YOU make it happen

When I started the Love Notes Postcard Project I had no idea if anyone would be interested in participating. Would strangers really be open to sending snail mail to another? Is it something they would actually want to do?

The project was living and breathing in my heart for awhile. I was craving connection with others. I wanted a way to reach out. I thought if this was something I desired there had to be others out there like me who were looking for this as well.

And so I took a leap. I put the call out there unsure of what the response would be. Luckily I was pleasantly surprised. Individuals were not only interested in sending snail mail, but they were excited about it. They put there hearts into and showed up with so much compassion and kindness. I was blown away!

In dreaming and scheming up this idea one thing I wanted to ensure was that it was easy and simple for anyone to participate. That is how I choose postcards as the format. There is already artwork on it and the writing space is small which makes it less intimidating. The project last for three weeks and individuals are paired up with one another. I provide a writing prompt each Sunday so there is no fear about what to say. Three weeks + three postcards = an opportunity to connect with a stranger through the written word.

I am currently hosting the Love Notes Postcard Project for the twenty-fifth time since it’s inception. The magic of the internet has helped spread the word and individuals from all over the world are participating. Not only do they open up their hearts to their partner but they cheer others on in the Facebook Group.

What started as a small idea flourished into a loving community.

I am so grateful for every individual who has shown up and participated. This project would not be possible without these individuals willing to take a chance and write out a postcard. The community that has formed is filled with the most loving and kind individuals it makes my heart smile wide.

My mailbox is also a lot happier. No longer is it just filled with bills and junk but rays of sunshine appear in the form of handwritten notes just for me. It makes going to the mailbox exciting again.

What also always blows me away is how unique and amazing everyone is who participates. There are people from all walks of life shining there light in this world in such different and incredible ways. Below are some of the websites from some of the people participating this round. Check them out and see what beauty is being shared in this world.

• Re Discovering Joy

• My Something Wonderful

• Sarah on Purpose

• Bringing Words to Life

• Angela Heather

• Inconsequizzical

• Postcards in the Air

• Pics and Post

• Shannan Enjoys Life

• Stephanie Jade Wong

• Lynda Fishbourne

• Meticulosity

• Agnestirrito

• Thoughts Along the Way

• It All Starts Today

• Danielle James

• The Sea Star Shop

• Lolailo

• Postings

• Pet Portraits by Lisa

• A Simpler Time

• Postcards from Around the World

• Color Spaces

• Younique

The current round I am hosting is the last one for 2018 but another one will open up in January. I hope that you will join us. One postcard may seem like such a small thing, but it truly carries with it an incredible impact. Words have power.

Is there something that has been living and breathing deep in your heart? Something you are craving but can’t find anywhere? If so, create it. Make it happen. I couldn’t find anything like Love Notes before I started it. But just because it didn’t exist that didn’t mean people didn’t want to do something like that. You have to put it out into the world. You have to take a risk. Chances are if you are craving it others are as well. I encourage you to make it happen!

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self-care brings forth self-love

Being sure I showered and brushed my teeth before I headed out the door was my go to college self-care routine.  At the time I had no idea what self-care truly meant and how important it was to my overall well being.  I knew then that I had to eat more veggies and get protein in my body {although I never really did that}but what I didn't know was that self-care extended far beyond the food I ate.  In fact what was truly important was my mental and spiritual self.  This side of myself I had no idea how to tend to as I was still unearthing who I was.  

Today if I do not take care of myself I become irritable, cranky, and want to spend time on my own.  It is in these moments that I will turn to netflix and veg out on the coach.  But even non-stop episodes of Brothers & Sisters does not help fill my well and bring me back to me.  

Writing is one of my self-care practices.  When I feel this lost distant version of myself it is usually because I have not sat with my journal in a really long time. The blank page provides me a space to let go of all my worries, expectations, fears, and dreams.  It is my opportunity to say exactly how I feel and work through how to get to how I want to feel.  

Meditation is another one of my go to's.  Sitting, even if just for a few moments helps me clear my head and just be.  Even just five minutes of uninterrupted silence in my car can do wonders for my mood.  

But here's the thing.  We do not have to wait until we are irritated and fighting with everyone we know to give ourselves permission to take some time for self-care.  We can carve out a few moments each day to fill our well and ignite our inner light.  

Self-care takes practice.  It is like a muscle you have to condition over time.  If you let it go it will become flabby and leave you feeling heavy.  But if you work on it, even if just for a little bit each day it will become stronger and more resilient.  

You cannot pour from your cup to give to others if you have let your own cup run dry.  You need to tend to you mind, body, and heart.  You deserve a moment just for you.  You deserve to feel yourself lit up from the inside out.  You deserve to do whatever it is that makes you happy. 

I invite you to take some time for you.  To start a practice of self-love, compassion, and kindness.  I invite you to make yourself a priority and fill your own well.  Do not wait for someone else to do it for you.  You are the one in charge of your own happiness.  You are the one who decides what you are going to do and where you are going to go.  You are the one who makes the rules for you.  How is it that you want to feel?  

Now more than ever you need to shower yourself with kindness so that you can show up in this world as the best version of yourself.  When you are kind to you, you set an example and inspire others to do the same for themselves.  

Everyone's version of self-care looks a little bit different, but one thing is for certain.  We all want to be happy.  We all want to feel love.  We all want to smile with our entire being.  

So join me for 30 days of self-love prompts, inspiring stories, adventures, and inspiration that will guide you in starting your own attainable self-care practice.  Through audio, video, and written prompts you will be unable to unearth what your heart needs.  This doesn't require any fancy tools or makeup.  The most beautiful part about self-care is that you show up exactly as you are and nourish your mind, body, and spirit.  

We begin on June 1st and all lessons will be delivered to your inbox so that you can revisit them time & time again. 

Or click HERE to learn more.  Together we will walk this journey and dive deep into self-kindness.  Will you join me?

it's time to begin

You know that thing you want to do. Yeah, that one thing you have been wanting to start.  I know you have been thinking a lot about it but you still haven't begun. 

You say; "tomorrow looks like a good day to start, no need to begin today".  Or, "I just need to have something else in order before I begin".  Or maybe even, "I don't have the right tools yet to start and definitely not the right outfit". 

I know, you are making up a lot of excuses and wasting a lot of time.  You are doing more talking and thinking about beginning, yet you never actually start. 

Well today is as good a day as any to begin.  

Your hair doesn't have to be perfect. Your house can be in disarray.  You don't need to wait for that magical moment. Because heres the thing, there is no magical moment.  The only way to make it happen is for you to start.  

What is it you want to begin?  Writing that book.  Moving your body.  Eating better.  Getting more fresh air.  Working on a creative project.  Meditating.  

Whatever it is do one small today to get you started.  But don't stop there.  When the tomorrow comes do another small thing, and then another.  Make what you want to do a part of your daily routine.  Don't a day go by where you don't work on it for at least five minutes.  Because even if it is only five minutes you are still showing up, and that is half the battle.  

Always show up.  

You can make it happen.  You have it in you to create whatever it is that is brewing inside your heart.  But it does take hard work and dedication.  Put one foot in front of the other and just keep moving.  You got this.  I believe in you.  

Drop a note in the comments or send an email to me at jennifer@jenniferbelthoff letting me know what it is your are beginning so that I can cheer you on.  Sometimes we just need someone to walk along side us on the journey to keep us motivated.  I am here to walk with you and cheer wildly.  

visioning into 2016

Creating a vision board is one of my many self care practices.  It is this cutting and pasting that I slow down and become more centered.  Day to day life tends to have me running at a quick pace but when I sit down in front a stack of magazines my energy shifts and I am ready to explore.  

When I sat down to create this vision board I had the intention and focus of 2016 and how I want it to look and feel for me.  What came together on the paper surprised me.  There was more than one image of a beach and  women gathered together.  A long table inviting others to sit, break bread, and share their stories.  Beautiful exploration.  And an invitation to change your story and enjoy the ride.  

Everything about this vision board feels comforting and aligned.  I know that I want to dig deeper into connection; not just through the computer but in person as well.  It is time to step away from the screen and see each others faces.   The beach is my sacred space.  It heals me and fills me up.  And finding the magic and sparkle in my own backyard is something I am really looking forward to as we continue to take steps towards building.  

This vision board is a road map for me.  Inspiring me to take those steps forward, step out of my comfort zone, and leap!  I have chosen to hang it in my kitchen so that I can look at it every single say.  I want to be reminded of the dreams I have in my heart so that I can take the small steps in making them come true.  

Have you ever created a vision board?   They are really simple to do.  Grab a stack of magazines, any ones will do.  Set an intention for what you want to vision.  Then flip through the magazines and cut out the images and words that are aligned with that intention.  Do not labor over each image, let your heart do the deciding.  Some things may surprise you but go with it.  Once you have all of your images cut out, past them down onto a pieces of paper and hang it up where you can see it each day.  This visual reminder will help you set your wheels in motion.  Go ahead .... see what dreams emerge for you!  

fabric dolls :: handmade christmas

Last year I saw this adorable fabric doll pattern from Make It & Love It.  I had just begun my exploration of the sewing machine as I was tasked to continue the family tradition of handmade stockings that my grandmother had begun.  Unfortunately due to lack of time and the chaos that becomes the holidays I was unable try my hands at creating the doll.  

When this year rolled around I remembered the pattern and knew I just had to give it a try.  I wasn't sure how it would turn out as my knowledge of a sewing machine was minimal but I knew it would be a great project to help me brave the blues.  So I dug in. 

This was a great project for a beginner like me.  There is nothing to complicated and it is so satisfying to see something come to life.  

I became and expert at filling a bobbin and threading my sewing machine.  I was able to switch out my threads in a flash thanks to the help of my trusty side kicked who showed me how to do it and sewed his very first piece of fabric together.   It was exciting to learn something new.

I had intended to make the dolls each with different clothing, but there were some mishaps along the way and beginner mistakes of not choosing the proper fabric.  Legs and arms ended up never finding a body and a misfit doll had a face that just didn't seem right.  

Along the way I celebrate the small moments like seeing shoes on the feet.  I was sewing, yes I was sewing.  And in the end it all came together.  I had two adorable dolls made with love for my two nieces.  

am so glad I took the risk and gave this project a try even without much knowledge of sewing.  It was fun to do and even more fun to see the two little girls hug their dolls.  I am looking forward to creating more with my sewing machine.  

braving the blues check in

So far the winter has treated us kindly.  The days have not been to bitingly cold and I have had the opportunity to step outside from some fresh air more often than not.  Having a plan in place has definitely helped me to brave the blues and keep me on track from not falling down the rabbit whole.  

I have been keeping myself busy with some creative projects.  I unpacked my sewing machine and jumped on in.  I do not really know how to sew but I am learning.  It has bee so much fun to watch something take shape.  Have a creative outlet to turn to and a project to complete keeps me energized and focused.  

More often than not I have revved up my juicer.  Getting healthy foods into my body always makes me feel better.  One of my favorite go to juice recipes is:

• A few Carrots
• One Beet, two if they are really small
• One Green Apple
• One Lemon
• A couple of stalks of Celery
• Some Ginger
• Romaine

This is one of my favorite combinations.  I love the healthy dose of energy that the beets provide me.  Do you have any favorite juicing recipes?  

I have also been enjoying sending and receiving postcards as a part of the Love Notes Postcard Project.  For this round I created a couple of postcards using watercolors.  It was nice to sit down for a little while and really focus my energy on these postcards.  

For me there is such a thrill that occurs when I see a little sliver of sunshine in my mailbox sitting next to the bills and excessive amount of catalogs that I receive.  These little pieces of paper lift me up and change my day for the better.  I can't believe next week is already our third and final prompt for this round.  

How about you?  How have you been braving the blues?  Do you have any secret recipes or  warrior moves that you can share?  What is helping you get through these dark and cold days?  
I encourage you to join me in braving the blues.  Check out the hashtag #bravingtheblues on Instagram to see what else has been helping me.  Maybe it will inspire you in #bravingtheblues