Tag: optimism

Radical Optimism

It’s a gorgeous day in New York today. The sun has broken through winter and the air is refreshing rather than bitter cold. My body is singing.

I’ve been working on a new website and thinking more about “my story” and what has given me the courage to make moves in life. Why have I lived in various places, traveled (oftentimes alone), given my all to love, and “put myself out there” in ways that were sometimes scary and uncomfortable? Why do I dream big and why do I believe in myself? It feels a little scary to admit, but I do, and I wish that for you, too.

Oftentimes it’s good ‘ole optimism! Whenever I take a leap of faith, I believe things will work out for the best, and that if I do come across any challenges, that I can find the silver lining in them and grow.

I’m the type of person who is more afraid of regretting what I didn’t do in this life rather than what I did do. Meaning, I’d rather lunge forward and try a lot of things/see a lot of places, then to play it safe and stick to what I know. I consider myself to be a risk-taker and make decisions based on my heart’s desires.

It’s not always easy to live this way. I have struggled with feeling misunderstood by others, as though my choices were a little crazy sometimes. My family has worried for me plenty of times, and though they truly love me, I’ve felt pressured to make “safe” choices, mostly when it comes to my career. A steady 9–5 was always more rewarded than trying to create my own business or taking time off to travel and live abroad.

I’m highly stubborn though, and know what I am capable of: creating a life by design. I believe that we can (and should) thoughtfully make choices that move us closer to our ideal lifestyle, regardless of how those choices may look like to others. This is about creating our own definition of a good life. Not society’s. Not our family’s, nor our friends’. For me, it means having the time and the luxury to be creative everyday, sharing my message with the world, inspiring and helping others on their journey to an authentic life.

I’m radically optimistic that we can have it all.

Instagram Inspo:

Optimism is a guiding light; a perspective that opens doors, and lends you the courage to take massive action and leaps of faith. Optimism has ignited me to move, to travel the world, to fall in love and to take creative risks among many other things.

There’s been plenty of times I’ve felt the pressure to be more “realistic,” whether it was coming from individuals or society as a whole. There’s a push to settle for what’s safe and known rather than to venture out and choose your own creative path, building a life that’s authentic to You. Doing You, Being You, and living a life by design is a form of rebellion. Knowing you were made for greatness is a form of rebellion. Shoot your shot. Be the light. The world needs your optimism.

Natural State

I hope that today you can find at least a couple minutes to do a little self care, whether it’s taking deep breaths throughout the day, a full on work out class or staying mindfully hydrated. I’m all about the little things we can do throughout the day to take care of ourselves and check in.

I’m taking the time to slow down today, and have come to know that writing this newsletter is a form of self-care for me, which is so lovely!

Photo by Gabriela Melgar

This week I experienced some stress and noticed how my energy and sense of security was shaken. Throughout the years of learning how to take care of my mind, body, and spirit I have come to create a type of vibration I am truly comfortable being in. My natural state is optimistic and focused on the realm of possibility. I see life as one big opportunity to expand and reach our potential and I am so blessed to inhabit a healthy body which I try to nourish as best as possible. This is not to say that I am anywhere near perfect! Throughout the day my emotional state alters, sometimes I entertain negative thoughts and worry, and turn to less than healthy foods as a form of comfort. But I now have a strong sense of awareness for when I’m altering out of my grateful state — and when I’m at my best, I can hold space for discomfort as it emerges & have patience and love for myself regardless of where I’m at.

My offering to you today is a suggestion to bring awareness to your natural state. What are you feeling (in mind/body/and spirit) most of the time? What thoughts are you entertaining? What do you prefer to feel and what things can you do to get closer to that state? How can you make those things a habit?

The habits which have created my natural state have included: alone time, journaling, creativity, gratitude, exercise, meditation and of course eating as well as possible. It took some shifting and a strong intention to love and nurture myself to turn those things into habits, but it was so so worth it!

And of course, sometimes things may come up that shake that sense of comfort you begin to find in your natural state. Sometimes we may have to make space for grief, or observe as stress and worry work their ways through us. But when we create a foundation of habits that bring us back to feeling nurtured and taken care of, we have a stronger sense of who we actually are and no longer have to fully identify with negative thoughts and feelings. At my core, I am a passionate lover of life, some might even say a reckless optimist. Sometimes the world bumps up against that hopeful joy (or vice versa) and I have to find my footing again. But as hard as some experiences can be, I know how to find my way back home to that soft core, where hope and joy never cease to exist.