let it snow

Dustin loves the winter and get's excited for big snow storms.  It is his favorite time of year.  With his birthday happening mid November I wanted to do something to surprise him.  What better surprise than to bring the outside in and make it snow indoors.  

With the help of my Mom and Aunt we had lots of fun with paper cutting up snowflakes, gingerbread men, and paper chains.  We were on a covert secret mission.  The night was filled with so much laughter and reminded me that it truly is the little things in life that bring so much joy.  

The plan was to hang everything up while he was at work on Tuesday night and get to experience the surprised look on his face as he walked through the door.  But as luck would have it he unexpectedly had off that night so plan B went into affect.  

On the day morning of his birthday I set my alarm extra early in order to allow time to hang up every last flake before I had to leave for work. I tiptoed around the apartment that morning keeping my fingers crossed that he wouldn't wake up as I worked my elf magic.  I crafted a snowman on the door, strung lights, made the snow fall, and hung an advent calendar on the door. 

I light a candle that smells just like christmas to fill the air with the wondrous scent.  The time flew fast and before I knew it I had to jump into the shower.  I didn't get a chance to do everything I wanted but I was able to light the netflix fireplace, hang the stockings with care, create a tree out of lights on the wall, and write a note from the secret decorating elf.  

It was such a thrill to know that he was going to be surprised.  I was giddy with excitement as I kissed him goodbye and I couldn't wait for him to wake up to the indoor snowstorm.  

While at work I received this awesome text: "It's SNOWING!"

Yes, yes it is snowing.  Each flake filled with love.  Each light strung a reminder of the goodness that we have with one another.  This winter wonderland creation made just for him.  It was so much fun to work on and even more fun to surprise him.  

gathering with kindreds

Gathering with Kindreds is an integral part of my self care.  These gatherings ground me and ignite the spark that fuels the creative fire in my soul.  When Jen Lee offered up the opportunity to meet with other local creatives in the area at The Park in NYC I couldn't say no.  However, I knew when the day came I would have to push myself to get into the city.  

The city is not far from me, but it is a journey to get there.  Traffic is unpredictable, finding parking can be a hassle, and I always end up getting extremely lost.  The morning before the gathering I tried coming up with a million excuses not to go, but I knew in my heart it was the best thing for me.  

Interacting with strangers can be difficult for me.  I am reserved until I develop a connection with someone and then my heart spills wide open.  However it takes time for me to get to that point.  I don't have it in me to immediately begin sharing what I am working on and what my dreams are for the future.  Slowly I peel away the layers revealing the truth in my stories.

Gathering around the table with like minded souls reminded me how important it is to share our stories.  To open up and let others see what really matters to us.  It is our stories that connect us and we will not know the thread that weaves us together until we open up.  

There were two other women that I was talking to and we each revealed our love stories. It was fascinating to me how they each met there respective others and I loved getting a glimpse into an intimate part of their lives.  Everyone has a unique story but in the end we are all looking for the same thing.  We want to share our voice with the world and we want to be loved and respected.  

Everyone at that table had a different background, different passions, and did something different for work.  However we were all drawn there because we understand the importance of community.  You cannot survive in this world alone.  You need to gather with others, share your ideas, and swap stories.  These are the connections that fuel us.  They take us further than we thought we could go and remind us that we are not alone.  

These gatherings do not have to be grand and opulent.  It can be a quant meeting at a coffee shop gathered with a few like minded souls.  A half outs time spent connecting will give you more energy to go out and chase your dreams than you could ever image.  

You can create these gatherings wherever you are.  All it takes is courage and action!  Courage to say yes and invite others in and action in actually going forward with it.  Start small with one or two people and see where it leads you.  You never know what could happen when you open the door to opportunity.  Go ahead and ignite the spark by opening the door and inviting others in.  

preparing for the winter blues

Winter is always a struggle for me.  It is the darkness that brings me down.  Upon leaving work {in the dark} I head home and want to flip on my heated blanket and crawl straight into bed. I think in a past life I was a bear that hibernated all winter.  This year before the winter blues take hold of me I am going to prepare and set my mind up with different ways to brave the blues.  I know that once I get to deep into the darkness it becomes a struggle for me to surface.  With these plans in place I will hopefully not fall down the dark whole.   I hope you will join me in braving the blues. Let's begin.  

Ten ways to prepare for braving the blues

1. Twinkle lights, lots and lots of twinkle lights.  In my house twinkle lights are not only for christmas.  I have them on year round.  They cast the perfect glow.  I love curling up on the couch with my journal, twinkle lights glowing, and music softly playing.  It feels incredibly peaceful.  To help brave the blues I am going to pull out some more twinkle lights and hang them up inside.  
2. Get outside.  When it is dark and freezing cold out the last thing you may want to do is get outside, but it may be the best thing for you.  A simple walk around the block and breathing in the fresh crisp air will do wonders for your soul.  You will feel rejuvenated and alive.  Yes, the hardest part is walking out the door but once you return I promise you will be so glad you did it.  Dress appropriately.  Layer up.  Put on your gloves and a scarf and step outside.  I live a few blocks from a coffee shop.  Instead of curling up and hibernating I am going to grab my laptop and my journal and head to the coffee shop to write.  The short walk will do me good.  
3. Be around others, even if they are strangers.  Walking to the coffee shop is only half of the prescription for braving the blues.  Being around others and not cooped up alone will lift your spirits.  Even if all you are doing is listening to others conversations and observing the world around you, it is nice to be reminded that you are part of a greater good.  You are not alone in your winter blues.  When I lived alone I spent many hours in coffee shops, at bookstores, or in the library.  As human beings we long to be around others.  Even though you may not talk to someone while you are out in public you will be reminded that you are not alone.  
4. Become friends with your local library.  The library is a wealth of inspiration and knowledge.  During the cold winter months seek out different books that will take your mind on a journey.  Spend some time in the kids section and read children's books.  Rent a movie, listen to music.  Pick up the latest travel magazine and dream about summer time and where you want to travel to.  The library has all sorts of amazing resources.  This winter I plan to make a weekly trip to the library to discover new things.  
5. Set up a weekly date with a friend. Having a weekly standing date on your calendar gives you something to look forward to.  Find a friend who lives nearby and set up a weekly movie date, meet at the coffee shop, walk together.  Do anything, just do it together.  
6. Dance the blues away.  After sitting at your desk or being cooped up in the office all day get your body moving.  Put on your favorite dance song get silly in your living room.  Dance, dance, dance those blues away.  
7. Create mini creative adventures.  On little cards write down some things that you can do with supplies you have on hand and seal them up in different envelopes.  For example:  pull out the watercolors and paint, tear out inspiring images from magazines, draw stick figures scenes, get a little messy and fingerprint.  Sometimes when we are feeling the winter blues it is hard for us to decide what to do.  Let the fate of the cards determine your next adventure.  When you are feeling down pick an envelope and commit to doing what ever it says.  
8. Send snail mail.  Sit down and write a letter to someone you love.  Let them know how much they mean to you.  You will be surprised how it lifts you up to send a little sunshine.  If a  letter is to much try a postcard.  
9. Have a movie night.  Make pop corn, curl up on the couch, and watch your all time favorite movie.  You know, the movie that you know word for word.  
10. Learn something new.  Being cooped up inside you will have time to learn a new skill.  Give your hand at crochet, a new language, or how to do something you always wanted to do.  

The winter can be tough but you when you brave it with others and have a plan in place it may not be as bad as you thought it was going to be.  So together lets brave the winter blues. 

I will be sharing images on instagram {@jbelthoff} with the hashtag #bravingtheblues and hope that you will join me.  Seeing others photos may inspire you and help you brave the blues.  Let's do this together!