What I Did Differently In 2019 and How It Worked
I’m parting with 2019 knowing that I lived it to full capacity. No regrets. No wish I would’ve’s. I showed up and did the damn thing. Let me tell ya, there were high expectations. I love numerology and nineteen happens to be my lucky number. Ever since that day, ages ago, when my big sister, Maggie declared that her lucky number was eighteen. I knew 2019 would be special and I’d be special in it, but I never expected the wild and exciting year that has now passed. The best part is I, ME, am responsible for the change in my life. I took a new approach this year. I…
Take A Recovery Day: Overcoming Exhaustion
Exhaustion often gets the best of us. Maybe you’re coming off a crazy work run, or a wild and all-consuming family schedule. Whatever the cause for your exhaustion, know that it’s okay to feel down. Take a beat. Relax, recover, and slowly find your way back to being your best self. Most important when facing exhaustion is how you deal with it. Do you let it get the best of you? Are you nasty to others? Are you mean to yourself? If so, turn down the negativity. Look at a day of exhaustion as a recovery day for your soul. Take it as a new opportunity to be your best…
Stop And Smell The Flowers
Today I bought a book by Oprah, What I Know For Sure. So far, all I’ve read is the intro where Oprah talks about once being asked by Gene Siskel what she knows for sure. She, Oprah, didn’t know how to answer that question. She thought about that question until it morphed into a monthly column in O Magazine, where each month she answers that question. This book is a collection of those knows. Before reading on I wanted to take an evening to think about the things, at thirty-one, I know for sure. As of recent, when writing, addressing my words to someone, at least in my mind has…
La Vie Est Belle
If I had to sum up myself at thirty in one word that word would be happy. I don’t use that word lightly. I’ve known sadness, depression, uncertainty, contentment, and even periods of extended joy. But I’d never known consistent happiness until this year. I say that having always been known for my optimism, but, still, in past years I would’ve never described myself as happy. There were many obstacles standing between me and happiness: low self-esteem, constant self-doubt, insecurity, a fear of leaving unhealthy relationships, a fear of disappointing others, and most importantly a fear of disappointing myself. What it all boiled down to was I was fearful of…
5 Things-To-Do Before You Visit A New Country
I love to travel. My favorite thing is to travel to a new place. Even better than that is if that new place is a country that offers me a fabulous new stamp on my passport. In the past year, I traveled to the Netherlands, Italy, the U.K., and China all for the first time. I loved exploring these new lands and indulging in the culture. In Amsterdam, I ate Dutch Pancakes and took a boat cruise along the canals. In Italy, I ate and I drank, then I ate and drank some more. In Manchester, I ate Sheppard’s Pie, Blood Pudding, and toured the city’s oldest pubs. In China,…
Adventures in La La Land: A Love Letter to Los Angeles
I’ve never written about Los Angeles and that’s always surprised me. Growing up, I felt drawn to L.A., like a sunflower to the sun, despite never visiting. Maybe it was the idea of Hollywood and my passion for films that fueled my fascination with the Southern California city. It makes sense. Last year I loved La La Land. I mean I La La Loved it. The first time I saw it in theatres I cried the entire subway ride home. The next day, my girlfriend, Rachelle, who’s also a shameless nerd, and I had an hour-long conversation about La La Land. The film isn’t just a love story between two…
