33 THINGS I'M THANKFUL FOR ON MY 33RD BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to me (tomorrow)!  The years are flying by and I'm finding that it's not the grand gestures or expensive gifts that make me happy, but the little things.  After all, it's those little things that make up the majority of our lives!  Sometimes, though, they get overlooked.

So, to remind myself of all that I have, I wanted to put together a list of 33 things that I'm thankful for right now:

1.  air-conditioner in this South Carolina summer heat

2.  my parents bulldog, Buddy

3.  our king-sized bed

4.  catching up with friends on Marco Polo App

5.  rail trail walks

6.  Netflix binges with Nick

7.  homemade skillet bread

8.  traveling almost every weekend

9.  that God loves me

10.  our gym that has everything I do and don't know how to use

11.  warm, fuzzy blankets

12.  vegan restaurants

13.  my clawfoot tub

14.  homemade cinnamon rolls

15.  my work-from-anywhere-in-the-world business

16.  Hallmark movies

17.  old friendships that have stuck around

18.  our 20s-30s group

19.  parents that are world-changers

20.  riding my bike beside Nick while he runs

21.  camping in the fall

22.  you, my readers, for caring about me and my words

23.  granite countertops

24.  my fluffy, purple, polka-dot bathrobe

25.  cleaning out and giving stuff away

26.  sisters that are my closest friends

27.  the Christmas season

28.  cute clothes that make me feel pretty

29.  books (lots of books)

30.  my front porch when the weather's just right

31.  that I speak Spanish

32.  the freedom to spend my time how I want

33.  my attractive, thoughtful, hard-working husband (saved the best for last)

What's one thing that you're thankful for today?

11 DREAMS THAT FEEL TOO BIG

I always start off big, thinking "wouldn't this or that be incredible?!".  But, as "reality" sets in and I second guess my ability to achieve goals, I backtrack.  I tame my crazy dreams and tell myself that, "I'll just stick with this easier, more attainable idea".

Why in the world do I do this when I'm always challenging everyone else to dream big?

Two reasons:
1.  I don't want people to think bad of me that I want "too much".
2.  I don't want to fail by not doing what I said I wanted to do.

Instead of risk it, I make it all manageable.  How sad.  Aren't dreams meant to be crazy?

While reading Girl, Wash Your Face, I felt challenged by Rachel Hollis to stop making myself small and believing that it's shameful to want too much.

Now I'm wondering if I should even have a Bucket List because, turns out, everything's on my list.

I want to see it all.
I want to do it all (except sky dive or bungy jumping because that's a whole new level of terrifying).
I want the experiences.
I want the memories.
I want a full life.

And I want to stop downplaying that.  I'm sure if you follow me, you know I'm a dreamer.  But, what you may not know is that I still only share my "safe" dreams...the ones I believe that are appropriate and that I might be able to one day achieve.

Want to know my scary dreams that I'm afraid to admit, even to myself?

-I want to visit every state in the USA and every country in the world (even the not-so-safe ones)
-I want to 100% financially support my parents as full-time missionaries
-I want to be a fun, supportive mom to at least two kids
-I want to pack up my home and travel full-time for a season of life
-I want to have have 1 million followers on social media
-I want to complete a marathon
-I want to be a best-selling author
-I want to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail
-I want to get out of debt and live 100% debt free the rest of my life
-I want to hit Royal Crown Diamond with Young Living
-I want to be a fully raw vegan

Fear holds me back and convinces me to settle.  It tells me that I'm too much and yet, not enough.

I'm over it.

From now on, I'm calling it like it is.  My dreams are insane, but that's what dreams are right?

3 THINGS EVERY MINIMALIST WANTS FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY

It's officially my birthday month and I'm all excited, wondering how it will feel to be 33 and what types of gifts I might receive from everyone who loves me...hint hint.

Me at 3

I can't say how much I love my birthday.  I really love it.  But, it's not because of the gifts.  No, it's all the attention.  Let me explain before you start thinking I'm a total snob.  I love that my birthday means I get an excuse to spend special time with all my favorite people.  If I have to choose between gifts and quality time, I'll choose presence over presents.  You see what I did there?

However, I also know that not everyone wants to skip the beautifully wrapped, thoughtfully picked items.  So, I came up with a list of everything that a minimalist could possibly want or need.  If you have a minimalist in your life with a special occasion coming up or want to get on top of your Christmas shopping, keep reading.

Us at Universal Studios for Valentines 2018

1.  Experiences like a lunch date, concert tickets, spa treatment, a weekend getaway, movie tickets, gym membership, or anything that makes a memory, provides quality time or treats the birthday boy or girl to much needed pampering and rest!

2.  Consumables like homemade dessert, a soy candle, loose leaf tea, a bottle of wine, flowers, a bamboo toothbrush or even something as simple as a big bowl of beautiful fruit or their favorite flavor or Kombucha from the grocery store!

3.  Wants and needs like replacing a clothing item for the upcoming season, a trip to the salon for a overdue haircut, a yard or maid service for a break from mundane chores or a book they've been wanting to read.  Just ask if you are unsure!  Most people have a wish list in their head :)

My 31st Birthday!

Some of my favorite gifts have been when my daddy bought me a pair of quality winter socks from Naturally Outdoors, when my momma took me shopping at TJMaxx and helped me pick out a new outfit, when Ironman ran The Color Run with me, when my sisters all took me out to lunch and then dessert and when I chopped my hair off and donated 12 inches and then died it purple!  I loved each of these gifts because it was either time spent with someone I love, or crossing something off my Bucket List or getting something that I honestly needed but probably wouldn't have bought for myself.

So, here's to August...my birthday month.  Let's skip the gifts, ok?  Instead, I want a date with each of my favorite people.  You know who you are and I'm waiting on your text :)

5 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOUR NEXT TRIP + a simple packing list

I don't know about you, but when packing, I start with good intentions on keeping things simple.  Then I panic at the last minute and throw in extras that I really don't need.  I'm trying to improve on being prepared and sticking to the basics and decided a packing list will probably help me.

But before we get to that, here are 5 things to consider before each trip:

1. MIX AND MATCH.  Stick to items that can be worn with everything else.  For example, I want all my tops to be able to go with all my bottoms, my jacket or sweater, my shoes and my scarf.

2. COMFORT.  Choose items that are comfortable.  I want to be ready for anything (walking, standing, sitting, relaxing...), while still looking my best.

3. WEATHER.  Check the weather and pack accordingly!  It’s miserable to be too hot or too cold while trying to enjoy a new place. 

4. LOCATION.  Pack for the place.  When I'm camping, I pack completely different clothes than if I'm cruising.  Also, when I'm staying at someone else's home, I'm more conservative with my pjs!

5. LENGTH OF TRIP.  Bring between 2-7 days worth of clothes.  I find that if I take more, I feel stressed out and weighed down by my luggage (remember, you can do laundry while traveling).

So, now that we've got that out of the way, let's cover what should actually go into our suitcases!  I suggest you only pack what fits in a carry-on to save money, space and energy.

PACKING LIST:

2-7 tops: one for each day

2-4 bottoms: jeans, pants, shorts or skirts

1 dress

1 jacket, sweater or coat

1 set of pjs

don't forget underwear!

1 large scarf (which can double as a coverup, towel, blanket and pillow)

1 hat

1 pair sunglasses

1 swimsuit (if needed)

1-3 pair shoes: I usually take flats, wedges and sneakers
exercise clothes (if needed)

bag of toiletries

essential oils of course

a few favorite pieces of jewelry

your kindle 
travel documents

chargers

Have I covered all my bases?  Am I missing something that you think I should be taking when I travel?  Please let me know in the comments below!

7 AREAS TO CHOOSE SIMPLICITY

Life can be overwhelming and leave us feeling like we are just going through the motions, trying to survive.  That's why I believe minimalism is so important for us.  Let's stop overthinking and over-planning and choose simplicity in these 7 areas.

EXERCISE - Stop making excuses about why you can't work out.  Find an activity you enjoy and get moving daily, whether it's a walk, a yoga class or lifting weights with your husband.

PEOPLE - Stop spending time with people who aren't good for you.  Look at your relationships and decide on a few that mean the world to you.  Then pour your energy into those people.

WORK - Stop clocking in at a job you don't feel excited and passionate about and wasting your life away just for a paycheck.  Try lots of jobs until you find what you love.

TIME - Stop saying yes.  Say no to everything you don't want to do or you're doing because you feel like you must, then say yes to only what you truly want or need to do.

Photo by Emily Lynn Photography

FOOD - Stop eating processed and packaged food.  Choose 1 ingredient foods, like an apple, a head of broccoli or a bag of almonds to create your snacks and meals.

MONEY - Stop spending money that you don't have.  Cut up your credit cards and begin to live within your means.

STUFF - Stop buying things you don't need.  Just because there's space doesn't mean you need to fill it.  And just because you can buy something, doesn't mean you should.

The less I have, the more I feel clear headed and calm.  Minimalism can be such a healthy hobby!  What area do you most need to simplify?