Summer is rapidly coming to a close. The evenings feel quieter, shadows are getting longer, and my yearning for sweaters has reappeared. The change of seasons stirs something inside me and I can't help but feel the chapters of my life change with them. 

This is particularly true this year as I embark on a new journey in my career. After four and a half years with Urban Outfitters, Inc. I have decided it is time for me to find myself elsewhere for awhile. Instead of rushing into this "elsewhere" however, I'm giving myself a moment to pause, reflect, and evaluate what's next. For someone who is often described as a workaholic, this is a gigantic leap for me and one I do not take without hesitation. 

It's terrifying to think I'm walking away from a hard fought career in digital marketing and into the unknown. What if I can't find a job when I try to re-enter the workforce, extending my three month sabbatical to six months or a year? What if no one understands this need for a break and holds it against me in interviews? What if...I won't bore you with the endless self-doubt. All of this to say, I'm not naive in the risk I've taken, but I've taken it nonetheless.

The reason? I've been working so hard I've forgotten what it was I was passionate about to begin with. My creativity has shriveled to almost nonexistent and I'm just not fun anymore. I got so busy making a living, I've actually forgotten how to live. It wasn't enough to simply say these things, attempting to make strides towards them, I had to stop completely in my tracks and reroute.

I'm also excited though. I'm looking forward to reconnecting with my center, spending time with Ryan in the mornings, and examining what is most important to me. I'm eternally grateful I have a husband to support me in this endeavor, and savings to alleviate some of the stress of leaving immediately vs. holding out for whatever the next position will be. My one goal in all of this is to find the girl who used to laugh uncontrollably and hold onto her for dear life.

Goodbye summer.  - b.

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And so, once again we begin a new chapter in our lives. It is a time of renewal, rebirth, and resurrection and I embrace these re- with arms wide open. Now more than ever I look forward to spring's cleansing abilities for both mind and body. 

I lost someone dear and irreplaceable to me this winter, and his loss has left a hole in my family's hearts that will never fully close. I have only our shared memories to hold onto and pieces of his spirit to carry with me. Perhaps in time I will be able to articulate how very unique and special my Grandpa was, but today my eyes only well up with tears, and my voice catches in my throat at the very mention of his name.

This change in season is very needed. I know I'm not alone in that feeling. So how should the chapter begin? - b.

A love of words is something I've been cultivating. I've gathered 5 of my (current) favorites to share with you in hopes that maybe you'll be inspired to share yours too!

1 | Striking- The mysterious older sister to beautiful; striking is more complex, confident, and sensual. It conjures up the exotic. It captures the imagination. If we could all be so lucky to be as remarkably perfect as this word.

2 | Disseminate- Not a word you frequently find in your early 20-somethings vocabulary, disseminate has quickly become one of my favorite career-girl words. It makes a presentation on the importance of distributing the latest manual on [fill in the blank] sound so much less dull. Not to mention how much more authoritative you sound.

3 | Pique- Like jekyll & hyde, pique has two distinctly different sides. A word for the curious, it arouses our imaginations and perks our ears in conversation. Conversely our irrational and emotional selves can just as easily be wounded by our own pride. 

4 | Acumen- Culturally we're all too quick to celebrate the surface, and superficial. Isn't it about time for us to work of developing greater depth of understanding and discernment, particularly in the areas/topics we're interested in? Think how much we could accomplish if we honed our skills to make quicker decisions and better judgements. 

5 | Cultivate- Such a rich and meaningful word. I hope that when I look back on my life I will be able to say that I never stopped improving, acquiring, and developing. A cultivated life is a happy life.

What are some of your favorite words? Give me a shout out on Pinterest or Instagram. - b.