8 Ways to Rock being a Hot Mess
I feel like I’m a broken record for saying the same thing over and over again, but seriously: things have been so insanely busy since the new year that it’s been hard to keep my head on straight. Between my new job, my blog, my photography gig on the side, house hunting (more on this soon,) blogging events and collaborations, and the NFL playoffs, I feel like I’m going a million miles a minute in every direction. I can barely keep my eyes straight and most of the time, I feel like I’m truly the definition of being a “hot mess.”I’m not complaining - it has been so good to be busy in this kind of way.
I’m not complaining - it has been so good to be busy in this kind of way. I used to be such a control freak and my anxiety would get the best of me if I didn’t have EVERY.SINGLE.THING. planned and under control. I would get so worked up if there something (like an invitation to dinner with friends) popped up last minute or if I didn’t get to every single thing on my blog to-do list before dinner time. But, in my quest to thrive in this new year, I’ve tried to let go of some of my control-freak tendencies and go with the flow of things. In other words: I’m kind of a hot mess most of the time, and I’m learning to just rock it instead of apologizing for it.
I feel like the term “hot mess” has a bit of a negative connotation, but I’ve grown to love the term. To me, it means that I’ve got a lot going on, that I’m a bit disorganized and frazzled most days, and that I’m in a state of disarray while still trying to keep myself composed. So, here’s how I’ve been rocking my hot mess status during this last month:
Have a Power Piece in your Closet
As someone who feels like I’m constantly in a state of being a hot mess, looking put together and professional has been kind of struggle lately. I feel like I’ve been juggling so many different things at this point in time, and that means things like taking the time to put together a cute outfit in the morning kind of fall off my priority list. So, as a certified hot mess, having a power piece in my closet is the key to making sure I still look somewhat put together and not like a total bum when I leave for work.
That piece for me is my BLANKNYC Moto Jacket that I picked up with the encouragement from all of you on my FB page last month. I’ve already shared one of my favorite ways to style it for winter here, but I can assure you that this jacket is on REPEAT for me weekly. Actually, more like 2-3 times a week. It goes with pretty much everything, it takes every outfit from “meh” to “edgy” and it just gives me a little extra somethin’ somethin’ in the “I’m going to own this day even if I’m a hot mess.”
So, yes. Having a power piece in my closet that I can wear basically on a daily basis is essential to my ability to still look put together while still being a bit of a hot mess.
Simplify your Makeup Routine
I have to leave by 9:30 to get to work on time, which is pretty nice, all things considered. I love having a little bit of extra time in the morning to get things done, but sine I’m now juggling my job and my blog, I have to use that time wisely. Instead of taking 30-40 minutes to put a full face of makeup on, I use as much time in the morning to get some blogging work done. I’m either promoting my posts on social media, engaging with my audience on Instagram or responding to emails.
So, I’ve had to simplify my makeup routine most mornings to make sure I can get as much work done as I can before heading to my other work. I may not look as glamorous, but my goal is to look somewhat put together and professional before leaving the house.
One of the things that has totally saved me from looking like a total hot mess all the time? Eyelash extensions! I treated myself to eyelash extensions for my 10-year remission anniversary and thought I would just let them fall out over a month and go back to falsies. But, after realizing how easy it is to get ready for the day and how put together I look with them, I’ve never looked back. I basically just put my foundation and bronzer on, fill in my eyebrows, and pop on a lip color and go. No eyeshadow, liner, or mascara needed - my eyes look done up and awake with just the extensions. Now, this isn’t to say that you NEED eyelash extensions to rock a simplified makeup look - I just love how they look on me and how easy it is to wake-up and go!
P.S. If you want more information on eyelash extensions or my simplified makeup routine, let me know in the comments below and I’ll put a post together!
Have a Day-Two Hair Style
This last week our favorite puppy pal Cooper came to stay with us while his dad went on a business trip. Those of you who have been around for a while (and who follow me on snapchat) probably recognize Cooper Trooper from our summer in Louisiana and know that he and Rosie get into a lot of mischief together. Anyway, Coops came to stay this last week and that meant getting up early AF to take them out to romp around and get all their energy out before coming back, pulling the snow out of their paws, feeding them and then getting myself ready for work. No matter how early I got them out, I still seemed to be running late and would have to get myself looking presentable within a short amount of time.
So, having a day-two hair style in my back-pocket is one of the keys to rocking the hot mess status. I certainly don’t have the time to wash, blow dry, and style my hair every morning. So, having a second-day style that I can quickly throw my hair up into without much fuss is a huge time (and sanity) saver! Lately, I’ve been using my double messy bun hairstyle for second-day hair and it hasn’t failed me yet!
Have Ceasar Salad Kits on Hand for Dinner
Oh the Ceasar Salad Kits from Costco - how I love you! My afternoons after leaving work are usually quiet. I run some errands, come home and take Rosie to the park, change into my comfy-cozies, and then get to work on my blog. However, by the time I’m sitting at my desk, it’s usually 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon, and before I know it, it’s time to make dinner.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to cook different kinds of dinner, but with everything that’s been going on lately, I just don’t want to spend my whole evening in the kitchen. So, I always have a couple caesar salad kits from Costco on hand to whip up a quick dinner - all’s I have to do is throw a piece of chicken on the Foreman Grill, chop it up, mix it all together and we’re good to go. Tasty, healthy & fast dinner!
Bullet Journal to Keep all your Thoughts Straight
I’ve spent all the money on all the planners on the face of the planet and nothing has kept me organized or sane quiet like my bullet journal. Ever since I started the bullet journal method last year, my crazy busy life has had some form of organization. I think the reason why bullet journaling has worked so well for me is because it’s so flexible. I can make a giant checklist that takes up a whole page for one day, and then write down a list of blog post ideas on the next page. So, even though it’s not a specific form of planning, I have everything going on in my life written down somewhere in my journal so that I can refer to it!
If you’re interested in learning more about how to start a bullet journal, I’ve got a super in-depth post and tutorial you can read here: How to Start a Bullet Journal.
Accept that You Can’t Do it All
Like I mentioned earlier, I can get pretty tightly wound about making sure I get every single little thing done on my to-do list. When I started my job in December, I was giving myself such a hard time for not being able to stay on top of my blog as I adjusted to my new schedule. I was grumpy, discouraged, and frustrated that I just wasn’t getting it all done and those feelings made me even more of a hot mess.
However, since I decided that I was going to do more than just survive these times in my life, I have been trying to let go of my perfectionist ways and accept that I can’t do it all - and that it is okay! I’m learning to just go with the flow, to give myself a break if I don’t get everything done, and to enjoy the messiness of it all. I may be running around like a crazy person with my hair in a messy bun and feeding my husband chicken Ceasar salad for dinner 3 times a week, but I recognize how lucky I am to be living such a busy and full life.
Take a minute to Binge
Since I’m working on accepting that I can’t do it all most days, I’m also trying to make sure I take care of myself and my sanity. So, I have no shame in saying that there are some days where I come home, crawl into bed to snuggle Rosie, and binge a few hours of Top Chef on Hulu. It may not help me get my life together, but it does help me keep my sanity about me.
Don’t be afraid to take care of yourself and take a break from the messiness of it all with a good Netflix Binge.
Don’t Apologize
I am an apologizer. I feel like I need to be sorry for everything that doesn’t go the right way. At the beginning of the January, I found myself constantly apologizing for being a hot mess and not having all my crap together. I apologized to my husband for making a salad for dinner 3 nights in a row. I said I was sorry to my blogging friends for being a few minutes late to our video chat. I said I was sorry to my best friend for missing her facetimes 3 days in a row because I was non-stop trying to catch up on blog projects.
You know what, though? I’m done apologizing for being all over the place with my life. I’m not sorry for being so busy and for giving so much of myself in different aspects. I’m not sorry for getting myself out there in the blogging scene instead of staying home and hunkering down in a state of anxiety. I’m not sorry for having a million lists in my bullet journal instead of a perfectly organized planner. I’m not sorry for pursuing a vibrant life, even if it is a crazy season for it.
So, if you are currently in a state of being a hot mess, don’t apologize for it. Own it, go with it, and don’t take it for granted.
How do you rock being a hot mess?
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