Hey, y'all! It's been a bit. I haven't had many spoons for maintaining my presence online lately and have been SUPER busy, but I've spent a little time skimming blog posts I've missed and will try to check in on the forum a bit more this week.

On to the updates.

I lost around 10 pounds while traveling in Ecuador and am continuing that trend now that I'm back. I'm down a jeans size (more or less; we all know how maddeningly inconsistent sizes are), as well as a bra size. I have made my next goal to get below 200 pounds by the end of the year, which is very doable. If I succeed, it'll be the first time I've been that light since high school. I'm really enjoying my new jeans, and how things that aren't too big on me fit me differently/often better now. I've passed on several items, only one of which felt bittersweet (a favorite sweater that used to be slouchy but is now baggy). I'm also really enjoying seeing my muscles get more toned, especially in my legs. My arms are starting to firm up a little more, too... JUST a little.

I've started my graduate assistantship for the year and it's slow-going, but I'm excited about my goals for it and about the opportunity to give back to the students at my university. My supervisor is working on getting me a physical space for the Women's Resource Center I'm building, which will make my job quite a bit easier. As for my full-time job, I recently decided to reduce my hours because 59/week between the two jobs was... technically possible, but leaving me feeling too exhausted to enjoy my free time. I wish I could quit altogether, but my wife and I need the insurance, as hers doesn't provide it (but she just started her DREAM job at a private therapy practice that specializes in serving LGBTQ and neurodivergent populations, so I'm super excited for her!). Grad school itself is still going quite well and I'm having the time of my life. I have the sense that I'm where I'm supposed to be, and it's a good feeling.

As for style goals for the rest of the year, I'm keeping it simple. Mostly, I want to enjoy what I currently have, although there are a few things I'd like to add when I have the budget. Here are the goals:

1. Find new ways to wear the items in my wardrobe. Have fun experimenting and don't worry too much about what others might say. Remember that if it feels good and I like it, it "works."
2. Get a pair of dark brown Chelsea boots, because I LOVE the black ones I got earlier this year for the ease of pulling them on and off.
3. Replace a couple of t-shirts that got ruined by bleach stains when I had them washed while traveling. (I'm so upset because they were two of my favorites...)
4. Think ahead about what pieces I'd like to acquire in 2023 so I can be mindful about my purchases. Next year, I want to stretch what I have as far as I can and focus on replacing/revamping as my body continues to change. I want to establish a core wardrobe of pieces that will continue to work for me for a long time, and that means going for simple but not BORING designs.
5. Don't buy ANYTHING on a whim. Only buy things on the list I develop that represents things I actually need to fill gaps and will use. I'll carry this one, as well as #6, into next year.
6. Don't settle. Enjoy having access to more options at a slightly smaller size (as horrifically unjust as that is, and as hard as I want to keep fighting sizeism). Wait for the perfect version of anything I want. I have enough right now, so anything I want to add should enhance my wardrobe as much as possible.

And that about wraps it up! Now for fun, here's the Homero Ortega hat I bought in Cuenca, Ecuador. Did you know that "Panama hats" are actually from Ecuador? They call them paja toquilla hats, and Homero Ortega is considered by many to be the best brand. They have a factory-museum where you can learn about how they're made and in the gift shop, the staff will help you find your perfect fit and a style you like. I decided to go for a classic one this time... next time, I'll go for a funky color or pattern!