Archive for July, 2010
BlogHer Advice Column
Posted by: | CommentsI cannot believe that summer is almost over. I always mourn the end of summer and when I have spent the past month and a half of summer sitting in a class room? I cannot even explain to you how I am feeling right now.
Luckily, I have some excitement coming up!
Raise your hand if you will be at BlogHer….
{{raises hand}}
If you are going to be at BlogHer send me an email or leave me a comment. Because I would LOVE to meet you!
Everyone is always giving advice BlogHer posts. I feel like I should follow suit so here are five things you should do before BlogHer…
1. Create A Plan
There are more parties than I can even catch up with. Thinking that you are just going to show up and follow your way to the parties is a little crazy. Write down an evening schedule. What parties are you going to? What time are they? Where are they located at? Trust me…you will thank me later.
2. Schedule A Nap
I am a people person. I could stand in a room and talk for forty five minuets straight without a breath. I can hug people all day and then go off dancing all night. However, conferences overwhelm even ME! There are so many women and so many emotions flying through the weekend. It is amazing but emotionally tiring. Please take a nap at some point during the day just to refresh. It will make all the difference.
3. Go Shopping
Ok, maybe this has nothing to do with BlogHer but you are in New York for gawsh sakes. You may very well find me frantically trying to pick up the latest styles and rushing like a mad-woman to the checkout. That is what happen when your nearest mall doesn’t carry much more than the Gap…
4. Go See Procter & Gamble
Yes, they are in fact a client. But word on the street is they are doing some pretty cool stuff this year. On top of the fact that they will have cool stuff happening all weekend you will probably find me over in that area. And if I am not enough of a lure in I bet you will be finding Stephanie as well. So come see us!!
5. But Some Really Cute Stilettos
….Just kidding! Seriously, I cannot stress the importance of comfortable shoes enough. There is a lot of walking at BlogHer. Maybe even some running…Find some really comfortable shoes. You can do it. I believe in you.
Please leave a comment if you would like to meet up. OR leave a comment letting me know any questions or advice you would like regarding BlogHer!
Letter to my 20 something self: Marisa
Posted by: | CommentsI have been feeling some changes going on within me for quite some time now. A good friend of mine took my feelings and turned them into words. As she often does.
“I was underneath a bunch of stuff that I’m throwing off, purging left and right and while I was running the other day it was like I saw it all happening, and I passed this bench and envisioned the old me, sitting there and I kept running and it was like, I’m leaving her behind. And it made me so happy.” -Stephanie Precourt
I have been struggling though. It is not as easy as throwing the stuff off and running on. There are things that you don’t want to throw off. Parts of your life you are left clinging to. It is like running a marathon with a backpack on. You know that taking it off would allow you to run faster. It would allow freedom. It would relieve pain. But what if you need your backpack? What if you hold twenty years of memories within that backpack? What if the fear of taking that backpack off is so encompassing that you just keep running backpack and all. I feel a little stuck….
Speaking of running we have a beautiful letter from Marisa.
Dear 20-something Marisa,
Hiya! Here I am, on the other side of our dramatic twenties, and there you are, trying valiantly to avoid any kind of drama. You can’t. It’s okay. Drama is part of life; accept and deal rather than trying to avoid.
While we’re on the subject, stop running from the hard stuff. It will eventually catch up with you and the longer you wait, the harder it will be to find the person you’ve been all along. When you’re scared, turn and run into the fear rather than hiding. It’s easier on the psyche, I swear, and you have the strength to rise to the occasion.
When you do something wrong, apologize immediately. And stop lying. Yes, cold turkey. You will find freedom and peace in not lying, even when the truth is really tough. You are strong enough to handle it.
Be kind to the people who love you. It’s not their fault you’re not quite grown-up yet. Sure, being alone and discovering you’re pretty capable of, well, anything is going to be really amazing for you, but you can do that with anyone. You’re you no matter who you’re around (or at least, you can be).
When you find people who love you, don’t overdo the gratitude. You’ll make a friend who will give you the kind of advice you’ll always remember (“If you feel like you’re too much for your people, you need to find new people.” “The quickest way through the hard stuff is just that — through. The sooner you get started, the more quickly you’ll get through.” “You’re awesome, Mari, just the way you are.”) and seem like he can see your soul. Set your boundaries quickly and make sure they’re this side of acceptable.
Yes, you are doing a fantastic job managing your career. Thank you for that. Keep taking big leaps of faith; soon you’ll get to work for that company you admire. It will be just as wonderful as you imagined.
Last thing: believe. Believe in yourself, believe in the goodness of people, believe that your people love you. You can’t find peace by changing your life; it will come when you grow up, and you will. And even if you screw up (and you will), you’ll get some fantastic second chances. We’re doing really well in our thirties!
With much love and great pride,
Marisa
