This blog has gotten a bit of a cold shoulder from me lately, as I delve into the world of entrepreneurship and the beauty industry.  Julie of the wonderful Indie Chicks magazine helped me out of this writing slump by offering a great writing prompt; something I encourage any blogger to consider at this point in their writing:

“A blog and a bloggers journey is fluid. You may start thinking it’s one thing and find it’s taking you in another direction entirely. Let’s hear about where you started, where you are, and where you see yourself in three years.”

Where I started

If you’ve read a few of my posts, or even just the About page of this blog, you have a pretty good idea of where I started. I can summarize it by saying I started from a place of fear and uncertainty, and a very buried inner compass. The very ‘tag line’ of Courage Love Intensity addresses this starting place: “One girl’s journey to choose adventure over anxiety, fun over fear, uncertainty over utter boredom.” That was my initial goal, and as such I’ve taken it very seriously.

Where I am

I’ve moved to a part of the country I dreamed of moving to for years, and I’ve launched my very first business. A business that represents my talents and values far more than a sales job at a large company ever did. I’ve found a way to express my creativity through makeup — I go on 1-2 photo shoots per week with local photographers, and most recently I rubbed elbows with amazing fashion designers (including Seth Aaron!) at the Couve Couture runway show. Some photos taken on the runway of the models whose makeup I did for Kate Beeman‘s gorgeous collection, Origin:

On top of all of that, I’m working part-time at an adorable spa + tea bar in NW Portland.

And, here’s something I haven’t mentioned to you guys yet – I’m dating a wonderful person who makes me laugh every day, who knows the real me (and somehow loves me for the weirdo I am), and who has become my closest friend since moving to Portland. Remember when I wrote that love note to the mystery person who loves me fully and feels like home? It seems the universe hand-delivered this man, in response.

I feel very blessed with everything going on in my life right now, indeed.

Where I see myself in three years

Here’s where I predict things are going, though I’m not tied to any specific path. Courage Love Intensity may evolve in content and form, but I’m hoping it will somehow still have an online home.  I see myself still writing, in the skin care business, and with a permanent home somewhere along the West Coast. Most likely it would be in the Pacific Northwest or Southern California. If things keep going as they are, my writing will have greater visibility through some bigger publications and I will have carved out my niche as an esthetician who focuses on natural products. I see greater stability financially, owning a home, and learning a hell of a lot more about the world via continuing to read, write, travel, love wholeheartedly, and share my enthusiasm for life unapologetically.

Until then, I’ll keep doing what I’m doing. Going after makeup gigs, working my arse off to make Natural Glow a glowing success, and practicing patience as I see these things through. Without a doubt, I will keep living each day with courage, love, and intensity in my heart. And I hope you will, too.

With courage, love, and intensity,

Kristen

Photo credits: Julie Gee Photography (featured image) and Oblique Foto (runway images, Couve Couture, 2014)