Well hello friends! It’s a late night here in Cville and I am definitely behind on work, but a blog post is due for you. I constructed a content calendar for the rest of the semester (which is like 5 weeks), but tonight I am just answering a few questions. So here’s yet another questions from the web blog post. Hope it’s your kind of ~vibe~.
At what age do you think people should settle down?
I don’t know that I have a particular age, and I think settling down means different things because everyone has a different set of circumstances. But I’d definitely say that your mid-twenties is a good time to hone in on your finances, your goals for the next few years, and be in a good social setting. Romantically speaking, it all depends. But I have several friends who have gotten married right out of college (my roommate is engaged). If you and your significant other are financially stable, have approval from the important people in your life (family/chosen family), and have considered all of the important conversations (kids, finances, religion, long term life vision, etc.), why not get married? Also, there’s another sense that “settle down” could mean when you decide to stop traveling/moving around every few years. In this sense, I’d definitely say that you should settle down when you’ve gained the experience you desire and when you long for stability more than adventure. Hope this was comprehensive 🙂
What’s one item you’ve recently crossed off your bucket list?
I feel like I haven’t consulted my college bucket list in a hot minute, but we have been given 122 things to do before you graduate list, and I have been doing A TON of those activities. Recently, I went to see Mothering Sunday with my friend Mary at the Virginia Film Festival. OMG, this film was stunning. The cinematography was amazing and I was in awe of the sound production. Will definitely be needing a soundtrack list when it officially comes out on November 12th!
Recent Post: Deep Questions from the Web
If you had to describe yourself using only three words, what would they be?
I actually needed to do this for something I was applying to, but then I had my roommate tell me some words, and we correlated! Good to know I don’t have a completely off view of myself. Three words: Spontaneous. Introspective. People-oriented. I love a random outing that causes me to abandon plans I have deliberately made. There’s just something fun about being open to anything that comes your way. I am an in-my-head kinda girl. I have a blog because I like answering questions, or at least the process of discovering answers to my questions. And people-oriented. When I’m around people, I feel the most connected. I really thrive in my one-on-one time with people, and I am always willing to make space for people in my life.
What lies do you most often tell yourself?
I’ve actually had this discussion with my discipler a few weeks ago. I think one of the big lies I believe is that I’m always failing at something. When we aim our lives to be productive, every moment not spent at that purpose gets seen as a wasted moment. I also think social media plays a role in believing that everyone around you is winning, and you’re not. But that’s not true. You never see the rejections on social media—just the highlights. I’m learning to recognize this lie in me and shift towards having grace for myself. Another lie is the lie that I’m not safe anywhere—not referring to physical safety, but emotional safety. I’m pretty aware of my emotional boundaries and I often tend to reserve myself for self-preservation. I know that I am emotionally safe in specific relationships, but it’s hard to get that to translate to feeling emotionally safe.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I definitely want to live somewhere where I can take long walks in the morning or sit outside with my tea. I want to be deeply invested in my local community, whether that’s in a school-context, or politically, or even with the local library. I am planning on being deeply rooted in the community. I’d love to be on my way to writing a book of some kind. I’d love to have a job I love with good people. Mainly, I want good relationships that will sustain me. A lot of the details are fuzzy. Will I live in Virginia? Will I live in New York? Maybe abroad? I have no idea, but time will tell.
What are the top three lessons you learned the hard way?
You cannot make people stay in life. You cannot make people reciprocate the energy you are giving to them.
The Christian life is more about engaging with questions than finding answers.
A busy schedule will lead you to neglect yourself and it will show up in your physical health.
Recent Post: What I’ve Learned This Summer
What advice would you give to your younger self?
SO MUCH. Stop trying to get that boy to notice you. You are worth more than just attention. GO TO SLEEP (LOL me at myself right now)! Create margin in your life before things get busy. Set your boundaries and make them clear. Make traditions (you don’t have to be in a relationship to do this!) Start the blog earlier! Stop dwelling and start ~living~! And many more.
Are you a morning or night person?
I have decided that I am both. I grind best late at night when no one distracts me with their fun social plans, but I love getting up early and having a slow morning. Either way, I just get little sleep as I live this way, but we will recover during winter break.
What songs are on your playlist at the moment?
Well hello friends! It’s a late night here in Cville and I am definitely behind on work, but a blog post is due for you. I constructed a content calendar for the rest of the semester (which is like 5 weeks), but tonight I am just answering a few questions. So here’s yet another questions from the web blog post. Hope it’s your kind of ~vibe~.
At what age do you think people should settle down?
I don’t know that I have a particular age, and I think settling down means different things because everyone has a different set of circumstances. But I’d definitely say that your mid-twenties is a good time to hone in on your finances, your goals for the next few years, and be in a good social setting. Romantically speaking, it all depends. But I have several friends who have gotten married right out of college (my roommate is engaged). If you and your significant other are financially stable, have approval from the important people in your life (family/chosen family), and have considered all of the important conversations (kids, finances, religion, long term life vision, etc.), why not get married? Also, there’s another sense that “settle down” could mean when you decide to stop traveling/moving around every few years. In this sense, I’d definitely say that you should settle down when you’ve gained the experience you desire and when you long for stability more than adventure. Hope this was comprehensive 🙂
What’s one item you’ve recently crossed off your bucket list?
I feel like I haven’t consulted my college bucket list in a hot minute, but we have been given 122 things to do before you graduate list, and I have been doing A TON of those activities. Recently, I went to see Mothering Sunday with my friend Mary at the Virginia Film Festival. OMG, this film was stunning. The cinematography was amazing and I was in awe of the sound production. Will definitely be needing a soundtrack list when it officially comes out on November 12th!
Recent Post: Deep Questions from the Web
If you had to describe yourself using only three words, what would they be?
I actually needed to do this for something I was applying to, but then I had my roommate tell me some words, and we correlated! Good to know I don’t have a completely off view of myself. Three words: Spontaneous. Introspective. People-oriented. I love a random outing that causes me to abandon plans I have deliberately made. There’s just something fun about being open to anything that comes your way. I am an in-my-head kinda girl. I have a blog because I like answering questions, or at least the process of discovering answers to my questions. And people-oriented. When I’m around people, I feel the most connected. I really thrive in my one-on-one time with people, and I am always willing to make space for people in my life.
What lies do you most often tell yourself?
I’ve actually had this discussion with my discipler a few weeks ago. I think one of the big lies I believe is that I’m always failing at something. When we aim our lives to be productive, every moment not spent at that purpose gets seen as a wasted moment. I also think social media plays a role in believing that everyone around you is winning, and you’re not. But that’s not true. You never see the rejections on social media—just the highlights. I’m learning to recognize this lie in me and shift towards having grace for myself. Another lie is the lie that I’m not safe anywhere—not referring to physical safety, but emotional safety. I’m pretty aware of my emotional boundaries and I often tend to reserve myself for self-preservation. I know that I am emotionally safe in specific relationships, but it’s hard to get that to translate to feeling emotionally safe.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I definitely want to live somewhere where I can take long walks in the morning or sit outside with my tea. I want to be deeply invested in my local community, whether that’s in a school-context, or politically, or even with the local library. I am planning on being deeply rooted in the community. I’d love to be on my way to writing a book of some kind. I’d love to have a job I love with good people. Mainly, I want good relationships that will sustain me. A lot of the details are fuzzy. Will I live in Virginia? Will I live in New York? Maybe abroad? I have no idea, but time will tell.
What are the top three lessons you learned the hard way?
You cannot make people stay in life. You cannot make people reciprocate the energy you are giving to them.
The Christian life is more about engaging with questions than finding answers.
A busy schedule will lead you to neglect yourself and it will show up in your physical health.
Recent Post: What I’ve Learned This Summer
What advice would you give to your younger self?
SO MUCH. Stop trying to get that boy to notice you. You are worth more than just attention. GO TO SLEEP (LOL me at myself right now)! Create margin in your life before things get busy. Set your boundaries and make them clear. Make traditions (you don’t have to be in a relationship to do this!) Start the blog earlier! Stop dwelling and start ~living~! And many more.
Are you a morning or night person?
I have decided that I am both. I grind best late at night when no one distracts me with their fun social plans, but I love getting up early and having a slow morning. Either way, I just get little sleep as I live this way, but we will recover during winter break.
What songs are on your playlist at the moment?
Maybe I’m crazy, but I’ve made like 8 playlists in the last few weeks. I’m the girl who just makes new playlists all the time. I hate having just one playlist with days worth of music on it. My recent playlist names – waiting for my crystal clear (reference to Hayley Williams), sometimes timing is crappy, bonfire boy, moody folk gal vibes, and on the edge of something (reference to Missy Higgins). But songs in particular – Love Note by Upperroom, Best Friend by The Staves, My Way by Pvris, The End of Love by Florence + the Machine, and 22 Break by Oh Wonder. I’ve been feeling mostly folksie but the new Pvris song is an absolute vibe!
Recent Post: Music and Moods
What is something you’ll remember about 2021?
John 6:68 has been a meaningful verse for me this year. I kind of stumbled onto it in March and then was reminded of it in June and I have been dwelling on it ever since. The story goes – Jesus has just given the Jewish people a hard teaching and many reject it and walk away. And he turns to his disciples and asks them will you go away too? Peter responds “To whom shall we go. You alone have the words of life.” This verse has been a lifeline for me, when my faith can feel like it’s leaving me wearier than it found me. I’ll continue to carry it with me.
Thanks for reading, friends! And feel free to answer some of the questions down below.
Signing off,
Gigi
