No one should be surprised that I finally updated the calendar in my apartment to October a few days into the month because I forgot to do it on the first. The months keep flying by and I know I am going to blink and it will be Thanksgiving, then Christmas and then we will be making New Years Resolutions! I’m already talking to my parents about Thanksgiving and Christmas plans which seems so unnecessary because they are months away. However since these weeks are flying by,  I need to start planning like yesterday! The last few days, I have felt like I am constantly running from point a to point b with a never-ending to-do list!

It took a few months, but I finally feel settled in Philadelphia. My routine is set, my apartment is finally unpacked and now I can start calling this place home and mean it! Fall to me always feels like a new beginning probably because that is when the school year would begin for me. The long hot months are over and I get inspired to spend more time outdoors when the crisp air comes in. For the next three months, I want to put all of my energy into inspiring and improving myself so I don’t need any resolutions to make in the new year. No more promises to start going to the gym because I already will have my gym routine. No more promises to eat more healthy because my fridge will already be stocked with healthier food. My weeks will have a purpose and my weekends will be meaningful as well as relaxing. It is the little steps I take now to help create a routine I don’t even need to think about doing in the new year.

To be honest, the last few weeks I find myself pointing out all the things I am doing wrong and not thinking of the things that are going well in my life. When I get home from work after working and commuting, I have spent 11 hours of my day just focused on work and don’t have much energy for anything else. Every night I wonder why I have no energy because I used to work crazy rotating shift hours at J Crew but would still want to go out and would have plenty of time after work for myself. Maybe it is a part of growing up, but I just don’t have the energy after work I once had. My rent had to be paid on the first and I saw a significant dip in my checking account once the check went through. For the first time, I am making a decent salary since graduating college and now it seems it all goes towards rent. I’ve been debating getting a second part-time job to help cover the costs of living, but my work schedule doesn’t allow for one so I would have to give up my weekends completely. My gym schedule has been nonexistent, I have blog stuff I am behind on and I just really miss sleep!

Okay, now that I am done being so negative, I need to point out all of the things that are going well in my life. My finances are tight and that just puts so much stress on me every single month. However, I need to remind myself that I have amazing support from my boyfriend. One of the things I gave up for budgeting reasons was buying coffee so I had to give up my daily Starbucks. J. has been a saint and will pick me up a coffee on his way to work a few times a week because he knows it will make me happy. We used to fight over who bought dinner when we went out and after me trying to fight it, he won’t let me take my wallet anywhere because it is always his treat. He knows I never expect it, but it is so nice to go out to Chipotle knowing my budget doesn’t allow for eating out that week and I can get guac on my burrito because he’s paying this time. In return, we do most cooking at my apartment and I’ll make him a lunch to take to work. I have also had to learn to stop talking out loud because I’ll say I need something and he will order it on Amazon Prime. He takes care of me and thinks of all of the little things. I am completely spoiled 🙂

This move to back to Philly was a dream I had for many years. I saved up as much as I could and was able to have the perfect apartment and splurge on nice furniture. After a few trips to Homegoods and Pottery Barn, my apartment is everything I ever wanted it to be. Seriously, I love coming home to the apartment because it feels like home. My lifetime savings went towards hiring movers, buying furniture and getting all of the home essentials. I have finally started to pay off the credit card debt accumulated with the move, but now I just need to be more mindful with my spending. Money is tight, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world! Moving to Philly and having these experiences have been worth every penny!

And my biggest little joy lately has been this blog. I started it because I was bored and didn’t really care if anyone read it. It turned into an outlet for me to share my outfits, my favorite things, and recent purchases. At no point did I think I would become a famous blogger or anything. It is still not a goal of mine. I have stayed true to my brand of creating a little place on the internet to share what is going on in my life and post pictures of my outfits. My blog has always been “hey, I found something you may like and want to share it” and I love having a place to share really cute clothes on sale or there is a throw pillow at Target that everyone needs! My blog audience is growing and my analytics show me that every week. I make more a week now through my blog than I ever have before. However, there are some weeks I don’t make Blonde Rosie a priority and my analytics and affiliate link commission drop significantly. It shows me how much time and energy needs to go into this little corner of the internet for it to work and I want to make this a priority!

This post ended up being a lot longer than I thought! But to conclude, life is full of highs and lows. Good and bad. The next few months I want a refresh on life and find a way to enjoy every single day. To start, I want to create better habits and be more grateful for each day. Instead of thinking that I cannot shop and spend like I used to, I have to remember that I get to live in a city in a gorgeous apartment instead. I am sure for a lot of us that things are not always going our way, but instead of getting stressed and overwhelmed with everything, I try to do a few good things each day to bring me joy. Even if it is an at-home manicure because I am too poor to get one done!

I hope you will join me on taking little steps each day to create better habits and find joy in every single day. I would love to know what is working for you and how you are making each day count!

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