just because you deserve it

As I've delved deeper into the unglorification of busyness, I've also begun to explore the idea of rest, and the thought that everyone deserves to do it.


My family is excellent at many a thing, but resting is not one of them. We're an early bird, non-nap-taking, never stop going sort of clan.

Even when I had mono I didn't miss a day of school. My english teacher made me go home for one afternoon. Apparently it's contagious? :)

There is a theory out there that seems to be gaining some ground lately. It's that IBS, from which I've suffered for 10 years, can be attributed to too much exercise and not enough rest. This summer, I saw a new doctor (who suggested veganism), that also suggested this might be an issue for me. And so, I have been working tirelessly on getting more rest. Really, it's exhausting. It's much easier for me to be on the move constantly than it is to slow down.

To be honest, I wasn't particularly successful at it until I broke my foot. Now every day is a day off from running. (and spinning, swimming and yoga. whomp)

But, as I'm embarking on this resty adventure more, I'm noticing that while not everyone may be ailed by my same need to workout, a lot of people struggle with allowing themselves to be indulgent. It's this attitude that we don't quite deserve the good things - all the best - to get that massage, to turn off the cell phone at the beach, to eat a nice dinner out.

Why is this?

I think part of it has to do with the fact that in all of our busyness, these indulgent things are the first to fall away. And eventually when you stop doing them enough, they stop feeling natural.

When I first met my roommate, Katie, she took a bath most nights. It was her time to unwind and recharge. Her Katie time. But now, she's planning her wedding, studying for the CPA and travelling for work. And she hasn't even taken a bath in our new house. I told her last week that I was worried about her, and all of mankind, because if Katie, bath taker extraordinaire, can't find time to give herself the break she needs, we're all in trouble.

She said she'd work on it. Because she knows she works really hard, is a better version of herself when she takes time to recharge, and deserves that break in her day. And that's a lesson we should all  remember.

oh happy day!

Ever since I was a tot, I remember l.o.v.i.n.g this day. 

In fourth grade, I was reaalllly sick on Halloween, but I refused to tell anyone how bad I felt, because I knew they wouldn't let me trick or treat. And what's fall without trick or treating, nahmean? 

I'm a little bit disppointed in myself today, because I didn't do anything too Halloweenish this season. No Haunted House or pumpkin patch or apple picking. 

The day just snuck up on me! 

To make up for it, some of my friends are coming over tonight for fall festivities (+ vino) and to help pass out candy to the kids in the area. It's not a total grand slam, but for last minute plans, it'll be pretty happy. 

I hope your day is so scary and fun and full of candy!

PS Just to confirm, I did watch Hocus Pocus. I haven't totally fallen apart.


boost

On Sunday I made the incredibly rookie mistake of going to the grocery store after church. If you're unfamiliar with this, it's when every single person that isn't at brunch decides to do their shopping. Literally, I think people who don't even live in Atlanta come here to buy food, because those aisles are jammed. 

I kept almost cart colliding with this guy and by the third time, we were making jokes: about being on the same track, how we must eat the same foods...

You get it. 

He was there with his mom, who, at first, I think was wondering why I was talking to her quite possibly 20-year-old son. But then, by the fourth or fifth time it happened, she was in on it, too. I think our grand finale was something about sharing one cart, or something along those lines. 

It was the perfect way to end my week of unplugging, because, I'm often very attached to my phone while grocery shopping. Talking on it, looking up recipes, checking Twitter while I wait at the meat counter. But this week, I was actually paying attention to the people around me, and while I will probably never see those two again, it felt so good to establish a connection with them. A silly one, yes. But a connection, nonetheless. And as someone who thrives and shows love via communicating, it was nice to have an added layer of love to my Sunday morning.

This week is healthy eating. I'm a pretty clean eater, and three veggies a day would actually be a reduction. So instead, I'm making an effort to be more intentional about my meal planning. It's probably more of a budget-conscious move, but that's certainly not a problem. I'm really bad about taking enough food to work during the day, and for some reason, lately I have gotten even worse. So when I was at the grocery with my new pals, I actually planned out enough food for lunches. I also made a pot of veggie-stocked chili to eat each night. 

I think it's going to be one of my favorite weeks of the challenge. 

dinner // cleaning // happy fall

For whatever reason weekends have been feeling long lately - in the best way possible. They've been crowded but cozy, busy but restful, and so happy. 

On Friday Phil and I went to Empire State South (bucket list #21) and I am not exaggerating when I say it might be my new favorite restaurant in Atlanta. 

Aside from the amazing view, atmosphere and food, they also have a bocce court. Yes. A bocce court. It's surrounded by adirondack chairs, which leads to the perfect feeling of intimacy and community among the table-waiting crowd. And quite possibly my favorite part was that they call their apps Snackies. 

Was this place made for me? 

If you're in Atlanta and haven't been, I highly recommend it. If you're not in Atlanta and haven't been, I highly recommend booking a flight. 


On Saturday, Katie and I deep cleaned our house. From floor scrubbing to porch sweeping - and everything in between - we wouldn't stop until the place was shining. We joked that we were a perfect and equally-anal cleaning pair, as we simultaneously chased single leaves around the front and side porches - just making sure every.last.one was gone. 

When we finished we opened up our windows to the beautiful fall day and breathed in the scent of fresh air and Lysol and let that feeling of control wash over us. It was blissful, is what I'm saying. :)


Saturday afternoon, I got to spend one baby second with Duke as he was catching a flight home to Indy. I tried to convince him to let me get in his suitcase so I could spend the weekend with my parents, too. But he didn't think that would work.

Saturday night, I worked at a benefit for Ian's Friends Foundation, which raises money for pediatric brain tumor research. Although I was sad to miss some Halloween party opps, it was an amazing benefit, especially when Ian - the little boy who has a tumor - got on stage to thank everyone. Halloween loving would have been nice, but this kind of loving wasn't bad, either. 


I hope you got a little celebrating in, and your weekend was spooktacular!

images via my instagram