Unveiling Secrets or Are You a Part of The Journey?
Song Of The Week
Ah, the sweet, nostalgic aroma of childhood memories wafting through the air! This week, we dive into the whimsical world of Beanie Baby Blues by Hanna Mars—a track that perfectly captures the essence of longing and the bittersweet pang of yesteryears.
With its playful melodies and clever lyrics, Mars takes us on a journey down memory lane where beanie babies reign supreme. Who could forget the excitement of unearthing those little plush treasures from the store, each one boasting a name that sounded like a love song? Mars’ catchy hooks and whimsical instrumentation embody the sheer joy—and, let’s be honest, sometimes the absurdity—of collecting those adorable critters.
The chorus hits home, blending a hint of melancholy with the unstoppable urge to reminisce. Lines about the heartbreak of losing a rare edition or trading your beloved "Peak-a-boo" with a friend encapsulate that fierce nostalgia we all feel in moments of stillness. “Fluffy filled with dreams, now just dust on the shelf,” Hanna croons, and suddenly we’re all transported back to our childhoods, clutching our treasured beanies like fragile promises.
Musically, the track dances on the edge of indie pop and folk, with a sprinkle of catchy synths that compel you to tap your toes. It's a delightful jumble of sounds that mirrors the chaotic joy of a childhood living room filled with plush toys.
So, grab your favorite snack, throw on those comfy socks, and let the beanie baby blues wash over you. No need for a therapist here, just a dose of nostalgia and a jingle that’ll stick in your head long after the song ends. Because, in the end, aren’t we all just kids at heart, collecting memories and chasing the next whimsical adventure?
Introducing Co-Collective
Welcome! All the lovely people here today to introduce blog number 20! If you are new here, just a quick recap, I am the writer of T.U.T and it has been a mission to get to this point. I have over 15 posts in my catalog that feature what I love to talk about. But if you already knew that then, wow you have been with me through thick and thin! And everyone here is probably wondering how I got here. A little behind the scenes on The Unfinished Times, secrets of The Unfinished Times perhaps.
Write to Me
It comes as no surprise that every Wednesday you can expect a post from The Unfinished Times. You may be wondering, what is the magic behind the scenes? What goes into creating and sustaining a blog. How does that even happen? But most importantly, what happens after? These are the biggest questions that I get and even what I myself thought when I became a writer. I think it is safe to say I am a writer now since I hit 20, ya know? Personally, what comes to mind is I work towards the next blog post duh. But to be perfectly honest that does not capture the full process. It is both a truth and a lie.
Let’s tackle the first question of what I do to prepare a blog post. I will call this stage the Beginning, the brainstorming phase. I usually start on Sunday to start writing and be done by Tuesday. If you’re anything like me chances, are you are suffering from procrastination that stems from results of working under pressure. Although, if you seriously are like me, you have Florence and the Machine blaring through your headphones. I blame our education system funny enough, because of the years of AP and college courses, paper after paper, essay after essay, page after page. Each teaching a valuable lesson about writing. AP taught me I can write an entire essay, from start to finish with evidence, topic sentences, zero fluff in a matter of 30 minutes. That is half an hour to produce an educational essay about whatever topic! I passed all my AP classes so that must mean I am good at producing such essays. This quality or delulu reminds me all it takes is 30 minutes. 30 minutes to write about something, anything for that matter. There are 168 hours in a week, I can wait no later than Wednesday 9:00 AM to start writing. After I get that post done, the clock just resets! And I am back to having 168 hours to create a new blog post! In my mind, “there is sooooo much time, you’ll be alright.” Logically, I have to set myself straight, obviously, it is not smart to wait ALL 168 hours. And on the downside, it does help fuel my procrastination a bit further knowing this fact so, I just compromise.
On the other hand, all my college level philosophy papers helped me improve my writing skills. In college, professors would assign papers one month in advance and like the good student I was, I would start a week before. Sound familiar? Sometimes I would have two big papers due right around the same time but guess what? They would be turned in a day before. I was that student in college unless I forgot but that was rare. This further enhances the idea that I can write pretty fast even about topics I love. And that with time I can actually plan out time to write and get them done in a span of a week. I have written enough to know I am pretty decent at it, and I have enough experience to see if I like it or not. Turns out, I love it.
Sharing is Caring
When it came to trying to find my niche in this big world, writing was the only way to voice my thoughts and opinions. Not just because I have been doing it my whole life in school but because it is the only way I feel safe to express myself. To put it, frankly, growing up with emotionally immature parents led to self-soothing internally which is how I became good at my internal dialogue and self-realization. Verbalizing how I feel is very uncomfortable, so uncomfortable the words don’t even come out. They just stay in my head. So how do I get them out? As a kid I turned to journaling and now as an adult the habit transformed into this community. Months after graduating, I could feel my thoughts pilling up, the urge to express myself became the forefront of my mind daily. It was only 6 months. What can I say? I am a professional yapper. My partner was fed up with me LOL, he quite literally stops having answers for me. Which triggered my thoughts to come up with a way to get all this shit out there. I wanted something with no borders, no box, just to be free and nilly. A place where I can be myself, my true authentic self, every time and just share so I can process what is going on in my life. Of course, I couldn’t do it immediately, I still have trouble even trying to accomplish this simple task. But then, there is music that comes to my rescue.
As a Black Asian woman many people find my music taste to be…... a wild card. They don’t expect it? Personally, I think my music taste is amazing, like I got blessed by God himself. But I know people are surprised that rap is not my top genre as a stereotype, but also because they don’t know me. I have always held the music I listen to unwraps because of it. Music is very near and dear to me, it has helped me in so many situations I can't even count, that’s why I don’t want people to know what I listen to in my car when I am alone or what moves me. However, the more black alt-influencers break this impeding stereotype, the more it allows me to spread my wings. They give me comfort in knowing I am not the only one. I can only hope that I do my part for someone else.
And so, from Thursday to Saturday, I take this time to draw my music covers for song of the week. I call it the Finishing Touches. Since the topics are chosen months in advance, so is the song. So, I actually work on the music covers first, then I write. As a new creator, the hardest part of it all is not the writing, or the consistency or even setting up my website. The hardest part is getting awareness, you become a social media manager hell, an expert to try and get the word out.
The Future
The future is endless, quite possibly infinite, it could be a scary thought, or it could be a calming realization. When it comes to this blog, it used to scare the crap out of me, I didn’t know what I was planning, nor did I have a goal of what I want this to become. Looking back, funny now, I mean like literally 2 months ago, it was staring right back at me. The answer that I was so scared of was staring right at me, bloody hell, I was listening to it, “Just keep falling the heartlines on your hands because I am.” (Florence + the Machine). It never clicked to me that the only thing I need to do is to continue to follow my path. The path that I already am on, writing, just keep writing that’s it. I know I am still new to blogging, a baby blogger if you will, people haven’t even heard of my own name. How in the hell are they gonna hear about my blog? I thought by now, I would be a hit sensation, a viral influencer, a big pop star. Deep down, that delulu keeps me going but, not seeing the results to back it up leaves a little pinch in my heart. It is this that almost got me to quit and I let you all in on a secret of how I got out of it. It is really easy actually; you just show up. And you keep showing up till the day you die.
Once I got that out the way, it was time to dig for the next thing I want to add to this blog. Yup! You are hearing it here first. It is time to expand but just a little bit y’all. I want you all to be a part of this. That is what I wanted from the start. And not you all listening to me blah, blah, blah all the time; I want a blend. I will call it the Co-Collective, the place where we meet, become friends, where you shine. If this is right up your alley, I have already created a submission form for those eager to jump on this opportunity. I have broken down three methods of writing styles that we can do together. The basic one is a simple interview, we talk back and forth. The second middle ground is a verse where we answer one question together. And the last option is an “advice” column, I was wholeheartedly inspired by Dear Sugar, if you haven’t read Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed, please DO. I say ‘advice’ because I am not sure what I can give you is advice, but what I can give you is a platform to speak your mind, give you my undivided attention and most importantly someone who cares and can understand. I want you to choose which option you want to express yourself; I just want to be a part of the growth.
5/5
I was recommending this book by an avid reader friend. She knows me well. Just a beautiful book about life and love. Navigating them in a no brainer on the outside looking in. This book should serve as a reminder that people should ask others for advice about whatever it is that bothers them. I think in this day and age we have lost that ability to ask because we have tainted the idea of advice giving. I hope you pick this book up on your next book haul or even just add to your Wishlist you won’t regret it.
Enjoy This Journey With Me
° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 ₒ 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 °
Enjoy This Journey With Me ° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 ₒ 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 °
This isn’t the end—just a bookmark in the conversation. Stories don’t really close; they unfold, shift, and find new voices. If this one stirred something in you, let it breathe. Leave a thought, challenge an idea, or carry it forward in your own way. And if you ever feel like wandering through more unfinished thoughts, you know where to find me. Let’s keep the conversation alive. ~XOXO
