What I've learned...

Today is the very last day of Toni's New Year Project!! And I'm about to hop up on my kitchen table and do a little dance because IIIIIIII did it!  Of course there were a few days where I was late with posting but I swear to God Almighty that I had already written most of the posts and just forgot to post them. I sweeeaaaaarrrrr! 

Today Toni asks: what have you learned this past month and what are you looking forward to for the rest of the year?

Well, my friends, I've happily learned quite a bit.

1. I can actually complete a challenge (almost, pretty much, for the most part, yeah, I did, guys)

2. Sometimes people seriously suck.  And if those people are bringing you down that much where it's all you think about and it's not only effecting your mood but other people's moods around you...FIX IT AND MOVE ON.  I've sadly let boys stupid actions effect my mood a lot this month and then one night as I was thinking about the whole situation (last Friday to be exact...) I asked myself (while drinking lots of wine) WHAT AM I DOING?! Why am I letting these people that have been in my life such a short while bring me down like this? They're simply not worth it. So I said SAYONARA SUCKERS and moved on.  It was hard at first, but with a little pep talk from my bestie, I was on top of the world.

3. My happiness depends on ME and only ME.  Happiness is a choice.  If I'm feeling miserable there are steps I now take to turn my mood and attitude around.  Sure, other people play a huge role in how happy I am, but in the end, it's all up to ME. And I choose happiness.

4. I need to stop being so conscious of all my flaws and start focusing on how great my life, my attitude and body really is.  I look in the mirror and see love handles, bingo arms, and acne galore when I should be paying more attention to two functioning arms and legs, a noggin with a perfectly stable  and educated mind, a strong heart, a set of lungs and all those other beautiful guts that are in perfect health. I am a perfectly healthy weight for my height, all my senses are in check and working wonderfully, I love my eyes and long legs and I am happy.

5. I am probably one of the most grateful people I know.  Seriously, I hear people complain about the silliest things or get angry over something that is such an easy fix.  Oh, your faucet is leaking? Well, some people don't even have homes to complain about. You forgot to transfer your laundry from the washer to the dryer? Yeah, some people don't even have an extra pair of clothes to wash. Oh, your coffee maker is broken? There are people in this world that don't even have clean water to drink. 

I try take a bad situation and search for the good things that could be found in it.  I remember that everything happens for a reason and some day it'll all make sense. Don't get me wrong, I complain about things too but then I tell myself: THINGS COULD BE SO MUCH WORSE.

I am so grateful that I decided to participate in this challenge this month to get my year started off on the right foot and I can't wait to see what else 2014 has in store for me. 

Happy weekend, friends.

xo

100 Happy Days (1/4) and a letter

Twenty-five days ago I decided to join the 100 Happy Days Challenge. Best decision ever. The challenge is super simple (post a picture of something that made you happy, everyday, for 100 days) and it's mega-rewarding.  I'm obsessed with taking pictures so taking one picture a day isn't difficult for me at all.  And finding something that made me smile, even after a super crappy day, is usually pretty easy (and it's usually one of my cats or the sky...).  I'm a quarter of way through the challenge and haven't even almost missed a day.  Being happy and grateful and finding things in my every day life that I'm thankful for has become a way of life for me.  And I couldn't be happier.

Here's what I've been happy for the past few weeks...

Happy thinking. Happy heart. Happy attitude. Happy life.

Follow along here.

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Second to last day of The New Years Project (!!!) says:

Write a letter to your future child on what you've learned about happiness.

Hey kiddo,

It's your mama. I'm only 23 and you are nowhere on my radar screen yet but I already know I will love you with all my heart...maybe even more than Bruno, but let's not push it right now. I'm here to tell you about a little thing called happiness.  You need to know that being happy didn't always come easy for me. I used to be unhappy with my life, my relationships, my body, a lot of things really.  I got pretty damn good at pretending I was okay, but deep down, I was miserable.

Then I met a boy that completely changed my life, in the best way possible.  He showed me what love really felt like and how a man should treat a lady. He showed me what happiness truly was.  We sadly grew apart but he'll forever remain in my heart as a very special and important person in my life.  I hope to God you'll find someone just as special as he was to me.

During and after our relationship, I also started loving myself, my life and those around me.  I became closer to my friends, made more friends and kind of blossomed in a small way.  I realized that if you just stay positive, your life can take a drastic turn for the absolute better. A positive attitude leads to a positive life.  

Happiness to you, as a child, may be waking up on Christmas morning and unwrapping a bunch of gifts or getting a cell phone fresh out the womb (kidding, you're not getting one until your in high school, sorry not sorry) or maybe happiness is simply getting your way.  And that's okay, little one, because eventually you'll learn that material things aren't the only thing that can make you extremely happy.  Don't get me wrong, I used to be the same way. I loved getting new toys, clothes, a new phone, etc. but as I grew up, I've learned that happiness can be found in the simplest of places.  Whether it's in the soft tickle of a kitty's whiskers on your face, the first signs of Spring, watching a sunset or sunrise alone, receiving a smile from a stranger, or your favorite song coming on the radio.  

I just want you to know that happiness can be pretty darn easy to find, if you simply look at the right things, in the right way. Open your mind and your heart.  Be confident and brave.  Follow your dreams.  Love everything that God has given you. 

Oh, and don't do drugs. 

Love, mama bear

xo

She brings out the best in me...

Who brings out the best in you? 

Easy. My best friend Anne.

She has stuck with me and has been my very best friend through the hardest and most fun (because of her) years of my life.  We met on our very first day of classes at college, a Monday night class called Music, Play with Yourself....or something like that (It was actually called Music, Play and Self...but for obvious reasons we changed the name...because we're super mature, that's why).  Anne stalked me from my dorm building all the way to the classroom door. It was a very awkward walk because I wasn't positive of where I was going and I had some creeper smile at me every time I turned around to see if she was still following me. Once I got to the classroom, the professor still wasn't there and the room was locked and the other students were sitting on the floor so I popped a squat and who sits next to me? That smiley creeper that followed me all the way there!!! And immediately she beamed and said, "Hi! I'm Anne!" I'm pretty sure I gave her the most terrified look and stammered out a "uhhh..yo no hablo ingles!" I'M JOKING, although I'm semi-convinced she wasn't even originally in that class.  Pretty sure she just followed me there and begged the professor to stay so she could become my future lesbian lover...Well folks, it totally worked. 

Since she asked me out on our first date (to see some Batman movie with my ex as a third wheel...AWK) we've been inseparable. I can't even count how many times I've flat out sobbed from laughing so hard with this little lady.  I owe all my sanity and good times in college to her.  

Since we graduated we don't see each other too often with our busy work schedules and what not but when we get together... Wo0oOo baby, world! WATCH OUT!

She's always been there for me, no matter the distance. We snapchat (obv, who doesn't?) all day and she's always sending me hilarious memes and links that make my entire week.  

She knows all my secrets, lets me vent all my ridiculous problems to her without judgement and 110% supports and encourages me in absolutely everything I do.  She means the world to me and I honestly wouldn't be the person I am today without her amazing presence in my life.

I love you, Anne.  

I thank God every day for your awesome stalking abilities ;)

Thanks for bringing out the best in me.

xo

Losing track..

When I feel like I'm losing track on my resolutions, I will...

stop (collaborate and listen)

remember all the beautiful things God has provided me

smile
and move on.

I think I would be better at   being grateful   if I   had a million dollars  .
Jokinggg! It would solve a few of my problems though ;)

I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record player but I am so happy for everything God has given me lately.  I remind myself daily that everything happens for a reason, and if I can't figure out that reason now, it'll eventually fall perfectly into its place.

I hope you find your happiness, too.
xo

________________________

this post is part of Toni's New Years Project. Almost doneeeee :-D

On Making my own Happiness and Smiles( #15)

So, I haven't talked about it at all on here and I really wasn't going to because it's nobody's business but my own but I went through a break up a couple months ago (Tragic I know. I don't need a sob fest. That's literally all I've gotten from everyone I know and it's getting old). Since the break up I met a few men boys.  It was great at first...flirting with someone new is exciting and then they might ask you out on a date or two, you hang out, you get to know them, they tell you they really like you, and your hesitant  at first because your fresh out of a relationship and you don't want that yet, but then they sweet talk you and then you start to kinda, sorta like them back and WA-BAM! They turn out to be total douche bags. They decide to drop you like a ton of bricks.  They toy with your emotions. They bring you down. They make you feel incompetent and self-conscious. They decide you're not worth their time.

NEWS FLASH: I'M FABULOUS!

Okay, I have a point to this rant and it's this: I HATE BOYS & I'M TURNING INTO A LESBIAN!
I kid. I kid.

For realsies though, Toni asked today: how can you take charge of your own happiness?
THIS IS HOW:
Forget boys (or girls, or anyone else that's bringing you down). Enjoy your life. Get negativity out of your life. Take charge of your own happiness. ADOPT A KITTEN. Surround yourself with happy, positive people. BE YOU (unless you're miserable, then be some incredibly happy person).
And, vent to your best friend. That's what I did. She's my favorite human of all time...

#wifingher

SO, in honor of making my own happiness, and droppin' all d-bags from my life, here's what's made me smile this week...

31 GIFs of Hot Guys Cuddling Puppies to Make you Smile. You are welcome.

She stretches and glides her body over a blank canvas... what she creates is amazing.

THESE ARE THE BEST IDEA EVERRR
I just want to hand them out to everyone.

21 Painfully Honest Cakes for Every Occasion 

Cats About to Sneeze | HA!


____________Links_____________

23 Everyday Things That we Could all be Doing Better | READ THIS. Right meow.

This Man Trolls His Jerk Neighbor in the Most Passive Aggressive Way Possible | HYSTERICAL

The 35 Happiest Things that Have Ever Happened

The 15 Stages of Being Sick (told with puppy gifs)

The 9 Most Epic Texting Pranks of all Time | OMG.LOL

The 18 Best 90s Pop Songs You Forgot Existed | I certainly haven't forgot about some of these gems.

_______________________________


Have a fantastical weekend.
xo

PS- I wrote this last night when I was really hyper and I may or may not have been drinking....

thus far

Today, Toni asks: How are you doing with your resolutions so far?

My answer: good, great, grand.

Of course I've had some rough days (work stress, money probs, boys suck, not knowing what the hell I'm doing with my life, etc.) but I haven't skipped a day of gratitude.  I'm continuing to write in my Gratitude Journal and posting my 100 happy days Instagram pictures, which are both awesome reminders that I'm incredibly blessed. 

------------------

As mentioned yesterday, I took a little road trip to Maryland with my best friend Anne over the weekend to visit another best friend, Alison. It. Was. Awesome. We explored both charming Baltimore and the DC area and all its monuments. And of course I forgot my good camera so these iphone pictures will just have to doooo...

 Sunday morning we went out for brunch in Baltimore, did a little shopping and admired an art studio by the water.

 Later in the afternoon we went to visit Edgar Allen Poe's grave in the coolest cemetery I've ever been in. Is that weird to say?

 It was so old and most of the grave sites and tombs were above ground.  They even had graves under the church, which had to be built around. There was so much history to be discovered.

 Sunday evening we drove into DC to check out all the monuments. They were gorgeous in the sunset light.  Afterwards we went out for some Chinese food in China Town and then went back to Baltimore to have a few drinks :)

What an awesome weekend. I love these girls more than life.

xo

making others happy, future look backs, feel good songs and my bod

Okay so here's the dealio...I totally wrote last Friday's post for Toni's New Years Project but it kind of slipped my mind to schedule it to post automatically.  Then I took a little road trip with my best friend Anne to go to the Baltimore/DC area to visit my other best friend Alison (pictures coming soon) and Monday and Tuesday's posts were completely abandoned.  But no worries, I'll make it all up to you right meow!


Fool proof ways to make others happy:

SEND SOME SNAIL MAIL. Everybody loves getting mail that's not, for once, bills or bank statements.

COMPLIMENT THEM. Do you like that lady's sweater? haircut? purse? Tell her. I guarantee she'll appreciate it. You think that boy has a nice smile? Tell him. (I did it this weekend in Baltimore..thanks to my friend vodka, and it ended well) Why not, dude? The worst thing that could happen is that he gives you a dirty look and then you'll never see him again...oh well! 

SURPRISE THEM. Not in a surprise them at the doorstep with your presence when their house is a mess way.  Surprise them with a little gift you saw at the store that reminded you of them.  Make them some cookies and drop them in their mailbox or on their doorstep. 

TEXT/CALL THEM. And simply say I love you. Or ask how they're doing. Or how that big project turned out. Or that you were simply thinking of them. It'll make them feel loved. And how doesn't love that.

SIMPLY SMILE.  Seriously, a simple smile at a stranger can effect their day in the best way possible. And who knows, maybe they'll pass that smile onto someone else and make someone else's day.  And the chain continues and why, look at that! You've made 10 people smile today. You rock.  

Next year, I want to look back and and be proud that I . . .
-was grateful every day
-got the courage to pack up and move
-grew (mentally and emotionally)
-didn't hold grudges
-met my goals
-followed my dreams
-was brave enough


My feel good songs:
I'm in love with a million songs and I'm kind of having a brain fart as I sit here and try to think of my favorites... Here are the first few, very random songs that popped into my head...

Junior Senior - Move Your Feet

I don't know why but this song always puts me in a good mood...
Blind Melon - No Rain

And pretty much anything Sara Bareilles..
Sara Bareilles - King of Anything

What don't you like about your body? What are some steps can you take to accepting and maybe loving your body?
 Wellllllll, let's see. I break out a lot and I've tried a butt load of different things to try to keep the acne at bay, but nothing works for more than a couple days or weeks. I'm extremely self-conscious about it and try to hide behind my hands, scarves, whatever.  Got any tips? Let me knowwww.
I'm also pretty uncomfortable with my weight at times. Bingo arms, rolls and that bloated feeling can really make a lady feel "blahhhh."  But all those things are a pretty easy fix with some exercise and eating right.  If only someone could give me some motivation to get off this couch...
But lately I've come to realize that what others think about my body shouldn't be as important.  It should be my attitude and personality they should be focusing on and not my blemishes and imperfections. And if they can't see past those things, they're certainly not worth my time. I love me for me, flaws and all.  And I hope you do too. Everyone's beautiful in their own way.


Hope your week is going well, my friends.
xo


PS: Just booked a flight to Florida to meet with some schools. Crappin' my pants over hereeee.

be

When was the last time you stopped, soaked in your surroundings and let yourself simply be?

x

I try to do this everyday. It's so good for the soul.

You should try it some time.

xo

Taking care of me

Today, Toni asks what are the things you do to take care of yourself?

There are a few things I do to take care of myself both physically and mentally.  

Physically:

I can be a pretty lazy person. I honestly hate working out but I love how I feel afterwards. I feel good about myself. I feel confident. And I love that sore feeling the next day. But I'm one of those people that wants to see results right away to be 100% content. And obviously it doesn't work like that...

*Does 10 sit-ups, checks for abs...*

damnit.

 In the summer I'm very active.  I love going for walks or runs and swimming has always been a favorite of mine.  But in the winter I don't workout very often.  I get frustrated and depressed in the winter. I hate the cold and being stuck indoors. I have an elliptical in my basement so I'll occasionally go on that in the winter but I get so bored walking in place. I'd much rather be outside, seeing different sights, taking a different trail or road I've never been on. 

I know it's so important to exercise and I do do it, even if I have to force myself.  If I notice I put on a few pounds I get the motivation to get rid of it. I found that if I'm working towards a goal, like running The Color Run, it makes working out worth while and so much easier. If only I could muster up the motivation to exercise everyday, that'd be pretty awesome.
My very favorite way to stay fit and at peace with my body is through yoga.  I have a few yoga dvds that I try to do a couple times a week. It's so relaxing and beneficial to both your mental and physical health. 

Mentally:

I love reading, doing crossword puzzles and other daily puzzles in the newspaper. If I'm unhappy in a relationship I try to fix it or get out. I try to see the good things in a situation and try to remember that everything happens for a reason.  And most of all, I practice gratitude. Every. Single. Day.

What do you do to take care of yourself?

xo

That gif of honey boo boo makes me want to go for a run.

On happiness

As mentioned in a previous post I've been practicing gratitude for over a year now. And I can't even begin to describe how much happier it has made me.  Honest to God, being grateful has changed my life for the absolute better.  I wish I would've started way sooner.  

I used to be the biggest Negative Nancy in the world.  I thought the world was out to get me.  I was beyond stressed out.  I was unhappy and ungrateful.  I was a bad friend and person in general. I was always counting all the bad things that could happen in any given situation.  Manipulating, mind-fucking relationships can do that to a lady. I tell ya, if you're unhappy in a relationship, GET OUT. It's not worth the pain and agony you're suffering.  And I guarantee there's someone a billion times better out there for you.  I found one, and then totally screwed that up, so maybe I'm not the best at giving out relationship advice... But seriously don't ever stay in a lousy relationship because you don't want to "hurt him" or you think you're in "too deep" already...you're just hurting yourself.  End rant.

ANYWAYS!

I mentioned way back in March that I celebrated 100 days of gratitude by writing in a Gratitude Journal (<click to see all the awesome features and what not).  My gratitude journal is an app on my phone. It costs $.99 and if you're against paying for any apps on your phone, I'll give you a dollar for this one.  Seriously though, I promise it's worth it.  Reflecting on your day and jotting down everything you're grateful for is so simply rewarding. And looking back to the things you've been grateful for on previous days is a great and quick way to cheer up on a bad day.

I write everything I'm grateful for that day. Little things, big things, silly things, obvious things, things others take for granted every day, everything. I'm thankful that my heart is beating, that I'm healthy, that I'm mentally fit.  I'm thankful for pancakes for dinner, kitty kisses, finding a new favorite song to listen to on repeat, happy hour, helping others, the smell of book stores, sunshine, clean water to drink, laughter, finding the courage, supportive friends, smiles from strangers, the way sunlight plays through someone's hair, life-changing opportunities, letting go, that warm and fuzzy feeling when incredibly happy. Seriously, I could write the biggest book on the planet describing all the things you could be grateful for.
And the best thing is, I've come to notice that by appreciating even the littlest things in your day make you appreciate the big things a bajillion times more.

My point in writing this post came from Toni's New Year Project prompt of how can you put more happiness in your life? Simple...be grateful. 

You can see my list of things I do that make me happy, grateful and help me de-stress here from earlier this month.

Gratitude, my friends.
It's worth it. I promise.

xo

things that make me happy

While being sick all weekend I had all the time in the world to curl up in a ball on the couch or in my bed and be absolutely, positively, perfectly miserable. I did nothing but drink tea, nap, read, drink tea, browse the internets, nap, look at old pictures and drink more tea.  Seriously, I should probably be dead with all the tea I consumed this weekend.  But anyways, while checking in with the New Years Project I had zero motivation to think about writing in a stream of consciousness, whatever that means, so here's a big, fat compilation of pictures that make me extremely happy instead...

  blanket forts with my best friend as college graduates | rings around the moon | naturally weathered walls | beautiful strangers watching the sunset alone | spring | the bean machine going nuts over cat nip | the most charming house in Buffalo | watching the sun go down, upside-down | painted trees

my toes in the sand | skipping rocks | the first signs of Spring | hippos kissing | two flowers blossoming from one stem | looking up | taking a picture of someone taking a picture of someone taking a picture of the sunset | perfectly timed photos | tree silhouettes against a sunset

 sunshine shining through some purple flowers | picking apples | reading Tuesdays with Morrie | taking risks | heart-shaped cereal | finding awesome pictures like this on your borrowed camera | rain drops | getting crafty | girls day at findley lake

horses | watching the sun dip under Lake Erie | entering the Botanical Gardens | relaxing in the grass on a hot summer day | visiting overstocked used book stores | watching a sky lantern disappear into the night | sunshine and palm trees | feeling loved | running a 5k and doing way better than expected

Life is grand.

Happy Monday, friends.

xo

I ended up adding captions so I guess this totally counts, right?

Things I love about myself

Today The New Years Project asked us to share 5 things you love about yourself.

I mentioned in my strengths post that I hate talking about myself in a "braggy" way but Toni had an awesome approach to this post that I just had to share and use while thinking about this topic. (Toni lives in New Zealand so I see her posts a day before I actually write my own post about the same topic)

While writing about today's prompt Toni asked herself "would I go out with me? why?"

Okay, that seriously made this a hell of a lot easier to write...

1. I'm hilarious. Just joking. Kind of. But I do have a great sense of humor and think I'm kinda funny sometimes.

2. I'm compassionate.  Once I get to know you, and if I decide I actually like you, I will truly care about you. If you have a bad day, I'll want to fix it. If you're angry or sad, I'll try my damnedest to make you smile. If something awesome happens in your life, I'll want to celebrate your kick-assyness. 

3. I'm super grateful. I try to see the positive in almost any situation. Everything happens for a reason, right? Right. Just remember that life goes on and it could be worse.

4. I'm artistic. I love my creativity and ability to draw, paint, sew, etc. And if you're a friend/family member/boyfriend you will most likely receive a homemade gift or two. And you better love it.

5. I also really love my eyes. I don't know if this post was supposed to be strictly character traits but I really like my eyes. I could stare into them all day. That's a joke. But I do get a lot of compliments on them, so yeah.

So, I think the real question here is...would you date me?

Please don't answer that. Unless it's a yes, then...call me ;)

xo

Ps- remember my post about change two days ago and how I said I'm getting pretty good at just accepting change because it's going to happen whether I like it or not. Yeah, well, my mom rearranged the furniture in the living room for the first time in, like ever, and I'm not a fan. At all. 

inner peace

How do you find your inner peace?

I think this question's answer is pretty similar to my answer to things that make me happy.

Everything I put on that list makes me joyful, grateful, peaceful and helps me de-stress from my semi-crazy life.  

My very favorite inner-peace seeking activities include:

painting, drawing, listening to music, and remembering the good things I have in my life.

The most simple thing I remind myself to do is to simply :

or take a nap.

How do you find your inner peace?

xo

____________________________________

Today's post is part of Toni's New Year Project.

Join us and find gratitude.

change

Today, Toni asks: How do you feel about change? How do you cope/adjust to change?

Change is a weird topic for me.  Sometimes I love it and embrace it with all my being and sometimes it down right scares the shit out of me.  If you asked me a year ago if I liked change I would've said OH HELL NAH! But as I'm changing (for the better...hopefully) and becoming a more grateful and happy person I've taken on change with appreciativeness...is that a word? Probably not. It is now. But anyways,  I've noticed that by being happy and grateful for everything that's happening around me, I'm much more okay with change and dealing with whatever is thrown my way. I'm more open-minded and simply at peace with it.  Because whether I like it or not, change is happening all around me, so I might as well say hey and welcome it to stay awhile.

Did that make sense? 

I need a nap.

xo

what would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

cure cancer, build a time machine, ask that really cute boy out, open a little business, fly, eliminate war and violence, rob a bank, teleport, play the lottery, make everyone happy and grateful, lick my elbow, educate the world, feed the hungry, paint the nails on my right hand, need I say more?

But ya know what? With all kidding aside, a great lesson I've learned in my young 23 years of life...

IT'S OKAY TO FAIL.

xo

_________________________

This post is part of Toni's New Year Project. 
Today's prompt asked us: what would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

Do more of what makes you happy.

I made this photo edit quite some time ago, maybe even a year (ish) and it's one of my very favorites.  It's my desktop background, my facebook and twitter cover page thingy and was my phone's background for a few months as well. It's a perfect daily reminder to be happy, surround  myself with things and people that make me happy and of course do everything and anything that will keep me in positive spirits.  Doing things every day that keep me happy is a great way to feel the utmost amount of gratitude.

Things I absolutely love doing (and should really do more of every day) include:
painting, drawing, taking photos, listening to music, talking to and hanging out with my friends and family, snuggling with my main squeeze, watching sunsets, taking walks, having gratitude, reading, playing games, star gazing, day dreaming, traveling, camping, drinking wine, loving and being loved in return, exploring, teaching, learning, making lists, shopping, writing

I feel like I could go on and on.
What do you need to do more of to make you happier?
xo
_____________________________

This post is part of Toni's New Year Project.
Today's prompt asked us to discuss things that make us happy.

strengths

I'm really not one to talk about myself in a "braggy" way. It makes me really uncomfortable actually. It's much easier to pick out my flaws than what I'm good at. Isn't that kind of sad? Why are people like that? I know I'm not the only one with confidence issues or simply hate this kind of question, but seriously, why do we constantly pick ourselves apart and why does it come so damn easily?  I can make a list of 100 things that I don't like about myself but when I'm asked what I like about myself or what I'm good at, I freeze.  Maybe I'm afraid of seeming "cocky," which isn't me at all, or I'm just afraid that even with telling someone what I'm good at still won't be good enough for them. I just don't know.

But, enough avoiding the task at hand. Things I'm good at would definitely include being artistic.  I really love that I'm good at artsy fartsy stuff. Every single one of my hobbies include the arts in some way.  I'm also a perfectionist when it comes to my art, or anything I do really, which is sometimes a bad thing because I'm usually not completely satisfied with my work.  But with being a perfectionist, you know I'll work my ass off to get everything just right before presenting it.  My work is never sloppy and it's very rare that I just give up.  I'm pretty determined and disciplined that way, which is a pretty good thing.

What are you good at?

_______________________________

This post is part of Toni's New Year Project (button in sidebar! ->)  JOIN US!
Today's prompt is: What are your strengths? What are the things you're good at?

xo

Obstacles

Day 2 of Toni's New Year Project asks us to share possible obstacles to your resolutions and how will you overcome them?

A year ago this resolution would've seemed next to impossible, but I'm much more confident in it this year.  Of course there will be many obstacles, there usually are with any resolution, but I believe with a little bit of confidence, surrounding myself with people and things I love and remembering that everything happens for a reason, I can stick with this resolution. 

This photo was taken in Cranberry Lake, NY

I've had an entire year to practice gratitude and play with different ways in which I find my own happiness. If I'm feeling down, overwhelmed or angry I'll take a moment to step back, evaluate the situation, breathe, think of reasons why this has happened and why it'll make me stronger in the end.  If the situation calls for more back up, I might listen to a playlist of my favorite songs, watch a feel-good movie, paint or draw, do some yoga, go for a run, or text a friend.  And if all else fails, take a nap. They're miracle workers, I swear. 

How will you make sure your resolutions are achieved?

xo

2014 Resolutions

Hi friends! Happy New Year! 

I hope your holidays were full of family and friends, love, laughter, joy and cheer.

Mine certainly were.

I've been a little MIA lately due to the holidays but I decided to jump right back into writing with Toni's New Year Project.  It's an awesome little challenge throughout the whole month of January (excluding weekends...score!) that, in Toni's words, "helps us in setting goals for ourselves, injecting more happiness into our lives, and learning to appreciate ourselves more."  This sounds like the most perfect blog challenge to start off the year on the right foot! Don't you think?

The first day of the New Year's prompt is what are your resolutions this year?

Well, after 2013's half crossed off list of goals I've decided to keep my resolutions sweet and simple this year.  My main resolution is to simply be happy and grateful. 
And to accept my life exactly the way God has given it to me, for good and bad. 

It sounds pretty simple, but trust me, it can be very challenging.  Especially when you're feeling down on your luck and nothing seems to be going the way you want it to. I spent the entire year of 2013 writing in a Gratitude Journal app on my phone. It is the simplest, most rewarding thing I've probably ever decided to do (post coming soon).  I can honestly say that I've become a much happier and positive person by being grateful and thanking God every day for everything he's given me. So with this New Year, I plan to extend my gratitude even further. I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store.

Be grateful and 

Happy resolution making, friends!

xo