Winter '23: Reconnecting with The Preppy Punk

Myself and Greer on the set of “Hairspray”

Seasonal Flow

The first entry I wrote for this blog was posted August 2nd, 2016. A lot has changed since then, and the blog has taken different forms and shapes along the way.

What’s remained important to me is that the blog is authentic, purposeful, and a means for me to connect with everyone on this journey with me.

Looking at 2023 and the foreseeable future, I’m committing myself to a blog each season. The more trips through the seasons I make, the more I feel a flow to them that makes sense of life and its trials and joys.

For this winter, I’m taking a cue from nature and digging into my roots before I’m ready to blossom in spring.

Excitement for our journey abounds

Don’t Call It A Resolution

New year’s resolutions rub me the wrong way. I don’t mean the idea that people set goals for themselves. That I fully stand by. What I’m talking about is the pressure to hit the ground running. Maybe it’s living in South Florida where the winters don’t feel like “winter” that makes us feel like there’s no need to rest. Either way, it doesn’t make sense to me to start things off at a sprint.

When I grew up in Baltimore, winter was a time where you slowed down, enjoyed time with your loved ones, and gathered your strength for the spring that was coming.

My people <3

“Can I Get An Amen?”

I’m always looking for inspiration, and lately I’ve found myself watching a lot of RuPaul’s Drag Race. I love the inspirational stories of the Queens. How they faced so many obstacles with family, finances, relationships and have found strength in their chosen family and community.

My favorite part of each episode is Ru’s statement at the end of each battle. He says, and I’m paraphrasing here:

“If you can’t love yourself, how are you going to love anybody else. Can I get an amen?” The contestant and audience emphatically yell “AMEN!”.

It feels like an important reminder for this winter to love myself. Part of the action of expressing this love is thinking about my roots and where I come from. It takes me back to Baltimore.

Greer, Tina, and I in NYC

It’s Always Been About Costumes

For 14 years now, I’ve lived in South Florida where I started my own business and joined forces with my husband and partner to form The Amanda James Gallery.

Before that, I was in Baltimore working on film and tv sets doing makeup and costumes. Some days I still miss being on set, especially when I think of the friends I made.

It’s hard to live so far away but that hasn’t changed the bond we formed all those years ago. This particular group of girls saw me through the loss of my mom and I can’t put into words what that means to me. I hope you have a tribe like this in your life. People you can count on for the moments when life hits hard. If you’re still looking, I wish you all the luck in your journey to find them.

What’s funny about a life is how much it makes sense in hindsight. As you’re moving through it the future is always so foggy but when you look back it fits together. Looking back on my life, digging into my roots, I see that I’ve always found community and strength with people who valued expression and personality through clothes and fashion. People who found together out of their love for being yourself and not giving in to what Ru calls the “saboteurs”, those nasty intrusive thoughts where we doubt ourselves.

Costumes aren’t about pretending to be someone else. They’re about becoming someone. It’s like a ritual where you can shed the baggage of doubt and presumptions and be free.

Pickles and I, Baltimore

Onward With Empathy

I’ve always been a Preppy Punk. It can be hard to stay true to this but I’ve not forgotten her. Me.

I feel guilty about the times when it’s harder but I think that’s just a part of life. It’s okay that sometimes its easier to be true to ourselves than others. It’s okay to have empathy for ourselves and others for the cycles we go through.

As we make our way through this winter, I think it’s important to be patient and kind with ourselves.

Take things slow, dig deep, and rely on the roots that have been there all along.

XO,

Amanda Johnson

P.S. Big big love to my gurls <3