Be Bad*** || Don't Be Defined By The Check Boxes -- Own Who You Are

"It's not easy being green" said Kermit.

And it's not easy being our true selves, either. In this world it's about a three sentence description to sum up who you are, but how is that even possible when we are so much more?

I'm inviting us all to embrace the roundness that is our lives and to stop forcing them into these tiny boxes that are anything but our truth -- introvert vs extrovert, tall vs short, large vs petite, young vs old, shy vs exuberant, blond vs brunette, thin vs overweight -- what is this a yes or no game? The answer is never as simple as the world wants. So, I suggest picking up a pen and grabbing a piece of paper or turning on that recorder, and try expressing yourself in every possible way you can. I've written all about myself below ;-). Recognize that it's a never ending list, because you are always changing, evolving, growing, and becoming more and more you every day.

Come back to the list when someone calls you a mean name or when you're feeling defeated or even when you just want a reminder that you are more than your title, your job, your marital status, your race, your gender, your size -- you are so so so much more. Enjoy what you discover, loves xx

So who am I ....

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I'm a mystery. A believer in the unseen. A hopeless romantic. A stay-up-too-late-because-of-cute-boys kind of girl. I'm a flowy dress in the wind, torn denim under the moonlight, barefooted everywhere and anywhere kind of woman. I'm a dreamer of the future, of lost past, of ideas. I'm a person of gratitude, strength, courage, and of freedom. I like my potatoes to come with an extra helping of potatoes and a bottomless bowl of ice cream for no other reason than I can. I'm a stop-the-fear kind of activist and a crushingly empathetic ear to humans and animals alike. I get overwhelmed easily and often, because I put myself in situations that are daring albeit sometimes too much. I lay out best intentions, but sometimes the path changes mid stride and I'm on an empty coloring page.

I write weird words together and sometimes in all lowercase because it inspires me to be authentic and honest and real. I don't practice yoga everyday, despite the tags on all my pictures, but then again maybe I do, because conscientious breathing is yoga. Ha! #yogaeverydamnday -- yes. I want to have a pig, maybe some chickens, a goat, definitely huge dogs (yes, multiple), and I somehow want them all to fit in an awesome studio apartment -- I could have a rooftop barn, right? I like to watch Netflix like it's my job, which it should be, but I'm a sucker for a romance novel and a bowl of popcorn. I like weird pairings and things that shouldn't taste good, taste good to me, like chlorella tablets, raw cacao unsweetened, Trader Joe's tofu, and cheap champagne.

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I like imagining the good in people first and seeing the unexpected later. I like to have high expectations, but sometimes I convince myself they aren't there so I can enjoy life. I want to go to all the festivals in the world, but I'm a little scared of not showering or drinking enough water. Some days I feel like the oldest soul alive. On days that I can't think straight, I often give up, but those same days I usually have the greatest breakthroughs. Somehow life is working out for me, so I'm done questioning it and finally accepting the journey.

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Sometimes I think to myself, how is this my life -- in equal parts excitement and oh-dear-lord. I could watch puppy tails wag for hours and curl up with my not-a-lap-dog baby for days. I'm still looking for the best bread out there and am just now realizing life isn't about all or nothing. Ask me my favorite song and I'll have to get back to you never. Give me anything gluten-free and vegan and I'll love you for life. Make my heart beat faster just because you smile and I'll love you as long as time.

Life isn't the characterization of a person into one group or another, large or petite, hard worker or lazy, romantic or cold. It's messy and complicated and undefined and feeling good and enjoying the time. I'm pretty content to be this crazy, chaotic, dreamer of a girl who hopes for things that never happen but loves to imagine the infinite possibilities. I'm okay with being no one's idea of normal, because who's normal? You can't capture the essence of a person with a photo and a quick description -- it's how the energy changes when you're with them, how they make you feel -- about yourself and about others, how they inspire only the best change and encourage the transformation, and most of all how they are never constant, always changing, like the sun and the moon and the stars. So let the judgement go, the ideas that hold you back, stay open and wild, but most of all, just be yourself first, and the rest will follow.

+ what is it like to realize you are so much more than a three sentence summation? how will you embrace your authentic self? comment here, facebook, or twitter ;)

Want to feel like a million bucks with high energy, self-love, and freedom from fad-diets? Let’s work together.

Grateful I'm Not a Nutella Jar || 4.6.15

Not a Nutella Jar
Not a Nutella Jar

I am definitely not a nutella jar in the sense that I cannot please, inspire, encourage, befriend, fill-in-the-blank everyone. What I can do is please, inspire, encourage, and befriend myself and hope that with my light shining as bright as I can dream, others find comfort and ease with allowing themselves to shine as well. It doesn't have to be big and huge, it just has to be authentic and genuine. I'm okay if those that don't appreciate my shine need to distance themselves. And when they want to dance beside me and shout to the moonlight, I'll still be walking in my truth and here for them to stand beside.

I'm so grateful to have all that I have, even when I tell myself it isn't enough. I'm grateful for encouragement to do whatever I desire. I am grateful for the opportunities to accomplish whatever I set my mind to achieve. I'm grateful for dreaming that I can be of service to others when they need that helping hand. Oh my, I'm just so incredibly, magnificently grateful. Have a great Monday, loves. Stay true to who you are always. Xx.

p.s. the c o u n t d o w n begins to an excitingly new adventure -- on the blog and in life starting Thursday ... get ready

Want to feel like a million bucks with high energy, self-love, and freedom from fad-diets? Let’s work together.

Written while home with dogs on a couch that isn't my bed || 4.4.15

 || Hellooo Long Weekend ||

Do you ever wake up in the morning and just feel different? Like somewhere in the universe, a moon and a star aligned for you to feel not like yourself but not entirely in a bad way? It's happening to me. It's a wild thing, this not being yourself but not hating the new you taking residence over your body, mind, and soul. Below is a little sneak preview to the draft of this week's post on embracing the self, and then it's on to some weekly finds!

I like weird pairings like Birkenstocks and socks, and things that shouldn't taste good, taste good to me, like chlorella tablets, unsweetened raw cacao, Trader Joe's tofu, and cheap champagne. I like imagining the good in people first and seeing the unexpected later. I like to have high expectations, but sometimes I convince myself they aren't there so I can enjoy life without disappointment. I want to go to all the festivals in the world, but I'm a little scared of not showering or not being able to drink enough water. Some days I feel like the oldest soul alive...

What are you up to this Easter weekend? Do you celebrate Easter?

LINKS & FINDS ||

Finally a book guide.

Email etiquette – some of us need it.

If you thought you weren't into Zombies, try it again -- iZombie and Rose McIver have my heart.

A smoothie a day keeps the body happy, healthy, and healing. Right there is a guide to smoothies without a recipe. Also, be sure to try out the smoothie of love.

A hell of a costume creator -- thank you Janie Bryant for the beautiful vision that is Mad Men fashion.

20 embarrassing phrases even educated people use -- guilty of a couple.

 

 

Explore, love, hope, and be yourself. Always.

xx

Want to feel like a million bucks with high energy, self-love, and freedom from fad-diets? Let’s work together.