The Art of Letting Things Land**
9:07 AM—Ethan slid my oat milk latte across the counter today with no cinnamon and a smirk. "Figured you’d want to keep yourself on your toes." I rolled my eyes (obviously), but honestly? I didn’t even care. A month ago, I would’ve overanalyzed the absence of cinnamon like it was some cosmic sign ("Is he judging me? Does he think I’m boring now?"). Today? Today I just sipped it and said, "Solid choice."
And that’s the thing I’m learning: Not everything needs to mean something.
My sketchbook’s open to that half-finished dress again—the one with the single completed sleeve. But this time, instead of stressing over the asymmetry, I pinned up the loose fabric to accentuate it. My professor walked by, tilted her head, and said, "Ah. You’re learning." And I realized—yeah, I am.
Here’s what’s shifting:
1. I’m not forcing narratives anymore. That gallery opening with Liam (yep, definitely Liam)? It was fun. Not "this could be something" fun, not "ugh, waste of time" fun—just genuinely fun. No pressure, no hidden meanings. We talked about terrible modern art and ate questionable canapés, and when he walked me to my car, I didn’t wonder if he’d kiss me. I just said, "That was nice," and meant it. No subtext. Just truth.
2. My designs are getting looser—and stronger for it. That dress? The unfinished sleeve isn’t a flaw anymore; it’s a choice. I used to think good design was about control, but now I see the power in leaving room for the unexpected. Maybe that’s true for life, too.
3. I’m letting things land where they’re meant to. LA mornings are like this—soft light, slow starts, no urgency. A month ago, I’d be stressing over my five-year plan, my love life, my latte order. Today, I’m just letting things unfold. Not every moment needs to be a stepping stone. Some are just moments.
Ethan just laughed at something the customer before me said, and for once, I didn’t wonder if it was about me. I just enjoyed the sound—warm, uncomplicated.
Growth isn’t a destination. It’s not a finished dress or a flawless relationship. It’s the ability to sip your coffee, as-is, and be okay with not knowing what comes next.
xx Mandy
(P.S. Liam just sent a meme about abstract art. I replied with a laughing emoji. No overthinking. Who am I?)