Homesickness

<< This picture reminds me so much of living at home this time last year >>

So a crazy thing happened over this past weekend: I felt homesick. This was a feeling that I was not expecting seeing as I basically ran out the door without looking back.

I was missing the comfort of home, the home cooked meals and the warm freedom of having a car and most importantly: the people. I wanted so badly to just spend the day on the couch with the people I love but instead I was on my own couch, feeling sorry for myself and crying (wahh wahh wahh).

Eventually I pulled myself out of my funk but I've come up with a list of things to do when you are feeling the tug of home as well.

1. Call home
    So…this may have made me a little more homesick but it was still something I needed to do. It felt good to hear the voices I was missing.

2. Plan a time when you can go home
    Give yourself something to look forward to and something that will help ease your homesickness. I've been home this weekend and it's been a nice, relaxing break from my life of work, work, work in Toronto.

3. Do something to make yourself feel better
    You may be planning a trip home soon but that won't help you right now. Journal, watch a funny movie, bake some cookies, go for a nice long jog, do something that will occupy you and be a little therapeutic.

4. Spend some time with a friend
    If you can't be near the people you love at home, surround yourself with the people you love who are near you. Remember who is important and around you right now.

5. Make a list of things that you are grateful for in your current situation
    Whether you write it down or just take a mental note, remind yourself about things that you are grateful for in your current surroundings. I reminded myself about all of the things that I love about my life away from home and that made me feel a bit better.

Of course, being away from the warm comforts of home for one of the first times in your life will inevitably lead you to miss it, especially when you're having a hard day. Don't let it get you down. Enjoy your life as it is now and consider yourself lucky that you have a wonderful home to miss.

From the desk of:

Taylor Brown
Half adult/half baby (but I'm working on it)

Grin and Bear It

I tend to think of myself as a pretty laid back person. Yes, I'm a stickler for being on time and I thrive on organization, but I also am less likely to find myself in conflict or confrontation with another person. I may be bothered by what others do but I tend to keep it to myself and only vent to those closest to me.  Truthfully, I am just terrified of confrontation. Any time I've ever been confronted in my life I usually end up crying and looking like a big weakling. I've found that it's simply easier to let people do what they are going to do and to not let it affect me too much. I know this may seem like a pushover move but I'm here to tell you why it's better to not rock the boat.

1. You'll be happier if you're not surrounded by conflict
    Any time I've ever been in a state of conflict in my life I tend to get extremely stressed out. I find myself more stressed out by the conflict than by what was bothering me before.

2. The problem usually takes care of itself
    I've found that the problems I usually have, usually get taken care of. If I'm afraid that my friend is acting weird, I find that if I wait it out, they'll usually go back to normal. When someone is bugging me, I usually find that by not engaging in conflict with them then I can usually get to know them better, then I can better communicate with them and then I don't have to create a conflict, I can have a kind and understanding conversation with them.

3. People will appreciate your positive attitude
    I'm not even going to try and lie to you by telling you I'm a positive person. I can definitely be negative. Sometimes I find myself only spewing complaints out of my mouth, but who wants to be around that person? I find that when I try my best to be positive and not engage in gossip and bashing then I'm able to be seen as someone who people can trust and who they want to be around. Also, we aren't in school anymore kids! There is no longer a space for negativity and gossip. We have to be adults about our problems now.

If all else fails grab your closest and most trusted friend and let it all out. It's healthy to just talk it over but make sure you aren't doing it with every single person you know. Keep your complaining to someone you trust who will actually want to listen and help you with your problems.

And remember:

From the desk of:

Taylor Brown
Laid-Back Lady

Shameless Money Saving Trick

Never get dressed..

Okay…so I know that this tip probably doesn't work for everyone, but it's something I've realized about my life as it has become. I basically never get to wear 90% of my wardrobe. Why's this? Because I'm either in my pyjamas or dressed in my work clothes which are only allowed to be black and white. This leaves so much of my wardrobe unused. This means that I don't feel the need to buy new stuff as much recently because I forget about my clothes and then when I remember an outfit it seems brand new again. Score.

How can this tip apply to you?

Try this trick: challenge yourself to not wear the same thing for two whole weeks.
Instead of letting yourself fall into a fashion rut, try mixing your wardrobe up a bit. Dig into the back of your closet and find new ways to wear things. Pair different tops with cardigans and blazers. Layer your button up under a a comfy crew neck sweater. Turn your spring dress into a Fall one by layering a long sleeve shirt underneath. Change.It.Up. If you can make it two weeks without repeating an outfit then you'll probably find tons a new outfits and tons of different ways to wear your old and tired clothes. Now you'll have gone two weeks without buying something new and will probably no longer feel the need to. Congrats, you're a tad bit richer.

From the desk of:

Taylor Brown
Pyjama Queen