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Totally maxed out and ready for something new...

Tuesday, June 4, 2013
 
 Oh, this deployment thing is dragging on at a snail's pace and I want to hold Soldier Boy's hand more than anything.  It's amazing how much you miss the littlest things when you can't have them.  There is very little I wouldn't do to have a  plain old dinner-and-a-movie night.

Since Soldier Boy deployed, I've done quite a bit of soul searching and realized a great number of things.  Remember the TV show "Even Stevens?"  Remember the character named Ren?  She was Shia LaBoeuf's character's older sister and was a highly strung chick who did everything she could to be as close to perfect as possible.  Somewhere along the line, I determined to be just like Ren and through high school, I took as many leadership positions as possible, as many advanced placement classes as I could manage, got as close to a 4.0 GPA as humanly possible, and made all of my decisions so that they would either help me be popular or  make people proud of me.

When I got to college, I loosed up a bit, but then one of my best friends passed away in a car accident and shortly thereafter I became temporarily homeless.  I had to get my you-know-what together so that I could support myself and finish school... which I did... early... with a major and a triple minor.  Then, I moved to Manhattan and attempted to survive there on my own, but despite all of my careful planning, I just didn't fit into that box, so I returned to Chicago and regrouped... this time, completing a master's degree in special education, after which I accepted a full-time teaching job in Korea, which fell through 5 days before I was set to leave!

Now that I've spent over a decade making choices that were meant to make people proud of me instead of making them to make myself happy, I'm totally maxed out.  I just don't fit into any of the boxes that have been thrown at me and built up over the years.  After nearly 2 years (!!!) of discussion, deliberation, list making, what-if questioning, and saving, I have finally made the decision to pack my suitcase(s) full of dreams (and fabulous shoes, of course) and hit the road.  In roughly a month, when Trip's deployment ends, I will be joining him in Germany with no other objective than to be in love and see the world... and maybe write that second novel... or start a clothing line... or get married... or start a non-profit organization...

I'm finally fed up with living my life to please others.  How do I feel about it?

... light as a feather... thanks for asking... 







Tee c/o H&M
Belt Vintage
Skirt self-made (ok, it's the bottom half of my Ren Faire costume!)
Shoes c/o Charlotte Russe

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58 comments on "Totally maxed out and ready for something new... "
  1. When you let go of things that are tying you down and holding you back, wonderful events start to happen. Congrats and good luck!

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    Replies
    1. It feels nice to finally be free from caring so much about what others think!

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  2. I ADORE YOUR NEWS! You rock, sister. Totally relate after being a gypsy for 3-4 years. Detroit, SF, Austin, Ann Arbor, SF... now back to TC.

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    1. Yep! It's time for me to go nomad again! I was a nomad through the college years: Chicago, San Diego, middle of nowhere Iowa, Indy, Paris, Manhattan, and back to Chicago. I just don't like being tied down!

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  3. good luck!! Looking forward to reading all about it here ;)
    xoxo,
    alysalovely.wordpress.com

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    1. I'm so excited! You should see the list of places I plan on visiting this summer! It's going to be blog-tastic!

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  4. Replies
    1. Thanks, Tina! I love that it is part of a costume and I got tons of compliments on it!

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  5. you are so beautiful!


    http://lepointfeminin.blogspot.ch/

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  6. Nice look! You look so cheerful :)

    http://caths-life.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Yes, it is amazing what taking charge of your life will do for you!

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  7. Beautiful post... so inspiring. You look lovely :)

    Best,
    Danielle
    http://awriterinlove.blogspot.com

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  8. Such fun photos, love the red with gold.

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    1. Thank you! The belt is about 50 years old and is totally about to fall apart! Glad I could get one last wear out of it!

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  9. Very exciting news Signe! And very inspiring post!
    Thank you for sharing.

    Robyn xo
    www.whats-hanging.com

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    1. You're welcome! I'm so excited! I can't wait to get out of here!

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  10. you look gorgeous! and thanks for sharing some very personal things with us :)

    http://lazyobsession.blogspot.ie/2013/06/bohemian-aztec-summer.html

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  11. So excited for you! and I so agree, you need to choose what makes you happy, rather than what you should do, or feel you should do. Gorgeous outfit btw, red suits you :)

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    1. Thanks! I do love the red. I love that it is the skirt of a costume... like a really costume-y costume and it worked!

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  12. So excited for you! and I so agree, you need to choose what makes you happy, rather than what you should do, or feel you should do. Gorgeous outfit btw, red suits you :)

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  13. Lovely outfit! In love with this skirt sweetie!

    XoXo
    Teresa
    www.chicaffordable.blogspot.com

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  14. so happy for you! yes I know how it feels to let your decisions be determined by how someone else feels about it, and sometimes its not even what they're saying. It's just a look or a roll of the eyes that makes you stand in the way of your own happiness. Its something I keep struggling against because it usually comes from the people you love the most like your parents. Im happy you've found the strength to follow your own path. May you always stick to it.

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    Replies
    1. It gets hard to live when you're constantly living for others. I'm sick of it! Just sick of it!

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  15. Pretty smile!

    You look so with light, it's so perfect!

    addictbeiconic.blogspot.com

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  16. Great post! I hope you visit my blog sometimes.. :) thanks! I'm your new follower. Kisses from VV!!

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    Replies
    1. I do! I am also now following your blog with Facebook, Twitter, Chictopia, and LookBook! Didn't realize that we weren't connected there!

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  17. Love that you chose a gold belt and I really like this oufit :) You look so beautiful and happy! Good for you, girl

    xo Ashley
    thetiniestfirecracker.com

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  18. Amazing blog! Follwoing u on google plus and Facebook too. I hope that u will join my networks! Kisses

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I follow you with GFC, Blog Lovin, and Chictopia!

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  19. That was really inspiring!!! And i can relate with you...
    I also love the outfit!!!You look really happy!!! :)
    Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog btw!!!!

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    1. It's amazing how you feel when you start living for you. Now I'm just playing the waiting game until I can hop on a plane and head across the ocean!

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  20. Great, you go your very own way now :) I hope you'll have a great time in Germany!
    Btw: your outfit is fabulous - I love your red skirt *_* It's perfect to dance through the world ^^

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  21. Wow! Well you are just amazing. I've gone through some similar and not so similar things and planning a major move to Europe as well so I really wish you all the best!
    xo
    styleontheside.com

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  22. I absolutely loved this post. You're definitely an inspiration for young women. I wish you the best of luck in Germany. I'm so excited to see what the future has in store for you. :)

    Laura
    www.lauraneuzeth.com

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    1. I try! Things are pretty up in the air at the moment, but we'll see how it goes!

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  23. I think you will find that you're embarking on one of the greatest chapters of your life with choosing to put yourself and desires first! I can't wait to see what this new beginning opens up for you!

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  24. i love the skirt. Love the fabric even more

    Sweetkrystin.blogspot.com

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  25. Just love the whole outfit
    xoxoxo

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  26. an early welcome to germany then :-)
    I love the look. so summery!

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  27. Beautiful photos! I wish you luck in your dreams :)
    Thanks so much for visiting my blog.

    xx

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  28. Great post! I'm a fellow nomad living in France and doing research in Italy. Avoid all ties and traps except great friends and clothes! www.sanremotoportofino.com

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  29. Great Post! Im a fellow nomad living and working in Europe. Avoid all ties except great friends and clothes!

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  30. Great photos! You look so happy. :)

    Have a great weekend.

    -Jenn
    www.SnappyLemon.com

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  31. i absolutely love that skirt!

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  32. Lovely outfit!
    I love the touches of gold. ^_^


    Mirna
    lonelywarriorstylediary.blogspot.com

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