full circle

For all of you who have offered your words and advice after last week’s post, thank you [no, they aren’t unsolicited and yes, please keep ‘em coming!] Your seemingly unwavering confidence in my ability to make the right decision is quite reassuring. And, even though I have no news on where I will be landing [I won’t for some time], I woke up today feeling seemingly closer to understanding what I’m looking for. [Let me tell you, being 100% honest with yourself on what things you prioritize, what things are deal breakers, and what you’re willing to sacrifice is no easy game.] Suffice it to say, I’ve been doing a lot of soul thinking (yes, I’m making that a word!)

But this post isn’t about any of that. I kind of need some time off from thinking, talking, writing, pondering anyways. This post is about last weekend. On Saturday, a girl boss friend of mine, Julia, (make sure to follow her on Instagram here) hosted a BEAUTIFUL event (and I’m SO proud of her for it.) She asked me to come along to support, and I, of course, said YES! I was planning to bring along another blogger friend, but it turns out she couldn’t make it, so it was just me. Rolanda. Party of 1.

Heading to the event gave me so much déjà vu. Déjà vu because I remember when I first moved here I would go to events like these- alone. Rolanda. Party of 1- because, well, I didn’t have blogger friends to invite. And I’d be a little nervous because I wouldn’t know anyone at these events, and I’d have to make new friends- it was like the first day of school but every weekend.. for a couple of months.

However, on Saturday, I wasn’t nervous-not one bit. I showed up and truly to my surprise ran into 3 other badass women who I have met over the course of my time here. One of them I hadn’t seen since early 2017 so it was so great to catch up and hear about what she’s up to now [running a marketing consultancy after departing from her own apparel line.]

But the true full circle moment, as this post’s title alludes to, comes when Julia introduces me to Sarah. She mentioned that Sarah is also a part-time blogger and moved from the East Coast to San Francisco 3 months ago. And in that moment, I realized, I was once… Sarah. I too had recently moved to a new city, unsure of how to navigate it, was attending events solo to meet people, and just really trying to understand how to make the best of my time here.

In truth, I held back some tears [I know, I’m so dramatic], and my first words to Sarah were, “It will all be okay.”

Sweater: Le Tote, Skirt: Forever 21, Boots: Steve Madden; Earrings: Le Tote; Sunglasses: Dolce & Gabbana

Photos by: Stan Schor