It is what it is. That's a common little phrase we like to toss around. It's a handy line used to help us cope with unpleasantries, helps us deal with the unexpected in life.

It gets scary when we use it to justify things we shouldn't be accepting so easily...like settling into a safe ho-hum lifestyle or doing mediocre work. We often use it as an excuse to give up and not try harder. You know how it goes...just accept whatever it is and move on.

Yikes! Sound the alarm! That line just got worn out.

The good thing is, in life, we have options. We can choose how we react, how we respond...how we problem solve situations. Yes, every single one of us. We can choose so much more than settling for the mundane or whatever gets thrown our way. Let's create our way instead.

Personally, being a designer, we are creative visual problem solvers. I'm trained and encouraged to think through diverse perspectives and situations. It's not only my job but an excellent philosophy to live by. It's a lifestyle. There's always more than one solution to every problem. Sometimes you have to wrestle with ideas, put in the work and enjoy the process.

Just remember everyone won't always be on board with you. Anytime you create or show people a different way of doing things, you'll get resistance...and usually that means you're doing something right. Don't let others sway your thinking. Go head first making the most of situations.

I've learned that MOST of the time, it just isn't what it is...it is what you make it.

"Live less out of habit and more out of intent." This is where I'm at.
I've been letting this phrase guide me lately...because of that decision, it's been a great year. Daily, I ask myself how I'm applying this to my life and what it truly means to live this out. Other questions include: "how do I want to spend my time?" and, "Am I doing anything of actual value?" Let's be clear, I'm not just talking about life outside of a desk job... I'm talking about lifestyle...your relationships, how you spend each day and who you want to be. You have a choice.
I used to spend a lot of time wishing for more time to do the things I actually wanted to do or cared about doing, when in fact, I just wasn't being intentional about how I used my time each day. My day was based around a desk job I absolutely hated. It wore me out. That job was some decent experience in my field but wasn't necessary in the grand scheme of things. It held no value. I only kept habitually showing up day after day to fund the lifestyle I had created and been taught to have, a typical American lifestyle of having excessive objects and things which led to wanting more and more. In the mean time, I highly enjoyed my design endeavors and community involvement outside of that desk job. Why was that?...because it's based on growth and relationships. I decided those were the things I wanted to pursue because those things have lasting value.
Currently, I can (happily and excitedly) say I'm boldly restructuring my life around living intentionally.

How will you be boldly creative today? This applies to every aspect of your life...not just a single piece of art or a design you're creating. How can you positively and creatively present yourself in a bold manner? Even more important, how can you creatively and boldly love others? Take these thoughts with you on your journey today.

Ahhhh! The (original) Letter People! I grew up with these guys in the late 80's. I have mad love for these 1968 illustrations. The photo is of my vintage Miss A poster print that I've had since kindergarten. I gotta frame this thing. The collection of the original Letter People illustrations are just crazy cool designs. They use vibrant colors and play with shapes, lines and patterns. I can't wait to incorporate this look into a future project!

…for the love of typography

ps, it’s a good price too! From Zara