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Jen A. Miller Consulting

Tag: lessons learned

  • Another Year Single

    Another Year Single

    Catherine shares 5 ways she’s grown in being single

    PHOTO: Tara Freese.
    PHOTO: Tara Freese.

    A year ago, I wrote about the benefits of investing in yourself as a single girl. A year later, I’m still single! We talk about being superbly single, but we’ve stressed the status to include all independent women. Today I want to delve deeper in actually being single, unattached, not in a relationship. As I’ve mentioned before, I have never had a serious boyfriend. So if you’re looking for an expert at being single, I am that.

    When I share my status out loud, or I make a joke like “How is this girl still single?” or “Wouldn’t it be funny if I’m the next cousin to get married?” even if I’m the only cousin who isn’t dating anyone, it may seem like self-deprecation to save face before someone reminds me that I’ll “meet the right person when it’s time”… but truly I’m proud of my eternal singlehood. Of course, like anyone else, I have my moments of freaking out about turning 40 and not being married. But for the most part, I’m happy with the choices I’ve made for myself.

    I’ve reflected on and written about many revelations I encountered the past year in regard to living in the moment and finding the message in every obstacle. Starting The Single Diaries has pushed me to live superbly single, consciously and unconsciously. It’s been a year of growth: I recognized unhappiness in my life and came face to face with it. I spent time trying to remedy discontentment with more side projects, more social outings, more play when what I really needed was complete quiet.

    Among those remedies to try to increase the fun and counter the stress was online dating in the form of fun and easy apps. What I learned from my short stint of serial dating was what we all know but don’t acknowledge: For those of us who desire monogamy and marriage, dating is a way to audition or interview to find the “right” partner. It’s also a way for us to understand what we want and merely who we are as individuals.

    Sure, there are lessons I have yet to learn from being in a committed relationship, but I think there are just as many in learning how to be alone. Here are the ones that have been most important to my personal growth.

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  • 12 Months a Single Girl | Our Manifesto Revealed

    12 Months a Single Girl | Our Manifesto Revealed

    Happy 1st Anniversary to The Single Diaries!

    TSD Manifesto copy
    A year ago, Jen and I launched The Single Diaries. We first tested the idea on our closest circle of friends several months before that. When we saw that our message resonated with them we knew we had the support to keep reaching.

    As we commit to year 2, we unveil our manifesto… the words we live by, the summary of our work, the mission we strive to carry out post by post. Twelve months flew by, so we simply want to say Thank You. Thank you for reading, for supporting our stories, and for inspiring us to leap. Every. Single. Day.

    We have big plans for our second year and can’t wait to share them with you as they unfold. Until then, read on for a look back at our favorite moments from the first year of living our mission, and share your favorites with us too.

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  • How to Say “Hello”

    How to Say “Hello”

    Best practices for meeting Mr. Right Now  

    PHOTO: Celebration of Women.
    PHOTO: Celebration of Women.

    There I was just a-walkin’ down the street singin’ do-wah diddy… I locked eyes with a cute stranger for a full 45 seconds then continued on my merry way without looking back. A simple “hello” in that situation would’ve sufficed to save myself 24 hours of shoulda coulda woulda. I’m a firm believer in things working out as they should, so there is no real loss here… only a lesson in taking a chance when the opportunity presents itself.

    It’s tough enough to put yourself out there in a social situation. What more when you’re in a public place that isn’t natural for opening up to conversation? As with most things, practice makes perfect. Especially if you aren’t one to strike up a conversation with just anyone, start small.
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  • Twenty-Seven | What I’ve Learned Thus Far

    Catherine sums up a month of reflection in turning twenty-seven

    turning twenty-seven
    Just a month after my 27th birthday, I already feel like a changed woman. Okay, it helps a lot that I left my job just two weeks prior to my birthday and essentially am living like a college kid on summer vacation… so after five years of a regular 9 to 6 job without a lot of free time to travel and breathe, feeling different was inevitable. Nevertheless, the change of pace prompted a lot of reflection and self-discovery. Here’s what I’ve learned since turning 27.

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  • Right From the Start

    Right From the Start

    The Single Diaries brunches with yoga teacher Megan D’Amico.

    photo 2

    Megan D’Amico graduated magna cum laude from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Communication Studies. We met by chance when she was assigned to be the fourth roommate in our dorm suite, proof that everything happens for a reason. She later became my big sis in our sorority, influenced my decision to stay in L.A. after college, and continues to inspire me in so many ways. This past summer, I had the privilege of witnessing the start of a new chapter in her life: Megan’s graduation day to become a certified Kundalini yoga instructor—an unexpectedly emotional day for me.

    In an experience as spiritual as yoga, your teacher’s energy guides the class more than anything else. Her classes are always a perfect start to the week: stimulating, motivating, and thoughtful. Megan shares her journey, her philosophy, and the lessons she learned to get to where she is.

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