Yes, I do still write on this thing. Yes, it’s been months since I have. But hey, people change. Time to close that book and start this new chapter.
So I’m back, for real this time.
It’s been a long time since I posted on here. If I’m being honest, it started because lockdown left me consistently sad and uninspired, and then it continued because my life did a 180. I am in a completely different position than I was in January when it comes to so many things. Honestly, if I weren’t still in my skin, with a lot of the same friends, I could probably call myself a different person. The growth and the change that I’ve undertaken since late March/early April still doesn’t seem all that real to me. But I guess that’s what happens when you’re left alone with your thoughts for months and you’re an aggressively Type A person. So, for both your benefit and mine, I thought I’d lay out all those changes, and say hello to this new chapter of mine.
My life changed in lockdown.
I don’t particularly like talking about misfortunes and failures until they’re resolved, because as a problem solver, that’s how my brain works best. Therefore, in the first few months of lockdown, I kept my pain very close to my chest. Turns out, this pain wasn’t going away anytime soon, and I ended up lying on my mums newly tear-soaked lap, sobbing about how things never worked out for me, no matter how hard I tried. In general, I like to be optimistic about hard work paying off, but at the beginning of lockdown, I was finding it near impossible to believe that was the case. I had lost my job, I felt physically terrible, my creativity was at an all time low, and nothing seemed worth it. It was my own personal rock bottom. And I didn’t know how to cope.
The interesting (and annoying) thing about that kind of deep, seemingly inescapable sadness is that the only thing that can really remedy it is time. There was no quick fix or miacle cure; I just had to get by day by day and trust in the process. So, (painstakingly) slowly but surely, I started picking myself up. I did little bits where I could, and focused on the few things I did have some control over. I began working on improving my physical health without relapsing into old, mentally unhealthy habits through a new, stress free lens. I also began looking at what I really wanted to do with my life, especially since my year out was coming to an end. The way I saw it, I had no job, was banned from having a social life, and there was nothing expected of me… It there was ever a time to really “look inside myself” it was now.
Turns out, all that work I did paid off. It just took a while. And now, to say that everything’s changed in the last 4/5 months would be an understatement. I have a full time job in a career that I love, and can see myself growing in. I am 2 stone lighter than I was in March, I’ve transformed my living space to reflect the “new me” (More on that soon) and I have this brand new blog.
About this brand new blog…
I’m sure you’ve noticed that things are a little different around here… Welcome to Thoughts from Jasmine 2.0, more affectionately known as Jas Writes Stuff. This was a long time coming, and I could go into all the ins and outs of why I changed it and what this means for me, but then this post would be longer than it already is, and we don’t need that. But essentially, I’ve had my blog for almost four years now, I’m a different person to when I started it with way different interests, my domain was up for renewal, and I felt that it was time for change.
Change used to really scare me, but now, more often than not, I crave it. This new chapter fills me with so much excitement and readiness for growth, and I tried to make this new blog reflect that. Design-wise I opted for a more mature, portfolio-style theme to reflect the direction I see both this and my life going in. I want to be able to use it as a blog still, but have it available for other things in my life (Stay tuned for those). Additionally, I had Lena from Art by Lena design me a beautiful logo, that I feel reflects what this site is going to be.
“The interesting (and annoying) thing about that kind of deep, seemingly inescapable sadness is that the only thing that can really remedy it is time.”
Content wise, I still plan on being a ‘lifestyle’ blog, covering mental health rambles, food and fitness, fashion and beauty, entertainment, product reviews, travel and career content. It’s a lot of the same things I’ve been writing about, but with a sharper focus and more exploration and attention to detail. Also, once I’m settled in my new job (Hello probationary period), I plan on sharing more about my experience in the marketing world, as well as more of my writing, my goals, and my general desire to be better.
So I hope you’re ready for this new chapter
I’ve done blog refreshers before. I did a big old one when I first went self-hosted. But transitioning to Jas Writes Stuff is, by far, the biggest transformation I’ve done yet. I am so proud of the content coming. And I’m so excited for the direction I’m taking both this blog and my life in. I hope you’re ready to come along for the ride, I’m looking forward to putting out regular content again from here on out!
Are you starting a new chapter? Are you happy where you are? Let me know how you’re doing in the comments!
Lots of love,
Jas xx
I’m a comfortable person so change scares me sometimes but actually, change is most often good 🙂 I’m so happy your year has turned around for you. I love the new blog look ?? Jennie x
Thank you so much Jennie! It means a lot x
WOAH, so you really had a lockdown life glow up, huh? First things first, I’m so glad you’re in a better place than you were a few months ago, and I hope everything is going amazingly with your new job! 2 STONE?! That’s so impressive in such a small time frame. Congratulations, that can’t have been easy. Loving the new blog theme too, it looks so chic and polished. Can’t wait to see what’s to come x
Sophie
Thank you so much Sophie! Honestly I’m pretty proud of myself. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s so nice to see things pay off. I hope you’re doing well xx
Excited for you and your journey! Very promising, keep it going ?
? Marissa Belle × marsybun.com ?
Thank you so much!
I’m sorry you struggled through lockdown but wow you’ve really shown them huh? I adore the new site, massive congratulations on the new job and I can’t wait to see your living space improvements! xx
Thanks Soph! Yeah, it feels good to be able to look back and know that I improved. xx
I’m also going through a new chapter in my life. I graduated from college in December. I’m building a new website for myself and working towards getting certifications to help boost my career. I love your new website, Jasmine!
That’s so great to hear! Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply, but congrats on your graduation and I hope your new website is going well!