I am done. I am through. I am finished. I am absolutely done. I’m done trying to give my all to people who don’t give their all.

My mind this week has been plagued with thoughts. One of them being the fact that I am disturbed by time.

One of my favourite poets, Robert Stevenson, wrote something that I am constantly perplexed by: “Perpetual devotion to what a man calls his business, is only to be sustained by perpetual neglect of many other things.”

Interesting right? But what does it mean? I thought long and hard this week about my time—how I spend it, who I spend it with and who or what isn’t worth my time.

I don’t want my time to be wasted because, as we all know, time is valuable. According to Steve Jobs time is “the most precious resource we all have.” So I asked myself very valid questions: who/ where I want to be? and also what am I doing now?

I divided it into two different sections on a page. On one side I wrote everything I want to do and on the other side all the things that take up my current time. I matched the feelings and activities in the now section with the where I want to be. I ended up crossing off people, activities, and feelings off the now list if they didn’t support or help with who I want to become. Honestly, the results were surprising.

I’m irritated with myself for being oblivious to how I spend my time. I perpetually devote and neglect certain important and unimportant activities and people of my everyday. I’m upset that I didn’t realise there are some major people in my life who take advantage of me, or even some activities that are entirely not helping me grow as a person. Most of all, I hate the fact that I willingly accept friends lack of effort in our friendships.

Instead of putting so much effort into people or activities who don’t do the same for me, I want to cross them or it off my list. If I don’t, I’ll just waste away my time—time that can never be gained back.

I pondered this today: which of the people in my life free their time to talk to me versus who talks to me in their freetime. There is a difference, and it’s important people understand it. I challenge you readers to think through who is perpetually devoted to you and who is perpetually neglecting you. Now that is something worth thinking about—something worth your time.

I feel convicted by this too, though. I devote too much time to people and activities that are seemingly not worth it. I need to get my priorities straight when it comes to this. I need to stop giving my all to those who only give half. I need to stop putting first those who put me last. If you have any tips on how to do this send them my way, I’d appreciate your words of wisdom.

Honestly, I’m just done. I’m done with people treating me like I’m not important. I’m tired of not treating the people who care about me like they aren’t important. And I apologise if I have neglected you, to the person who is reading this.

Something else I’ve neglected? Blogging about fashion. My apologies to those who have been eager to hear the latest trends.

My favourite looks for this season? Here it is… Lumberjack Plaid. Also known as Buffalo Plaid or even Glamour Grunge Plaid. It’s big and it’s in.

During the 19th century the pattern, know as tartan, made a leap from Scotland to the U.S., where it came to be known by the moniker we know today: plaid. Midwest company, Woolwich Woolen Mills, gave plaid a popularity boost when they originated the Buffalo Plaid in the 1850’s. Buffalo Plaid’s distractive red and black check pattern became a staple of those in the outdoor professions—most notably lumberjacks.

The plaid soon became a must-have for all closets in America—especially in the 1990’s grunge scene where bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam rocked the iconic, signature fashion.

Today, plaid is a bit of a maverick pattern. While J. Crew models pair perfect red lips, slightly mussed buns, and pearls with their popped-collar plaid shirts, couture designers have taken the style on a more rebellious ride over the past several years.

Plaid has also of course become associated with Hipsters, who are both referencing the ’90s and lumberjacks with their nostalgic style.

What I glean from Buffalo, Lumberjack, Glamour Grudge Plaid is this: no matter the decade, plaid will always carry with it the faintest hint of irreverence, whether it’s paired with pressed khakis or a pair of baggy jeans. Either way, I doubt this trend will ever go out of style. And I assure you, I’m not nearly not done with this trend…

There are many ways to style it. My mom and I have actually gone extreme lumberjack and decided it will be our theme for Christmas this year… presents will be wrapped in the nostalgic plaid, throw pillows will be screaming Scotland and our wardrobes will be rocking the pattern that first made its debut in the highlands of Edinburgh.

In the meantime, I challenge you readers, to first ask yourself how you are spending your time—who, what, how is it spent? Oh and while you’re thinking about that, grab that 1990’s grunge plaid shirt out of your closet and channel your inner rock star. Or as the Scottish say while toasting, “sláinte!”

Turning Back the Clock, Uptown Maven