“Life passes most people by while they’re making grand plans for it”.
Johnny Depp points this out in one of my favorite movies of all time, Blow. It’s a quote that has always resonated with me, being the constant-forward-thinker that I am. Lately more than ever, I’ve found myself mentally exhausted from thinking ahead. I was recently interviewed by Milk + Honey Magazine, where they asked me to give advice to my 15 year old self. I replied that I was very spontaneous back then and didn’t consider my future enough when making decisions. Although I made some questionable choices during that time, I have to admit that while I typed my response I thought, “Maybe it’s my 15 year old self that should be giving the advice”. I could definitely use a little more spontaneity in my life lately, and would benefit from focusing on the hours rather than months ahead. I’m constantly turning down plans because I “have to get work done”. I don’t buy things I really want because I’m “saving money” for big life purchases that I probably won’t make for years. I am so guilty of rushing through really enjoyable moments because I’m focusing on what’s next in this ridiculous life map I’ve made in my head. And the worst part is that it’s not even productive. When your brain is filled with so many lists and plans that won’t happen any time soon, there’s no space left to focus on the daily tasks that will eventually get you there. Today, I want to talk about my new vow to myself to take a step back and be present every day.
In an attempt to be more purposeful with my time management, I’ve recently started to make “short-term goals” for myself. It’s something that’s been really beneficial to my sanity while trying to juggle my crazy schedule. I set three goals every month that I think will make a noticeable impact, they could pertain to my career, relationships, mental health, fitness, beauty routine… anything! As long as I think at the end of the month I’ll look back and realize I’m better off because of it. Setting these goals forces me to focus more on my daily routine and be more efficient with my time. It’s sort of like doing an obstacle course. If you’re staring at the finish line the whole time, you’ll probably trip while running through the tires.
Here are my goals for this month:
Focus on growing the Thirty Four-Seven Instagram account. Instagram is such an important tool to bloggers! It’s where most readers discover their favorite blogs, and the way it’s used can make or break you when trying to gain a following. I love photographing content and writing blog posts,so I tend to focus on that and often neglect spending active time on social media. By the end of October, my goal is to grow the Thirty Four-Seven IG account to (at least) 500 followers.
Develop a skin care routine. To be honest, I’ve always been really lucky with my skin. As a teenager, I never struggled with acne and did basically nothing to deserve the clear skin that I had. In my adult life, I’ve started to notice the blemishes and discoloration that show up from neglecting it. This month, I’ve vowed to moisturize my face three times a day. Also, to wash my makeup off right when I get home if I won’t be leaving the house again, and to do two face masks a week. I’ve only been keeping up with this for a couple of weeks and have already seen a noticeable difference, which is reassuring!
Use positive and constructive language when talking about my body. Body image is something I’ve always struggled with, as most women do. Recently, I’ve become more self-aware of how toxic these words can be to people around me. I mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and my little sister Kiara is only 10 years old. A few times I’ve caught myself saying things like “uhg, I look huge in this” and have realized what an awful example that is for her. I want Kiara to grow up to be strong and confident, and hearing words like that will only fill her brain with doubt and insecurity. This month, I’ve made a point to bite my tongue when I feel unhappy with my reflection and even try to mentally give myself a compliment to offset the negatives.
Jeans: here. Top: similar. Shoes: similar. Clutch: similar. Necklace: similar. Sunnies: here.
Now for a quick run down of this outfit. I like to think this relates because it’s my attempt at “being present” with the current season. It’s easy to get excited about fall and reach for your flannels and jackets, but the truth is that it’s really not that cold yet. Let’s wear open toe shoes as long as we can! These jeans are so comfy, they’ve been a weekend staple for me lately because they feel just like leggings. The top was a steal ($8 from H&M!) and is a thick enough fabric to keep you warm from the slight breeze of early autumn. My hot pink statement necklace, tassel clutch, and cat-eyed sunnies are all fun and trendy pieces that were really inexpensive. This outfit was perfect for grabbing brunch in our neighborhood and wandering the farmers market! Outfit details are tagged above 🙂
Thanks for following along and letting me share my goals for this month! At the very least, putting them out here on the internet should hold me more accountable.
What are your favorite time management strategies? Are you an in-the-moment type of person or a forward-thinker? Have any staple wardrobe pieces for early fall? Leave some love in the comments; I’d love to hear from you!
Xo Amanda