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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

the art of staying put

{ What I Wore: J.Crew Panama hat // tunic c/o LookBook Store // Citizens of Humanity jeans (get the look for less here) // Target wedges }
When I started this blog back in October of 2011, I named it "Here & Now" because I needed a daily reminder to stop looking & wishing for the future. I had found myself in a new environment, grad school, that was completely different than what most of my college friends were doing (i.e. full time employment making way more money & working way less hours).

How easy it was to wish to either be back in the care-free days of college or to fast-forward to the time when all my blood, sweat & tears as a student would finally pay off. 
So I came here, to this little corner of the internet every night. Letting all of my girlie talk about fashion, trends, shopping & what nail polish I was currently craving melt my stress away (wine helps too).

I met women in similar situations as me, found a receptive audience that is always stimulating me with new conversation, & grew to find "blogging" a much loved part of my life. 
Now just shy of my 2 year "blogiversary" I am finally finding myself living up to the motto that I chose for myself: Here and Now.

So much of our culture is about growing. Getting more. Rising above all the rest. Working, working, working for things & stuffs. But I am finding myself wanting to stay right here.

I recently read this article on IFB (6 signs you are ready to quit your day job & blog professionally) & it literally scared the bejesus out of me. I like my hobby blog, the one that lets me get away with saying what I want, wearing what pleases me & sticking to my grad school budget. Sure the wonderful brands that I have gotten to work with are a fabulous bonus. Hosting giveaways & meeting new followers never fails to bring a smile to my face. Waking up to see that you guys liked the 1,000th picture of my pug as much as I do, starts my day off unbelievably right. And I just know that I have best friends in the making all around this great country & some spread into far corners of the world to boot!

But I want to cultivate this moment. 
Bloom where I am planted if you will.
And that is right here. Right now.
Woah - that might have just gotten a little heavy for a Tuesday morning, but I wanted you all (y'all) to be on the same page as me. 
Sometimes I have to make myself not feel guilty if I want to make spontaneous Monday night plans out instead of curling up on the couch with my girls (that's you fine folks!).

Have you ever had trouble balancing your L.I.V.I.N. with your B.L.O.G.G.I.N.?
Tell me your secrets for finding more balance & doing it all!!

P.S. Don't forget to win the giveaway for a pretty pair of earrings from Jojo Loves You {here}

50 comments:

  1. i know exactly how you feel to multiple things you wrote! i am currently having a hard time balancing blogging and living my life! i just want to enjoy what i am doing and have found less and less motivation to blog. also, in january i will soon embark on the hard life of being a student working part time jobs while my friends are all full-time employed making tons of money. sometimes it is so hard not to compare!

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  2. Living in the now is such a hard concept to grapple! I know I struggle with it daily! Lately, I've been trying to focus more on one task at a time. I'm a serious multi-tasker, but when it comes to blogging sometimes an hour of straight working accomplishes so much more than two hours of multi-tasking. Then I can unwind completely without distraction.

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  3. That shirt!! I'm a sucker for anything pink. I can completely relate with balancing other aspects of life and blogging. What a challenging yet rewarding dilemma to have! It truly is rewarding to gain friendships from all over the country/world by doing something you love.

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  4. OMG-I am in love with that shirt! Seriously...buying it right NOW!

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  5. those jeans look absolutely amazing on you! the past few weeks i've struggled with the balance between my busy life and my blog, but once i'm moved and settled into my new place i'm looking forward to blogging more regularly again :)

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  6. Blogging really is like a second job and it can be hard to find the balance! One of the things that has helped me is I don't do read/comment on any blogs on the weekend so that I can fully enjoy my time off.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Headband Giveaway!

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  7. I don't think my comment went through but I love the reason for your blog name. Blogging takes up more time than I thought it would and I def have to prioritize things in my life differently but I'd never give up social work and do blogging only. But I wouldn't give up blogging either! It's all a journey though so I'm still learning!

    Http://asequinloveaffair.com

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  8. Those jeans look amazing on you! Love this super adorable outfit on you! Blogging takes a lot of time and sometimes I have trouble with balance as well. But truth is, my real life will always come first. My job, my family, and my friends will always have to take priority over my blog.. and I don't think anyone should feel bad about that.

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  9. love that top! and it goes so well with your nails!

    xxx

    Lady à la Mode

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  10. I love this top and those flare jeans! I really want a pair to be able to wear to work on casual Fridays!

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  11. great hat and print on your shirt!!

    mychoicesaremystyle.blogspot.gr

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  12. Love this post Jessica! I actually didn't realize that's why you named you blog Here & Now. I'm thinking about getting my PhD in physiology, so I guess I will be in the same boat as you when you started this blog! (Dreading the time and low pay). Love that tunic though, and that blue nail color is gorg!

    Have a great day!
    Grace

    A Southern Drawl

    Don't forget to enter my Bellafusion Giveaway!

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  13. Yep, I am right there with you. I love my hobby, which has actually turned into a part time job. But it's super hard to balance. Sometimes it's super stressful, but then most times it's CRAZY rewarding. You can only do what you can do and to make sure it makes you happy and that you are doing it for the right reasons!! I can't believe we have been blog buds for almost TWO years now!! Time has flown!!!

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  14. Great post!!! I loved reading it and feel the same way. I love that tunic too.

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  15. I love this post and can completely relate. I feel like the last 6 months I've just been churning away, so it's nice to feel like things are starting to settle and to allow myself to be happy in this place for a bit.

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  16. I loved finding out the meaning behind your blog title. It really is so, so hard to balance everything. I think what's worked for me (and I'm still learning) is to let your blog be about your life...if that makes any sense. To not make your blog your actual life. When it becomes that way, it's no fun!


    dancingwithashleyblog.com

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  17. I am right there with you! Sometimes I feel like blogging and life are balanced, but I'm going through a 'not balanced' time right now. I remind myself that my blog is for fun and to not take it too seriously. It's a fun hobby, and sometimes I let it take over other parts of my life (like my free time in the evening!). When I full the pull to do something that's not related to the blog, I just do it. LIfe's too short to be on the internet every night. :)

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  18. Well, first off: love this beautiful tunic.

    I can totally relate. I feel like I try but blogging and life is constantly out of balance. I think especially because it's a hobby and not a career (for now??) make sure you are keeping it something you LOVE to do for fun. If that means skipping a day to hang with friends, totally worth it. If it means ditching your camera at home because you don't feel like it, do it! Those are my rules. And of course, my blog is "big" by any means, but sometimes that takes a lot of pressure off to know it's my mom, and a few close friends (real-life&bloggerbuddies) that are reading along. Didn't mean to rant. You do you!

    perfectly priya

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  19. I needed this SO much today Jessica! I'm right there with you on trying to stay present and spend less time obsessing/planning for the future. Thanks so much for sharing!

    xoxo,
    Chelsea & The City

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  20. I completely understand. I started my blog as more of a fashion diary but when readers comment it totally makes my day! My blog is new and very tiny compared to yours but it's hard to find the balance between blogging time and life time. The biggest problem is finding the time to take pictures. I don't know how you lovely ladies blog 5 days a week. I mainly post my outfit pictures with very little text just because I don't feel I have anything to share. I work a LOT as well as have a few small side jobs my boyfriend and I do so we have very few free daylight hours since work always has to come first. The few times I'll do different posts such as giveaways, I feel like I'm selling out. How do you find things to blog about in between outfit posts? I don't wear any of the outfits to work since I have to wear a work shirt and closed-toed flat shoes so it's not like I can just snap a few pictures as I'm walking out the door.

    Sorry for all the questions!

    Lauren
    Exploring My Style

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  21. Beautiful words lady. Love the top.
    http://halielandry.blogspot.com/

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  22. My "livin" has TOTALLY gotten in the way of my "bloggin" but I am ok with that because I am having a blast! I started my blog because I was bored and lonely. It has introduced me to new friends (both internets and real!!) and given me a new out look on style and fun. I am going to keep blogging when I can but I think your message is SO important. Be "in the now" and enjoy it!


    -AJ
    FitTravelerAJ.com

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  23. i don't think there's really a perfect formula for balancing... but i think your heart and mind are in the right place - it's all about perspective!

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  24. I think we should seize the right now by staging a cross-country doggy playdate because Scout and Nugget need to be besties ASAP.


    Blogging is hard sometimes. Life is hard sometimes. Sometimes they come really easy. And whether it happens on a Tuesday morning or not, how you feel is never too heavy!

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  25. Love this outfit; the shirt is so cute! And I agree with you on living in the now. It's hard to do that sometimes with all the "possibilities" and the "what if's". Glad you are happy and content with what is. That's a great way to be! :-)


    ~Whitney

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  26. I love this! I just posted a really similar thing in honor of my one-year anniversary! I feel like I'm never doing enough, and I feel really guilty when I haven't posted new outfits in awhile. I have to keep reminding myself it's a hobby and not my livelihood. I must say, I get a little bummed when my favorite bloggers (such as yourself) don't post for awhile because I love seeing new posts, but I'm also relieved that I'm not the only one who takes a step back sometimes!


    Kaitlin
    www.teaandsequins.com

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  27. I wish I had a secret! Right there with ya girl! I'm working on scheduling large blocks of time to blog. One thing I like to do is have multiple outfits edited an drafted in Blogger. That way I can just add words later. This means my outfit post tend to be from the prior week, but it helps to have the bulk of the work done.
    Sometimes I finish the entire post and pre-schedule it as well.

    Tiffany Ima
    Style Honestly

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  28. Best wishes on your upcoming journey into the wonderful world of grad school. My mind knows that balance is key, but sometimes the world around me convinces it that I should want everything NOW (Willy Wonka golden goose style)!
    xx

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  29. You hit that nail right on the head! I used to think that I was OMGsoproductive when multi-tasking, but now if I just sit down and tackle 1 task (say 15 minutes to hit the email box hard) I get SO much more accomplished!
    xx

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  30. I like the way you said it - yes the challenges are rewarding... & reminding myself of that is important too! Thank you for your comment!
    xx

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  31. Thanks lady :)
    Good luck finding balance of your own!
    xx

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  32. It really is my night job, but I love it! Taking time off on the weekend without letting yourself feel guilty is key!
    xx

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  33. Aw thanks, it is a nice daily reminder to actually go and live here & now!
    I agree about prioritizing things, sometimes I really do just need to step away & not make myself feel bad about it... but yes, I love it & don't want to give it up!
    xx

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  34. Thank you for your sweet comment Yi-chia!
    xx

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  35. I'm guessing that I never actually explained the story behind my blog name... well, better late than never! Grad school is quite the journey, but I'm sure you will be happy to have the fun distraction of blogging ;)
    xx

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  36. I know - where have the past two years gone! It certainly has been a fun whirlwind! You have been such an inspiration to me - you truly seem like a wonderfully loving mom, wife & friend & yet still manage to totally rock at blogging! Thank you for all your support lady!
    xx

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  37. It really is - just looking around & letting yourself be happy with the NOW can be so tough. But I can truly say, I'm HAPPY & I'm ok with where I am now (only took me 4 years to get here!)
    xx

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  38. Great advice! The way you balance your roles as wife, mother, blogger, friend, etc. has always been such an inspiration to me!
    xx

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  39. "Life's too short to be on the internet every night"... can we make t-shirts that say that!?
    xx

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  40. Thanks lady! I so appreciate all your love & support ... and gosh dangit we are going to actually meet up soon!
    xx

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  41. Chelsea,
    Thank you so much for your comment. Is nice to know that we aren't blogging in a bubble, that there are other fabulous women just like me out there, and that I have this wonderful community to come hang out with!
    xx

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  42. Thank you so much for your comment Lauren. My blog is really my only creative outlet right now (besides wedding planning), so I honestly feel like I have new ideas for posts bubbling up all the time. Personally, I think it is important to find something that you are interested besides just the outfits & write about that. For me it is building a functional & classic wardrobe no matter what your age/budget. Do you like to cook? Travel? Are you interested in talking about trends you saw on street style blogs? Read anything good lately? Did you discover a new band? What pieces are you looking to add to your closet in the coming season?


    Also, don't feel like you are selling out by hosting a giveaway for a product that you believe in & think that your readers will like. Giveaways can be a fun way to show the products that you support & thank your readers for stopping by & interacting every day.


    Finally, during this time of year I come home & photograph my outfits after work, but come daylight savings time it is a different story. When pinched for time/daylight hours I like to lay out my outfits on my bed/chair after I wear them, and then photograph them all at once on the weekends... hope that helps!
    xx

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  43. Yay, thank you for sharing your happy with me! I love blogging, and just want to enjoy THIS very moment that I am in right now... it's so fun!
    xx

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  44. Um, I wish! Scout needs to run around with your big doggies & get all her energies out! And I'm glad you can handle my heavy :)
    xx

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  45. Oh the "what ifs"... I could go down that line of thinking for way too long!
    xx

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  46. Ooh great tips! Thank you so much for sharing!
    xx

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  47. I can't tell you how much it meant to see such a detailed response from a big blogger I look up to. Thank you so much for the great tips. I'm not quite sure what I would add on a normal basis such as cooking or traveling but maybe throw those in there to mix things up a bit. I've seen bloggers who mainly show pictures and very little text and others who share everything going on in their life. I guess I just don't find my life all that interesting at the moment to share. I like reading about blogger's lives and getting to know them. Push comes to shove, I bet I could find endless amounts of ideas online!
    Taking pictures on the weekends is a good idea. I tend to do several outfits during a photo session just because I never know when our next one will be.
    Thank you again so much!

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Thank you for your comments, they make my day!!
xx