From Swirling Thoughts to Blogging Words

by Sam on April 3, 2009

This is my third attempt at writing a post today. I really wanted to write, but my exhausted brain has too much swirling around in it to come up with anything insightful. I always try and make sure that my blog isn’t too diary-like, because I don’t think this is really the place for it. But, after some encouragement from my blogging buddy, Grace, I’m going to attempt to put the swirling thoughts into words.

If you’ve been reading, you know that I’m moving to Brooklyn. Sunday is the day when the boyfriend and I will move the rest of our stuff into our apartment and officially begin living together. I’ve mostly been focusing on how excited I am to finally live with him, and I’m definitely still feeling that way, but there are some other emotions that I’ve been feeling that have kind of gotten lost in the shuffle.

I’m sad. As crazy as things have been at home, and as much as there have been times when I’ve wanted nothing more than to have my own life, I’ve gotten used to spending lots of time with my parents. I’m one of those lucky people who is very close with both of my parents. I have very different relationships with each of them, and certain things I always do with one or the other, and I’m really going to miss seeing them all the time. Fortunately, I won’t be too far away.

I’m also happy to be moving somewhere that is actually close to some of my friends. The past year or so of living at home has been pretty lonely, since my best friend is at grad school in Binghamton, and I don’t really have anyone else. Living near NYC means actually getting to see friends, and finally having a post-college social life.

Mostly, these days, the overwhelming emotion has been stress. Moving is a lot of work, especially when the place you’re moving to isn’t exactly next door. Granted, it’s only about an hour from either of our houses, but working full-time means dedicating weekends to the moving process (as a result, I have almost forgotten what a relaxing/fun weekend is like). Then there’s the endless task of buying things. No matter how much stuff you think you have from college or previous dwellings, you’re still going to spend a lot of money. I wish they had a frequent shopper card at Target, because I have been there more times than I can count in the past month.

This week’s major source of stress has been the packing of clothes, accessories, and toiletries. I won’t lie, I love clothes (and shoes), and I have a lot of them. Figuring out what to bring, and what will fit, is driving me nuts. Although, again, I’m not moving that far away, I don’t know when the next time will be that a car transports things to my apartment, so I keep worrying that I’m going to forget something. I probably have about five different lists going, and I lie in bed at night thinking about them. Are you feeling the brain swirling yet?

As with any new beginning or major life change, I am obviously filled with mixed emotions. Fellow blogger, littlelolita, commented on one of my posts commending me for being such a strong person. I was very grateful to receive such a compliment, but as this post shows, I am not always so strong, and that’s perfectly okay. All too often, people apologize (on their blogs or in person) when they feel like they haven’t lived up to people’s expectations or appeared too vulnerable. Remember that we all make mistakes, freak out, get emotional, overreact, misinterpret, and choose the wrong path…and that’s what makes us human.

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  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Sam – I absolutely love how authentic, honest and open you are. Thanks for this post and for sharing how you are REALLY feeling – it makes us all feel a little more human. I totally know what you mean about the pressure to keep up appearances – I often feel pressure to only share “positive” things on my blog, but then I realize it's the posts about struggles and challenges that resonate most with people. And congrats on the big move! So exciting!

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org Jenny Blake

    Sam – I absolutely love how authentic, honest and open you are. Thanks for this post and for sharing how you are REALLY feeling – it makes us all feel a little more human. I totally know what you mean about the pressure to keep up appearances – I often feel pressure to only share “positive” things on my blog, but then I realize it's the posts about struggles and challenges that resonate most with people.

    And congrats on the big move! So exciting!

  • http://www.lifeschocolates.com/ sameve

    Jenny-Thank you so much for your comments! I was hesitant to write this post, so I'm glad that you liked it and understand where I'm coming from. It's definitely good to write an honest, open post every once in a while without worrying about being insightful or totally positive. Thanks for the congrats too :)

  • http://www.lifeschocolates.com sameve

    Jenny-Thank you so much for your comments! I was hesitant to write this post, so I'm glad that you liked it and understand where I'm coming from. It's definitely good to write an honest, open post every once in a while without worrying about being insightful or totally positive. Thanks for the congrats too :)

  • http://rubyku.com/ rubyku

    Hey Sam, I hope the move on Sunday went well. I love that you write about your emotions on your blog. I relate especially with emotional people because I know they all have the capacity to love & care. You remind me of this quote:”Courage doesn't always roar.Sometimes courage is the quiet voiceat the end of the day saying,”I will try again tomorrow”- Mary Anne Radmacher

  • http://rubyku.com rubyku

    Hey Sam, I hope the move on Sunday went well. I love that you write about your emotions on your blog. I relate especially with emotional people because I know they all have the capacity to love & care. You remind me of this quote:

    “Courage doesn't always roar.
    Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
    at the end of the day saying,
    “I will try again tomorrow”
    - Mary Anne Radmacher

  • http://www.lifeschocolates.com/ sameve

    Ruby, thank you so much for your kind words! That is a great quote, and I'm flattered that you think of me that way. It speaks to the post I wrote about “the quiet girl in the corner.” Strength and courage come in many forms. I'm glad that we've connected through the blogosphere!

  • http://www.lifeschocolates.com sameve

    Ruby, thank you so much for your kind words! That is a great quote, and I'm flattered that you think of me that way. It speaks to the post I wrote about “the quiet girl in the corner.” Strength and courage come in many forms.

    I'm glad that we've connected through the blogosphere!

  • http://akhila.wordpress.com/ Akhila

    Sam, I'm so glad to read this post. I was really happy that you were able to let go of your inhibition and just write about yourself, what's going on with your life, and really how you're feeling. There's nothing wrong with having a lot of emotions swirling inside and I love your blog because I really get to see all these different sides of you. You let yourself be authentic in your blog like Jenny said, and that's so important.

  • http://akhila.wordpress.com Akhila

    Sam, I'm so glad to read this post. I was really happy that you were able to let go of your inhibition and just write about yourself, what's going on with your life, and really how you're feeling. There's nothing wrong with having a lot of emotions swirling inside and I love your blog because I really get to see all these different sides of you. You let yourself be authentic in your blog like Jenny said, and that's so important.

  • http://www.lifeschocolates.com/ sameve

    Thanks, Akhila! I know that a lot of bloggers have been struggling recently with the concept of authenticity, and the pressure of creating engaging content. I guess I kind of made myself an example of how it's okay to write honestly about your life. I want my readers to be able to relate to what I write about and be able to get something from it. It seems like I accomplished that goal with this post, so hopefully others will feel they can do the same.

  • http://www.lifeschocolates.com sameve

    Thanks, Akhila! I know that a lot of bloggers have been struggling recently with the concept of authenticity, and the pressure of creating engaging content. I guess I kind of made myself an example of how it's okay to write honestly about your life. I want my readers to be able to relate to what I write about and be able to get something from it. It seems like I accomplished that goal with this post, so hopefully others will feel they can do the same.

  • http://lightonbrokenglass.blogspot.com/ Amy Segreti

    I wish you luck in Brooklyn; I'm from New Jersey and have a lot of friends in NYC, so I'm there often. Sam, so many amazing, creative women I know have been feeling the same way lately that you mention in this post — including myself. It can be frustrating and emotionally-exhausting to always be putting yourself out there — but it's so worth it. I totally relate to worrying about making my blog too “diary-like.” I'm writing a post now about how I'm feeling, too… not up yet, b/c I'm still editing it and hoping it won't offend.And, good advice at the end of your post. It seems we can always give the best advice when we're coming from the same place that needs it, and wanting to listen to ourselves.

  • http://lightonbrokenglass.blogspot.com/ Amy Segreti

    I wish you luck in Brooklyn; I'm from New Jersey and have a lot of friends in NYC, so I'm there often.

    Sam, so many amazing, creative women I know have been feeling the same way lately that you mention in this post — including myself. It can be frustrating and emotionally-exhausting to always be putting yourself out there — but it's so worth it.

    I totally relate to worrying about making my blog too “diary-like.” I'm writing a post now about how I'm feeling, too… not up yet, b/c I'm still editing it and hoping it won't offend.

    And, good advice at the end of your post. It seems we can always give the best advice when we're coming from the same place that needs it, and wanting to listen to ourselves.

  • http://www.lifeschocolates.com sameve

    Ruby, thank you so much for your kind words! That is a great quote, and I'm flattered that you think of me that way. It speaks to the post I wrote about “the quiet girl in the corner.” Strength and courage come in many forms.

    I'm glad that we've connected through the blogosphere!

  • http://akhila.wordpress.com Akhila

    Sam, I'm so glad to read this post. I was really happy that you were able to let go of your inhibition and just write about yourself, what's going on with your life, and really how you're feeling. There's nothing wrong with having a lot of emotions swirling inside and I love your blog because I really get to see all these different sides of you. You let yourself be authentic in your blog like Jenny said, and that's so important.

  • http://www.lifeschocolates.com sameve

    Thanks, Akhila! I know that a lot of bloggers have been struggling recently with the concept of authenticity, and the pressure of creating engaging content. I guess I kind of made myself an example of how it's okay to write honestly about your life. I want my readers to be able to relate to what I write about and be able to get something from it. It seems like I accomplished that goal with this post, so hopefully others will feel they can do the same.

  • http://lightonbrokenglass.blogspot.com/ Amy Segreti

    I wish you luck in Brooklyn; I'm from New Jersey and have a lot of friends in NYC, so I'm there often.

    Sam, so many amazing, creative women I know have been feeling the same way lately that you mention in this post — including myself. It can be frustrating and emotionally-exhausting to always be putting yourself out there — but it's so worth it.

    I totally relate to worrying about making my blog too “diary-like.” I'm writing a post now about how I'm feeling, too… not up yet, b/c I'm still editing it and hoping it won't offend.

    And, good advice at the end of your post. It seems we can always give the best advice when we're coming from the same place that needs it, and wanting to listen to ourselves.

  • Chantalrd

    Just wondering, if you need a bridesmaid. I will travel anywhere in the world to do that. Well almost anywhere,

    I really like how you write. I am learning to blog, you can check mine out at http://www.beneaththecover.com

    I am Chantal Riviere

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