Awhile back I shared this statement, “that sometimes you have to stop focusing on what you should or shouldn’t do and start focusing on what’s best for you.” And I couldn’t agree more even as a write this blog. As many have realized, it has been a really LONG time since I last wrote. And I think I owe everyone an explanation.
I got overwhelmed. Blogging, running Not a Standard, freelance writing (for magazines), writing my memoir, and Instagram was quite a bit. And blogging started to feel more forced than anything else. While I loved writing, I felt as if the technical parts of writing a blog were just flat out “frustrating.” **And I wanted to spend more of my life ENJOYING it as opposed to GETTING THROUGH IT.**
I mean, it took ten years + to get to this point.
So What Have I Been Doing Then?
I’m still posting. Just on Instagram that is. And if you’ve been following me this past year would would have seen all the fun and scary things I’ve done.
- I’ve traveled to South Carolina-Myrtle Beach and Charleston.
- I’ve flown to California-twice. Despite having flying anxiety (and not flying for 9+ years).
- I went to Rodeo Drive… something I never thought I’d be able to do. (Even went to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel: see my Instagram post here!)
- I went to the horse races in Del Mar in a luxury box… Woah baby. (Definitely felt like a Pretty Woman scenario.)
- I’ve gotten even healthier and happier…never thought where I am today would ever by possible.
- I’ve been a bridesmaid at my brother’s wedding…and a wedding guest at another two weddings.
- I wore the dresses that I wanted to instead of what everyone else expected of me.
- I met the Elie Tahari... never did I ever think I’d do that. (Sharing the photo below BECAUSE seriously.)
Essentially, I did so much more that I’ve never once thought I had the chance to do. To be completely honest, it’s absolutely surreal at times. Because never did I ever expect to actually get to the living part of my life outside of survival. (See my story here)
Don’t get me wrong. My life isn’t picture perfect.
In the last year…
- I’ve also had anxiety attacks and panic attacks. (Despite flying…it wasn’t ALWAYS easy.)
- I’ve backed out of things that I wasn’t sure of.
- I almost got abducted trying to publish my memoir (for real, this is no joke. Please be careful whom you trust on social media. LESSON LEARNED!)
- I’ve lost my best friend of 11.5 years… my brown Labrador retriever.
- And didn’t mention this one, but I was sick for MOST of August-to the point where I fell WAY BEHIND on work, which wasn’t exactly the best of situations being a one woman team. (Which is when I posted this: Instagram Post)
I’ve done it all-the good, the bad, and the hard. I’ve said “screw it” to many things I would have once said no to. But I’ve also messed up, just like any human would do. I’ve experienced a whole lot of failures. But I just keep getting right back up. Crazy or passionate.. not sure which one yet. (**insert sarcastic remark**)
So that’s what I’ve done. That’s where I’ve been. Like I insinuated, this year was all about being imperfectly perfect. And one thing that helped me most on the bad days was taking time for myself-for self care, for workouts, and for pampering.
Bringing me to my next point….this Babbleboxx Winter box that I received the other day.
While I haven’t tried ALL of the products yet, I’m currently loving all that I tried.
Here’s a little summary of what I liked about this box-product by product just in case you wanted to take time for some self-care for yourself. Here’s what I’ve tried, what I loved, and what I didn’t yet try yet.
Here’s What Came In the Self-Care BabbleBoxx…
1.) Vitamin C Cleanser from InstaNatural
- With full transparency, I never heard of or tried this brand prior to this collaboration. But I loved learning more about the brand-and how it came from humble beginnings with a simple mission to create NATURAL and EFFECTIVE skin care products. The product itself, seemed promising. The Vitamin C cleanser contained coconut water, aloe, and a blend of Green Tea and Sugar Cane extracts. And on the package, it stated that it was perfect for all skin types-AKA perfect for my VERY sensitive skin. Upon use, I really liked it. My skin felt cleaner (**laughing while I write this, but it’s the truth!**). And I’d give this face wash an 8/10.
- Check it out: HERE
2.) Vitamin C Peel Off Mask from InstaNatural
- As I said, prior to, I never heard of or tried this brand prior to this collaboration. But I loved learning more about the brand-and how it came from humble beginnings with a simple mission to create NATURAL and EFFECTIVE skin care products. This product sounded promising as well, but with full transparency, I haven’t yet tried it. With sensitive skin, I try to be EXTREMELY careful. Instead of trying 34092030 products at once, I usually test my hand first and then apply on my face a few days after trying another product. So while it seems like a MUST-TRY, I haven’t tried it yet. So I can’t give an accurate rating. (Will keep you updated!)
- Check It Out: HERE
3.) Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub
- With full transparency, I’ve tried this brand and this product before. And I love it. It contains sugar, shea butter, and an array of natural oils, like moroccan argan, rosehip, evening primrose, avocado, macademia, sweet almond, safflower, and orange oils. It does NOT contain paragons, sulfates, alcohol, and formaldehyde-which I love. I personally use it all over-on my feet, on my legs, and hands. I probably can’t claim this as true, but it is a miracle worker. It works so good and leaves my skin all silky smooth. Definitely recommend this tree hut body scrub.
- Check It Out: HERE
So just a quick little update about my life along with a mini review of these self-care products.
Just to end it off, I hope you leave this blog with a takeaway, and that’s to do what’s best for you. To stop focusing on the shoulds and to do what’s best for you. If you need a break, take it. If you go back to it, great. Just make sure that you are doing what makes you happiest. Because it’s better to say screw it, and find something you truly love. And yes, we are all capable of doing so.
With Love Always,
Michele