Life Updates: Don't Forget to Breathe
For most people, summer is when the world slows down a bit. Everyone heads to the beach or to the cottage, they leave work earlier to enjoy the sunshine, and they just generally spend more time relaxing. For others, summer is the busiest time of the year. People are moving homes, they're transitioning into or out of school, and they're making major life changes. I am of the latter persuasion. My life has gone from transient and seemingly at a stand still, to fast moving and completely upside-down. I'm moving, working two jobs, and running my blog all at the same time! But being busy when others aren't isn't always a bad thing, and that's why I wanted to share with you some things I have gone through/learned in the last few months that have helped me to grow and change.
Some things I've learned:
STAY. IN. YOUR. OWN. LANE. Who cares if your friends are "ahead of you" or doing "better" than you seem to be? In the last few months, I really began to see that social media is just someone else's (or your own) highlight reel. We only really post moments that depict us when we are blissfully happy or truly enjoying ourselves; mostly because we don't really feel like sharing with the world our recent mental break down or painful break up! 9 times out of 10, the content you consume online is hiding the full story. You don't know what's going on in someone else's life beyond the camera. So, do your best not to assume someone has this perfect and care-free life (even when it appears that way), and try to focus on staying in your own lane.
Being busy is ok! When I was working full-time I dreamed about having all the time in the world to do things for myself to make myself happy. I dreamed about sitting on my butt and having nothing to do (because I ALWAYS had somewhere to be). All I wanted was a break, even just for a month. Then, that break turned into 4 months of hurt, depression, and self-doubt. I stayed in bed until 1pm because I had nowhere else to be and nothing else to do. It was toxic and temporarily ruined my confidence and drive for success. That is not to say that breaks don't matter, or that you should never give yourself a break! Just don't work so hard to the point that you burn yourself out. Be aware of your tolerance level and avoid burning the candle from both ends. Distractions can be good, but always in moderation!
Some things I love right now:
Interior decorating. I am moving into a new apartment in the next few weeks and I cannot wait to decorate the entire place myself. I get to have and make a space that is truly my own. My search history is full of Ikea furniture, scented candles, and fashion-centric artwork that I can't wait to hang on my walls. It can feel really good to have the freedom to choose how you interact with and connect with your space. If you're moving anytime soon, be sure to find a few pieces that make you excited to come home at the end of a long day. If you are happy living where you are, maybe it's time to update your home so you feel refreshed (instead of stagnant). Change can be good for you!
Planning dream vacations. This is something I used to do a long time ago and it kept me from getting bored with life. Even if the actual vacation was unattainable (at least for the time being), I would plan fantasy vacations to places I would love to visit sometime in life. I have lists of bookmarked AirBnBs, FULL of hella expensive accommodations that I could never in a million years afford, but it was fun for me to fantasize about lounging on the beach on the Amalfi Coast or swimming in the clear blue waters of Bora Bora. Who knows, maybe a few years down the line those lists will become useful in planning a dream getaway! What I do know is that, in times when I don't have the time nor the money to travel, pretend planning a trip can remedy my uncontrollable wanderlust.
Something to remember:
Don't forget to breathe. When life gets hectic, overwhelming, or just too much to handle, don't forget to take a second to breathe. It WILL get better, you WILL feel happier, and things ALWAYS have a way of working themselves out.
Keep on shining friends! In the comments, I would love to hear from you all! What's going on with you? How is your summer going? And of course, Happy Father's Day to those who deserve to be celebrated!
