A Shop Update and Accepting Who I Am.

(clockwise from top left): pink star key chain, $3. chocolate chip rainbow butterfly boxy pouch, $5. wearing my heart on my sleeve - reusable felt coffee cup cozy, $7. strawberry kiwi argyle key chain, $3. sky blue and brown argyle - resuable felt coffee cup sleeve, $7. i love coffee, fuchsia circles + i love lattes - reusable felt coffee cup cozies, $7 each. blue and green argyle key chain, $3. bright circles note cards, $4.50.
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Things in my shop have decidedly taken a turn for the BRIGHTER. It's all been a part of my accepting the limitations and reality of being truly me.

I've always been the type to admire and emulate others. This happened with Elizabeth Wakefield. Or that cool girl at school. Or anyone who seemed tragically awesome. It's odd, actually - since I was the girl who didn't wear makeup and was a complete dork in high school. Nonetheless, it was me. I'd read a book and begin to mimic a character. I'd see a popular 8th grader wearing her hair a certain way and copy her. Although emulating wonderful humans can be a positive thing - in my case, I was losing myself when trying to be a different person.

And when I opened my Etsy shop, I didn't give it much thought - just "Hey, I like sewing and crafts. People always tell me I'm creative and encourage me to do something with that. So, I will."

I had no sense of what my style would be. I saw so many pretty things on Etsy and sort of aspired to be that. To be Anthropologie-esque with elegant and classy things. With muted tones and femininity. I created items I thought might fit into that genre. That might be pretty with a little twist of fun. A little twist of me.

That "little twist" has grown - and now there's a whole lot of playfulness going on in my shop! Although I love the elegant look, it's not totally me. This whole process has taught me more about myself. I am fun, bright, and friendly. I want my products to embody that. I will still create pretty things - but for now, there's going to be a whole lot of bright color. Because color makes me happy.

With that in mind, I began to come to other conclusions about myself and who I am. Instead of apologizing for who I am, I want to own it. It's not that I'm making excuses for myself - I'm just going to let me be me without beating myself up for not being who I think I should be. (Worst sentence ever. Way too many pronouns. But I'm letting it go....)

I will always make a mess and I will always be late. I will always clean up my mess. Eventually.

I am a square (does anyone even say that anymore?). I thing doing shots is silly and typically don't enjoy bars.

I complain too much. Am working on this.

I am a brunette and will always be a brunette.

I wear hand-me-downs and thrift store and discount clothing. Any article of clothing that costs over $30 will ALWAYS make me cringe.

I can't paint my fingernails because I do dishes. A lot. That means my nail polish lasts approximately 2.4 seconds before chipping. So my nails will be bare and my cuticles will be slightly ragged. Because I am a real woman who really uses her hands.

I'll always allow myself that cookie. Deprivation and diets are not my thing.

I don't get the fancy handbag phenomenon among women. Coach, Kate Spade, Loius Vuitton and any other handbag that costs more than $25 completely disinterests me. Even if I had the money, I am not cool enough to even desire a fancy handbag.

I am strong enough to be different than my family. It's not easy to be different in my family. Trust me. I never thought I'd do anything that would make my parents upset. But I've learned that being me is more important than gaining their approval in everything I do. This is huge.

I can stand up for myself, but will always avoid being pushy. If there's anything I hate - it's impatient, angry people. I want to be assertive without being impatient and angry. It is possible.

I am a passionate person and have values. I care about the environment. A lot. I think everyone should live more simply and be more open-minded. Judgment, discrimination, and condemnation make me sad.

I'm 24. I'm learning to accept me. And I will try not to pretend to be someone else.

What have you learned or accepted about yourself lately?

{ETA:} Oh! PS: I am giving away a free sheet of stickers with every purchase from my shop this month. So you have six more days to order!

And PPS: Six more days to blog about your Etsy purchases for Spreading the Love February.

PPPS: It will be March soon! That's almost spring, right? Right!?