Level Up

As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve wanted to do this blog for a long time. I mean, I was already drinking beer with friends and decorating with flowers. I’m not sure why I didn’t have the gumption before to get the blog started. 

I think 2020 really got to me in many ways. I know I’m not the only one who felt it. I was happy to have time with my little family, but at the same time, I was wanting to create deeper connections like that with others as well. I started reaching out to friends and family members that I always thought about and wished that I had spent more time with, before life got so busy and full. You know, those people you are able to connect with right away. Like you are on the same wave-length, maybe even from the same clan on some universal level. I feel incredibly fortunate, because I feel like I’ve connected with a lot of AMAZING people in my life. 

Here’s the thing about me: the more I learn, the more I realize that I don’t know. So, as it turns out, it’s like that with relationships as well -- the more amazing people I connect with, the more I realize the world is FULL of incredible people that I haven’t met yet. How do I meet them? What should I say? How do we connect?

Something else you should know about me, I push myself and I love to check goals off (even little ones like flossing). For 2021 I had two new year's resolutions. First, make a drastic career change. (I loved my students, but I realized that I couldn’t do it for another 20 years!) I was beyond blessed to check this goal off my list early in 2021. Second? Start this blog. It was daunting (and still is).

There is no way of knowing the effect your words can have on another person, good or bad. One person said two things to me that really stuck. As seemingly simple as they may sound, these statements have stewed in my mind, until they have become major motivators for me.

“Me” and my mushroom wreath

“All I do is level up this avatar, and for what?”

Here’s the context. I thoroughly enjoy video games. Animal Crossing New Horizons had become my therapy for 2020. It was a great way to pass the time, but still “play” with family and friends. From there, Mac and my oldest son got me hooked on Splatoon. One night I was talking with my Brew Flower Friend, KK (a.k.a Poppy don’t give me hoppy!), who also enjoys gaming. Though, she generally plays PC games, like Guild Wars 2. We were talking about our current game obsessions, while also complaining about being tired and busy. I had also been trying to convince her to take up playing Splatoon with me. Then she said, “All I do is level up this avatar, and for what?” I know it doesn't sound like much, but that has been ruminating in the back of my mind for months. Here’s my take on it, and why it motivated me.

Why don’t I try and level up my real-life Kate avatar?

Why don’t I start trying to do all those things I’ve been wanting to do? Then, where to start? 

“beer and the environment”

Even though I had already had this blog in my mental library, sitting by the pool and sipping summer beers with some other Brew Flower friends, KK struck gold again! She consolidated it for me. She said that I spoke passionately about the things I care about, “beer and the environment.” There it was; my theme, my aesthetic, and what I really wanted to talk about.

So, here it is, a way to connect with others who care about beer and the natural world, (especially flowers.)

I should disclose that I still play the Switch from time to time, but mostly as a way to spend time with friends and family.

My island is a lot weedier these days, but the fireworks were still beautiful under the virtual August sky!

Also, don’t be surprised if I work in some games and brews in my future posts.