Magazine Lifestyle

Something I read by Martha Beck a few weeks ago is still resonating with me today…

"Whether or not you're consciously following your destiny, your destiny is always following you." 

Here's what I think: We can get swept away, caught up, completely distracted by whatever is going on around us, but it does not negate our unique and divine essence — that purpose so specific to us, that once it is discovered, we evolve and become exactly who we are meant to be. What you love longs to be noticed by you, and chances are, it will do everything to get your attention. Just like a pesky cough…

Years ago, when I had my twins, crazy began to set in from the monotony of solely being a caretaker. The undertow was greater than I had the strength for…so I started consuming magazines as a distraction whenever I had the chance. Magazines were easy to pick up and put down as time permitted…and so I began this small obsession of following trends, choosing color palettes, and studying design choices. Magazines became my well-spring for inspiration. Ideas were coming to me faster than I had money to implement them so I shared ideas with anyone and everyone around me. I didn't see this as a talent necessarily, just something I loved to do.

These days (six years later), I am asked with frequency, "What do you think about this room?" or "What would you do with this space?"…and usually, to my surprise and delight, I have an answer. The whole point of AP Style is to share what I have learned over the years…because I love it. I have tried to fall in love with other "dream" jobs, but my heart was never in them. I am pretty certain these days that my destiny lies somewhere in helping others create spaces and/or homes that embrace and nurture them. 

If you don't know what it is you love, find the things you take the most pleasure in and allow yourself that indulgence with consistency. You never know what it will inspire…along the way, you may just find out who it is you are meant to be.