Under the influence

My latest obsession is YouTube (yes, I realize I am late to this game, but I'm a GenXer so it's OK). It started with watching videos by "makeup gurus" and lately has evolved into watching home decor videos. 

I had no idea that so many people recorded and shared videos of themselves doing housework, or that there was such a large demand for this content, but here we are. To be honest, I don't always watch the speed-cleaning videos because it mostly makes me feel like reminds I'm not doing enough cleaning around my own home. I also don't usually watch the "day in the life" videos, since those tend to be geared toward stay at home moms, and that's not relatable for me. I like the decorating videos (usually called "decorate with me") and the typical prequel to those, the "haul" videos, where the influencer shares her purchases that will lead into the decorating. I also sometimes like the pre-prequel, the "shop with me" content, in which the influencer literally records herself shopping. I actually find this handy because I know what's where if I'm looking to shop, and it satisfies my urge to shop without the risk of adding to cart.

I have made several observations about the influencers I've found so far. A few to share:

• Not all influencers are created equal. Some definitely have a more natural ability to engage and share, and are just more enjoyable to watch. The way I know I really like an influencer? If I actually watch the cleaning content, or the stay at home mom stuff. 
• Along those lines, I am a lot more likely to watch the content if the influencer has a pet.
• Even though they are not all the same - the homes often are. Most of the influencers I've found decorate their homes in a "modern farmhouse" style. I'm not sure how to describe the style exactly, other than the colors of the home are likely gray, white, and brown / wood tone, and most of the decor comes from Hobby Lobby or Kirklands with occasional bits of Amazon and Walmart.
• That's not a knock; I do love the style. While I'm not about giving my money to Hobby Lobby, there are other stores with similar merchandise and watching is more about the ideas than the exact stuff.
• I've never seen an ad from any of these places - ir any home decor retailer - on any YouTube video, and I think they may be missing the mark.
• Since they all shop in the same places, they often have the same items. I've seen the same "Farmouse" sign in a dining room, an entryway, and a bedroom - so far.
• "Agreeable Gray" seems to be the most popular wall color.
• Rae Dunn is incredibly popular among this "modern farmhouse" group, though the appeal does seem to stretch across to other styles as well. You've probably seen Rae Dunn items in stores, and just had no idea what you were looking - I know I didn't, and now I see it everywhere. 

Like I mentioned, I see some items over and over, but I also see different ways to use that same item, which is actually pretty helpful. It's honestly an interesting way to share an interest in home decor tips and tricks, and engage with others who have different ideas and influences. 

It's also interesting that I have so much interest in how others keep and care for their homes. That probably says something about me, but I feel like that's a separate post.

I have learned...

Today is 45 turns around the sun for me. It's been 20 years since I was excited about getting older, but I still like birthdays. Mostly the food and the gifts.

Something else I enjoy is reminiscing about the lessons I have learned over the years, and how much has changed, even though sometimes it feels as though nothing has.

I am still me. At 45, I am still an only child - spoiled and a bit selfish. I like to play with makeup and I like picking outfits, including accessories. I don't like being inconvenienced and I don't understand people who don't mind sharing a bathroom. I love to baby my cat, but have no regrets that I never had an actual baby of my own. I'm really just 5-year-old me playing dress-up and dolls, but with a drivers license and a few gray hairs.

I've also learned that life never stops teaching us lessons. At one time, I thought I just needed to get to my twenties and I'd have it all figured out. Now, I wonder if I ever will.

Maybe that's the biggest lesson of all. Maybe we really know a lot more than we realize as kids, looking at life full of wonder and hope, through lenses shaded with innocence; no prejudice, no worry, no hate, no fear. Maybe everything we go through shapes us, but also strips away some of that innocence. Maybe the real lesson is that we need to find a way to get it back.

Some lessons are big and profound; some are small and practical. Every one of them matters. Here are a few of mine from the last almost-half-a-century (gulp).

I have learned...

...not everyone is going to like me, and that needs to be OK. The alternative is that I spend all my time trying to please everyone, and in the end, I'll please no one, least of all myself.

...good makeup is a wise investment. It lasts longer, and gives me confidence, which I deserve.

...I can't like everyone - but I should be kind to everyone; my behavior reflects on me, not them.

...I need to forgive those who hurt me - partly because they deserve it, but mostly because I do.

...those who think they don't need therapy or medication are usually the ones who need it the most.

...no matter what I say, there will always be those who will make it about themselves, or find a way to use it against me. These are not my people.

...no matter how bad things seem, the bad times are not permanent. Neither are the good times. 

...it's not knowing the answer, but rather knowing where to find the answer, that makes a person smart.

...facts rarely make a difference in an argument; neither does the truth.

...no relationship is more sacred than the one you have with your hair stylist or nail technician.

...choose my battles wisely - I am not required to attend every fight to which I am invited.

...buying a brand new car is an unwise use of money, and not nearly all it's cracked up to be.

...no matter how many TV shows are invented, I will never tire of NCIS or West Wing.

...if I try hard enough, and don't give up, I can find the job of my dreams.

...I was born with tremendous privilege and it's my duty as a human to use that privilege to help others.

...if someone is meant to be in my life, God will find a way to put him there; if he is not, God will find a way to remove him.

...faith will carry me through anything.

...people, even couples, are not meant to share bathrooms, email addresses, or Facebook accounts.

...I may not be meant for marriage, but that does not mean I am not meant for love.

...I am better off showing people my true self, rather than who they want to see.

...my faith is important, and part of that is being true to myself in the most Christ-like way I can. 

...another part of my faith is to speak up for those who can't speak up for themselves. 

...a person can make a huge impact on someone simply by showing up.

...sometimes, the calories just don't count.

...no life is worth more than another.

...memories are fun, and photos make great memories.

...it is far better to give and do for others than it ever is to receive.

...as I get older, skincare is more important than eyeshadow.

...I am beautiful, even if I am not beautiful to everyone.

...of all the places I have been, my favorite place to be is home.

...no matter how tough life can get, it is worth moving forward. 

...home ownership is not for me.

...there is a difference between compromise and settle.

...it's important to have one email address where you can direct all the junk.

...I am more of a cat person than a dog person, but I can fall in love with any animal.

...at least a small part of me will always think I am not good enough.

...I have always had anxiety and depression, I just didn't know the words until I was 34.

...I would have made a terrible mother, and I am happy to have dodged that bullet, both for myself and the child I once considered having.

...I don't need to agree with someone to respect them - or even like them.

...I am not always right, and I should listen to other points of view.

...even when I am wrong, my opinion is valid, and deserves respect. So do the opinions of others.

...we have no idea what others are battling - so be kind.

...every ending really does lead to a beginning.

...I put a high value on convenience, and make no apologies. 

...I am so glad and grateful I kept going even when I wanted to quit.

I miss my kitty

Here's a secret some of you could probably guess:

I don't travel well.

I can research where to go and where to stay. I can plan things to do once I'm there. I am good at anticipating what might happen, what others may need. I am OK traveling alone, and can accommodate others when I am not.

But... when I am done, I am DONE. Unfortunately, when you travel, schedules can be unpredictable and the unexpected can happen. Especially where flights are concerned.

Last week I left for AZ with my boyfriend. All was well... and then an Ethiopian Airline crashed on the other side of the world and it turned out the type of plane has crashed before and has been banned by, like, every country except the US. So the FAA quickly took action and grounded the Boeing 737 Max 8 - which just so happens to only be used by Southwest to service Albany, NY. So - our flight home was canceled.

I scrambled and found a new flight that was a day later. But then I needed a hotel. I ended up finding one that had to be one of the worst hotels on the planet, but it was a safe(ish) place to rest our heads for the night. That should be good enough - but I was not comfortable, I was ready to go home 24 hours earlier, and I was stressed about getting home to my kitty, returning to work on zero downtime, and the extra money being spent.

I was DONE. 

I rushed through getting ready and, long story short, got us to the airport with hours - hours - to spare. I even paid to upgrade our boarding (if you don't know, Southwest is open seating so an upgrade just means I paid to board earlier than our assigned time, giving us a better chance at sitting together). 

I am just so done and homesick and can't wait to return to a comfortable surrounding and routine - that includes my kitty.