Month in Photos: September

It's that time again. 

Here are some of my favourite photos from the month of September (be warned I went on a little trip so I have an unusually high number of favourites).

Not Your Typical First Date

Let's get to know one another.

One of my favourite things is lists. I love lists. So I made a few for you so that we can know all of the important details about each other. 

I can't help it. I like a lot of things

• Typography (It just looks so good)
• Poetry (I am hugely impacted by various written and spoken poetry - shout out to Lang Leav who somehow understands all of my emotions)
• Music (I don't just listen to music, I listen to music. Every aspect of it is important to me. I think I could actually go on for hours about this... Let's not get off topic)
• Photography (I love to take photos of everything... Actually everything)
• Art (It has such a special place in my heart, I would prefer to go to an art gallery over almost any other place)
• Books (I don't think that 'bookworm' really encompasses how much I love to read. One of my life goals is to have a library in my home...)
• Writing little love notes (I do my best to surround myself with people I can't imagine life without. People who challenge me to do more, see more, be more and I like to let them know how much of an impact they make)
• Tea (I drink tea everyday. Not joking. Not even a little bit)
• Mugs (How could I forget mugs?! I have such a large collection... One day I'll show you)
• Cooking (I'm trying to learn how to cook. I'm good at about three things as of right now)
• Yoga
• Travelling

Don't worry, this isn't the end. Before I hopped over here, I made a few (four, I made four) lists of some of my favourite things. Am I the only one singing a little Sound of Music right now? They are just some different things like movies, music, books, the usual. 

Lets compare? Fill me in on some of your favourites because I'm nosy like that.

Love always, 

Laura

Help, I'm Stuck

This past year has been one of many changes.

From people to school and back again. I learnt the true colours of certain people that I cared about. Others that I love took massive steps towards their goals (which lead them geographically away from me). On top of that learning to navigate the transition from student to graduate (and unemployed at that) was really difficult. I set out to find myself a career in my field and much to my dismay, I couldn't. I networked, applied to every opening, put myself out there in every professional manner I came across but nothing was working. I made the decision to head back into what I done to support myself throughout school, serve. 

I had promised myself that I wasn't going to go back into the restaurant/golf course industry because it was just too hard on my body and I was ended up back tracking into some not so great habits. Soon I found my self right back in that place I was at 19 - stressed and feeling stuck.

Over the last month, I made it my mission to get 'unstuck'. My job had begun to take up so much of my time that I didn't have a spare moment to do anything for me. I stopped networking, stopped looking for volunteer opportunities, stopping blogging, basically stopped everything. I took a step back and said to myself, I can't keep doing this, I am not happy. 

So here is what I did:

- signed up for a french course

- went on a little trip to beautiful British Columbia

- started looking at different opportunities within my desired field

- bought some new books (and colouring books)

I really needed to find a way to keep moving forward while still succeeding in a job that allowed me to get by financially and save up the money I needed to get myself to where I want to be. 

Each and every day I try to set aside a little time for myself and it was exactly what I needed to get myself back up and moving towards what I want for my future. 

Always remember that you are in charge of where you end up. Every day you choose your path so try your darnedest to make one step closer to what makes you happiest. 

Love always, 

Laura

Month in Photos: August

One of my favourite ways to look back on all of the things that I have gotten up to lately, is to put all of the photos from each month together. I have a bit of a photo organization obsession so this process is something I really enjoy. 

Here are some of my favourite photos from August!

A Little About Why I'm Here

I'm going to do a little repost here, forgive me. 

For #BellLetsTalk this year, I shared a little of my story, some of the inspiration behind why this space is so important to me, and also why the theme of positivity plus the creation of a safe space is so important to me. 

For a little behind the scene peek into my life, here we go:

I figured this post was fitting as today is #BellLetsTalk.

I want to share my motivations behind starting a blog that focuses on all things positive. I would like to think that I have a relatively unique outlook on the importance of positivity, self-love, and being kind to yourself and others.

The day that I finally realized that I was actually sick went a little like this - I was walking to my car one morning and I suddenly couldn't see. My legs stopped working and I could no longer stand or walk. I lost consciousness. The scariest part was that I was alone. Seconds later, when I woke up, I had to to pick myself up and figure out how make it back into my house. I was scared. Something like that had never really happened before. I had, had moments of faintness when I stood to fast or when I exerted too much energy but for once I couldn't explain this away.

For as long as I can remember, I have had a hard time with food. My parents would worry that I wasn't eating or not eating nearly enough and I always had an explanation at the ready. I could always find ways to skirt their concerns. But things got worse when my parents split up in the sixth grade. I couldn't escape the arguing and I didn't know where or who to turn to for help.

It turns out I made myself my own enemy. I craved acceptance and control. I didn't know how to love myself or feel comfortable in my own skin. When my world felt the most out of control, it felt like I couldn't breath, and I had closed myself off so fiercely that I felt like I had no right to ask or even need help.

Years later and I now I know hope to cope. 

I learned that I have an anxiety disorder and anorexia. I spent close to two years in an outpatient treatment program, where I learnt coping skills, how to accept and love myself, and how to deal with my anxiety. A person cannot survive if they are starving themselves nor should anyone feel like they have to or they should be able to. Your body is one of life's greatest gifts that deserves to be nourished and loved. You deserve to be nourished and loved. You are loved.

I still have good days and bad days but overall I spend more days feeling comfortable in my own skin. I'm learning how to be okay with not being able to please everyone and to put myself first.

In my life, it is incredibly important to foster an environment of positivity, self-love, a feeling of safety, and to stand up for myself and my needs. I take my health and my happiness seriously.

Currently, I am not always having good days. But I am able now to wake up and remind myself that today is a new day, a good day, and I have the ability to try and adjust my outlook every morning towards the positive. 

I went through some ups and downs this year but this space has always been there for me to look back on or to create within and I am so thankful for it. Having a place that is safe, a place without self doubt, a place that is me down to my core, is a safe haven. 

Thank you for sharing this safe haven with me.

Love always, 
Laura

A New Beginning

Welcome back!

I take it you've realized that I've moved to a cozy new online home...

Take note of this adorable new url because it is here to stay for the foreseeable future (and plus I love it).

For some time I have been thinking about moving to a platform that allowed me a little more freedom. I know that it is going to take some time to get used to the new look, now location, and you might even have to make a new bookmark *gasp* BUT I am hoping that this change will give this space the update it needed and the new start I've been trying to find for myself and my blog.

I am going to repost some of the content from the old blog just to fill in anyone new (welcome, I'm so glad you stopped by) and to bring some of my favourite posts back to life. 

Let's start unpacking the boxes and making ourselves at home shall we?

Love always, 

Laura