Life Chats

Life has been a bit crazy lately, so I apologize for the lack of Life Chats so far this year.  This is my favorite series on the blog and I definitely don't ever want to take too much time away from it.  I figured I would catch you all up to speed on some of what's been going on in my world.  In my last LC post, I gave you guys the rundown on the different lifestyle changes I've made and I'm happy to say that I am still doing great in this area and am headed down the right path.  I allowed myself to indulge during my trip to Sweden and while I was in the city, but now that I am back home I'm getting into my normal routine again in terms of eating habits and workouts.  Over the weekend I will be getting back to it in full effect though, so yay for that! It really is crazy how these choices can completely affect our moods.  I feel so much lighter emotionally and that's an incredible thing.
I'm pretty determined to make 2016 the year of many travels, so this is something that I have been working towards.  I have no idea what next year or the year after will bring me, so I feel like I need to totally live in the moment right now and make some of these dreams and goals happen.  Through travel, my love for photography and capturing moments is growing tremendously.  I'm forming an obsession with architecture and scenic views, which I am pretty sure you saw all over my instagram while I was away.  Sorry if you got tired of me posting so many buildings!  I can't help it though.  I really enjoy sharing images like that now and part of me wants to possibly take a photography class to tap into this newfound love a bit more.  I have slowly been trying to transition from fashion focused posts to more lifestyle content and I admit that it has not been very easy.  However, for where I am at in my life I feel like it's a necessary transition.  Like I always say, fashion is a huge part of me and something that I love very much.  I have so many other passions and interests though so it's just a natural progression for me to introduce these other aspects too.  I am in the very beginning stages of the new changes that will be coming to the blog and I seriously can't wait to share it all with you guys.  There's a lot of decisions for me to make and hopefully all of my visions for this will come to life very soon.  After blogging for four years now, it just feels right to make some changes and expand.  More on that later though!

Another goal that I have been working towards is moving into New York City.  I have to admit that this is not the easiest goal to achieve as living in the city is super expensive and the idea of being in a tiny studio gives me anxiety.  It's going to be a long search to find a great space and location that works within my budget and ideally I would love to make this happen by the end of the year.  I started the search process now just to start seeing some of my options and learning more about each area as they are so different from one another.  There really are so many factors to consider. Moving into the city is an idea that I have gone back and forth on way too many times.  I have a love/hate relationship with NYC and I know that living there will be a completely different experience than commuting there.  It just makes sense for me to give it a shot though since I am pretty much there on a weekly basis and girl let me tell you, driving in is not fun.  I'm totally open to checking out other areas in Jersey too like Hoboken or Jersey City since there's a train right there, but a huge part of me just wants to take that leap and be in NYC.  Hopefully if I find a place, my goal is to give it one year and then see where I'm at and reevaluate.  Maybe living there won't be for me or maybe it will be the best decision I made.  There's only one way to find out.
I think the hardest thing for me is wanting to do TOO many things all at once.  I've always been this way though.  My attention and focus is typically all over the place and sometimes I need to just take a step back, breathe and prioritize. I'm such a passionate and creative person so I'm completely drawn to anything that will allow me to express myself, which is why I love writing, photography, fashion, singing and travel so much.  Each thing in some way connects to the next, but they all allow me to showcase a different part of myself.  I ask "Why not?" instead of "Why?" so if some random idea pops into my head [and they do all the time, I have creative ADD], I'm 100% all about going for it. If it doesn't work or if I fail at it, then that's ok at least I tried.  Really, what do I have to lose?  Nothing.  I totally have the tendency to leap without looking, which I know is not always ideal.  It's coincidental that right before I left for Sweden, I randomly came across an email from my father dated February 6, 2009 and it said, "Natalie, just FYI... look before you leap.  Love, Dad."  What was crazy about this is that I found this email on February 4th, two days before landing in Sweden on the 6th.  So he sent that email to me 7 years ago almost to that exact day when I found it.  Even though he's not here physically, he still finds ways to communicate with me and look out for me.  You have no idea how much I miss those reminders and advice from him. 
Overall, I think I am in a much better place than I was a few months ago.  I feel more determined than ever and I look forward to crushing my 2016 goals!  It won't be an easy road, but I am up for the challenge. Thanks so much for checking out today's Life Chats.   I hope you were able to take something away from it.  Have a great weekend! <3