Jumping into a new adventure

I’m about to tell you something shocking. Something that it took me about a month to even believe was actually a genuine thing I was feeling and that I shook off at first as either momentary hysteria, a bad bottle of Chardonnay, or perhaps a weird side effect of aging.

Here goes.
My computer has become somewhat of a bore, ya’ll.
And to be honest, at times a chore.

Hey, I know. I’m as surprised as you are.
As someone who has spent 90% of her waking hours—and before you find that impressive, keep in mind that I spend, on average, about an hour a day napping—tethered to her computer for the past four years, I’m more that a little bit flustered. Bewildered.

Since becoming a writer, more or less (heavy on the less as of late), I’ve relished the fact that I’ve gotten to spend my days in my pjs, cruising Facebook catching up on celeb news watching Netflix adding to my Pinterest boards telling my stories and sharing my love for my kids and assorted television shows with the handful of you friends who generously spend your screen time reading my words. Other than the occasional cramp I get in my butt when I forget to stand up from my computer chair and do some squats hit the treadmill walk to the kitchen to get a snack, I’ve had no complaints.

But recently I’ve been restless.
Is it because the kids are back at college and school and the house is dead silent for 10 hours a day and it’s damn hard for me to be? Yes.
Is it because the political spewage on Facebook makes it almost impossible for me to enjoy the daily 15 minute checks of my newsfeed? Oh my god, yes.
Is it because, sadly, Entertainment Weekly cut The Community Blog I was writing for and I don’t have fun TV related posts to dream up each week anymore? Definitely. #RIP #tinytears
Is it because lately I feel like I’ve already written all there is to write about my experience with college and told all my interesting stores on the blog and my idea well is feeling dried up? Yes, yes, and yes.
Is it because I’m kind of sick of wearing pjs and not having to put on makeup for days at a time? Surprisingly, yes.
Is it because I want to continue to show my kids that it’s always important to push yourself and better yourself and be happy with yourself? You bet.

So guess what? I decided — very spontaneously — to do something about it and try something totally new. Step away from my computer for the first time in four years? Yeah, but something even more out of my comfort zone than that. I got a job. (And no, it is not at Target.)

Technically it’s only a part time job (like really, 15 hours a week kind of part time) but it’s a place to go. A place to shower and clean up for. A place to be social and feel motivated. A place where I can talk during the day using spoken words. A place where I cannot nap.

And even more out of my comfort zone is the fact that I’ll be working as a stylist. As in, let me, the person with two degrees in Elementary Education who’s worn nothing but yoga pants for the past four years, dress you. Let’s just say there’ll be some training.

Scary, but fun, right? I’ll be working with a super fun, sassy, and outgoing group of women at an amazing boutique right on the lake called Evereve, which started here in the Twin Cities about 12 years ago. It’s been my favorite place to shop for years because of the specialized stylist experience you get, not to mention the awesome clothes that make you look and feel as amazing on the outside as you are on the inside.

I’m so excited.
Excited to blow dry my hair and get out of my sweats.
Excited to have a place to go other than Target. (Yes, I really did just say that.)
Excited to talk to people other than my cats a few days a week.
Excited to get to help fabulous people feel even more fabulous.
Excited that feeling motivated personally will most likely motivate my writing again.
Excited for my 30% discount.

Tina-Fey-giving-herself-high-five

Much like when I started this blog four and a half years ago, I decided to do this on a whim. No kidding, one day, a day where I had showered and put on makeup in case you were wondering, I just found myself driving to the store to see if they might be hiring and 10 minutes later I was interviewing. After a floor interview the next week to see if I could chat up the customers naturally (please), I had the job. I’ve only worked one day, but I have a feeling this whim is going to work out just as well as the blog has for my psyche and be just as much fun. And guess what? I already have stories to tell you.

So here’s today’s lesson, kids, one I may have mentioned here before: Don’t overthink. Just jump … even if it’s scary. (Unless you are on a bridge or the side of a mountain.) You never know where you’ll end up, but isn’t that tiny fear part of the fun and adventure we should be taking advantage of in life?

And hey, if you get to do it while wearing a cute outfit, it’s just a bonus.

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First day training. My 90s self is super happy plaid is back.

 

Check out the fabulous fashion and accessories at Evereve.com
or click here to see if there’s a store near you! 

 

 

7 Comments

  1. NinaN on October 18, 2016 at 11:50 am

    Congrats! I’m on my 3rd week of work after being home for 12 years. Scarey stuff but good for us to do it!

    • Michelle on October 18, 2016 at 12:53 pm

      Right?? Congrats to you! What are you doing?

      • NinaN on October 18, 2016 at 3:28 pm

        Retail. Mostly home goods though which I love 🙂

  2. Peggy Weaver on October 18, 2016 at 2:56 pm

    Congrats, Michelle! I work a few blocks down the street and love to shop there! Hopefully I will see you.

  3. Snarkfest on October 19, 2016 at 1:33 pm

    This sounds like a place I need to go!! I wish there was one closer to me than Pittsburgh, but when I come visit you, you can take me to your store and style me all up the way I need to be styled up. You, Joy and I can make a day of it!! <3 Congrats, my friend, I'm over the moon happy for you!!

  4. Lucia P on October 31, 2016 at 11:36 am

    Congrats!!!! I would love to see you soon! I will pop into the store next time I am in Wayzata. Again, good for you. For what it’s worth, I deleted my blog Dysfunctional Scrapbooking and my writer FB. I totally feel you on the fact that there is a shelf life on some writing ventures. Agreed and agreed! Good for you!

    Lucia

  5. Lucia P. on October 31, 2016 at 11:37 am

    And just noticed that you are not, in fact, stopping the blog. My bad and yay for that!

    But all congrats about Evereve still apply!

    L

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