I hear it a lot. “Someday we’ll move.” “Oh, someday I’ll start that business.” “I’ll get to it someday, but I just don’t have the time right now.” So many people in my life are constantly dreaming about a better future filled with doing things they’re passionate about, but they never seem to get any of their dreams off the ground. 

I’ve taken a lot of career risks for only being twenty-five. Quitting a “stable” job to pursue a career in sticker making isn’t exactly logical, but I’m not going to become someone who lives for “someday.” And neither should you.

Alex loves the saying, “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the next best time is today.” I’m not saying to quit your day job or achieve your goal in a day, but I think it’s important to actually start working towards your goals rather than just talking about them.

Because at the end of the day, it matters more to you whether or not you’ve done anything you’ve talked about, than it does to me. The same goes with my friends and family. You’re responsible for how your life ends up and if you’re not interested in reading a list of regrets at the end of it, I suggest you start now.

So turn someday into today. Start working on that novel you’ve talked about writing, or start that YouTube channel. Start doing research on opening your own brick and mortar or start taking dance classes. Let’s all vow to stop being those people who are constantly dreaming and never bothering to work towards those dreams. Even if it’s only a little forward progress each day, at least you’re moving.

Today is my 25th birthday. Man do I feel old. Everything seems fine until you hit your mid twenties and realize you’re technically supposed to stop eating an entire box of cereal in one sitting. I’m so not ready for this.

Beyond the startling fact that I’m just as close to thirty as I’m away from twenty, I’m pretty excited about this next year. It feels like I’m finally starting to shake off all the insecurities and self-doubt I’ve felt through my early twenties. I’m beginning to settle into myself, feeling more self-assured, and ready to see what comes next.

I’m at that point in my life when a lot of my friends are still gripping onto college, refusing to abandon multiple day hangovers and dead-end jobs. When Alex and I moved to Grand Rapids it felt like we skipped ahead twelve spaces in the game of life. We found ourselves living a life another fifteen years down the road, right now. It feels like a dream and I’m trying not to blink.

My twenty-fourth year was an amazing one. I got married. I settled into this new home and lifestyle. I took bigger risks with my business. I also failed a lot more. Yet I feel all the better for it and more ready than ever to try new things in my twenty-fifth year.

So what’s on the agenda. Our first craft show is in just two days with three more following throughout summer. We’re attending more conferences and have travel on the books. We’re also eating better, taking care of our relationship, and sending as much time with family as we possibly can.

So although the number is scary, I can’t wait to see what happens next. So here’s to 25. 

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately on a personal level and figured if I’m experiencing it, I’m sure someone else is too. You hear it all the time about going to the gym and getting healthy, but “making the time” should be applied to a lot more than just working out.

I seriously enjoy photography. I love the challenge of setting up a shot, making sure the lighting is right, and capturing a moment in the exact way I’ve envisioned it. Even when the photo doesn’t work out and I have to start over, it’s exciting to see if I can accomplish it. Every time I pull out the camera to take blog photos I think, “Man, I should do this more often.” And I should.

Whether you’re actually busy or just feel that way, if you wish you had more time to do something, you can make the time. Watch one less episode on Netflix or skip watching Buzzfeed recipe videos on Instagram. Carve out a chunk of time in your schedule every week that’s uninterrupted of other things, even if it’s just for thirty minutes. There’s always a way to squeeze out a few extra minutes in a day or a week to do something that brings you joy.

So I’m going to work on taking the time to do more photography. Flat-lay photography is kind of my thing, but I don’t want to be a one-trick pony. I want to push myself to try new methods, new subjects, and new environments. I remember the first few weeks when I picked up a camera. I hadn’t a clue what I was doing for high school newspaper class, but I took photos of anything and everything. Sure a lot of them were of flowers, but you have to start somewhere.

So this is your reminder to do more of the things you love. Knit more. Read more. Bake more. Sing more. Whatever it is that gives your life passion and excitement. Do more of it.

I’ve been meaning to do a tour of our guest bedroom for ages now. Right around the time I finished it my dad came and stayed with us for a few months as my parents moved, making it difficult to get a camera in there to film and photograph the space. My parents are happily in their new home now and the guest bedroom is available again for copious amounts of bed-desking and photo taking. 

My biggest goal for the room was to keep it as affordable as possible without losing any comfort or coziness. I wanted the space to be welcoming without feeling cluttered. I wanted a theme without it being shoved down our guests’ throats when they walked into the room. I think I’ve accomplished a lot of what I was hoping to achieve but of course, the space still doesn’t feel truly done. It’s unlikely it’ll ever feel that way I’m sure.

Since it has been quite a while since I purchased a lot of the pieces in the room, most of them aren’t easily available anymore. Luckily inspiration never goes out of stock so maybe there’s still something in this room to inspire your next interiors project. I have linked what I could find in the description of the video however.