6 Things Inspiring Me Today

I don’t know if it’s because it’s Friday, or because I started drinking caffeine again this week (though that might not last), or maybe the sunshine, but I am feeling INSPIRED today!  One way to celebrate the good things in life is to take notice of what inspires you, even the littlest things, so here’s my little list for today:

1. SELF Magazine’s new look.  As a fan (and business owner) of branding and design, I noticed SELF’s new look on the stands last month.  I’d never picked up their magazine before so whatever they did has worked.  Loving the look and the content.

2. Candice Kumai’s adorable glasses.  One of my favorite chefs and social media buddies Candice Kumai posted this photo yesterday of herself in some nerdy chic frames, and now I’m itching for a fun new pair of specs.  Thanks (but no thanks) Candice!  B)

3. Making new friends.  Some of my oldest Nashville friends now live in New York too, which is lovely, but I’ve been here a year and have made very few new friends, until now.  I’ve tapped into a new network of girls who are sweet and strong and awesome, and on top of that I’m remembering and practicing one of my favorite hobbies again and reaching out organically to meet some women with similar interests.  And my web is growing once again!

4. A new project.  I can’t say much about this yet, but it involves my best friend and all kinds of happy things and I think you’re going to love it.  In the brainstorming stages now, I’m getting to play in “blue skies” – my “if anything is possible” mode.  Such a fun place to be!

5. Shopping for new running shoes.  I’ve started wearing my sneaks more days than not, whether or not I’m running.  I don’t want to wear out the ones that I do actually run in, so I’m looking for a second fun pair to run around the city in.  And I don’t mean like that girl with her dress clothes and her  sneakers (ew), I mean like with my wunder unders. Nike has a tool that lets you design your own, and you can put words on the tongue of each shoe.  I’m thinking “sweat daily.”  (I wanted “sweaty sexy” but they don’t allow the word sexy at Nike.)

6. Another project in the brainstorming stages, I’m thinking of following up Loved with a workbook type book on self-development, using lots of fresh material and maybe some material from this blog’s past few years.  What do you think?

Dear Kimberly, From Your Eighty-Year-Old Self

Yesterday I posted my letter from myself at 8.  Here’s the counterpart to that task from The Artist’s Way: a letter to my current self from myself at 80.  This is my favorite.

Darling Kimberly,

You think you know, but you have no idea.  I remember turning 30 – that was an incredible year and I sure had learned a lot.  I know you’re worried about growing your career, but it will be ok.  You will continue to learn so much and meet amazing people and be challenged in new ways.  Trust me on this.  Also, rest easy about Colt coming to New York.  Your life with him – even when challenging, will be even better than you’d ever dreamed.  Don’t be too hard on your daughter about being just like you – let her be her own person.  You don’t need a mini-me as much as you think.  And keep writing – don’t ever stop.  Good things are in store for you, love.  Kudos on the fitness and eating healthy.  Please floss more.

Love,
Your still graceful if forgetful self

I also liked the part of this task that was to describe myself at 80 and the things I’d most enjoyed in life.

At 80, I’m graceful but have a little naughty side.  After all I’ve been through, why wouldn’t I be a little sassy sometimes?  I’ll still travel and learn and adventure (with Colt!) and see Heather and Carrie and my kids and grandkids often.  Life just gets better and better.  And I’ll still have all my teeth.  My favorite things were naming my daughter, living in France, my run as a well-known author, my 30th birthday (among others), buying the lake house, my daughter’s wedding, Colt’s successes, our time in New York.

Try it out!  Write your own letters!  I loved being able to verbalize (via pen) the things I’m most hoping for and looking forward to in life, and encourage myself through some of the things I’m concerned about.

My Artist’s Way buddy, writer/blogger Sarah Hyde, shared her letters also.  Read hers here!

The Roaring Twenties

I have to say, I did not realize the vacant space there was in the universe for conversations about life in your twenties. I set out to share that message in Loved, and in “Thirty is the New Everything,” but the responses have gone beyond what I expected!  So many people are saying to me that the struggles of twenty-somethings in our generation, women in particular, are not being discussed.  Or not being discussed in a way that’s relatable and honest, perhaps.  I would venture to say much of the talk that does exist relates predominantly to careers and not to the more personal issues we face.  I’m thrilled to have somewhat accidentally started such an important conversation.

In a text message I got this weekend, an acquaintance said to me about being in your twenties, “It’s a topic that isn’t written about a ton and it’s really true, and I wish more people talked about it!  It’s good to see that it’s starting to be brought up.”

In a private message from a thirty-something, I was told, “I have to tell you that you’ve expressed the turmoil of the post high school years well. I was reading until I couldn’t keep my eyes open last night. Then I had a totally random dream about important people from that period in my life. I guess your writing made me forget that I’m 36 and took me back.”

One of the coauthors of Twentysomething: Why Do Young Adults Seem Stuck? caught the Huffington Post article and tweeted, “Interesting view of the 20’s (a lot like [my coauthor’s] and mine) from @theoohlalalife.”

And from a review on Amazon.com: “I appreciated that Loved didn’t shy away from tough issues like drinking, dieting, and depression. Those not so pretty things make up a great deal of the right of passage that is your twenties.”

I love these comments even more than the comments on the book itself.  They are the heart of this!  Why have we not been talking about our struggles, either during them or afterward when there is still so much healing and growing to do?  And more importantly, what can we do now that this fire has been sparked?

Maybe a Loved book tour/group therapy session is in order? (Wink face.) Suggestions welcome!