Checking In

I haven't posted in  couple of months, for various reasons, and I need to figure out some way of making it a habit to write here on a more regular basis. 

That being said, I feel like I've been doing a pretty good job of working on my goal to be happier and healthier. In some ways I feel like I have been more emotional, but not necessarily in a bad way. In fact, multiple articles I've read and videos that I have watched have told me that as we become more awakened, we can become more emotional and/or sensitive to the world around us. I think for me this has proven true, as I have been spending more time and energy on reorganizing my life, and questioning certain choices and decisions. I feel that I'm just starting to enter a period of transformation, and that I am becoming stronger and happier because of it. 

Not to say that I don't still have major stressors in my life, but I'm slowly learning to work past them, and not let them control my life, although it can be extremely hard sometimes. This week in particular has been extremely stressful, due to an incident that was out of my control that happened last week, and in some ways I have felt like I was drowning in stress and anxiety. Normally I am able to keep my anxiety under control pretty well, but the last week really has presented a challenge, and it's been hard. 

However, last night, walking home from work after a very nice, warm spring day, surrounded by the fragrant aroma of blooming flowers... I finally felt like I could breathe again for the first time in several days. 

Now, I know that in life there will always be moments of sadness, or stress, or anger, but one thing I have learned is that no matter how bad things can get, there is always something to be thankful for or to smile about. Friends and family have kept me going this week; the last few years I have purposely surrounded myself with people who are positive, and supportive, and who I know will always be there for me if I need anything. As funny as it sounds, my mom's chickens also can really help when I'm having a rough time. I have a favorite one named Dolly, who is a little orange silkie, and I have been picking her up and cuddling her since she was a little chick and would fall asleep cuddled up in my jacket, against my neck.

Flowers, sunshine, wind, birdsong, books, a hot cup of tea, a cat cuddled up on my lap, the giggles of my children - all of these are things that make me smile and get through any hardships I may be going through. 

I think one of the most important things to remember is that no matter how bad we feel in a moment, things can always get better, and that the way we react and cope with a situation, is what will make all of the difference in the long run.

I may have had a hard week, but that's all it is, a hard week, and I refuse to let it effect my life. I have so many thing to be happy about and thankful for, and I choose to focus on those instead.

Anyways, here's to a new week and to further my journey towards healing.

~ Hannah Elise 

A Week In

It has been (just over) a week since I committed myself to working on my health and taking better care of myself, and I have to admit that it has been harder than I thought it would be. I always forget how hard it is to break bad habits, and create good ones, until I actually try to change them.

I have actually done a pretty good job so far of eating better, but at the same time, it seems like the healthier I try to eat, the more I crave crappy foods. Now, when I am at home I eat well, because I hardly ever buy processed foods and I cook from scratch. The hard part is working in a restaurant where we serve lots of pizza and fried foods. I have started trying to make the effort to eat at home, before work, in the hopes that I don't become as hungry throughout my workday, but it's still a work in progress.

As far as any changes in diet, I'm focused on increasing my intake of certain foods, instead of focusing on what I "can't" or "shouldn't" have; MORE raw vegetables; MORE water; MORE good fats; MORE eating in. Of course, I am trying to cut back on things like processed sugars, bad fats, simple carbs, and caffeine, but based on articles I have read, changes seem to go a little smoother when you focus on "can" instead of cannot", and I refuse to beat myself up for slipping up.

The last couple of weeks I have also started to drink chaga tea, which I have read has amazing health benefits. Among other things, it is supposed to increase your metabolism and energy, is full of antioxidants, and supports the immune system. So far, there haven't been any noticeable changes, but I don't expect anything to happen overnight. I've been trying to drink at least a couple cups of chaga a day, which has probably been the easiest change so far.

In addition to changing my eating habits, I've been working on trying to exercise on a more regular basis, and working on my meditation and spirituality, but I will focus on that in a future post. For now I plan on staying positive and moving forward without stressing about things.

Wish me luck!

~ Hannah Elise ♥

Beginning My Journey to Healing

Today will be the first day in my journey to heal. 

I am only 24 years old, yet I have become so tired; tired of work; tired of constantly feeling like there's never enough time for the things I want to do; tired of feeling stuck doing what is "expected" of me as an individual in today's society; tired of the hate in the world and the negativity I see everywhere; tired of feeling tired. 

For the next year, I plan on devoting myself to healing from the pain of everyday, modern life. 

I plan on focusing my energy this next year on healing through really living, while learning how to better care for myself. I plan on working on my physical health, of course, but more importantly, my mental health and spirituality. 

I'm done merely existing, feeing like a bystander in my own life. I am ready to take control of my own story, and finally feel alive again.

No more waiting, I'm making things happen. 

~ Hannah Elise ❤