Life can just be so hectic sometimes that you really need to focus on taking time for yourself and just decompressing. As much as I love taking trips that are go go go with tons of adventure and experiences jam packed into a short time, I need to balance it out with weeks like this. The water has always called to me. It wall always make me feel calm so a week with nothing to do but wake up and enjoy the day is just what a I need. These are some of my favorite pictures I have of our previous trips. I will have new ones to share with you once I am back!

I hope that you take time just for yourself this weekend, whether it's a getaway or just a bubble bath, it is important. You can't give 100% to anything if you aren't taking care of yourself first. 

What are your favorite ways to take it slow? 

xo
​SJ

When was the last time that you started to worry about something? What someone thought about you, after a comment your boss made at work, a friend being upset with you, if you’ll make enough money this month, a family member’s health. A new reason seems to pop up around every corner. All that worry does is add to your stress levels, which can bring about physical changes in your body if you carry too much of it. 

Don't get me wrong, it's not an easy habit to break. I still worry quite often about things that I have absolutely zero control over. I had some totally routine blood tests done last week at the doctor and still panicked until I heard back from them that everything was all clear minus my Vitamin D levels being low. And even with that, when I did have the answer and learned I had to take another vitamin once a week, did that really change anything? If it had been something more serious, what would have made the difference if I had been worrying the whole time? 
​We are conditioned most of the time to go directly towards worry. But what if we chose Joy first? What if instead of worrying after the missed phone call of your mom didn't go straight to wondering if everything was okay and instead went to what good news she called to share with you. What if when worry starts to creep into your thoughts about the way you look changes to what you love about yourself? 
What more could you do with your day if you didn't stop and question everything? 

xo
​SJ

Over the past couple of weeks, I have started to really open up and share what has been on my heart for some time. It wasn’t easy, and I wasn’t feeling exceptionally brave, but I decided that I needed to share in some way. I hesitated for awhile; I started this blog over six months ago and decided that what I had to say wasn’t worth being heard. But then I realized that it really didn’t matter to me if anyone read what I had to say, I just wanted to put it out there.
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And I was absolutely blown away by the response that I got. I have had so many people reach out to me and share their experiences, offer their support, even offer to jump in right along with me.

It is so easy to think that our experience is only our own. That no one else could possibly be going through what we are. That no one else would want to be bothered with our crap. That it really isn’t a big deal and other people are dealing with way worse. But you know what? It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to share your story. Because someone IS going to relate to you. Someone else is going to feel less alone because they see you. You’re going to give someone else the reason to start something, just by putting yourself out there a little bit.

On the flip side of that, if you read something where someone is being vulnerable, and it resonates even just the tiniest bit with you, share that with them! It doesn't have to be anything more than just a few words, but it can have just as big of an impact. 

I know it can be scary, but please trust me when I say it’s worth it. It’s more than worth it. It makes you feel more connected and gives you the chance to brighten someone’s day.
What is one thing that you’ve been afraid to share? Whether it’s big or small, take a step today to share it. It could be just speaking it out loud to yourself, sharing it with a coworker, or put it out there for the whole world to see - or you can share it anonymously in the comments.

xo
SJ