currently...

Reading: The Cuckoo's Calling and Free Fall to Fly. I always think I don't like to read two books at once, but then I always do it. Maybe it's kind of my jam?

Thinking: A lot about urban farming. It consumes my computer time when I'm not at work. I'm ob.sess.ed. with it. Any urban farmers out there reading? I'd love to hear about how you got into it. 

Listening: To my cousin's playlist, which includes one of my current faves - The Barr Brothers. I emailed her yesterday desperate for new tunes - I'm so tired of my same old Spotify playlists. Do you ever get claustrophobic when you listen to the same stuff over and over? Sometimes it makes me feel panicked: must.change.song.now! 

Watching: Not too great at this one, but working my way through Parenthood. I'm not caught up so don't tell me anything. I sort of love it because it's so real and I sort of hate it because it's so real. It's a little hard for me to watch, but it's also beautiful. 

Planning: For a lot right now. Spring travel with Chris (so many weddings this year!), how to launch my life coaching practice (wahoo!), a new philanthropic endeavor (more to come, here!) and a few other irons in the fire. I love planning and I love having exciting things on the horizon.

Loving: This year. Is it too soon to say 2015 is a great year? Yes. It's too soon. So how about: this month. January isn't normally my favorite, but this month has been a happy one. Sometimes I want life to slow down because this season is so sweet and then sometimes I just want to speed up because I can't wait to see what's in store. 

What are you currently up to? Tell me below!

This post was inspired by Sometimes Sweet's "Currently" post. if you liked it, read hers and link to all of the others in the comments. 

life lately: the good stuff

I've been back and forth between the Midwest and Atlanta for work lately and I keep finding myself stumbling upon some really great things. I thought I'd share a little bit of the good stuff from life lately. Because who doesn't like getting in on the good stuff?

In Atlanta 

Friending: A new Thursday tradition - weekly dinners with our crew that goes to church together on Sundays. We BYOD and meet upstairs at my brothers house. It's a great, free way to get together. And something to look forward to each week! 

Moving: Fast Twitch at the Forum. An insanely hard class and an awesome way to start my Saturday. You will be sore :)

Outsiding: I started volunteering at Truly Living Well gardens on Sundays after church. It's a great way to feel one with the earth, give back to Atlanta and chat with friends. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't therapeutic. 

Wearing: Newton running shoes from Highland Runners. They make me feel like I have tiny trampolines on my feet!

Brunching: At Sun in My Belly with friends. I hadn't eaten there in a few months and man, I forgot how good that place is. Sunny happiness! 

In Chicago

Eating: At Protein Bar as many times as my schedule allowed. I love this place and just wish so badly they'd come to Atlanta. Who else would sign my petition? #WrigleyPeeledSmoothieOMG

Moving: At my girl Sara's spin class at Go Cycle Studios and Katie's yoga class at Core Power Yoga. I feel so proud of my BFFs for both instructing classes! 

Replenishing: With smoothies from Peeled Juice Bar. I tried one with nut butter, banana and oatmeal. It was so money. 

In Indiana

Eating: Dinner with my parents. Fresh broccoli, sourdough bread and steak wrapped in bacon. Nope, I don't normally eat this well. Yep, I loved it!

Snacking (is that the same as eating?): Bare Fruit cinnamon apple chips from Bloomingfoods. Crunchy, sweet and tasty for an afternoon snack.

Sipping: A mint almond milk latte from the Runcible Spoon. Heck. Yes. 

In the sky:

Eating: Perfect Bars for the perfect breakfast on the go. I love these things so much. 

Reading: "Popular" by Tindell Baldwin. It's written for high school girls and is a really beautiful story of redemption. It's great if you have daughters and don't know how to approach the high school years (I would guess!).

Happy Friday!

{decisions}

Over the last few years, I've poured a lot of love into this blog and it's grown in a really cool way. My favorite emails to get are from readers asking about how to overcome heartbreak, navigate your 20s and figure out who you are. I love reading them and being reminded that we're really not all that different and we can make this world better by supporting one another wholly and fully. I love sipping my coffee and replying - envisioning you doing the same as you write me - more like friends over coffee than strangers over the internet.

Ever since I got back from Africa, I've had a stirring inside me constantly reminding me that I want more. In a completely honest moment, I'll admit I've found myself jealous of my friends who are content with desk jobs. I wish I could be satisfied by life at a desk, because there are a lot of jobs and a pretty secure path when you want to sit at a desk.

But, I am not one of those people. I need to connect with other humans a lot. I'm an ENFJ and my E shines through like a lighthouse in a storm - it guides me to exactly where I need to go and is impossible to ignore. 

I've spent the last year soul searching - trying to figure out how I can satisfy this part of my heart and still stay in my desk job. Because I love my job and coworkers and I like to think that you can have a little bit of everything if you're willing to move around enough puzzle pieces. 

I care a lot about women who are struggling in seasons of life - with balance, body image, relationships and finding joy. I also care a lot about healthy eating, Jesus and finding our places in this world. After a ton of prayer and counsel from friends and family, I've decided that the best way to pursue these things right now is to obtain a certification in life coaching. 

I started my first course with Coach Approach Ministries last week and am already so excited. I'm learning a lot and already feel lit up by the knowledge. I cannot wait to continue through more courses this year. 

So what does this mean for my blog? Not much will change right now. I hope the knowledge I gain will propel my blog for the better and will help me to connect with people better. Eventually, I will offer one-on-one coaching and possibly group sessions. 

I just keep thinking about Isaiah 55:12, "For you will go out in joy and be led forth in peace..." Because this decision was made in joy - it is something I really want to do and am excited about, but I was anxious about choosing the right next step. The minute I enrolled, though, I was filed with peace. So often the things we want to do - our passions and the things that light us up - are the things we are meant to do. We were created intentionally and our desires mean something. 

So today I present to you, with joy, the next step of my journey :)

tips for falling asleep easily

I'm typically a pretty bad sleeper (see Thursday's post) but lately I've been sleeping like a champ. A few weeks ago, I took the GRE, had a big deadline and had a lot of changes at work. And I still fell asleep easily each night!

I'd like to tell you that I finally listened to what every sleep study says to do and I no longer take my phone with me to bed. But that would be a lie. I'm not that self-actalized yet. :) 

I know a lot of other people struggle to fall asleep, too, especially during times of stress. I'm so happy with how I've been sleeping that I thought I'd share my tips. Here's how I cleaned up my sleep hygiene: 

1. I diffuse lavender into the air. I use doterra's version and usually diffuse it for about 30 minutes while I wind down. It smells amazing and has helped me to calm down naturally. 

2. I do bedtime yoga. I started Yoga with Adriene (doing the 30-day challenge) and have been doing it every night before bed. It's not sweaty yoga - it's totally relaxing. Each time I start, my mind is racing with everything I need to do and I question whether or not I should be wasting time on it. But by the time it's over, I'm relaxed and my mind is so much readier to sleep. I like to turn down the lights, diffuse the lavender and light a candle while I do it. Sounds zenny, right?

3. I make sure everything is in its place. If things are out of order in my room when I try to go to bed, my brain feels out of order, too. Putting everything in its place, including setting out my outfit and bags for the next day, helps me to fall asleep with a clear mind. 

4. I read or journal. Even if it's just for five minutes. 

5. I interact with hot water. This isn't weird, I promise :) I either take a hot shower or wash my face with warm water. I also like to drink a hot drink - lately I've been loving Sunshine in a Cup. In the morning cold water helps me wake up and at night the warm water helps me to calm down.

Happy ZZZs!