I recently discovered the Instagram account of a free spirited actress who goes by @sam.moooves. She has a radiant, contagiously happy energy that has felt reassuring these past few weeks in particular — it is a gift to be around people who consciously reach for joy. During a recent AMA, a follower shared that she was contemplating moving to a new city but terrified at the prospect because she did not know anybody. Sam replied by saying that when she was younger, she had the opportunity to move to New York City but was similarly trammeled by fear of the unknown and her lack of an East Coast network of friends. Her father sat her down and drew a circle on a piece of paper: “This is you, in your circle of comfort.” He went on to explain that the goal of life is to build as many other circles as you possibly can; when you have the chance, start a new circle. I was taken by the imagery. My father has offered permutations on this advice throughout my life: “Take the job,” “Move to the new city,” “Don’t look back,” “That’s a hell of an opportunity,” he’ll say. On the eve of accepting every single new job I’ve ever had, I’ve gone to him riddled with doubt, and he’s said: “This is going to be great for you. No question.” One of the things I remember most about the blurry chaos of moving from NYC to Bethesda was asking him, “Do you think I’ll feel isolated in Bethesda? Like, after living in the city for so long?” Without a beat: “Nope. You’re going to love it.” The response felt automatic — to the point that I wondered whether he would have said the same thing if I was asking the inverse: “Do you think I’ll feel overwhelmed in Manhattan? Like, after living in the suburbs for so long?” I have a hunch he would have said: “Nope. You’re going to love it.”
If I have learned anything about myself as an adult, it is that I am more adaptable than I think. Negative fifty five degrees outside during the Polar Vortex in Chicago? A protracted quarantine in a small Manhattan apartment with a dog and two young children? A mouse-infested “garden level” apartment in Lyon? You can thrive anywhere with the right attitude. Through it all, I have leaned on my father’s “get up and go” mentality more than he will ever know to get me through the bumpy patches, but especially while setting out at the daunting crossroads of new beginnings.
So, I am sitting here today, and I am reminding myself to continue to take chances, start new circles, chase down the next thing. I am settled here, and it feels good, but I am still hungry.
Perhaps you are sitting on the edge of a new beginning today. Perhaps you find yourself riddled with doubt. Channel my Dad as you surf through the waves of indecision, knocking out each tremulous “but what if…?” with:
“Nope. You’re going to love it.”
Post-Scripts.
+Onward!
+In case you’re “in it” as a parent today.
+And in case you need a reframe as a parent today.
Shopping Break.
+Cutest lamp on sale.
+These best-selling pants were restocked recently. Word out is that you must buy a full size down in this style. (Run large.)
+Am I the last person on earth to know that one of the key makeup artist secrets to achieving a really fresh face/open eyes are Lumify eye drops?!
+Is this not the chicest and sleekest black jumpsuit ever?
+I am newly obsessed with the brand Antik Batik, which I know has been around forever, but I found a trove of their pieces on sale at Smallable and j’ai besoin. I need this dress in particular, and maybe these shorts, too?! Also found this fab top of theirs on sale at The Outnet.
+People LOVE this $6 makeup brush. I have been using Artis’ oval brushes almost exclusively but just dropped this into my basket.
+This rattan desk would be so attractive in a guest room.
+Alice Walk’s new linen collection has some great elevated basics, like this linen shirtdress. Wear over a swimsuit or with Supergas to the farmer’s market.
+A must-order for your next trip with overstuffed, checked bags.
+A reader just wrote in to rave about this mineral sunscreen FOAM for children. I’m intrigued! Sounds for some reason easier to apply?
+The back of this dress is, just, spectacular.
+And this dress is just a straight up party. Love the mild 70s flare.
+If you struggle with oily skin, this inexpensive blotting tool gets great reviews.