Life Update #1 | 9/11/2020
Before getting into this post, I would like to take a moment to remember the souls we lost on September 11th, 2001. Though the timing of this life update is in no other way correlated to this tragedy, it is nevertheless an apt opportunity to keep the memory fresh in our minds.
I was only 2-years-old the day terrorist attacks took place on the World Trade Center 19 years ago, but I have in ways experienced the ripple effect ever since. Though delusional extremists exist in every religion, I apologize to all the families affected by what the extremists of my religion did. As a Muslim, I find it of utmost importance to distinguish between the majority of us who believe in peace and non-violence, and the radicals who would cause such devastating harm to innocent people and cripple a country in the way they did.
Please bear this in mind and consider adopting the outlook that a few do not stand for all, whether in regards to 9/11 or many of our current social issues across the globe. And if you are interested, please take some time to educate yourselves about the events of this day.
Here are a few informative links you can check out (the last is a compilation of real recordings/phone calls from that day, and it will probably make you cry like it did me):
What happened on 9/11, 19 years ago (Business Insider)
9/11 FAQs (9/11 Memorial & Museum)
September 11 Attacks (History)
9/11: As Events Unfold (TSA, on YouTube)
Life Update | 9/11/2020
Hello strangers! Do you remember me?
I've done a crappy job posting these past few weeks, and instead of planning content out and absorbing MORE time, I figured I would just post a life update, telling you what my life has looked like recently.
I think this is a good style of post to write every so often anywayโsomething less structured yet very essential to building a strong connection with my readers.
I've been juggling a lot of different things that fall into various sectors of my life. This has created a shortage of time & motivation to sit down at my computer and post content for you guys. When I first started my blog, I think I hoped to get the time management aspect under control quickly, but it's proving to be more difficult than I thought.
Which is okay. I'm not giving up by any means; I'm merely recognizing that attaining my goals won't happen overnight and that I have to keep working at it. ๐
Wanna know how I know I've been shrugging my blog? Well, this is the first month I haven't posted a Monthly Faves since I STARTED this site back in April. Kinda disappointing, but also not really the end of the world either. Do you think you'll survive ONE MONTH of not finding out my favorite song?! (By the way, it was "Exile" by Taylor Swift ft. Bon Iver. UGH, so good).
Anyway, for as much as I've talked about all these things I'm juggling, I should probably tell you what they are...
Mother-in-law visiting
Thomas's mom (who I guess is not technically my mother-in-law but is just easier to call that sometimes), is in town visiting from Florida. We haven't seen his family since January, so it's nice to be around at least one of them (as crazy as she may be sometimes ๐).
She will be here for almost 3 weeks, which gives us plenty of time to create some great memories. However, going on vacationโor having someone on vacation visiting youโis time-consuming, as you probably know. There's nothing wrong with that; in fact, it's kind of nice to get a distraction from the small things I would spend all my time dealing with if she weren't here.
It just means less time for writing, that's all.
I do have to point out, though, that she's got such a laid-back attitude. And it's awesome. That means I could get some work done, as I am right now, without feeling the pressure of expectation & neglect. She's cool just chilling around the house and spending time with us when we have off work, maybe going out every so often. Sweet deal. ๐
My Etsy shop
Now this has been swallowing my time, but truly, I'm so thrilled about it.
I posted about it on my Facebook page, as well as on the Announcements banner on the homepage of this website. However, this is my official first time telling you through a blog post that I opened up an Etsy shop as an extension of my blog, called "From Farrah's" (get it? get it?? *nudge nudge*).
This is something I have wanted for a loooong time. Pretty much equally as long as I've wanted to launch this blog. I could see how my goals may seem scatteredโwhat with wanting a blog, and an Etsy shop, and maybe starting a YouTube channel, and someday writing a book... (should I stop here?).
In my mind, it all ties together. I want to be a self-employed womanโand someday momโwho brings in a profit by doing what she loves, which is being creative. This includes the written word, art projects, reaching an audience, and so on. I want to form a life around doing the many artistic things that fuel my soul.
Which brings us back to the Etsy shop. Believe it or not, I've had this shop open since 2017, which goes to show how many years I've had this on my mind. It even had the same name. I never did much with it until now. Even though I only have 2 items listed thus far (photo on wood & fruit soaps), I've had a great amount of success for a newbie!! Much of which was from supportive friends & family, but a couple sales were from strangers on Etsy!
It's been an exciting start to a new adventure; yet again, it's time-consuming. Plus, given that I've had direct sales and profit coming in from Etsy but haven't yet received monetary compensation for my time working on this blog, it was a little difficult to direct my motivation toward writing as opposed to creating.
(Doesn't mean I'm ditching you guys any time soon ๐).
CHECK OUT MY ETSY SHOP HERE!!!
Other everyday things
Until I get that full-time income rolling in, I still need money to pay my bills and fund my artsy needs. Unless my Etsy shop REALLY takes off, I must continue working at the OGโaka your favorite pasta place that KEEPS GETTING RID OF THE BEST MENU ITEMS (grr ๐ก), Olive Garden.
As some of you know, I've been there for 4 years. And while I have definitely grown to think of all my coworkers as a second family and am very comfortable there, I certainly wouldn't mind one day getting to say "deuces" when it's financially feasible. Even though I'm only there 3-4 days a week, working a second job of any sort has a way of deterring you from getting your own projects done.
I've also tried to maintain a healthy social life this summer, despite and especially because of Covid (when deemed safe). Thomas & I have road-tripped to Missouri, and my friend Brianna and I flew to Arizona. I've also enjoyed quite a few restaurants, a winery, have had a few game nights, and so on.
And then there's the usualโthe cooking, the cleaning, the nights watching The Vampire Diaries with Thomas.
I'm sure this could all be deemed "excuses" not to workโand really, they are. I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing, though. It just requires a lot of discipline and practice to determine how much of any one thing (how much work, how much blogging, how much time with friends, how much TV time, etc.) is the right amount. Everything in moderation, they say.
I think the conclusion is that I've had a lack of time & energy to work on my blog but that at least it's good things causing this. Positive occurrences with family, my brand, etc.
I don't want the positive developments to stop by any means. I just need to keep working on the best way to balance it allโand if that doesn't describe my whole life to a T, I don't know what does, ha! I'm the biggest advocate of establishing balance in your life, but that doesn't mean I'm the world's leading expert on it. It takes time to find the regimens that are right for YOU, but never stop until you do!
On a separate note, we got a new shipment from The Keto Box! So perhaps expect an unboxing post next?
What's going on in your life? I always love hearing from you guys.
That's all... I think.
Oh wait! I also have red hair now. ๐๐งก Can't forget about that one!
Until next time...
