The Morning Muse (#1) – Bring Back Blogging!

Hi! Welcome! Good morning!

This is my first post of what I hope will be many. Hundreds, thousands, many, many, many. I have always wanted a daily blog, or at least since I found out about them some… 15+ years ago when I was a little tiny baby still in high school.

So here I am, making my dreams come true! And you’re a part of that dream, so welcome; stay awhile.

I am so giddy and excited to be launching this blog. It may not be a Monday, or the first day of the month, or the first day of the year. It’s just a random Saturday towards the end of the month, but it couldn’t feel like a bigger beginning or a fresher start.

It feels like I have lifted the dam holding back all of my creativity and everything I want to communicate, all of the thoughts that have nowhere to go, but that I think will find a home in the hearts and minds of other women like me.

Yes, I know podcasts are all the rage now! Everyone’s got a podcast. And they’re great, I love them–I’m sure I’ll write about them on this very blog someday soon. But doesn’t anyone read anymore?

It feels like blogs fell off a cliff with no survivors sometime in the last ten years! Like daily blogs were just a brief moment in time. But I think there’s still room for this. There’s room for that ritual of getting up in the morning, sipping on a cup of coffee, and reading your favourite blog.

I’m writing for the woman who’ll think, let me check what’s on The Morning Muse as she sips her coffee, whether at home or on the train commuting to work. What did Shirin write about today?

I’m counting on this becoming a little corner of inspiration and discussion for you and me. I’m tired of not saying the things I want to say because I’m scared of how others will judge me and what consequences I’ll face–primarily at work. But nobody else is expressing my views, and be forewarned, they’re not all that controversial…

In this increasingly crazy world, I think I’m actually pretty sane!

Whether it’s my filter on current events, how I’m pursuing financial stability as a singleton (though this is important for most women and people–partnered or not), how I manage my mood through life’s ups and downs, or something lighter like a new favourite recipe or a new Pilates studio I’ve tried, you’ll find it all here.

I don’t want to bore you with a big biography. I go by Shirin here. I’m in my mid-thirties, my family immigrated to North America during childhood, I live in a big city, I’m single, I work a job I like, I’ve got 25 lbs to lose. What else? I’m a cat mom?!

But I don’t think those things matter so much. I could be 63 and married with kids and have been a SAHM most of my adult life. Those demographic and biographical facts are not what make me me.

So here are ten facts that I think will tell you more:

I’m a devil’s advocate at heart–sometimes to a fault (but isn’t this the fatal flaw most devil’s advocates?). But seriously, I love to consider the opposing perspective most of the time.
Sustainability is my guilty conscience. No, I’m not living a zero-waste life like Bea Johnson (love her book–she’s been pretty quiet on her socials lately, I hope she’s okay). I don’t do anything very strictly, but it’s on my mind a lot. I try to limit food waste and limit the consumption of animal products for this reason. I think about whether companies I buy from have a sustainability initiative or not. I’m working on falling for “greenwashing” less and less.
Proud Capricorn here–dreams, goals, and a bit of stubbornness! This one’s so weird–who knew a mistaken map of the stars could reflect so much truth back to us? Maybe it’s just luck, but my star sign really is a big part of my personality archetype. I care about how I spend my day, what I’m doing with my life, where I’m going with it, how I’m succeeding. My dreams are so much bigger than anyone who knows me would imagine, but I’m willing to work for them, too.
Curiosity is my superpower (lifelong learner here). It doesn’t have to be another degree or a textbook, but I like to learn. I think it’s fun! It could be as “dumb” as learning how to do my nail polish a little nicer, or it could be a professional certificate. It could be a random online course on a subject that interests me.
Food is one of my love languages, and I’m finally okay with it. I haven’t always felt good about eating, and in my late teens and early twenties, I developed an eating disorder. I’m so grateful those days are behind me. Whether it’s a surprising new smoothie combination, the latest Ottolenghi take on veggies, or a Korean brisket, I’m looking forward to lots of foodie shares here.
I’m on a fitness journey! Need I say more?
I’m a firm believer that every day can be a new beginning. Maybe things didn’t work out today, maybe you made mistakes (or things out of your control happened). And maybe you were counting on those things going right. But guess what. Tomorrow is a new day. Heck, right now is a new moment. Put your hair up, take a deep breath, make a coffee, and start again.
I’m a sucker for a good story. It could be a 90s rom-com, a Russian classic, or a juicy true crime podcast (my favourite is when the victim survives and avenges herself/himself).
I’m always on the hunt for great thrifted style. Thrifting may not be what it used to be since it got trendy, but there are still so many great deals waiting to be found.
I have a quirky collection of postcards. I’ve been buying postcards since I was in grade school. I’ve collected some in every country I have visited or lived in and by now have hundreds tucked in a box.