6 months worth

Today marks six months for me since moving from Santa Barbara to Seattle. I'm feeling a bit nostalgic and wistful, so I compiled a little list of —dare I say—advice. Essentially, lessons I've learned and realizations I've...realized. This is nothing shocking or new, but the three biggest battles I've faced in Seattle have been:

• ...finding a community in the true sense of the word
• ...not feeling alone in a crowd of people (did I just quote a 90's song?) 
• ...and feeling productive even in seasons of unemployment

Like I said, nothing super original.
My biggest concern is that as you're reading this, you'll start to hear this guy's voice in your head. And for that, I apologize.

1. Pay attention to who you surround yourself with; do they give you energy, or deplete it? Do they give you life, or make you feel small? 
2. Be patient with yourself. Be gracious with yourself. And stop beating yourself up.
3. This is such a first world thing to say, but buy a smartphone. It makes getting acquainted with a new city a gabilllllion times easier.
4. But on the other hand, getting lost is a fabulous way to get to see some new streets.
5. Watching four episodes of Friday Night Lights by yourself til 3am on a Friday night is perfectly acceptable. Hello, it’s called Friday Night Lights for a reason.
6. Black yoga pants? Totally acceptable outfit to wear multiple days in a row.
7. Half a croissant and three shots of espresso do not constitute enough sustenance for a full day of work. Nutrition is underrated—you are what you eat.
8. Stay connected with your closest friends. If phone tag takes over your relationship, then start leaving lengthy messages so you'll actually know some of what is going on in each others' lives.
9. Handwritten letters are timeless. You know you like receiving them. So write them.
10. You have to be a friend to have a friend.
11. You're not the only single person in America.
12. Don't assume everyone else is partying without you each night of the week. You’d be surprised how many people/potential new friends are sitting at home alone with their glass of wine hoping you’ll call them.
13. Pursue other people just as you long to be pursued.
14. Forgive yourself. Often. And then again.
15. "Fear not" is actually a command, not just a suggestion.
16. Salted caramel ice cream makes a bad day good and a good day better.
17. If you're of the photography bent: TAKE. YOUR. CAMERA. EVERYWHERE.
18. Groupon, Tippr and Living Social are genius. Pity the poor cities who don’t have them. And then don’t move to any of them.
19. Embrace the time you have alone—don’t mourn over it.
20. Invest in other people deeply—but only the ones who have proven themselves worth investing in.
21. NO one else will notice that your nails are chipped, hair is dirty, make-up isn't right or that you've gained five pounds. But they will notice you fretting about it. 
22. Bitterness, jealousy and insecurity are ugly, ugly things.
23. Sing in the shower. Preferably this song.
24. Do yoga. 
25. Always say yes to live music. Go in with no expectations and you might just come out a fan.
26. Try everything [within reason] once.
27. This is your new motto: What's the worst that could happen?
28. Go on blind dates when asked, and don’t over-analyze them ahead of time. Again, what’s the worst that could happen?—a free drink, that’s what.
29. Make lists. Even on boring days.
30. Align your values with your priorities.
31. Lonely 11pm stress baking ain't no thang.
32. Surround yourself with creative people.
33. Don't wear neon purple 80's nail polish to a job interview.

Thank you, everyone! You've been a big part of this journey so far.

And P.S...I finally have a new SUMMER banner, an about me page, and a section explaining the origin of that weird word I titled my blog: Spidatter.