How (and why) I Became a More Positive Person 7.27.2018

I used to be a Negative Nelly. No joke. I whined all the time, I found myself depressed and moody, I didn’t feel good, and looking back on that time in my life I just wasn’t the happy, positive, kind person I strive to be today. I think part of it was diet and lifestyle, part was not knowing how to take care of myself, but most of it was my mindset. I wasn’t putting in the effort to be positive or happy. So what changed?

When I met Trey I was blown away by how positive he was. He would go through adversity without getting down. He handled things with perspective and a positive outlook. I was blown away. 

I started to evaluate my life and how negative I was about the smallest of things. I didn’t like these qualities in other people, so why would I want to be like that? When I looked at the people who inspired me the most they had positive attitudes, and rarely complained. I had a pivotal moment in life where I decided I wanted to be more like this, and less like the negative, unhappy person I had been most of my life... I decided to change my entire outlook. 

Read on to see what I’ve done differently since then...

I’ve put in the effort to be positive.

I quickly learned that positivity is a daily choice. It’s not something you’re born with...it’s something you decide on and then work at. I started making myself evaluate situations and then find the good. I discovered what made me happier and calmer and did more of those things. I became more self-aware to help keep myself from complaining incessantly. 

I’ve surrounded myself with positive people.

Over the years I’ve gotten more selective with who I have in my close circle. Positive people only please! We’ve all had that friend who drags us down, and honestly life is too short to get sucked into someone else’s negativity. Surrounding yourself with positive people and role models is one of the best things you can do in life - at least in my opinion. Out with the bad, in with the good. 

I’ve established better routines.

As menial as it sounds, creating better morning and nighttime routines has helped me feel more calm and happy in life. Even if my day is absolute craziness, I take at least 10 minutes every morning to quietly ease into the day by myself. I get my head right, I take part in activities I enjoy (hot water with lemon, reading or writing, diffusing essential oils, listening to a podcast), and fill my introvert’s cup. Instead of jumping straight into stress by rushing through my morning, I start my day with positive intention. At night I enjoy my skincare routine and getting into bed with Trey and the dogs. I no longer look at my phone in bed, and it’s become a peaceful + positive oasis for me. These routines put me in a better, more positive headspace! 

Where am I today? Positivity is something I have to continually work at. I’ve learned it’s a daily choice. I think I’m still a complainer by nature, especially when I’m talking to someone I’m comfortable with. But I’m always working to be self-aware and recognize when I’m being negative. I try to step back and look at situations with a positive outlook and make sure I’m keeping things in perspective. I try to start each day with positivity. And it all adds up! 

Any former whiners out there? What do you do to be a more positive person?

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photos by Jo Johnson Photo

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10 Ways to Practice Self-Care Every Week 6.25.2018

"Self care" is definitely buzzy right now, but this is a trend I have zero issues following. It seems like life gets crazier and crazier the older we get and as society changes, so I am absolutely here for any reminder to pause and take care of myself.

Stress is something we all deal with on some level, but it really is terrible for you. There are definitely times I use stress to my advantage and really "get shit done," but if you let it take over you'll end up with adrenal fatigue, weight gain, or other health issues. 

So, I'm here today to give you a friendly reminder to take care of yourself. Self care isn't girly or "hippie," it just means that you value yourself enough to care for your body and your mental health. I don't see a single negative to doing that.

While there are countless ways to practice self care and to customize it to you, here are 10 ways I practice self care and think are realistic for nearly every lifestyle. 

Quiet time before starting your day
Yes, this might mean getting up a tad earlier, but when I start my day with even 10 minutes of quiet time instead of diving into a whirlwind of getting ready, my day undoubtedly gets off to a smoother start. Your morning quiet time can be completely customizable to what you like to do and some ideas are reading, meditating, stretching, journaling, or even scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest. If it calms you and makes you feel happy, then it's a positive start to the day! I like to make my hot lemon water and curl up with my dogs to read or go through Pinterest for inspiration. Sometimes I'll write a blog post if I'm in a creative headspace. I personally choose not to watch or read the news first thing in the morning because it's usually not the most positive content and I don't like to start my day off by worrying about the world. Remember...calm and happy is what you're going for!

A regular workout class
I love a routine and having the accountability of a regularly scheduled workout class. Then I know if a week gets crazy, I'm at least getting in one or two quality, sweaty workouts. Having a workout class on the calendar will help you to prioritize it, will ensure you get in movement, and will de-stress you as well. Spin class is my consistent workout of choice, but the important thing is to find a workout or class that you love and actually look forward to attending each week.

A face mask on the weekend
Your skin is your largest organ (crazy, right?) so it's important to treat it well. I recently started doing a face mask or two every single weekend, and it's become such a nice self-care ritual. I'm currently loving this "radiance renewal mask" by REN Clean Skincare because it leaves my skin smooth and glowing, and helps with acne scarring and hyper-pigmentation. 

Sleeping in at least one day a week
I've always struggled with getting enough sleep and I don't prioritize it like I should. But it helps if I can sleep in at least one day per weekend and get my energy back. It's also such a great feeling to not set an alarm once in awhile! The to-do list can wait... give yourself an extra hour or two of sleep on the weekend!

Bringing water with you everywhere
Most of us are somehow coping with being dehydrated, but it's really an easy fix. Once I started bringing my reusable water bottle with me everywhere, I began drinking plenty of water and felt soooo much better. You can read about the 5 benefits I saw from upping my water intake in this post. Being properly hydrated not only keeps your organs functioning and cleanses your body, but it also increases your metabolism and gives you more energy.

Stretching
Most of us don't stretch nearly enough, and it's so healthy for our bodies! It relieves stress and tension, elongates the muscles, improves flexibility, and helps to prevent injuries. What's not to love? You can do a few simple stretches every day or every time you workout, and/or set aside 15-20 minutes on the weekend to do some deeper stretching. Yoga is a great way to get in some stretching too!  

A daily green smoothie
I love to have a green smoothie for breakfast every morning because it's an easy way to fit in a full serving of greens in the morning! Since there's no other way I'm eating a cup of spinach at 7:30am, a smoothie a day has been the perfect solution for me. In my smoothies I also pack in protein, fiber and healthy fats, so I'm getting steady energy all morning (no more shaky, hungry mornings). This is my current favorite recipe! 

Exfoliating
Exfoliating is not only good for your skin, but it's also good for blood circulation. Plus, who wants dry, rough skin? It's much better to be glowy and smooth, and your skin will thank you! I like to dry brush once a week and then use my all-time favorite body scrub (well worth the price!) in the shower. 

Make your phone off limits in bed
Scrolling through your phone in bed can be a tough habit to break, but it's well worth it. Parting from your phone is a clean break from the day, and your sleep quality will be better when you're not being exposed to the light from your device, which can prevent your brain from releasing melatonin). Try it out for a week and see what you think!

A random act of kindness
Okay, so this doesn't seem like "self care," but I wanted to include it because when I do a small act of kindness it always makes me feel sooo good. Not in a "wow, I'm an amazing person" kind of way, but just in the fact that I got to brighten someone's day or benefit the earth and overall just put a little more positivity into the world. I recently got a shirt that says "be the energy you want to attract" and I believe in that mindset wholeheartedly. This doesn't have to be anything crazy or expensive, but some ideas are: texting or calling a friend just to check in or encourage them, sending someone a card/note, paying for the coffee behind you, doing one of your significant other's or roommate's chores "just because," remembering to recycle, picking up trash when you see it in your neighborhood or in a parking lot, or even just giving a stranger a sincere compliment. Put out good energy and it will come back to you!  

romper  |  hair scarf  |  shoes  |  similar bag  |  earrings  |  necklace

How do you practice self care each week? Is this something you prioritize in your own life?

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