Envisioning a new life!

Learning

I feel like I am getting closer and closer to the life I want to lead. I have been interning for Havilah Rand, and I feel like I have found the perfect mentor. She has the career I want. She travels much of the year- sharing her music, facilitating yoga retreats for musicians, and teaching holistic songwriting and creativity classes. She is expanding into non-profit work where she will be teach songwriting in schools around the world. She tours, releases albums, plays gigs all the time, and has multiple home bases (Bellingham and Austin, two of my favorite places in the world!). I am so grateful to her for this experience, and am already learning so much.

My New Direction

In middle school, I remember my best friend at the time telling me I would be a motivational speaker someday. I thought that would be cool, but never envisioned pursuing it because I was terrified of public speaking. After spending the past 3 years presenting regularly as part of my job at Skagit DV&SA Services, I have gotten over that fear!

For the future, I envision myself working toward developing a career involving traveling, teaching, playing music, and sharing my light, message, and hope with the world. I can see myself as a guest speaker or keynote at universities and events, sharing a socially relevant and inspirational message relating to my life experiences. I envision touring and playing my music, hopefully with several close friends/a small band. I envision making a comfortable living. I don't need to be wealthy, but I desire to be comfortable (don't we all!)

I have a variety of life experiences to draw from as a speaker, and I am excited to piece together my story, a socially-relevant message, music, etc! Here are a few, and I'd love to hear thoughts on what YOU think would be most interesting.

Ideas:

-Religion (raised catholic, homeschooled, etc)

-Queer/LGBT (I came out in my late teens and experienced rejection. I dove into the LGBT community and found support, acceptance, and love. I performed as a drag king. I studied queer rights in school. I led a county-wide teen group in a rural community and made a documentary with some of the youth involved. I can pass for straight, and am clean cut, upbeat, and appropriate. I could be the perfect person to communicate a message to those who might not usually listen, in a way that takes them by surprise)

- Depression/suicide (I have struggled with these issues personally, as have many people in my family. I was raised surrounded by both.)

-Sexuality (taught healthy sexuality to youth, part of the sex-positive movement, sexual violence prevention work, etc)

-Feminism (my journey from super religious home-schooled girl to queer vegan feminist: finding balance and authenticity in a world of extremes!)

I look forward to hearing any thoughts! It would be very helpful as I continue to focus my direction.

Staying Centered in the Ordinary Days of Life

It has been rainy, overcast, and often chilly for the past few weeks- exactly the weather I hoped to avoid! I have noticed my motivation and positivity diminishing, as I settle into daily life in Austin. Big changes are coming again, as I prepare to step out of the comfort zone of William and Shawnee's house and into a new living situation in January (with rent and bills on top of my usual monthly payments.) I am trying to stay open and not let anxiety win!

A dear friend recently told me that what we do every day matters more than what we do some of the time. Even though I am not employed, I find myself busy and feeling stressed much of the time. It is so hard to figure out how to arrange my time.

So I make lists and set daily goals....

-look for jobs

-apply to jobs

- journal

-work out/self-care

-play music/write songs

-network, go to shows, play!

At present, I am at a point where I need to get a job and make money for a bit. It is a reality, and I accept it. In the meantime, I will continue to envision my career goals and take small steps toward achieving them. My internship with Havilah is a perfect way to do this, and I am grateful and excited to learn all that I can during my time working with her.

~NamasDaisy!