Thoughts While Designing the Layout

After tinkering with Blogspot's Template Designer and adding CSS script codes, I can say that I'm done with the layout for Novaturient Me.

The whole designing process itself is soothing this whole weekend. I got fully immersed in designing. I worked on it during my free time in Starbucks in the daytime and during my study dates after I finished my work. While I was editing and testing out technicalities, I lost track of time and stayed up very late as a result. But I was happy during the whole time, and I am still happy looking at my newly-applied layout on my blog.

Before thinking, I've wrestled with some creative liberties for the layout. After putting thought into what stuff I needed to include for my header image. Components of the layout included:

1. The rabbit

For the header, I wanted to find an animal that represents me as a person. I wasn't sure about using bunnies since I overused them for my old usernames AND an old website of mine. But after looking at my army of stuffed animals on my shelf, I see these long-eared critters toppling over the rest of my stuffed animals. It made me realize these rascals are very important part of me and been with me for years. Since bunnies are an important part of my life, I'll do a post about my thoughts about these adorable rodents soon.
Runner-ups: a penguin and a sparrow

2. The compass rose

I always like compass roses. They're aesthetically-pleasing and make great tattoos if done well. But I also like the meaning behind them. It represents me exploring and looking for my path. When I am lost, I will always find a way.
Runner-ups: mandala circle and something lacy

3. The whimsical paisley-like petals

I recently got obsessed with any hippie-patterned stuff, which includes paisley. When I stumbled into this clipart, I wanted to incorporate it in my header. Originally, the petals came with a swirl design but I edited it out. Since the petals look like they are blowing in the wind, it gives out a relaxed look. To me, the petals are telling me to go with the flow and let go of any negativity inside me.
Runner-ups: scribbles and swirls

4. Light blue color

This is the color of the throat chakra vishuddha, which deals with communication and creativity. Those who have a under-balanced throat chakra will have trouble expressing themselves and not speaking up. I will metaphorically balance out this chakra by using this color for the layout and of course, expressing myself here.
Runner-ups: green

I put in all of these little things to make everything a whole, cohesive concept of me. A bunny. compass rose, petals, and light blue all represent me as a person and the Novaturient Me blog. I did not design just a layout. I designed a visible path, a public gateway for you and me to watch me grow.

Introduction

Hi everybody,

I'm Lisa and welcome to Novaturient Me. The blog is a work-in-progress right now, but I hope that it will unleash it's true form pretty soon.

I started a blog a year ago called Dorky Riot to type my streaming thoughts and ways I can foster individuality and positivity. But recently this year, I've bumped into mishaps and misfortunes along the way. I've reached dead ends, and got the point where I want to quit everything and shut myself off the world.

In order to chronicle my journey, I decided to create Novaturient Me to help me recover from all the past negativity from 2014 and continue to grow as an individual. I will post progresses towards bettering myself through self-love and care, reflections about life, and tips on how to care for your own self.

If you have been to Dorky Riot before and read a few blogposts, you're wondering if Novaturient Me will be like Dorky Riot. Let me tell you this:

• Yes, I will still use my sailor mouth for this blog. I may have tamed my inner sailor, but it doesn't mean it will be gone forever. I'll just use my foul language whenever appropriate.
•  No, I won't be adding funny stories. As much as I treasure the laughs and the awkwardness behind the stories, Novaturient Me is more focused towards reflective, introspective stories. There still will be some humor. Just more thought-provoking stuff.

Life may have whooped my ass in the majority of 2014, but I won't let it fully bring me down for the rest of it. Thank you for reading and wish me luck on my journey.