Be Lovely

It's that time of year again when we prepare to usher in another year with hope in our hearts and reflect on the precious moments the year brought with it and possibly...our disappointments.

Reflection is such an important thing to do to aid in one's wellness and self-awareness, I believe. It doesn't always have to mean acknowledging the things we disliked about how we spent our time or things we failed to do, it could also mean appreciating what good has come and the many accomplishments we've succeeded with.

Personally, I'm thankful to have reconnected with an old best friend who is now my boyfriend!
Sure, it was a difficult year getting over some hurt I experienced and forging through school though I failed. But it's important to acknowledge the non-material, personal, successes in that experience--strength and determination. It can be so easy to give up, not love ourselves, and submit to loneliness, isolation, depression, self-loathing, but you didn't--you chose to take at least one little step in the right direction. You claimed the ground you stood on and said, "I deserve to be here and I will be happy somehow."

I've acknowledged that I have problems I need assistance with. I'm proud to say I have a skin-picking disorder, not saying it as a good thing to have but being accountable for it. Once you identify the issue, you can take accountability and change it. The darkness in you may discourage you and say, "this problem is so big, it won't go away" but that's when patience becomes important because big changes can't be made overnight.

Think of all the tough times you've had throughout this year, but this time focus on how you coped, managed, pushed through it. That is you; not the struggle. You're the fight in all those moments, not the mistake, drawback, or failure.

So don't put 2017 on a pedestal. The year doesn't just change you--aside from maybe a few more wrinkles or white hairs--YOU have to decide to change you.

My resolutions are broad because I believe they're more realistic and manageable this way.

My New Year's Resolutions:

1. Be happy
2. Get healthy - exercise, reach healthy weight, healthy diet
3. Better Organization
4. Better grades and work ethic
5. Budget and save money
6. Sing more
7. Love myself more
8. Spend more time with family
9. Write more for fun
10. Be kind

I hope these inspire you to plan or make good intentions for the new year.

Hi my dear friends!
I started this blog to solidify the discussions I've made on Periscope, and speak about topics that come to mind when I am unable to be on screen. I've made a blog before with my writing and I formatted it almost like a diary, so I may integrate that style into some of my posts.

I would like to take a moment to thank those of you have been so responsive, kind, and enthusiastic during my scopes and on twitter, I truly feel connected to you guys! Thank you for all of the follows, it is so nice to feel a part of a community where we can communicate from miles away.

Also, I'm sorry that I haven't been on Periscope as routinely as I was before. I've been feeling very lethargic and I think it's seasonal affect disorder. I tend to shut down once my responsibilities at school pile up but I know I'll pull through. To those of you struggling at this time, I believe you'll get through it!

Despite these small setbacks, I'm so excited for Christmas and look forward to baking and decorating the house with my family as per tradition.

After my exams are completed I plan on starting my Youtube channel! It's ready and waiting actually, I just have to film and edit videos. Any suggestions? Please tweet or comment below if you have any requests!

I will be back and scoping soon, I promise!

Sending you love & light every day 💖

--Natalie