Love/Hate relationships

 

The older I get the more this becomes apparent. The more that I see the effects of social media makes me want to break up with it once and for all. I may have spoken on this topic already. The changes never stick because we aren't retraining our brains to think differently. Whether you are addicted to the scroll or constantly being made to feel bad about yourself from the constant comparison.  We can't stop we love to look at the pretty pictures. The places we want to go. The houses we want to have. The clothes we want, the body we want. The social life that seems to be more interesting and entertaining then our own. The personality that we wish we had if we could just get over the anxiety. The creativity we wish came so naturally.

What does all this do?

Leaves us wanting. Forces us into discontentment. Nothing is ever enough for us. It's a struggle even for the most content person. It's been around for ages. Since pre-school days. You wanted the toy that the other kid had even if you had a handful already. "Keeping up with the Jones's" was relevant in the early 90's. It made those housewives and middle age guys go crazy. 

We desperately need to put on this armor every morning. Finding joy and contentment in our present life. "Comparison is the thief of joy". That phrase is pure truth. It threatens to steal our identity, our mental health. Isn't that worth protecting. 

I encourage you to take your time to really take a look at your habits. Really try to understand what your triggers are and take those social media breaks. A life of peace, contentment and joy is worth way more than keeping up with everyones' false, perfectly curated content.

Philippians 4:11. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” 

Matthew6:25-26  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 

 

 

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  

 

New Year, Same thing

 I had every intention of writing a Christmas post and that didn't happen. Then I had every intention of writing a 2020 recap post. That didn't happen either. So before it's my birthday I figured I needed to get on this. Today the kids go back to school and I feel like the break never even happened. It was the only day that my youngest decided to sleep in. The first day back of setting alarms again. I will never understand that about kids. They sleep in on days they have to get up early, and they get up early when they can sleep in. They also stay up late and get up early, and go to bed early and still get up early. Never ending cycle. 

Anyway, I digress. I noticed now that it's 2021 a new year. We all kind of buy into this "New year, New me" mentality. Now there's a new trend of not putting that kind of pressure on yourselves. Anyone else tired of what everyone tells you what to do. "Everyone" meaning society, social media, trends, etc. 

What drastic measures are you going to take to change yourself from one night to the next? Covid is still happening. Our kids are still remote learning or for some lucky folks in different parts of the country have some kind of normalcy in that area. The country is still going insane. We overwhelm our minds with "I'm going to go on this diet." "I'm going to work harder with this addiction." But what does that do? It makes us cram all the bad behavior in before midnight. Eat all the junk you can because the very next day you have to change your thoughts, your feelings, your behaviors in that particular area of your life. True change can't be done overnight. We have to take one day at a time. Allow mistakes, allow the change to occur gradually. Here's the thing. New Years resolutions are a little pointless. It should be called "Goals for this year to possible attain. But if not its okay life still goes on. You have not failed". 

The idea of being a failure has been on my mind lately. We get so wrapped in the idea that if we don't do productive things. And do them perfectly we are a failure. Which 2020 was a huge test of that. Especially for stay at home moms. Our whole identity is wrapped up in the things we get done in a day. Keeping the house clean, doing the dishes and the laundry. Getting the groceries, and cooking meals. Maybe, if we had some leftover minutes in the day we can do something for ourselves. Oh if only. 

You don't have to be perfect at everything all the time. My desktop screensaver currently says "Progress not perfection". I think those are good words to live by for the new year. Let's just try one day at a time to be the better version of ourselves.

Falling or Flying {Remote Learning Update}

 

 

I had a moment. Literally just a moment to sneak in here and tell you how insane remote learning is. I'm basically going back to Kindergarten. I'm so thankful for the teachers and the schools for being so flexible, patient and understanding of how our kids are doing during this. We only are set to do it for the first month. I'm hoping and praying they do not extend it ..because... honestly. I'm dying! I'm not ashamed to say that this is the absolute worst. My kid is not the sit down and listen type. At least not in this setting. I literally have to sit next to him all day long to make sure he learns something from his teacher. 

Every day I'm just so thankful to survive the day. I know all the schools are doing things differently. How are you doing things? Are you in person learning? Strictly remote learning? How are you surviving?

On a side note when you are stuck at home doing remote learning you might as well be comfy and cute. These pants are by far my favorite. I have collected 3 different colors new and they are all perfect for fall. They are so versatile. Clearly, because you guys have seen them multiple times. Whats your favorite color to wear for fall?

Songbird

I'm alive! I made it to and back from my trip to record in one piece. It was like traveling in the twilight zone. Going through the airport was a breeze. There was a lot of mask wearing folks social distancing themselves from me. I finally got a whole row to myself which was greatly appreciated. I gotta say it was not that bad. It's actually the most clean I've ever seen an airplane that clean let alone an airport. 

I had a blast recording this time around and I'm so excited for the new music that I'm going to release. 

It's hard to not share it now with everyone but got to put the finishing touches on and pick the exact right time. But I hope you guys will love it as much as I do.

In the mean time we can just enjoy the nice spring weather and check out this spring floral outfit I put together. Floral prints always get me in the mood for Spring.  

See how else I styled this skirt:

Coachella Dreams

Fashion Friday

Help me Mama

Fashion Friday { Blogiversary}

It's my blogiversary. I've been blogging for 7 years now. Wow! Time has gone by so fast. 

I originally got into blogging to document all the things I'm interested in. I started with fashion, then got into DIY projects and home decor. Then had some fun lifestyle adventures. Family vacations. 

I posted a lot in the beginning. Then stepped back. I've had great opportunities, met some awesome people throughout the journey. I can't wait to see what happens next. 

P.S If you love a good giveaway. Head on over to my instagram @ashley.reed 

and enter to win a $50 gift card to RMC Boutique.

All the rules are on the post. 

Good Luck! 

Thank you for continuing to read what I have to say. I hope you had as much fun as I have these seven years!