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Or, in which I relax, relate and release –

For the past few weeks, I’ve had a serious case of the uglies. You know. The “I hate my hair, I hate my clothes, I hate my look”…which can easily spiral into “I hate my life” if left unchecked. A monster allergy attack left me with a red nose and watery eyes, my inability to adjust to springing forward stamped dark circles under my eyes, and I was burnt out on just about everything and everyone, including myself. Then I had the worst outbreak of acne I’ve had…well, EVER.  And I’m well past puberty. Ugh!

So.

Last week I booked a stay-cation and a first class ticket on the “Get Your Life” express.  For the first time in a long time, I did nothing but think. I didn’t blog, I didn’t plan outfits or outings, I didn’t clean house or cook or make groceries or strategize or network. I stopped obsessing over the million little things I should be doing, or could be doing (if I cloned myself ten times). I gave myself the thing that’s the most difficult for me:  a break from everything, including my to-do list and my expectations.

This week, I feel better. My skin is clearing up, a trip to Alabama Allergy and Asthma Center means I can breathe without leaving a trail of Kleenex behind me (thank you, Dr. Sikora) and I don’t look quite so red and puffy, and several days of meditation and prayer have me refocused on the things I can control (my hair, my closet) and content about the things I can’t (pretty much everything else). And most of all, I came away grateful: not everyone gets the opportunity to do what they love, and I’m wasting valuable time looking at the glass half-empty, or in squeezing in more than it’s advisable for one human to attempt without a caffeine IV or help.  Last night, I got the most refreshing beauty sleep I’ve had in six months.  I surrendered my invisible plane, indestructible bracelets and lasso of truth for one week, and I’m the better for it.  Sequin toss for Alexis!

Pressing the “pause” button to relax, relate, and release for a week, a day, or even an hour is a great way to adjust your attitude and approach….and get back in the game ready to play. Not just ready to play, ready to win – at whatever fabulous goal you have on your radar.

In the meantime, Beyonce instructed us all to do an act of worship to her and announced both her H&M Summer Collection  and EPIC trailer (sounds like she could use a break too, no?) and I found out Nordstrom Rack opens on 280 on May 16! I also found out wedge sneakers do nothing for me (but that’s a post for another day). And have you heard Angela Davis AND Esperanza Spalding are coming to Birmingham?!

I’ve missed you, darlings.

Screen shots of A Different World via YouTube; featured image of Wonder Woman by J. Bone