{three healthy habits}

I woke up on Monday acutely aware that there was exactly one month until my birthday. The day in and of itself almost felt important. One more month until I am 27. One month left of 26. 

In so many ways, the year has flown. I think back to my birthday last year and it feels like yesterday. But at the same time, so much has changed. It was a big year - and things like the rat house and my broken foot seem like ages ago. They seem like tiny dots in an otherwise lovely year - and yet I think of the time we were actually living with those rats, and it felt like each night lasted forever.

But isn't that so often how time goes? It has the ability to both fly by and stand still all at once.

Broken foot and stitches aside, it was a year of healthy habit making for me and as I strive to keep them up, I thought I'd share. Because if I'm going to chronicle my injuries, it only feels right to share the wins, too, right? 

1. Make self care a priority. I've chronicled the steps I've taken to unglorify busy and you've seen me fail a few times. But I've learned the value of rest - and it's something I will never forget. I will never again prioritize a 6 a.m. workout over sleep when I'm still awake at 1 a.m. I've learned to listen to my body (sometimes you've gotta cut that dairy or eat those eggs!). And I'm learning how to find rest in Christ even when life feels like it's swirling. And it feels good. Really good.

2. Quit the scale. Growing up, I never weighed myself. In fact, even throughout college I could never have told you how much I weighed. It just never crossed my mind to weigh myself. But when I joined my new gym in Atlanta, I had to pass the scale a every time I entered and exited. And what began as a once a week check in turned into a daily - or sometimes multiple times a day - habit. It gave me a very false sense of control, but could also make or break my day. How can a number - a 1-pound change - impact my entire day that much? 

The low point was this winter when I weighed myself on the scale and it was broken and said I was up 20-pounds from the day prior. Instead of believing everything my body told me (my clothes still fit, I didn't feel or look different), I believed the scale and couldn't shake the sadness I felt all afternoon. And then I decided I had to quit. I had never needed the scale to maintain my weight my entire life, so why did I think it helped me now? And golly, it feels so much better living without it. I couldn't even guess my weight today if I tried, but I know my clothes still fit. I'm not out of control without it. In fact, I'm more in control of my emotions and my diet, because they're no longer dictated by a number. 

3. Learn to say no, excuse optional. Saying no is hard. Really hard. And it's even harder to say it without apologizing or offering an excuse - especially to someone you care about. But sometimes you have to let your no be no, simply because whatever you're being asked to do doesn't fit with your life right now. Maybe you're overextended. Maybe you're trying to focus on something else. Or heck, maybe you just don't want to. But sometimes it's OK to simply say no.

And if it's appropriate, provide a reason. But unless you're truly sorry, don't apologize. Because after years of over apologizing, I began to realize that I was doing myself a disservice. I was taking on a burden I didn't need to feel and indicating to people that I owed them something I didn't really owe. Do I still say sorry when I mean it? YES! I am a huge believer in the s-word. But I don't say sorry when I haven't done something worth apologizing for anymore. And what I've found is that when I do say sorry now, it means a lot more, because I mean it very much.

So that's what 26 has taught me about healthy habit making. I can't wait to see what 27 has in store. But first, one more lovely month of good livin ahead!

Happy day to you!

better half

I was talking with a friend recently about a guy she likes, but she thinks he isn't interested. "I don't think I'm wholesome enough for him," she said.

To which our friend Katie had a vehement reaction ("preach!" I said) and Melissa promptly pulled up this pin.

And, although we laughed at ourselves for being complete girls and turning a real-life situation into a Pinterest-situation, the truth is, it's true.

The moment you begin to play the "I am not enough XXX for him" game, is the moment you stop and 180. It's the moment you remind yourself you are enough and vow never to utter those words again. 

There was a guy I dated a while back and I kept telling Courtney, "I am afraid I am going to mess it up." Because I really liked him. And I felt like he was great. And I feared he might be too great and I'd mess it up.

And she'd constantly tell me that I couldn't mess it up. Because when it's the guy you're supposed to end up with, you don't mess it up. He doesn't walk away when you're too noisy or say the wrong thing or are not wholesome enough. Because when it's right, it will be right.

I wish I could say I had learned this lesson the easy way, but instead, I've sat in relationships too afraid to be the full version of myself too many times. Too afraid to admit I did have an opinion on where we went to dinner. Too scared to speak up when I wanted something more - for fear I might be too demanding. Too afraid to admit when I was frustrated or mad - for fear I'd be perceived as unreasonable. 

But lately, what I've learned is that we don't have to be small. It's OK to have a voice and an opinion. It's OK to be the full version of ourselves - in fact - it's better. As Katie so wisely said this weekend, when you meet the guy you're supposed to be with, he will make you even more of yourself - he won't make you feel like you should be less of this or more of that [wholesome, even], he will encourage you to be the full version of you. And together, as one, you will be even better.

And that, my friends, makes my heart happy.

fresh perspective

There are already so many reasons I love having Duke and Sam in Atlanta, but one of the things I've loved the most is seeing the city through their fresh eyes.

Once a Piedmont Park addict, I hadn't made it a priority to spend time there recently. I love that they've gone there every day since they've moved here to workout.

Once a Braves-going fool, I hadn't had time to go to a game this summer. And I love that we went last week - excited for them to cheer on the team as their own. 

The whole experience of having them here - trying to think of what I can show them and introduce them to - has been a reminder to me of the importance of breaking from my routine. I am so routine. And I get in such a fast-paced groove each week, washing my sheets on Sunday, packing my gym bag for the week, making my lunches, getting in my workouts, going to this meeting and that coffee date. And having them here is making me slow down, because I want to make time for them. And it's making me mix up my routine because I want to make room for them in it. 

And even as we begin to find our own separate rhythms - when Duke starts school and Sam starts work - I hope I can maintain this attitude. I hope I can remember that routine is good but sometimes flexibility is better. Hustle is good, but sometimes slowing down, drinking a beer and cheering on the Braves with dear friends is even better. Because this life really is meant to be enjoyed, you know?

Happy Tuesday!

{appetite paper}

I mentioned last week that I was hoping to get up a frame wall this month and, alongside that goal, was trying to make my room look cozier in general. I rocked the summer with bare walls, completely succumbing to analysis paralysis. Each time I'd find a print I liked, I'd find an issue with it the next day. The quotes weren't what I was looking for. The colors weren't jumping out at me. The prices were a little high. 

And so I sat with my walls bare and my eyes peeled, looking for something to warm up the space.

Then, my friend Sara introduced me to Chicago-native Rachael, who recently launched Appetite Paper.  She specializes in eco-friendly (all recycled paper, made exclusively from green energy...!) paper products and gives 15 percent of her profits back to the community. Not to mention her designs are amazing.

I emailed Rachael about creating a custom print, because I had a specific quote in mind (although this guy really stole my heart, too!).  

All I told her was the quote I wanted and that I was "really open on colors and font." I've heard that the easiest clients to work with are those that know exactly what they want and I am sorry to admit I really had no idea. I knew exactly what I didn't want in all the previous prints I'd found, but couldn't quite articulate what I was looking for. However, I needn't worry, because  Rachael got back to me within minutes, sending me amazing design options for the print. 

And, voila! Isn't she a beaut?

My room looks so happy now - and every time I walk into it I smile. If you're looking for a print or paper products in general, I strongly recommend Appetite Paper. And, if you're a little bit stalkerish like me, you're probably going to want to follow her: Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

When it's all said and done, I just can't help but fall for the work of a Midwesterner, yaknow?