why florence is home

April 17, 2018 by Marisa Taylor in wanderlust

So, I'm finally going to try and put this wanderlust into words. For a while now, I've called Florence home. And the only people who seemingly have understood why are the people in my life that have traveled the most, or studied abroad, too.

Yes, I can see where it seems entirely crazy to call a city that I spent four months in almost three years ago my actual home. I grew up in Connecticut, and went to college just 30 minutes down the road from my hometown. But, there's something undeniably pulling me back to this place -- that in its simplest form is comforting, and kind of the same feeling as falling in the best love.

just bloom

April 17, 2018 by Marisa Taylor in youtube

So, it's been a while since I've been on the YouTube screen. Welcome back! To me and to you.

On Thursday night, I got my very first tattoo. And the story behind it is something I so wanted to share. It says "just bloom" and is from a poem in Milk and Honey by Rupi KaurTo say I'm obsessed with it would be such an understatement.

Last summer I let myself collapse. And it wasn't until I went through it all that I realized how raw it can be. Dealing with your darker side is never easy or effortless, and is so personal. But, I left with a bittersweet love for struggling because I was left with my truest self. And that's something I can let radiate into everything I do, and that I never knew I really needed.

Struggle isn't an experience that's unique to me. Truth is, we all go through it in some way during our lifetimes, and I think it's the universe telling us that we just weren't the strongest or brightest version of ourselves yet. Some days are about following your passions with everything you got, and others are just about trying your best to be you. The important thing to remember is that both are okay.

This video is a lot of realness about struggle and some less cheesy talk about my tattoo.

I posted a picture in this same spot in my room early on in my summer. I captioned it: "something will grow from all you're going through & it will be you." It was a quote I found on Pinterest, and instantly loved. You've heard it time and time again that social media has a way of filtering our lives to make them look truly amazing in every way. And although Cancun and my adventures were still as amazing as my feed made it seem, there definitely were other days that were simply about making it through.

Same camera, same place. Sure, it's not all over forever and ever. This life is full of change and curveballs and how we handle them says a lot about who we are and where we're going. But, we'll all be just fine...as long as we just bloom.

Be sure to follow along with me on YouTube and Instagram! Subscribe or follow at @marisataylor24 to stay updated on all the latest.

Love always, Marisa

cancun photo editorial one

April 17, 2018 by Marisa Taylor in wanderlust

July 22nd - July 29th // The last time I was somewhere tropical was Aruba about six years ago. I had picked out the resort from a photograph in a Triple A magazine, and not much time later we hopped on a plane out of Hartford. This time around, the trip plans weren't in my hands so much. I'd heard a lot about Cancun from infamous spring break stories, but my dad had booked the trip back in December as a surprise at an all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya. A week-long relaxing (and a little surreal) family and friend getaway - filled with beach time, pool time, and a tequila sunrise or two.