New Journey, New Space

It's been way too long since I've last posted. I've finally graduated from my master's program and have the time to dedicate to this blog. My renewed blogging is part of a very intentional effort towards taking better care of myself. I have gutted my apartment and created a living space aligned with my "cultivated warmth" style statement. Part of this gutting process was the creation of a meditation shrine. Every morning I wake up and meditate for 5-10 minutes. I usually pick a "soul card" to reflect on during my meditation. As a part of my infertility treatments I have also started seeing a nutritionist and acupuncturist. It is time to start living a more grounded, intentional, authentic, and wholehearted life.

A New Journey, New Space

New couch and rocking chair - a perfect place to sip wine and read a good book.

I've decided to surround myself with things that make me smile, like fresh flowers.

Freshly organized bookshelves - so much reading to look forward to....

My meditation shrine/space.

Style Statement Set Collage

Cultivated Warmth

Style Statement Collage created using Polyvore

My Style Statement: Cultivated Warmth

Cultivated

(Foundation, 80%)

Cultivated takes tremendous pleasure in seeing things grow. They love to nurture their inner life, other people, animals, nature, and ultimately good ideas. Happy to foster and promote the growth of others, Cultivated works toward what is best for the individual as well as the group. They are interesting to other people precisely because they are actively and sincerely interested in the world around them. They respect, honor, and celebrate the customs of various communities and traditions and are consummate connectors of people. They are natural leaders. Positively passionate about growing, learning, and teaching. Cultivated is often well trained or educated (either formally or self-taught) and thus can be quite self-critical, overextending for accomplishments. They always have some pursuit or exploration under way. Cultivated considers all of life's experiences - positive and negative - nutrients for their inner garden from which they reap their harvest.

Look & Feel: Always quality, with a high degree of taste. Can run the gamut from sophisticated and refined to culturally diverse, eccentric, or bohemian. Rich, artistic, intellectually advanced. Full range of textures, tastes, aromas.

Synonyms: Nurture, cherish, compassion, generous, devoted, educated, receptive, encourage, foster, help, instruct, nurse, promote, open, pursue, refined, support, enrich, improve, polished, disciplined, aestheticism, art, focused, studious, classic, elegance, fashion, grace, hip, kindness, sincere, energetic, relational, learning, sophisticated, advocate, discernment, tasteful

Definition(s): "To promote the growth of development of; to foster"; "To devote oneself to"; "To promote or improve growth"

Warmth

(Creative Edge, 20%)

empathetic, intuitive, nested, sensitive, emotional, spirited, inspired, sacred, natural, glowing, snug, sweet simplicity, organic, reverent, sweet, romantic, hidden, sunny, whole-hearted, layered, charm, restful, delicate, bohemian, artistic, stimulated senses, curious, grace, narrative, sanctuary, tender, understated, balanced, grounded, goofy

Curious? Inspired? Motivated? Energized? Maybe it's time to discover your own Style Statement?

Discovering your Style Statement

My friends Chelsea and Donica, two of the most inspiring, innovative, motivated, and creative ladies I know, introduced me to the concept of creating my "Style Statement" (SS). The SS website gives a great overall description of this process, although there is much greater depth than this brief description entails:

Your Style Statement defines your authentic self. It’s a two-word compass for creating a life that reflects what’s true to you. From your wisdom to your wardrobe, from your longings to your living room – your Style Statement is where your essence meets your expression.

• It begins with a unique series of questions about what you long for, what motivates you, and what you love.
• It results in two profoundly magical words that guide your personal style – from clothes and interior design to relationships and inspirations.
• It becomes a lifelong mantra that allows you to make choices that make you feel authentic, creative, and happy.

What we know to be true is that authenticity is magnetic, efficient and effective. When you are consistently being your truth—from your wardrobe to your wellness plan, you quite literally become a force of nature. True style is holistic

A few ideas/phrases from the book that helped me make sense of this idea, as well as inspire me to start the process, include the following:

1. Foundation Word, 1st word, your 80%. This word describes your essence and inner foundation. It is your innate, implicit core. It embodies the roots of your being. Being disconnected from this foundation is uncomfortable and disorienting. However, too much of this foundation creates inflexibility. Metaphorically, your foundation word works like the basics of your wardrobe - those essential pieces you can't live without.

2. Creative Edge Word, 2nd word, your 20%. This word is the impression we'd like to make on the world. It is our outer image or persona. It is how we express our being. It is how we do what we do. It symbolizes your **wings** Being disconnected from your creative edge fosters emptiness or flatness, but too much may lead to overwhelm or burnout. This is the gift you want to give to the world, as well as the gift that you long to receive. Metaphorically, your creative edge works like your accessories do - is if the finishing touch, the color or pattern of an outfit or space, the unique flourish of your jewelry.