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34 Ways to Enjoy the Winter Days

January 27th, 2010 | 7 Comments »

Get cozy in front of a fire with a warm blanket and great book.
Awaken your inner child: go sledding!
Get messy in the kitchen: have fun baking and decorating different types of cookies.
Put on your skates and have a blast at an outdoor pond (no frozen outdoor pond – go to an indoor rink).
Try a new creative project (ex. winter themed crafts).
Catch up on your movie list in time for the Oscars.
Join a book club or create your own.
Explore your hidden passions – Julia Child started cooking school in her late 30s!
Organize and finally frame some of those photos you love.
Scope out new music on Pandora.
Go window shopping online.
Challenge yourself to take action on a lingering to-do item – enjoy the bliss that accompanies checking it off of your list!
Visit Decor8. The images can lift your spirits on the bleakest of days!
Fill an oversized mug with hot chocolate and yummy marshmallows. You can even add rainbow sprinkles for a splash of color!
Spruce up a little area of your home – add a new color, a painting, a beautiful candle – let your imagination run wild.
Wear that goofy hat and scarf with pride!
Take a day trip to a local museum or gallery.
Play in the snow. Did I hear snowball fight?
Try different soups. With hundreds of types, go crazy!
Plan a spa day by yourself (serious R & R) or with a group of friends.
Volunteer at your local library. Extra special: read a story with (or to) a child.
Take an online workshop – extra bonus: no cold weather and you can meet new friends (your fellow e-classmates).
Do some soul searching with a life coach. Life coaches keep you on your toes and help you achieve what your heart desires.
Donate clothing. A lighter closet means more room for 2010 finds!
Swap books with a friend. A recommended read at no cost.
Appreciate the crispness of the winter air. Allow yourself to simply… breathe.
Explore the power of a friendship bracelet or handmade jewelry.
Remind yourself of the classics – great poetry, timeless music.
Spend some time journaling or doodling — reflect during the winter quiet.
Host a game night! Board games and family/friends yield a fun night of bonding.
Show someone you appreciate them. A small note via snail-mail or even a simple email.
Use your computer to chat with friends virtually. Check out Spring for inspiration!
Create a list of 10 ways you can enjoy the winter days. You’ll want to skip this step, but it’s the most important!
Make a commitment to do at least one thing per day that adds joy to your life – even during the winter days.

Need more inspiration? 50 Ways to Add Joy to Your Day

What do you enjoy during the winter days?

Posted in: Balanced Life

Are You Enough?

January 20th, 2010 | 4 Comments »

When I gaze at my inspiration board, I often end up focusing on one phrase in particular: “You are enough.” It is one of many powerful phrases on the board that come from an inspiration deck created by my magically inspiring genie, Christine Mason Miller.

You are enough.

Naturally, I began to ponder, “Am I?” And what does “enough” even mean? Unraveling the layers of this deceivingly simple inquiry has led me to reconsider this question and reassess its importance.

So often, our knee-jerk reaction is to think: NO, I’m NOT enough! We are rarely happy with the status quo.

So how do we be “enough”? I believe the first step is to alter how you define, “you”. Who are “you” without labels, habits, restraints, roles… – just your raw identity? Then, from this place – how do you define “enough”? How do you, personally, measure what is enough?

When we empower ourselves to create our own intrinsic barometer of what is “enough”, then life immediately begins to become less of a constant struggle – of course, there are challenges and letdowns, but they don’t alter our essential worth.

Relying on external sources to measure your value leads to a never-ending race that (spoiler alert) you just can’t win.

So, now what? How do you get to this place of empowerment?

Only you have the answer.

Along the course of your journey, remind yourself to remain focused and cherish the wisdom that truly, you are enough.

{image: blissful images}

Posted in: Balanced Life, Personal

Me101: A New Beginning

January 6th, 2010 | 10 Comments »

Morning Cup of Beauty

A few months ago, in the midst of promoting my first book, navigating graduate school, and trying to stay sane, I found myself gravitating towards self-reflection. Within the course of a single day, I was balancing the roles of five different people (maybe more). I expected the time to be exhilarating and fulfilling; however, it was quite the opposite. I hit a wall of exhaustion and felt lost within a sea of identities. And so I began reflecting on my life – who I am, what I want/need. I quickly learned that the answers were not neatly packaged awaiting my arrival. I became frustrated. I was ready to focus on “me,” but the process was not (and is not) simple. That was the hardest realization for me. Yet, I was determined (and remain determined) to continue on this road and begin my hardest class yet, Me101.

With the help of Jenn Lee, I focused on turning the process into a positive, creative, and FUN endeavor! At the beginning of the journey, I wrote a simple note in my journal to kick off the self-growth process. I’ve shared an excerpt below and hope you can connect with it in some way. Moving forward is exciting; however, this excitement often clouds our ability to anticipate hurdles along the way. Anticipating challenges rather than perfect conditions builds inner strength. Living a life you love depends on this strength. During any journey, never underestimate the power of you.

- – - – -

“I am planting a new seed in the ground – a seed that will bloom in a beautiful rose. There will be rain and windy weather, but this seed will bloom regardless of external forces. I will be nurturing and patient. Fresh droplets of water will fill the sprouting bud with strength and perseverance. And it will bloom into a beautiful rose. Growth is a constant…. This time is for me. I must love myself, believe in myself, and trust myself. I am creating my own life book. This is my life. I am going to live it according to my own path and my own expectations – not according to the expectations of others. Today, I am creating a new beginning!”

{image: GabrielleKai}

Tags: Introspection, Jennifer Lee
Posted in: Balanced Life, Personal

Let Yourself Grow

December 23rd, 2009 | 5 Comments »

Let Yourself Grow

I recently came across a magazine clipping while flipping through my inspiration files and must share it with you! I’ve had it for awhile and can’t remember what magazine I found it in. If you know, please contact me! I hope you find it as inspiring as I do :).

Somewhere between the life you have and the life you want lies the quiet seed of potential. With each new thing you do — the friend you make, the garden you plant, the risks you take — it begins to open up. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, a new life of your making starts to sprout, taking root and fanning its damp leaves in the open air. But like all tender young things it requires attention, enough rest, enough sustenance to thrive. This month, give yourself plenty of what you need — maybe even a little bit extra. Get more sleep. Take a chance. Taste a new food. And watch things grow.

Posted in: Balanced Life

It’s Okay

December 16th, 2009 | 9 Comments »

It’s Okay To

… do nothing

… pamper yourself

… be a beginner

… respect yourself

… own your time

… not help

… say no

… say yes

… be messy

… make mistakes

… fail

… have fun

… define your own success

… procrastinate

… let go

… be upset

… browse online aimlessly

… ditch your to-do list

… feel drained

… not want to talk about it

… have quiet “me” time

… breathe

… dream big

… give up

… take a nap

… be imperfect

… be you!

Give yourself permission to live freely. Release the guilt. You are real. It’s okay to remember that.

Exhale.

It’s okay to be you!

image by Everything Lovely

Posted in: Authenticity, Balanced Life

What will you do with your blank canvas?

December 7th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

New week. New ritual.

The New Ritual: Begin each week with a blank canvas.

Last night, I caught myself journaling about all the negatives that occurred over the past week. While helpful for me to release those negative thoughts, I ended the week on a pretty sour note. Feeling overwhelmed and tired, I started to think about how I could turn the start of the week into a new beginning — a fresh start… a blank canvas.

Just switching my mindset and the words I used completely transformed my overall outlook.

Now, what shall we do with our blank canvases?

Tags: Blank Canvas, Fresh Start
Posted in: Balanced Life

A New and Fun Approach to Gift Giving

November 23rd, 2009 | 5 Comments »

While curating a treasury on Etsy, I thought of a fun way to approach one’s holiday gift search. If you aren’t buying gifts for others this year, you can still get in on the fun! The “gift collage” is an activity that allows you to engage your imagination and get creative. Just think of it as a gift for you!

Out with the “gift guide,” and In with the “gift collage!”

Choose an overarching theme for all of your gifts this year (ex. a color palette, a location, or a favorite book — the sky’s the limit).
Determine the necessities (ex. who is on your gift list and your overall budget). These factors will serve as your collage foundation.
Then, it’s time for the fun part! Use your imagination to find gifts that fulfill your needs and align with your theme.

Get creative. You can create your collage by hand or by utilizing an online tool (below are a few suggestions). The goal is to make the process of gift giving more personal and fun. The process of creating the gift collage allows you to think outside the box — while still maintaining structure.

Create a Gift Collage: A Few Online Tools

Below is the collage I created using the Etsy Poster Sketch tool. It’s very easy to use and a lot of fun!

Inspired by a Beautiful Fairy Tale

Links to Etsy items featured in collage. Listed from Left to Right

Row One: GabrielleKai, TwoBrunettes, LittleWhiteDresser, Coquetteanddove

Row Two: prettyrandomobjects, Nadinoo, eraseandrepeat, luckylife

Row Three: LilacAve, ElliBathNBeauty, bijouxteria, WhiteEarthStudio

Row Four: wrenandchicadee, PUREnaturalMinerals, sarahearn, LanaOCrystal

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Tags: collage, collagr, desktop wallpaper, Etsy, Gift, Giving, kaboodle, Playlist, polyvore, RSS, smilebox, Thinking outside the box, Wists
Posted in: Authenticity, Balanced Life, Creativity, Treasure Chest

50 Ways to Add Joy to Your Day

November 20th, 2009 | 17 Comments »

It’s pretty gloomy in New England this time of year. It feels like darkness has completely overpowered natural sunshine. While I could dwell on the negative aspects of winter, I am shifting my mindset this season. Everyday, I have committed to doing at least one thing that brings me joy. In order for this to actually work, I created a little list to reference when it’s time for my daily dose of joy. It’s simple, fun, and has a tremendous influence on my general wellbeing.

This little list of 50 items includes some of my personal “joy” favorites. EnJOY!

1. Smile.

2. Write a thank-you note to yourself (on your best stationery, of course).

3. Venture outside for a five-minute walk.

4. Indulge in a delicious piece of chocolate (or hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows!).

5. Find a piece of jewelry you haven’t worn in awhile – feels just like vintage shopping!

6. Pick fresh flowers or send yourself a little bouquet of favorite flowers.

7. Laugh – Visit a funny blog, watch a movie, or spend time with someone who makes you laugh.

8. Find serenity at a favorite local spot (ex. a park, a lake, a coffee shop, a little nook in your house or office).

9. Take one action towards a goal or dream.

10. Hit the pause button and spend five-minutes alone – allow your mind to become quiet.

11. Bake a favorite treat with a family member or friend — or bake alone and surprise someone special with yummy treats.

12. Discover an uplifting and fun song – something new.

13. Slow down and enjoy a long brunch.

14. Try a new fitness class.

15. Indulge in watching tv or reading a magazine – guilt free!

16. Declare a vacation day – write it BIG on your calendar so you get to anticipate this upcoming personal time (a vacation day can fall on the weekend).

17. Do a good deed — help someone else find joy.

18. Treat yourself to a favorite cup of coffee or tea – enjoy the flavors and activate your senses.

19. Be goofy! Dance around your room to your favorite music.

20. Explore the inspirational and joyful blog, Kind Over Matter.

21. Draw for fun.

22. Get rid of two items in your physical environment that make you feel negative.

23. Bite into a piece of fresh fruit.

24. Wear a color that makes you feel confident and joyful!

25. Write down three things that you are grateful for.

26. Call a supportive friend – or reconnect with someone you haven’t spoken to in awhile.

27. Watch the sunset from a beautiful location.

28. Discover something new.

29. Start a book that you’ve been meaning to read.

30. Begin a fun DIY project.

31. Frame a photo of a favorite memory.

32. Take five deep breaths and stretch.

33. Browse books at your local book store (may I suggest one book in particular, Perseverance).

34. Interview yourself (sounds foolish, but can be oh so fun!).

35. Try a new recipe.

36. Learn something new (ex. a new hobby or craft).

37. Redesign (use what you already own to redesign your space) an area of your office or home.

38. Write a thoughtful comment on a personal blog you read (comments mean the world to me – hint hint!).

39. Create a list of 10 things you love about your significant other – surprise him/her with the list.

40. Look on the bright side.

41. Take a short, relaxing nap. Wake up rejuvenated.

42. Ask for support from those you trust with a problem – solving a problem definitely adds joy to the day.

43. Disconnect for lunch – close your door, turn off the computer and blackberry, and simply enjoy a peaceful lunch break.

44. Search for a hidden treasure on Ebay or Etsy.

45. Write a hope note and leave it for someone to find.

46. Connect with your fellow tweeters. Send a tweet with a joyful message.

47. Donate one item (or your time) to a local charity.

48. Create a collage (or browse the outstanding galleries) on Polyvore.

49. Create a list of 10 things that make you happy – your own personal “joy” list.

50. Make a commitment to do at least one thing per day that adds joy to your life.

Tags: DIY, Ebay, Etsy, Joy, Kind Over Matter, Perseverance, polyvore, recipe, redesign, Twitter
Posted in: Balanced Life, Top Posts

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Archive for the ‘Balanced Life’ Category

34 Ways to Enjoy the Winter Days

Are You Enough?

Me101: A New Beginning

Let Yourself Grow

It’s Okay

What will you do with your blank canvas?

A New and Fun Approach to Gift Giving

50 Ways to Add Joy to Your Day

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