Art, Fashion, and Health

I wanted to tell you a little bit about myself.

I am 22 years old, I currently live in Nashville, TN. I moved here from San Francisco, CA and originally was born in Redding, CA.

ART

I am a painter. It is my full time job and I am madly in love with it! My mom says I have always been an artist. My first real painting though was probably at the age of 10-11. My grandmother is an amazing artist and I asked her to show me how to paint on canvas. I fell in love with it and spent years experimenting with what my style was. I went through phases of painting all the time and then periods where I wouldn't for years.

I went through a very dry spell over the past 5 years. It wasn't until this past year and a half that I finally have found my style and have not been able to stop painting! I have created 3 series and already had two successful art showings, one in L.A. and one here in Nashville.

Painting keeps my soul alive. When I am not painting I feel so dark inside. I can't imagine doing anything else, therefore I work very hard at making it a top priority.

FASHION

It is no secret that I am in love with fashion! I use to want to be a fashion designer, then a stylist, or perhaps a buyer. Now I mostly just enjoying putting together outfits. I love to go thrift store shopping and find amazing treasures! I look at putting together an outfit like painting. Paring all the different patterns and colors excites me! I also love helping others find their style. I think fashion is very important. It is truly amazing how putting care into your wardrobe can have and effect on your life. I know it sounds silly, but when you dress well I think you live well. Style says so much about a person. It is such a beautiful thing.

HEALTH

As I said in my introduction post, I have type 1 diabetes. Therefore I have to be extremely healthy. I maintain a very strict and healthy diet mixed with exercising every day. It is extremely challenging and at times very exhausting...but 100% worth it. If I didn't care about taking care of myself then I wouldn't be able to do all the things I love. To me, I rather work hard at being healthy than giving up and live a miserable life. I know there are a lot of diabetics that feel there is no hope. I have been there. I completely understand. And heck! I am human, I always have my days where I feel like tossing my needles across the room, screaming, and attacking the nutella. But what good does that do? You only feel terrible afterwards and put aside all possibilities of having a good life. Living healthy with diabetes is EXTREMELY difficult...but definitely not impossible! We all just need a little inspiration and encouragement.

So there you have it! I am an artist that loves fashion and has diabetes. But I plan to keep pursuing my dreams and never let my disease hold me back! I truly hope whatever it is that is a struggle for you, whether it be diabetes or something else...that you too do not let it hold you back. Remember you are in control of how you choose to live your life. We only have one, so make it worth it!

XO
Natalie Rose

What to Expect from My Blog

Hello There!

I am so excited to finally be starting a blog! I have been wanting to for years, but had never really been able to quite decide on what it would be about and who it would be for. I know now though, and I am so happy to start this adventure!

My blog is a place to inspire you to achieve your dreams no matter what has been holding you back in the past, or holding you back now.

I have diabetes. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 11 years old. I am now 22. I remember at all my regular check ups my diabetic therapist would ask how I was dealing with the disease. I would be lying if I told you that it is not a difficult and life altering disease, but I will say it has never been something that held me back in life. My doctors were always amazed and surprised by my positive outlook on the disease. I never really understood why it was so strange that I was positive until I got older. I started hearing peoples stories with diabetes, and meeting people who had lost people to the disease due to lack of caring. It was brought to my attention that many younger people were experiencing deep depression over the disease. Some choose to look at it as a disability. Some even committing suicide. It has broken my heart to know such terrible facts.

I have my days, weeks, months, and sadly even years where I was letting the disease control me. I let the fear of it and the changes I had to make upset me so much that I was stuck in limbo.

I have gained a new and fresh perspective on having diabetes and I want to help others that struggle with the disease, or any other difficulty in your life that you feel makes it hard to pursue a happy and healthy life.

I am a dreamer! I see the world in full color and most of the time can always find the positive in everything! I see way too many people that are letting diabetes and other sicknesses hold them back. It breaks my heart. I want my  blog to be a place that you can find inspiration for a happier and healthier way of living.

Just because I have a disease does not mean that I have to have a negative life. You choose how you live. You choose how you see the world and the experiences you are faced. I hope you find something unique in following and reading my blog. I think we all could use a little inspiration and encouragement!
Thank you for reading, and I look forward to an amazing journey on here and in life!
XO
Natalie Rose