Bloom where you are planted
“A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.”
Dressing like a literal flower (do you see it?) is making me pull out all the cheesy bloom-related quotes for this post, which in turn is making me reflect on where I am at this point in my life.
In all honestly, once I moved to a totally new state for graduate school, I did not think I would ever move back to my hometown. It's not that I hated where I grew up; rather, I thought I needed to branch out and bloom away from my parents. I thought I needed my own "place". It seems like a lot of people have that feeling after moving out (the vast majority of my high school graduating class went to college somewhere other than Boise). But, I had a realization about three years ago—one year before finishing my PhD—and decided that I didn't like being away from my family; not to mention, Boise was a pretty fabulous place to live all things considered.
I don't regret for a moment moving back last year. Boise has its quirks—some I don't mind, others drive me somewhat insane—and it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, but here, I feel like I am in my place. Sometimes I wish I had broken out of my comfort zone and moved to somewhere more vibrant or aspirational, like Seattle, but I've come to appreciate where I'm from, and I'm trying not to take my place for granted. This is where I'm meant to be right now. It's important to remember to enjoy where I'm at in life, embrace the present, and bloom where I'm planted—right back in my hometown. :)
OUTFIT DETAILS
Madewell shirt / similar pink plaid or similar from Target (last seen here)
J.Crew pants / similar by LOFT
Cole Haan boots / old; similar by Franco Sarto
Amour Vert earrings / exact
Moorea Seal sunglasses / old; similar by Le Specs
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in rosé / exact