Hi friends. How are you… genuinely? It’s ok to feel anxious right now. It’s a time of unknowns and unknowns can be scary.
I have had generalized anxiety disorder for most of my life. Although I do recommend meditation, I know from experience that it’s not always easy or helpful in the moment. So I thought I’d share a list of 10 things that help me calm my nerves when I feel anxious.
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VERY EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!!! I’m jumping on the couch like a deranged Tom Cruise because ya girl has been named a finalist in Domino Magazine’s Design Blog awards in the small space category! This is big y’all.
I have to admit, for the past few days I’ve been feeling like a slave to the everyday grind and I was fuggin’ grumpy about it. (Do the chores ever end?!?) But getting this piece of recognition really made my month, maybe my year! I obviously want you all to go vote for me. You can vote every day, once a day for the next two weeks. The link is right here (scroll all the way down): https://www.domino.com/content/design-blog-awards/
But, I also want you to take some time to recognize someone doing a good job this week. It’s something that is easily forgotten but it means so, so much. Tell that girl she kicked ass in yoga today. Tell your mail carrier that you appreciate them being out there in the rain. ️ Tell your kid they did a good job washing the dishes. I know our self-worth is supposed to come from within and all that Jazz, but sometimes we need to hear just a tiny bit of acknowledgement. I see you, you’re doing a good job, keep going.
Our backyard and trees that won’t exist soon…
Wow, it’s been a while. I’ve been much more active over on Instagram lately (asmalllife) and ye olde blog has fallen by the wayside. But, I thought I’d pop in with a little life update. Sometimes it feels weird sharing my life specifics online, regardless, I thought I’d let you know why there’s been some silence.
So, here’s the hot goss: Continue reading
Big Lebowski Family Costume
Happy Halloween, friends! This year we dressed up as The Dude and Walter from The Big Lebowski. Bambi made a special appearance as the rug.
Big Lebowski Family Costume
I hope y’all are eating all the Halloween candy you can stomach and watching all the spooky movies.
Did you dress up this year? I’d love to hear about your costume in the comments!
Check out our costumes of year’s past here.
I’m not big on resolutions, but I do like to have a guiding One Little Word for the year. The premise is simple– just pick one word to guide you through the year. I’ve found that it’s easier and more impactful than a resolution.
Last year’s word was brave. And man, oh man, there were times I had to be brave. 2016 challenged me. Mostly in ways too personal to share. I learned a lot about myself. I wrote a book! I released a pin! I gave up things that no longer served me and I made some big decisions. I was brave. My 2017 word is “leap.” And here’s why…
The Myers-Briggs personality test classifies me as an INTJ. It’s actually one of the more rare personality types and it’s even more rare for women. Being an INTJ means I’m a great researcher, but I think (and worry) too much. This year I want to take more risks. I’ve never regretted the biggest risks in my life– like living full-time in the Airstream, marrying George or adopting my beloved pup, Bambi. This year I want to leap more and worry less about the (often times imagined negative) consequences.
What are your goals for 2017? Do you have a one little word? I want to hear about it in the comments!
“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” ― Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God
It’s taken me weeks to write this post. I was hoping that by taking a break from the blog and from my “regular” job, I’d be able to answer some questions I’ve been asking myself for an entire year. 2015 was a big ol’ year of questions for me. I asked myself “why” more than I’ve ever asked myself “why” in my entire life. But even after a break, I don’t have any answers. And I suppose it was naive to think that I’d be able to answer life’s questions in a couple of weeks.
Here’s what I do know: I know that for me, 2016 needs to be the year of being brave. I’m not setting any goals or making any resolutions. What I am going to do is focus on one little word: Brave. (Idea shamelessly stolen from the inspiring Ali Edwards.)
I’m going to be 30 this year. (Dear Lord.) And I need to start doing what is right for me instead of what is expected of me. I need to live in the moment and not focus so intently on the future. I need to do the things I’ve dreamed about. I need to be brave.
Here’s hoping 2016 will be a year of answers for me.
Love always,
Melanie
“A failure is not a mistake… the real mistake is to stop trying.”
Lately I’ve had a hard time keeping up with this blog. I love it, but sometimes it can be a real slog. I have a full-time job and a life. I see very little income from this endeavor and it’s easy to give up on it. No one is holding me accountable. It’s just me here. Negative thoughts can get to me from time to time, but I know that it would be a mistake to give up. My goal will always be to share my story of living small in order to help others do the same. It won’t change and I won’t stop trying.
Fist bump emoji and love,
melanie
As someone who is goal-oriented it can be hard to remember that the end goal is not always the goal. As people, our final destinations are the same, but our journeys are different. And the journey is what counts.
Let me know how you’re making it count in the comments.
love,
melanie
Mother nature doesn’t hurry, but she gets shit done.
Here’s hoping your Tuesday is full of unhurried productiveness!
love,
melanie
baby me!
In the past I’ve written goals for my birthday. I’ve set a lot of them: 27 before 27 and 27 before 28, but this year for my birthday, I’m giving myself a break. Sure, I’ve got goals and super big, super secret things I want to and will accomplish this year, but for now I’m practicing the art of leaving things undone.
I’m a seasoned “do-er.” I’m a list-maker. I’m committed and hard-working and fastidious. But I’m also often stressed out and burned out and quite frankly, tired. I don’t want to make even one goal, but if anything, this year, I want to learn how to relax. I want to learn how to relax and still accomplish things. I want to learn how to take a break and I want to learn how to not count my self-worth by my to-dos.
How have you practiced the art of leaving things undone? Let me know in the comments!
love,
melanie