on gratitude (journaling).

For all the thoughts we cannot tame and the dreams we want to bring to life.

In the age of digital detoxes and mindfulness mantras, one old-school practice has been steadily gaining popularity: gratitude journaling. It's more than just a fleeting trend; this simple act can bring about profound changes in our emotional and mental well-being. But how does putting pen to paper translate to a happier mind? Let's delve into the benefits of gratitude journaling and provide some actionable tips to get immersed in this rewarding practice.

What is Gratitude Journaling?

Gratitude journaling is the practice of regularly recording the things for which we are thankful. This can be done daily, weekly, or even sporadically, but the essence remains the same – focusing on the positive aspects and blessings in life, big or small.

The Benefits

Enhances Positivity

Consistently counting our blessings helps rewire our brain to focus more on positive experiences, making us naturally more optimistic. Over time, this can contribute to a brighter outlook on life, even in challenging circumstances.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

By focusing on the good in life, we can distance ourselves from negative thoughts, reducing the harmful effects of stress and anxiety. Recognizing and appreciating life's little moments brings a sense of contentment that can counterbalance daily worries.

Boosts Self-awareness and Personal Growth

Taking the time to reflect on what we are thankful for helps us understand what truly matters to us. This introspective habit fosters personal growth and paves the way for more intentional living.

Tips for Beginners

Start Simple

You don't need a fancy journal or an elaborate setup. A simple notebook and pen will do. The key is consistency and sincerity in your entries.

Set a Routine

Whether it's every morning as you sip your coffee or every night before bed, setting a regular time can help establish the habit.

Quantity Over Quality

Your entries don't have to be deep or profound every time. Some days it might just be "thankful for the warm sun" or "grateful for a good book." It's the act of recognizing these moments that matters.

Review Periodically

Every month, review your entries. This reflection not only reinforces the positive feelings but also lets you see how far you've come and the good that's unfolded over time.

Challenges

Like any new habit, journaling can sometimes feel challenging to keep up with. On days you feel uninspired or down, it might seem hard to find things to be grateful for. My blog is a perfect example of this, LOL! Remember, it's okay to have these moments. They're a part of the journey. When facing such days:

Look to the Little Things: Sometimes, the smallest things can bring the most joy.

Avoid the Pressure: Your journal is personal. Don’t pressure yourself to always find something profound. It's your authentic feelings that count.

Take a Break: If you really can’t muster the energy, give yourself permission to skip a day. The aim is to make this a rewarding practice, not a burdensome chore.

Making Gratitude Journaling a Lifelong Practice

To truly reap the benefits of gratitude journaling, consider making it a lifelong habit. Like any skill, the more you practice, the more natural it becomes. Over time, you'll find that the act of seeking out positive moments becomes second nature, creating a ripple effect of positivity in other areas of your life.

In a world where we're often bombarded with negative news and stressors, journaling stands as a beacon of positivity. It’s a gentle reminder that amidst the chaos, there's always something to be thankful for. Whether you're new to the practice or have been journaling for years, there's always room to grow and benefits to reap. So grab that pen, open up your journal, and let the gratitude flow babe.

—

A

on falling in love with the moon.

“Do not swear by the moon, for she changes constantly. Then your love would also change.”

Oh we’re doing this? Okay. Deep breaths.

I’m sure for those of you who asked and dove deeply into my post on being lost, you’re wondering what happened next.

How does it end? Does it? Does he get the girl? The true plot twist is he has her heart on a silver chain. The chain is tight, but fits. It can choke. It can be painful. It can fit beautifully, too. Duality. Two things can be true at once.

Let your soul wander – get as lost as you damn well please.

But, let me not get ahead of myself. If you’re not caught up, go back and get the full story. The fairy tale, but the original fairy tales where it’s just a cruel lesson on life. For the better?

In respect of the fact that this isn’t only my story, and in some aspects not mine to tell in entirety, I’ll tell this story in metaphors. But if you read closely, my hope is that you’ll understand every word. We love a strong communicator.

—

I loved the moon from the first time I saw him. Been in awe of him, really, in his beauty and mystery. I felt a connection with him that I could never explain — and I’m rarely at a loss for words. They say the moon's gravitational pull is the main cause of the rise and fall of ocean tides. It causes unease in the sea, causing ocean waters that face the moon to pull at its strongest. Loving the moon is not easy.

The moon is not always bright and full as we dreamily expect it to be. And that’s not really fair, is it? To expect the moon to always be bright and on its best, for us. Sometimes, it’s dark. It hides. It wanes and cannot be what we need it to be, all the time. Sometimes, it goes dark entirely. Sometimes, we lose its pull and can’t find it. We get lost, in the darkness, together.

But just as often, the moon is waxing. It gathers light on its journey of becoming new and full again. I love being a part of every phase.

I often wonder, is the moon meant to be loved from afar? Are we supposed to look, but never touch? And is it because that’s what is safe, versus what is meant to be? I’ve always been one to walk the line in limbo. Between extremes, stumbling. I’ve often been drawn to the longer, darker, tougher routes. But isn’t this all the more satisfying, in the end?

What I find most lovable about the moon is that it follows a cycle that only he knows. In loving the moon, you never know what to expect. You never know when he will be happy or sad, calm or anxious, stable or unstable. You never know when he will shine or fade, rise or set, appear or disappear.

But you love him anyway, at all of his phases. You love him because he is beautiful in his own way. You love him because he has a soul that touches yours. You love him because he is more than his phases. He is more than the moon.

I fell in love with the moon. I entered at his brightest phase. He lit my world up with his words, charisma, and outlook on life. I think the moon fell in love with me too, because I was gentle in how I explored his complexities. I would do anything for him, and he knows.

Loving the moon is not easy, but it is so worth it. The moon teaches you so many beautiful, albeit sometimes tough lessons. He teaches you patience, compassion, empathy, and resilience. He teaches you how to appreciate the good moments and cope — together — with the bad ones. He teaches you how to love unconditionally and wholeheartedly, and how much you deserve that.

Challenging, but rewarding. Painful, but healing. Scary, but exciting. It is a journey that you take together, through the highs and lows, through the light and darkness, through the phases of the moon.

Loving the moon is not easy, but it’s so beautiful. The moon has a magic that no other celestial body can rival for you.

Loving the moon is a bond that you nurture and strengthen, in sync with your sun. Remember though, that it can only be done harmoniously together. There is no moon as we know it best, without the sun.

I have always loved the moon from the first moment, and I always will.

Now you know. I hope this helps you heal from or with your moon, too. I feel lucky to experience such a thing, and I hope you do. More on healing, soon.

With love,

—

A

on loving our bodies.

Because life is truly too short to hate the skin we’re in.

I have suffered since I was about 14 (if not younger, but this is when it was caught) from PCOS and all of its nightmares. What’s PCOS? Simply put, a hormonal disorder that affects the ovaries and causes a lot of symptoms that impact my body and my self-image - cataclysmically. If you’ve lived with it, you know. If you haven’t, I want to share with you my journey of learning to love and accept my body, despite the challenges that PCOS brings. I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire and empower others who are going through similar struggles — whether PCOS-specific or not. Because at the end of the day, I want us all to feel like we can love our bodies no matter what.

No matter what.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects about 10% of women, especially in recent generations. It causes irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, weight gain, infertility, and other problems that I otherwise didn’t experience prior to my symptom development. PCOS also increases the risk of developing a library of diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression, and anxiety… just to name a few.

How do you get it? No one knows, really. There are fingers pointed at birth control methods, lifestyle flags, and just existing (ha). But I have to believe it’s so much more than that, that we simply are just still discovering. I was a high-level athlete doing more cross-training than you could probably imagine to look at me. There wasn’t a sport I didn’t do. I eat like a bird, to this day. I’m as on top of my wellness as one could be. Do I look it? Frankly, no.

But the truth is, that aspect doesn’t matter as much as owning the bodies we are given, no matter the wars they fight.

I have to believe that the universe blessed me with my curves in all of the places they fall, and that I look absolutely fine the way that I am. I’ve spent too much time confused and scared based on how my body feels, and feeling like something is wrong with me. For a long time, I didn’t understand why my body was behaving this way, and I often felt ashamed of how I look. The girl who never had a pimple developed acne and rosacea, thicker hair, and a belly that won’t budge no matter how much I exercise or diet. I often feel like I don’t fit in with the beauty standards that society and media impose on us. Like I’m not feminine enough, or attractive enough, or worthy enough.

It wasn’t until I tuned into body positivity that I started to change my perspective on my body and myself, promoting the acceptance of all bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender, and abilities. It challenges the unrealistic and harmful beauty standards that society and popular culture create, and it celebrates the diversity and beauty of the body. It also encourages people to have a healthy relationship with their bodies, by focusing on their mindfulness, wellness and self-care.

Beauty is not defined by a number on a scale or a size on a label. It’s not something that can be measured or judged by others. If you learn one thing from reading this, please embrace your body as it is, with all its flaws and strengths. There are no number of surgeries, crash diets or photo-editing tutorials that will change your vision of yourself — only YOU can change that.

• You have to love and accept your body as it is. I stopped comparing myself to others or trying to fit into a mold that was not made for me, particularly as a BIPOC. Appreciate what your body can do for you, such as breathing, moving, feeling, healing, and creating.

• Take care of your body in ways that make you feel good. Eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, sleep!!!, meditate daily… make your own list of care chronicles. I started to express myself in ways that made me feel happy, ultimately.

I’m not saying that it’s easy or perfect. It’s a journey that has its ups and downs. There are days when I still struggle with my symptoms or feel insecure about my appearance. Hell, it’s MOST days. There are times when I still face discrimination or stigma because of my condition or identity or through people’s assumptions, too. But loving my body and my SELF more, helps me cope with these challenges and reminds me of my worth and power.

If you are someone who struggles deeply with your body image or self-esteem, I hope that you can find some comfort and inspiration in this post. You are not alone in this journey. You are not defined by your fears. You are beautiful and valuable just as you are. You deserve to love and be loved by yourself and others. You have the right to live your life fully and authentically.

Let’s spread the sentiment of loving our bodies and supporting each other in our journeys. If you felt this, please share with people you know could use these words today.

Stay positive, healthy and radiant and don’t ever let your light go out.

With love,

—

A