Making Room for the Good

We've got just a few weeks left before the New Year which means one thing: New Year's Resolutions. A time for self-improvement, setting goals and feeling motivated... sounds good to me. But one thing I think is super important before taking on new tasks is to make room for them. To me, this means letting go of anything holding you back or keeping you down. This might be anything from negative attitudes, fear of the unknown, things that waste your time, to jobs or relationships that are no longer serving you. Now is the time to LET GO of these things that are slowing you down from your greatest achievements. 

A few ideas I've tried that might help you make room:

1. Write down the things you want to get rid of and burn them. (Yeah, sounds like a weird voodoo seance but it works WONDERS in letting things go. Do this with friends for a fuller effect. Also, please do it safely, that should go unsaid.) 

2. Write a letter of forgiveness to someone you need to let go. Forgive them for whatever they did to hurt you and complete rid of it from your worries. Burn that, too...

3. Write a list of GOODBYE'S and HELLO'S. "See ya later": self-loathing, binge-eating, ungrateful thinking and "welcome": self-love, slowing down and gratitude. 

Comment below if you have any techniques to share on how to let go of the not-so-good and make room for the great. 

Using Amethyst as an Anchor

A couple of months ago, my aunt and I were walking on South Congress Ave in Austin when we stopped to talk to a woman selling hand-made copper and stone rings. They were bold, chunky jewelry that Mitzi and I were both intrigued by. We knew we each needed one. After finding the perfect one and having the artist readjust them to fit our fingers just right, we walked away with a great sense of excitement and contentment. I did some research to really understand what I was wearing on my finger -- and found some interesting stuff on Crystal Vaults. 

Amethyst, deriving from amethusthos which means "not intoxicated" is a variety of quartz which is known to bring a sense of contentment and clarity. It is said to shield its owner from negative energy from others, turns it into positive, warm energy and returns it back to the universe. Amethyst holds the energy of passion, creativity and spirituality.

Now, this might all be a little too woo-woo for some of you, and I certainly question some of it. But all I know is that when I look down at my giant purple rock ring, I remember that I have the power to change my own attitude at any time. I can take the energy from the stone and use it as motivation to keep me going. I remember that it helps me to clear my mind of distractions and negativity so that I can continue on the path I'm headed on. Find an "anchor" in your environment that will keep you on track with what you want to accomplish. It could be anything from jewelry to a scented candle or a song you love, but make a specific connection that you will remember when you see, hear or smell it. It's my favorite way to positively hold myself accountable.

Getting Unstuck

In an exciting (and successful) attempt to surprise my parents with a visit home from Austin for Thanksgiving, I’m realizing how quickly things can change when your environment changes. I went from warm, undiscovered Austin to cold, familiar Boston. Aside from seeing all the people I missed so much since the summer, I quickly felt like I had never left, and that made me feel stuck. What had I just done in my last 4 months away? Did I do anything worthwhile at all? Today I sat and listed all the things I did since going down to Austin and was able to sit back, smile and shake those feelings of getting nothing accomplished. I realized that I certainly did accomplish important things. But just 5 minutes prior to that list, I felt so unaccomplished – simply because I’m in an environment that isn’t as new and exciting as Austin was.

Are you feeling stuck? I challenge you to write out a list of recent accomplishments. You’ll be able to see exactly what you’ve put your time and effort in, and it will remind you that you’re exactly where you need to be right now.

Let's Set the Table for Some Thanksgiving Nightmares

Many people LOVE Thanksgiving. As a picky eater growing up, I shamefully dreaded it. Early on, cheese tortellini with butter became a part of the menu specifically for me so that I had something to eat on this food-oriented day. Wondering if any of you can relate...

What gets you through Thanksgiving? Does anyone have any horror stories they want to share? 

Please comment and share your story below!