Is there anything you secretly long to do? I’m curious because sometimes sharing an aspiration out loud has made me realize I’m not hanging onto a moonshot after all. I specifically remember sitting in the apartment of a girlfriend in Chicago many years ago telling her that I would love to figure out a way to support myself as a writer. The admission was littered with caveats and deprecations. She looked straight at me and said: “Jen, you can do it. You are doing it.”
But these aspirations need not always be the stuff of career and vocation. Sometimes they are simpler things, like going blonde after a lifetime as a brunette, trying Tinx-inspired nails, learning to drive stick, getting on Tik Tok, learning how to arrange flowers, or teaching yourself Norwegian because your brother has suddenly moved to Trondheim (as is the case for me, personally).
A few things that secretly interest me:
+Practicing French conversationally — I have for years and years contemplated joining a meet-up or forcing my French-speaking friends to participate in French-only dinners. I spent years learning the language, and it brings me joy to speak it. Why not practice it?
+Sitting on the board of a female-founded business — Those who can’t do teach (or invest?) — ha. I have lived in the entrepreneur trenches and know some things (not many, but not nothing) about early-stage start-ups. I spent a substantial amount of time conducting a post mortem on my previous venture and have insights that might be helpful to a fellow entrepreneur. For example, I came at my previous business disciplined in the “product first” mentality but have other thoughts now on the right mix of customer orientation, rounding out the team, early product iterations, and capitalization.
+Learning calligraphy — I bought myself a book, paper, and pens but am frankly lost in self-study. I think I need a class or tutor or some regular cadence to my efforts.
+Re-engaging in the social entrepreneurship arena — In another life, I participated in an executive program on social entrepreneurship. The coursework — heavy on design, which I loved — and my classmates were absolutely fascinating. At the time, I was working for a start-up attempting to build the financial health of low-income teens through technology (specifically, savings-oriented smartphone applications). I now have less of a purchase on the space and have instead engaged with similar problems through philanthropy. This is less by design and more by fortunate happenstance. I remain, though, interested and inspired by rise of B Corps (a private certification awarded to businesses that optimize around their social and environmental performance) and wonder how I might plug back in at some point in my life.
+Speaking publicly — I have a love/hate relationship with the dais.
+Being a student again — I would love to enroll in a program of some kind, preferably on literature or art. I am a good student and enjoy the experience. It would be absolutely delightful (?) to enter a classroom knowing an expert has thoughtfully prepared a prospectus of readings and all of the ancillary readings and prompts to support my learning process. I took these preparations for granted in school. As an aside, I feel as though I should take coursework in creative writing but the thought of interrupting my organic flow — of wrapping academic apparatus around something that has always felt joyful to me — sours me. I took one creative writing course as an undergraduate at UVA and hated everything about it, from the prompts to the grading to the process of providing peer feedback.
+Trail running — never done it, curious about it.
+Attending a retreat. I saw a small advertisement for a morning of prayer and reflection and found the idea both intimidating and appealing.
+Wake up early to create. I’ve written about this a lot lately (again here) but there is something vaguely medicinal about this idea. I am convinced my writing would improve.
How about you? What things do you secretly want to do?
Post-Scripts.
+What are you secretly good at?
+I guess we’re all about secrets today — what song do you secretly love?
+Things I love that I shouldn’t.
+Things I love about my daughter.
+Things I’ve learned from my mother.
Shopping Break.
+This LSF-inspired top is flying off the shelves.
+These Raffia wrapped earrings are so fun.
+dpHue just released a new creme specifically formulated for blowouts. You know how I feel about this leave-in therapy by the same brand. Life-changing! (Hair changing!)
+The hype is deserved: these are my new favorite pens. Ultra-fine tip (great for those of us with tidy writing) but glides much more easily than most fine tipped pens!
+This puff-sleeved denim top is only $20 and would look adorable tucked into white denim for spring.
+Cute spring statement tops aside from the aforementioned LSF-inspired floral: highly tempted by this Brock Collection top — 70% off –, this Zimmermann (40% off), and this Thierry Colson (65% off!)
+I did end up treating myself to some new spring pajamas as a part of Lake’s ongoing annual sale: I bough these lavender stripes and this shorts set.
+These $13 bins look a lot (!) like my much more expensive ones from Yamazaki. Great for bulky items in a pantry.
+OMG – Cult Gaia vibes for under $100. (Compare with this — also love it in the rattan material for summer! You know I have a thing for all things woven.)
+This Rainbow Brite-esque dress is in my cart.
+ICYMI: the sweetest gift for a Baptism / First Communion / Confirmation / godchild.
+Random utility finds: just ordered another of these pet food bins, which are absolutely perfect for Tilly’s food, which we buy in ENORMOUS quantities now with more space!, and these pasta keepers, which we use to stow all the fancy bronze-cut pasta Mr. Magpie basically imports from Italy himself. (My favorite pasta dish recipe here.)
+We did end up buying this C&B bunk for our playroom. I loved the architectural shape and modern design. I’ll share thoughts on bedding once I figure out which direction I’m going!
+Adore this layered statement necklace — 20% off with code YOUROCK!
+Speaking of necklaces: this set of heart necklaces is absolutely adorable. So fun!
+This ruffled mariniere!!!
+A perfect pink cardigan.
+Just came across this Elemis resurfacing skincare set for 42% off — love getting a pricebreak on a new cosmetic set! Great way to test new products without breaking the bank.
+J’adore this chunky cardigan for a little one! More H&M scores here.
+This citrus-print dress for mini is currently in my cart.
+Love these bunny jams for a little.
+Wedding guest dresses!