I'm not one to make resolutions. They're hard to keep and it's disappointing to let yourself down, but this year I want to make some changes.
I want to write more, and I say that every year, but maybe I'll do it this time around. I don't necessarily mean to blog more, but I want to keep my journal at least somewhat up to date. I'm trying to do the bullet journal, but it's really more "bullet-ish" because there are a lot of features of an actual b.journal that don't really work for me, others that do, and I have some ideas of my own that I've been incorporating.
I want to learn to listen more. Not just be a sounding board for the people in my life but someone who is present and pays attention. This might mean that I need to learn to unplug myself from my smart devices and take a break from all the distractions. I'm someone who always has to be doing something with her hands, whether its checking my apps, or doodling, or picking at my clothing, and I'd like to stop the fidgeting and start being more focused. Also I'd like to be more informed about the world around me. When I watch the news or read articles online I want to really absorb them so that when they are brought up in normal conversations I can feel like I have an educated opinion and not just be talking out of my ass.
I want to get back to the person who used to read all the time. I don't need to catch up on the same Big Bang Theory I've watched 16 times in the past year. If it's something I've already seen, instead of becoming one with the couch and TV, I want to pick up a book and lose myself in a new world.
I want to motivate myself into learning how to cook meals that are more than just fatty comfort foods. I'd like to learn how to cook things that are more healthy (but taste good, and don't take all night to prepare) so that I don't feel guilty when I stuff my face at the end of a long day. I started a subscription to Talley Farms harvest boxes today, so hopefully this will get me going in the right direction.
I want to get back to my photography hobby. I want more than just an iPhone camera in my hands, and I need to get myself out in nature more and get some photos to hang on my walls, and make our house more of a home. I have all these visions of what I want, but I need to make them happen.
I want to exercise more, but its so freaking hard to get started. I have all the tools I need at home, and yet.... I make 10000000000 excuses as to why my butt is not on the elliptical, why the weights are not in my hands, and why the yoga mat has never been unrolled. I need to cut the BS with myself and do it.
If you have any good book recommendations, recipes, want to go on a weeknight photo adventure (which might have to wait until it starts staying light in the evenings), want to go for a walk with me and my awesome dog, or just offer up some of your own resolutions/ideas/goals... hit me up in the comments section, or however you'd normally contact me.
Happy New Year!
Monday, January 2, 2017
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
I Don't Want To Be Friends, part 2
It's not just politics or who won the presidency that has left me so disappointed and disillusioned today. I haven't "unfriended" people over bitterness that my candidate lost.
What hurts the most is that so many people in this country have chosen to go against everything that we stand for. How can you teach your children that being a bully is wrong when you elected one? How can you say you want to defend the constitution when you elected someone who would dismantle the first amendment if given half a chance? How can you tell me you love and care about me when you chose someone who bragged about sexually assaulting women; who calls women who disagree with him disgusting pigs; who wants to deny women the right to make decisions about their own bodies; you talk about following the rules and pulling your own weight and yet this man hasn't paid taxes in decades. You speak of respecting our veterans, and this man has mocked POWs, glorified war crimes, dodged the draft, and disparaged a gold star family. He's someone who wants to deny equal rights to just about every one who isn't rich, white, straight, male, and over a certain age.
Yes this is one man, but you chose him. You feel this person is fit to be the leader of the free world. If these are values that you hold, that you agree with, that you feel are not a big deal... It's not that I don't want to be friends because Trump is a bombastic asshole, it's because you are.
What hurts the most is that so many people in this country have chosen to go against everything that we stand for. How can you teach your children that being a bully is wrong when you elected one? How can you say you want to defend the constitution when you elected someone who would dismantle the first amendment if given half a chance? How can you tell me you love and care about me when you chose someone who bragged about sexually assaulting women; who calls women who disagree with him disgusting pigs; who wants to deny women the right to make decisions about their own bodies; you talk about following the rules and pulling your own weight and yet this man hasn't paid taxes in decades. You speak of respecting our veterans, and this man has mocked POWs, glorified war crimes, dodged the draft, and disparaged a gold star family. He's someone who wants to deny equal rights to just about every one who isn't rich, white, straight, male, and over a certain age.
Yes this is one man, but you chose him. You feel this person is fit to be the leader of the free world. If these are values that you hold, that you agree with, that you feel are not a big deal... It's not that I don't want to be friends because Trump is a bombastic asshole, it's because you are.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Overheard... And the Response I Wish I Would Have Made
A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I were sitting at the bar in one of the local steakhouses that we frequent, and I overheard a conversation between a woman and her companions. I know, I know, you shouldn't eavesdrop on other people's conversations, but they were so loud it was impossible to not pay attention.
The woman was telling the man sitting next to her that she thought young women were evil and that they were the absolute worst. I found this disappointing, but I figured that I would keep listening to see where it was going. She started in on how her 15 year old daughter's best friend was a horrible bitch... Her reasoning? The friend told the daughter that she was beautiful without make up. That's it. She told her friend that she was beautiful. Mom wasn't having it though, she made sure to correct the friend and tell her daughter "She is only saying that because she wants to steal your man, and they only want she can do that is if you're ugly and not wearing make up."
I had to stop listening at this point, because I was starting to see red and I wanted to swim across the bar to confront the lady. Instead I leaned over to my boyfriend and whispered into his ear, "Did I hear that right? Did she really just tell these people that her daughter is ugly without a face full of paint? Did I misunderstand?" He assured me that I heard correctly, and that maybe I shouldn't be listening in on conversations that I'm not part of.
So I went back to my drink, and food was served shortly, but clearly this exchange stayed with me. It really bothers me that people are teaching their daughters that other girls are the enemy, and especially at such a young age. A fifteen year old shouldn't have to worry about someone "stealing her man" she should be worried about whether or not she's going to pass her final exams, and what she's going to do over the weekend. She should be learning that her girlfriends can last a lifetime, but your high school crush will likely only last a few months. GIRLS ARE NOT THE ENEMY. Boys aren't either, but they shouldn't be your only focus in life, there are so many other dreams to chase at that age.
I hope all my friends with daughters teach them to be true to themselves. If they want to wear make up, that's cool, but that they don't need it to feel worthy. They don't need to paint themselves to be beautiful, to be loved. I hope they're taught that ugliness is more than skin deep, that you can be conventionally pretty, but still have a hideous soul and that it's better to be a good person than to look good in designer jeans. Help the underdog, hold your friends' hand when they're feeling insecure, build up others instead of tearing them down. Speak out when something needs to be said, be fearless. Strength is more that big muscles, it's in your character, make yours one worth remembering.
The woman was telling the man sitting next to her that she thought young women were evil and that they were the absolute worst. I found this disappointing, but I figured that I would keep listening to see where it was going. She started in on how her 15 year old daughter's best friend was a horrible bitch... Her reasoning? The friend told the daughter that she was beautiful without make up. That's it. She told her friend that she was beautiful. Mom wasn't having it though, she made sure to correct the friend and tell her daughter "She is only saying that because she wants to steal your man, and they only want she can do that is if you're ugly and not wearing make up."
I had to stop listening at this point, because I was starting to see red and I wanted to swim across the bar to confront the lady. Instead I leaned over to my boyfriend and whispered into his ear, "Did I hear that right? Did she really just tell these people that her daughter is ugly without a face full of paint? Did I misunderstand?" He assured me that I heard correctly, and that maybe I shouldn't be listening in on conversations that I'm not part of.
So I went back to my drink, and food was served shortly, but clearly this exchange stayed with me. It really bothers me that people are teaching their daughters that other girls are the enemy, and especially at such a young age. A fifteen year old shouldn't have to worry about someone "stealing her man" she should be worried about whether or not she's going to pass her final exams, and what she's going to do over the weekend. She should be learning that her girlfriends can last a lifetime, but your high school crush will likely only last a few months. GIRLS ARE NOT THE ENEMY. Boys aren't either, but they shouldn't be your only focus in life, there are so many other dreams to chase at that age.
I hope all my friends with daughters teach them to be true to themselves. If they want to wear make up, that's cool, but that they don't need it to feel worthy. They don't need to paint themselves to be beautiful, to be loved. I hope they're taught that ugliness is more than skin deep, that you can be conventionally pretty, but still have a hideous soul and that it's better to be a good person than to look good in designer jeans. Help the underdog, hold your friends' hand when they're feeling insecure, build up others instead of tearing them down. Speak out when something needs to be said, be fearless. Strength is more that big muscles, it's in your character, make yours one worth remembering.
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