Add this to your summer reading list

It's officially summer, hell yeah! One of my favorite parts of summer is getting to sit outside, enjoying the summer breeze, and reading a good book. If you haven't started a summer reading list I advise you do so pronto! Better yet, I have the first book you can add to your list.

Home is Where Your Boots Are by Kalan Chapman Lloyd (2011)

I’ll be honest, I was hesitant when I started this book because I’m not a big fan of the typical “chick-lit” genre. However, I was pleasantly surprised that not only was it far from one of those types of novels, but the writing itself didn’t reflect on that genre either. The narrative style comes across naturally and also humorous at times, which is just the kind of book you’d want to read during care-free summer days. 

Home is Where Your Boots Are is part mystery with some romance involved, but it’s also a story about dealing with big changes in your life, making the best with what we have and, of course, having the help of your family and friends throughout it all (something I can very much relate to right now!) One of my favorite aspects of the book is that it’s set in a small town in the South. I love reading books set in the South because I love reading about small town charm. 

While yes, this book appears to be the typical “girl moves back home and re-visits her past, including past lovers” type of scenario, there is so much more to that. The mystery in the book is enough to keep you on your toes and it’s one of those books that you won’t want to put down. It’s also an easy read, which I find perfect for summer reading lists. 

Kalan has turned this into a series, so Home is Where Your Boots Are is only the first in more to come. In fact, the second installment of the series, These Boots Are Made for Butt-Kickin', just came out this month! To get yourself a copy of either novel click here or here. To check out more information about the author or the books themselves, head over to Kalan's website.

To read more of my book reviews click here!

Sleepwalking Through Life

We're just about six months into 2015 and I feel like I've been on an emotional roller coaster that has lasted for years. This year has brought on so many changes for me, while still really remaining the same (it always strikes me as funny that life tends to happen that way). If there was a song that closely resembled myself during these past few months, it may just be Katy Perry's "Hot n Cold" song. My mind really changes from one day to the next and let me tell you, it's exhausting.

Despite all these mental roadblocks and emotional roller coaster rides I've been facing lately, I still find myself somewhat "sleepwalking" through life. I don't think I am experiencing it the way I should and I usually only feel half there. This is something pretty personal to be sharing, but I want to share it because I want others to know that if you're feeling the same way, or ever have, you're obviously not alone.

It's so easy to get caught up in the hum drum of life and suddenly find yourself just going through the motions. It's easy to stop pursuing change in your life, especially positive change, when you're just so emotionally and mentally drained. It's easy to let yourself stop taking risks or chances because it's safer that way. "Sleepwalking" your way through life is a defense mechanism we may not always recognize. Sometimes you find yourself doing so because you're exhausted, in all sense of the word. When we've been through a lot, sometimes our only option is to "shut off our brain," so to speak.

The ironic part is that my brain isn't necessarily in shut off mode, because I still find myself overthinking and worrying about the most mundane things, or as usual, situations I have no control over. My positive thinking attitude has suffered greatly because I simply find I don't have the energy to put into that anymore. And that's terrible!

I was hoping that by writing this blog post I'd find myself with some kind of advice or solution by the end of it, if not for myself than at least for others who may find themselves in similar types of situations, but I'm still clueless. The only thing I really know is that we can't allow ourselves to reach this point where we are going through the motions of every day, finding that we no longer strive for more or are in pursuit of our dreams and hopes for the future.

This whole "sleepwalking through life" mentally is one of the reasons I've been on such a long blogging hiatus. I miss it all the time and I wish I could push myself to start up this hobby I so much enjoy, especially if it correlates so much with my future goals and dreams. But if you've ever been in this type of rough patch, then you know just how difficult it is to get yourself awake!

I'm always trying to offer advice to my readers, but this time I'm asking my readers for advice. 

What do you do when you find yourself feeling this way? 

What has worked for you in the past?

Thumbs Up Tuesday #2

I'm not really sure what prompted me to start these "Thumbs Up Tuesdays" but I'm starting to realize this is a great way of looking back on your week (or month or just a day, etc.) and being grateful for the good in your life. At first I thought this would just be a fun thing to do and a great way to get to know other bloggers and network, but now I'm realizing how much potential it really has. Of course, the things that get "thumbs up" can be small & simple, even rather silly at times, but I think that's the first step in enjoying the little things. In such a crushing world with so many obstacles to face, it's so important to focus on the good things that are happening in your life, or the things that you really appreciate. Make a habit out of doing this and you'll find your outlook on life will be a lot brighter.

Thumbs up to...

...going on a nature walk. I'm so, so grateful that the trees are finally in bloom. I feel like it happened so quickly, but I'm not complaining at all. I love the summertime and I love nature. I love going on walks in the wood and just being able to think to myself and find peace and quiet amongst the nature surrounding me.

...thrift shopping. This was a Mother's Day activity (although we do it pretty much all the time) but that's one of the things I really love doing with my mom. It's kind of just become our thing. I'm also excited about this particular trip because I found an awesome oversized lifeguard tank that I plan on wearing pretty much the entire summer.

...letting my imagination run wild. This is usually a very bad thing for me because I have the wildest, most detailed, "most unlikely to happen" imagination. I'm day dreaming at least 50% of the time. I have realized that I need to be in the present more and not let my imagination lead to disappointments. However, I haven't felt this giddy new beginning stuff in awhile and my soul really thrives on this kind of thing.

...all the ideas I have formulating. I may not complete any of them or ever get started on half, but the fact that I am starting to be creative again and really THINK about things I want to do is such a relief for me. As you may or may not know the past couple of months were slightly rough on me, especially creatively speaking, so now that I have my creative outlet back I am starting to feel more like myself these days. Plus it gives me projects to look forward to.

...still having dreams to pursue. I may have had quite a few tumbles and there are still plenty of obstacles in my way, but I haven't given up on my dreams these past couple of years which I think is pretty awesome. I'm glad that they're stilling floating around in my head, that I'm still trying to plan for my future involving my dream, that I haven't lost sight of what I truly want. For awhile there I thought I had lost it, but it was never really lost. I just had to regroup.

One thing I realized in the process of writing these "thumbs up's" is that I always put restrictions on myself and what I want to be doing with my life because I feel I simply don't have the time. We hear it all the time, "there just aren't enough hours in the day." But I look around and I see plenty of successful people who put their heart and soul into things, even while still working a full-time job and MORE, and they manage to create beautiful things (whether it's a book, a business, a blog, etc.) I absolutely need to make an effort to stop using time as an excuse for why I am not doing what I love, what I want to be doing. If I keep saying I don't have the time, I will never reach my goals and dreams. And I think that happens to so many people. You may even be one of them. So if right now the only thing stopping you from doing something you know will bring you fulfillment and joy is the issue of "time" toss that excuse out the door. You have the time, you just have to make it work.

Now, may I present to you the first ever...

Thumbs Up Tuesday Link Up!

An InLinkz Link-up

5 Ways to Feel Better

Life seem boring lately? Feeling like you're in a rut? Depressed or sad? Itching for a change? Just being a lazy bum? Well friends, let me tell you, I've been all of those things in just one day. Thus, it's easy to say that I've become a bit of an expert on knowing certain things you can do to instantly feel better (even if it's only a little bit, just enough to get you to start crawling out of that hole). It's not to say that I do these things all the time, because to be honest, I rarely do them (ha). When I DO follow through with these actions, though, I always feel better. So get off your butt and start taking action!

[image source: weheartit]

1. Re-arrange your room. I like to re-arrange my room a couple times a year or so whenever I feel like I need a change. In a way, it's kind of like taking a change in scenery without having to actually move or travel or any of that other expensive stuff. Simply switching your furniture around can give you that fresh perspective you need. This also helps in forcing yourself to clean your room and getting rid of junk you forgot you had, which leads me to my next point...
2. Clean. Like I mean really, really deep clean. Waking up in a clean, tidy environment is THE way to start off your day. If any room in your house is a disaster, tackle it with ALL THE CLEANING SUPPLIES! Does it look like you live in your car? FIX THAT! I guarantee as soon as you're done, no matter how difficult and exhausting it may have been, you won't regret it. You'll feel refreshed. Being in an organized and clutter-free zone will also help de-clutter your mind a bit. Who couldn't use some of that?
3. Do something nice for a stranger. This can be done anonymously if you want. You can pay for someone's coffee, put in more coins in their parking meter, write a bunch of positive letters and mail them out to random addresses, leave a small care package for your mail person, etc. The list is endless! Doing something that has the potential of making someone's day (and restoring their faith in humanity) is one of the best feelings out there. 
4. Make a long-term plan. If you're anything like me, you need to know what's on the agenda for the rest of your life (stressful, much?) Of course we have no idea where we'll be a year from now, let alone tomorrow. Life throws curveballs all the time and I'm convinced it's the universe's favorite game to play. Regardless, thinking about your long-term plan, goals and dreams can be so helpful. It may help ease your anxiety about the future, it may help set you on the right path or it can simply help you narrow down your ideas for your future. It doesn't have to be a long-term plan. In fact, I suggest you start off small, because like I said before - life throws us curveballs. Try writing out a 6 month plan that can involve a multitude of things, such as your career plans, health goals, living situation, improving your life, etc. 
5. Take a deep breath. Okay, this may seem so simple and cliche that it's just too good to be true, but it really can make a difference. Just close your eyes and take a deep breath (or 5 or 10) and just focus on your breaths. Then go through each of the problems you are facing and realize that everything has a solution, one way or another. Things have a way of working themselves out. Nothing is ever presented to us that we are not strong enough to overcome.

BONUS TIPS!

These are some things I personally do to pep myself up, so may or may not work for you. Everyone is different and you just need to find what works best for you!

• Listen to music. I try to make a good playlist while I'm in a cheerful mood, so that way I always have it ready to go. Sometimes listening and singing along to your favorite songs is a great way to get out of your head for awhile.
• Go outside. I really love nature. I love being in the woods, I love the way the wind blows in the trees, I love laying out when the sun is shining. The key here is to go somewhere that is peaceful enough and noise-free, so that all you really hear are the sounds of wildlife and nature itself (not cars buzzing around and people chit-chatting!)
• Road trip alone. By "road trip" I mean short rides somewhere. If I'm not stuck in traffic, I genuinely enjoy driving long distances. One time I drove an hour to the beach by myself and was only there for a couple hours before I drove back home. It was very therapeutic though and it's a great time to just let yourself be alone with your thoughts.

What are some things you do to make yourself feel better?