Category: My Thoughts

Writer’s Block

Published on by Sarah LubetskyLeave a comment

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I haven’t written in a while. You might have noticed these posts have gotten few and far between. Why? Well, it’s not for lack of content! This last year was out of control with big, wedding centered, life changing moments.Perfect blog fodder right? So why haven’t I been writing?

Because:

1) Time. It keeps moving faster and I seem to be slowing down! Some how there just seems to be no time left at the end of the day… Barely enough for family time and working out (which has been happening less and less often).

2) Doubt. Will I sound contrite? Boring? Selfish? Whiney? Do I really have something to say? How can I be vulnerable but not open myself up to too much ridicule? Who am I kidding, someone would have to read to ridicule!

3) Mess. My house is quite often a mess, and life is quite often messy. One of the things I love about many of the bloggers I follow is how they capture a picturesque admirable lifestyle I would love to attain… Who wants to see a pic of my life cluttered by….life?!

4) Spontaneity and attention span. It’s hard to keep it real when the big things are happening fast, the small things carry big meaning and I don’t have a plan to capture my thoughts! It’s hard work to take the time to sit down, process, reflect, and find meaning in everyday happenings.

5) Discipline. While I’ve never lacked passion I often lack discipline. Even with the utmost passion, it takes discipline and direction to funnel that passion into action and success.

And there you have it. Your cards are on the table, writer’s block! Well played.

Here’s the thing: Time is what I make of it, use it well and with discipline and all doubt will begin to fade. The mess is part of life and can be cleared with a little attention and planning. Spontaneity is the stuff of a happy life, and a happy life is worth writing about. With a little discipline, I’ll get it all down!

Happy Monday!
Love,
Sarah

Creating vs. Consuming

Published on by Sarah Lubetsky1 Comment

I’m a hardcore consumer. I peruse the Internet with a vigorous appetite for information and stimulating imagery. I meander through grocery market aisles full of fresh, healthy and delicious looking items ripe for my picking. Like most people I know, a trip to target often turns into a full on shopping spree before I can even get a handle on what’s happening. My closet is busting at the seams with cheaply made “disposable” fashion and only a few long term items I’ve collected over the years…

With all of this consuming, I have started to wonder what I really have to offer. I’m not into doomsday prepping or anything… But I have begun to wonder what I would do if everything were different and I couldn’t rely on consumerism to satisfy my needs. I have friends who bake from scratch, can foods, sew, and build things. I see these skills and I think, “I can manage social media outreach and write health messages!” Womp womp.

Not saying my skills aren’t awesome. It’s just that most of my skills are Internet based or somewhat intangible. I want to be able to create real lasting durable or consumable things. I want to know that I can produce as much as I consume. I don’t want to feel so helplessly reliant on the creations of other people and consumer culture. I especially don’t want to feel so tied to my income. So reliant on having enough money to purchase everything I need. I want freedom to fend for myself just a little bit more.

So what to do?

Rather than long for things I haven’t learned or can’t do, I’m going to start teaching myself.

I wonder should I start with hand sewing or jump right in with machine sewing classes? Any suggestions?

In the meantime, can I get an Amen for Pinterest and being able to find how-to guides and awesome recipes all day and night!?!

Xoxo,
Sarah

Trying Again

Published on by Sarah LubetskyLeave a comment

My Sunday night words of wisdom last week must have been in the back of my mind as I finally got the nerve to speak up and get the ball rolling towards some change for (hopefully) the better.

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Sometimes speaking up for what you need is scary… especially at work. I am hoping and praying that this is all happening for a reason, that the challenges I’m facing now are meant to point me in the direction of something wonderful.

Brian and I chose our wedding photographer last week. She’s awesome and talented, perky and warm. When we asked her how she got started the story she told me hit a chord deep in me that has been longing for something happier and more fulfilling.

Long story short she originally studied social work, but when she was planning her own wedding she was inspired to make a change and took some community college classes in photography and that training combined with her talent has blossomed in just 4 years into a strong business.

I found myself jealous and inspired by how she turned something fun and creative into what she gets to do each day. It made me sad that I haven’t been enjoying the work I once thought I loved. All of this climaxed last week in a way that felt like fate pointing me in a better direction… And I went with it. I can only keep my head up and eyes open and hope that everything comes together positively.

And off we go, into another week. This time with a little more hope to accompany the nerves.

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Source

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Toughing it Out

Published on by Sarah Lubetsky1 Comment
Source Unknown (not my image)

Sometimes in life you run into a personality that just doesn’t mesh well with yours. It’s the worst when this is someone you have to collaborate with on a regular basis, or someone who makes you doubt your own capabilities. I’ve taken to having the Sunday-night-worries each week about how I will deal with the impending challenging conversations and tasks with a sense of calm skill, confidence, grace and dedication.

To help prep myself to deal with the coming week I’m going to share a few of the (un-vetted) quotes that I aim to remember and live by during my most challenging days…

Image via http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/
Source from here
Source Unknown from here

I keep this one over my desk to remind myself when I most need it-

Image from here
I want to hang this where I can see it – Source Unknown

This one is important. It’s not about what I think of the situation – it’s about how I behave when confronted with difficult situations.

Image from here
The hardest part.  Image from http://www.lylaandblu.com/#5

I feel a bit more equipped already. I may need to make a habit of this on some Sundays to get my anxiety in check.

Have a fabulous week!

Sarah

Over the Hump

Published on by Sarah LubetskyLeave a comment
Best going-away / random gift from my coworkers today! Images by Ready.Set.Sarah!

Some days at work are crazy. Like today for instance, we have a bevy of young interns that arrived on Monday and I’ve spent a lot of the week getting them oriented and on track with work to do. We are also in the middle of launching focus group recruitment for one study, and we are ramping up progress on my other study all at the same time. To top it all of, I’m in the mad dash to get ahead of my to-do list before Friday since The Beau and I are HEADED TO CALIFORNIA!

So, my coworker friends couldn’t have chosen a better day to surprise me with this adorable, old school California history book! Some hump days are more of a take off ramp. Gotta love my girls.

Lessons from a Recent Grown-Up

Published on by Sarah Lubetsky1 Comment
A few gems from my first few years back in the workplace:

  1. People are more likely to question your leadership/authority/knowledge if you do. Fake it till you make it baby.
  2. When they say “dress for the job you want, not the job you have” they fail to mention that the job you want probably gets paid more (and those blazers are expensive).
  3. You can be a doer and a thinker (but be sure to get something done).
  4. It’s always easier to have a strategy discussion if you have a draft of recommendations to work from…
  5. It’s easier to do anything if you have something to work from, so the first step is to do something (brain storm, make a draft, a grid, something, nothing fancy).