honesty time: on being a girl on fire.

Ever get the feeling that you're turning a new page in life? I feel like I'm at that point right now. Lately, I have been taking a lot of time for myself--taking time to remember exactly who it is that I am and what it is that makes me happy. Not that I haven't been happy, but I've felt so stagnant. And that is one of the worst feelings in the world to me.  What is life if not a constant process of growing and changing?

No joke -- I have been trying to clear everything from my closets to my mind. Purging belongings, taking yoga classes, cooking new foods, painting pictures, making time to not just hang out with friends, but to really talk to them. I don't really know where I lost myself, but I'm finally getting back on track.

It's so easy to get caught up in the monotony of everyday life--for most people, schedules are the same week after week. We get comfortable in our routines, and we don't think about challenging ourselves not just to do more, but to be more.

I don't know about you, but I am drawn to people who are making a constant effort to be better at whatever it is they choose to do with their lives. Pretty much everyone I've ever dated or liked has had a passion or hobby that they worked constantly toward. Most of my good friends have all these things they are phenomenal at. Recently, I had the most incredible conversation with a good friend I hadn't seen in a while. Essentially, it was that he and I are on the same page when it comes to this idea -- we have this firm belief that the world is a place that we need to take things from and give things back to. We need to absorb inspiration from all over, and contribute something that can be an inspiration for others. Give and take. I hadn't been doing any giving or taking lately--I had merely been existing.

We can't be at our best 100% of the time. I think it's important to take some time for ourselves every now and then. It may feel selfish, but it isn't. If we're not at our best, we can't be our best for anyone else. And that's exactly what I did -- I took a few weeks and didn't bother to post on the blog; I didn't really respond to many emails, I didn't take on any new projects at work--instead, I immersed myself in all those things that make me me--being outside, creating pretty things, taking photos, getting enough sleep, taking the time to really be present for my friends when they needed something--and that, in turn, helped me feel like myself again. 

Anyway, I'm back. With a renewed fire for all of those things that I love--all of those things that make me feel like myself. I'm currently working on a new blog design, and a few other projects that I'm really excited to share.

Have you ever felt like you just weren't yourself for some reason?

photo credit // If you caught the Hunger Games reference in the title, I love you. Let's be friends.