This year is proving to start with a bang. Almost every weekend in February is already booked up with bridal showers, baby showers, and a (surprise) party. Did I mention I’m helping plan the surprise? That means that the next two weekends are going to be Pittsburgh-based and low-key. (Maybe even make that the next three or four.)
The good news is these events entail being creative . I’ll be designing invitations for the party, along with helping a friend construct the theme and decor. On the first half of my lunch break, I called and confirmed the venue and tech equipment we might need. Eventually, we will have to worry about food and enlisting folks to bring their world-famous pasta salads. Next week the invitations will be mailed, which means they must be designed on Sunday.
Honestly, this all has my head swirling. This is a very low-key sort of event, but I’m already feeling heightened about it. How will I get all of this done? I know it’s really not that much. But it’s hard to worry about 1. food and 2. cost and 3. finding all the addresses. It’s made me wonder what I’ll be like if I plan a wedding someday.
I’m not the girl who’s ever had that day planned out. Keeping my creative side in mind, I’m pretty sure I’ll have a mental breakdown when that time actually comes. I’ll want to make everything: favors, invites, decorations. I’ll probably think I failed if I buy something from Etsy. I’m too hard on my crafty self sometimes. The good news is that I’ll probably have friends and family to readily enlist in the creative process.
I could potentially have a mental breakdown in the next few weeks for the same reason. Here are the things I want to accomplish this month and next. Some of them I must do (freelance gig). Others are a personal choice (crafty exchange), but I’d still like to see them happen.
- Help plan this party (decorations, food, etc.)
- Freelance for my old company and write/design their newsletter
- Make a fun, crafty item for an exchange with my friend Mara (my craft a month for January)
- Visit a new restaurant (crossing that off the list tomorrow!)
- Go on an adventure (Saturday. All day. You’ll read about it next week.)
- Begin my monthly documentation of life (a la Project Life, but my own version)
Mixed in there will be daily exercise, cooking, dates with BF, friend hangouts. Maybe this list isn’t as bad as I thought. One day at a time. Man it’s hard having a determined creative bone in your body (especially when you can’t tap into it fully at your day job).
I might be saying “No” more this month than “Yes.” I think that’s going to have to be okay.
Planning parties is so much fun! I really enjoy it because it’s a process of creativity and organization, and sometimes involves cooking and/or baking. I worry about planning my (one-day) wedding for the same reasons you do. I am going to want to do everything myself and it will stress me out to no-end. The past year I planned two parties, my dad’s 60th Birthday and my sister’s graduation party. The best part was making the desserts.
Keep breathing and focusing on one day at a time. It sounds like the next few months will be awesome for you.
You’re going to do great at planning the party because you’re so thoughtful and creative. I can understand why you’re feeling a little stressed though. Just take it as it comes and it will all get done. And I bet you’ll have fun along the way!