Update + You're Enough

Dear Ones, 

Gosh... it's been so long since I've made myself sit down and write.  Honestly, I've been avoiding it like the plague. Not that I really have anything dramatic or terrible to tell you... I just felt lost in what I wanted to say.  

I went to Australia for 8 weeks. It was beautiful. I can't really put into words how much I loved it. We adventured.. we saw family and friends (except for you, dear Gracie... next time, I'm determined!).  There will never be enough time.  We will always have things we want to do but can't... but it was incredible and we got to do so much.  

We came home to winter and excited dogs and a familiar bed and beautiful friends.  It was so good to be home.

Since being home I've sat and stared at all my crafty things... all my vintage treasures I've been storing up... I've cleaned them and rearranged them (my biggest form of procrastination) and told myself that once it's all perfectly organized... then... then I will start to make things.  

It's all perfectly organized. It has been for weeks.

I scroll through Facebook and Instagram and Pinterest looking at all these articles that say "Make 7928370384 billion dollars just from working at home!", "Create the perfect website so all your customers will buy your things!", "Use social media correctly and earn 6903495x more dollars!", "Take my free webinar and all tell you all my secrets except for the one that will make you money... you'll have to pay for that!".  I scroll... and I scroll... and I scroll... and I read all these messages that tell me it's easy.  I don't have the secrets. I need more money. I'm trying too hard. My brain isn't working properly. I should give up if I don't know the secrets.

I know these articles and webinars and all these things are meant to be helpful.  I've actually found great tips from some of them.  If you're looking to do something you've never done, education is key.  But currently... they've overwhelmed me. I don't know if any of you out there can relate but I just got lost in it.  I got lost thinking that what I'm doing isn't like everyone else...and that's not really okay to be different. What I make isn't cool enough. The things I know and the things I've taught myself just aren't enough. 

And then today.. I don't know what it was.. maybe it was seeing about 60 more articles telling me to earn $100,000 from home in my newsfeed (please for the LOVE Andrea get off Facebook... I know, I know) but I opened up my computer and started writing this because I thought that there has to be a dreamer out there who feels lost with me. 

We are creative beings. There are so many things we should do. So many algorithms and steps to follow and ways our pictures should look and a new social media we should have and products we should be selling and and and and and... it really never stops. The list of shoulds will always be there.  

But my dear dreamer, I don't want to be a "should" with everyone else.  I want to be creative, I want to dream. I want to do things my own way. Articles and social media will forever tell us to fit in. To follow the steps. To get more money. To be the best and beat everyone else. 

I lost myself in the shoulds. I started this little lovely adventure because I LOVE creating. It makes me so happy. And even more than that... I love having a platform to tell you that you are so ridiculously loved. You're beautiful and brave and the world needs a you so badly.  

So I thought of this quote I’d seen before many times,

It’s so true. Don't let it steal your joy or your dream. 

We are enough. Don't give up on your dreams... whatever they are.  Maybe they aren't selling something or creating ... maybe it's just to wake up earlier, to be tidier... to eat more chocolate. Whatever your dreams are... read the articles, read all the things, do whatever it takes to educate yourself to achieve your dream.  But, don't let them get you lost. Don't let them tell you that you aren't enough.  Just begin. If you have passion and heart then you have enough to begin.  

And let me also say that I've begun a lot of things with passion and heart and failed.  I gave up (waking up earlier), I got lazy (waking up earlier), it wasn't for me (waking up earlier) or it just made me unhappy and I didn't HAVE to do it (waking up earlier). But if it's a dream or goal that gives you life and joy but you're stuck because you feel like you aren't doing it the way everyone says you should be.. keep going. I think that joy, genuine intention and passion are recognized and rewarded more than doing all the right things. 

Plus, I'll always be cheering for you. 

If you feel stuck or lost or need to be reminded that you're loved... please oh please email me, comment, message me or send a carrier pigeon. I'd love to remind you that you're enough, pray for you and cheer for you. 

I love you, dear sweet souls. I missed writing to you. 

Love, 

The Lovely Adventurer

Love Loudly

My dear, sweet lovely adventurers... it has been too long!  As many of you may know, I am closing my little shop for the summer because I am directing a summer camp in the mountains near Flagstaff, Arizona.  I am so so excited... but also a little sad to leave my lovely adventure at home, my husband and pups and of course my craft room!  But, I am confident that God has called me and given me the gifts for this amazing opportunity and adventure.  It's just a week away!  

I can't wait to share the lessons I'm sure to learn and come back with fresh new ideas and dreams for this lovely adventure!  I wanted to write a pre-adventure post with some encouragement and inspiration for you dear sweet souls. 

I've been really inspired lately to be very honest and encouraging with my words.  I think we all walk around thinking that everyone else has it together, and everyone else must know how great they are and what gifts they have.  But, it turns out not that many of us do.  And even if we've known it at some point or been encouraged that doesn't always last.  Doubts creep in and make us forget the words that once gave us confidence.  

So I created some designs that speak to what I've been working on in my life.  "Love One Another Deeply" and "Love Loudly" both call on us to be bold and encouraging with our words.  To be vulnerable and to take that step into what we feel like might be an uncomfortable moment as we tell someone what they mean to us, what beauty we see in them and what gifts they have.  

Everyone deserves to be loved and to know they are loved.  Some days, we need someone to love us loudly. To tell us direct encouraging words, to make time for us or bring us flowers for no reason.  So, I challenge you to love loudly.  Message, email, text, call, speak in person with those in your life that you love.  Even if you can't see that they need it or they haven't asked... we always need to know that we are loved. 

I can't wait to reconnect with you all in the fall and I hope you have the most beautiful couple of months. In the mean time I'll probably be in the mountains wearing this awesome hat my grandma got me.  And you can always follow me on Instagram @thelovelyadventure for updates on my adventure! 

Know you are loved,

The Lovely Adventurer

5 Lovely Things Vol. 1.0: Things to help start the New Year strong

So here's a little known/actually probably well known fact about me... I'm soooo terrible at being self disciplined.  Thus, any and all "New Year Resolutions" I've had have been more like "New Year Jokes".  For reals though. I'm terrible. 

This is my very serious face so that you'll believe me when I say, truly, truly... I am so terribly terrible at self discipline. 

So, this year instead of making a new joke I decided to choose some things that would just help me be more disciplined.  Since... that's really the root of all my problems in life. Eat tacos... or pay bills? tacos. Watch Netflix.... or do laundry? Netflix. duh. Paint my nails.... or clean stuff? nailzzzz.  These thoughts happen on the daily. #oops 

So, here are my 5 Lovely things for the week that are hopefully helping me to start off my New Year strong. 

1. Planner

a) I'm obsessed with Sugar Paper LA. Their products are the bomb diggity and they sell them at Target where I spend 99% of my life... and my money. 

b) I love writing everything down, in pencil. Does that make me old?  I can't handle google calendar or writing things on my tiny phone keyboard.  Give me all the paper and all the pencils. please. and a lot of erasers. 

c) I love the layout of this planner. It includes a big monthly view, monthly goals, weekly goals and a large slot for writing each day out.  I'm all about compartmentalizing life and this one has alll the compartments. I love it. 

2. Tile 

This one doesn't necessarily help with discipline... but it helps keep my sanity so that's pretty great.  I've had this for a while longer than the start of this year but dang, people. I love it.  Where I am lacking in discipline I am also lacking in memory.  I make up for it all in beauty, don't worry. hahaha. But seriously, my memory it is terrible. 

So I'm constantly losing my keys, my phone, my purse... errything. Enter TILE. have you seen them?!  You just attach them to whatever you want (I think they have sticky things to attach them to things that aren't keys) and then program it with an app on your phone.  Now, anytime you lose your keys or whatever you get into the app and have it track down the location of your keys.  It also plays this cute little song so you can find it.  Kind of a struggle if you lose your phone and your keys... but I have yet to be that awesome. I'm sure there will come a day. 

Tile. get one. it will keep you sane. 

3. Calendars. All of them.

I'm a very visual learner. Usually my months go something like this:

"I'm going to be awesome this month!  It's January! Let's do this!"

..."crap... is it really February? I forgot to do all the awesome things." 

"I'm going to be awesome this month!  It's February!  Let's do this!"

..."crap... it's March?!  I forgot to do all the awesome things."

"MARCH! Awesome! Things! Maybe? meh. maybe in April." 

So this year my bff Target sold a million amazing calendars in the dollar section and I bought them all. I'm plastering them everywhere to remind myself how many days I have left to be awesome and that I can't let my goals and dreams slip away so easily. Remind Remind Remind... that's the secret to an awesome me. 

4. Ridiculous Glasses  

A lot of days I take life way too seriously. And also, I really struggle with caring WAY too much about what people think of me. So, I buy fake glasses. And I wear them. In public. At first I broke out in sweats because they are pretty ridiculous and some of mine don't even have lenses #ghettoglasses But the more I wore them the more they made me laugh.  It was like a secret joke with myself. A lot of people would compliment me or just stare at the glasses that are larger than my face. I've learned to just let it go and let it make me laugh. So, find something that makes you happy and helps you take life a little less serious. 

5. Daily Inspiration

I spend way too much time talking to myself with negative words. Not believing I can do things or focusing on everything I'm not instead of everything I am. I'm determined to surround myself with some love this year and to focus on the lies I believe. This little dry erase board from you guessed it, the target dollar section, is my first weapon of choice. I'm excited to document the messages I'll be writing. 

So, those are the things I'll be using to start my year off strong and try to tackle being at least 5% more disciplined. What are some of your new year goals?  Whatever they are, you can do it.  I believe in you.  You are you, and that's enough. 

Love,

The Lovely Adventurer

6 Steps to Beating Overwhelm and Achieving Your Goal

Have you ever had a dream, idea or goal that seemed so out of your comfort zone you just became overwhelmed, frozen and didn't even start?  

I feel that so many times about business, creative projects, fitness/health and even relationships.  I find that the root of my problem is a false belief that whatever I have to do has to be perfect.  And if it isn't perfect, everyone will know. 

So I came up with 6 ways to beating overwhelm and achieving your goal that have worked for me:  

1. Research the heck out of your topic.  Now, don't do this for like 5 years and then start... give yourself a limit and a deadline for research..  And when you do stop, be okay with what you know.  You'll learn everything in time, I promise.  While you're researching, be sure to take time and just be.  Soak in and process all that you've been learning. Research equips you with confidence, knowledge, inspiration and can even connect you with other people who have gone before you.  

2. Connect with other people who have done it.  That may be finding bloggers or speakers through social media etc.  You don't have to email them or even interact, but follow them (the introvert way).  Observe what they do.  And if you're extroverted (unlike me) ask them questions and see if they will help you. 

3.  Be okay with the fact that you won't remember everything.  Listening in on webinars, reading blogs, observing those who have what you want... you're going to take in a lot of information and not everything will stick.  When I read things or attend a webinar I usually walk away with 2 things that really stuck with me.  And in my opinion, that makes it worth it.  I now have two things I'm excited about.  I can put these into practice and fully understand how they fit into my vision.

4.  This one sounds bad at first but bear with me... Find people you idealize and find their flaws. I have so many bloggers and people that I idealize and think, "man, they know EVERYTHING".  But the more you interact and watch them, the more you see that they make mistakes and the more that "perfect" start to your dream or goal becomes realistic.  Now, I'm not saying to follow everyone you love and find reasons to hate them.  I mean find their flaws and see why it makes them real, authentic and awesome human people... and why that can be you too. 

5. I love listening on periscope (currently obsessed... anyone else?) or webinars and hearing, "when we first started....".  That means they've changed.  That means they started out and it wasn't perfect so they re-evaluated and found a way to make what they do better.  You don't have to start by being perfect.  You just have to start by being you and figuring out how you work best. Don't ever be afraid to change if it can make you better and achieve your goals. 

6. No one will know.  No one will know you "did it wrong" or you weren't perfect because frankly... probably no one will notice unless you tell them a play by play.  And also, most people will just think you're learning and trying new things to achieve your goal.  I tend to tell myself that everyone sees every mistake I make... or that there is some secret billboard out there that has a new catchy headline announcing each of my failures.  "Girl tries new thing and decides to try a different thing." yep. that's definitely news worthy. jk no one cares, and neither should you.  Learn from your mistakes and don't let the fear of failing stop you.  

Don't psych yourself out.  This goal, this dream or idea... it could be what you were made to do.  And you'll never know until you stop being frozen (seriously, Elsa, stop.) and start doing something. 

Do you have other tips that help you beat the overwhelm before starting on the path to achieve a new goal?  Tell me!  Please, I'd love to know... especially if they include chocolate. 

There's only one you, and you're the best. 

Love, 

The Lovely Adventurer

Clear The Stage: Weekend Challenge

I think that if I only wrote when I was feeling pumped and excited, it would be a disservice to the mission of The Lovely Adventure. 

"...share our lovely adventures with genuine and transparent hearts that inspire others to live the lives they were created for."

Some days it's hard to find the lovely... especially on a Friday after a crazy long week. And this has definitely been a long week... anyone else?  Hellooooooo 3 day weekend.  I love you.  

I have the words to this song by Jimmy Needham on repeat in my head.  It's a Christian song, but even if you aren't a believer or don't know what you believe... I really encourage you to listen to it.  I think it really calls me to simplify my life and get back to that center soft spot in my heart.  For me, that's my love for the God who chose me, has chosen you and who I try to live my life in thankfulness for. 

Anything I put before my God is an idol.  Gosh dang, that line brings me to tears every dang time. I get so caught up in busy, in trying to build this little business, in juggling life and I never just sit down and clear my stage.  Clear it down to the basics, stop giving my time to things that might be currently draining me and give my time to things that are life giving. 

 I've been thinking a lot about this little lovely adventure of mine the past few weeks.  

What my mission is, why I'm doing it and what I want it to become.  I don't know a lot, I still have a million ideas swirling around in my head but here is what I do know...  

-I want this to be a place where you can find a genuine friend and a transparent heart

-I want to encourage you to find a lovely adventure and choose joy in your life each day

-I don't want to just tell you words that are easier said than done, I want to give you tools and I want to do it with you. 

That last sentence made me all weepy.  I think it's because I want it right in that soft spot center of my heart.  I want to have adventures and choose joy with you, sweet friends.  

I still want to create things but in the next few months I hope to create some things that are tools we can use together to find joy and daily adventures.  

So, here's my challenge to you for this three day weekend: Clear your stage.  Not for the whole weekend (let's be real... errbody got plans) but even just for 5 or 10 minutes.  Just be. Be you. Clear your thoughts, write them down if you have to.  Try to find that soft spot center of your heart and think about what it really wants.  

Figure out one way you can get that.  One tangible, achievable way you can get what your heart truly wants.  Maybe that's talking to a friend, maybe it's forgiving someone, maybe it's doing something you've been telling yourself you couldn't do.  Clear your stage and then go after what really matters. 

My heart will be seeking a beautiful God who loves me to my core, even when I don't believe it.  Even when I'm mad or I forget His goodness.  His stage is always clear for me.  For me to fill with all my baggage and my tears and my thoughts and my dreams.  And he takes it all, sends it back behind the curtains and tells me to just be for a while.  He can handle the show.  

That's what I hope my weekend is.  And friends, I hope you find those daily lovely adventures.  I hope you find joy in those sweet moments that can't ever be replicated.  I hope you take time to clear your stage.  Why?  Because you're worth it.  You really, really are.

I love you sweet friends and I hope you go into this weekend feeling encouraged to be genuine, transparent and to choose joy.  

There's only one you.  That's why you're the best. 

Love, 

The Lovely Adventurer