Getting My Life Together

I've used this phrase a lot over the past two years. The slang equivalent of the statement "getting your priorities in order," this phrase has become almost a mantra of sorts to my friend group. When someone did not feel so hot from a night of having too much fun, we would frequently tell them, "You need to get your life together." After a day of "blobbing" into the couch, never leaving the comfort of my pajamas, fuzzy pink slippers, and two-day unwashed hair, my first thought that shakes me back into reality is, "You need to get your life together."

Although this phrase was usually meant as a joke, there have been many times over the past couple of years when I felt like I really should do something to get my life together. After going to graduate school and not having it work out quite like I planned, struggling to make payments on my $20,000 loan from one year of graduate school (don't even get me started! haha), and being at a job that I absolutely hated and feeling like I had no control over my situation, I had to do some reevaluating.
Step 1: Being Completely Honest With Myself
Sometimes life just, for lack of a better word, sucks. You don't always get the degree/job (etc.) that you planned for. However, you cannot blame your problems on your circumstances. I had to realize that maybe I did not do all that I should have done. I also had to realize, maybe that was not God's plan in the first place. Maybe, out of my own selfish desires, I pursued a career/lifestyle that He never meant for me to be a part of. Although, I wish He would have told me $20,000 ahead of time that PT school was not meant for me, there was a reason for that, too. Possibly the lasting friendships I made in that one year.
Step 2: Looking for a Paycheck
I had an awesome first job after I left PT school. I loved my boss and we became really great friends. She knew my situation and gave me a job when I needed it most. That job also taught me that I had a passion for a field that I had never considered before, and that was in retail. I was not able to stay at that wonderful job for very long because I was only able to work part time there. And an opportunity opened up in the PT field that I could not refuse. When I got to this job, however, I realized that I did not love it as much as I thought I would. There were things about it that I did enjoy and I was good at the job, but my passions had changed. And I feel that God led me back to this place to close that door for me. I honestly believe that He let me have that job just to show me that He had a much better plan for me. Que in, my current bosses. I was offered a job by my current bosses and I truly love them and my job. Although it is not in retail, they have allowed me to use my own money to bring in some things that I thought might sell well in their establishment.
Step 3: Gaining Support
I have an incredible support system. My friends and family are without a doubt the best! This especially includes my parents. Once they knew I was serious about making/selling wreaths, they were all in! My Mom went on a shopping spree to help me buy supplies. And my Dad built these incredible "screen doors" for me to hang my wreaths on at work! I honestly don't know where I would be without their love and support. I can never thank them enough for all that they've done for me.

Step 4: Pursuing my Passions
For the first time in a long time, I truly feel like I am starting to get my life together. I am in no way an expert and I still do not (and probably will not ever) have my life completely together! Ha! But at least I am trying! :) Now that I've bored you to tears with my life story, I will show you what I've been working on the last three weeks. Hope you enjoy these creations!

Xoxo,
Whit