Be Kind to Yourself

The new year brings about a feeling of a fresh start for all.  Many are embracing resolutions and the "new year, new me" mindset.  Along with that comes a certain amount of guilt, whether it is thinking of bad habits we have built from the previous year or the negativity that comes whenever you might slip up from your new year goals.

I am so guilty of starting new goals, taking on so much more that I can handle in an effort to change, and then 3 weeks later giving up which leads to falling back into the old routines I was so desperate to change.  My narrative becomes "Why can't I ever complete anything? Why can't I see this through to the end?" Truly believing that I won't be able to finish so what's the point, right?

Then after a week or so of making unhealthy choices I am beating myself up, getting a new idea in my head of how to change, and the cycle starts all over again.  Then I put my worth in what I accomplish instead of who I truly am.

This is not okay.

So many of us do this.  We give ourselves value based on what we are able to get done, how much of the to do list was checked off that day, or even what other people might say or think of us.

That is not who I am.  That is not who you are.  I am a daughter of the king who created me to be  exactly what He wanted.  I am also worth so much more than giving up on myself and breaking promises that I make to myself.

Rachel Hollis discusses this idea in her book: Girl, Wash Your Face.  Do yourself a favor and read it.  But what really hit me in the face and spoke truth to my soul was this concept of breaking promises to myself.  I do this to myself all. the. time.

I am so much better than that.  I am worth keeping a commitment to myself, more than anyone else.  In sticking to my promises to myself I am proving my worth to myself, I am telling myself I am good enough and I am going to see this through. I am being kind to myself first and foremost because I matter.

So in this season of goals and resolutions, do yourself a favor, show up.  Follow through.  Keep your commitments.  Be kind to yourself.  You are proving to yourself and everyone else that you are worth it.

You are Capable

Recently, I just completed my 3rd half marathon. This one was definitely the toughest, most emotional half I have run.  Running a half marathon is no easy feat.  Running for 13.1 miles at a time can be rough on your body. 

I had taken a few months off of running, really for no good reason at all but I wanted to get back into it and decided to commit to myself to train and run another half.  Training this time around was tough.  This summer was hot.  Very hot.  Starting from square 1 to getting back into half marathon shape was a big mental game for me.

Running also gives you an incredible amount of time to let your mind wander. I began to think about how incredible the human body is.  How it carries us through life.  How it can run miles upon miles.  How if we push through the negativity and the mind games our body still can move and go further and faster than before.

You are so capable.  You are worthy.  You can try hard things and achieve them.  I have running to thank for teaching me that again.  This time my goal is to not to loose sight of my love of running and how incredibly strong it makes me feel, it's not worth it to stop doing the things you love.  Running helps me think, helps me decompress, and helps me feel amazing. I am a runner. I am so proud of what I have accomplished. Here is to many more miles.

Fall Adventures

OMB Oktoberfest. Pumpkins. Corn Maze. Family dinners at fun restaurants. Renaissance Festival.  All the fall things. 

Fall is one of my favorite seasons.  I think I love all the seasons for what they bring but there is something about fall.  I start a new school year so it's full of fresh beginnings and inspiration for me.  The crisp colorful weather doesn't hurt either.  There is something about a gorgeous drive under Carolina blue skies and seeing colorful leaves. 

This fall has been full of fun adventures. It has also been a strange one for me.  Charlotte has gotten hit by multiple hurricanes, canceling school a bunch.  I feel like I am still trying to get started in my school year and figure things out with a lot of change and it's almost time for the holidays!

One thing I am learning is life is about how you live it.  I am choosing to not let my work define me and to truly live my life for the moments that bring me joy. Truly celebrating each day, being grateful for the things that we have, and finding ways to enjoy each season.

Boston 2018 || Touristy Adventures

There is nothing more iconic to Boston than baseball and beer.  While we were there this summer we definitely had to check both out.  We went to a Red Sox game one of the nights.  It was so much fun.  Even more so that the Red Sox lost!

We took a brewery tour of Sam Adams as well.  We learned all about the gigantic production of Sam Adams beer sold almost everywhere.  There brewery in Boston is actually smaller than I was expecting.  They do a lot of small batches and funky beers at this brewery.  We love breweries and funky beer.  It seems like the Charlotte beer scene is huge so it was a cool experience to see beer in a different place.

We also had a chance to explore china town and eat at the best dumpling place, a recommendation curtesy of friends which was so delicious.

We stayed in the North End of Boston full of Italian food and bakeries. I just loved walking home every evening and smelling all the delicious food!

There was so much to do and see and EAT in Boston.  I would highly recommend a trip there.  Such a fun, beautiful, delicious city!

Boston 2018 || Freedom Trail

Boston.  Such a rich juxtaposition of history and modern city life.  There was so much to do, so much to see, so many various cultures and ways of life joined in a beautiful port city.  The integrity of the historical significance is still so much intact and evident in the city's architecture. 

We spent some of our summer days simply walking along the freedom trail.  We stopped in places that were interesting and caught our eyes.  We walked and explored a new city.  It was refreshing to be a tourist.  To explore. To wonder.  And more importantly to wander. While walking around the city streets I couldn't help but to think about all who have walked here before me.  It is always humbling to reflect on other's lives besides my own. 

I would highly recommend exploring the city upon a first visit via the freedom trail.  You cover so much of the city.  You can choose to stop in the historical sites or various restaurants, coffee shops, or stores along the way.  You can take it as quick or as slow as you want.  The trail is your path and guide but it is your choice of how you want to explore.  I am a history nerd, so of course we stopped at the historical sites to learn more about the city. 

Boston.  You were lovely.  I will definitely be back.