I want to take today to talk about something beyond just the outfit post. Something that’s been weighing on my heart, affecting me, and changing me over the past few weeks.
In a recent yoga class, I found myself in a stressful position. Literally. Hands behind my back, contorted into a severely awkward stance, and was about to pass out when the instructor offered some very sage advice: just breathe.
And recently, it’s been really helpful beyond just my yoga practice.
There are times when you’ve given all you’ve got. You put in 100% and you still fall short. In those times, it’s so easy to get down on ourselves, and make ourselves believe we aren’t good enough. In these moments, when I can’t change a circumstance, I just breathe.
When I've been working all day, but need to edit photos for an upcoming campaign when I get home, I take a deep breath in and let it out. And pour myself a big 'ol glass of rose for good measure.
Life is full of circumstances we can't control...situations we can't change. And sometimes, the only thing we can do is take a deep breath and keep moving. It's not comfortable, and it's not often pretty. But that's life.
So many people I know stress out over trying to achieve the perfect life, document the perfect vacation...and to be honest, I can't deal. I can't live up to that life. I'm not perfect. In fact, I'm wayyyy far away from it.
And friends, I hate to admit this, but I'm a people pleaser. I desperately want to live up to other's expectations, I want to be the best friend ever, the most amazing wife of all time, an always-kind sister, a thoughtful daughter...and we can aim and strive, but when we fall short, we need to learn to forgive ourselves. Take a breath. Move on.
And I want to tell you today - you don't have to be perfect either. The demands we get, the stresses we put ourselves through, they're hurting our souls. So my advice us, just breathe. Take a deep breath in and exhale all those unrealistic expectations out. Life doesn't always deal us the best hand, and when we accept that notion, we can give ourselves the break we deserve.
Wearing: Cos dress, Zara heels (similar), Chloe bag via Farfetch, Warby Parker glasses, Target skirt (similar), Nashelle J necklace via South Moon Under.
This post is in collaboration with The Refined Collective Series. Be sure and check out the other ladies in this wonderful group who are sharing all about what breathing means to them...Corie Clark, Kat Harris, Jackie Viramontez, Tutti del Monte, Nikia Phoenix, Brynn Watkins, Jessica Chow, Tonhya Wysong, and Joanne Encarnacion
