Getting Started

Sometimes you just need a fresh look.  A new haircut, a new pair of shoes, or even a new lipstick shade can give you a little more confidence to face your day. At least that is usually the case for me. Over the past few weeks, however, nothing felt right. I didn’t want to change my hair; I actually love it quite a lot right now. My shoes were fine, and so was my makeup. I decided I needed something different, but had no idea what. 

It all started about a month ago. My wonderful husband, who just started a new venture, was preparing for an upcoming business trip and planning some outreach to potential clients. I was so excited seeing his enthusiasm and couldn’t wait to jump in and help. We worked together to plan some social media and meet-and-greets. His passion for this new adventure was addictive, and I felt like we were on this journey together. 

Around this same time, I picked up a book that had been on my TBR for a while. I started “Be Ready When the Luck Happens” by Ina Garten and quickly finished it in a day and a half. I was so inspired by how the Barefoot Contessa started by working a 9-5 and explored her passions during her 5-9. It was just like what I saw my husband doing. He is working a full-time job during the day, but embarking on a whole new career after work and on weekends. 

It was at this moment when I had a thought. I realized that I could do something that I was passionate about too. I talked to my husband about it and decided to spend the next year exploring something that made me smile. 

Cool, I had a plan, but not really. How was I going to decide what to explore? 

That leads me to today, ready for a change after weeks of overthinking. I had worked myself into a funk. I have been busy feeling like my ideas and passions weren’t good enough. The pressure I had put on myself had shaken my confidence when this was supposed to be fun. It was then that I decided what I wanted. Something I am passionate about has been here all along; I just needed to make the first move.

 We bought a small townhome about three years ago, and I have spent hours moving furniture, thrifting home goods, and redecorating, trying to make every corner feel like home. I love my little house. I think this is my passion, and I have known the whole time that this is what I wanted to spend the next year exploring more deeply. In the past, thoughts of doubt and imposter syndrome were making me hesitant to make big changes to my house. I don’t want that to be the case anymore. I trust my style, and I want to nourish my house into a home. I want to host and cook and learn to be a part-time homemaker. I want to update and decorate and leave my mark on this house.

I work a 9-5, but I can create an opportunity to change out light fixtures, try new recipes, and enjoy making my house my own during my free time. I may not be a homemaker by definition, but I have a desire to quite literally make my house a home. 

So here we are, at the end of my incredibly boring origin story. Let’s start this journey one fresh project at a time. 

Love, 

Amanda