authentic

Blogging // Authenticity // and the Truth

May 19, 2015 by Rachel 5 Comments

I created my blog years ago as a space and an outlet for me to share the happenings in my life with myself and a few people who may actually read it at the time. Over the years it transitioned from me being single and living in Syracuse; to Chad and I dating; to us living 6-hours apart and dating long-distance; then to us moving in together; and then to us getting married and starting a family.

Along the way it’s remained a place where I share my hopes and my dreams; my passion for creating a healthy lifestyle (while being completely honest with myself and the world about continuing to seek balance throughout the process); local events and happenings; and the everyday hum-drum of my life.

One thing that has changed over the last 7.5 years is opportunity. Blogging has created enormous opportunity in my life. I’ve met some incredible people in-real-life thanks to friendships created over the internet and social media — because I put myself out there. I’ve been around people from all different walks of life that I wouldn’t have met otherwise; and for that I’m incredibly grateful.

Blogging has also brought me a teeny bit of financial opportunity via sponsored and reviewed posts. And while that hasn’t quite been a life-changing amount of extra income, it certainly has helped. I don’t do them often and they seem to come in waves where I have months without an offer and then two at a time.

However, this is really and truly none of anyones business. In fact, the great thing about the internet and social media is that we are all free to share what we want. But we are also free to see what we want. We can follow whoever we’d like on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook; and we choose to follow those that we don’t align with. When you open a blog, follow a person on twitter, or engage in social media, YOU ARE PROVIDING CONSENT TO WHAT YOU ARE SEEING, whether you agree with the subject matter or not.

I received a nasty comment in regards to losing my authenticity of blogging with my recent sponsored posts yesterday. I have not yet approved the comment; but I’ve also not yet denied it. (Sidenote to people who leave fake or anonymous info: IP addresses don’t lie). It hurt. It shouldn’t have, but it did. The words didn’t exactly hurt; but the idea that someone would go out of their way to be nasty to another person? that is something that in my 30 years I have YET to wrap my head around.

Here’s the truth: I’m not always authentic. None of us are. But — dammit! — I try my hardest to do so. I put myself out there — the good, the bad, and the ugly parts that no one else has the balls to talk about. I’m a hard working mom. I’m a full-time employee for a huge company (to which I’ve been employed for the last ten years). I am a partner to my husband. We run a household together. And we try to work in some fun in our spare time. And in addition to that? I share parts of it here on my blog. Because each of us chooses what and with who we share things; each of us crafts an online persona; and that isn’t being inauthentic — it’s simply just a piece of our true selves.

So basically thanks for the perspective on my blog, commenter. 🙂

feel supremely happy //

February 6, 2014 by Rachel Leave a Comment

In an effort to live a more authentic life in 2014 and to do so happily, I’m sharing a list of some easy tips to serve as a reminder to myself (and to you!) on how GOOD it can feel to live in a way where you feel supremely happy!

Here’s what I’m focusing on right now:

Stop trying to impress other people.
Give/get at least one hug a day.

Control your reactions.
Feed a strangers expired parking meter.

Look people in the eye when you talk to them.
Learn something new.

Donate old clothes to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.
Give away your favorite book in an effort to share your love for it with others.

I’ll check back in in just a couple of weeks!

let it serve you // 2014

January 1, 2014 by Rachel Leave a Comment

2013 was a great year, but if I’m being honest, I was not my authentic self this year. I wasn’t fake; I just wasn’t the ME I want to be.

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve done some serious soul-searching and looking inward (unrelated to the pending new year). And I’ve had some time to reflect on what I need to do to make myself a better person and to live an authentic life.

It’s not a ‘resolution’; it’s a must-do list, of sorts. I’ll explain more later. I need more time to take it all in.

My mantra for this year is this:

But for now, here’s my ‘must-do’ list for 2014 to get myself back on track and back to being healthy (mentally, emotionally and physically):

2014 is a no-spend year. After years of frivolous spending, I’m cutting myself off. Completely. I know it may seem extreme, but I know that it’s necessary and completely doable. The only thing I am going to allow myself to do is to get a haircut every 6-8 weeks.
Meditate regularly. I’m not talking about those fleeting moments before drifting to sleep; I mean making a regular habit — in the morning — of getting out of bed 10 minutes earlier to really meditate and ground myself for the day.
Practice daily gratitude. In a way to live a more authentic life, I need to focus on how much I have to be grateful for. I’ll occasionally share these moments of gratitude, but otherwise I’ll be keeping a gratitude journal for the next 365 days.
Act with enthusiasm, integrity, and without expectations. Enough said.
Use exercise and healthy eating as ways of cultivating happiness and keeping away depression. Anything that is proven to naturally increase my mood and reduce fatigue is worth my time and dedication.

I have every intention of spending 2014 doing things that serve the happiness of those people I love most.

How will you serve what is important in your life this year?