Hi, All!
I am SO happy today is self-care Saturday. I was supposed to be off on an antiquing adventure with one of my best clients. Talk about SELF-CARE for me! Immersing myself in gorgeous things all day long that are unique and full of character…AHHHH!
My client and I have been planning this for almost a month now and little things (family obligations, Life, the flu) keep getting in our way. So today is NOT the day it will be happening, but I feel confident it will happen soon and it is going to be fabulous! I’ll let you know so you can follow me on Instagram and Vine to see what antiques and treasures we find when we actually do get our buns in the flea markets. What fun, right?
But thinking of all those treasures we are going to discover got me thinking of this…
Lately many people have been asking me “Are you just interested in being a motivational speaker now, instead of a designer?” Ugh! Even my own grandmother asked this question.
I find it funny that people NEED us to be LABELED to be able to accept us. They can’t just see our gifts and treasures as a part of the many facets of our personalities. It becomes an either/or situation. Tobi is EITHER a motivational speaker OR a designer. Because in people’s minds, I couldn’t possibly have room in my heart to love both. And certainly I can’t bring them TOGETHER to influence and inspire others. I must CHOOSE.
Well I am here to tell you I am both! And I REFUSE to CHOOSE! I pride myself on being Undefinable! And maybe more accurately Design is what I DO and inspiring and motivating others is really deeper for me. It’s part of who I AM. They co-exist. They always will. They are not mutually exclusive. They are two peas in a pod. They are like bees and honey. They are like peanut butter and jelly. They are like Chanel and black and white!
Both design and spirituality (or motivation, or inspiration if you prefer) are treasures to me. They are gifts. But they don’t need to be labeled to be a part of me. They don’t define me. They just enhance me and fulfill me. They make me happy. And if I can use each of these gifts or TREASURES as a way to impact and influence other people in a positive and loving way, then I must. It is my duty. My obligation. My purpose.
So, today, on this Self-care Saturday…Love yourself in a way you have never done before. With no labels. No expectations. No Choosing. Be open. Embrace all your treasures and gifts even if others don’t understand it. Be authentically you. And love yourself more because of it.
xo,
YES! I have never fit into the Interior Designer box…and while I LOVE it, is has never been “just right” Now I feel like I play dress up…putting on the hat I want to wear at any given time..and it is perfect!! Woe to people who ask what I do…it is a long answer!
Yay!! Self acceptance rocks!!
Tobi, what a wonderful post, and so true. It’s funny but the pressure other put on you to define yourself often make you feel as if you do need to conform, to choose. Here’s to an abundant life free from being boxed in.
YOU GO, Tobi !!!
This is such an inspirational post! Yes, we can ( and should) be ALL that God has called us to be. Wonderful is too big to fit a label!
Good for you!
Dixie Pearls
Tobi;
Thank you for writing this! I have spent the past 8 months struggling with what to do next in my life. I have done the things I have wanted to do so far and have no idea what I want to do next. The struggle comes from not knowing, but also with people wanting to put others in a box so they make sense, meaning, because I have this training and these experiences, this is the natural order to follow. I have always felt that I never fit in anywhere and at the age of 52, I don’t want to. It’s confining and based on expectations and needs, there is no room to be authentic 24/7/365.
Here’s to being me/us, authentic and true!
Monica
Tobi,
I saw a tweet that led me to this thoughtful post. I sat here nodding, and have to say I admire your stance. (Loved the verse from Luke, by the way–one of my favorite Bible verses.) Knowing who we are aside from what we do will outlast everything else. I’m grateful, as I know you are, for every talent, ability, and gift from God. Those special attributes make us who we are, and give us such joy in being that person!
Thank you for laying it all out there. You really nailed it.
Bonnie
*Hope you have a great time antiquing when you’re able to!
Tobi,
I saw a tweet that led me to this thoughtful post. I sat here nodding, and have to say I admire your stance. (Loved the verse from Luke, by the way–one of my favorite Bible verses.) Knowing who we are aside from what we do will outlast everything else. I’m grateful, as I know you are, for every talent, ability, and gift from God. Those special attributes make us who we are, and give us such joy in being that person!
Thank you for laying it all out there. You really nailed it.
Bonnie
*Hope you have a great time antiquing when you’re able to!
Hi Tobi! I found your blog via a pin on Pinterest. I am not a designer but I love looking at design blogs to get ideas, so I’ve been reading through some of your lovely design posts. When I ran into this post though, I just had to leave a comment! You’re one of the first design bloggers I’ve come across that talks about also having a passion for encouraging and motivating others (and even sharing a Bible verse!) and I so appreciate you being able to share that and offer this encouragement to just be ourselves. Love it!