My Intentions For Summer 2018

       Woah. I cannot believe summer is already here. My freshman year of high school didn't necessarily "fly by", but it's still hard to believe that it is at an end. It's a little weird to all of a sudden have all of this free time, after a very, very busy year. But, with this abundance of time, I've been thinking a lot about my goals for the next few months.

1) To explore - Whether it is a road trip or a vacation, I want to dig deeper and see the world. Nothing compares to submersing yourself in a culture, and you would be surprised by the lessons you learn.

2) To get out of my comfort zone - To be honest, I did a fair amount of pushing myself out of where I was most comfortable, and in every situation, I was glad that I did. I want to continue that practice, because nothing exciting comes from being stagnant.

3) (At least try to) make the most out of my time - After watching a season of Love and Hip Hop Hollywood the day after school ended, I realized how precious time is, and how easily it is lost. Of course I still do love my shows, but I am going to try my hardest to not lose track of time.

4) Spend more time in nature - I want to spend time admiring the beautiful world, and take advantage of the long days of summer. I have a new found appreciation for sunrises, sunsets, and everything in between.

5) Being spontaneous - Not everything has to be planned, and sometimes going with the flow is the best choice.

I hope you enjoyed hearing about some of the things I want to focus on this summer.
Thanks for reading!
- much love, Suzan J

The Stunning Suburbs of the City

       Every year, I write out some of my goals, and in 2018 I really wanted to explore the calmer side of New York City, Brooklyn. I grew up going to the Greenpoint area, but never really went anywhere else. After running some errands, I walked up to Williamsburg with my mom. I kind of have a new favorite part of NYC every month, but I'm not gonna lie, Brooklyn has the perfect balance of city and nature. Kind of like the suburbs of the city? We went to Bushwick Inlet Park, which had a perfect view of Manhattan. I am really intrigued by Williamsburg, and cannot wait until I return.

Thanks so much for reading!

- much love, Suzan J

How To Be Confident (for real)

        Confidence is one of those things everyone strives for, but few can completely achieve. With today's pressures of society, I can assure you that no one on the face of this earth is completely free of insecurities (If you are, I admire you). I would totally be lying if I said I was 100% confident, but it has been a heck of a journey and for once I feel like I am becoming unapologetically myself, you know? The key to confidence is understanding that there is only going to ever be one you and whatever idea of perfection you have in your head is never going to exist. If you are ever feeling like you are "not enough", start thinking about your favorite qualities, and you will forget about anything else. If you live your life hating yourself, you are the only person that is going to have to deal with that everyday. Self love starts with you, and can affect your whole life. Understand that you only have yourself and focus on bettering who you are, not trying to achieve what you're not. Think about what would happen if you started thinking this is my body, this is my face, this is my life. Time spent striving for something that isn't you is time wasted. You are you, and it's time to present the best version of yourself to the world.

Thanks so much for reading!
- much love, Suzan J

Inspiration is Everywhere

   I know exactly what it is like to be in a creative slump. I'm literally writing to you as I am in a creative slump. Sometimes we just have moments where we don't feel inspired. However, I have figured out different ways to get back on track, and one of them is focusing on the simple things. Nature is the fundaments of life, and has so much inspiration in itself. Taking a walk or sitting down and observing the world around you can make some brilliant ideas pop into your head. I try to take a walk at least every other day, and pay attention to my surroundings. Not only does this make me feel refreshed, but it also makes me more grounded. It's interesting what you can notice when you aren't staring into a screen.

Thanks for reading.
- much love, Suzan J

NYC Is Always A Good Idea

      I said I'd be back, didn't I? I have to say, I can't decide which types of days are better in New York City - rainy or sunny. Nothing competes with a gloomy day spent in a cozy café, just as nothing competes with people watching at a park with an iced coffee in my hand. There's definitely a change in the overall energy, seeing people go from speed walking with an umbrella, to leisurely riding a bike or taking a walk. Needless to say, there is always something new to discover, and a new sight to take in.

Avocado Toast from Irving Farm

Chelsea

Union Square Farmers Market

Union Square Farmers Market

Union Square Farmers Market

Regardless of the weather, the city never disappoints. It was a perfectly sunny day spent roaming up and down the streets of Midtown and Chelsea.
Thanks for reading. Have an amazing day!
- much love, Suzan J