Your Feelings Are Valid...

I was reading a post I made earlier in the year, (click here to read it) and it really resonated with how I was feeling in this moment. This year has taught me a lot of things about myself, boundaries, relationships, etc. I spent a good portion of this year traveling and discovering. I learned how to have adventures and sightsee by myself. There's still such a stigma with sitting in a restaurant alone and I've come to find, it's actually quite nice. It gives you a chance to observe what is going on around you, mindfully eat, get in tune with your body, etc. I accepted that in the past I had allowed others to drain my energy and I put these people before me and my well-being. That had to change. I couldn't grow as I needed to if I continued allowing this to go on.  I spent a lot of time on boundaries, which is something I've struggled with for a long time. How to make them stick.  An emotion easy for me to feel is sadness, but rarely anger. Growing up anger was something I witnessed and it was not something I seemed to ever emote. I met a lovely woman this year that taught me how to feel the emotion. She taught me not to be scared of it, and the process we went through was quite healing.  I'm proud of myself and love myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and reconnecting with my intuition. With all that said, we have less than two weeks of 2017 left. It’s a time to reflect, make resolutions, get stuff done, go, go, go...That’s usually me. But - not this year! I just want to sleep, sit in silence, watch YouTube videos on spirituality and movies from the 1950s, listen to music, drink smoothies, and spontaneously decide to do things, instead of planning ahead.  My head has been spinning the past few days. I’ve felt overwhelmed. As I’ve been feeling all of this, and acknowledging its presence, I’ve been in a state of grounding myself.  I have a long list of things I could be doing, “should” be doing, but something I’ve really been working on for the remainder of this year is putting myself first. Listening to what my body and soul need from me. I’m learning to say no. To respect myself enough to validate my own feelings.  I’m surrendering. I’m in a state of being. Going from moment to moment.  And you know what? That’s perfectly ok.  I am a being full of love and light. And as this year comes to a close, I’m going to honor all that I am, all that I’ve been, and all that I’m becoming.  My mantra this year was that I am enough. And I truly feel that way. I AM ENOUGH! Thank you to everyone who has helped shape my year and been a part of my journey thus far.

Thanksgiving Gratitude

With Thanksgiving being this week, I thought I would write a post on gratitude. 

During the holiday season, we usually feel closer to others. We celebrate the holidays by sharing a meal with family, we pick out presents for our friends, and we give back to our communities through donations and volunteering. 

My challenge to you before the end of 2015 is to enhance you attitude of gratitude. Let's not just be thankful on Thanksgiving and during the holidays, but each and every day. 

Gratitude is a two way street. Have you ever noticed that when you pay someone a compliment or do something nice for another person, that you feel good afterwards as well? 

Studies show that practicing gratitude daily makes us happier. It makes us more optimistic and improves our self esteem and well-being. Being grateful positively impacts the people around you and has the power to improve your own life. 

I'm planning on writing handwritten letters expressing my gratitude for the important people in my life and including the letter in their holiday cards I send out each year. 

Here are some interesting and thought provoking ways that you can show gratitude:

Smile at a stranger in passing. 

Speak kindly to yourself - Look in the mirror and give a compliment. 

Pay for the person's coffee who is in line behind you. 

Begin a gratitude journal- Each night, before you go to sleep, write down five things you are grateful for. 

Make eye contact- When interacting with someone, if you make eye contact, you'll show that you are present and paying attention. 

Volunteer your time- at a soup kitchen, nursing home, a veteran's hospital, library, etc.

Start your day happy- When you wake up, find something positive in your life that you are thankful for.

Embrace your mistakes- We are not perfect. Instead of criticizing, allow yourself to move on and grow from the experience. Ask yourself what wisdom you attained or the lesson you learned. 

Spend quality time with friends and family- Put down the electronics and be present to what's going on around you. 

Help the elderly- Offer to carry their groceries, shovel their driveway, invite them to join you for dinner, pump their gas, etc.

Give compliments to people you hardly know- such as your waiter or someone in the checkout line. And of course, compliment those you know too!

Give a belonging away- Have you ever been complimented on something you were wearing or had an item in your possession that someone admired? A piece of jewelry, a scarf, a writing utensil, etc? Next time that happens, consider giving the item away. It will make their day. Being selfless can enhance your well-being. 

Spend less time speaking negatively and gossiping. Instead, focus on sharing something positive. 

Make a donation- Help those in need or give to those who have made immense personal sacrifices to preserve our freedom. Some examples are: Toys For Tots, Salvation Army, Wounded Warrior Project, The Friendship Circle, a local food bank...The list is endless.

When you become stressed during your holiday dinner or when you're part of the chaos on Black Friday, remember this....Make the best of a "bad" situation. Make the conscious choice to live in gratitude! 

What are you thankful for today? Have you performed a random act of kindness yet this week?

Have a lovely holiday weekend!

XoxoTheZenFashionista

Yom Kippur - My New Year Resolutions

Today is Yom Kippur...also known as the day of atonement. It is considered the holiest day of the year in the Jewish religion. Personally, this is my favorite holiday. It's a day of spiritual cleansing and one I use to reflect on the past year.  I choose to let go of what is not serving me, make amends to those I may have wronged and set goals to become who I strive to be in the upcoming year. I am so grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had in the last year and to the people who have enriched my life. 

Each Yom Kippur, I make resolutions for the new year. Here are some of them...

In the year 5776, I will....

Continue to step out of my comfort zone and try new things 

Drink more water and listen to my body's needs. 

Take moments to breathe and observe myself and the world around me 

Remove toxicity from my life 

Develop better sleeping habits 

Journal at least once a week - I want to be able to look back on my experiences 

Continue to delve into my creative side. Keep practicing my drawing. Fill up at least one sketchbook. 

Go to temple services more regularly 

Start taking a yoga class or join a gym

In the coming year, I strive to honor and love myself and live my life with intention. To be mindful, remember how blessed I am and to radiate love and positivity. 

I pray for peace and compassion as we move forward...

Gmar Chatimah Tova! May you be inscribed in the book of life. ❤️

Happy Fall...What are you most looking forward to in the next few months?

Until next time...Xoxo TheZenFashionista