“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent.
It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”
I had a chef in culinary school who, whenever we were faced with some mishap (lack of ingredients, missing tools, what have you), would not take any excuses. He would look us straight in the eye and say, “Adapt and overcome.” And you know what? Most of the time, even in the craziest of situations, we would. I think about that encouraging admonition every now and again, especially when it feels like the going gets tough. Really, the ability to adapt and overcome is the key to any kind of personal evolution, don’t you think?
It’s funny to think about evolution happening all the time, all around us, and within our own lives on such a micro scale. Like, think about who you were in high school. What motivated you, what you feared, what you longed for. Then think about how that changed in college. And then after. And now. In my own case, it’s almost hilarious to consider. For me personally, the crux of my evolution has been learning to become more comfortable in my own skin, with my own history (because like it or not, it’s all true), and most importantly, letting my friends and family see the fragile or vulnerable sides of me. This last one hasn’t always been easy for me to do. But I’m working on it!
My good friend and colleague Meg Biram just launched a new t shirt shop called Manifesto, and each month, she’ll be debuting a single super soft, super comfy tee with a handwritten word on it. This month’s word is EVOLVE, and in case you couldn’t tell, it’s got me thinking (and doing something outside my normal comfort zone — posting a full on outfit pic!). It seemed a perfect question to ask for this Real Life Wednesday: how have you evolved over the last five years?
{Quote attribution: it’s too long to explain, so if you’re a biology and/or history nerd, check out this article!}
LOVE the quote! Great blog and a beautiful smile to finish.
xo
Emily Jenny
Stiletto Beats
i love your perspective on this! so well written and thoughtful.
and it’s funny – i have been thinking a lot about who i was five years ago this week! i met my now husband 5 years ago this saturday and it is crazy to think of who we were then versus who we are now. in my case, i too have become a lot more aware of who i really am and who i want to be and have realized that it’s ok to not know what’s next. 5 years ago i had a plan and a mission (that did NOT involve getting married in 5 years! ha!) and looking back, the best things that have happened to me were things i could have never expected.
looking forward to coming back and reading the comments!
Love the reflection…and the outfit! :)
You look gorg! Also, Lucy is working it even from the back! ;) Love the T Shirt and the word evolving hits home for sure. I can’t even begin to think about how different I was 5 years ago. I have lived in New York, Connecticut and California in that time. Got married, have a new career, we got our amazing pup Lola and I’m pregnant now! That’s a lot of life changes! Throughout it all I made sure to go with the flow, evolve and change because if you don’t grow and evolve as your life throws you curve balls what’s the point? =)
I’m trying to get better about “evolving” each and every day. Not my strongest quality.. but a necessary one to master.
PS. what is that leash/harness contraption? I must know.
It’s a Wonder Walker! Amazing if your dog likes to pull or wants
to go in THAT direction when you want to go in THIS one (Luce
used to be notorious for this, and the harness, along with lots
of training has really helped!).
Considering that in the past 5 years I made an industry change, moved back in NC, got married, got a dog, and had a kid…you could say it’s been quite an evolution! Love the idea behind the tees – will definitely be looking into it. And thanks for feeding my total science nerd side!
LOVE that green bag! where is it from?
I love the quote! and yes…I recognized it immediately… and I also understand about the full on outfit feeling… I have yet to do any of that on my blog..and it IS about being comfortable in your own skin, to which, if I’m hesitant…I must not be comfortable about my fashion choices….or skin.. ahhh to evolve to that comfort level. Working on it!
Heather Ashley Chase
I freaking LOVE this picture of you!!!!!
You look amazing, and I love your thoughtful post.
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
Love this shirt! I just got mine. I think it will serve as a great reminder to always strive to improve. I can’t wait to see next month’s t-shirt!