Thank you for the kind words and messages about my last post. The support means the world and I’m excited to continue sharing some of this journey.
During my time off I’ve had ample mental capacity (too much) to think about everything from astrology to zit cream. I had to find a good zit cream because my face decided it was 13 again. Thanks, hormones and stress! Here are a few non-zit things I’ve been thinking about lately:
New city & new job logistics
I’m not too worried about the actual moving logistics. I’m bringing a few suitcases full of clothes, shoes, photos, and kitchen gear and the bed/decor will fall into place thanks to Ikea and other delivery places. Even better—I have a mom who loves this kind of stuff. It will be fun to post photos!
I am more concerned about the clothes aspect, as the attire for my new job is slightly different from my old one. I bought super comfy commuting shoes but need to add one or two more arch-friendly dress shoes to the mix. Sofft is the only brand I’ve liked so far. Any other suggestions? In a few months I’ll need an entirely new wardrobe, which is overwhelming already. We won’t yet talk about the fact that I’m moving to a fashion mecca and I have negative fashion sense—and dollars to spend on clothes haha.
Changing up vegetables
I’m a kale fan through thick and thin, but I’m also a big believer in changing up produce to eat seasonally and prevent boredom. Hate spinach? Don’t eat it. Try another vegetable until you find some you like. I’m currently loving arugula, jicama, beets, and kabocha squash (which is 100% not seasonal…I’m on a random kick). Also, I’ve never been a plantain fan but I just bought one to try again and it wasn’t too bad. Plantains are so cheap and I’m extra cautious of food spending now. I think they are a fruit?
How I speak to myself
One topic that keeps cycling back during this time is how I speak to myself, and in particular, how I’ve spoken to myself over the last few years. (Or maybe even my entire life.) It’s a real sobering moment when you realize that you’d never in a million years say to your friends the things you say to and about yourself. I feel for the 21-year-old who beat herself up for moving home after college, for the 22-year-old who was embarrassed by her salary, and for the now 23-year-old who still isn’t super confident in her path and criticizes herself for being “behind,” personally and professionally.
Through therapy and really hard emotional work I’ve started to understand what my parents (and the outside world) have been saying all along—I need to give myself grace. Regardless of my age. This is 100x easier said than done but recognizing the facts of a situation versus the stories I make up about it has been helpful.
Wellness-y things I’ve done lately
I’ve been using CBD oil for about 6 months now and I’m a huge fan. I started using it for some hip pain and it’s helped in so many ways. I use this brand. (More info on CBD oil here.)
I’ve been working on mobility. Not just glute bridges and hip abductions but also “toe yoga” and controlled articular rotations. That last one was a new phrase to me, too. It basically means taking the joint through a full range of motion but doing so mindfully and not using other body parts to help out.
Bayshore
Bayshore Boulevard. is my favorite place in the world. I went to high school there, ran many miles there, commuted on it, and now live a block away. My mom and I went to a Painting with a Twist class a few weeks ago to paint a Bayshore scene, which will now be displayed somewhere in my new apartment. Perhaps the closet because it’s not that good :)
Recently there was a terrible incident on Bayshore and a woman and her 2-year-old child died while crossing the street. Even a place this beautiful can harbor so much pain, and those families affected will never see it the same again. I say a prayer every time I drive by.
The NBA Finals
Thought you’d escape a post without sports talk didn’t you? I am a Knicks fan but a LeBron James worshiper. I will never tire of watching him play and I want the Cavs to win so badly (despite my distaste for Tristan Thompson and the traumatizing ending to Game 1). It says a lot that I’ve willingly stayed up past my bedtime to watch LeBron throughout the playoffs, as I typically don’t stay up past 10:30 for anything but Eagles games. Also, I like noting that LeBron and I have the same birthday and we both “took our talents to South Beach” for a few years.
I probably should start a sports blog.
What’s been on your mind lately?
What is the dress code for your office/work?
I LOVE plantains!! But I hardly ever by them because I always forget how good they are and how easy they are to prepare! I’ve baked mine, fried mine, and sauteed them. They really are so versatile and yummy. Such a good option when you get bored with potatoes or other starches.
I’ve been wanting to try CBD oil (pain, sleep, anxiety, all the things!), but been so freakin confused about which ones are legit and not, and it’s harder to research/find when you don’t live in CA or something :P So I appreciate the recommendation! I need to focus more on my feet and ankles. I use my toes (???) to move my ankle through full rotation, and it’s so hard for me to actually use my ankle and arch muscles. Another good reminder to actually go back to doing those things. :)
I love that you’re being nicer to yourself!!
My office has more people than my college did, and has a lot of different professions in it, so it used to be a weird split between business professional (investment bankers, corporate people) and pretty casual (call center employees, etc.) before they decided to split the difference and call everyone business casual. Because of how many people there are, there is a diverse interpretation of “business casual,” which makes dressing pretty easy, unless the AC is unpredictable.
Ellen recently posted…Lots of Teaching + Leaving My Baby
Love plantains, and yes, NYC can be expensive, but you just have to know where to shop. Get to know where the green city markets are (some are outside year round), and there are several grocery stores with amazing prices (I loved West Side Market when I was there). Just stay away from the boutique places and you’ll be fine!