Current habits

A friend forwarded me an article from Relevant just prior to my twenty-fifth birthday on 15 Things to Start Doing by the Time You're 30 and I've recently returned to it because I think it's such a great list. I really do believe in the importance and value of all 15 habits listed and I plan to work on all of them.

Today I thought I would share a few of the habits I've specifically been working on lately:

• Waking up earlier than you have to. Whether it's to get a morning work out in, spend some time reading my bible, or just taking the time to enjoy my coffee out on the balcony, I've grown to appreciate that extra time in the morning as a necessary way for me to start my day with a clear head and refreshed spirit. Because if I'm being honest with myself, I am never at my best until at least two hours after I wake up. Life is waking up an hour early to live an hour more.

• Actually caring about what you eat. I remember more than one night back in university when I ordered a medium panago pizza and polished it off that same night, without feeling awful. {Of course, I also remember having little confidence in my body and piling on unnecessary layers to try to cover it up.} I definitely am not capable of doing that anymore without feeling ill the entire next day and certainly notice how my energy levels are positively impacted when I make good food choices. Mostly I've realized that I'm the only one who can truly care about what I put into my body, and so it's up to me to make my food choices healthy ones.

• Making margin in your life. This one is huge. I've always been the type of person who liked loved being busy, but since graduating from university I've come to learn the value of evenings or weekends without any commitments. I think 20-year-old Karla would think "what a waste of time" but having "time to waste" by reading, going for a walk, or just sitting out on the balcony and thinking can feel such a luxury these days. So I try to be intentional when planning out my week and allowing for that time in my schedule because I know how thankful I'll be to have it.

• Actively combatting spiritual complacency. Because I'm the only one who can do this for myself. Yes, I can surround myself with mentors and go to church on Sundays, but unless I invest in my own forward movement I will continue to stay where I am. Maintaining habits of reflection and reading each day - and genuinely looking forward to that time - helps me do this.

• Being content with the life you have {while still trying to accomplish your dreams}. I think more than anything, this one sparked a little bit of an epiphany for me simply in the way it was written. I think we so often get caught up in the "I'll be happy when..." that we forget to enjoy each day. I know that I will always have goals and dreams that will motivate me to continue moving forward, but it's just as important to be present in those in-between moments as your dreams are being built.

Mr. Twain said it best.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the 

things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore.  Dream.  Discover.

~ Mark Twain

Motivation

{Please excuse my ghostly white legs...}

On April 28th, I will be running my first 10k. 

And I'm kind of paralyzed with both terror and excitement.

I used to run in high school, once or twice a week on my own, with no real, long-term goal in mind. I was pretty active during that time in my life, so my motivation wasn't fitness as much as it was just an opportunity to take a mental break for forty-five minutes. When I went to university, I got busy with other things and taking myself out for a run was no longer a priority in any sense of the word. I think I may have gone out for no more than five runs over those four hectic years. 

This January, I finally decided to start running again and I thought that perhaps joining a running group might be a good motivator for me. The thought process being that if I was paying for it and it was in my calendar as a set time each week, I would do it. So I started searching for running groups but quickly found that they were either too far away for me to attend while on-call for work, or they were focused on training for a particular race. I was a little discouraged because I didn't think I was ready or interested in training for a specific goal - all I wanted was a way to keep me accountable to run once a week! But after some consideration, I decided that I would join a training group and just not run the race.

Day one of training came and I realized that there was no reason for me not to complete the 10k and that training for a specific goal, with a group of other people doing the same thing, would only create even more motivation. It was silly for me to train and not do it when I would be completely capable of doing so.

So I'm running a 10k one month from today.

I'm on track to complete the race in under 75 minutes, which was what I had tentatively set out for myself back in January, and I have to say, that feels really good. I still find that there are days when I don't want to make myself go out in the wind and cold and rain and do my individual 'homework' runs, but I know that I won't regret going - I only ever regret not going. So I put on my running gear, lace up my shoes, and force myself out that door. And I'm always proud when I do.

Just a Sunny Sunday Afternoon

Be in love with your life. Every minute of it.

~ jack karouac

In case you were wondering, that cute little hedgehog salt & pepper shaker is named "Piccadilly"

Because Monday is a great day for a Pep Talk.

I came across this link on Twitter on Friday and haven't been able to stop thinking about/watching it all weekend. I hope it helps to get your week off to a fantastic start! 

Just remember: We're all on the same team, so let's start acting like it.

He's the best. And not just because he references Space Jam and "some dude named Journey."

I'm a little behind on the times...

... because I only just discovered this song. 

But, I tell ya, it's really great for having solo dance parties in your living room.

Now Playing

Happy March First!

Here's hoping that Spring makes a quick and beautiful entrance!

via, via

A few words of wisdom, via pinterest

I've been pinterested for about five months now and have slowly accumulated and dedicated one of my boards to inspirational quotes and photos. I thought I would share some of my favorites here, since everyone could use a little inspiration once in a while.

I also have boards dedicated to style, home decor, parties, food, and a few other themes - check me out!

Ours

I've been watching this on repeat for the past few days. I love how anti-glamorous but beautiful it is.

Remember to Smile

from here.

Musical Interlude

I realize that it is December, and that I should be posting a holiday song right now, but I'm not. This song has been played too many times over the past few weeks for me not to share.

I did find this music video rather heartbreaking, however, so let this be your forewarning.

The best season

from here.

Welcome to the Weekend

Disco Vase by Sania Pell

Check out The Glitter Guide's 5 Things To Try This Weekend.

What I Wore Book Giveaway!

Although I'm Canadian, and am therefore not eligible for this myself, I love Jessica Quirk's blog What I Wore. It was the first style blog I ever followed and almost two and a half years later, I still check her site religiously. Jessica's first book comes out in two weeks and she is putting on a contest for her readers. Check it out:

Reblogged: whatiwore

WhatIWore: With just two weeks until the What I Wore book hits shelves, I’m reaching out to you to help me spread the word.

I’ll be giving away 10 signed copies of What I Wore: Four Seasons, One Closet, Endless Recipes for Personal Style plus a personalized illustration (of you!) to one extra special reader! 

Dreams

 {from here}

A little inspiration

So. We're about to get personal.
Well. Not really. But we will be discussing my bathroom for a moment.
You see, my bathroom is amazing. I love it. I love how I've styled it and how pretty it is. Or at least how pretty it is for a bathroom.
There are many reasons why I love my bathroom, but the main reason would have to be the words I read every morning and every evening while brushing my teeth. {because dental hygiene is very important people}
I read words that inspire me to try harder, do better, and live a fuller life without regret. I have them almost totally memorized.
These words were first published in the Chicago Tribune by Mary Schmich on June 1, 1997. These words have since been popularly spoken at commencement ceremonies and has been commonly dubbed, "The Sunscreen Song."

Here is a video rendition of the words that get me up in the morning and put be to bed every evening.

sometimes you're ahead 

sometimes you're behind. 

The race is long 

and in the end, it's only with yourself.

a calming melody...

Burning beacon in the night  

Can't feel its heat, or see its light 

That single solitary guide, it must get lonely there sometimes

Feel Good Tunes

"We get to that bridge and we've already crossed it, married and divorced it ba-da-di-dadada..."

I cannot get over this song...

   That is all.