alt-truisms
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 09:10AM 
(image taken from the back cover of kinfolk magazine)
I'll be the first to admit that I have kept things pretty quiet here. I had taken a long, pregnant pause from this space that has been my touchstone for so long. I signed up for alt when registration first opened, and frankly, forgot soon thereafter. The holidays and our first venture into homeownership took first priority, and my small space on the interweb seemed friviolous and insignificant. Work and the hustle of it all normally demands not only my first priority, but all of my attention. All the people I love the most, and my housekeeping, take back burner. Honestly, if I had a penny for every time I've said "It's amazing I still even have friends" or heard "You never pick up my phone call, I'm beginning to think you hate me" then I'd be a wealthy girl. If I'm not working towards rent for my awesome studio space, then I'm juggling various photo shoots and clients' needs. But anyone who knows me would vouch that I'm my most happiest when I'm around people. I love and treasure human interaction. Working for yourself can be a lonely, lonely little life. And it is very, very easy to lose sight of the utter whole, let alone personal goals in mind.
The face of blogging has evolved so much since I first ventured into good ole My Favorite Color is Shiny. Now there is so much noise, albeit beautiful noise, in media. I am trying to be more mindful of what I read, listen to, and watch on TV( this might even mean saying goodbye to The Real Housewives and Bravo as a whole). I hope to continue to evolve while staying authentic to who I am and hope to be. For anyone considering going to alt, I cannot express how much I would champion the decision. Not only were the speakers inspirational, but I found more joy in three days than I have felt in so very, very long. True, unadulterated joy. So much so that I had to swallow back the tears on my 9 hour day of travel, and read Mindy Kaling's book (talk about a good belly laugh kind of book). The kindred spirits I met, particularly that of my roomates, who I had never met before. Carrie, Kelly, and Jenn completely welcomed me as a friend from the moment I met them. I met so many kindhearted women( and a handful of men) who wildly impressed me with their creativity and transparency. I don't even I think I have enough wordspace or cleverness to attempt to adress all of the wonderful people I met or listened to speak.
Over the course of the next 6 months to a year, I have a very specific goal I will be working towards for and a series of small changes I hope to accomplish. I could share them now but I would rather the sum of the parts speak louder than any sort of itemized promises sworn on here. I do promise to share more thoughtfully and deliberately, and I won't force anything inauthentic on you. Altruism, all the time baby. That's what I will have in the forefront of my mind and heart. Thank you Liz, Gabrielle, and Jordan for all of your vision, heart, and hardwork you poured into creating a truly incredible experience at alt. And thanks all y'all for listening.
Reader Comments (5)
I'm so proud of you and honored to call you my friend. I can't wait to see what you have in store :)
Very happy for you and excited about what is to come! I'll be watching.
Oh Ginny,
You are such a wonderful person and I am honored to have met you and call your friend...I do miss you and your laugh. Even if it is at 2am! Hehehehe! Such good times. :)
Thank you, Ginny, for being so sweet to me from the moment we met in the lobby. It meant the world to me! xoxo Shannon
I love this line: "Not only were the speakers inspirational, but I found more joy in three days than I have felt in so very, very long." I'm right there with ya! I felt like a big happy kid to be surrounded by so many others that share the same love and interests.
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with in the next few months. :)