Guy-free Week

This post has been a long time coming.  Mostly because nursing school sucks the life out of you and when you have free time (which you get maybe 25 minutes of every 2 weeks) all you want to do is sleep.  That being said....I have something important that I want to talk about.  Guys, boys, dudes, bros, men, males.  

All of the above.  More specifically, women's relationships with them.

Being 29 and and unmarried and being surrounded by women who are close to my same age and also unmarried, dating is a huge topic of discussion.  Dates we're going on, guys we want to date, past relationships, possible future relationships, etc.  It dominates conversations.  I don't think there's anything wrong with talking about dating.  It's fun and trust me...we've had more than a few laughs at some unfortunate situations we've been put in as well as some of the unfortunate men we've invited into our lives.  A few weeks ago I was feeling very introspective.  I get that way sometimes when I'm feeling particularly anxious.  I kind of take inventory of what is going on and what could be contributing to some of the anxiety.  I realized that I put a lot of pressure on myself to be dating.  To be honest I am not really dating at all.  I like to say it's because I'm so busy and focused on school work but full disclosure, I am also not being asked on dates.  I don't say that to make myself seem sad or pitiful.  I really am ok because I am incredibly focused on school and work and I have a great group of close friends who I completely adore.  But sometimes, when I'm feeling particularly vulnerable, I start to blame myself for not being asked on dates.  And it's always the same reason: I'm just not enough.  Enough being whatever I'm feeling insecure about that day: pretty enough, smart enough, skinny enough, entertaining enough, fun enough, mature enough, adventurous enough...you get the picture.

So I thought to myself....how can I take some pressure off and let some of this go?  So I initiated "guy free week".  Guy free week had a few rules- the first rule of guy free week is you don't talk about guy free week (ha ha I'm hilarious).

The real rules of guy free week included:

- No talking about dating

- You could text guys but you could not hang out with them

- No talking about guys or venting about anything frustrating they were doing or not doing

For a week.  Sounds easy right? We are all strong independent women.  We have hopes and dreams and aspirations.  Career goals.  Big personalities.  We had other things to talk about! Well...it was easier for some than for others (I won't name names...) and there's nothing wrong with that... but the results for me were incredible.  I was way more focused and driven than I've been in a long time.  I felt less stressed.  I felt physically lighter and like I was enjoying every day of my life more.  Now I can't really say that having guy free week was the only reason.  Maybe I was getting more sleep or maybe I was just feeling more confident- but I do know that I realized that I was being much more affected by the dating obsession than I thought I was.  Which lead me to do some thinking....

We as women have been ingrained with the idea that we live for the attention of men, from a very early age.  So many of the movies I grew up watching centered around the plot line that a woman had to change herself in order to catch that special guys eye.  Magazine covers STILL entice with promises of giving you "13 Amazing Tips to Make Him Want You".  They usually involve flirting demurely, how to dress to slim your body, and wear enough make up to be alluring but not too obvious (guys don't like a lot of make up you know).  I've heard things from people around me: don't cut your hair because guys like long hair, guys like a good butt so make sure to do your squats, wearing high heels will make you more feminine and attractive to men.  Be spontaneous - guys want a girl who will go on adventures with them, but also show that you're reliable because men want a steady woman at home to raise the children.  Be funny, but don't act like the center of attention because men don't want to be with a show off.  Eat hamburgers and pizza because guys like a girl who can eat, but not too much because then you'll seem like a slob.  I know this may seem dramatic to some but it's the reality of the world we live in.  Yes, it's getting better.  Women are being more empowered to be who they are and to not live for the attention of men, but sometimes I feel like it's still this looming expectation (especially in the place I live...). 

I just hope that every woman in my life will understand their real worth.  That they will understand that the attention of men is not defining.  Yes, it's nice.  Don't get me wrong, there is something really nice about having that guy in your life that is different than your other relationships.  But I hope that none of the people I love ever feel like if they don't have that - they are lacking something, or that they need it to function. Find out who you are without it.  Explore by yourself, go on trips, discover a new hobby or talent. Do you!
 I am so proud of the strong women in my life and for the support I've received from others.  My mom (God bless that woman) even said to me the other day "I'm glad you aren't dating.  You are doing more with your life and have more to focus on right now.  I want all your focus to be on school" and my heart burst with gratitude.  My parents have never put pressure on me to date.  For a long time I thought that my parents also didn't think I was pretty enough to be dating (I know guys....I'm  in therapy for a reason)  but hearing them tell me that I am more than dating was relieving.  Dating is fun.  I love dating!  I just don't ever want dating or not dating to define me.  And I hope it won't define any other woman either.  

Also I highly suggest guy free week.  You might be surprised by the results.  

However if this guy ever shows up......

immediately end guy free week.  That is a command.  

xoxo

V

2016 Resolutions

Here we are again.  As we've done in years previous....let's do a quick recap of the last couple of years resolutions....

I started off strong in 2014

And last year was pretty good...and I feel good about how much I accomplished in 2015.

So here's the reveal of my 2016 resolutions (because I know you've been dying to know).

Last year I learned a lot about myself and I grew a lot.  In 2016 the focus is going to be enjoying things more.  Last year all the changes and hard times were really stressful and I think I forgot to enjoy the beauty of life.  So that's what I plan to do more in 2016.  Keep working on myself and enjoy it!

Happy New Year everyone!!!

P.S. A resolution of mine is always to get through the entire movie "The Dark Crystal" which I've never done because it scares me.  I tried this year.  I got 15 minutes in.  There's always 2017.

Also you can check out previous New Year resolutions HERE

Lessons I Learned in 2015

I know this is going to sound completely cliche but I really really can't believe it's already the end of the year.  As I do every year I decided to look back and think about the lessons 2015 taught me....and this is what I came up with. 

• I learned that you should always trust yourself.  You know more than you think you do. 
• Always do what you are afraid to do
• It's not what happens to you that is important.  It's what you do about it. 
• It takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it. 
• It's not what you have in your life, it's who you have in your life.
• You can get by on charm for about 15 minutes....after that, you better know something
• A cozy blanket and a cheesy movie can make you feel better after a bad day
• No matter how thin you slice it...there are always 2 sides
• It's a lot easier to react than to think
• You should always leave your loved ones with loving words.  It could always be the last time you see them.
• You can keep going long after you think you can't
• People are not as scary as you think they are
• You are responsible for what you do...no matter how you feel
• You either control your attitude or it controls you
• Learning to forgive takes practice (a lot....of practice)
• Your best friends and you can do anything or nothing and still have the best time
• I want to marry someone who loves me as much as Chip loves Joanna on Fixer Upper
• You should tell people how important they are to you.  Always.
• How to be angry and sad and joyful and excited and lonely and afraid and happy....experiencing every emotion and being ok with every emotion
• You cannot make anyone love you.  All you can do is be someone who can be loved.  The rest is up to them.  (this is not about just love relationships either....this pertains to friendships and really all kinds of relationships)
• Your worth is not measured by your job or relationship status
• No matter how good a friend someone is, they are going to hurt you every once in awhile and you must forgive them for that. 
• Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.  
• A 20 minute power nap can literally change your life
• Sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions
• No matter the consequences...always be honest with yourself
• A good 30 minute dance party can help you work through a lot of things
• Everyone on this earth is wanting to be loved and accepted.  Be someone who is willing to love and accept.
• Courage isn't always fighting a fight....sometimes it's just doing something for yourself that is terrifying.
• I will always regret the fact I didn't marry Zack Morris
• When you start to see how much you're worth, you will find people who also see your worth.  They will be your tribe.  Love them.
• Be passionate about what makes you happy.  Passion is a gift to us.  Don't let it go to waste.

2015 was hard.....it was weird and it was wonderful. And 2016 will be weird and wonderful because life is weird and wonderful.  

Happy New Year friends and family. 

xoxo

V 

Another Post About Anxiety

How we react to physical illness vs mental illness courtesy of Buzzfeed (actually a really great article everyone should read)

I wasn't going to write this and I wasn't going to post it and I wasn't going to share it.  These are my thoughts when I'm thinking about writing or talking about anxiety:

- No one wants to hear this again
- Everyone will think I'm looking for attention
- Everyone will think it's just another sob story
- Everyone will think I'm being dramatic
- No one wants to talk about this

So I think the fact that these are the thoughts I have are the very reason I'm going to go against all of them and do it anyway.  Because if you have any of these thoughts when someone talks about their mental illness or if you feel this way talking about yours...maybe the more we do it the better it will be?  I don't really know.  I don't think anyone does.

There's this really nasty side effect of anxiety that no one talks about.  I've never even talked about it before but it's hit me like a freight train for the last few days and I want to talk about it.
Depression.
I don't know why it seems easier to talk about anxiety for me than depression.  Maybe it's because I've never actually been diagnosed with depression.  BUT here's the nasty thing....severe generalized anxiety disorder and depression hold hands with each other.  This was recently explained to me by my doctor and finally gave an answer to a lot of questions I've had.  Let me start by trying to explain my anxiety a little bit better.  You know how we all learned about flight or fight response?  The way our body reacts to perceived threat?  Heart racing, scared, feeling like you can't breathe a little bit, palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy....(sorry I had to).  In all seriousness....we've all felt the effects of the fight or flight response.  It's not the greatest feeling.  Now imagine feeling that way constantly.  As in 24 hours a day.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that is how I feel. Always.  I do not have a single moment of any day where my heart isn't racing and I'm not anxious about something.  And it's been that way since I was 12 years old.  It wasn't until my doctor told me that's not normal for me to even think it's not because it's my normal.  I actually don't really think about it that often unless someone asks me.  I guess it's not an ideal way to live but it's been the way I've been living for so long that maybe I'm accustomed to it?  So naturally in situations where anyone would be stressed or nervous....my level of stressed/nervous increases even more.  Where my baseline is already "fight or flight"....adding onto that is a lot.  That's usually when I have a panic attack...but not always.  I don't usually know why I'm having a panic attack and I can't usually pin point a trigger.  I'm telling you...it's really frustrating.  Especially when people ask me "well what are you stressed about?".....um....I don't know because I feel this way every day?
Then comes the depression.  And there is a very straight forward and medical answer to why.  Because my body is constantly trying to fight off threats (because my mind perceives everything to be a threat) at some point it just can't handle it anymore.  And it starts to shut down.  Oh hi depression....welcome.
And this is where I've been the last few days.  Struggling to get out of bed.  Feeling completely exhausted and not caring about anything at all.  I know it's just my body's way of coping.  Of giving itself rest because it physically can't handle it anymore.  That doesn't make it easier.  I don't like telling people about this.  I don't like talking about it because it makes me feel like a freak.  It makes me feel like everyone will judge me for it or that I should be strong enough to just get over it.  You just push through it right?  Do it anyway even though it's hard.  Trust me....I would like nothing more.  But when your body has actually literally shut down.....you just can't.  I don't know how people with actual constant depression handle it.  I would like to to say now that you are some of the strongest people I can imagine.  Because this is very very hard...and it only happens to me for a few days every month or 2.
So why am I talking about this?  I don't know to be honest.  Maybe it makes me feel a little better.  I'm an honest person and I think we should talk about things.  Especially the hard things.  When it comes to mental illness a lot of people want to say that we need to treat it better.  We need to provide more help to these people...but then we don't really want to talk about mental illness either because it's someone else's problem.  And that's not how any problems are going to get solved.  There's still so much stigma attached to any mental illness.  I guess if me sharing my experiences helps there to be less of a stigma at all...then I'm all for it.
Because in spite of the depression and the constant anxiety....I'm still me.  I still love sloths, Jurassic Park movies, quoting Taylor Swift lyrics to annoy everyone around me, loud music, crime shows, and laughing so hard it physically hurts.
Because any person who struggles with any sort of mental illness is still a person.  Still trying their hardest and just wants to be loved and accepted like everyone else.  And usually these people worry more about not being loved and accepted because there is something "wrong" with them.  Maybe that's just me but I can imagine it's a little more universal than that.  So all I'm saying is...let's take care of each other as best we can.  Try not to judge before you love.  And let's just help each other get through all the "stuff" good and bad together.

An introduction

Hello everyone!

I want to introduce you to someone very special to me.

This is high school Vanessa.

Yes...the awkward one in the middle.

I got to thinking about high school Vanessa today and got a little emotional and just felt like sharing.  

High school Vanessa struggled.  Hard to imagine I know.  High school Vanessa moved to a new school her freshman year of high school.  High school Vanessa had dreams about what she wanted her life in high school to be.  She wanted to be popular.  The problem is...high school Vanessa didn't know that no matter what she did..she would never be popular.  But she doesn't know this yet.  High school Vanessa was terrified of being different or standing out.  If she liked things that would be considered "weird" she kept them to herself.  She bought all the make up she thought she needed to be prettier.  She tried buying the clothes she thought would make her seem like she fit in.  She even let popular kids cheat off her tests freshman year because she thought that would make them like her more.  High school Vanessa cared very very very much about what other people thought about her.  

But high school Vanessa was not popular.  High school Vanessa did not have status, money, or looks.  High school Vanessa was awkward, overweight, and scared.  

I got to thinking about who I am today.  I realized that I am weird.  I am goofy.  I am still painfully awkward.  And I started crying.  I started crying because my heart hurt a little bit for high school Vanessa.  High school Vanessa was spending so much time worrying about what other people thought about her that she never enjoyed herself.  Don't get me wrong...high school Vanessa had wonderful friends.  But she always held herself back a little bit.  High school Vanessa was part of the drama club and all the school plays but never tried out because she was afraid.  High school Vanessa lived vicariously through everyone else around her.  

There are still days when high school Vanessa sneaks in.  

When I'm looking in the mirror and telling myself I'm not pretty enough and that nobody will ever like me.  

When I hold myself back because I'm afraid of what other people think.  

It happens to all of us occasionally.  But I'm so grateful that the majority of my days I can look at myself and be so happy with who I am today.  Because I have worth.  I am strong, powerful, caring, compassionate, funny (sometimes), and I love life.  Sometimes I take too much Nyquil and climb banisters, sometimes I cry in sloth exhibits at the zoo, sometimes I make embarrassing lip sync videos and send them to my friends.  It's just who I am.  And I've adopted the attitude that if you don't like who I am....watch me be who I am even more.

I hope everyone adopts this attitude. 

So welcome high school Vanessa.  Thank you for teaching me things.  I wish I could go back in time and hug you and tell you that you are so much more than the opinion of those who don't know you.  That you are funny and smart and good. But since I can't....I'll just give you all the things now that you wish you had then.

xoxo

V

Twenty Things

1. Appreciate your parents.  You don't know what will happen.

2. If you don't want to wear make up, don't.  If you love the feeling of a bold lipstick and liquid liner...rock that too.  Not wearing make up doesn't make you sloppy and wearing make up doesn't make you vain.

3. It's really okay to love yourself.  Appreciate the funny curve of your nose, and that gap in your teeth makes your smile prettier.  Just because you don't look like that girl in the magazine doesn't mean you can't tell yourself you're beautiful every now and then.

4. Do what makes you happy.  I know you've heard this a million times, but I can't stress this enough.  Go after your dream job even if it goes against every thing your parents wanted.  If you don't like where you live, move.  Your friends don't make you laugh until your sides hurt?  You don't have to be friends with them anymore.  You're in control.  No one else.  Don't fall under the pressure of pleasing people.  Please yourself and live for yourself.

5. Love who you want.  Regardless of skin color or societal views or really what anyone else thinks.  Please never give up true love because you're scared.  Love is a beautiful beautiful thing and if you're lucky enough to come across it don't you dare walk away from it because of what others will think.

6.Take long showers and lay on your bed naked after, sing too loud, sleep through your duties one day, and another day just don't leave the couch.  It's okay to just decide you don't have responsibilities for a little bit.  Everyone needs a day every so often to just relax.  It's okay to be lazy.  It's okay to sleep for 12 hours straight.  It's okay to go to bed at 6 am because you're reading and wake up at 3 the next day.  Treat yourself.  But most importantly love yourself enough to give yourself time to breathe.

7. Alone time is good for the soul.  I truly believe that.  I think it's good to cancel your plans sometimes, close your door, turn off your phone, and play some Fleetwood Mac.  Maybe you could read a book, or hell even write one.  Take the time just you and yourself and learn to be happy with just you and the sound of your breathing.  At the end of the day you are the only person that is guaranteed to stick around, so you might as well learn to enjoy the way you laugh at your own jokes or the way you pronounce words when you read out loud.  Being comfortable alone is more important that you know.

8. It's okay to be in your 20's and still love Disney movies.  It's not even a guilty pleasure.  Everyone has their favorite whether they admit it or not.

9. Do not compromise who you are to impress someone else.  You are a wonderfully constructed individual.  Your trials, experiences, and life all together have sculpted you into the most lovely version of you possible.  If a person doesn't like the way you live from your personal choices to your music taste, who cares?  You were not put on this earth to impress them, or anyone for that matter.  Impress yourself.  Stick to what you want, stand up for what you believe,  It's your life.

10. High school does not in any manner prepare you for college.  One time my teacher dismissed class early because a kid fell down the stairs and he was laughing too hard to continue the lecture.  That's all I have to say about that subject.

11. I now you're making tons of new friends, but don't forget the ones who have been there from the start.  Your new friends may be exciting and wonderful and the best friends you could imagine but the ones who knew you back in middle school and were still there for you are genuine.  If they loved you through your awkward phase, they're probably in it for the long run.  So send some love their way every so often.  When you're older, you'll be glad you did.

12. Your mom will probably cry a lot as you get older.  Let her.  Hug her.  Cry with her.  She just wants you to be happy at the end of the day.  Spend Sunday afternoon telling her about your life.  She'll appreciate that so much and you will too later on.

13. Stop glamorizing sadness. Sadness is not beautiful.  It does not glow.  Disorders are not something to make light of, and scars are not something to be ignored.  Be proud of who you are.  Eat that hamburger, and put the razor down.  And most importantly, smile.  Happiness is by far the most beautiful thing about a person.

14. It will all be okay at the end of the day.  Life has a funny way of working out.

15. Speaking of funny.....life literally never goes as planned.  Don't waste your time fretting over the future.

16. You can never go wrong with pizza

17. Don't wish your years away.  Being young is the most fantastic exciting adventure.

18. Don't ever think that you know everything and it's time to stop learning.

19.  Take risks.

20. If you ever feel unloved and worthless just know you have people who love you.  You're destined for big things.  Never forget your worth.

Did You Know....?

Hi guys!
Did you know that I have a beauty Instagram???  You didn't???  Well guess what?  I do!  You can head over to xoxo_ness13 and follow me for tips, tricks, and product reviews!  See ya there and share the love!

Forgiveness

Something I've learned about myself is that I am quick to reaction. In situations where hurt feelings are involved...I become a little like Michael Scott.

 I like to think it's just because I'm such a passionate person and I feel emotions so deeply but really I think it's also because I can be stubborn...and obviously my feelings are always right.  Growing up, because of the bullying I experienced as a kid, my feelings were invalidated.  I was basically told by other people's actions that my feelings didn't matter.  As I've grown up and developed a voice I have become fiercely defensive of my feelings.  I want to make sure that my feelings are validated.  I don't think there's anything wrong with that but I have learned that instead of jumping to reaction...I need to sit with my emotions for a little while.  Like a stain you need to soak....otherwise instead of solving the problem...you end up making it worse.  
So then the word forgiveness comes to mind.
I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness lately.
It's easy to look at a situation and see that someone has wronged you, place blame, and then become the "bigger person" by forgiving them.  We've all done it.  However...usually we deserve some of the blame and in my experience...the gift of forgiveness ends up being for us.  By forgiving others we forgive ourselves.  This is a big lesson I've learned in my life but have found a hard time putting it to action.  I used to think forgiveness is magnanimous but really....it's required.
There is a song called "For Blue Skies" by a band Strays Don't Sleep.  Matthew Ryan is the leader of this band and he is a poet.  A guy who uses lyrics and melody like others use words on a page.  To deal with it all.  The heal something inside.  Sometimes...just to tell a story.  The phrase repeated the most in this song is
"I forgive you"
A refrain so simple and gentle and at the same time so powerful and inspiring.  For you and your world.  For me and mine.  "I forgive you".  Add a few solitary piano keys and it becomes heartbreaking.  "I forgive you".  Words we've all needed to hear.  
I believe strongly that forgiveness is circular...not linear.  It does not begin and end.  It is a constant and it's affects are continual.  Forgive someone, heal them, heal yourself.  Rinse and Repeat. 
So many of life lessons we learn as children are basic.  Say "sorry" and forgive.  As we get older situations become more complicated and heartbreak becomes deeper...and it becomes time to change the way we see those lessons.  I'm still learning. And while I am...please forgive me.

This One's For You

To any girl reading this:
I've been thinking about my life and all the lessons I've learned and I thought....if I could share anything I've learned in life...what would it be?  What advice would I give my sisters? It's taken me a lot of heart and hurt to learn the lessons I have on
 1. Friends
 2. Boys
 3. Yourself

Friends.
Who you invest your time into should be willing to invest the same amount of time in you.  You should never feel like less than who you are with your friends. Don't feel like you have to compete with your friends.  If you ever feel like someone isn't supportive of you or they are not happy for your happiness...they are not your friend. You should never feel like who you are isn't accepted with your friends.  Sometimes your friends will be the worst...and sometimes so will you.  Look deeper at people.  Forgive.  Friendship takes so much forgiving and someday you'll need the same forgiveness that you give.

Boys.
A part of me wants to write "boys are dumb" and leave it at that....but you already know that.  I think the main thing I've learned when it comes to boys is that no matter what...they can't define you.  One day you might give your heart to someone who just doesn't know what to do with it.  This will hurt.  This will hurt so much.  It does not mean that someone someday won't see the depth of the love you have and be willing to swim deeper rather than stay on the shore.  One day you might realize that the boy you love isn't the boy you are supposed to love.  That's ok too.  It's ok to say no to something or someone.

Yourself.
Whoever you are is the perfect person to be.  Sometimes you will feel like you're too loud or too quiet.  Sometimes you will feel like your heart could burst with all the love you're capable of sharing.  Sometimes you will feel like your heart could burst with all the love that you feel will never been reciprocated.  Sometimes you will cry or maybe you will never cry.  Sometimes you will be best friends with everyone and sometimes you will need to be alone.
All of this. Every single thing is ok.  It's ok to feel and be all of these things.  Be who you are.  Love yourself and never apologize for what that might be.  Love with everything you have, laugh too loud, dance too much.  Live life on your own terms.  Anybody who is worth having in your life will accept who you are.  Every single part of you.  Don't waste time on those who don't see you and appreciate everything you have to give.

xoxo

V

2015 Resolutions

I've tried to keep my resolutions as realistic as possible

And I don't know how I'll top last years resolutions

But here we go anyway....

Bring it on 2015

xoxo

V

Lessons I Learned in 2014

I've been reflecting a lot on what I've learned over the last year.  2013 was a tough year for me and I promised myself that in 2014 I would change a lot.  And I learned many important lessons:

• There is no occasion that doesn't call for red lipstick
• You can live without Diet Coke (I know....I know)
• Sometimes you just need to spend an entire day watching terrible movies on Hallmark
• You will not laugh as much with anyone as you do with your family
• It's important to be thrifty and save money...but never buy cheap foundation, sheets, or razors.
• Don't invest time in people who won't do the same for you
• Take a selfie.  Post it.  Who cares what anyone else thinks.
• Window seats and rainy days are the beginnings of a perfect day
• Celebrate your successes and learn from your failures
• People will always make assumptions about you and most of them will be wrong but you don't have to defend yourself to anyone

I think the biggest lesson I learned and change I made was learning to invest in myself.  I'm a firm believer in the fact that we can't really ever be happy until we love ourselves and accept ourselves for who we are.  I don't think we should be complacent because I think we should always be improving ourselves.  This does not mean we will be perfect.  We have flaws....I certainly do.  I love things too much.  I let things hurt me too deeply.  I sing to Taylor Swift songs way too loud.  I look at pictures of sloths too much.
Just to name a few.
But our flaws are what make us who we are.  Because I love things too much I am able to accept other people's flaws, I might get hurt deeply but at least it means I'm sensitive and I care, and if listening to a Taylor Swift song too loud is the worst thing I do...then I think I'm doing ok.
I embraced my flaws this year and changed the things I wanted to change.  I became more confident and comfortable with who I am and mostly....I learned to love myself.  I started becoming a person that I'm proud of.  A person I would want to be friends with.
That is what I would challenge everyone to do.  Get to know yourself.  Embrace who you are.  Change the things you aren't proud of.  Surprisingly.....life becomes so much more beautiful when you do this...I promise.
As for the sloths....I can't defend it...but I probably also won't stop it.
Haters gonna hate.
xoxo
V

He Is The Gift

I've been trying to think of what I want to express about Christmas.
I've experienced a different Christmas season than I have in the past.  I'm not a genius by any means but I know the reason why.  This season I put much more of a focus on why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.  It's easy for people who work in retail or business to get jaded about Christmas.  Christmas music starts sprinkling into our sound systems the day after Halloween.  The hours are longer, the stress higher, and the customers grumpier (which is sad). We reduce Christmas to a bottom line, something we just have to get through.
I really didn't want to fall into that trap this year.  So I started searching for ways to make the "spirit of Christmas" a focus for me.  I started with a 45 Day scripture study of the life of Christ.  I studied His birth, I studied His life, I studied the atonement, I studied His death.  I felt myself growing closer to my Savior and that in and of itself softens a heart to Christmas. It reminded me of a quote by Thomas S. Monson
"....may we ever reflect our gratitude for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ....He taught us how to pray.  He taught us how to live.  He taught us how to die.  His life is a legacy of love.  The sick He healed, the downtrodden He lifted, the sinner He saved.  Ultimately, He stood alone.  Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him.  The Roman soldiers pierced His side.  The angry mob took His life.  There yet rings from Golgotha's hill His compassionate words: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  Who was this 'man of sorrows' acquainted with grief?  Who is this King of glory, this Lord of lords?  He is our Master.  He is our Savior.  He is the Son of God.  He is the Author of our Salvation.  He beckons, 'Follow me.' He instructs 'Go, and do thou likewise.' He pleads 'Keep my commandments.'  Let us follow Him.  Let us emulate His example.  Let us obey His words.  By doing so, we give Him the divine gift of gratitude."
Christmas hymns have also always been a spiritual experience for me.  "O Come All Ye Faithful" literally makes me come undone.  Every time I hear those words "O come let us adore him Christ the Lord" I just lose it.  I have a vision of us all in heaven, waiting for the moment for our Savior to be born because we knew what that meant.  We knew that with Him on the Earth we could be saved.  That we could return to live with our families and we could have eternal life.  Oh how joyful we must have been.
I love Christmas.  I love everything about it but this year I especially loved the experience of celebrating the birth of my Savior.
Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Merry Merry Merry Christmas
xoxo
V

• Shepperd - Geronimo
• Aerosmith - Dream On
• Lights - Don't Go Home Without Me (probably will be played at my wedding)
• +44 - Make You Smile
• Bleachers - Shadow
• Eminem - Rap God
• Ella Henderson - Ghost
• Bea Miller - Young Blood
• Damien Rice - I Don't Want To Change You
• Walk The Moon - Shut Up and Dance
• Kate Voegele - Caught Up In You
• Taylor Swift - Blank Space
• Karmin - Sugar
• Lights - Ice
• OMD - If You Leave
• Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy
• Bleachers - I Wanna Get Better 
• Lights - Running With The Boys
• Taylor Swift - I Know Places 

I know this playlist is kind of long and there's some repeat artists but......it's been awhile and I have a few artists I'm currently obsessed with.  Lights, Bleachers, and of course Taylor Swift.  I recommend the full albums of all 3 of these artists.  If you have any other great music you've been listening to lately....let me know!!! 

xoxo

V

Faith vs. Fear

 

I know that people probably get tired with me talking about anxiety...but.....I don't care. 

I saw this little "storyline" about anxiety and I thought...."yes.  yes this is me".  Anxiety, as I've mentioned before, is something I've struggled with since I was about 13.  That was when I had my first panic attack and I thought I was dying.  As I've gotten older I've started trying to figure out the "whys".  The thing is that most of those "whys" can never be answered.  So instead of figuring out the "whys" I decided to learn how to overcome it.  Experiences in my life have made my relationship with my Heavenly Father a strained one.  I would talk to him and then I would think...."ok I have this under control...I don't think we need to talk anymore".  As work got busier, church attendance became harder.  I started living my life with the thoughts that I didn't need to go to church.  I didn't need to read my scriptures or say my prayers.  I was fine.

I was not fine.  

I mean I wasn't going off the deep end or anything but I was apathetic.  And apathy is not living any type of fulfilling life. I was not fulfilled.  And dare I say....I was not happy.  In fact I was experiencing more consistent panic attacks than I'd ever experienced before. And it left me feeling empty. 

 So I did what every twenty-something does and I analyzed my life.  I took inventory of where I was at and where I wanted to go.  And I made a list. A list of things I wanted.  They included: love, contentment, peace, marriage and a family, healthy mind and body, and of course Beyonce fierceness.

So then I needed to figure out how to get there and I knew the answers.  I knew the answers all along.  They are what we call "primary answers".  Scriptures.  Prayer. Church.  

Why are the easiest things sometimes the hardest.  

*BEWARE.....PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND FEELINGS COMING AHEAD.  IF THESE MAKE YOU UNCOMFORTABLE READ NO FURTHER.  GO WATCH TAYLOR SWIFTS NEW MUSIC VIDEO AND PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED.  IT'S OK I UNDERSTAND.*

The first conversation I had with my Heavenly Father was a big one.  And yes...there were tears.  As I continued these "small and simple things" I continually felt more peace and contentment in my life (check two off the list).  Because of this contentment I felt empowered to make other changes. I started changing my lifestyle and getting a healthier body (check), I started talking to a counselor to help with my mind (check).  That left love, marriage, and a family.  Well....marriage and a family involve another person so that made things trickier (turns out you can't make someone fall in love with you like in "Practical Magic"...sorry to ruin that for you).  But what about love? (the first person who can sing the next line of the song I just thought of receives 35 points to Griffyndor)

Love.  Love is often mistaken for romance and relationships.  If you only associate love with these two things I can promise you that you will never feel love or notice it in your life.  Trust me on this.  

The reason I know this is because it's exactly what I was doing.  I would have conversations with Heavenly Father asking "why?....why am I not worth being loved?  Am I not pretty enough?  Smart enough?  Why not me?"

Anxiety leaves you feeling unloved a lot of the time.  Not because you are but because that's what the thoughts in your mind tell you.  I was constantly searching for love.  It was all I wanted.  

I was having a particularly hard time with these thoughts and because Heavenly Father is much smarter than most of us give him credit for....He gave me something....He is amazing.

That something was a scripture.  

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

And I was blown away.  That is a lot of love.  The greatest kind of love.  A love that will never be matched.  In addition to that....think of the love that then, in turn, Jesus Christ has.  That he would then lay down his life, suffer unspeakable pain.  All for love.  Love of us.  Love of me.  ME.  Also in the book of John, Christ prays the most beautiful prayer to our Heavenly Father in our behalf (Chapter 17....it will change you).  Telling Heavenly Father over and over how much He loves us.  

He knows us.  Better than anyone knows us.  He knows our fears.  He knows our pains.  He knows the loneliness we feel.  He knows the feeling of being unloved but there He is.  There He is with a never ending, never failing, powerful love.  The kind of love we all dream about.  We already have it.  We just have to realize it.  

Since coming to this realization I can honestly say that my anxiety has been greatly reduced.  I haven't had a serious panic attack in months.  I life a full life, trying desperately to seize every moment.  I feel like the first twenty-something years of my life I was sleeping.  Now I am awake.  I am awake and happy living the best life I can imagine.  Love: check.

I am still learning a lot.  Every day.  I am learning new ways to make my life better.  I am still working towards goals.  Marriage and a family...they will come when it's time.  In the meantime I will continue to magnify this love that I have and share it with anyone and everyone.  Because it's the best!

And as for the Beyonce fierceness....I've got that covered.

xoxo

V

P.S.  Here is a video that will make you feel even more of that love.  I know....it's a thing.

28 years

I've been on this earth for 28 years.
                         Weird.
For some reason this birthday made me reflect more than my others.  I'm not entirely sure why.  Maybe it's because I'm closer to 30 than I've ever been before (I'm choking back tears as I type that) and because that makes you think....what have I done with my life and what do I want to accomplish with the rest of my life.  As I reflected I decided to make a list of 28 of the most important lessons I've learned.
1. Your job does not define you
2. Your marital status does not define you

3. Some people are just jerks
4. But some people are just misunderstood
5. Enjoy your time with your parents/family

6. Call your grandparents
7. Listen to them

8. You are the only one who decides how you feel about your body
9. Laughing so hard you can't breathe is still one of the best feelings

10. Your friends will occasionally be the worst...but so will you
11. Forgive always....forgive others, forgive yourself
12. People are not usually secretly in love with you
13. Don't watch "Footloose" just because everyone thinks it's weird you haven't
14. Always take your make up off before bed
15. A strong red lip can make you feel invincible

16. Dance as much as possible
17. Tell people what they mean to you.  Even if it's uncomfortable...you will never regret it.
18. Don't spend your time and energy on people who don't return the gesture
19. If he doesn't text you back....life goes on
20. When you experience loss...it will feel like you are suffocating.  You will not be able to breathe and you will feel like the world is literally caving in.  It is not.  And one day you will wake up and you will be breathing a bit easier.  You will be stronger even if you can't fathom that in the moment.  You will be ok.
21. If it makes you happy and it's not hurting others...do it.
22. Your siblings will always be your best friends

23. Drink water.
24. Don't be afraid to fail
 
25. Wear comfortable shoes
26. The ocean is the most healing place on the earth

27. Go outside and experience the beauty of the earth as much as possible
28. Above everything else....love yourself fiercely.

So here's to 28 years and more to come!  I plan to continue to fill each day with joy and as much adventure as possible.  Life is short.
And sometimes birthdays are hard.

Weekend Collage

weekend collage by vanessanelson featuring lips makeup

A weekend collage update!!! 

Things I loved this weekend.....

for me it was all about cats and polka dots for some reason and I went for it.  I'm also obsessing over this Michael Kors handbag (are you dying right now???)  Flowerbomb perfume is my signature scent and so when I'm needing a boost of confidence or I know my outfit is on point and I want to add to my (ahem) allure it's definitely my go to.  I talked about Too Faced "Better Than Sex" mascara in my September Favorites video (which I'm sure you all watched) and it's definitely become a make up staple of mine.  And FINALLY Autumn is upon us which means I'm breaking out the dark nail polish like this Nars one and the burgundy lipsticks like my all time favorite Rouge Volupte #12 by YSL.
I've also decided that my wedding song will probably be "Tenerife Sea" by Ed Sheeran.  Have a listen.  It's lovely.

October is the best month of the year and I'm looking forward to this one!
How was your weekend?  Any new discoveries?  Did you see a rainbow, bask in the beautiful mountains, contemplate life by the sea, fall in love, make a wish....
share your amazing weekend adventures in the comments!
xoxo
V

A Letter to my Someday

Here's the thing: 
I think I could love you 
really hard. I truly do. 

I used to pinch my skin, 
rub it raw, 
hoping that my exterior would fade.

You see, I know I'm not much. 

My fingers are too bony, my thighs rub together when I walk, and my lip always quivers 
even when it’s the middle of summer. 

I talk too loud in movie theaters and too quiet in front of microphones. 

I have a thick skin, and terrible feet 
and my hands tremble when I cry.
I wander, 
I never seem to stay in one place
 but most of the time I never quite know
 where I'm heading.

I know I'm not much to look at 
but I've been told that I've got a heart 
almost as deep as the Pacific Ocean and 
I'll love you with every inch of it,
 if you’ll let me.

Here's the thing:
 when I love, I love hard 
because I have never believed in 
doing things half-heartedly.

I'm going to love you with every corner of me. 

So here, 
this is my heart.

I know it’s not much but
 it’s all I've got.

Back With A Bang!

Why hello there everyone!!!

Yes blogging has kind of taken a backseat to "real life" but I'm back and kicking it off with.......

A NEW VIDEO!!!

I know right???

Go ahead and just click HERE to take a peek! I talk about all my favorite things for the month of September so obviously....it's very important. You can even subscribe and give it a thumbs up if you want.

Hope you're ready to hear from me again!

xoxo
V

To live would be an awfully big adventure....

"You know that place between sleep and awake?  That place where you still remember dreaming?  That's where I'll always love you Peter Pan.  That's where I'll be waiting"

-Hook 

I've never been to Neverland but Robin Williams took me there.  I've never been trapped in a board game but Robin Williams made me feel like I had.  I've never been a genius or a prodigy but Robin Williams taught me there is more to life.  I've never found a magic lamp but I wanted a friend like Genie.  I've never been to Vietnam but I've said Good Morning to it.  I've never written poetry but I have felt the emotions in "O Captain My Captain".  I've never had a nanny but I've learned the importance of doing anything for your family.  I could go on and on.  I know he didn't write the words he spoke but he delivered both comedic and dramatic roles completely relatable.  You know someone was special when the world mourns as if they lost a member of their family.

Robin Williams....you will be greatly missed.

• Maroon 5 : It Was Always You
• Stu Larsen: San Francisco
• Matt Wertz : Old Flame
• Jason Mraz : Hello You Beautiful Thing
• Angus & Julia Stone : A Heartbreak
• Troye Sivan : Happy Little Pill
• Blink 182 : Pretty Little Girl
• Iggy Azalea (feat Rita Ora) : Black Widow
• KONGOS: Come With Me Now
• Hilary Duff : Chasing The Sun
• Sam Smith : I'm Not The Only One 
• Birdy : Wings
• Rixton : Wait On Me
• Laura Welsh : Break The Fall