Life Lately: Creating Balance

Well, hello there! It’s been awhile (again), hasn’t it?

Since Fashion Month is finally over for me at my day job, I’m thrilled to be back here on a regular basis creating content for you guys again. I know this sounds very “basic blogger” to you, but it’s true when I say that this blog is my creative outlet.

I work with sales numbers all day, so can you blame me though?

While I’ve been away, I’ve also been doing a lot of thinking. As I look back on the first quarter of the new year, I’ve learned that 2020 was a period where we have been given a lot of time to rest and reflect and 2021 is the year of creating balance and readjusting our focus for the future.

That said, I’ve been continuing to make plans for how I want to run She Sweats Diamonds. Everything from the process of content creating and the kind of content I want to create for you to the branding is being noted.

And as a Libra, it’s difficult to make decisions in general, but I hope to start providing inspiration and value for you!

However, for today’s post, let’s catch up with each other!

AS OF LATE, I’VE BEEN…

WATCHING

For those who have been around awhile, you guys know how much I love British creatives. Influencers, actors, musicians, everyone! Naturally, I had to binge on Bridgerton when it was released. Guys, the acting was fantastic. For a show about the struggles of match-making, love, and relationships, it certainly captured and kept my attention. I look forward to the second season to see what direction the writers will take this story.

I’ve also been making my way through Firefly Lane, mainly because of Katherine Heigl. To me, she’s been out of the spotlight for a long time so it’s been good to see her on the small screen again.

Of course, I had to balance my binging with reruns of Frasier, Avatar, The Simpsons, and documentaries.

READING

I finished The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer with my small group several months ago. Last month, I started re-reading Transformed by my friend, Remi Adeleke, to get inspired again. It was much needed as we were experiencing an ice storm and had fluctuating access to electricity.

And as I’ve been working from home, I’ve listened to China Rich Girlfriend (it’s so funny!) and Rich People Problems both by Kevin Kwan. I also re-listened to Lords of Corruption by Kyle Mills, which is a great book if you’re doing something mindless like data entry.

I’m very slowly working my way through The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein and on my list next is The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel and The Age of Sustainable Development by Jeffrey D. Sachs.

PLAYING

Creating balance is important to me and part of that is getting back to being active once again.

In January, for the first time in seven years, I played tennis. I missed it so much that I went back and played again, except the second time, I injured myself.

I’ve since recovered so my best friend and I have begun to play casually once a week before the Texas heat arrives and all the mosquitoes plan their summer vacations around me.

EATING/DRINKING

February was brutal to me. I was sick and half a day after healing, we lost power due to the ice storm. Our electricity kept turning on and off. We never knew when it would come on and for how long so as soon as the power would turn on, I’d jump up, open a can of soup, dump it in a bowl, and heat it in the microwave. I was very willing to burn my tongue just to have a warm meal, ha!

As I’m working on releasing more weight, I’ve also been loving colorful kale salads and spaghetti squash.

Still trying to figure out how to make the perfect smoothie though because all the ones I’ve made this year have not tasted up to par. How can healthy food/smoothie places make it taste so amazing, but when you try to recreate it at home, it tastes sub-par?

WEARING

I’ve been living in tees, leggings, my oversized hoodie, and pajamas. Loungewear is the name of my game here. And I’m looking for more loungewear.

BUYING

The last things I purchased for myself was a wool coat from J. Crew (which is currently 50% off), a pair of APL sneakers and slides, a stunning dress from Audrey Leighton, a tie dye loungewear set, blow dryer brush, embellished sandals, beauty products, and Jamie Kern Lima’s new book, Believe It.

And yes, creating balance is all about shopping while things you want are on sale. At least that’s how I roll when I do some “binge” shopping, haha!

LISTENING

I started listening to Marianna Hewitt’s podcast, Life With Marianna, and it’s packed with a ton of value! I’m also listening to my workout playlist on Spotify on repeat and when I’m doing data entry, whatever books I have on Audible.

PLANNING

To be honest, since 2020 thwarted my plans, it was hard to be motivated to think about 2021 goals. So, I started 2021 without setting any, which felt so weird!

I’ve given myself grace for not even having thought about my goals for the first quarter of the year and am just now starting to write them down while focusing on creating balance in all areas of my life.

However, I have my phrase for 2021 to set the tone for the next nine months: Now Is the Time.

LOOKING FOR

Although I pulled back the reigns on most of my spending, I’ve learned during this time being locked inside from an ice storm that good quality loungewear is still essential.

I just haven’t made time to shop to invest in high-quality loungewear, sweats, and comfy clothing. And this girl who LOVES neutrals is starting to gravitate towards pastels like baby blues and lavender. Who am I? Really though.

LOOKING FORWARD TO

As much as I dislike the Texas heat, I’m looking forward to what this spring and summer brings. After the ice storm we’ve had? Give me sunshine please!!!

LOVING

My APL slides have been saving me this last year, so much so that I bought another pair when they had a sale. I’m also loving being active again. It feels so SO good!

THINKING ABOUT

As of late, I’ve been thinking about social media and if it’s necessary. Creating balance between being a content consumer and creator is kind of tough in this area. From a consumer standpoint, if Facebook is going to control what I see and who sees my content on their platforms, it’s no longer fun to me. As a content creator, it’s disheartening that the content I work so hard on is being shown to such few people.

I’m also thinking about when the pandemic is “over” how everything is going to be different from here on out. The way we operate businesses/work will be different for sure, but just how life overall is going to be different, you know?

HATING

If there’s one thing I can narrow down that boils my blood right now is the increasing documentation of violence against Asians, especially the elderly.

This is one area where my emotional intelligence does not exist.

And you can bet, if it happens around me, I will be swinging for the face and kicking where the sun don’t shine. I know this isn’t Christ-like, but to me, you do not mess with the elderly.

How people still lack compassion, even in the middle of a pandemic blows my mind. However, at the same time, I’m not surprised there’s this much hate in people’s hearts. I know everyone is battling something behind the scenes no one knows about and to be kind, but I’m also of the mindset that you give out is what you will get back in life…tenfold.

SLACKING ON

The thought of doing all things admin makes me want to live a dog’s life: go for walks, play around, bath in the sun, eat, and sleep. Who else hates admin tasks? Oy!

STRUGGLING WITH

I was doing SO well on sleep. Note, I said was. Water intake is still improving. What I’m truly struggling with is the pressure to be super productive especially with any extra time I have on my hands. Do any of you feel this way?

Even with 2020 throwing off nearly all of our plans for the new year, one thing’s for sure to me: 2021 is my year of creating balance and staying focused on the future because it’s looking to be a bit more hopeful.

That’s the latest update with me! No matter where you are in the world, let’s catch up with each other!

What’s going on with you? Update me and let me know what’s going on with you as of late in the comments below!