Retrying Old Projects

So I started knitting again....

Wow, what a sad, sad way to begin any post. But it's entirely way too true. I've got proof. The whole point is how I felt - it's accomplishing! And oddly, relaxing.

Hand-knitted headbands and a monogrammed embroidered one

There will be a personal realization at the end of this - I promise.

After being sick for a few days already, all I wanted to do after work on a -11 degree day was get into PJ's and watch Despicable Me 2 in bed. I did that AND managed to be productive, depending on what one considers productive. I knitted two headbands. My first one had turned out a little weird as I experimented with different kitting techniques, and most likely will be redoing it, but no matter because I found it relaxing. It was the most productive, yet unproductive feeling ever. I am obsessed with monograms, so for the second, much better knitted headband, I wanted to monogram with my boyfriend's first initial. Neither he nor I really liked it, so I will be taking that out and redoing that, as well ...another shot at my productive/unproductive feeling.

After finishing the two headbands during the 1.5 hour movie in bed, I couldn't help but feel accomplished and take photos to share with everyone on social media "like how awesome at knitting" I was for a 23-year old. Omygosh, I see my downward spiral into the comfortable homebody that I never was or wanted to be...

#selfie

"Look at me! I knit in bed on Tuesday nights!"

I learned how to knit when I was 14 from my grandmother (who makes the bombest sweaters btw) and made a scarf for an ex when I was 19. I had left my knitting supplies at home, and over this Christmas season at my parents' home, I found them and decided to bring the supplies back to Pitt with me. It's incredible how quickly I remember to cast on, purl, and cast off. It must've been already ingrained in my fingers and that subconscious memory is a pretty cool feeling - like when you remember the lyrics to some random contemporary song from the mid-90's. 

I'm just happy that I've completed a project, in all honesty. If I can be 23 and make awesome accessories with my old-new-found skill, then I've just got one more thing under my belt and can move on to another project in life...like consistently updating this or this blog.

I hope you all just try out that new hobby you've been meaning to pick up. Complete a project with it, and go from there to see whether or not you actually found it to be a good addition to your life.

The Big Picture

I suppose I've made it my mission not only to inspire others but to acheive every goal I've set for myself - one of which had me thinking after 6a hot yoga class with my favorite yogi teacher (he gave me a free class this morning weeee, extra smiles!)

My goal is to be happy, maintain positivity, and just be appreciative of what I've got. The more I think about that goal, the more I realize life can be made up of a million little happy things and a few sad, tragic, stupid big moments. I had a little happy moment this morning as I was walking to my car this am - I experienced a death by happiness when I realized how phenomenal the weather was being lately especially at the 5:45 darkness of morning. If only that could last longer than the 2 minutes that I did get, but it was those 2 minutes that really pumped me up for my 16 hour Tuesday. I was in 110% mode of happiness. 

I know everyone says "it's the little things in life" but truly, it is! Appreciate the little bouts of happiness, string them together and all of the bad moments will be overpowered. Get your favorite latte, listen to an upbeat song, do some work that you must do, talk to someone you like...putting all three of those happy experiences into one day will feel like the best day ever! (even though you still had to do work) Take things in life on a micro level, then step back to really feel it on a macro level. Try it out and let me know how it works out for you. 

Peace, love, & happiness everyone. Happy Tuesday!

Work hard, play harder

As I begin this journey into the post-grad life, I realize more and more how thankful I am to have a full-time job where I make just enough to pay my own bills and still keep some dough on the side for my entertainment, particularly for weekend brunch & shopping. Yes, I am working those 40 hours a week plus I have two part time gigs on weekends, but that only reinforces the fact that when I can work this hard, I can play harder when I decide it's time to let loose. I've still got a phenomenal work-life balance & still have this fantastic feeling inside of me. I'm excited to go to work because it means I worked hard to get to this next level in life. 

A lot of people want it easy, but that's no fun. When I dropped $100 on a pair of jeans 2 weeks ago, did I feel guilty? Not at all. I felt proud because it was all my money. Not from Ma & Dad and out of their weekly budget for me. Have I worn those jeans yet? Not even close. Still folded in the pretty little bag they were wrapped in. 

Happy Thursday!!

When you just gotta lay back & breath it out

After feeling stressed, it's nice to have the few luxuries of spending time with the people that mean the most to you, relaxing outdoors, and some free time to breath in the fresh air and blow it out with all the insecurities of the recent times. It's hard not getting into a rut where you lose motivation & feel unsatisfied with recent events, but the key is to breathe through it. You're still living and gotta do what ya gotta do. I can't stress enough that each experience is a learning one. (Although, I feel like my hangovers never seem to get any less tougher to get over.) There's a reason for everything!! I truly believe it.

Personally, I'm so lucky to have so much and to have the greatest people surround me. They're my motivators & supporters. So when I'm feeling down, I know they're there to help. So my quotes of motivation are "with no expectations, there are no disappointments" and the following picture...

Enjoy the rest of the weekend! 

Peace, love, & happiness