A New Space to Grow

4/19/22

I was given a new office today, a new space to call my own. It's a sky blue and it's quiet and bright and beautiful! I am so excited for my new space.

As we grow, things shift to make room for more; more people, more opportunities, more possibilities.

With these welcome changes I find myself looking back at the year and realize how much I learned and how much I gained on the journey to where I sit now. I am grateful to realize the importance of that journey.

All though we are told, "Don't look back, you're not going that way." I also know the benefits of reflecting on what's passed. I've been given the encouragement: it's good to reflect if it leads to good. And that's what it did for me today.

This shift from one journey to the next is something I have been waiting and praying for, a shift I've been anticipating and have had my sights set on for quite some time.

The year long journey wasn't easy. Actually, some days were down right hard. Without my team, weekends, throw a mental health day in there, encouragement and perseverance it would've been much harder.

I will never forget the tough moments, the happy moments, fun days, laughter, happy hours, conversations with my team, and coffee chats.

This journey has shaped me, as I can imagine, most journeys do.

I realize today how important it is to pause. Reflecting on the journey, seeing the turn in the road, and starting on a new path is so important.

Without the journey what would you miss out on?

As you are rushing towards your next goal, the next celebration, the next big thing make sure you pause and remember to enjoy the journey.

Keep loving, 

Karlee

Finding Myself, Again.

June 20th, 2020

I want to share my thoughts and experiences with the world but sometimes I just don’t have the right words. Some days I feel ready to share but end up putting it on the back burner. Other days I fear my words aren’t good and I don’t want to share the bad. I want to give good to the world. I want to be the one that leaves a room better than when I entered it.

Books, conversations, and the mastermind group I’ve been attending this year helps me believe I can do this, all of this. Not just writing and sharing transparently, but motherhood, marriage, and personal growth too. Today is a good day. Today, I believe in myself. I believe my words are meaningful. I believe my journey is unlike anyone else’s journey and it’s worth sharing.

If I am talking about being transparent I have to tell you right now the last few months I haven’t believe in myself. My thoughts were down right negative. I was focusing on the dislike in every room of my apartment, in every conversation, in every person and in myself. I didn’t like the person I had become or these thoughts that continued swirling around in my brain.

My mantra for 2020 was Look Up. When Covid19 hit, I found myself doing the opposite. As hard as I tried I couldn’t lift up my head. I forgot these words. I forgot who I was. I fell into self-doubt, self-ridicule and nothing mattered. I cried every day for 5 days in a row. Who knew I had that many tears? I didn’t, until then.

Others told me, ‘Have Grace’ ‘Don’t be so hard on yourself,’ ‘When was the last time you went through a pandemic?’ The answer is never. NEVER. I picture myself during those days as a clown, balancing on a board on top of a big ball juggling multiple colored balls. And then, I fell. I lost grip. I lost focus of all the things that mattered most to me. 

Today, something changed in me. For the first time since April I am looking up. I can think clearer than I have been able to since the schools, stores, towns, and countries started shutting down. Somehow, somewhere I found clarity and realized all that I have been working for this year, the last 5 years is here. What I am doing is working.

I saw an old friend for the first time in years and he said, ‘All you can do is see the good in each day. Maybe that was the meaning of all this.’ We talked about how seeing the good isn’t always easy, sometimes it takes more effort but there is good in every day. You just have to find it.

I found my good. I didn’t give up. I kept trying. I put in the work and the tears and pushed through. I know the journey is not over but I am hopping back on the path. I can do this.

. Keep Loving.

Happy Blog-iversary!

There is a completely different energy on Fridays. Or at least there is in the Miller homestead. It might be in part of the holidays! Only 4 more days (for us) until we celebrate Christmas! All though, I think we've been celebrating all month. Do you have a little extra pep in your step on Fridays or near the holidays? It's the weekend and Christmas. Who wouldn't be excited?

Well everyone, today is an even more special day for The Plain Side because this is my 200th post! Hip HIP HORRAY! Can you believe it? It feels like a milestone to reach 200 total entries. I think I'll call it my blog-iversary. I can't believe I've been writing The Plain Side since June of 2011. Time really does fly. Blogging has been such a great way to log my journey, express my feelings and thoughts.

I owe my followers, friends, family and R especially a huge THANK YOU for giving me positive feedback and tuning in every time I write something new. Your support gives me motivation and inspiration during rough pages and moments of writers block. I can definitely feel the love through the amount of views I've received.

Speaking of that I'm nearing 13,000 views. Another milestone that so quickly approached. I want to document this as someday I will look back and remember how I felt today, accomplished, excited and surprised I've come so far in my online journaling. Views are very important part of blogging as it tells you just how many people you reach with your writing. It's exciting to know that on average my blog is read 1,200 a month.

Thank you all again. I can't wait to see where The Plain Side will be 1 year from now. If you have any suggestions, etc. I'd be more than happy to have them. Also don't miss the new page I added.

Keep Loving.