It's no secret that summer isn't my favorite, but I'm trying to embrace this season for all of the good that it holds -- a chance to slow down and enjoy life, wear sandals, eat outside, and savor a little more daylight.
Here are a few things I'm keeping in mind to enjoy this next month:
- Go through my closet and donate any of my summer clothes that don't make me feel fabulous. Life is too short to wear things we don't enjoy.
- Wake up earlier to have a leisurely morning, instead of my usual rush.
- Buy fresh flowers for the kitchen table, and try to keep my orchid alive.
- Unplug from the computer, iPad, and phone for one blissful day.
- Eat as many tomatoes and peaches as possible, straight from the farmer's market.
- Stop and get lemonade at a lemonade stand.
- Eat an ice cream cone at least once per weekend, calories be damned.
- Spend a day taking pictures of everything I find beautiful.
- Clean out/organize something that desperately needs it (junk drawer, makeup bag, closet).
- Enjoy early evenings the rooftop deck of my apartment, reading.
- Relaxing weekend getaway with my beau, just the two of us.
What's on your list?
I've got to have that newness, all the time, even if that "new" item is just a variation of something that I've already got -- new purse, new nail polish, new book, new striped shirt, new lipstick. And sometimes, I really do need something new. But other (most) times, it's the euphoric feeling of obtaining something new that I'm after. "This is the perfect lipstick I've been searching for", "This dress will be perfect for that party on Saturday", "This really is the exact nude nail polish I've always been searching for". Earlier this spring, I wrote about being grateful for what I have, which certainly touched on material possessions, but I've been feeling a strong urging lately to appreciate the things I already own, and dig deeper into why I'm always wanting something more.
This morning, I got up a little bit earlier than usual. I am a chronic snooze-button-aholic, but am trying to be better about not sleeping until the very-last-minute. Even getting up 20 minutes earlier meant I had a bit more time to get ready, and I actually ended up applying lipstick before I left the house, instead of in the car while in the midst of eating my granola bar breakfast (it's a sad state of affairs, friends). As I dug through my makeup in the bathroom, I happened upon a long-lost Revlon lip butter in Candy Apple. This was purchased almost a year ago and almost never worn -- it was one of the first brighter lip colors I'd purchased, and I declared it too orange or too bright after a swipe or two and threw it in my drawer with the rest of the rejects. This morning it became my new favorite, all without a trip to the drug store for a new shade.
What is it that forces us to want something new? For me, a lot of it boils down to vanity - I want to feel good and look good. You know that feeling when you are wearing a new dress or your favorite new shirt? THAT is the important part, the "feeling" or confidence, which can be replicated at any moment from the inside out, whether it's the first time something is worn or the 100th. I'm going to make a concerted effort to shop my closet, put together new outfits, embrace wearing "the same old thing", and focus on feeling good on the inside.
Not being able to focus on the present moment is another reason I tend to gravitate towards newness. Swinging by Ulta on my lunch break or running to Target during an unscheduled portion of the weekend can be an easy way to fill time, when there are so many things I could do instead. Making the decision to stay in the present moment and relish a little quiet time or silence may be the difficult decision, but it will be rewarding.
I'm also going to try to reflect on what I really need when I pop into the store for a little something new. None of these purchases are ever something that break the bank, but they only cause a few moments of happiness. I'm likely in need of a boost, but one that could be fulfilled in a better way: with a phone call to a friend, a walk outdoors taking pictures or just breathing in and out, or making a list of 3 things I'm grateful for today.
While I don't want to completely cut out shopping (oh, the horrors!), being mindful and reflective is something I'm working to be more conscious of. Because even if I'm wearing my $5 striped t-shirt from Target that my friends have seen a million times, with chipped nail polish and the same old lip gloss as always, I am good enough.
{Image via Pinterest}
This week, I'm settling back in at work and home after a week away. I was in Ohio for the long weekend to celebrate my 31st birthday with my family, and as I was driving back (6 hours in the car by myself), I found myself in my usual post-vacation mode: dreaming of all of the changes I'd make once I arrived back home to live my Best Life Ever. You know what I'm talking about -- I'll wake up early, have my fridge stocked with healthy foods, do yoga daily, call my grandparents each week, and not let that stress bubble up to the surface again.
Oh, if it was that easy! And, as you know, I do get overwhelmed with those BIG steps and tend to let that prevent me from doing any of it. I do better with small actions toward a bigger goal, and am often amazed at how a tiny change can have such a big impact. So, as I winded my way through Pennsylvania on the turnpike, my mind turned toward something small I could do this week to give myself (and my motivation) a little boost.
I've lived in the same apartment for 5 years, and I love it. My bedroom is my haven, and it's the place I while away the hours watching Netflix, napping, and reading. Living with roommates, that room is the only place I can truly call my own. While the decor can certainly be called Ikea Chic, I adore it. But I hadn't rearranged the furniture or really spruced it up in several years.
As I unpacked my bags Monday evening, I looked at my room with new eyes. What did it need to give it that change I was longing for? Not having much money to spare, I browsed Craig's List for some pieces of furniture, and then I happened upon it: the perfect cozy little armchair. It was red with white flowers, extremely reasonably priced, and I could see my room makeover happen before my eyes.
The next day and a few emails later, I was on my way to pick up the chair with the help of my ever-supportive beau. I just did a slight bit of rearranging, a LOT of dusting (man, it's amazing how much can accumulate beneath something you haven't moved in years), and my little reading nook emerged: my cozy new chair, my already well stocked bookshelf, and a repositioned lamp.
It was just what I needed - a small addition to make me better appreciate what I already had. I can't wait to curl up with a new book (or, let's face it, an episode of Dawson's Creek on Netflix) later today.
If you're a friend of mine, follow me on Twitter, or even read this blog, you may be under the impression that I'm an optimist, a gratitude seeker, someone who can find joy in the little things in life. While it's true that I strive to be this way, let me let you in on a little secret: I am a worry-wart. A Negative Nelly. A glass is half empty type of gal, at least when it comes to my own little life.
Recently, I was in Ohio for a family wedding. My 80-year-old grandpa had an appointment scheduled with a surgeon the following day for an aneurysm that had just been found on a routine ultrasound. Naturally, thinking of it ahead of time, I asked him how he was holding up. He said "Why would I think about that today? The appointment isn't until tomorrow. I'll think about it then."
Oh, to have that as my mentality... to stay positive, or better yet, not dwell on a particular event or situation until the moment that you're actually facing it? I truly am the opposite, and find it difficult to think of anything else if there is something negative to worry about. It's as if I actually think that worrying, focusing, obsessing over what's to come can somehow stop it from happening. It's the little piece of control that I have in this uncertain world, right? Wrong.
Enter my new mantra: Worry is not preventative. It does not stop something bad from happening, it does not make you more prepared, it does not superstitiously give you a better chance of good news. It depletes your resources, creates clouds on an otherwise sunny day, and robs you of the joy you do have in your life.
Let me be honest... realizing this and taking it to heart is the first step on a long journey for me. As I said, worry is a well worn path in my mind, and it takes a lot of courage to take a step on a road that's rarely been traveled. But, why not give it a try? Whether it's something small (a challenging meeting you're not looking forward to, an unpleasant conversation with a friend) or something larger (a worrisome doctor visit), I'm making a conscious effort to attack it more positively and let go of the fear that this means I "deserve" something bad.
Here are some small things I'm finding helpful as I begin this journey:
+ Finding a friend who truly understands and can say "Girl, you're crazy" in a nice & supportive way.
+ At the end of every day, thinking of (or writing down) 3 things you're grateful for about that day, and 3 things you're looking forward to about tomorrow.
+ Changing my iPhone wallpaper to a positive quote or sentiment, so I see it throughout the day.
+ When you find yourself saying "What if [terrible thing] happens?", also look at the reverse side, "what if [terrible thing] doesn't happen?".
I know that many of you may struggle with this as well, so I invite you to join me on my quest to see the glass as half full. Let's start small, dip our toes in the water, and see where it takes us.
{Image via Pinterest}
Things have been hectic recently with a busy schedule at work and several out of town trips, but it's always important to take the time savor the small things that bring us joy.
+ Crawling into bed early with a good book (this week, it's The Fault in Our Stars)
+ Nude nail polishes (Deborah Lippmann's Naked, Essie's Au Natural)
+ Trader Joe's Cookie Butter (on toast, with sea salt pita chips, on a spoon)
+ Maxi dresses (could wear one every day of the week)
+ Arnold Palmers (half lemonade half iced tea) from Chick-Fil-A
+ Soy iced chai lattes (savoring one as I type)
+ Pandora's Summer Hits of the 90s station (it's like a time machine)
+ The Bachelorette (I can't help it, I just love that Emily Maynard)
+ Bright pink lip gloss/stick/stain (Revlon's Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick is my go-to)
+ Paper'd iPhone wallpaper app (beautifully designed, inspirational, one for every mood)
{Image via Pinterest}
Despite the craziness that has been May, here are a few things that I've been loving lately:
- Revlon's new Bitten Kissable Balm Stains - I'm a relatively new lip color lover, but these are everything that I love wrapped up into one. Long lasting, moisturizing, and very pigmented colors. I own Honey, Smitten, and Lovesick and have worn them all recently. (And I absolutely blame Ashley for my love of lipsticks, especially bright pinks)
- Library e-book lending for the Kindle - My love of reading knows no bounds, aside from the limits of my bank account. Recently, I started getting e-books for my Kindle through my local library's website. Though there are a limited number of copies and typically a short wait, it's a cinch to download & I feel like I'm buying e-books for free. Currently, I'm reading Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan (perfect for this time of year!) and next on tap are Night Circus for my book club, and The Fault In Our Stars, which has come highly recommended.
- Netflix Instant - While I was under the weather, TV shows and movies kept me sane. I relived those Bayside High memories in Saved By The Bell (I still have a crush on Zack Morris), started watching Brothers & Sisters from the beginning, and savored the first season of Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch, I heart you). Also, I just learned on Monday that they now have ALL seasons of Dawson's Creek.
What are you loving this month?
{image via Pinterest}
May has been a challenging month for me in many ways. I've been struggling with a wacky eye issue that involved dilating my pupils every day for 2 weeks, leaving me to practically live as a vampire in dimly lit rooms. I had to cancel many social plans, work from home just a few hours a day, and survive on Netflix Instant and take-out. As a person that thrives on routine and gets anxious about health issues, I was nearly pushed to my limit.
I'm happy to report that things are on the mend, and I've slowly been able to return to the land of the living. To say that a shift in perspective has occurred is a great understatement -- things like driving my car, walking outside in sunshine, and reading a book before bed now feel like luxuries instead of things I did each day and took for granted. It's also made me realize that so many things that I worry about on a daily basis are really small potatoes.
For example, my biggest struggle was getting over the vanity of it all: I wear contacts normally, but have been forced to wear glasses and in most cases dark sunglasses as well, even for a simple trip to the grocery store. This past Saturday was the wedding of 2 dear friends, and sure to be a very fancy and formal occasion. I had picked what I was going to wear weeks in advance, and had planned on looking my best. But then, a few days before, I wasn't even sure if I'd be able to make it. Even when I was told that I (finally!) could stop taking the dilating drops, I was so sad that I'd have to wear my silly glasses to this wedding I'd look forward to for so long. I knew there would be a million pictures taken, and I still had that mentality that I looked horrendous and unrecognizable in my glasses.
I let myself feel sad about it for a few days, but I awoke Saturday morning with a renewed sense of positivity - I wasn't going to dwell on it, I was just going to sport my specs and own it, gosh darn it! And the result? I had a wonderful time, I even got compliments (a friend even said I should wear them more often!), and by the end of the evening, I totally forgot I was wearing them.
And the takeaway? The ONLY thing you can control is your own attitude, and how you react to things. There are so many times that I have gotten down in the dumps for not having the right outfit to wear, chipped nail polish, or feeling that I looked bedraggled. But when it comes down to it, none of that matters -- I had a good time at the wedding because I allowed myself to have a good time. No one else cared what I looked like, they were just happy I was there.
P.S. A post about glasses would be remiss without mentioning Warby Parker, the fabulously affordable company where I bought both pairs of glasses that I own. This company has the best customer service I've ever encountered, seriously fashionable frames, and a great mission statement. If you're a fellow glasses wearer, check them out immediately.
