And scarves. And tights. Coats. Boots. Hot tea. Soups. Stews. Running in the cold. Gloves. Apple cider. Holiday movies and Christmas music. Candlelight Christmas Eve services. Heaters. Fireplaces. Holiday trips.
When I realized how much I was struggling this week to get myself together and stop eating garlic sticks for breakfast I made myself some hot tea, I cracked the window open in the conference room at work and I just lavished in the moment. Sometimes your body just doesn't understand how much your heart truly loves the change in seasons. At times like that it's important to pamper yourself and take it in stride. I plan on sitting in sunbeams on the floor in my living room, wearing as many layers as I can, making soup every single night, and drinking herbal tea after a hot shower before crawling into bed.
Does the change in seasons confuse your body as well? How are you handling this transition to fall?
Although I love transitioning seasons and time changes, I especially love the transition from summer to fall. Fall is such a beautiful season. Yes, it's boots, coats, cute sweaters, layers, gorgeous colors, tights, scarves, hot tea, cocoa, baking, campfire smells, and all that wonderful stuff, but more importantly, it's the perfect season to see outside one's self. It starts a season of thankfulness..not for materialistic, shallow possessions, but big grown up life kind of things. Promoting self-love is great because we must first love ourselves to love others, but I wonder if the emphasis put on your daily wardrobe, the sense of urgency in what pairs with what and is "featured" ever makes you feel silly when watching the world news. While I simply turn on my faucet in the morning and clean, hot water appears, there are many dying daily from the lack of clean water supplies. While we worry about what statement jewelry to add to our newest charming jacket, there are young women being sold like cattle. I salute you in being bold enough to have a blog that is all about yourself, but I think this time of year is all about things other than ourselves,although that's certainly a concept some never get. How easy would you find it to blog daily without mentioning anything materialistic? May your time and energy venture outside of yourself this season.
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I know as someone who knows very little about my character, values, and overall personal life that visiting my blog dedicated to the promotion of self-love through fashion that you might come to the conclusion that I am materialistic. Understandable. What you might not be familiar with is the fact that I work for a non-profit whose mission is to enhance the overall well-being of those less fortunate in the community. I teach 5 underprivileged elementary aged children music once a week, donate to the ASPCA, The boys and girls club, and instead of listening to rap on my morning commute...I listen to NPR. I appreciate your good intentions and always seek to learn where I can. My energy outside of the I spend blogging in hopes of perpetuating good mental health is well accounted for. Thanks again and may your time be spent in less critical endeavors.
ReplyDeleteBeing honest enough to ask such questions to someone brazen enough to put themself out there for such questions, isn't being critical, tho it may seem that way if you're on the defensive. My time is very well spent on causes and projects and deeds outside of myself. In fact, so busy, that I don't even have time to post a bunch of photos of myself on the internet.
ReplyDeleteHere is a literal response to your previous question, "How easy would you find it to blog daily without mentioning anything materialistic?". I don't need to. I am not Mother Theresa. I don't categorize my blog as a "lifestyle" blog or an "exploration of spirituality" blog. It is a blog about fashion. If anyone wants to argue that makes me shallow by default, well, ok. Am I a one-dimensional human-being with rampant materialism and credit card debt to rival my student loans? No. And asking me a pointed question like "do you ever feel silly thinking about fashion when you know children are starving in Africa?" limits me. We each do our part. I have felt the need to defend my humanitarianism to you since I first read your comment, but the reality is, I am a good person and even if I wasn't, why do you care? I began this blog not because I wanted to see "a bunch of photos of myself on the internet", but because I was filled with self-hate over my body and I was impacted in a positive way by all the other wonderful bloggers out there. It gives me an opportunity to write (which I love) and to wake up in the morning and dress myself in a way that reflects the goodness I feel inside. It's cyclical. I feel good, so I look good, which makes me feel doubly good. And when someone feels good, they spread it around. I'm nicer to my coworkers, I'm more intimate with my loved ones, and I'm generous with my time and money. We are each fighting our own battles, and if mine seems silly because mine is centered around consumerism (though if we're being honest..I consign a lot of items and don't even own a credit card) then poo on me. But you can't please everyone and I won't apologize for a silly post about the things I love about fall. Which are not limited to leopard print scarves (but I love them) or sleepy time tea. It means I get to go home and see my family. And I'll reiterate "holiday music" and "candelight christmas eve services" because, well, I'm spiritual on top of everything else.
DeleteIn regards to you being so busy spending your time on causes, projects and deeds, that was never in question. I usually reserve judgement when it comes to others and their time management and philanthropy. There's this unique concept that a person must be committed to a million things at once, so busy they hardly sleep, and still fresh as the morning dew in order to have value. I don't subscribe to that idea at this juncture in my life. I've held multiple jobs and internships at any given time while being a full-time student, an active participant in clubs, and had many fully functional relationships. And I was tired. And stressed. And miserable. Now, I do what I can. And what makes me happy. And what gives me pride. And this blog...gives me pride. Not because I get to buy pretty clothes and prance around..but because I'm creating something. It makes me feel good.
So, in conclusion, if your intent was to challenge me to expand my horizons..there's a forum for that. Email me and we'll talk. I'm not positive that was your objective, but I definitely appreciate you giving me the opportunity to represent myself as the well-rounded, generous, curious person I am. I would be lying if I said your comment didn't take the taste out of my dinner, but I am slowly learning that everyone is entitled to their own opinion (and they will surely offer it) but their opinion does not define me. I blog about fashion, but that is not all I am.