Remember when I told you to expect some changes around here?
Epiphanies strike like discovered gold: not when you’re panning for them, but when you stumble onto their unannounced magic at the right moment. Here was mine: I’ve spent a lot of time doing the things I’m “supposed” to. I had to go to a good college. I had to get great grades. I had to strive for absolute perfection, however unattainable. Almost all of those limits were set with strict judgment by my own worst critic – silly ol’ me. Well, after a lot of thinking at Lucky FABB, a fantastic few days in NYC free of boundaries, and a thorough perusal of O Magazine on the bus ride home, I realized that the things I’ve made important for the majority of my life really don’t make me all that happy. The 100 years we have here (if we’re lucky) are too short to be wasted on things we don’t really want for ourselves. I’m certainly in no position, at a positively blossoming 20 years of age, to be settling for someone else’s dreams already.
This isn’t headed for the denouement you might be bracing yourself for – no, not at all. You see, blogging – and the beautiful people I’ve met on this three month roller coaster ride – is my never-ending well of joy. You (plus my gorgeous roommates, who keep me laughing on repeat all day every day) are the reason for genuine ear-to-ears amidst the activities I grin and bear through. You’ve all inspired me to reexamine my priorities and to dedicate my spare moments to this beautiful space I’ve found in the blogosphere. Hopefully it’s rent controlled.
Part of this refocusing involves me taking a step back to make this place more “me.” I haven’t been posting stories I’ve loved lately because I’ve felt so distracted. I don’t want to post just to post. I’m hoping to be back up and running marathon style (potentially with a new name, who knows!) in 2013. In the mean time, keep up with me on Twitter and Pinterest and expect me to be stalking your blogs big time. I’m not going anywhere and neither is my support for this community!
xoxo and see you (as a new and improved blog) soon!,
Jessica
Love it. I have been in the same boat as you, and probably still trying to find my out. With so many blogs out there these days its hard to find your place in all of them. I am doing some changing this week, just in time for vacation next week! I may not be super successful at blogging but I love it and I have a wonderful amount of ladies that send lovely emails to me when I write about some heartfelt posts. So that makes everything worth it!
Keep up the amazing work. What you have accomplished in 3, short, months is nothing short of wonderful and amazing.
http://www.dylandrake.blogspot.com
Shannon, you are too kind! Your email and comments have meant so much to me, and I can’t wait to see what changes you make, too!
After reading this (and talking to you about the changes in person), I’m even more excited to see what you come up with! I love how a bit of inspiration can set you off into an entirely new direction. I can’t wait to see what amazing changes you make!
-Alyssa
The Glossy Life
Thank you, Alyssa! I’m beyond excited, too
I love this!!! It’s tough to realize that things you’ve set out to do because you feel obligation to do so don’t make you happy. After my move to FL I’ve become a truly changed woman. I’m trying new things and actually finding out what makes me really happy. Like you, I’m super happy to have stumbled upon the world of blogging, it’s such an amazing community and I’m always full of inspiration after browsing blogs I love (like yours). I can’t wait for the changes you have planned, and you know I’ll be keeping up with you on Pinterest!!
Stephanie
Thank you, Stephanie!
I will be religiously following your blog while I’m working on this project 
Oh I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Thanks, Christie! Toiling away on it as we speak
I wish I’d be as in tune to my own needs and desires when I was twenty. At twenty five I’m just starting to carve out space for my own wants and it’s been such an amazing feeling, I wish I’d done it sooner! Can’t wait to see what you come back with.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! I’m so happy you’ve started to go through this process and journey as well. It’s been a bumpy ride but kind of amazing, too, right?!
just came across your site but I’m excited to see what you have in mind. A fan of your previous posts so I’m sure your new direction will be just as lovely!
xo,
nancy
Nice blog! would you mind following each other via bloglovin?
/Malin @ http://fashionfied.tk !