Daydreamer Diaries: Apr 2022

Musings

I just got back from spending 3 days dancing in the desert with my friends, so I’m feeling super grateful. We bought tickets to Coachella in 2019 when life looked a lot different for all of us. To finally make it there after all this time was extra special–it’s a weekend I never want to forget. Thank you Coachella for such a good time! If attending that festival is something you’ve been wanting to do, I highly recommend actually doing it. I have a lot more to say and have logistics I can share as well, so I’ll probably get around to writing a full post about it at some point. We also had my brother and SIL’s baby shower this month which was another huge highlight and special milestone. It was so nice getting to see family and celebrate together!

Movies

The Worst Person in the World

This movie has gotten really good reviews (like 96% on Rotten Tomatoes). It’s Norwegian and takes place in Oslo, so you have to read subtitles but don’t let that deter you. The film is a romance/drama and follows the main character Julie around the time of her 30th birthday. It beautifully portrays how it feels to be that age when the decisions you make, whether seemingly inconsequential or obviously important, can take your life down vastly different paths. Julie reflects on her female ancestors (who were either mothers, divorced, or dead by her age) who didn’t have the privilege of choice that women have in current times due to the rise of feminism. But we see her struggle with how that very ability to live life on your own terms can feel overwhelming and impossible to figure out. She has a hard time sticking to things…we see her change her mind about work multiple times and then pick very different men to date. It’s very relatable if you are in a similar stage of life. It shows the confusion modern women face with endless options at our feet and fear of choosing the wrong thing or not sticking to the right thing.

TV

Life and Beth (Hulu)

I heard a few people recommend this online, so I gave it a go. It’s a dramedy starring Amy Schumer and Michael Cera, and it’s actually one of the best shows I’ve seen in a minute. While watching I went back and forth between hysterical laughter and then also had those moments where my eyes were wide and my hand was over my mouth in shock/cringe. I love how it showed a woman taking control of her life and getting out of her comfort zone to heal some childhood traumas. It really resonated and was just generally hilarious. It’s another take on women in their 30s (which I’m very here for). We have enough distance from our past to reflect on it and know ourselves well enough to act with some confidence.

The Great Pottery Throw Down (HBO Max)

I found this show last April and binged all 4 seasons in like 2 days haha. Season 5 is finally streaming after a year of waiting! It’s amazing to see the creativity and skill of the amateur potters. You also frequently see one of the judges get emotional about the pieces each week. To see a grown man cry over the beauty of their work is so heart warming. If I’m lucky enough to be healthy in my retirement, I am definitely going to take up pottery. But I 10/10 recommend this show if you like easy-to-watch, feel good, artsy shows (like The Great British Bake Off or Blown Away).

Indiana

Like I mentioned earlier, we had a baby shower this month for my brother and SIL. We held it at Merrillville Florist and Tea Room, and I just wanted to give them a shout out because it’s relatively new to our area. It was bought in 2019 then the pandemic hit, so they haven’t been open too long. But yea it’s just a super charming and cute place that’s worth checking out! We threw a tea party themed shower, and they just totally brought it to life for us (plus the service was incredible).

YouTube

Taylor Wynn

I am still obsessed with makeup videos on YouTube, but I will say I am quite picky about who I get super into. It’s been awhile since I found a new makeup channel, but it’s the best when you find someone you like and then have their whole back catalog to go through. Anyways, my friend Marissa told me about Taylor Wynn, and I was pretty much instantly hooked. She also does nomad life and travel content, so she’s even more up my alley. This video in particular was super interesting because it’s a concept I haven’t seen from any other people I follow on YouTube. She got her makeup done by a professional editorial artist and did a photoshoot. It was really cool to see it all come together!

In Case You Missed It

Fira to Oia Complete Calera Walk SANTORINI GREECE I have a new YouTube channel called Walk With Allison where I take you with me on my travels around the world. They’re all POV walking tours with a slow pace that really give you a feel for what a place is actually like. Throw these on in the background while you work from home, walk on the treadmill, or even transport yourself somewhere else during dinner.

I filmed this video in Santorini, easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. This caldera hike is one of the top things to do on the island. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and please subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already! It would mean so much 🙂

Words

Your life belongs to you. It’s not selfish to want your life to benefit you. It’s not selfish to ask: What am I getting out of this? And if the answer is “not much,” it’s not selfish to walk away. It’s amazing to be humble and empathetic and understanding, but you are not a martyr. You are allowed to be first on your priority list. Your life is something you create, not something you have to endure. Yes, you have to work hard to create the life you want, but it’s better than living on autopilot, letting other people decide what your direction will be. I hope you step up to your life. That you realize it’s not selfish to want the best for yourself. It’s not selfish to create a life that makes you happy, that isn’t waiting for validation from others. It’s never selfish to build a loving, beautiful home within yourself.

–Jamie Varon