I Am Comfortable with my Uncomfortableness

<< A little wisdom from GIRLS for you >>

In February I went to a weekend long Life Coaching retreat for Women Who Run It. I spent three full days in a room with twenty other people learning to be a life coach. While I had zero intentions of becoming a life coach, I was writing a story and chose to soak up the experience as much as I could.

I learned a lot more than I ever thought I would that weekend. I completely pushed myself to spend a weekend with a room full of strangers. I was totally outside of my comfort zone but one woman's words really struck me. Her goal for the weekend was to be "comfortable in my uncomfortableness."

What she meant was that she was completely uncomfortable being there, much as I was. This was definitely a taxing experience for someone who feels introverted around people they don't know. She knew that no matter what, she was going to feel discomfort, but she was choosing to accept it, be comfortable with it, and push past it.

I think of these words a lot when I'm trying to push myself past my comfort zone.

One thing I try to do a lot is to stop hiding behind my cell phone. It's kind of an anxiety blanket. If you're sitting somewhere and you don't know what to do, you pull out your phone. Unfortunately it shuts you off from the world.

I try now to sit by myself and take in my surroundings, or even read a book, which actually gives off less of a "leave me alone" signal.

To prove my point: I went to an event a couple months ago and instead of sitting on my phone I sat quietly and watched the people around me. A girl approached me, asked me if the seat next to me was taken, and we struck up conversation.

Also, I was at a bus stop reading a book and a guy asked me what I was reading. Books are actually a good segue way into conversation.

My next adventure in becoming comfortable in my uncomfortableness will be going to a coffee shop to enjoy a book a la Shoshanna:

<< This scene in Inglorious Basterds has always seemed so cool to me. It looks like a good way to spend an afternoon >>

Even further out: enjoying a meal without any "alone armour" like Carrie did:

<< Just truly enjoying your own company>>

From the desk of:

Taylor Brown

Comfort-Junkie in Detox

Summer Reading

So far this summer I've spent every Saturday reading all day (or at least until I have to go to work at night…which I always do). It's been amazing. I always lay out on the deck and read, read, read until something like taking a shower or making something to eat pulls me away.

Sometimes I feel a bit guilty about lazing around all day but I guess it's better than staring into a tv, amiright?

I guess it's even more okay because I'm working towards a goal. I want to read 10 new books this year.

So far this summer I've read:

1. Orange is the New Black
2.  How I Live Now (Not new, just an old favourite)
3. An Abundance of Katherine's

And I just started Go Ask Alice. 

I've read all of these in the last four weeks…I don't want to brag…because who would brag about reading…so I won't.

Oh Summer, it's just so good. I think I'll let myself laze around for the rest.

From the desk of:

Taylor Brown
Lazy Person Posing as Someone Productive

#swipestrike

Have you heard about some of the injustice that has happened over at the Tinder headquarters?

Watch this video to learn more and join a movement again sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace:

Also, don't forget to use the hashtag #swipestrike on twitter and to share this video with your friends on Facebook. 

From the desk of:

Taylor Brown

Supporter 

Making Things

I'm a pretty big fan of DIY's despite the fact that in the end, making something yourself tends to cost you a little bit more. As a broke girl I put this aside for a few reasons:

1. It's fun!

I spent most of the afternoon making necklaces yesterday. It's a great way to do something productive and creative, and it keeps you away from the computer screen that I'm so often glued to.

2. It's a good chance to get outside

A lot of DIY's are done outside because…paint. I got a nice little bronze going yesterday afternoon!

3. You create something unique

Even if you're following a DIY that you've seen online or re-creating something you've seen in a store, it's unique because you made it. It will inevitably have little imperfections and special things that are unique to you.

4. You'll cherish it more

I'm pretty sure the things that I've created personally will stay with me longer than something that I bought at a store. These are the kinds of things that I'd want to keep until I have kids of my own. They're just special that way. Also, how fun is it to tell people you MADE something after they ask you where you got it? The answer is lots of fun.

I've been wanting to do this DIY for a while now and I finally went to the craft store this week and made the leap. 

Here are the results:

I'm pretty happy with the results :)

All together the materials cost $50.00, which means these necklaces were about $25 a piece. This may seem like a lot but I think it was worth it. I love them a lot.

Not all DIY's are expensive though. Check out what I did last week:

That's right! I painted that bad boy! And all together the entire bench cost me $20!

Last summer someone on my street had put the bench out on garbage day and I swooped in and carried it back to my house (with the help of my boyfriend because it.is.so.heavy). I finally got around to painting it last week (mostly because my mom was threatening to get rid of it if I didn't). It was in pretty bad shape. The lacquer was peeling and it needed a good sanding. I got a belt sander and did some magic, spent a ridiculous amount of time taping the metal, and attacked it with some spray paint. It's not perfect by any means but I'm a big fan.

I wonder what I'll make next!

From the desk of:

Taylor Brown
DIY-Enthusiast, Paint-Covered and Sun Kissed

A Broke Girl Dreams of Europe

One of my biggest and most exciting goals for the next year is to go to Europe next summer. My boyfriend and I plan on saving tons of money this year so that next summer we can spend 2-3 months touring Europe.

There are a lot of reasons why we want to go but mostly because this is the only time in our lives that this will be possible. We'll never be younger, free-er, adventurous, or more willing to stay in hostels. We want to make sure we read the book before we die.

Today I started some research on Pinterest. Hey, there's a lot about a lot on there.

So far I've found some great info on some of the best places to travel, pinned tons about how to travel cheap, and pinned a bunch about how to pack for a backpacking trip (this is my biggest and most irrational worry about this trip).

So far we've decided that we want to go to:
* London
* Paris
* Amsterdam
* Germany (Munich, maybe Berlin)
* Rome
* Venice
* Greece

We'll probably add and take from that list as we plan but I'm excited to see how it goes.

First things first: I need to save about 5 grand. So far I have…$200. I think I'll start an adventure fund to keep me motivated.

From the desk of:

Taylor Brown
Future World Traveler

A Month of Running and Juicing

Today marks the final month of the Six Months of Resolutions challenge!

I've already shared my experiences in juicing with you but the other part of the month was running at least 10K a week. This was actually pretty easy for me. I'm a runner anyways so it was just about making sure I got out to go for those jogs. Tessa and I did miss a week when I was too hung over one Sunday to run the last 3K I needed to reach 10 (whoops) and Tess had moved back from B.C that week so she had zero time to run.

The hardest part was having to make every workout a jog. When I go to the gym I like to do interval training and I dabble in the art of the stair master, but I couldn't do that because I had to get those kilometres in. This month's challenge should make that a little easier since we only have to workout 3-4 times a week.

The score sits at 8 for Tessa, 9 for me. This month is my final chance to win, and there are lots of places to mess up so I have to be very focused!

The challenge this month: No chocolate, candy, chips, lattes, fried food, or baked goods, you must workout 3-4 times a week, and consume 8 glasses of water a day.

Don't worry, I consumed my fair share of chocolate and chips yesterday in preparation. Chocolate covered almonds have become my vice lately so I had to say one last goodbye. I'm hoping this month will break me of my obsession because it was getting a little out of hand!

From the desk of:

Taylor Brown
Chocolate for Breakfast Enthusiast

Office Mornings

Fridays are always good days for me. Even though I have to wake up earlier than usual, it's great because I get stuff done, get out of the office by noon, and have the rest of the day/weekend ahead of me. And I get to rock some of my favourite blazers. Working from home for most of the week really creates an appreciation for the opportunity to actually get yourself together before 2pm.

There's even more to be excited about because I have a good weekend ahead of me! Tonight I'm heading to Toronto with Erika and Emma to meet up with our friend Shauna to enjoy dinner and a movie. We're seeing The Fault in Our Stars and let me tell you, I'm beyond excited. I read the book a couple years ago so I've been pretty excited about this since I found out they were filming. I'm very prepared to cry excessively throughout the entire thing.

Saturday I work at night so that's a good opportunity to makes some cash, and Sunday Jordan is having a BBQ. Sounds like a good weekend to me!

Every second in between those things I'll probably be hiding in bed watching the new season of Orange is the New Black that just came out. I'm a real self-starter like that.

Enjoy your weekends!

From the desk of:

Taylor Brown
Shameless Public Cryer, Netflix-aholic