Grow

The Pros & Cons of Being Multi-Passionate

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For the longest time I saw my behavior as indecisive, lacking direction, constant internal turmoil. I saw myself as a Jane of all trades, good at a lot of things, master of none. This wasn’t a trait I took pride in, henceforth never something I said out loud. In fact, I often counted my varied passions as as a curse, more of a deficit to my character, than they were of any benefit. I’ve always advocated for women being not only anything, but EVERYTHING they want, and I continue to hold that we CAN have it all.

Over the years I’ve had 4+ businesses. It started in college with a passion for photography, and a hopeless romantic addiction to love. Through the second half of my schooling, and for a few years after I had a wedding photography business. Mostly engagements during the “school year” (funny to think of time in that structure these days), and weddings primarily in summer and fall. Following graduation, I went right into a career in marketing, so weddings proved to be the perfect weekend gig. 

A couple years later while still working in publishing for my 9-5, I began dabbling in blogging. I’d started a personal blog years back, as many did in the days of Blogger, but I’d never taken it seriously, it was more of an online journal for my early college days. Now, it was 2012, and fashion blogs were beginning to find their place. I’d worked as a stylist for Nordstrom throughout high school and college, and regularly tried to make the most of my closet whether I was headed to the office or an event. One weekend, after a few sleepless nights, Glitterary was born. 

Glitterary became the perfect form of self expression fusing my passion for photography and fashion in one. I taught myself web development, designed all of Glitterary’s branding, and hit publish. These were the early days of social media and influencer marketing, and quickly Glitterary began to gain recognition. A year or so later what began as a passion project, and frankly somewhat of an experiment, started to see some business potential with noteworthy brand partnerships.

Did I mention that during this time I also started consulting for startups and large corporations in marketing. Enter business No. 3. I loved working for myself, strategizing for new businesses, and writing for a wide variety of organizations across various industries–– again, an incredible opportunity to exercise my professional expertise while dabbling in a variety of topics I enjoyed. 

Fast forward a couple years more, and we moved to Texas. I met with an advertising agency, accepted a new position and perhaps the largest client I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with, and decided to take a break from all other side projects. I have a tendency to go all out once I start something I’m excited about, but like any human will inevitably do, I too eventually crash. In 2015 I was tired & running on empty. Glitterary had grown to demand the time and dedication of a second job, and in a season of writer’s block, I began to experience a lot of doubt about my purpose in blogging at all .

Less than a year later, we moved across country again, and this time I switched careers all-together, pursuing yet another passion: fitness. Once we reached California, I hit the books (I don’t think I’d studied Anatomy since high school!). I passed my exams, became a certified personal trainer, and eventually a pilates instructor as well.

I spent 3 years working for Equinox, discovered a whole new depth to my own abilities, and experienced a human connection in my work unlike ever before. In college I’d minored in women’s studies and taken as many counseling courses as I could get my hands on. 80% of my clients in fitness were women, and to this day I feel incredibly honored to have played a role in their transformations towards more complete and healthy lives.

I trained clients up until the day before Winn was born, but following his birth, I decided to start training clients privately, teaching only a few group classes a week. By now, I’d learned my value in the industry and earned the flexibility; going private was the right business decision. During my 3+ years in fitness, I’d maintained a few freelance/contract marketing projects on the docket, and training privately now allowed me to dive back into that space. Over the last year I’ve been juggling about a 50/50 split between training and marketing clients.

I share all of this for context. I’ve tried it all! I’ve not only allowed my varied passions to exist, but I’ve explored them freely! I’ve never held back, I’m this strange combination of type A future planner and free spirit. I think Paul once called me a “weird blend of perfectionism and having fun”.

I also live by the belief that if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room… aka., either humble yourself and start learning, or find a more challenging room. I’ve spent every year after formal schooling either bettering myself in my craft, or learning a new one. I’ve invested a lot in myself both in time and money, even though at times the subject matters didn’t make sense. A benefit to being multi-passionate: we learn fast, diving deep into new subject matters that excite us, and soaking in as much as we can at a rapid pace! We’re also more comfortable being beginners in new categories, because frankly, we’ve been beginners a lot in our lives. Having a variety of interests isn’t for the faint of heart, I’ll tell you that much. Luckily, a lot of the skills we learn along the way are transferable, so rarely are we actually starting from scratch.

A benefit to being multi-passionate: we learn fast, diving deep into new subject matters that excite us, and soaking in as much as we can at a rapid pace! We’re also more comfortable being beginners in new categories, because frankly, we’ve been beginners a lot in our lives.

If I’m honest, I’m proud of all I’ve accomplished, but more often than not, my multi-passionate spirit still haunts me. Juggling multiple professional identities can be confusing and often discouraging, especially when someone asks what you do for a living… where do you begin, and will any of it even make sense when you say it out loud? Will you seem juvenile, and will they judge you?…

I’m terrified to be in my 30s, and not have the structure or stability that comes with one single career. I’m deeply invested in all of my work. No matter the field, I consider my work a direct reflection of not only my skill, but also my standards. If my name’s attached to anything, you can bet it’s going to be as close to perfection as humanly possible, which is perhaps why some of these businesses have ended before meeting their full potential. That part stings.

That being said, I believe life is intentional and difficult seasons are meant to develop character. During the years that we moved from one state to the next, we were thrown quickly into entirely new ecosystems of work, community, and environment. To be clear, these were all relocation opportunities and seasons of change we chose to dive into. Change sucks, but change also produces opportunity, and subconsciously, I think we’ve always craved self-development. I clearly remember deciding whether to move to California, it wasn’t so much whether it was the right move, but whether we would always look back and wonder “what if”.

Change sucks, but change also produces opportunity!


I know that for me each of these experiences has made me more agile and resilient. I’ve reinvented myself time and time again, and can now not only relate to others’ stories in a more authentic way, but am able to dive deeper and more effectively into new conversations, developing trusting relationships with both friends and colleagues in a short period of time. Another pro to being multi-passionate, we adapt quickly, and can morph into whatever is needed for that time or season. We’re good at our work, but we’re even better because of our ability to take on various roles.

To be clear, I think we’re all multi-passionate in some capacity, it’s what makes us human, and gives us depth, but I do think some are more singularly focused, and for that I’m grateful– the world, and I, need you! I should also state, that not all those who are multi-passionate easily get bored. All the contrary, my frustration, as I’m sure is shared by many, is not the disinterest in one passion and need for another, rather the lack of time in a day to accomplish everything I aspire to within all of my varied interests. I think this is a common sentiment among women, especially. No woman is ever simply one thing, because the roles we play don’t exist independent of one another– we are mothers, CEOs, spouses, athletes, & more simultaneously.

From the longest time, I’ve seen my multi-passionate nature as a deficit to my character, a burden, a curse… but I have to admit, that stubborn, competitive, & somewhat rebellious spirit intent on proving that women can be anything & everything they want is also what drives me!

Being multi-passionate doesn’t fit into our social norms, and there’s a lot of self-inflicted pressure that comes with that, but the beauty’s in intersections– that sweet spot where our passions connect and the skills from one enhance the next. Being multi-passionate makes us highly intuitive individuals, curious explorers, creative thinkers, agile problem solvers, and more well rounded human beings.

Being multi-passionate requires courage and grit, but it has it’s perks, and I’m learning to recognize and hold true to those. 



Welcome to theSTUDIO

This is no longer a fashion blog, and that took some time to settle, but while the 24year old girl who started this site still loves fashion, she’s evolved into so much more than that! For the first time ever, I’m allowing this site to be the most authentic representation of everything I am…

New Year's Resolutions for a Working Mom

I’ve never been big on New Year resolutions, I’m not going to pick a diet, book, or habit to hone in on. In my opinion, these kinds of specific resolutions are doomed for failure. In fact, I would argue that some could even lead to unhealthy cycles of anxiety, guilt, or even shame when not completed to perfection, & frankly no working mom has time for that!

And yes, I know– this post already shows every symptom of a terrible story to publish in January, especially when coming off the high of Holiday celebrations, and especially if you’re the opposite & love this time of year/list making. But hear me out, because I’m not completely opposed to the new year tradition as you can see in years past, published here & here

I guess the main difference is how I view year-end goal setting, the purpose of starting the year with a clean slate and claiming ambitions, desires, and passions out loud. In that sense, by all means– count me in! I’ll admit my ambitions are likely more generic than most– adventure, simplicity, health, growth… Some call this setting “intentions”, I call it being realistic with my expectations– focusing on forward trajectory over mile markers.

Nevertheless, this year I haven’t even settled on intentions, because I’ve made the lists and then thrown them out. In 2019 I’m setting my sights on one thing and one thing only… juggling

I know, I know, huge letdown after all the hype, but this a skill I’ve sought after my whole life, one I’ve attempted, practiced, failed, and then picked up again in a vicious cycle of excitement, frustration, disappointment, and resilience. Truth is, I wasn’t even going to write a New Year’s post this time, but after a year dominated by change, I need to stay focused. If there’s one thing I know after all the life, career, and personal curveballs, it’s that I love my family, and that if I don’t continue to maintain a career while loving my two guys, it won’t be me at all anymore. 

Things you should know about me: I’m a firm believer that you can have your cake & eat it, too. I’m also extremely stubborn, though I prefer we use the term “resilient”. 

Truth is, I make lists all the time, I go over my goals every couple months, and one of my  favorite conversations is based on learning about your 2 year, 5 year, and even 10 year plan! Bottom line, my real goals exist independent of the New Year timeline, but I have a serious case of FOMO in almost all things, so here I am. 


As far as motherhood in light of career OR career in light of motherhood, that’s a discussion far too complex for this one post, but let’s just say that on top of being a juggling act, it’s a jigsaw puzzle, a maze, and it feels like a circus act almost every time we go through an airport. Motherhood is the most surprisingly beautiful act of chaos you could imagine. And that babe, I mean– the limit does not exist for how much I love him!!! 

At the same time, career is still incredibly fulfilling, and I don’t feel guilty saying that. I always knew I wanted to work while having a family, though I’ll admit, I always left room for that to change should I think differently once I actually had kids. I don’t think there’s any wrong answer here, I simply know that for me, being a great wife & mom means honoring this other side of me that also exists and serves purpose. 

So, how do you juggle?… Well, that’s what I’m still figuring out. So far my strategy has been to take as many opportunities as I can, while being strategic about my distribution of time. I’m a firm believer in saying “yes” to new opportunities, and seeing where new ideas, doors, and networks lead. That being said, I have passions, and then I have jobs that pay the bills, sometimes they intersect beautifully, other days it’s about being a grown-up & getting sh*t done, or even putting paycheck over passion. Unfortunately, we only have those 24hrs to work with, and those hours fly by as a working mom, so strategic meaningful time distribution is critical to finding a healthy balance.

Also, in case you’re wondering, I’m not following any specific methodology here, this is purely based on personal experience and the advice from other women I respect in their roles as moms and/or professionals. If you have practical tips or simply more experience to shed light on this subject, please feel free to chime in!

In 2019, nothing matters more to me than my family, but I know that loving them well means maintaining my sense of self in the process. At the end of the day, after drafting all those lists, I realized I could attempt to micromanage my life by committing to a million little things, or I could commit to learning one thing really well: i.e., learning to juggle.

Bottom line, don’t get so caught up in your New year’s Resolutions that you forget the big picture– aim high, but keep it simple, and never give up on who you want to be simply because you indulged in extra carbs at dinner, or slept through your workout this morning. Rather than creating a list that demands drastic life changes at the strike of midnight, commit to one big thing overall, and one little thing at a time. Give yourself direction and then give yourself grace, developing character and a lifestyle that will sustain you for years to come!

Dress & Coat are both ZARA, but currently Sold Out

 

SURPRISE!

SURPRISE– adding two little feet to our team March 2018!

Obviously, today’s announcement takes the cake for favorite blog post ever!

We're nearly 19 weeks along, and so in love with Baby H! I know we’re biased, but guys, he/she is so freakin’ cute, I can't wait to share some of our ultrasounds!!! And yes, we’ll be finding out gender soon, way too excited not to!

For those of you who don’t know, Paul and I have been married for over 8 years and always wanted to be young parents. However, as life would have it, there would always be a reason to wait. Be it school, work, travel, Napa… we could always find an excuse to hold off a couple more months, or start trying “next year”. It didn’t matter how many times we’d heard it, soon enough we’d learn that there’s never a perfect time to start a family. At this point, I think it’s safe to say, we both started hoping for an “accident” just so the timing would be out of our hands. 

I won’t get into our whole story, but close friends know that we’ve been having this discussion for years, and when we got the news of Baby H, we’d been trying for a while. In fact, when I found out I was pregnant, I was just a couple weeks out from meeting with a fertility specialist I’d been waitlisted on for months. I’ll dive a little bit deeper into this later for those of you who are interested or currently experiencing similar fears/concerns, but let’s just say, we were both surprised when we got the news– I’m pretty sure I took 8 pregnancy tests that weekend alone & still wasn't sure I believed them!

I’m keeping today’s post short & sweet, I know it’s probably over-due, but honestly it’s been kind of fun keeping this our little secret! After all, I have so many thoughts, opinions, & emotions going intro this that it’s probably best I break it up for you. For those of you who are wondering, Baby H has been so good to me, I honestly can't complain– I feel great!

Moving forward the content on Glitterary will remain true to it’s roots, with an added dose of bump-life on the side. My desire is that the content on this site would empower you as women to feel confident, healthy, and ultimately unstoppable, and I hope to continue to do that as we navigate the ins and outs of what will hopefully be a healthy & happy pregnancy!

 

As always, thank you for your constant love, support, and encouragement, we're absolutely thrilled about the community of family & friends that this little one will get to be a part of– so freakin' lucky!!

LIVE RIVETED


Dream. Travel. Explore. Live. 

-Live Riveted-

 

Earlier this week I teased at a deeper look into our time in California. As I said, I think deep down we always knew, we'd end up back in Chicago, so our time in CA was always viewed as a time of adventure.

Paul & I still argue over who came up with this idea or exactly how the conversation came about, but as usual, we were hand-in-hand, eye-to-eye, partners in crime, & before we knew it, we were trading in my car for an F150 & purchasing an Airstream.

Yes, you read that right, it's as crazy as it sounds & probably somewhat irresponsible. In fact, as we slowly started to let friends in on our secret, half of them were jealous, and the other half thought we were completely insane.

The part I haven't told you, is that this grand scheme at the next year+ of our lives wouldn't just be a toy– we were craving adventure and wanted to see as much as we could of our new home state– we were all in & this 280sq ft trailer would be our new CA home! 

Told you today's post would be a big deal ;)

I know I probably should have told you much sooner, but the truth is, I've been both excited and nervous to share this with you. Our lives changed drastically when we made this decision. In many ways it was one of the best decision we've made, and in other ways there was a lot of learning to do. We went from 2,300sq ft to just under 300sq ft. As easy-going and free-spirited as we might be, that kind of change doesn't come without some growing pains.

I won't overwhelm you with all of the details now, but know there are many more posts to come, and feel free to ask any questions along the way! We never planned on tiny living & we never even thought of it in those terms, we wanted adventure & living simply was just part of the trade-off. 

Finally, don't forget to follow on Instagram! We're headed to California in just a couple weeks & while we haven't decided where exactly we'll go, we can't wait to be back to our little house on wheels & I'll be sure to share some stories along the way. 


(Original dress HERE)

F#@K CANCER

When we relaunched this site, I promised it wouldn't be all sunshine and roses, & that we would begin to engage in conversations that matter. Therefore, today we're talking about something that hits close to home for many. Cancer is a word that carries heavy connotations, evokes strong emotions, and often makes us uncomfortable, but it's real, for many it highly personal, & we can't afford to ignore it. 

As many of you know, a few months ago we were forced to say goodbye to Paul's mom after a nearly two year battle with Glioblastoma. For us, this was the first time cancer had thrown a punch this close to home, & as with many trials of this kind, none of us were prepared for the journey to come.  

The American Brain Tumor Association describes Glioblastoma as a particularly aggressive tumor that forms in the tissue of the brain and spinal cord. Glioblastoma is the most common of all malignant brain tumors, and is typically treated through surgery, chemotherapy, & radiation. While records show some survivors of 5+ years, the average survival time is 14 months with treatment. If you've been following recent headlines, this is the same type of brain cancer Senator John McCain was recently diagnosed with, & the ABTA estimates over 12,000 cases before the end of 2017.  

Unlike, other cancers that can spread to the brain, Glioblastoma originates in the brain or spinal cord where highly malignant cells can reproduce quickly. In our experience, the diagnosis was never really if the tumors would return, but rather a matter of when. Unfortunately, as with many forms of brain cancer, the cause is unknown. 

A post shared by Glitterary (@glitterary_) on

151 Likes, 11 Comments - Glitterary (@glitterary_) on Instagram: "On Sunday we lost a very special person in our lives. Becky was an amazing woman, wife, and mother...."

Becky's original prognosis was 12-18months with treatment, 5-6 without. Over the next year and a half Becky would give an incredible demonstration of strength, faith, & courage as she's fought arduously against what developed into multiple reoccurring tumors, various brain surgeries, alternating cycles of chemo & radiation, and even clinical studies. While this ruthless disease eventually cut Becky's time short, through every MRI & follow-up treatment plan, she remained joyful, positive, and very much herself. We were lucky in that way, but the last few months changed drastically. 

I'm sharing this with you today, because September 8th marks exactly 30 days to the Chicago Marathon, and in an effort to honor Becky's memory, we've drafted a team of 10 family & friends to partner with the American Brain Tumor Association & run in Becky's name! Becky fought to the very end– I can't stress that enough! So, in that same spirit, we want to continue her legacy of courage, strength, & endurance, as team Becky's Brainiacs– a name she chose just a couple months before passing.

We would love your support as we not only train for this endeavor, but band together with family & friends to raise funds towards a cure. This is a team effort, and our goal is ambitious, but money raised will provide critical funding for brain tumor research & supportive patient care. Our goal is to reach breakthroughs in brain tumor research & provide vital support services for patients, families and caregivers in need.

If there's one thing Becky taught us, it's that you enter the battle field with everything you've got, and I can guarantee this race will be run with more heart & will-power than ever before!

 

For more information & to make your donation visit  http://hope.abta.org/goto/shorstkoetter

 

If you or someone you love is currently going through a similar battle, and you have questions/concerns please don't hesitate to reach out. It's not pretty, and we certainly don't have all the answers, but we did learn a lot in this process, and if there's any way we can support you in this time or even point you in the right direction, there's nothing we'd like more!

Becky was an incredible woman, wife, and mother. She was always full of life, love, and corny jokes. While I wasn't her daughter, I never felt like anything less. I'm not sure many women can say that about their monther-in-law, but I'm not sure I've ever met someone who loved as freely as Becky did, and with open arms she welcomed me in from the beginning. I was lucky to have Becky in my life for over a decade, but in reality she'd been looking out for me much longer raising an incredible son I'm lucky to call my husband, & for that I am eternally in her debt.


*All donations over $25 are tax deductible. Additionally, matching gifts are a great way to double or even triple a your gift, so don’t forget to ask your employer if they have a matching gift program. You can also click here to search for your company. Note that all donations must be made directly to the "American Brain Tumor Association" in order for the organization to qualify your company’s matching gift.