Image Map

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

What March Taught Me.

one of my new favorite pictures ever...my little brother bringing Jack to me right after we found out where we matched. 

March has probably been the craziest month of my life so far-so many unknowns! I learned and grew so, so much this month. Here's just a tiny snapshot of what March taught me:

No amount of stressing and worrying can change any outcome. That being said, sometimes you are going to feel stressed about things that are out of your control, and that's okay. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Being physically active is just as important for your mind as it is for your body. Sweating it out may not give me a six-pack right away, but it certainly helps clear my mind pretty instantly.

It is possible to be excited for the future AND be living fully in the present. I've kind of always felt like if I'm looking forward to things in the future, then that takes away from the present moment. I'm learning that's not true at all. I'm so excited to move to Gainesville, to get a house, for Chris to be a doctor. I'm excited for residency to one day be over, to have money to travel and buy nice things. But I also love life right now, and wouldn't wish it to go by even a little bit faster, because it's perfect the way it is, right now. Looking forward to things down the road and living fully in the moment aren't mutually exclusive.

Switching afternoon coffee for afternoon tea is a good choice. Less caffeine shakes, more energy, same cozy-curl-up-with-a-mug moment.

There won't always be a plan, and that's okay. I spent the majority of March making peace with the fact that I can't make a plan for everything. Sometimes the best days will be spontaneous, sometimes life will change in the five seconds it takes to open up an envelope, and there will always be unexpected things. That's okay, because the important things-family and friends-are along for the ride, and will be there no matter what plan (or lack of) takes place.

What have you learned this month?

29 comments:

  1. Definitely learned to fit "me" time in for working out! So important like you said! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is wonderful advice to live by - "There won't always be a plan, and that's okay"

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh that first one and the last one - so true! You'll always have times of things that are unplanned/stressful but you've got to learn to just roll with it. That's one of the hardest lessons to learn!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've learned that although I have so many dreams, it's still important to focus on the day to day and making myself happy. If I can't be happy with myself first, I can't be there for anyone else like I want to be.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Even though I know worrying and stressing won't change anything, sometimes it just spirals out of control and I can't help it. Then I move on to "this, too, shall pass." LOL. It's a good reminder that you can't always control it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love love love this! It's so exciting to be exciting about the future, but be totally happy in the present as well. And can we talk about how amazing you look in a crop top right after having a baby!? Gorgeous! <3
    Green Fashionista

    ReplyDelete
  7. "There won't always be a plan, and that's ok." That's a life lesson I'm working on right now... It's really, really hard for me to live without a plan. (I mean, it was WAY more intense for you with that envelope, but still.) Right now I have no plan, no end of the tunnel, no huge goal that I hope to meet by XXX. It's weird and scary and kind of freeing but also really unsettling. But sometimes that's ok because without a plan constricting me I feel like I can breathe a little bit. It's a weird feeling to come to terms with...

    ReplyDelete
  8. All are so so SO true! Although it is nice when the boys are done with school and you can afford more. It also helps you because you already know how to live on less and often times I keep putting some of that money away to save.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This definitely hits home! I stress a lot, but need to realize that it is ok!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've learned about worrying less over the past year or so. It's important to recognize that some things are out of your control. "Go with the flow," as they say!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love that picture, too! :) Being physically active is SO important to well-being. Even just a 20-30 minute walk to clear my mind makes all the difference in my life!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Whenever I'm stressed, I always find that sweating it out is the best way to relax! This month I learned to be present and try and unplug more often at night so I can relax and talk with my boyfriend instead of both of us in silence staring at our electronics.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such a beautiful month of growing, learning, and loving :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. What an amazing photo! I love looking forward to the future, but loving where I'm at as well.

    ReplyDelete
  15. You know what I learned in March? You just had a baby and you look freaking amazing in a crop top. Love this photo!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love the photo! YES to living in the moment. You know it's been a big deal for me lately too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love this! You had some crazy life changes this month. We know we will be moving somewhere new in the fall, so I'm living in the moment and enjoying this place, but also, I'm excited for the future :) Cheers to you friend!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love this! I definitely need to remind myself that not always having a plan is okay.

    ReplyDelete
  19. awww that photo is seriously precious. and yes to being physically active. exercise is so much more than weight loss to me. it helps me sleep and clears my mind, which is enough of an advantage on its own.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great advice! I think walking outside just really clears the mind and helps me to relax and de-stress. I love the cute photo! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love this post! I'm a fan of afternoon tea instead of coffee too!

    http://thecourtneydiaries.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Living in the moment and being excited about the future is always a hard one for me. But since becoming a parent, I can balance the two far better!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Working out is a huge stress reliever! I love a good sweat sesh!

    ReplyDelete
  24. March was SO busy this year!!! Its always nice to put things into perspective

    ReplyDelete
  25. You're so right--not everything can be planned. Yay for spontaneity! On a wildly different note, I learned in March that my quiet times are best taken during lunch (when I'm not getting lunch with a friend). I'm wide awake, and it forces me to slow down for a moment in the middle of the day. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh why does worry make us think that we're so capable at changing the future when it is SO WRONG? And how can I be more careful to catch myself in the dangerous cycle of stress-y control freak mode!?! I think by (as you mentioned) being excited about the future and thankful for the present. It helps to stay grounded where you're at, know where you're going, and cultivate joy in both places. :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I learned the same thing about being active in March (and this month). We've been in a really stressful period at work and I found that moving and keeping active has been helping me stay sane.

    ReplyDelete

say whatcha need to say.