"Let's be intentional and unapologetic with our lives.”

I first heard Kelly Jensen say that a few years ago and it has stuck with my ever since. I loved the sound of it. The idea of it... but I wasn’t quite ready to own it...

Then, I turned 30.

There was a shift.

The shift had been a long time coming, in the making kinda thing, and it seemed like the ultimate start to embrace life with intention and unapologetic ways.

I kid you not, it’s a constant work in progress, but I find myself proud and amazed at the continuing-to-add-up ways of how I am just doing my thing these past few months.

I am embracing and accepting of my true wants and needs!

I am intentional with my choices!

I am unapologetically ME!

I used to have to explain evvvverything. And maybe this is the most difficult thing to kick... but I really am getting better!

Explaining (my thoughts/actions/choices/etc) looks like justifying, overthinking, people pleasing, safe guarding, attempting to include... the list goes on... do you get the idea? (Do YOU do this, too?)

I always thought explaining “helped” me. Like maybe it helped others understand my way of thinking better... because apparently the way I think/act/make decisions sometimes is “different” than most people...

Um, excuse me? Hold up! “Different?”

YES!

...because we’re all human!

We’re all designed to be different and that's OKAY!

And hello! We aren’t all explainers and we don’t all need explanations... (so is this necessary?)

We really just need to be unapologetically ourselves and be intentional with our lives!!!

When you’re “different” - own it!
When you’re “different” - have empathy!
When you’re “different” - shine your light!

I sort of think the magic happens when we embrace our differences and make space for connections in the ways we are the same!

And that’s exactly what I’ve been striving for lately... I’m finally plugging back in feeling like I want to write more. I’m getting clear on what to share and have been working hard behind the scenes to bring my ideas to life!

Check out the new desktop look and new pages like ‘best of the blog.’

To sum things up here’s a throwback to my insta post the day after my birthday, in March...

​Happy New Year!

...Happy February!

New year's goals are kind of my jam... actually I always sort of liked September ('new school year') goals, but over the last couple years I have had my intentions ready and written for the year ahead January 1st.

And then this year happened...
My intentions were not ready.
My intentions did not get written.

Well, I did write them down... gradually... through the month in scattered notes... but not all in one place, looking pretty like I usually do after I've already written and edited them for the second or third time.

This year was a slower start for me. Hard to believe really! I didn't and don't even feel the desire to publish my goals over the internet or social media. I just kept my list quiet and growing as ideas popped in to my head.

Truthfully, much of my list hasn't changed from last year. But my vibe towards my goals has changed. Last year, this time, I was so (literally) full of new life! I had this big ready-to-make-things-happen energy surrounding my goals that I just don't have this year.

Honestly, it's helped me weed out what I don't want and get clear on what I do, going forward. I'm feeling really peaceful and accepting of my conclusion to change my mind about some things I used to want to do because I simply don't want to do them anymore.

And even though I don't feel that same overall motivation, that clarity has been everything! It's the clarity rather than that life force that I need because with the clarity I will better find and use the energy needed to pursue the goals I truly want!

​I hope typing that helps someone to have a light bulb moment. Or gives you an opportunity to reflect and become clear on what you want for the year ahead.

And maybe that looks like letting go of old goals, old relationships, old shoulda-coulda-wouldas and following your own damn path to what you truly want!

That's the kind of energy and kind of writing I'm bringing to the blog this year!

I'm still sticking with my format of "happy", "new" and "year" goals that I wrote about in this post last year. It's where I break down my list of intentions in to things that make me happy, new things to try and goals I want to accomplish in 2019. It's been a fun and helpful way of doing things!

I'll also be creating ongoing intentions throughout the year. Last year was monthly. This year may be more seasonal or following the moon cycles. Yep, moon cycles. If you haven't already discovered moon manifesting magic, I challenge you to check it out. Even if it sounds completely crazy, increasing your mindfulness about the potential (I'll save deets for another post) energy surrounding nature's cycles is seriously worth it. I spent last year writing personal, just for me, intentions nearly every full and new moon and what came to be and what patterns cycled round was fascinating!

Ok! So! However your New Year began, wherever you find yourself reading this post. Just start.

When you close this, take a big breath, find a quiet moment,  reflect and dream up those intentions for the months to come in 2019.

What happy new things will you pursue this year?

…

What will you "chase"?
What will you "choose"?
What will you "cherish"?

I'll be bringing you more on the idea of those words and what they mean to myself and some other inspiring souls soon ;)

2019, I'm ready for you!
​