8 Things To Do Instead of Sitting in Fear

I sat in fear, exhausted, and emotionally drained for 2 days. It is a miracle I can look back a week later and realize what I was doing and that I overcame it. What pulled me out of the fear was the saying ‘Faith Over Fear.’ What continues to keep me lifted above the fear was deciding on a mantra. My husband and I decided it together, which is more meaningful knowing we are both focusing on it. ‘I am only in control of myself, no one else.’ I can think more clearly now and know we will survive this pandemic, together.

There are several things that have become even more meaningful as the virus invades our towns, hospitals and minds. I feel compelled to share these things with you in hopes I can offer you a break from the stress and the feelings that this world is just too chaotic.

Family – I have always been close to my family but have found we talk a lot more now. Video chats, phone calls and texts with them are a constant in my life. When there is lack of consistency in other areas I know they are a constant and I don’t take that for granted. Communications and genuine conversations are uplifting during this time. 

Music – I am currently loving Thomas Rhett’s Center Point Road. I am enjoying soundtracks to some of my favorite movies. I listen to them on repeat! I love The Lumineers and Taylor Swift’s most recent album: Folklore. I am looking forward to a few new albums releasing soon including Russell Dickerson’s Southern Symphony. Music is freeing and uplifting. 

Audiobooks – I work with my hands so holding a book isn’t an option for me most of the time, but I still love reading. I hardly read any books the last few years because they took forever to get through, ridiculous excuse, right? When I discovered the app Scribd a whole new opportunity presented itself to me. This year I have read 10 books and currently hoping to finish the 2 I am reading before the end of the year. This app is full of free magazines, books, audiobooks, news and more. If you want to try it free for 60 days ( I am not paid to advertise this but will get 1 month free) just visit Scribd.

Mastermind Groups – I am lucky to be a part of a group called Passport to Growth. It’s a group of people dedicated to personal and professional growth. We tackle all kinds of topics including preparedness, clarity, dreams and adaptability; just to name a few. We lift each other up and learn so much from one another. I’ve learned a lot about myself from this group and from dedicating time to focusing on my growth.

Podcasts – I recently listening to 2 different podcasts featuring women from my area. I feel inspired when I listen to people's stories. Whether I know them personally or have never met them I feel a sense of connection listening to someone’s story. I highly recommend finding some podcasts to enjoy.

Facebook Groups – I recently joined Mom Support: Inspired Mama and met one Mom who is a writer and a mom struggling with making her children happy. The conversation that sparked from just a few comments fuels my heart and soul to keep going. I feel better and more positive with connections to others experiencing similar things as I am.

Journal Prompts – I found a $1 bullet journal in the clearance aisle at Walmart, hopped on to my journal board on Pinterest and started writing. Sometimes settling on a single topic that is predetermined helps me focus. The decision process can be difficult to get past so having a journal prompt list means I can just write.

My Hobby - Crocheting. I can't say enough about how therapeutic this hobby is for me. Learning new stitches and patterns or just getting into a rhythm of making the same items I've made a hundred times before. Hobbies are exciting! Making something useful by putting things together is just so exciting! 

Photo Credit: Rin Photography

That’s just a few of the things I am enjoying instead of giving into the fear of Covid-19. Focusing on these things feels so much better than being frozen in fear. Please, take these ideas and make them your own. Share them with a friend. Give yourself and your mind a break. You deserve it.

I’d love to know what’s lifting you up and keeping your mind fresh. If you’re interested in learning more about any of them or have questions I love a good conversation!   

Keep loving,

Karlee

Intentional Thinking and What Can Happen

"Life is an echo. What you send out, comes back. What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get. What you see in others, is in you. Judge others, you will be judged. Radiate and give love and love will come back to you." - Unknown

"The energy that you put out, comes back to you." - Eckhart Tolle

"What you put out into the world will always come back to you." - Dennis Lehane

"Be the energy you want to attract." - Unknown

For the last few months I've been trying to focus on having better, intentional thoughts. I've been praying more, devoting time to gratitude and to God. I have also been focusing on the belief that is described in the quotes above. It's kind of like karma but doesn't have that sting behind it. By no means have I been perfect with it either. Negativity and drama still creep in and pull at the back of my thoughts and sometimes I even find I've wasted an entire morning because of one bad thing. But, I always return to the sayings above and find myself much better off.

It's weird and awesome and exciting what's been happening since I started doing these things. I hope I don't come off as "hoaxy" or superficial as I share these things. It's all just about the power of intention. 

One of the biggest transformations I've seen in myself is that I've been able to carry on a workout for more than 5 days. I've been focusing on how much I really really don't like working out. I'll swim, walk and ride a bike but I can't stick with a workout for longer than 5 days. I am happy to say I am on Day 27. I owe recognition for part of my success to my husband for encouraging me and pulling E off of my while I do squats, push ups and dance videos. I also owe part of it to myself of course. Do you know what I did to make it through? I said "I can do this." I said, "I want a beach body." I changed my thoughts. Instead of thinking negatively about how much I hate working out I told myself I can do it. And it feels great! Commitment is so rewarding!

The second thing I have to share, which prompted writing this blog is about something I've been thinking about for a few years: a handmade consignment shop. Where vendors can sell their handmade items. This is maybe a 10 year goal but when I started crocheting my cup cozies I started thinking that I'd love to sell them in stores or possibly a coffee shop somewhere. It just so happened last week I was contacted about selling my cup cozies in a store in Bay City, Michigan. I have been on cloud nine since then. It was one of those shout from the roof tops moment for me.

The realization "the energy that you put out, comes back to you," hits me like a ton of bricks when something I think or say actually happens. It's like the universe is rewarding me. 

I am looking forward to continuing living and thinking intentionally. The future is a mystery and that mystery is exciting.

Keep Loving

Too many hobbies.

I am not, will not, blame my lack of writing on anything. Ever since I started reading 'Pen on Fire," (yes, I'm STILL reading it.) I don't believe in writers block. There for I will no longer blame my lack of writing on writer's block. Nor will I blame it on not having enough time. The book is teaching me to take advantage of 15 minute windows of time here and there. I believe I am pursuing this goal. I just haven't been writing a lot lately and I think I've discovered the reason why (which, is not an excuse).

I have too many hobbies.

I crochet. It's a pretty new thing and I haven't even begun to exhaust the ideas rolling around in my head.

I read. Not really that much. But usually I read a topic I'd like to learn more about or a topic that applies to areas of my life I'd like to grow.

I write. As you can see. But I also, continuously keep notes on topics I read.

I freelance graphic design. Just here and there. But when I have a project I really want to be at the computer doing it.

How does one let go of the things they enjoy? Maybe there is a happy medium. Do I prioritize and do what I want to do most at the certain time? Or do I focus on only one thing until it is complete?

I can't help but mention with all these hobbies there is one thing I enjoy and love more than any of them, that consumes my time and brightens my day more than any hobby ever will: my family. I gladly set aside all of these things for them. There is no question about it. I'd rather spend a day chasing around E and cuddling with R then do any amount of hobbies.

Hobbies are just the accent to my life.

I think this is probably the best problem I have ever had. Any advice? Comments are surely welcome.

Keep Loving.