Well hello beautiful people. It’s been a second since we last chatted! Let’s catch up.
Benji and I are still living (and thriving) in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. I absolutely adore my neighborhood. The past year we have gotten to explore local restaurants and bars, as well as meet great people in our community. The UWS truly feels like home. It feels like coming home every time I come back to the city after a trip.
I started a new job as a product writer at Coach and it has been everything and more. This was a job I never thought I would want or even get, but when I was pursued by a recruiter, I took the call. Flash forward a couple weeks and they were offering me a full time position for a brand I’ve always loved. It’s been incredible learning a new facet of writing within the fashion industry. My new boss is the best. She teaches and leads me, but also collaborates and respects me as a peer––something I didn’t have in my last job.
It honestly makes all the difference to genuinely enjoy your job. I felt very underutilized at my previous job, and always felt so drained after the work day. Now I feel like I’m reaching my full potential and really getting the opportunity to show what I’m good at––it’s super exhilarating. I have the energy to want to do side projects (hello, new blog post) and explore new hobbies.
Speaking of new hobbies, have I told you about arranging flowers?! Wow I love it so much. Every Saturday my roommate and I will go to the grocery store and I’ll get a bunch of flowers and spend the afternoon listening to music and making arrangements. It makes me so happy.
Also reading. Guys, reading is so fun. I’m an avid reader these days. You can find me most times of the weekend curled up on the couch getting lost in a fiction book. (Accepting all book recs!!)
I’ve spent this break away from the blog playing with other forms of writing, mainly poetry. I didn’t really actively get into poetry, I just met people in life that inspired me to write that way. I dated some great guys the past couple years, and some not so great guys. I’ve felt love and butterflies and sadness and anxiety and everything in-between. Poetry came natural in those moments and I’m thankful I had a platform to post those and share my feelings/stories.
Benji is doing phenomenal. He’s huge now (no, really) and loves hanging with our neighborhood dogs. His favorite place on Earth is Central Park (and my parent’s back deck, different vibe though). He has played a vital role in my emotional and mental health. When I adopted him, I was very much not okay in a lot of ways, but he has kept me grounded and active and comforts me when the waves come. I couldn’t ask for a better pup to live with in this city.
Overall, I’m doing really well. I’m happy. I love my job. I’m making great friends in the city. I started going to a church where I’ve been fortunate enough to build a great community. I’m still discovering who I am and what I want from life, but the journey has been rewarding and inspiring.
I’m fortunate to live in a place where inspiration lives at every corner. I walk down the street and hear live music. I turn the corner and see a mural. I am in walking distance of some of the most amazing museums, restaurants, bars, boutiques, cafes. I’m in the middle of it all. Growing up, I always felt like I was on the outside, like I didn’t belong. Now, I feel like I’m in the center of greatness and belong nowhere as much as right here.
I’m really excited for what’s in store for Zany Lady now that I have more creative space to pour into it. I have some cool collaborations and stories coming up, and I’m just so happy you’re coming along for the ride.
Xoxo
Zany Lady 