5 Posts That Will Change Your Perspective

Here are a few oldies but goodies that can help you change your perspective. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that it only take a moment to see things differently. Hopefully these words from out of the vault will help you do just that:

♥ Don’t Ask For Permission To Take Care Of Yourself.

I admit it, I am a reformed rule follower. When I was in kindergarten, I learned that following the rules doesn’t always make sense.

♥ Don’t Be Seduced By The Struggle. {Follow The Ease.}

One of the most seductive lies we’re told is: you have to struggle to get what you want. But if we are constantly reinforcing thoughts about struggle and hardship, how can anything else show up?

♥ Getting Clear On the WHY of Your Work Will Lead You To The WHAT.

You can be in the ideal work scenario and still feel unsettled, confused or dissatisfied. Figuring out the why of your work will catapult you to a different level of happiness and fulfillment.

♥ Want to get inspired? {Feel your way through it.}

Inspiration is the fuel that moves you forward. Figuring out your inspirational muse can be tricky at times, but it’s so important to your ultimate happiness.

♥ 5 Simple Steps to get what you want from life. {Lunch is optional}

You are the artist of your own life! You can intentionally construct where you want to go rather than just let life happen to you. All you need is a vision and a desire to follow through on it.

5 Posts That Will Change Your PerspectiveSteph2018-03-29T20:23:08-04:00

Happiness Is Not One Big Thing.

This is a reminder to all of you out there that need a little boost. It’s easy to think (and wish!) that happiness comes and perches on our shoulder and never leaves, but we all know there’s an ebb and flow to life; happiness is a part of that ebb and flow. If we were happy all of the time, how would we ever truly appreciate it?

Happiness is a habit. We must cultivate the feeling of being happy by doing, saying + thinking in positive ways. Want to become happier? Start hanging around happier people: it’s contagious. And the opposite is true as well: be careful of those emotional vampires. Surround yourself with people that raise you up.

As a special gift to my readers, I’m offering an inspirational PDF to print out and hang up for happy-inducing times. It fits on an 8.5×11 sheet of paper and will be a bright reminder on even the grumpiest of days!

Click here for your Happiness PDF

Happiness Is Not One Big Thing.Steph2018-03-29T20:23:10-04:00

On Taking Risks + Becoming A Princess

When I was in third grade, I wanted so badly to try out for the school play. It was a far stretch to get any significant part because I was up against fourth and fifth graders along with my own classmates; but still, I coveted the small, but mighty role of the princess. (Who didn’t?)

I practiced my audition lines for a week and in my mind, saw myself on stage wearing the costume (a trick I learned from my mom). I became pretty good at projecting my voice and tried to avoid thinking about the prettiest fifth grader who was trying out for the same role.

Audition day came, I threw caution to the wind and I gave it my all. And you know what? I got the part. Whoa. That was the first real risk I can remember taking and it paid off!

So, what encourages us to take risks?

My first go-to thought when considering a healthy risk is how I will lose out if I don’t take the leap–how my life will not be quite as rich if I don’t let go of some fear and leap into the unknown.

And other times, taking a risk is about growth. It’s about knowing that I need to challenge myself in order to stretch who I think I am. Risk-taking keeps me humble. It helps me create my boundaries and helps me learn how to adjust my sails as I go.

Mostly, I know I must take risks in order to become who I am meant to be.

Here I am selling my prints!

I recently took part in the JuneBug Art Festival in Metuchen. It was the first time I actually set up a table and sold my prints as an artist. I felt like I was trying out for another play: I prepped for weeks. I had a banner printed for my table, stocked up my inventory and planned out the logistics of the evening. I made a detailed list of what to bring, practiced swiping cards on my Etsy reader for credit card sales on site and made sure I had a bowl of candy to lure young eyes over to my table. It was a great learning experience just getting ready for it.

But I have to be honest, at first, the night was a bit disappointing. The crowd was small–apparently the previous week was jam packed with attendees, but this week, school had ended and a lot of families left town for vacation. And although the remaining crowd was encouraging, they just weren’t in a buying mood.

Then I decided to take a look at it with different eyes. Once I let go of the financial disappointment, I realized there was so much about the experience that was a total win for me:

I was recognized as one of the top 5 exhibitors for my work from the festival committee, which showed me that I’m on the right path.
I received many compliments about my work and how beautiful it was, from people of all ages. I felt fulfilled just because it touched them in the way I had intended it to.
I didn’t feel awkward or ‘salesy’ about selling my prints like I thought I might; I recognized that loving my creations will attract others who feel the same way about them. It made me feel calm and confident in my ability to create art that others will love.

I took the risk to exhibit and even though I didn’t profit financially very much, I gained so much more: it gave me the fuel to keep going and to try it again. Risks are funny like that; it’s easy to think that one outcome will be a good indicator of success (sales, in this case) but really, it was something far more subtle and easy to overlook, that told me what I needed to know (the public’s positive reaction). The reaction to my work was what I have always dreamed of; they were encouraging, responsive and excited. It was so inspiring to see.

In all, it was a great reminder to continue to do things that I haven’t done before. I need to keep taking risks because no matter if I fail or succeed, they always teach me something in the end. Whether it’s going for that part in the school play or putting my art out there for the world to see, I must keep trying. And I hope you keep trying, too.

Signature

PS: When Was The Last Time You Did Something For the First Time?

On Taking Risks + Becoming A PrincessSteph2018-03-29T20:23:10-04:00

What You Focus On Will Grow.

While I was getting ready for the day this morning, a somewhat shocking thought popped into my head: I’m actually living the life I’ve always dreamed of. I mean not everything is exactly as I want it to be, but for the most part it’s pretty great. I wanted a pretty simple life surrounded with the basics–a loving partner, comfortable home and meaningful work–and all of a sudden, I have all of that. If someone had told me years ago when I was flying solo in my cozy apartment that I would feel this way , I might not have believed it. It just always seemed like it would happen sometime in the future.

But these things didn’t happen by accident, I was taught how to draw them closer.

Growing up each summer before the school year started, I’d go on an annual goal setting luncheon with my mom and that really set the stage for a lot of my powerful, positive beliefs. It’s pretty simple: think good thoughts and good things happen. I’ve seen it work over + over. And even though I have always believed in affirmations, setting goals and putting ‘it’ out there in the universe, when these actual things come to pass? It still feels a little bit like magic.

Because the saying is true–what you focus on, will grow. When I’m in a bad mood, all I recognize is the nasty person on the check out line or the horrible events happening in the world. When I’m in a happier, more intentional state of mind, it’s easy to recognize the sweet words from a friend or the magical luminosity of the full moon. I see it again and again: I create my own reality.

So as I gear up for the next phase of my life–growing deeper in my relationship with Chris, working to make my art business bloom and sprucing up our little nest –I want to tattoo this phrase on my heart so I never forget. What I focus on will grow.

I want to focus on guilt-free, gentle living. I want to enjoy the birds and wildlife in my backyard and spend hours blissfully painting in my studio. I want to love Chris up so much that he’s a puddle of calm. It all sounds so simple, doesn’t it?

So what stops me from always being this way?

I started reading this book called The Big Leap last week and it talks all about this exact topic: what stops us from accepting that we could always be content, happy or satisfied? The author insists that it’s about how we periodically reach what we believe is our own ‘upper limit’. Which means this: when we feel like we’ve gotten to what we believe is the level of happiness we deserve, we self-sabotage. We stop the flow of happiness and good vibes right in their tracks; it’s as if we don’t believe we have the right to an endless well of good fortune. And yet, we do.

So I try to remember: what if I let go of those old fears + boring script that runs around in my head and expected happiness as the norm? It would continue to improve my life, and here’s the kicker–it would make other people’s lives better, too. Because aren’t we are all encouraged by other people’s success and happiness?

I’m deciding to look at it as bravery to accept continual happiness as my right, even though it may feel a little arrogant at times. And maybe it’s even my duty to show how you too, can be perpetually satisfied; all you have to do is focus on what you really, really want.

What You Focus On Will Grow.Steph2018-03-29T20:23:10-04:00

You Were Once Wild Here.

No matter how many changes we go through (and in a lifetime we go through a lot), it’s important to remember the true essence of who we are. How we are gently wild in our own unique way.

I can feel the tides shifting in my own life right now: I’m getting married and starting on a new journey with a partner I love. I know there will be challenging times ahead as well as times that make my heart swell with happiness, but through it all, I want to remember who I am and not get lost in the who I should be, or who others think I should be.

It’s a daily challenge to be true to myself, but if I can remember my motivation (be helpful to others, be creative, keep growing into who I am) then it’s not so hard to stay the course. It’s almost like remembering your own theme song–right now, this is mine.

You Were Once Wild Here.Steph2018-03-29T20:23:10-04:00

Getting To Know You + Me: Can You Be Spontaneous?

This series is about getting to know you + me. It’s a reflection of sorts to help you get to know yourself better (and I’m going to share, too!) When we know ourselves better, it’s easier for others to know us, too, and that creates stronger bonds + connections. As a result, we feel happier.

Here’s how it works: I’ll be posting a question here on the blog and you can share your answer in the comments below or on Facebook, Instagram or Google+ using the hashtag #gettingtoknowyouandme . The cool part is that you can use the hashtag to find others on the same journey. Who knows? You may make a new friend.

It seems like being spontaneous is such a whimsical, sexy trait. And I feel like part of me is capable of being spontaneous at times. But for reals? I’m a planner.

I LOVE to plan–I love to think a given situation out, work on each detail so I can thwart any complications before they come up. I find that when I do this, I am more relaxed and can enjoy each moment more. I don’t have to worry about a lot of snafus (other than the inevitable ones you can’t control no matter what.)

I’ve realized spontaneity works best for me when I don’t have time to think about it. I guess that’s what spontaneity is #duh, but if it’s sprung on me, I can go along like a champ. It’s fun to let go of control and ride the wave of a new plan when my gut says go. Because it’s all about trusting my gut–I can be spontaneous when it feels right but if the feels right part isn’t there, I can’t jump on that train.

What about you? Are you a hard core planner too, or can you often throw caution to the wind?

Getting To Know You + Me: Can You Be Spontaneous?Steph2018-03-29T20:23:10-04:00

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