Weekend Wisdom

Have a lovely weekend! 

8 Ways to Be a Happier You

From a girl who has struggled herself. 

1. Live in the present: 
We spend too much time worrying about what happened in the past + what is going to happen in the future. It is so important to embrace the now + enjoy every moment for exactly what it is.

2. Ease the negativity:
Sometimes you need to take a step back + realize who you are + where you want to be. Certain people or certain things will commonly bring discomfort into your life, it happens to everyone. Change what you are able to, but as one of my favorite quotes says,

--- One of the happiest moments in life is when you find the courage 

to let go of what you can't change. 

3. Find your support system:
It is so important to surround yourself with people that genuinely care about you + your well being. Know that those people are always there for you + would be willing to be there, if you just asked for a little help.

4. Get outside:
It is medically proven that being outdoors will improve your mood. A study showed that as little as 20 minutes outside during good weather will not only improve your overall mood, but broaden your thinking + improve memory.

5. Put down your cell phone:
It is more common for us to be seen looking down more than we ever seem to be looking up. Instead of enjoying the day for what it is, we spend the majority of our time on our cell phones, checking Snapchats, updating statuses, or even missing out on genuinely enjoying a moment because we are too busy capturing it for Instagram. Technology holds many advantages, however,  it comes with just as many, maybe more, disadvantages. With apps like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram + Snapchat, we are continuously exposed to the lives of others. Which leads to unhealthy feelings of jealousy, envy + loneliness.
➳ I have challenged myself to reduce my social media + cell phone usage in general, dramatically + have undoubtedly noticed a change in my happiness. I sleep more, not being consumed with checking my phone constantly, I enjoy genuine conversations with people without interrupting them to check notifications, I don't compare myself to others + the greatest advantage I have found is to enjoy the moments in life for what they are. It's like having secret memories that are not shared with anyone but myself.

6. Give back:
We often forget how good our lives are. Even when they're not perfect, they could also be far worse. Connecting with other people + feeling like your a part of something larger than ourselves takes us a long way towards happiness. Just do small things with great love.

7. Find inner balance:
Whether it be spiritual, meditative, or just finding a few minutes of quite time for yourself every day. It is so important to find your center to help clear + calm your mind, so you can be a healthier, happier you.

➳ I have personally been loving the Calm app which offers a selection 

of guided or timed mindful mediations.  

The website calm.com also offers a 5,10,15, or 20, meditation break which is great for working long hours on a computer.

Meditation has been proven to improve focus, clarity + attention span. Long span meditation has also lead to improvements in participants compassion + self awareness, as well as reduced stress. 

8. Do what you love:
My biggest tip on your journey to happiness is to always do what you love. It is vital to take a little time every day to spend time on yourself, to be drawn by the strange pull of what you love + to embrace + enjoy every moment of it.

I promise to you, that in that moment, all the worries of the world will disappear. 

--- There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done.

One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow,

so today is the right day to love,

believe, do and mostly live.

Dalai Lama 

Tuesday Tunes

View the previous Tuesday Tunes: HERE

Weekend Wisdom

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Defining Moments

"Claudie what's on your face?" my two year old niece asked as she pointed to my black winged eyeliner.

"Makeup" I said without hesitation.

Her sweet blue eyes stared back at me with her head tilted in almost a whisper,

"Take it off?"

"You want me to take it off?" I asked.

"Yes." 

Her words echoed in my heart + the tears swelled up in my eyes, as she walked away back to her toys.

She loved me. 

She loved me for exactly who I was inside + out, makeup or not.

••• • •
If you would have asked my high school self two years ago if I would ever post a picture that was 100% natural,
I would have undoubtedly said no.

I have continuously battled with my body image for years now.
I see in myself a girl that has always struggled with her weight, a girl that wished her nose was smaller, her cheekbones more defined, had long beautiful hair + perfect skin.

Society is a scary thing.
Making us believe that there is always something that needs to be "fixed" is a usual occurrence in our daily routine without us even realizing.

You're either too skinny, or too fat.
If you don't like your nose, chin, boobs, butt, stomach, thighs, arms + every single other part of your body- don't worry about that!
You can fix it.
Have a scar or some acne on your face?
Cover that shit up with some makeup.
Contour this, contour that.
Highlight here.
Line your lips to make them look fuller, but don't over-line.
Suck your stomach in + your butt out.
Wear this but not that-
unless you want to be called a prude or a slut.
••• • •
Unattainable standards are basically shoved down our throats + plastered on our mirrors every single day of our lives.

Now, I'm not saying that you shouldn't wear makeup,
I love makeup.
I think it is a beautiful form of artistic expression that anyone can use + I adore that.
However, I hate that our society makes us feel that we absolutely can not go out without it on.

They drag us down until our confidence is short of nothing + when you finally gain one ounce of that confidence back you're automatically labeled as conceited- resulting back to where you started, once again.

So here is what I have to say...

F*** standards of beauty. 

You are FLAWLESS.

Wake up every morning + limit your negativity towards yourself.
Look in the mirror to focus on the things that you love.
Those things that we hate, are often the things that make us so unique.
Accept the fact that YOU are beautiful + it doesn't make you conceited for saying that.

I am going to be 100% honest with you in saying that it's not going to be easy.
I still struggle with it every day, but I've made progress.
+ so will you.
••• • •
I have contemplated writing this post for over a year now, but I have finally found myself at a point in my life that I have more self confidence with myself on the inside- which has undoubtedly affected my confidence on the outside.

I honestly love doing my makeup every day, but I have come to the conclusion that it is not a requirement.

It is a choice.

So this is me.
No edit, no filter, messy hair, makeup free, chapped lips, untamed eyebrows, ME.

I love that I have my Mom's full lips.
I love that I have my Dad's dark hair + eyes.
I love the scar on my forehead from a bike accident when I was younger because it reminds me of the memories of my childhood.
I love that I am a representation of years + years of passed down traits.
I love my body because it is the home in which I reside in, in this beautiful life of mine.
••• • •
So next time you look in the mirror...

Pay attention to the way your eyes light up when you talk about something that you love.
Admire your wrinkles for each one tells a story of your past.
Remember your scars for the memories each one holds + the struggles you've overcome.
Love your body because it is your home.

--- (You) are not this hair,
(you) are not this skin,
(you) are the soul that lives within.
- Rumi

It's your time to shine.

#BareIsBeautiful #ButMakeupIsToo

Weekend Wisdom

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Tuesday Tunes

P.S. If you haven't seen the video for Paper Doll, I highly recommend it.