Farewell to "normal"

Joanna on a boat dock at the lake wearing a floral printed dress and sandals.
Joanna on a boat dock at the lake wearing a floral printed dress and sandals.
Joanna on a boat dock at the lake wearing a floral printed dress and sandals.
Joanna on a boat dock at the lake wearing a floral printed dress and sandals.

Tuesday was a farewell of sorts. Across the board. If you wanted a life update, I am about to give it to you.

In the last 30 days we’ve:

  • said farewell to my godmother and Aunt Geraldine

  • said farewell to an incredible summer

  • said farewell to a surprise kidney stone

  • said farewell to another season

  • said farewell to a sitter who we fell in love with but could no longer return

  • said farewell to birthdays that fell anticlimactic

  • said farewell to small gatherings, friends and being social

  • said farewell to individuals who keep “taking” without “giving”

  • almost said farewell to our two year old beta fish - watch my IG stories for more!

  • said farewell to a normal school year

I can assure you that I have a few choice words when it comes to that kidney stone; each farewell has really been a right of passage. That’s how it goes, right?

If I dig deeper, I have so many questions. I am mad at 2020. So much of the under celebrated celebrations, so many milestones have been downplayed, so many loved ones lost, so much struggle. With struggle though, comes greatness. A chapter of triumph. A chapter of lessons.

I feel it’s my job to be resilient and upbeat. And I am. But it’s also my job to be honest. Can I tell you how excited I am for Halloween and the holidays? Because I am. I celebrate it. I love it. I love small rituals and wonder and merriment. I love it all. But today, this week, I am over 2020. I miss simpler times. This feels heavy and complicated. And while I know it’s my job to embrace a new season and be your rah-rah girl…I feel…negative. Sometimes the honesty card is a tough one to face.

It’s temporary. I know it is. So tomorrow I will hug my family a little closer. I will find creative inspiration. I will appreciate the freedom to self-isolate in new surroundings. I will acknowledge my health. I will be grateful for my job. I will appreciate the roof over my head, the food on my plate…but…

GODDAMN…can we give it a break 2020? end rant


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Fashion, Most PopularJohanna GrangeTarget, life, summer, dresses, Outfit of the Day, Let's Get Dressed3 Comments