resolutions

We all have resolutions for the new year, right? I'd thought I'd share mine! Mind you, a lot are unoriginal but they're mine. I really hope 2015 changes me for the better. I genuinely would like to change a lot of things... but not the way you're thinking.

1. Wake up earlier
2. Go to bed earlier
3. Drink more water
4. Start mind mapping
5. Learn to cook/bake
6. Print more photos
7. Keep track of money
8. Lose 10-15 lbs
9. Take better photos
10. Take more photos
11. Master yoga poses
12. Hit 1k followers on instagram
13. Be IN more photos
14. Spend more time outside
15. Blog more
16. Go somewhere new
17. Stop biting nails
18. Run a 5k
19. Paint more
20. Read at least 50 books
21. Actually start and finish the 52 week money challenge
22. Draw more
23. Keep track of money
24. Exercise regularly
25. Help someone

So, that's it for now. I think it's a pretty okay list so far. I won't be disappointed if I don't do all of these things but they will be fun to try!

Let Me In
-Grouplove

love, k.

trials

This is probably going to be another rant...

I cannot stand it when people say "oh stop complaining, other people have it way worse"

Do you realize what you're saying? You're saying that whatever that person is going through it isn't enough to address out loud, that it's not even worth complaining about. For example, I've been struggling with my weight since I was 14. I'm just under 5'2" and at one point I weighed 150 lbs. That doesn't sound like a lot and you're probably thinking she struggled with that?? That's not even heavy at all. You guys, I'm short. People have told me all the time that 150 wasn't bad and that I was fine.

I felt terrible when I weighed that much. I could barely walk up a hill without having to sit down after, I was always eating junk and I hated a lot of the healthy foods that I actually love today. I absolutely hated going to school because I constantly felt as if everyone was staring. My best friend at the time was skinny and I just felt like the "fat friend".

Now I'm at 130 lbs and I feel fantastic. I'm trying to lose 10 more pounds and then gain muscle though. The funny thing is, this year is the first year that I've lost weight since I was 14. I've lost around 14 pounds since June. If I had been super determined I'd be at my goal weight by now... but I'll get there (I actually just put together a 5 month plan to get really healthy and I'm doing it with my cousin).

Back to someones trials. Sure, your friends trials might not seem big to you, but in their life it's huge. Don't tell someone that what they're going through isn't important. It's such a huge slap in the face.

7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

 8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

-D&C 121: 7-8

love, k. 

self love

Do I really truly love myself?

Go ahead, ask yourself that question.

A while ago my answer would've been no. Now, it's an absolute yes.
I am finally beginning to see how amazing I am. I'm not being cocky or anything... I believe we all have the right to fall in love with ourselves. How else are we going to love anyone else? 2014 has shown me how to love myself and then fall in love with someone (my other half) else. I'm realizing that I have the power to love myself or not love myself, love others or not love others, love life or not love life. Love is a huge emotion, love is easy, love is hard, love is family, love is accepting, love is everything it should be. So why not give it to yourself?

I challenge everyone to start loving yourselves, truly.

Finally Moving
-Pretty Lights

love, k.

ranting

I read a blog (actually a few blogs all containing basically the same exact things) about how they feel ugly because of society. I cannot begin to tell you how badly that bothers me. One of the bloggers put a picture up of Victoria's Secret models and then one of herself, she then continued to say things about how they make it seem like no one else can be beautiful because not everyone is full chested, 6 foot, and toned to the core. How closed minded is that? Those models are just doing their job. Any model in the world is only a model because they fit the specifications of a job. Society isn't making you feel ugly... you are. Sorry if that's harsh, but really you control you. When you put down models, or other "self esteem crushing" people, you're just body shaming. Oh and isn't that what you were complaining about in the first place? I thought so.

Everyone was shaming the VS girls for being "anorexic" on twitter. I can't stop laughing at these comments. If you ever have time, go to youtube and do some of the VS workouts. I can barely finish some of them. Those girls work hard for how they look. They work hard for their living. They work hard because they can. They also stick to very planned out meals (talk about self control). It just makes me frustrated to see women bashing other women because they feel like they're being bashed on. Double standards?

I was talking to my mom the other day about these blogs and she said "Well those models do make other people feel like crap because not a lot of people can look like them."
My question is, why is everyone trying to look like someone else?
And then she added, "A lot of people don't like VS models because they walk around in their underwear."
So, all you ladies/families out there who don't like seeing these things:
No more going to swimming pools or beaches. Because that's basically all you'll see there.

In my opinion about this whole underwear scandal, I don't care. It's not me who's walking around in under clothing so why should I care?

For the record, I'm not defending these women because I look just like them. I'm not even 5'2". So I can kiss those tall model dreams goodbye. I'm not overweight but I'm not toned to the bone either, although I will get there someday (when I find time and motivation). All those advertisements you see out there of beautiful girls... they're just trying to sell a product (that goes for guys too). It's the models job to sell the product, not to please everyone on the planet.

Maybe I'm just so much inside my own little bubble that I don't even notice models on the front of magazines or on tv, but it just really doesn't bother me seeing really pretty girls making a career for themselves. I think if you're letting all these faces and bodies get to you then you need to make a change. Stop comparing yourself. Everyone is different. Yes, maybe you will never be as tall/short, be as skinny/toned, or be as tan/pale, but you are your own type of beautiful. Accept every inch of yourself. You're stuck with you!

If you can learn to love yourself and all the flaws, you can love other people so much better. And that makes you so happy.
-Kristin Chenoweth

love, k.

anniversaries

6 months

Okay, this might not be a huge deal... but 6 months (half a year!!!!) is so much fun to celebrate! After being "just friends" for roughly 3 years, dating for 6 months now has been so great. I honestly don't know what I'd do without Mike. He's my rock, my Netflix buddy, my #1 fan, and my bestfriend.

We went to a MIMI Knowles concert and then went to Chilis afterwards. It was a good way to celebrate. 

We are SO bad at getting pictures together... so here's some of the concert instead.

How long will I love you
-Ellie Goulding

love, k.