Dear Busy Bees,
It’s been a minute since I’ve published anything here – since June 2023. You may be wondering why I haven’t been writing here, what I’ve been up to and what the vision for this blog is going forward.
I haven’t been writing here, though I have been writing especially lately. That’s related to both good and bad experiences in my personal life, and I think you may be able to relate. I was studying very hard and growing in my career and went through a very busy season that stretched into a couple years. I took a few important tests related to this and they were time intensive. I also worked very hard at that career and unfortunately started to take time for myself less. Not very Thursday of me.
It is still the purpose of this blog to make space for good times, to explore and to create. It also is becoming a goal to find how to stay present and plugged in to ourselves and joy. On that note, while I am sad I didn’t publish here for a while, I know it had to become a tertiary priority for a while due to what I was doing. If there is a next time, I hope I will take the time to recognize that and communicate it here. That’s probably a good general lesson for life. I am proud that I have become less hard on myself since I last wrote here. I am also taking better care of myself.
Since the last time I published, I have traveled to Fla., Calif., Ky and the Bahamas. I attempted to go to Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tenn. which was cancelled due to flooding and rain. It was still a great experience for me. I look forward to recapping some of my travels. I am still mostly located in Clarksville, Tenn., with strong roots in San Diego, Calif. In the time since I last wrote I have met and made friends in Clarksville and had some character shaping experiences. My roots are in Clarksville too.
My husband and I spent time planning a wedding in Calif. I got married in May 2024 to my amazing husband. Knowing that next month is Valentine’s let me just say this: May you also find the love that is the person who lets you be safe coming out of your shell. If he doesn’t make you feel comfortable expressing yourself when you are doing things aligned with your values he isn’t for you. He should make you feel safer when you do the right thing. If he doesn’t adore and cherish you and make you feel beautiful, you’re simply not right for each other. While you do have to choose and commit to each other everyday and navigate difficult seasons, if someone offers you love less than this, don’t waste your time. Don’t want or be placated by quarter and half-measures especially before the seasons of life even truly begin.
Speaking of busy seasons, I have changed locations and career spaces for work a few times. I have had some moments of nostalgia and reflection related to how to make my next career move. While I am limited in what I can share about work, that has been a lot of adjustments and I’m glad to say it should be more settled soon. I am excited for the next chapter and feel like I am cautiously testing the waters.
Another thing that may be settled soon is house renovations! We are a vanity and toilet installation away from being done with a house remodel. It cannot come too soon! It’s amazing how delays and construction go so hand in hand.
As we go forward into the now, I reflect on goals and purpose. I (obviously) hope projects and changes get wrapped up. I hope to find clarity but understand that even without clarity I still have the values that make me who I am and will be safe due to the life I’ve already built, alongside my husband. Sometimes that is the truest mark of success one can have. I am excited to reflect on my experiences and journeys in a few ways though maybe I’m still taking my time on that.
My goals for this blog are often similar to my goals as a person. There are things I want to explore, like writing, audio and coding. I also want to reflect on journeys in a way that is appropriate. I want to continue to be someone who is plugged in to my community, the moment and myself. I want to be present and mindful. I want to find balance while also acknowledging that there are different seasons and energy levels. Often balance is a myth and what matters is routine and checking in. Some days you have to prioritize your health and some days you must make time for friends. I want to have a good time and be social. A lot of that good time connects to reading books, traveling, and being creative.
My purpose for this blog is to take time for the best things in life. To prioritize joy and health.
I hope that I can work on my professional presence in a way where I can be non-judgmental, open, and always keep the goal in mind. I struggle with taking care of myself as much as others do and in a way that supports that presence. I hope that I will continue to grow in that ability.
I feel like you may be asking what’s next? To that I hope to see myself writing more, both here and in a novel. I hope to eventually get into audio or podcast creation. I am also wondering if I should revisit coding, particularly if I decide to shift careers again. I am planning on looking into the Google Developer Program. I’ve always liked writing about my explorations and learning.
I have been doing some things which I hope to continue doing. I have been getting back to crafting, loom-knitting, sewing and miniatures. Those will be easy to write about. I have been focused on decluttering and cleaning my space and making sure my stuff reflects the person I am trying to be. I’ve had great results and my house feels calm, other than the renovations. There are so many better resources on decluttering than mine, so I probably won’t write on that. I have also been doing a fair amount of reading, which I also intend to write about more.
I hope to continue to set down roots where I’m planted. I’ve been realizing that I need to attend more coffee meetups with other women. Often times it feels like it is just my husband and I in this state. I know that’s not the case as I do have friends and communities here, but it can be a challenge and a delight to move somewhere you don’t know anyone. My husband and I both do a lot to support each other and if you aren’t in the club that his career puts us in, then you probably can’t understand its specific challenges and the type of loneliness that it can cause us to face. I frequently struggle with loneliness and having experiences where family/coworkers/acquaintances don’t understand how to support me, even when I have supported them. It is heartbreaking and can be the cherry on the cake somedays.
While I have a wonderful dance community, I have been struggling to find a renaissance reenactment group here that meets regularly. I reflected a bit about people who have made those groups meaningful to me in the past. They were always providing hospitality and food, in addition to knowledge. I think I want to start hosting intimate feasts at our home to build a closer-knit group of historical reenactment enthusiasts.
Thank you for letting me recap my challenges and last couple years. I appreciate taking the time to refocus and look forward to writing in the future.
All my love,
Honey
