Just like that, March turned into April. March was fun, colorful, gave me a burst of energy, while also reminding me to slow down. Why am I running this race or keeping busy just for the sake of it? I've made plans to become more intentional instead of just letting life keep happening to me. I'm making sure that I make things fun again. That I'm not too hard on myself. I can push to the next level and work hard, without making myself miserable in the process.
I'm leaning into the little things in life, once again. I think it's an art we have to practice consistently. It isn't just something that we automatically jump to. We have to train our minds to look and see the positive around us. For me, that's spotting flowers and taking pictures of them, keeping up with my diamond art, watercolor painting and coloring with acrylic paint markers. it's not rushing, but simply being and letting the noise quiet out long enough to hear God's voice.
✨HIGHLIGHTS✨
sushi date on a rainy evening with one of my best friends since high school;
celebrating one of my close friends' wedding shower;
slowing down - enjoying the clouds in the sky, the sunshine and watching the birds fly through the yard (one even hit our window and I thought, for sure, he was a goner but came back to and flew off);
random pizza party at work on pie day;
I'm writing more, personally, and have projects that I'm excited about outside of work and am telling more of my friends about them to hold me accountable about it;
dinner date with my aunt at a new restaurant in town (it used to be a bank and is themed around that) and a mini shopping trip;
meeting my friend's newborn and spending an afternoon with her and her family;
doing more diamond art projects;
taking my first pilates session with one of my friends who's becoming a certified instructor;
reading more non-fiction (celebrity memoirs);
working on my gilmore girls themed instagram account (and having several Gilmore cast and crew members follow me) and creating more for fun and doing my own personal projects;
celebrating my dad's 65th birthday with going out for dinner and his favorite whipped icing cake;
Meeting with one of my best friends to swap christmas/birthday presents and have coffee, catch up on life;
going to dinner with a couple coworkers/friends at a new spot, grabbing froyo and seeing the play one of their daughters was in/helped build the set;
a bird crashed into our back sliding door (and I thought, for sure, it was a goner), but I prayed for the little bird and was trying to Google what to do next, in case it didn't make it), but the little bird suddenly came to again and flew off with no problem. I've never been more relieved;
attending paley fest with my mom for the celebration of amy sherman-palladino's multiverse (Gilmore girls, marvelous mrs. maisel and her latest project, etoile). they even asked the question I submitted as a paley member and amy sherman-palladino answered it. they said my name from the stage and i seriously blacked out. I don't know if i'll ever get over that!
📓LESSONS LEARNED📓
reminding myself to slow down in the moments that I can and taking more breaks during the day when I need it;
make the appointments - it's not usually as bad as it we think it will be. i had a CT scan for the first time to check out some of my sinus issues (essentially it told me nothing, but hey, at least I've started narrowing it down, and am in the process of figuring out what could be wrong);
i've put limits on my phone to shut down at 10 p.m., so I can get a break from the screen for a bit before bed (and even made time to unsubscribe from lists and emails I'm not paying attention to). also, occasionally, when i've needed to focus or just put my phone down, i put it in airplane mode, which also feels like a weight is lifted.
I've started working from home an extra day, which has helped since my workload has shifted a lot and it's a very busy time.
I've been working to go out more with friends and coworkers around campus – whether it's just coffee or going to lunch or doing something special. I can tell a big shift in where I am this year compared to last year. I'm trying new things, i'm getting back into life.
My mom and I attended Paley Fest: Amy Sherman-Palladino Multiverse, as her mother's day gift, last weekend! It was one of the best events I've ever been to and I had one of the coolest moments of my life. Being able to share it with my mom was everything.
I've started a Gilmore Girls blog, along with my Instagram account (@gilmorescoffeeandbooks) - I've been slowly building a little Gilmore Girls community. Even people from the show, cast and crew, have followed me and I'm just at a loss for words. My little 12-year-old self would be freaking out for what I've been able to experience. Heck, the 33 year old me is still freaking out.
I'll have the full blog from the day's festivities and more on “Oy with the Gilmores, Coffee and Books” Blogger site.
Here we are: Month four. This year just keeps moving along! Counting down until the summer months, extra time
🌼 🌸💐SPRING QUESTIONS 💐🌸🌼
who haven't you talked to in a minute? Send them a letter or a text to say hi or ask to get together for breakfast or ice cream.
what's something new you'd like to try? A class? A new restaurant? An exercise?
what do you want to do to celebrate the spring season?
what's your favorite smell that reminds you of spring?
is your go-to coffee order different in the warmer months than in winter?
are you more social during the spring/summer than in winter/fall?
✨All of this to say…Here's to April. It's a busy month, but I'm not going to worry myself to death over things I can't change. There's so much to look forward! ✨
