Refresh ~

Today was the first day that I was able to wake up without an alarm and I had proceeded to look forward to a day without any (welcomed) obligations!!! Just a ME day. I haven't had one of those in such a long time and it was just so wonderfully refreshing.

As some of you may have read in one of my previous posts, I've already started school to become a professional makeup artist. *sigh of relief*!! I haven't felt this happy with myself in a very long time.

This morning one of my friends had called me to ask what my plans were for today and I was so happy to tell him that I was doing absolutely "nothing"! Just whatever I wanted to do today because I had pushed myself to the limit this entire week. He reminded me of how things used to be like at this time of year about a year ago. Things were on an entirely different path back then and I was a completely different person. He said that I sound much happier, and indeed I am...much...much happier!

I am so busy pushing forward with my career, I literally could not find the words to describe how I feel on some days because after one thing I have another thing I have to dive right into. That's also why I haven't been able to update my blog as frequently! My brain is not in a single state of mind long enough to put my thoughts into writing.

I've been schooling during the weekday and working every weekend on gigs since I've started my program. While working I realized that this kind of career choice (trades/freelance) really humbles you as you're working with so many people who are extremely talented. You become truly thankful and appreciative to be involved in so many different opportunities, and to me, the key to being successful is to never become complacent or overly confident.

I've gotten in on a few gigs within a few weeks of starting school (normally people have a difficult time to find gigs even once they've graduated) but by no means do I feel even a slight bit of accomplishment. I feel appreciative and lucky, that's for sure, but 'accomplished' is a word that I will not be using for months and years to come.

On another note, I finally got the domain for my online portfolio a few months back and now that I've worked on a few gigs/shoots, my MUA website and portfolio building will begin! Before the hectic Monday begins again (tomorrow), I'm going to take today to sip my tea, eat my macarons, & take it ezzzzz ! :)

Although the week exhausts me (to the point of missing stops EVERY time I get onto the public transit) and puts me into constant zombie mode (it's like my body is awake and working, but my brain just wants to sleep...), I couldn't be happier with my progress at this point.

I'm going to take my time and enjoy the process of getting to where I want to be in life. I am blessed to have had the support system to encourage me to keep moving forward.

As the photographers send me the photos of my makeup looks and the behind-the-scenes footage, I'll share what I've been up to in the last couple of weeks.

Some unsolicited advice I'd like to share with my readers:

(They're positive things that I like to re-emphasize to myself from time to time. In addition to keeping me happy and positive, they keep me focused and my head in the game.)

1/ ALWAYS DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY.
2/ BE WILLING TO ACCEPT FAILURE, DON'T BE AFRAID TO TRY NEW THINGS
3/ SHOW OTHERS KINDNESS, AND YOU WILL GET THE SAME IN RETURN
4/ BE HUMBLE.
5/ NEVER BECOME COMPLACENT
6/ YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE ;). Somedays, just say to yourself/others: WHO THE HELL CARES. And do what you want to do! (As long as it's not hurtful or illegal lol......)
7/ BE CONFIDENT IN YOURSELF. You are capable of more than you know...
8/ NEVERRR...EVER.. SETTLE FOR LESS.
9/ STAY TRUE TO YOUR MORALS. (I cannot emphasize this one enough)
10/ EAT YOUR HEART OUT :)

With that, I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend. Monday is tomorrow, and we'll all face it with a positive attitude and a great outlook on life!

xoxo,
Valentina