You guys...for the first time in ten years I'm off on Black Friday! I don't even know what to do with myself. Just kidding! I have dreamt of this day for years although that dream has evolved from 'spend it recovering from a hangover' to 'reading, writing, and decorating for Christmas.' This is Adulting. Adulting is also admitting that I am, in fact, not decorating for Christmas. My mom is decorating and I try to help but after thirty-something years she knows me well enough to know my ADD is far too severe to commit to anything more than that. Phew--what a relief. But none of that is what this is really all about although it is very fitting because I am grateful for it ALL.
See, in this world of more, more, more I'd be lying if I said I haven't been an ungrateful brat at times. It's hard! We are inundated with ways of comparing ourselves to others. She owns a house, all my shit is in storage. Her husband worships her, I have a love affair with Chipotle. She has the most fabulous Chanel bag, ok, well...I do have that!
Point being...I think we all can relate to wanting more. I have taken a pretty significant break from blogging and social media for the month of November and I feel like it's time I come clean as to why. First, it's no secret I've had issues with my eye. My vision continues to be a problem and light really bothers it so looking at a computer screen is one of the last things I want to do. Plus, I've had difficulties driving and doing other tasks so it has left me with a lack of motivation to do much of anything which leaves me rather uninspired to come up with things to write about. Remember that episode of Sex and the City when Carrie can't come up with a topic so she's equating love to socks and it's just baaaad? I'm so much further gone than that. I created my social media presence in large part around 'Where to Go + What to Wear Along the Journey' and for the last 6 weeks where I go is the grocery store (if even there--see love affair with Chipotle) and what I wear are Adidas joggers and glasses. It's a far cry from the gal about town so creating interesting content has been a struggle. And I don't know about you but when I'm down it's like a giant domino effect...'I can't see' quickly leads into 'nobody reads my shit anyway, why don't I have a million dollars, and when am I going to cure cancer?' Thank goodness for two friends last weekend who stopped me and said, "What's going on? Are you not blogging anymore?" It was kind of the kick in the ass I badly needed. I was allowing this to interfere with something that I love, blogging...and that's not okay.
It also got me thinking...we all go through these times. You know, where you're low energy, uninspired, and just...blah. Weeks ago a lovely friend on Instagram commented on a photo and reminded me to 'honor my low energy.' It was such a simple way of not just saying, 'It's ok to feel how you feel' but actually suggesting it's important to respect your mind and body and what it's telling you. Low energy can be a great time for reflection and planting seeds for future prosperity. But...and this is a big but...there's a fine line between respecting what you know you need and slipping into the rabbit's hole of darkness. Sometimes our mind's can lie to us. I know I can't always trust mine. It'll tell me to lay around doing nothing, thinking 'it's going to feel so good' when in fact it's the last thing that will make me feel good. So what did I do?
The first thing I did, believe it or not, was adopt a few people for the holidays. I am a huge fan of Glennon Doyle Melton. She's a beautiful writer and if you aren't familiar with her words your soul is missing out. You can check her out here. Each year, through her charity Together Rising, people (over 700 of them) come together to show generosity and kindness to total stranger. Nothing will break you out of your own selfish thinking faster than helping someone else. As Gandhi said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." I think sometimes we think so big that we immediately get overwhelmed and don't know where to start. Instead of doing something we overthink it and end up doing nothing, when often times it's something so small and simple that will change a person's day. We all have something to give and as I corresponded with the people I chose I felt the absolute best I had felt all month. Some of them only want a holiday card...truly! It's that easy and feels so good.
Read. I recently read Help. Thanks. Wow. and it just clicked. It's a short and simple book that you can literally read in a couple hours. It's about prayer--in whatever sense that makes sense to you--traditional or not. You know that moment your roaring down the highway, jamming out to the radio, significantly exceeding the speed limit when you spot the cruiser but it's far too late so you hold your breath and whisper 'pleasepleaseplease' to yourself while you wait with your heart in your throat for the blues to come on but they never do and you're like, 'Oh thank you, God!'? That fleeting moment is a prayer of gratitude and we have them alllll day long. I'm trying to really be aware of them so that in a world that seems to be going all wrong I'm more cognizant of just how much actually is going right.
Called one of my energizing friends. You know the kind of friend I'm talking about. There are some people who literally suck the life out of you and others who within a matter of moments leave you feeling charged and ready to make shit happen. Pay attention to how you feel when you part ways with people and hold dear the one's who make you feel inspired. They are gems, healing ones.
Go for a walk, a run, a hike, something...anything. Elle Woods was right. "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't kill their husbands. They just don't." But seriously, nature is nurturing, especially if you pay attention to it instead of your phone. The breeze, flowers, birds, joy your dog is experiencing. Take notice! I have never finished taking a walk with Mojito and said, "Wow, I really wish I hadn't done that." Actually...that's a lie. One time I did regret taking Mojito to the dog park after I met this guy, Dog Park Psycho. Obviously when I gave him my number I thought I was in a Hallmark Movie. He told me he loved me within two text messages, which is when I realized I was actually in a Lifetime Movie. When I didn't reply he proceeded to send a video of a guy beating up a girl. So, yes, one time in nine years I wish I hadn't gone on the walk. But that, like, next to never happens. PSA: If you're ever hiking Runyon and you meet Highland, he's a very sweet Corgie. Just steer clear because his owner, not so much. Wait, actually...there was one other time too when I lived in DC that I regretted. But still, go for the walk.
Okay, my ADD has set in and this has been deleted twice so I'm going to go hang an ornament or two and eat a cookie. I hope y'all have a wonderful Holiday Weekend! Now, tell me...what do you do to de-funk?
XOX