Southlake has had a lot to say this year. Whether it came to time management or slowing down for the smaller moments, there were plenty of people in Southlake that had a lot on their minds. That’s why we here at Southlake Style gave them an opportunity share in our new department “In 500,” which was introduced in our February issue this year.
This submission-based section is open to the public and has only one guideline: each write-up must be exactly 500 words. Since its launch, we’ve had parents, business owners, nannies, Dragons and geriatric millennials write to us in 500 words, and we’ve shared their stories with Southlake citizens that sympathized with their experiences as much as we did. As we’re approaching a new year, let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable memoirs of the year.
Nobody likes to stand outside of their comfort zone – yet, the uncomfortable is exactly where we grow the most. In Southlake Style’s first ‘In 500’ published in February, Carroll graduate Meagan Prewitt recounts her discomfort navigating a public event where she didn’t know anybody there. It was then when she decided she would not let her fear define herself – and she says when we all step outside of ourselves, that’s when we see what we’re really made of.
As a wife, mother, engineer and geek at heart, Sangita Rana had no problem breaking barriers – that is, until she started experiencing severe back pain and couldn’t even tie her shoes without her son’s help. From there, she started taking baby steps toward exploring the different trails around the Metroplex, until it led her to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal. No matter where you are at in life, Sangita Rana shows us that life-changing opportunities are never out of reach.
Mona Chavez hosts large community dinners on a regular basis – more than 20 people usually come over to dine with her and her family. And when people ask her why she does it, she responds “Because I have a responsibility to make others feel welcomed, just as others have done for me.” Breaking out the extra napkins, disposable plates, cups and serving up a hefty entree, no mouth is left unfed at her gatherings.
Being a mom means being a superhero, and few people know that better than Jo Hyman does. A former New York City advertising executive, Jo traded in her Tahari pantsuits for yoga pants as she became a stay-at-home mom raising her two high school boys, cleaning dishes, making beds and picking dirty clothes off of the floor. With a refreshed perspective and a new purpose, Jo shows us how to appreciate something we often take for granted: time.
Missy Mayo
Ask Jennifer Weaver’s younger self what she wanted in life, and she never would have uttered “Texas” and “llamas.” Yet several years later, she’s living the Texas dream on her little slice of heaven called Still Meadow Farm. In “From LAX To Llamas,” Jennifer recalls her experiences moving from California to Texas and finding joy on her farm for nearly three years. As a former city slicker, Jennifer has learned a lot about slowing down and enjoying the small things in life – and she’s still learning.
How To Love Life A Little More
Over the years of devoting daily time to mindfulness meditation and a few other rituals, Lauren Wessinger has learned how to manage each day’s curveballs in a way that doesn’t stir up her insides so much anymore. Lauren is a DFW yoga instructor who recently launched Wellness Partners, an organization that helps provide mindfulness and stress reduction in corporate environments. Whether you’re a full-time employee, a business owner or a 24/7 full-time mom, Lauren’s insight is valuable to anybody eager to listen.
Focus On Life’s Seasons, Not Its Balance
Balance – the one word so many people work so tirelessly to achieve. But rather than focusing all of your strength and attention on life’s pressures, Alexis Dodge instead focuses on its “seasons” – periods where we give more to one area of our lives than another. A certified public accountant for Sisk Capital and the owner of Dodge Accounting Solutions, Alexis shows how it takes a village to go through all of life’s seasons together.
The Importance Of Nannies From The Perspective Of A Nanny
Show up early. Stay late. Work nights. This is the behind-the-scenes life of a nanny holding it all together, and few know that life as well as Natalie Anillo. As a mother to three young boys, Natalie knows how much her nannies sacrifice to take care of the boys while she goes to work as a nanny herself. In this insightful piece, Natalie shows us the important role nannies play in our lives and how much we would be missing were it not for them.
An Ode To The Geriatric Millennials
Chelsea Salomone was born in 1982, which technically makes her a millennial, but only barely. In this funny and witty piece about growing up and generational norms, Chelsea breaks down the barriers that separate millennials from geriatric millennials, as she calls them. She shows that whether you post to TikTok or are just now getting used to Facebook, you owe it to yourself to look in the mirror with kinder eyes.
Turning Your Passion Into Profits
Making money from something that you love to do and are passionate about may sound impossible, but it isn’t and it can be your reality. Business owner Ryan Reger advises on how to utilize your business toward a group of potential customers that are hungry for your content. Start asking the essential questions, like what do they need and what problems are they experiencing that you can solve? When you have the answers, you’ll learn how to turn your passion into profit.
The bond between a mother and son is unlike any other, and losing a child is one of the toughest things a parent can endure. In a look back on David Allen’s life, his mother Geri recalls memories of her son, how he struggled when he moved away from Connecticut but eventually found happiness and helped his friends make it through dark places. Through this intimate and vulnerable telling of her relationship with her son, Geri talks about celebrating David's life and how she keeps going one day at a time.
Thank you for spending the year with us, Southlake!
“In 500” is a monthly department written by members of our community in 500 words. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Southlake Style.
If you are interested in submitting a piece, please email Editor@SouthlakeStyle.com.