I adored sparkly things and dreamed of buying a roomy house with plenty of amenities. I also thought the size of my paycheck somehow reflected my personal worth. After enduring a few lay-offs and having to watch my finances more closely, I started to discover what's truly important to me.
Love: I've learned a lot about love in the past few years. And unless you count the unconditional love from my two dogs and (mostly unconditional love) from my two cats, an important lesson I've realized is that no matter what, love requires compromise, compassion, and empathy. Many of those closest to me have gone through some sort of turmoil, especially in recent years. I try to remember we're all the center of our own universe, all wrapped up in what we perceive to be of utmost importance. Stepping back and realizing this helps me remember most people don't intentionally hurt others. Often, they just want to make themselves feel better and they get buried by their own burdens.
Being Present: Life can get overwhelming sometimes. It takes a lot of strength to not worry about the future, or feel guilty or angry about the past. To truly appreciate the here and now, I try to remember to leave work stresses at work and not dwell on things I can't fix. This rings true with interpersonal relationships, too. I've also found that the more I stay in the moment and feel truly grateful and happy, the more positive energy I attract.
Fresh Air and Motion: Enjoying nature -- whether on a balcony watching a sunset, puttering in a backyard vegetable garden, hiking with friends, or walking the dogs around the neighborhood -- can truly clear the mind. It's also a great way to sneak exercise into your life without having to join a stuffy gym. In the past, I spent plenty of time in gyms, strictly to maintain my outward appearance. But I always felt like a hamster in a cage. Being outdoors makes me happy.
Creativity: Making time for creative outlets helps keep my mind open. I love to paint and write in my small but perfect Anne Cave. But creativity comes in other forms. Preparing a wholesome meal, baking bread from scratch, arranging plants in the garden, and helping friends plan parties are great creative outlets, as well.
Organization and Minimal Clutter: I breathe easier with less mess. The cleaner my kitchen counters are, the more well-balanced I feel. That said, I have a tendency to be a closet slob. When I keep the cabinets and closets orderly, I save time looking for stuff. Shoving things out of sight might make my house look tidy, but it causes frustration when I can't find something. And eventually the clutter starts showing. Being fully organized and discarding or donating things I don't need is a work-in-progress:)
Being Present: Life can get overwhelming sometimes. It takes a lot of strength to not worry about the future, or feel guilty or angry about the past. To truly appreciate the here and now, I try to remember to leave work stresses at work and not dwell on things I can't fix. This rings true with interpersonal relationships, too. I've also found that the more I stay in the moment and feel truly grateful and happy, the more positive energy I attract.
Fresh Air and Motion: Enjoying nature -- whether on a balcony watching a sunset, puttering in a backyard vegetable garden, hiking with friends, or walking the dogs around the neighborhood -- can truly clear the mind. It's also a great way to sneak exercise into your life without having to join a stuffy gym. In the past, I spent plenty of time in gyms, strictly to maintain my outward appearance. But I always felt like a hamster in a cage. Being outdoors makes me happy.
Creativity: Making time for creative outlets helps keep my mind open. I love to paint and write in my small but perfect Anne Cave. But creativity comes in other forms. Preparing a wholesome meal, baking bread from scratch, arranging plants in the garden, and helping friends plan parties are great creative outlets, as well.
Organization and Minimal Clutter: I breathe easier with less mess. The cleaner my kitchen counters are, the more well-balanced I feel. That said, I have a tendency to be a closet slob. When I keep the cabinets and closets orderly, I save time looking for stuff. Shoving things out of sight might make my house look tidy, but it causes frustration when I can't find something. And eventually the clutter starts showing. Being fully organized and discarding or donating things I don't need is a work-in-progress:)
I do have the house of my dreams; but at 728 square feet, it's about half the size I thought I needed. And I always thought I'd live alone, but found someone who helps fill it with love, making it truly a home. My job pays the bills. And every day I remind myself to stay in the moment and remember that everything -- good, bad, and neutral -- is temporary.
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