Romanticize Your Life

Have you heard the phrase "Romanticize Your Life?" It's a lifestyle aesthetic some people are embracing during the pandemic that has been popular for 10+ years. The focus is on a more rural (cottagecore) type of slow living, full of natural linens and creating meaningful days. Sometimes it embraces a more European lifestyle and temperament. There are youtubers with beautiful videos capturing it. I'll link them below. 

Similar to having "main character energy" in your own life story, this concept encourages people to view their life as special and live it richly by doing things that spark magical moments.

It's an avenue to make sure you are living every day of your life!

And when you mix them in a bowl of your day-to-day tasks, you get this plentiful, calmer day to notice the little moments and gain gratitude. I have some ideas for both women and men on ways you could romanticize your life today!

• arrange fresh flowers in a vase for your home or office
• eat your meal on fine china or by candlelight (yesterday I ate my poptart on a small, elegant plate I had thrifted...why eat it out of the foil bag?? :) 
• take a few minutes out in nature. go barefoot, if possible
• buy a luxurious scent for your body and don't rush when applying it
• simplify the area immediately around you
• disconnect from technology and breath in a quiet moment
• buy or pick some fruit and take 5 minutes to savor it
• light a candle, buy a glowing salt rock
• dine at the table instead of on your couch
• walk slower
• grab a camera and find something beautiful to capture. frame your work
• treat yourself to coffee at a quaint shop/or buy a smoothy and sip it under a shade tree
• if you have a pet relaxing on the floor, join them sometimes and cuddle
• wear silky PJs or a robe
• bake something from scratch, wrap it up pretty and gift it to a family member or close neighbor
• create a playlist of soft music that makes you peaceful or upbeat tunes to pump you up - just be intentional in the soundtrack of your life
• it's not all about purchases. lean into your gratitude and spend a minute being thankful for the people in your life or the items you have
• by hand, write out bucket list for the upcoming season and post it somewhere
• smell the roses, place your hand on the bark of a tree, stop to feel the sun on your face for a few seconds
• write a letter to someone you love or make a craft for them
• ask your loved ones for more hugs and linger in the embrace
• take your shaving routine slower
• widdle something for your sweetheart, or a child
• plant a small container garden
• wear clothes that make you feel amazing
• linger in a long shower 
• find the softest rug you can and put it outside your shower or bath. when you step out notice how wonderful it feels 

These are just a few small ideas. If you think of more please share them!

Youtubers: 
The Cottage Fairy
Simple Joys

Snow Journal - https://youtube.com/c/snow_journal

Covered an old hand-me-down book for my daughter

Enjoying a sweet moment with Queso boy relaxing

Ideas to Celebrate Memorial Day

Quote shared by a veteran at church a few years ago

Memorial Day is a special day to remember the freedom we have as Americans and to honor the lives of those who fought and died so that we could have it. Below are some quick ideas of ways to celebrate this special holiday.


1. Use shoe polish to write a message of thanks on your car window. Sometimes I place a sign on the back window behind the driver's seat. Some message ideas include:

• Remembering America's Heroes
• Honoring All Who Served
• Land of the Free Because of the Brave
  
  

2. Observe the National Moment of Remembrance. The Moment occurs on Memorial Day, 3 PM, local time, for 1 minute.

3. If taking place this year, support your local Memorial Day parade or community event.

4. Place an American flag outside of your home. I have a neighbor who lines their yard with little American flags every year. (if you have a flag pole, experts say it should fly at half-staff until noon)

5. If available, decorate your home or outdoor family party with the poppy flowers. Click HERE for background on this flower of remembrance

6. Get involved with an organization that encourages soldiers or veterans. Some examples are: Soldiers' Angels, A Million Thanks, Operation Gratitude or AnySoldier. The link above takes you to verified organizations through the US Department of Defense.

7. Do patriotic crafts with your family. Check out this cool site, My Blessed Life, for ideas or my link with a craft idea for your front door. 

8. Many picnic or grill out at home or in a park. Celebrate with reunion of family and friends to enjoy the freedom that so many have fought and died to give us.

9. Contact a local nursing home and see if you can join their Memorial Day celebration and encourage possible veteran residents & their family. 

10. If you live in the "Big City" then take a road trip to a neighboring small town to see what kind of festivities they are doing and explored a new place.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Widen Your Circle

Sculptures: Sea glass, stone & drift wood 

Ponder this.

Most of the people in your life are probably NOT on the farthest extreme of their beliefs, political or other.

I was looking at those I love in my life, both friends and family, and the fact is they are all fairly middle of the road. I find it to be a waste of time discussing the politicians we support or despise. What really matters are the ideas and values we carry but most importantly, what we do in our individual lives to make change for the better.

Most conservatives I know have faith, love their families and their community. Most liberals I know have faith, love their families and their community. Society, in my personal opinion, has become too enamored with labels and this is to our cost. You are too complex a human to have a label define you completely and when you use a label to define others you minimize them too.

The relationship with the love of my life is a fantastic example of why labels do not work. My fella and I could stand toe-to-toe opposite each other politically. (and we have) But neither of us wear rose colored glasses about the government or the fact that both sides have very rich and corrupt people. We are able to stand side-by-side together in our relationship because we trust each others heart. Our core values match and our ethics are completely on the same page. We love each other and see each other as SO much more than our political labels.

I wrote all the above with this hope: That you'll stop labeling so many people as "enemy" or wrong. And most of all, that you'll stop making a judgement about others based solely on labels. Honestly, I'm guilty this and am working to change.

Now is the perfect time to Love wide, Pray wide, and Widen your circle.

As the short poem goes:

"He drew a circle that shut me out

- Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.

But love and I had the wit to win:

We drew a circle and took him In!"

-Edwin Markham