I actually wasn’t sure if I wanted to blog about this, or if I should even discuss it on my blog and go about it almost as if it was business as usual. But, since this is my personal blog, I almost feel as though I can’t address it.

The world is in complete chaos right now. Many places of business are completely shut down, many of us are still working from home, and some of us are temporarily unemployed. Grocery stores are practically empty with many of the essentials.

Italy is in a state of complete and total chaos. I have a friend who lives in Italy, and I constantly worry about her, as well as her family. And, I’ve read that the U.S. is about ten days behind Italy.

First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers go out to those who are affected by this — whether by battling this illness, or financially. My thoughts go out to our healthcare workers, who are trying to keep everyone safe — including themselves. I wish nothing but good health for everyone.

All of this is terrifying. And, the sad thing is that this is only the beginning.

As of Thursday, my work has been closed and will be closed for the next two weeks. At least. Last night, the State of Connecticut has placed a ban of all in house dining, and closed gyms and movie theaters.

However, there is a message that each and every one of us is hearing from our state representatives — stay home. And, that is what each and every one of us needs to do. We need to social distance — even though this may be awful and isolating. I live alone, so it’s definitely lonely even though I have Lucy.

This is our new normal.

Many of us think that this is being too extreme. However, looking at Italy and realizing the we are only a few days behind is honestly scary. Therefore, I think the least we can do is stay home for a bit.

And, it doesn’t have to be boring. Think of this as unlimited amounts of self care time. If you’re like me, you probably have a ton of books to read, crochet projects, and tv shows to watch. I’m also working from home, so that means I can probably have TV playing in the background while I work, which is something that I love to do. Or, blast music while you work, which is something that always increases productivity. For Lucy, this means having a lot of extra time out of the crate, which is something that I am truly grateful for.

Use this time to just unwind. Many of us are constantly on the go — which could be an indicator as to why this is so challenging — and always complain that we don’t have any time to enjoy the little things in life. Staying home isn’t always a bad thing. And, right now it’s absolutely necessary.

As for this blog, I’ll continue to post regular posts as much as possible.

Stay healthy, everyone!

On February 25, 2019, I woke up to find out that my mother died overnight. My mom was 57. The day prior, we were picking out carpet samples to redecorate the family room.

The cause? A heart attack.

It’s been a year since she had passed away, and now that the numbness has worn off, it’s starting to get real. I am no longer protected by shock – I am starting to truly begin to realize that she is gone. I can still hear her car radio in the driveway when she came home from work. I can still picture her wearing her Southern Mom sweatshirt while cleaning with her iPod shuffle blasting loud disco music. Writing it now, I realize that those memories are further away then ever before. However, they are all I have left.

The thing about losing a parent in your 20s is that everyone tells you how to feel. Others will say things to simply say something – even though it is not helpful. And, many of your peers will not understand what it is like to lose a parent simply because they haven’t.

That said, losing my mom taught me something – that life is truly short. We really don’t know how long we are here for. It’s too short to worry about the small stuff – even though it’s easier said than done. And, because of that, it’s important to enjoy and live life to the fullest capacity. That is why it’s important to me to try to do things that make me happy.

I believe that happiness is composed of the little things. For me, it’s listening to music while I am taking a bath, or morning walks with Lucy. I do some sort of workout every morning, as it is a form of self care. I try to make more time to read, and do things for me. By cramming my day with a ton of things that makes me happy is most important, as it helps me feel as though I am taking care of myself and balancing better.

With that being said, losing my mom the way that I did reminded me to cherish every moment that you get to have with your loved ones – simply because you don’t know how long you will have with them. Many of us often associate that mindset with the elderly. However, we need to apply that mindset to everyone in our lives.  So, that means being grateful for loved ones who call when they are concerned about something. Or, spending time with family even though sometimes it feels like it’s an item of the to-do list.

Learning that lesson was the hardest one that I ever had to learn. I keep on thinking about my mom and all of the things that I took for-granted. I think about how much I miss all of the little things with her. In fact, I just miss her in general.

Nowadays, I try to do more to make me happy in life

That said, I ask you all to hug your loved ones and cherish them. That time that you spend with them is truly the best gift you can give yourself.

In 2017 and 2018, I decided to give up buying books for Lent. In 2019, I did not give up buying books because my mom recently died, and I didn’t want to do that.

Now, in 2020, my tbr is pretty much out of control. On the other hand, I know that I have been reading a lot more than I have in past years. I currently have read 18 books this year, and it’s only March. That said, I still purchase books a lot quicker than I get to actually reading them. So, I decided to once again give up buying books for Lent.

This year, I have a few exceptions to this:

1. Anything acquired through my Book of the Month subscription. I have a subscription to Book of the Month, and I don’t want to cancel or skip this for one month.
2. If I start a series, I want to be able to finish it while it’s fresh in my mind. Therefore, I will be allowing myself to get the second only on my Nook.
3. I am planning to attend a book signing, so it’s okay that I am going to buy the book when I’m there.

That said, the goal this year is to try to read at least seven books. Whether or not I actually complete this, we shall see. So, stay tuned!

I don’t know about you, but everywhere that I go it seems that I am surrounded by love. Naturally, it’s because Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and every store wants to ensure that you get your loved one a gift that will make them swoon. Oh yeah, and roses and candy naturally.

What many don’t forget is that love should always start at home. That means, love should always start with yourself.

At the end of Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw said “the most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you, you love, well, that’s just fabulous.”

And that’s true. I’ve heard that before you can love someone else, you need to learn to love yourself. I’ve always believed that. After all, I worked on my relationship with myself before I began dating my boyfriend. However, what I have always wondered what happens once you’re in a relationship? 

“The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you, you love, well, that’s just fabulous.”- Carrie Bradshaw

The answer is, well, you still have to nurture that relationship. What does that mean? Showing yourself some love. Taking yourself on some dates. Putting yourself first, even that may mean that things won’t get done, or that you don’t go out every Friday night. It means being attuned to the needs that you have. So, if you have cramps or need a night to recharge, then you do so.

Which is fine.

We don’t need to have it all, or do it all. I think sometimes we lose that, whether we are in a relationship, or if we’re single. Lately, I have been trying to learn how to love myself, which has been a struggle. I sometimes lose sight in taking time to self care, simply because of the fact that I am trying to get everything done, or try to fit so many things into one small slot of time.

This needs to stop.

And, it is.

This Valentine’s Day, I am showing myself love by simply showing myself some self love. I am practicing self care by taking care of me. I am starting to slow down. I am working on myself by doing yoga, working out, journaling, and using my essential oils on the regular.

That said, this means that I may not be the most social. I may not always be productive. And, I am okay with that.

Therefore, this Valentine’s Day, I want to ask everyone reading this to show themselves — as well as their significant others, as they are awesome too — some love. Self love is so important, and is something that is always important.

How are you going to show yourself some love this Valentine’s Day?