on waiting for something better

There are so many wonderful stories from my family's trip to Baldhead Island last week, but for now, I'm keeping the details close to the vest. Because it was one of those weeks that was so wonderful, I don't think my words can do it justice. It had so many special moments between me and my family, that I kind of want to keep them there for now, just to cherish and not to explain away. 

  

 

  

Also, while we were there, my sister, Ashley, said: sometimes I think we feel that if we don't share something on social media, it didn't really happen. If we go on a date and don't Instagram the meal, it's like the date didn't count. And I don't want to live that way all the time. This trip counts whether you saw our hashtag, whether I blog about it, or whether we all just went dark for a week. 

I do, however, want to share a snippet from our last day. Lily and I were walking back from the pool, talking about life, and she said, in the sweet way only a seven year old can, "Whit, I don't think you're going to get married for a looong time." I asked her why and she said, "because you need to make sure you reallllly like him first. But don't worry," she went on, "sometimes something can seem like it will take a really long time, but it actually goes by fast. Like a month can go really quickly."

 

I thought about her words on Sunday as I re-entered the real world. I think sometimes we tend to rush toward the future, simply because we want to get to the next phase. We want to plan a wedding and pick out a dress and earn that validation that we're worthy of another half. And we want to get the next promotion, buy the house, take the trip, move to a new city, start earning a new degree...

We want to go, go, go.

Something I struggle with is just enjoying right now. I can be so forward thinking that I forget to stop and enjoy the beauty of the present. The fact that so many things I've wanted for a really long time (like having family in Atlanta) are in place right now shouldn't be forgotten. The fact that things feel pretty easy right now shouldn't tell me to create more chaos (which I tend to do), it should tell me to slow down, take a deep breath and live in the peace of it. 

The things we want will fall into place in due time. But for now, the best thing I can remember is to seek contentment not chaos - to enjoy the beauty of the right now. Because, like Lily said, time tends to fly without us even realizing it. And the best thing we can do is bask in the good and be as grateful as we can. 

My garage sale & your next date

This weekend held two significant events. 

1. Melissa, Kyla and I hosted a garage sale. It was so much fun! And felt amazing to make some money off of all that stuff we weren't using anyway. 

People were awesomely intense - arriving 45 minutes early, bartering on everything. But I loved it! We got to know a lot of our neighbors and ended the day with an organized house! It was totally my style. 

(Some of our beautiful items ;))

2. Sam and I went to watch Indy Eleven soccer play the Atlanta Silverbacks. A romantic date it wasn't, since we're siblings and all. But it was a great way to spend time together. 

The stadium was packed and full of energy. The weather was great - an excellent way to spend a summer night outside. And they had GF beer. Ta da! I highly recommend it as a date night if you want to mix it up. 

And now, I'm setting my alarm for a rise&shine run, then Chris is picking me up for breakfast at Highland Bakery (see you soon omelette, iced coffee and sweet potato biscuit!). 

Then: I'm off to the beach for a week, where I'm unplugging in a major way and just being with my amazing family. 

Have a lovely week! 

PS I wrote this from my bed on my phone so I couldn't format OR insert these links:

Meet Kyla: www.kylaking.blogspot.com

Silverbacks: www.atlantasilverbacks.com

&Highland Bakery: http://highlandbakery.com

Oh and hi, from The Oasis, aka my bed ;) 

a note on food & exercise

For the most part, I'm a pretty all-in person. I don't do things halfway, which can sometimes be good and sometimes dangerous (literally). 

When it comes to eating, though, I've worked really hard to be less rigid. Less all or nothing and a little more flexible. Banning rules and goods & bads and being comfortable with what my body tells me it wants. I've gotten some questions lately on diet/exercise/body image and I wanted to share because it's really important to me. 

I believe in eating as close to the earth as possible - with lots of veggies and whole foods. I believe in Intuitive Eating (it's what taught me that I actually love BURGERS!). I believe in eating what I want, when I want it. And finding a healthy balance between moderation and indulgence.

I'm not Paleo or vegan, though I often try out those recipes because I think they're fun. Sometimes I eat meat, sometimes I eat dairy. The only thing I no longer eat is wheat - but not by choice (what I'd give for a Blue Moon right now). It's because after struggling with IBS for years and finally feeling better without wheat, I realized it was no longer worth it. But it's not because I think grains or gluten are evil. I love me some GF oats for breakfast.

I believe every body is different and therefore, how you eat may be exactly right for you, but not exactly right for me. Also, how I eat today may not be right in a year. And you can bet your bottom dollar I hope someday my body decides gluten is OK again. :)

But what about when it comes to exercise? There's so much noise out there. Our access to information (often false) is dangerous. I'm not sure we should be able to do quite so much Googling from our desks, because I think we can get a little crazy. 

After having my appendix removed and being forced to do almost nothing for the last four weeks, I find myself with a renewed vigor for exercise. It's so much fun - holy endorphins! But at the same time, I am realizing I was pretty satisfied during that break. Yes, I missed the sweat and grind, but my days still went on and my body didn't change much. I was OK. 

image

A lot of people have a tendency to overdo it with exercise because it makes us feel good (those endorphins, I tell ya) and more in control of our day/lives/food. And, people really want rules and quick, hard formulas because they're easier to follow.

What I'm learning, though, is that it's far from being about a formula and instead about learning to honor your body, seek exercise you love and practice moderation. This week, I'm loving the gym. But next week, when I'm on vacation with my family, I'm going to love walking on the beach and running with my siblings. I won't pick up a weight all week and I won't mind one bit.  

The truth is, our days aren't defined by our food or exercise or anything in between. And no matter if you skip a run or eat too many brownies, 

you are enough, exactly right now no matter your weight, size or eating habits.

Oh and also, regardless of your relationship status, friendships, wealth and job. 

Exactly today, right now.

life this week

I'm loving...

+ This version of Hillsong's Oceans that Melissa sent me. Amazing :) 

+ This website, which generates an answer to the world's greatest question: is it iced coffee weather? Answer: yes. Always

+ Account Killer, which allows you to kill social media accounts (not just log you out indefinitely). 

+ My lunches. I was once a girl who hated kale and sweet potatoes, but lately I've been loving the same salad ev.er.y.d.ay for lunch at my desk. It's that good! It's:

Kale

Parmesan cheese

Almonds

Sweet potato

Olive oil 

&Nutritional yeast

(and possibly another protein, like turkey, chicken or avocado. Depending on my hunger level)

+ This read. 9 Habits of People with a Healthy Relationship to Exercise,

+ Planning for the Fourth of July. Yes, already! I got Mel and I matching American Flag shorts. Even though we likely won't be spending it together this year, it felt like we needed to match from afar, nahmean?