First things first! Every time I mention discontinuing these emails and going to a straight blog format I’m met with resistance. So I’ll continue doing both. But as always, if you don’t want to receive these please just let me know! xo
Upcoming Events:
Pop-up Holiday Art and Jewelry Saturday November 30th 12-6 At my house! Let me know if you need the address. If you can’t make it and are interested in jewelry or art let me know and I’ll come to you. :) I’ll have some old stock deeply discounted! If money is an issue, let’s discuss options.
Northwest Made Holiday Market Saturday December 7th 10-4 at Mercy Corp Northwest 43 SW Naito Parkway https://www.mercycorps.org/events/northwest-made-holiday-market.
I’m taking a break today from making jewelry, for the above events, to send a little note your way. Basically to remind you(and me) that everything we see on facebook isn’t the entire story. That goes for people’s seemingly perfect lives to the ads for fat burning capsules. Now, I’ve never tired a fat burning capsule, but I do know that I typically don’t share the entire story on facebook or instagram. I don’t air my dirty laundry as they say, who ever they are. I share pictures of cute cats, beautiful nature and exotic travel. I don’t post a selfie after I wake up with wrinkles and lines smashed into my face, I’ve never posted a photo of a $10 a night hotel room with no sheets on the bed or the 3rd class night bus with no bathroom, or worse the bathroom of the one with a bathroom. You don’t see photos of my kitchen sink full every single utensil I own dirty because I have a utensil using problem. You get the point. Lucky for you, I do often share my real life trials and tribulations here. Or a healthy dose of TMI but not everyone read theses words. Haha
I often get comments from friends and acquaintances directed at my life of leisure and travel. Comments of envy and awe. While it’s true I have been most fortunate to have traveled many places in recent years, there is a cost to that travel and time away, not just the cost of the plane ticket. I have forgone a career, saving for retirement, new clothes, a newer car, and sometimes things like heat in my house. I’ve given up jobs with paid vacation in exchange for flexibility. I’ve worked 50 hours a week, with no overtime pay, to make up for time off. Just to name a few. I’ve also had to have a roommate (sometimes two at once, which means I stay in the garage, aka pantry aka laundry room aka art studio) most of the time. It has also sometimes been difficult to maintain my close relationships when I’m constantly in another country. Which is part of the reason for this Travel Update email blog thinger.
I am in no way complaining about the sacrifices I’ve made to have the freedom and adventures I’ve had. I deeply appreciate the friends and family who encourage my exploration and wanderlust ways, and those of you who reply to me here or via text. It means a lot to know I’m surrounded by friends whether I’m here in Oregon or across the sea in India. A special thanks to those few friends living a similar lifestyle who have helped me stay true to this non traditional path, living by example.
All that said, apparently I’m as susceptible as the next person when it comes to self doubt and difficulty making important decisions for my future. I actually often forget this aspect of life as I’m usually not having these thoughts or anxiety regarding future plans. That said, the last couple of weeks have been a real challenge. My roommate moved to Costa Rica about 5 months before I thought she’d leave, my job was suppose to give me more hours starting in September but that wasn’t able to happen until late October. So here I am trying to make a couple of big decisions. Do I get a ‘real job’, do I get another roommate and a real job? Do I get a second job? Do I get a roommate and not save any money for future travel? Or do I move and rent out my little house? The later is the best decision financially for future travel but I’m hesitating. I’m also so very tired of living with roommates. Even tho I’ve had a couple of really awesome ones. If you’ve been my roomie and you are reading this, you were an awesome one!
So I’ve been making budget spreadsheets, what-if spreadsheets, pros and cons lists, working on my resume, looking for roommates, looking for jobs. I brought boxes home to pack up but they just sit here making my house look as disorganized as my thoughts. Basically I’m all over the place, walking around in circles in my head. Landing on a decision for approximately 2 hours then getting back on the hamster wheel of indecision. This is very unlike me. I also realize that I’m not doing some of the things that I know help me stay grounded and calm. Since I started working more I haven’t been going to yoga, my mediation practice is less than optimal (I refrained from the term in-the-shitter) and I’ve been spending more time looking at all the animals on instagram. Side note:one of my favorite farm animal rescue/sanctuary places had a fire last night. Thankfully the animals were all ok, traumatized I’m sure, but unhurt. It’s called Arthurs Acres, they have mostly rescued pigs and a few kitties. If you want to check them out and offer any support. https://www.arthursacresanimalsanctuary.org/ His instagram is worth liking just for the piggies being spoiled rotten.
There was a good example of my scattered brain getting sidetracked. Is there such a thing as late onset ADD? :)
Typing all of this out to you has been helpful. I need to go back to my ability to see the big picture and the steps needed to get there, return to getting the steps done in order. So the first step is finishing preparing for my upcoming holiday events. I’ll head back out to the garage, aka art studio, feeling much better and more focused. Right after I take a photo of my disastrous messy non perfect living room for my insta story to make people feel better about their lives. And maybe some dirty silverware for emphasis.
Love and hugs and patient listening ears to you,
Serena
Upcoming Events:
Pop-up Holiday Art and Jewelry Saturday November 30th 12-6 At my house! Let me know if you need the address. If you can’t make it and are interested in jewelry or art let me know and I’ll come to you. :) I’ll have some old stock deeply discounted! If money is an issue, let’s discuss options.
Northwest Made Holiday Market Saturday December 7th 10-4 at Mercy Corp Northwest 43 SW Naito Parkway https://www.mercycorps.org/events/northwest-made-holiday-market.
I’m taking a break today from making jewelry, for the above events, to send a little note your way. Basically to remind you(and me) that everything we see on facebook isn’t the entire story. That goes for people’s seemingly perfect lives to the ads for fat burning capsules. Now, I’ve never tired a fat burning capsule, but I do know that I typically don’t share the entire story on facebook or instagram. I don’t air my dirty laundry as they say, who ever they are. I share pictures of cute cats, beautiful nature and exotic travel. I don’t post a selfie after I wake up with wrinkles and lines smashed into my face, I’ve never posted a photo of a $10 a night hotel room with no sheets on the bed or the 3rd class night bus with no bathroom, or worse the bathroom of the one with a bathroom. You don’t see photos of my kitchen sink full every single utensil I own dirty because I have a utensil using problem. You get the point. Lucky for you, I do often share my real life trials and tribulations here. Or a healthy dose of TMI but not everyone read theses words. Haha
I often get comments from friends and acquaintances directed at my life of leisure and travel. Comments of envy and awe. While it’s true I have been most fortunate to have traveled many places in recent years, there is a cost to that travel and time away, not just the cost of the plane ticket. I have forgone a career, saving for retirement, new clothes, a newer car, and sometimes things like heat in my house. I’ve given up jobs with paid vacation in exchange for flexibility. I’ve worked 50 hours a week, with no overtime pay, to make up for time off. Just to name a few. I’ve also had to have a roommate (sometimes two at once, which means I stay in the garage, aka pantry aka laundry room aka art studio) most of the time. It has also sometimes been difficult to maintain my close relationships when I’m constantly in another country. Which is part of the reason for this Travel Update email blog thinger.
I am in no way complaining about the sacrifices I’ve made to have the freedom and adventures I’ve had. I deeply appreciate the friends and family who encourage my exploration and wanderlust ways, and those of you who reply to me here or via text. It means a lot to know I’m surrounded by friends whether I’m here in Oregon or across the sea in India. A special thanks to those few friends living a similar lifestyle who have helped me stay true to this non traditional path, living by example.
All that said, apparently I’m as susceptible as the next person when it comes to self doubt and difficulty making important decisions for my future. I actually often forget this aspect of life as I’m usually not having these thoughts or anxiety regarding future plans. That said, the last couple of weeks have been a real challenge. My roommate moved to Costa Rica about 5 months before I thought she’d leave, my job was suppose to give me more hours starting in September but that wasn’t able to happen until late October. So here I am trying to make a couple of big decisions. Do I get a ‘real job’, do I get another roommate and a real job? Do I get a second job? Do I get a roommate and not save any money for future travel? Or do I move and rent out my little house? The later is the best decision financially for future travel but I’m hesitating. I’m also so very tired of living with roommates. Even tho I’ve had a couple of really awesome ones. If you’ve been my roomie and you are reading this, you were an awesome one!
So I’ve been making budget spreadsheets, what-if spreadsheets, pros and cons lists, working on my resume, looking for roommates, looking for jobs. I brought boxes home to pack up but they just sit here making my house look as disorganized as my thoughts. Basically I’m all over the place, walking around in circles in my head. Landing on a decision for approximately 2 hours then getting back on the hamster wheel of indecision. This is very unlike me. I also realize that I’m not doing some of the things that I know help me stay grounded and calm. Since I started working more I haven’t been going to yoga, my mediation practice is less than optimal (I refrained from the term in-the-shitter) and I’ve been spending more time looking at all the animals on instagram. Side note:one of my favorite farm animal rescue/sanctuary places had a fire last night. Thankfully the animals were all ok, traumatized I’m sure, but unhurt. It’s called Arthurs Acres, they have mostly rescued pigs and a few kitties. If you want to check them out and offer any support. https://www.arthursacresanimalsanctuary.org/ His instagram is worth liking just for the piggies being spoiled rotten.
There was a good example of my scattered brain getting sidetracked. Is there such a thing as late onset ADD? :)
Typing all of this out to you has been helpful. I need to go back to my ability to see the big picture and the steps needed to get there, return to getting the steps done in order. So the first step is finishing preparing for my upcoming holiday events. I’ll head back out to the garage, aka art studio, feeling much better and more focused. Right after I take a photo of my disastrous messy non perfect living room for my insta story to make people feel better about their lives. And maybe some dirty silverware for emphasis.
Love and hugs and patient listening ears to you,
Serena
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| Not even 12 hours worth of silverware |
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