Where I’m at #12

Where I'm At

“Where I’m at” posts are just updates about what’s going on in my life, based on the areas / roles in my life.

planner : Blah! Well, I’m looking forward to planning the usual autumn activities with the kids – apple picking, pumpkin farms, that sort of thing. And it’s about time to stop dying my hair teal so it can fade a little before I start dying it purple for autumn & winter! Oh, we went on a surprise camping trip with our skoolie for the first time! It was a lot of fun despite hubby blowing a brake line & almost killing us all in the mountains 😭 At least my hair looked cool with my cowgirl hat lol
self : Doing great with my diet & exercise still! I’m losing about a pound a week, which is reasonable. My appetite is definitely kicking up with the cooler temperatures though 😬 just gotta stay mindful! Allergy season is definitely upon me, as it is every year – Whole body tingling & almost vibrating, fish bowl for a head (sinus pressure), perpetually exhausted, sneezing, dripping nose, itching everywhere – Like having a cold for a month & a half. Ugh.
marriage : Doing pretty good. We really enjoyed the Kansas concert – he might have enjoyed it a little too much LOL! We really like shopping for Halloween stuff, & that time is almost nigh, so…yay! I’ll have to figure out a better date though. Maybe a little wine tour or something.
mom (BooBoo & Bubby) : The lil monsters are good. Bubby’s super proud of how well she does in gymnastics! And BooBoo just got her Jr Orange & Yellow Belt in karate – I’m impressed with how seriously she takes what she learns!
homeschool teacher (1st grade & PK) : Moving along. I need to get Bubby into doing a little more – I still don’t know if she’s dyslexic (I have to contact the school), but she’s picking up on letter sounds better than letter identification still. So, she’s progressing, but she’s obviously still struggling to some degree.
zenBLITZ : I actually started writing a novella! Or novel? I don’t know yet, we’ll see where it takes itself. I’ve been reading a fiction book called “One Italian Summer” by Rebecca Serle, & it’s not too bad. I haven’t read any fiction in a lot of years, so it’s inspired me to add my own story to the world. I haven’t written fiction since short stories in 4th grade, but it’s been quite a bit of fun so far!
homemaker (finance, cleaning, gardening, prepping, travel) : Yeah. Selective apathy. Heh. Nothing’s falling apart, so…fuck it. 🫠
witch : Haven’t really been doing anything here, but I’ve added some yoga & tai chi to my daily exercise routine, which definitely have spiritual elements to them. I have a couple of simple kundalini yoga videos in my rotation too, which are…pretty interesting 😜

Currently

eating – I’M EXCITED FOR SOUP SEASON!!! 😂😋

drinking – Barefoot White Zinfandel (in moderation, lol) 🍷

watching – Peacemaker has been surprisingly entertaining lol. Same with Twisted Metal.

reading – Still working on One Italian Summer, but still enjoying it

playing – Wishing I had time to try Roblox, cuz my kids are obsessed (and I’m sure I would be too lol)

buying – Halloween decor that I definitely don’t need 😂 Pair Eyewear tops (I’m obsessed!!)

listening to – Chasing Rainbows by RHH & Dilemma by Green Day are still favorites

celebrating – apple cider season hehe

pinning – planners, self care, free spirit, & tattoos

planning – on not losing my mind lol

feeling – overwhelmed, & apathetic, but hopeful

Weight Loss Without Misery: What Worked for Me (So Far)

blitz, Where I'm At

I’ve lost over 15 pounds! 😁👍

That’s halfway to my goal!! 🥳

Ever since my doctor told me my cholesterol was “elevated” (though, as I’ve been told by everyone else, “whose isn’t?!?”), I made an honest effort to make some changes to my health.

My main goal is to feel better, however. A better mindset has been the most rewarding side effect of all the dieting & exercise I’ve been doing the past couple months – weight loss & toned muscles are just a bonus.

Let’s review my efforts so far…

Diet

I’ve been following a “mindful eating” diet plan set up with the help of ChatGPT. It helped me set up a schedule so that I wouldn’t get too hungry by dinnertime (& thus shovel a bunch of food in my face).

Here’s what that looks like :

Mindful Eating Schedule

10:00 – lemon / lime water
11:00 – fruit
1:30 – salad w/ protein
4:00 – smoothie / yogurt
6:30 – veggies with hummus
8:00 – dinner
11:30 – dark chocolate & nuts
1:00 – fruit

I don’t follow this strictly, but it’s been proving to be pretty good guidelines for me. I’m trying to focus on eating mostly veggies & protein. Through ideas from Tim Ferriss’ slow carb diet, part of my weekly “do nothing day” includes “going crazy” (which has definitely helped me keep my sanity!) And on days when we find ourselves on an adventure, I just try to stay mindful of what I order out (without depriving myself of the glorious BBQ of summer!)

I’ve also been counting calories using an app called “My Net Diary”. It makes sense to take in fewer calories than you burn off throughout each day, so it’s been making me more aware of what I’m eating. And I love it!

“Don’t drink calories” has been a big realization for me – I didn’t realize how ridiculous my coffee creamer was! (Bet your ass I’ve got a generous amount of it plus a shot of Trader Vic’s macadamia nut liqueur in there on “go crazy day” though! 😋)

Exercise

I forgot how much I love to exercise!

I started with just 5 minutes a day, and have built myself up to about 45 minutes (give or take).

I do different things daily, all movements that I love (which is key to maintaining the routine!) :

20min cardio / dance
15min arms / bellydancing
10min yoga / tai chi / qi gong

I’ve always been interested in belly dancing, and now that I’ve been doing YouTube videos regularly, I’m seriously considering signing up for a local belly dancing group. (How I would love to create & perform a routine to some ska & rockabilly – The thought of complementing “King For A Day” with the chimes of a bellydancing belt is just too adorable! 😊)

On “go crazy” days, I stick to just yoga, tai chi, and qi gong. And definitely not for 45 minutes!

I realized I have a bit of trouble with tai chi & qi gong because I’ve been practicing yoga for over 20 years. Yoga is about releasing energy and gradually improving flexibility, balance, & strength; where tai chi & qi gong are more about energy movement & manipulation, and range of motion. The movements in yoga tend to be more “grandiose” than those with tai chi, so I struggle to slow down and flow with the “chi”. But both types of movements have their appropriate times.

Smoking…..

Well…heh…oops! 😬

(I’m such an asshole……)

I quit smoking over 6 years ago, when I was pregnant with my oldest. However, I vaped until a couple of months ago when I’d lowered the nicotine level in my vape so low that I realized it was all psychological habit instead of addiction. So I quit.

I kept a pack of Camels around that I’d smoke maybe one or two a year if shit hit the fan & I needed a little nihilism.

Well, I needed a little nihilism amidst my recent “mid-life crisis”, & now I’m smoking more than I’d like to admit.

I gotta quit. Again.

It’s honestly kinda low on my list of concerns, though, to be honest. (A post on that soon…probably.)

I’ve really been enjoying sneaking off to the nooks & crannies of my yard to see whatever nature I can while I’m out there though – hummingbirds, butterflies, chipmunks, & squirrels throwing crabapples at me.

Health Log on Notion

I’ve been using Notion to help me keep track of everything (as always).

I have a database with a template set up to reset daily.

In the properties, I track how many fruits & veggies I eat each day, water, exercise types, calories, steps, cigs, and some other stuff.

The note itself contains my “mindful eating schedule”, a food log, exercise log, and space for reflections (I realized during yoga yesterday how cranky my knees have gotten omg!)

This is making it super easy to not only stay mindful throughout the day but also reflect & pivot as needed each week!

Lessons I’ve Learned

Diet is the most important thing to focus on if you want to lose weight. You can exercise all you want, but if you’re shoveling candy & chips in your face all day, you won’t make any progress.
Exercise is important for overall health. Not just mental & physical vitality, but also to tone up your muscles. So move your ass – You’ll lose weight a lot quicker!
Start small & build up to where you feel like you need to be. I slowly reduced my calorie “allowances” and started with 5 minutes of exercise (building gradually each week).
Do things you enjoy. I like the foods I eat on my schedule, & they make me feel good. I love dance cardio & belly dancing. If I tried jogging daily, it wouldn’t last long (I’ve tried, & it didn’t.) Do whatever keeps you interested.

I’ve still got a long way to go, but I’m damn proud of how far I’ve come. If you’re working on your own health journey — remember, baby steps and curiosity go a long way. You’ve got this.

Have you started (or restarted) a health habit lately? Tell me about it — I’d love to hear.

If you liked this post, please give it a “like”, share it with friends, and subscribe if you’re new.

Rock on!

What If Your Midlife Crisis Is Actually Emotional Exhaustion?

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Why did I think I’d escape the good ol cliche “mid life crisis”? Oh yeah, because I was sure I already went through one like ten years ago. Yet here we are.

I keep coming across reminders that I need to “Reclaim a part of myself”. The random stale Camel from the pack I’ve had for 3 years because I quit smoking 6 years ago. A renewed passion for music and concerts (since I was the local ska princess 20+ years ago lol). And craving urbex, deep conversations, and fun parties.

Or at least an occasional break from homeschooling, making dinners, & attempting to clean the house (always a futile goal).

Is it a mid life crisis though? Or emotional burnout from all the bullshit I’ve been through the past few years (caregiving, stress, the world melting down)?

Yeah, probably both.

Could be worse though, I suppose… 😉

🔥 Reclaiming yourself isn’t selfish — it’s survival.

Got your own midlife (or burnout) story? Share it in the comments or repost with your own “clues from the universe.” Let’s normalize the chaos.

Stay weird. Stay loud. Stay you. ✨

If you liked this post, please give it a “like”, share it with friends, and subscribe if you’re new.

Rock on!

Solo Shows, Old Ghosts, and Decent Beer: A Night Out with Myself

Where I'm At

*Wall of Guitars at the Riviera Theater*

(In case you missed it, you can read my pervious post for context here : Grief, Love, and Loud Music: Why I’m Chasing a Ghost at a Rock Show)

I had a pretty good time at the Reverend Horton Heat show! By myself. My absolute only real complaint was that the seats were super small & there was no “pit”.

Before

My car has a power steering leak, but that sure as hell wasn’t about to stop me lol! I parked in a slightly sketchy spot around the corner from the venue, on the street so I could get out easily afterward.

I ended up walking a block in the other direction to pick up a pack of sneaky smokes – they didn’t have my Camels, so I settled for Marb Blacks. $15, oof! Good thing I’m not a regular smoker lol!!

Bought myself a can of Molson because they didn’t even have Budweiser at the bar (though I prefer Rolling Rock). $7 for a can of beer! But it was worth it to not have to listen to screaming children all day LOL! Had some nostalgic fun hanging out in the venue’s “patio”. It was unusually chilly, but refreshing.

During

How have I never heard of Zydeco music?!?

Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas were lots of fun! They encouraged everyone to get up & dance for most of their set, which was exactly what I needed! Nathan & the washboard player even wandered around the crowd & got everyone moving, & now I’m officially a fan! 🤩

RHH did their thing — solid as always — but the crowd was kind of a buzzkill. I had fun singing along to most of their songs, but everyone else at the show is such a drag, it’s absurd to me. It’s nice to see the band, but the crowd kinda ruins it for me to be honest – why go to a show if you’re not gonna dance?!? I got a shirt & a tote bag, and ducked out a little early to beat the crowd (cuz, y’know, power steering). (Oh, and because my phone was dying & I wanted to make sure I knew how to get home lol.)

Him

I didn’t see him at all. I wasn’t looking too hard, but for all I know he’s dead 😑 Or he moved to another state. Or he just wasn’t there. Or he was & I just didn’t see him. Lol. Either way…

I’m disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to at least say hi. I left still feeling a bit lost. Something’s still missing.

But yeah, I left with a mix of peace and confusion. But overall…

It was a fulfilling time. I got to feel like myself for a few hours. Lots of smiles & dancing a bit hehe ☺️

If you’ve ever chased a memory to a loud venue or danced your heart out just to feel something real — I see you.

Tell me about your favorite solo adventure, or a night that surprised you. I’d love to hear it.

And if you’re new here, hit subscribe and stick around for more stories from the edge of chaos.

Rock on. 🖤

Punk Rock Survival Kit: Resilience, Discipline & Dancing Through Chaos

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The Truth About Hard Times

I feel like my blog is a little “fluffy”. Edgy fluff, but fluff nonetheless. I know life is more complicated than some of my posts suggest, but I hope my little blog here can inspire, empower, or give you hope.

Dealing with shit is what brought me to punk and ska. I had more than my share of grieving, being bullied, and then mental health struggles as a result in my teenage years. Going to concerts has always meant getting together with other people who were dealing with their own shit to collectively dance and say “fuck it” for a bit, because hard times can feel endless and draining.

How do you “keep calm and carry on” when everything sucks? Motivation is fleeting and unreliable; discipline and resilience are the real tools for survival.

Stay the Course Even When It Sucks

You need to acknowledge and lean in to the difficult thing objectively, knowing that you will work your way around or out of the situation so long as you don’t give up. Sometimes, stubbornness is a superpower.

Strengthening Resilience : Bouncing Back Like a Boss

Resilience isn’t about avoiding pain; it’s about choosing to keep going in spite of it.

Reframe setbacks as information, without judgment. Ask objectively, “What is going on?”
Find purpose in your pain. Ask yourself, “How can this experience fuel growth?”
Keep a resilience playlist – Music to remind you that you’re stronger than the chaos, and you’re not alone.

Journaling these prompts while listening to empowering music is how I deal with all my shit. It sets me up to work through or around all the hard times.

Building Discipline : Small Steps With Big Impact

Discipline is showing up even when you don’t feel like it. These little tips can help keep you out of a major rut:

Non-negotiable routines : Anchor your day with simple, consistent actions. A morning routine could be as simple as washing your face and getting a glass of water; an evening routine could be brushing your teeth and two minutes of mindful stretching.
The Two-Minute Rule : When every little thing feels like too much, commit to ridiculously small steps like spending just two minutes on a task.
Accountability : Write it down, use a habit tracker, or be bold and tell someone what you’re committing to.

When to Rest vs Push Through

Resilience isn’t just perpetually pushing harder – It’s also listening to your body and your intuition, and knowing when to take time to recover. I intentionally schedule a weekly “Do Nothing Day” to reset my mind and recharge without guilt.

The Freedom That Comes From Resilience and Discipline

Nothing good comes quickly – These muscles build gradually over time. When shit gets real and motivation fades, discipline and resilience keep you moving forward.

This week, create your resilience playlist – Five songs to remind you that you’re tougher than anything life can throw at you. When life gets loud, blast it louder!

Give me a “like”, share this article with friends, subscribe if you’d like to see more articles like this, and leave a comment below – What’s the toughest thing you’re pushing through right now, and what’s one small but badass step you can take today?

Rock on!

Do Nothing Day

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I figured this post would be most useful now, before the holidays get too crazy. In other words – IMPLEMENT IT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!!! LOL

Every day I do dishes, laundry, & cook food. Except Sundays. On Sundays, I do nothing. And I don’t give a fuck. It’s nothing religious; it’s simply self care.

Why Do Nothing? Because I’ll burn out if I’m constantly doing things, & so will most people. Even nature takes a break once in a while. So I try to avoid the sickness & sadness by scheduling time to do “nothing”.

What is a Do Nothing Day?

A Do Nothing Day is a self care boundary I’ve set with myself & my family. It’s a day full of journaling, yoga, reading, meditation, and whatever other self care activities can refill my cup of energy for the week. If I miss a Do Nothing Day, everyone knows it because I’m dragging myself along all week as a cranky mess. The dishes & laundry can wait, & there’s plenty of easy to prepare food in the house between the freezer, pantry, & leftovers in the fridge that I shouldn’t have to cook a damn thing.

When To Do a Do Nothing Day

When to do nothing depends on a person’s schedule, of course. I’ve found that I can generally get out of doing anything on Sundays because it seems like most people don’t like to do things on Sundays.

Solo Retreats & Such

A “staycation”, a “solo retreat”, a “do nothing day”… There are lots of names for making time to keep your head from exploding. A “staycation” can mean forcing yourself out of your usual routine for a day or more, as if you were going on vacation, but not even leaving your town. Or house, if you so please. A “solo retreat” can mean the same thing, but structuring your time to focus on self care. I like the idea of a “Do Nothing Day” because it’s a weekly date set with my peace of mind.

How to Do Nothing

What refuels your energy? This is different for everyone of course, but consider things you don’t often have time to do otherwise. Some examples could be playing video games, reading a book, or writing in your journal. You could structure your day (or days, depending on how burned out you feel) by setting aside certain times for certain activities, or by including nourishing foods at set times throughout. Or you could just go with the flow, just make sure you don’t get sucked into an activity that drains your energy at a certain point (like video games or watching tv does to me…& most people who are being honest with themselves lol).

So, pick a day & adapt it as needed. Don’t give up on it – you won’t regret it & you know that! Let me know in the comments below what kinds of things you do, or would like to do, on a Do Nothing Day, and let me know if you’re having any trouble with the idea (I’d love to try to help!)

Enjoy the calm amidst the storm!!

Meditation on the Go!

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I love the idea of using a set of beads as an abacus for breaths during meditation – I’ve been using different kinds for years! From necklaces, to bracelets, to keychains, let me show you this awesomeness…

To use meditation beads, you simply start somewhere in the row of beads, close your eyes, and focus on long, deep breaths, moving from bead to bead in between. There are typically different shaped beads on the ends of the rows, to let you know when you’ve reached the end. They can be used to count repetitions of mantras, or positive affirmations, or whatever you want! Larger numbers of beads (like on necklaces) are good for longer meditation sessions, while shorter sections (like bracelets & keychains) are good for quick mindfulness breaks.

My latest set of meditation bracelets are extra special – they all include lava beads, which can be used with a drop of essential oil as a form of aromatherapy! Each of these bracelets are unique, including gemstones such as jasper, rose quartz, moonstone, and more. They can be used during meditation, or worn regularly as a reminder to be mindful! Be sure to check them out individually in the “bracelets” section of my shop

Sitting in my car on break at work one night, in desperate need of some peace, I realized I didn’t have anything to help me focus if I tried to meditate. So, I came up with the idea of a meditation chain key ring, for those times when you need a breather before starting your drive or transitioning into the mindset of wherever you’ve gone. You could even use it with your eyes open in slow traffic or at a stoplight – it may help reduce road rage! ;D

I have other meditation beads in my shop, including this lovely half leather necklace with a handmade tassel!

Meditation beads are a great reminder to be mindful!

So, if you meditate at all, be sure to try this technique & let me know how it went in the comments!

And be sure to check out all the awesome stuff in store at zen BLITZ

Rock & Reggae at Spring Lake Winery

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As last-minute weekend plans, Hubby stumbled across a “rock and reggae” concert at Spring Lake Winery in Lockport NY. He was just looking for a wine tasting, but when he mentioned this little festival, I puked rainbows!! 😄

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Everyone was directed in through a dirt road. Which turned into a brutal mud road the night before the event, so I was pretty glad we brought Hubby’s truck. And then, to get from the parking lot to the festival site, you had to walk through their vineyard. Which was really cool except for the gash I got in the side of my foot from a stabby piece of grass.

It was a lot of fun. Food & drink prices weren’t absurd. We had brunch (Chimche? I think it was called) and dinner (Italian Beef) at Ms Judi’s International Food Truck; both were super good, as was (mama) Loose Cannon‘s Hippie Bread (Hubby bought 3 slices!! lol)! The event also included a few lawn games (giant Jenga & Kan Jam being the ones I saw), and the freedom to wander their trail by the lake & through some trees (my back was bothering me too much to adventure off on it, but I really wanted to).

Hab

They also offered hot air balloon rides for a little while. They were a little bit pricey in my opinion, considering they were stationery (only went up & down), but I’m sure I’m just cheap & it really wasn’t a bad price, lol! ($20 / person). Still a super cool thing to see, and quite a few people went up in it too!

Starting with my favorite band of the show…

ballyhoo

Ballyhoo! Before the show even started, we were scoping out their merch stand & chatting with their merch dude (wish I remembered his name!) We ended up buying him drinks cuz he was pretty cool. The band itself was, in my opinion, the best act that night. Fun, ska-punk inspired music, & lots of audience interaction. After their set, Hubby wanted to go meet them, so we did. Apparently the lead singer is also a huge Green Day fan, & they played a song off Insomniac during their set, & I even had my 21CB tote bag with me, & it matched one of his tattoos!! LOL (Sorry, I geeked out a little there!) So… he took that awesome pic of us at the beginning of this post. And it was awesome. I’m sold on Ballyhoo. Rock on, gentlemen! lol

Tropidelic was pretty fun, too. They were my second favorite act.

Badfish comes in third, tying with these last couple of bands. I seen them years ago, & I wasn’t impressed; nothing’s really changed. They cover Sublime’s music really well, but I just never vibe any enthusiasm except for the trombone player, & he has enough to do lol. They were the final act of the evening, of course, & it was nice ending the night singing along to Sublime.

Keith James, a cool local dude who was apparently on The Voice, was really good, despite the tiny audience. He did, like, rock covers of Backstreet Boys & TLC. He’s got a great voice, & I wish more people would’ve seen his set!

Besides Badfish, Handsome Jack was the only band name I recognized before the show. And I have no clue why, except that he’s local. I wasn’t really feelin’ most of their seemingly more rock influenced songs, but they were alright. The chick at their merch stand was cool!

To finish the event, starting at the end of Badfish’s encore, the winery blew off fireworks in a clearing outside the vineyard. It was a perfect end to the evening!

SKA LIVES!!

It was a really awesome day, especially for the $25 ticket price. I love the vibe of ska shows – the people are always super awesome!! Spring Lake Winery was a great host for this type of event, & I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on them from now on, lol!

What concerts have you been to this summer? Let’s chat in the comments!

And don’t forget to check out the new items popping up in my shop!!!

Back From My Siesta…!!

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Hi folks, long time no see! I decided to take a breather on the store front (though I’ve been keeping an eye on it!), so that I could focus on experimenting with different creative media. Check out some of my new items (& questionable experiments! lol)

20180716_160701 My cousin bought foreclosure land out by his campsite, & there were a few sheds full of random things. The previous owners had time to take what they wanted, & so I helped sort through some of the rest. Hubby & I found a whole cart full of cool stuff, including deer antlers, turkey feathers, & sand dollars! We also just acquired a shoebox full of sea findings, from seahorses to oyster shells, at an estate sale! So, I’ll be working with all these awesome & honored natural pieces a bit in the future.

Hubby made me give in to my urges about playing with polymer clay, & it’s been a lot of fun! It’s a LOT harder than it looks! LOL And it’s pretty time consuming, but it’s been fun! My incense holder turned out pretty well- it’s functional, but I like having a large tray for my incense. Since this was just an experiment piece, I tested how it would react to acrylic sealer… & now it’s all sticky. (Lesson learned!) I tried making a jewelry tray & bowl, both which turned out pretty cool! My flower canes look like a Kindergartener’s drawing though, lol! Wanting to test molding with this clay, I made a “goddess doll” (which my young cousin promptly broke, but it turned out surprisingly decent), then a meditating doll (with scraps), & then I tried a mage doll tutorial (which turned out fricken awesome!). So…I’m getting better…LOL.. and this will help open my store up to a lot of product possibilities!!

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I also finally decorated the hiking stick I’ve had in my car trunk since last summer. It’s soo overdone, but not, at the same time. I love it! (I just hope I don’t fuck it up when I try to add the polymer clay piece.) So, that’s still a work in progress, since I’m trying to incorporate all of my crafty skills into this one piece x)

Made a series of new products to add to the store soon, including a wine glass lanyard, meditation bracelets, & meditation keychains. So keep an eye out!!

Normal life has kept me pretty busy too, of course. From housework to parties & craft shows (to scope out ideas, haha!), it’s been a pretty busy summer for me. But it’s been good. I hope yours has been awesome ❤

New items in store soon!!!

Check out my current listings, & watch the shop grow at zen BLITZ

Tell me in the comments : What projects have you finished or are you working on this summer?

What is zen BLITZ all about?

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zen BLITZ is still in its baby phase, & it’s been quite an adventure so far!

I think it’s important to reevaluate everything in your business as you go along, including your brand identity! This post is to share a little more about who I am, my brand’s themes, and the projects I work on.

As for me… I really love that wig; it’s just too cute, lol! I have a history of being a caregiver in my family, for my parents & grandparents; currently for my father. I also have an employment & education history in healthcare. ALS runs heavily in my mother’s family, so I’d like to be able to donate some of the profits from my shop toward treatment & research one day! I’m currently engaged to a super awesome guy whose love has set me free; the only thing really holding me back is myself.

I have a bit of a problem sticking with themes, lol! I’m a Libra, so I have a bitch of a time making decisions in general. Themes varying from vague (fun, spiritual, classy) to more specific (witchcraft, buddhism, steampunk, rave, hippie boho). I know I need to pick specialties & focus on a certain audience, but…that’s not me! That’s not very zen BLITZ. zen BLITZ is calm & crazy, spiritual & steampunk, yin & yang. Right now, I’m just testing what works well, & what doesn’t.

Another problem I have is sticking with any one project. Really, I’m “in too deep” with my jewelry making, especially since that’s what my fiance has been supporting most. However I’ve always been into all kinds of crafts, because my mother was super craftsy. I tend to have a few different types of projects going on at once, but I do also tend to finish one thing before adding another. So far, my shop is mostly jewelry – necklaces, bracelets, rings, & earrings. I also added some wine glass charms. I’m currently working on a set of crochet wine glass and water bottle lanyards, & then I’ll start working on some more jewelry. I just finished a set of ATCs (which were a bit of a ~~flop~~…learning experience), & have been working on woodburning a plaque for my sweet deceased kitty.

Seeing as jewelry is a very saturated market, I figure it wise to venture into other handmade markets wherever my talents lie. The only constant in life is change. It’ll be fun to watch my shop evolve over time!

“It’s important to reevaluate everything as you go along”

That’s advice I carry throughout all areas in my life. It’s always a good time to shed things that weigh you down, & change the things that aren’t working for you. “Every day is a holiday…”

That’s my brand identity!

What are YOU all about? Freewrite some random words, & let’s chat in the comments below!

And be sure to check out all the fun stuff in my Etsy shop at zen BLITZ