Renaissance Woman 2.0
About how one day I discovered that I was actually good at doing something.
Hello friends!
I hope January treated you as well as it treated me. At the start of 2024, I was feeling sick, anxious, depressed, and running on empty. As the new year approached, I’ll admit that I was experiencing a bit of PTSD. However, God was incredibly good to me—no matter my circumstances, He remains good. I can confidently say I had the best January in years. I am a living testament that January can indeed be a positive month!
Now, on to the business at hand. I must confess that I feel a bit silly because I started the year strong, promising you all sorts of weekly posts. Yet here we are at the beginning of February, and I only sent out two newsletters in January. The truth is, I underestimated how busy January would be. Remember when I mentioned I wasn't very busy? Well, that has changed! I am now teaching three classes, taking two online courses, and traveling more often to Guatemala. In addition, I’m serving at church and caring for my family.
Later, I will write about how I transitioned from being not so busy to being swamped with activities. I was out of work for three and a half years, and then everything suddenly changed. That’s how God works—He is the king of sudden change. He is the king of everything, but you get what I mean.
I wrote this newsletter post in 2023, and I still feel the same passion for it as I did two years ago. While I edited it, the message remains unchanged. If you believe you have no real skills or talents, or if you're struggling to discover them, I hope my story inspires you.
There was a time in my mid to late twenties when I truly believed I had no skills or talents. I was a late bloomer, and those years were confusing for me. I felt lost and insecure; I knew I wanted to do something meaningful and be someone significant, but I didn’t know what that would look like or how to get there. Then something life-altering happened, and that’s where my story begins.
When my father passed away, I suddenly needed to find a job. I used to think that no one in their right mind would hire me for anything, or at best, I would end up with a tedious desk job that paid poorly. One day, I asked myself: what is the one skill I have that I can put to good use? I realized I have an education in fashion design and a knack for putting outfits together. I could help women with their style. Since I loved fashion, I decided to turn my passion into my career. That's how Maria Cristina Acquaroni Style & Wardrobe Consulting was born.
One day, I asked myself: what is the one skill I have that I can put to good use?
I spent a month reading books about body types, personal coloring, fashion styles, and wardrobe essentials. Then, I dedicated another month to creating materials to use with my clients. I had a website and business cards designed, and I set up a charming little office space. In less than three months, I was ready for business. When everything was ready, I put myself out there and reached out to everyone I knew, and I mean everyone and their grandmothers.
Something extraordinary happened once I decided to put the one skill I had to work for others: more talents began to blossom! It was an incredible feeling. People came to me for things I had no idea I could do. I always said yes to every opportunity. Of course, there were ups and downs, but when you do your part, God always does His. After more than ten years of developing different skills and talents, I know for certain that I am an excellent producer, have a unique gift for making things look beautiful, and am great at teaching others.
We are all born with gifts, talents, ideas, and creativity. Each of us has something we are naturally good at, and it is our responsibility to tap into that skill. Once we do, other good things begin to flourish. Hiding what's inside you doesn’t serve anyone, especially not yourself and it deprives others of what you have to offer. This may sound cliché but don’t take your gifts, talents, ideas, and creativity to the grave. Leave it all here on earth. You don’t have to be the best or do things perfectly; you just need to do them your way because no one else can do it like you. Your approach will be unique.
We are all born with gifts, talents, ideas, and creativity. Each of us has something we are naturally good at, and it is our responsibility to tap into that skill.
We are living in a time when there’s no time to waste. We must live our lives to the fullest and pursue our dreams; God placed them in our hearts for a reason. It doesn’t matter if you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or 80s; as long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to fulfill your assignment. It’s not too late to return to school, change careers, or start your own business. Whatever it is, if there’s a burning desire inside you, you must pursue it; don’t take it with you when you go.
If you need to discover your purpose, just find that one thing you are naturally good at and put it to work. That one thing will guide you to where you’re meant to be and help you flourish. Trust that if you do your part, God will take care of the rest. And that is a promise. Know your purpose and take steps to fulfill it. Even if those steps are small, don’t let doubt discourage you, and don’t get distracted. Focus your time on things meant for you. When you know, you know.
If you’re already aligned with your purpose, then go out and help someone else find theirs. Encourage one another. I will be forever grateful to Miss Gia Salardi, who was my professor at the Miami University of Art and Design. On portfolio review day, just as I was about to leave the room, she stopped me and said, “Maria, I wish I could clone you.” Miss Gia, if you’re reading this, your words meant everything to me, and I will never forget them. You made me feel seen and valued, and you encouraged me. You never know when your words can change someone’s life.
What I bought in January
January is a fantastic month for shopping because there are many sales! However, it's also a challenging time for most people, as they're still recovering from the expenses of the holiday season. Nonetheless, I can’t resist a good sale, especially since I need new sandals, shirts, and bottoms. I’ll share more about this later.
I recently purchased the Tibi Berneice Kidskin Sandal, and I'm thrilled I didn't procrastinate because they're almost sold out. I often struggle to make decisions quickly, but I've learned that popular Tibi items sell out fast. I got these sandals for $198, down from the original price of $495.
The Roucha Sablet and Tacca striped shirts are both my vibe: striped, oversized, and modern. Roucha makes awesome shirts. I paid $58 for the Sablet shirt, which was originally priced at $194, and $55 for the Tacca shirt, originally priced at $184.
At COS I got the Neck-Tie Circle-Cut Blouse for $120, along with some cargo pants, but I can’t seem to find them on the website anymore. I assume they are out of stock. Thankfully, I purchased the pants in a size bigger because COS sizes can be unpredictable. If it ends up being extra baggy, I can pull it off since I’m tall. Interestingly, even though I'm not a fan of pink, I just ended up buying two pink shirts. Who would have thought?
That’s it for today. I love you and never forget that you were created for greatness. If you wish to share a personal story, please do. I’m always thrilled to learn more about you. Until next!
xoxo,
MC