**The Messy Middle**

9:01 AM—Okay, confession: I didn’t wear the dress today.

Not because I didn’t want to, but because I spilled oat milk all over it last night while binge-watching The Bear (again) and, well… laundry day exists for a reason.

So here I am, in jeans—actual jeans, not the distressed, fashion-forward kind, just the ones I’ve had since sophomore year—and a sweater that smells like my lavender detergent. And you know what? It’s fine.

Because growth isn’t linear, and neither is my wardrobe.

1. I’m learning to embrace the messy middle. That dress was a moment—three days of quiet confidence, of feeling seen without needing to be noticed. But today? I’m in jeans, and that’s also a win. Not every day has to be a revelation. Sometimes it’s just… Tuesday.

2. My creativity is learning to breathe. That sketchbook? Still open. Those half-finished designs? Still there. But last night, instead of forcing myself to finish something, I doodled a stupid little cartoon of Ethan scowling at the espresso machine. It’s terrible. And I love it. Not everything has to be portfolio-worthy. Sometimes it’s just fun.

3. I’m falling in love with the ordinary. Liam texted this morning: "Coffee later?" No grand plans, no "We need to talk" energy. Just coffee. And instead of overanalyzing (Is this a date? A check-in?), I said "Yeah" and went back to my toast. Not every interaction has to mean something. Sometimes it’s just… coffee.

Ethan handed me my usual today—black, splash of oat—and noticed the jeans. "No dress?" I shrugged. "Laundry day." He nodded, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Because it is.

xx Mandy

(P.S. That cartoon? Still terrible. Still mine.)