New Year, Same Sparkle

It’s time, the New Year, Same Sparkle post! I use the same title every year because 1. I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions and 2. It’s pretty damn accurate.

Look we all know NYE is different in 2020. I hope you are all staying home, staying safe and being respectful of the world in which we live in right now. If you’re not, you’re trash. And I sincerely mean that.

I am spending the evening playing games with my Colorado quaranteam. It’s a very small group of safe friends. A very exclusive club — and no, you can’t sit with us. It’s a pandemic, please go home.

Because I don’t buy into resolutions, NYE is honestly just another day for me. I don’t really reflect that heavily on the year, I don’t think about changing in the new year.

Because 2020 has been anything but a normal year, it makes sense that I might feel a little different.

I’m still the same me, but I believe that I’ve become more me. I’ve embraced therapy whole heartedly and that means my growth into loving myself and owning who I am is off the charts.

I genuinely feel the best I ever have in my life.

So maybe new year, more sparkle?

I’ve struggled a lot with a lot this year, namely aging. I’m embracing it, but it’s also terrified me to be 35. It really really was a hard thing to face for whatever reason. Sitting at home all year and having time to look into the why of that — led me to a real breakthrough. Age ain’t shit. Write that down. It’s science.

That breakthrough has also made me feel so much ownership in the life I want to create. In 2021, I hope to continue to prioritize that.

It has also pushed me to own and celebrate who I am. And to not allow anyone else to tell me otherwise. In 2021, I hope to continue to show that.

That breakthrough has given me the courage to take a big risk, in 2021, I hope to continue to take big risks — especially when I’m scared to do so.

2021 is a new year, and while the pandemic isn’t over and there is so much to fix in this country — I am excited for all that is to come.

I hope things never go back to normal. I hope we raise hell and affect real change.

And next year I hope to tell you I’m my sparkliest yet.

Edit: Since I wrote this I decided to stay home entirely. It’s not worth the risk and because my friends are dope, they get it and respect it.

Sparkle Vibe Challenge

A few weeks back I posted a status on Facebook that became a bit of a tiny movement. All I did was ask for more puppy pics and less ignorance. And the results were that over 100 people posted pictures of their furry friends to my statement. And I have never felt happier.

Because of this, I've created a weekly challenge called the Sparkle Vibe Challenge. Each week I provide a new topic to Facebook and people have to post a corresponding image.

The goal is really just to make people smile. Facebook can often feel like a hostile environment due to politics, religion, etc. etc. I post about these things too. And I think it's important to speak loud and proud about what is right. But it's gone from discussion to attacks, hateful jabs, and just ugly reactions from people I have grown to no longer care for.

I'm not saying stop talking about things that matter. Please don't ever stop.

But I'd like to sprinkle a little positive vibes into the social media space as well. Sparkle Vibe challenge is my way of building people up and spreading a little sparkle into a space that doesn't always feel so sparkly.

What are you doing to help make your social media world a little more positive when it can feel so very damaging?

Miniature Smiles

I've been really busy at work lately.  Working 7 days a week at times busy.  We are short staffed and so I've been stepping up to the plate to get things done and I'm exhausted.  I'm burnt out, I'm cranky, and I'm not handling stress well.  My anxiety is at an all time high and I should not be left alone without adult supervision.

One of my closest girlfriends and fellow anxious babes suggested I take life hour by hour right now until things are able to slow down.  And as insane as that sounds to break your day down by every hour, it's not a bad idea.  So here's what I've done.  I've decided to find a little happiness and reset in each hour.  

These little acts of joy aren't big.  Sometimes they're 30 second breathers, but what I've learned is that it's actually helping me from going off the deep end.  Make no mistake, I'm still one broken nail away from packing up and moving to a yacht in Italy and letting myself be funded by a wrinkly 85 year old sugar daddy, but I haven't done it yet (Moo is so proud).

So what are these sparkle breaks you ask?  Kind of you to inquire.  Here are some examples:

• Grab an iced tea or coffee
• Surf social media
• Text my family
• Take a walk
• Eat a snack
• Chat with a friend
• Get a workout in
• Cook a meal
• Snuggle my dog
• Shop online

Clearly I'm not changing my life with these.  They're things a lot of you are probably doing on the daily thinking how is she calling these wins?  But for me, during a completely chaotic time, these are HUGE wins.  If you're in a very "no two days are the same" career like I am, we don't have normal working schedules.  We fly by the seat of our sequin pants sometimes and being able to slow down and make personal time is the biggest success of our day.  Simply not walking out or killing anyone is the most proud I feel all week right now.

If you're living that non stressful, perfect work life balance life - this blog is not for you.  Continue on.  But for the rest of my fellow sequins out there who often have a hard time managing the stress of being superwoman at home and at work - have hope!  There are small victories and there are reprieves in your day.  But it's on YOU to put in the effort, set your boundaries and effectively create that balance.  

Now go forth and make the most of your day.  And send me your ways that you incorporate a little sparkle into your hours at work.  

New Year Same Sparkle

I LOVE NEW YEARS. Realistically - I love the entire winter holiday season.  But NYE is defined by sparkle and celebrations and bubbles and excitement.  I LOVE ALL THOSE THINGS!

That being said - I do not love the dreaded New Year's Resolution.  I've always believed that there's no reason to wait for a new year to make a big change.  Want to quit your job and follow your dreams?  Do it now.  Thinking about popping the question?  Why wait? Craving a healthy lifestyle?  Get started!  The point is - why are you waiting for some arbitrary date to motivate you?  If you wont do it now, you're not anymore likely to achieve those goals because it's January 1. 

Can we all just skip the resolutions, stop crowding my gym, and focus on what NYE really means?  Dancing on tables in sequin dresses while drinking champagne with your friends.  I swear - scientifically that's what it stands for.  I think NASA discovered that...or something.

Ok you're right - the arthritis in my feet will keep me from dancing on tables this year but being a grown up means I can afford the good bubbles and the fancy dress.  Quick question - do they make sequin onesies?

While I will not be participating in the tradition of the New Year's Resolutions - I will continue to sparkle.  I will continue to work on bettering myself.  I will keep chasing the dream.  I will work on my physical and mental health.  I will never stop learning.  I vow to never stop speaking my mind (although sometimes I should, whoops!).  I vow to make everyone laugh as much as humanly possible.  I promise to keep asking the hard questions.  I promise to work on relationships with myself and others.  And I solemnly swear I will always always - be up to no good.

New Year - Same Sparkle! See ya when I see ya 2017!