This Untitled Tee Fits My Life Perfectly

Untitled TeeUntitled tee. Fits. How’s that for some puns and word play on this Tuesday, friends??

But seriously, though, when I spotted this shirt over the weekend, I couldn’t help but think: WOW, do I identify with it!! And not just because I’m obsessed with bright yellow as we move into spring. It’s that one word that gets me.

Untitled.

How much of our lives really are untitled? My story isn’t complete yet. Your story isn’t complete yet. So how can we possibly title the story of our lives just yet? After all, it’s sort of like choosing a title for an action movie before you even get to the chase scene, you know?

I try to keep this idea in mind, especially when I get down on myself or things don’t seem to be going my way. Yes, life throws us some curve balls and there are bad times. But there is so much more beauty to see, so many more good times to come. I know that sounds a bit trite, but it’s true.

Plus, our lives are a work in progress. Well, mine is at least. And, honestly, I don’t think that progress will ever stop. I don’t think there’s a magic age we get to where we can definitively say, “OK, yes, I finally have everything all figured out!” I wish life worked like that (I mean, wouldn’t that be GREAT!), but, sadly, it doesn’t. I’m forever growing and learning — both about myself and about the world.

Besides, I like the idea of being “untitled” if for the simple reason that it gives me room, you know? I’m not boxed in by anything and certainly not defined by anything. In a sense, I can spread my wings as wide — or as short! — as I want. There’s a freedom in that sentiment that I love!

What in your life is untitled these days, friends?? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments! I’m so excited to see how our stories unfold, aren’t you?!?!? xoxo

P.S. New fun Family Photos are coming up tomorrow!!! #ThinkSpring

Will You Be My Valentine?

Be My ValentineHappy Valentine’s Day, friends!! So, I have a very important question for you today: Will you be my Valentine??

I know, I know. This all may be a bit forward of me. I mean, I know I tend to put it all out there on this blog and in my writing, especially where my emotions and feelings are concerned, but I can be a pretty shy, introverted person, to be honest. After all, I’d never dream of just going up to someone and asking them on a date or breaking out in song and declaring my love for someone, but make no mistake! I am a hardcore romantic through and through.

And, really, I’m not just talking about romantic love here. Love is love is love is love. It’s all powerful and all-encompassing, if you ask me. The love of family, the love of friends, the love of our furry friends — it all lifts us up and keeps us going, on Valentine’s Day and the other 364 days of the year. As cliche as it sounds, I just love, well, LOVE!!

Anyway, I suppose that brings me back to that important question I asked at the beginning of this post. We’ve got a pretty powerful and amazing community here on the blog and I’m so glad that we can be here for each other! The world is a dark enough place. I’m so proud of us for spreading lots of love, happiness and light.

Remember those cool Valentines you used to pass out in elementary school? Well, I wish I had one to give to each of you today!! But we have each other — today and every day — and that’s even better, don’t you think??

Be My ValentineWhat are you doing to celebrate Valentine’s Day, friends?? Here’s hoping you’re surrounded by love in all its wonderful and glorious forms!! xoxo

Hello, 2018: Thoughts on Goals For the New Year

goals for the new yearHappy New Year, friends!! How’s it going?? It’s great to be back! I had such a refreshing holiday break and will be sharing some photos next week — FYI, a classic trivia game is involved! And a hearty meal at IHOP!! But today?? I’m all about sharing some goals for the new year!!!

I’m especially proud of my writing career in 2017!! So many things finally clicked in the span of just 12 months!! I feel like a lot of that success has to do with developing my beat as a writer — disabilities, relationships and pop culture!!

Here are some of my best writing moments in a year that was pretty high on the Excitement Meter…

• I had 19 pieces published and 341 blog posts published
• I scored my first byline in The New York Times
• I fought off the haters and became the Purveyor of the Matriarchy with my CNN essay
• I broke into a glossy with an essay about my father in the June issue of Good Housekeeping
• I wrote two essays for Glamour
• I worked with wonderful editors on pieces for some of my favorite sites, like Racked, Ravishly and SheKnows
• I celebrated 9 years of blogging and continued to grow So About What I Said on its own self-hosted domain
• I was VERIFIED on Twitter

Whew!! As for 2018, you ask? Well, I’ve never been good with New Year’s resolutions. I tend to set these loft goals, only to quickly become overwhelmed and lose all motivation entirely by the end of January. I mean, don’t even ask me about that year I was determined to go to the Y — I’m still on their email list, but my membership card is long gone!

So what do I have planned for this year? I’ve decided to plan my goals for 2018 around just one subject: Writing. I feel buoyed and inspired by the successes of 2017, so why not build on that fierce momentum? Some things I’m working toward as we get this year underway…

• Get an acceptance from the Washington Post
• Finally find a home for this pitch I’ve been working on — about the 20th anniversary with my email address. Oh, cue all the parallels to actual relationships…
• Sort through an entire email folder of essay ideas I’ve been collecting…sort of scared to venture in there, but we’ll see, right?? There’s probably at least a few good gems in there — aside from the weird, half-asleep ideas I concocted late at night and scribbled furiously into my phone!
• Continue to grow So About What I Said — GUEST POSTS are always welcome!!
• Maybe, finally start seriously thinking about book possibilities. YIKES!! Did I really just type that?? Yes, I just did…

Surprisingly, I feel even more motivated right now! Just having put my goals down on paper on the blog gives me some concrete goals to work through.

What are your goals/dreams/wishes for 2018, friends?? Do you typically set New Year’s Resolutions, or are you more laid-back about the whole thing? I’d love to hear how you’re doing, and I CAN’T WAIT to spend another 365 days with you!! Well, more like 362, but you get the idea… xoxo

[Collage of my favorite bylines from 2017]

3 Ways to Be Nice Beyond World Kindness Day

World Kindness DayHave you been feeling the weight of the news lately, friends?? It’s heavy and it’s overwhelming. And it just sort of sits on your shoulders, feeling like it could all crush you at any moment with its sheer force. I’ll admit that I’ve been getting pretty discouraged over the last few months (well, actually, since November 8th…), but maybe — just maybe — we have a little glimmer of hope in the form of World Kindness Day!!

Today couldn’t have come at a better or more-needed time. Maybe you agree. The world seems to be on fire from all angles, and, honestly, it just seems to be getting worse by the day. So, how can we inject some niceness into the world? Not just today, but tomorrow and the next day and the day after that? Here are 3 simple (but meaningful!) ways to get started…

Listen fully

Technology and social media have really put a wrench in the Art of Listening. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for another person is simply listen to them. Don’t try and solve their problem. Don’t try and tell them how they should feel. Just sit and listen. It’s one of the kindest gifts you can give your fellow humans.

Compliment wildly

Insults are so 2016, don’t you think?? The next time you feel an insult escape your lips, counteract that negativity with a compliment. In fact, throw around that “Great job!” and “You rock!” like they’re both going out of style! Let those compliments ripple through the world like a pebble in the ocean.

Love fiercely

Giving your whole heart to the ones you love is never a bad idea. After all, the world needs all the love it can get. Tell someone TODAY just how much you love them. And give them a big hug too!!

Also, I love how my writer friend Dorri Olds puts it…

I am much more aware of other people’s feelings than I’ve ever been before. I try to speak to others as I like to be spoken to and it must be making a difference because I feel close to so many kind people.

Now more than ever, the world needs more kind people. Be one of the nice ones today and always!!! If you ask me, 2017 could have used 365 days of World Kindness Day, but we all have to start somewhere. Let today be it!

And, if you need a bit more inspiration, here are 7 tales of unexpected kindness and 27 feel-good quotes!

World Kindness DayHow are you spreading kindness today and every day, friends? What kind acts have you found meaningful?? Any other tips you’d add to this list? xoxo

[Bottom photo via We Heart It]

What Are Your Favorite Emojis?

favorite emojisHere’s a fun question: What are your favorite emojis?? I ask because yesterday was #WorldEmojiDay!!! Oh, what a wonderful holiday, don’t you think?? It’s a celebration of all fun things in our tech-obsessed lives in 2017.

I mean, emojis are everywhere these days! All the cool kids are using them on their Snapchats (stay tuned for a future post on my adventures with that!) and their photo filters and their Instagrams. So if you think about, anyone who’s anyone embraces this emoji trend! Sooner or later, everyone becomes an emoji-loving fanatic.

Plus, it’s perfect for uber busy people like me — you know, the ones who are always zipping off to one place or another. We don’t even have to formulate complete, coherent thoughts anymore! Just choose the cute picture that corresponds to your soul and hit send! In a way, I guess we have emojis to thank for giving us more time in life to do the important things — like snap more photos to put more emojis on! Ahhh, the circle of life. Isn’t it grand?? Everything comes back around!

All this emoji talk also got me thinking: What are your most-used emojis? You can tell a lot about a person by what emojis they use. For example, if someone is overly fond of the knife emoji, I’m pretty sure that’s not someone you’d want to be hanging out with on the regular.

favorite emojisSo, here’s a challenge for you: Take a screenshot of your most-used emojis and post it in the comments! That’s mine, above, full of all the usual suspects — you know, the hearts and glitter and sparkly stars and happy-faced emojis. Now all they need is a flower crown emoji — get on that, Apple iPhone! Anyway, can’t wait to see what lovely emojis represent YOU… xoxo

P.S. What are your favorite apps??