Hi!! I’ve missed all of your faces and have been thinking about you for a while now!!

I had exactly three very different variations of this blog post written, and it initially started when things were going on all around the world that weighed heavily on my heart, and it was at a time that I felt like many were in the same boat. Many things have happened between then and now, but the message that I hope to convey still remains the same.

For those thinking that I’m going to discuss my stressors, political views, or other estates of the world that I find troublesome, this blog is not the place for that. I find that there is more than enough of that to go around for everyone times fifteen (especially online), and want my blog to be a source of happy thoughts and a form of escapism because, let’s face it, the world needs a little more of that right now.

To be very very honest with you all, one of the several reasons, valid or not, that it has taken me awhile to post at all is because I struggle internally with posting content that seems silly or may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things to others. Posting a new makeup look while there are shootings or other horrible things happening might come off to some as that I do not care at all, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

How did I overcome that feeling of guilt that I was having? Well, I haven’t fully yet, but I choose to see the positive and remember why I was doing what I was doing in the first place. To make people smile. To make people see the positive themselves. To make people laugh at my shortcomings, to make people want to try something new, and to help people feel less alone.

I recently came across one of those addictive Hallmark Christmas movies, based off a Debbie Macomber book, that totally sucked me right in. It was called “Trading Christmas” and in it one of the characters was a writer who was trying to finish his novel. He was so worried about his deadline that he came off as grumpy (but also charming for some odd reason, or maybe that was his female counterpart that softened him up a bit) and was upset because he was stuck in a block and couldn’t get past it. His newfound lady friend introduces the idea that he should just do something simple, like go for a walk, and put the book down to help him actually finish the book. A fun snowball fight ensued. Halfway through he had a “lightbulb moment” and ran back in the house to finish his book without so much as a word. We hear things just like this so often, but I feel like it’s plenty forgotten.

Sometimes the world needs to take a moment, breathe, do something enjoyable, and go back to itself with a renewed sense of purpose or energy. It sounds like such a simple thing, and yet we feel guilty for giving ourselves those few minutes, even though it’s necessary. Sometimes we need to be reminded that it’s okay to take those moments to ourselves to forget about whatever huge thing is pressing us, or stressing us out, or making us upset. While I realize that reading my blog might not be this occasion of escapism for everyone, it could be that moment for someone, and that is the point, after all. Listening to music and reading are the things that I enjoy most, as I know many of you do as well, so here’s to hoping for more of that in the world.

I hope that we can all agree on the fact that the word needs more art right now, in any form, so please give yourself permission to do it. So many of us feel tied up and stretched so thin, especially with the holidays coming up, that we forget that those moments are important for us, and for our sanity, and anyone else that comes into contact with us.  You can continue saving the world after you’ve written that song, or finished that scrapbook page, or sat in silence with your cup of coffee in hand pondering that vacation you plan on taking in the future.

It’s okay to take a second and tell yourself that, “You got this,” so that you can continue with whatever it is that you need to do.

So this is my proposal to you: Take this moment for yourself right now, or plan a moment to do something happy that takes you away from whatever negativity is weighing you down currently. I give you permission. Seriously. Also, passing along the happiness helps this tenfold. For those of you that don’t know what that looks like, I’ve listed some suggestions below to get those wheels turning. Please feel free to add to this list suggestions that work for you or others as well!

1. Drive around with no real purpose. Make sure the music is loud.
2. Sing in the shower.
3. Pull out that adult coloring book that you know you have, but haven’t made time to use.
4. Paint something. Whatever you want. This is also fun with a glass of wine.
5. Grab coffee with a friend.
6. Grab coffee alone and people watch. Or stare off into the distance and flesh out that new idea you had for that one thing.
7. Listen to that podcast you’ve been excited for.
8. Send a card or email to someone who is important in your life and needs to be reminded.
9. Send a card or email to someone you love for no reason but to make them smile.
10. Write that poem that you’ll never show anyone, but it feels good to get out on paper.
11. Lift weights. Heavy ones. You’ll feel strong.
12. Do yoga and try to relax and stretch your body.
13. See that movie you’ve been wanting to see.
14. Spend an ungodly amount of time trying to perfect that new makeup look you’ve been wanting to try.
15. Hug someone for a full minute.
16. Watch a Christmas movie.
17. Dive into a good book with a cozy blanket nearby. (If you need any local author suggestions, I have them!)
18. Catch up on that blog you follow.
19. Test out that new video game you’ve been wanting to try.
20. Put your new stickers on a scrapbook page.
21. Take your puppy for a long walk.
22. Cuddle your kitty.
23. Watch your little baby’s face when he sleeps. Nothing more sweet and peaceful.
24. Take a walk and end up in a snowball fight. Ha.

These are just some of a MILLION possibilities out there, and I hope you find something small that works for you. I also hope that, if you need it, you take the time to get back to center and continue on with a renewed sense of purpose and vigor.

I just want to say, if you don’t already know, I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week ahead of you!! ❤ You got this!!

XOXO

ALM 

P.s. Feel free to tag me or message me in anything that you decide to do! I love seeing happy things too!!