take down do to get my place ready for selling. Here’s the before and after, below. Right now I’m in a waiting game until a house that meets my all specific criteria pops up on the market. The right one will come a long; I have faith.

I have A LOT to look forward to in the next couple of months. It’s 52 days until the “unofficial” start of summer with Memorial Day weekend. I can’t wait to have my toes in the water on the North Carolina coast again. This month I am doing another pop-up so I am excited to see how that goes. I’ve also got concert plans (#3 for the year!) and I’m looking forward to all the exciting things that come with warmer weather. It’s been a good first quarter, 2017. Let’s keep up the momentum.