FEELING: Right now I am feeling semi-rested and definitely less stressed than I have in weeks past Last week was filled with travel for work and I feel like I was all over the state! Well, technically I was. I went to Savannah, McDonough, Atlanta, Birmingham, all in one week. It was tiring, so last Friday night I went to bed at 6 and took about a 4 hour nap, got up to take a shower, and went back to bed. That was my wild Friday night. I am also feeling very motivated to research going back to school to get a second Master's degree, in which would lead me to become a licensed counselor recognized by the state. I feel like it has really been on my heart lately, and I feel as though the Lord may be opening the doors. I am wanting to do "more" everyday than what I am doing. I really want to help people. My main desire is to help those struggling with anxiety & depression, although I have a strong pull toward marriage & family counseling. I will update you as I know more!

WATCHING: I have been watching The Bachelor (only the last few minutes since I get so angered by that show), all the Chicago's (P.D., Med, Fire), Law & Order SVU, Mysteries of Laura, and Pretty Little Liars. Of course, I make time for Scandal, House of Cards, and How to Get Away with Murder when I have the time. 

THANKFUL FOR: A long weekend coming up! I could use the rest and relaxation. This past weekend I did a lot of resting too, and that really helped me recoup from my busyness at work. I am also thankful for my friends & co-workers who have talked me off of the ledge. When I feel really overwhelmed, it isn't always pretty, but they have been so supportive!

THINKING ABOUT: Honestly, I have been thinking a lot about going back to school, and my goals for the future. I will be 30 in June, and I would like to set out to do what I have always wanted while I am still young. I think if this is the right move for me, those doors will open. I also have been thinking a lot about the relationships in my life and how I can better them. I think having a strong support system is really important. In this phase of life, it's hard to make good friends, or to balance everything I am involved in, but I want to do better!

EATING: I have been eating out a lot more due to my busy schedule. I probably should make a grocery trip soon. I also have paused my Home Chef meals because I am hardly home to cook them. It just gets harder and harder when I am gone 3+ days/nights a week. Next week and moving forward I will get the meals again and start cooking at home. Until then, it's all about Chick-Fil-A, Panera, and Jason's Deli. At least it's semi-healthy, right??

READING: I just bought some books on Amazon, actual books I can hold, and I am so excited. I am working through my Audible books and with my traveling this week, I should be able to get through a big chunk of them. It will feel nice to hold a book in my hand and read before bed. I'll do a review of the books as soon as I am finished!

LOVING: I am loving consignment shops lately. I have not been a big consignment shopper, but Columbus has some really great stores! I have seen so many Loft, Banana Republic, and other brands I love, and it just feels great to spend $8 rather than $88 on a shirt! 

So, how are you doing? Let's catch up on Coffee Talk!

Happy Wednesday, xx!

BLOG GOALS FOR 2016 - FOR EVERY BLOGGER

I have been a blogger for about 5 years. I have had 2 blogs, at least 5 different blog designs, and I have made a lot of mistakes. Blogging started out for me as an outlet for me when I first got married. I enjoyed sharing recipes and little tid-bits of married life. After I got divorced, my blog was then altered and changed to fit my new single life. I decided to share my story in case there were others out there in my shoes. A 20-something divorcee is a lot more common a demographic than I'd like to admit. Suddenly, I had readers contacting me for help. They were asking me for advice, or asking if it ever gets better. I am here to say now, IT DOES GET BETTER! Not to sound cliche, but time has really helped me with everything. Now, I see blogging as a hobby, a creative outlet, and a cool way to make some side income. I love sharing stories, thoughts, feelings, and even my favorite shops on occasion. To me, this is a community. In order to build a community, I think there are some necessary steps to make sure that your blog is successful. It's been a while since I have had some goals related to blogging, but I thought I would share them with you today.

Post Consistently

Posting consistently was a struggle for me most days. I felt like I had very little to say, and since so much happened last year, it felt like more of a burden than a hobby. I decided to take a much needed break and focus more on my "real life" away from the computer screen. I tweeted less and less, my instagram was geared more toward my personal life, and forget pinning. I did none of the above very much at all. Now that things have gotten better and I am feeling stronger, my inspiration is starting to come back. Posting consistently increases readership and it drives those who really love to read your blog to come back. I have about 9 or 10 blogs I check on a daily basis to see if they have posted. I want the same for my readers.

Post Quality Content

Posting more consistently also drives me to post more quality content. I cannot tell you how many of my posts were bare bones and a lot of fluff. I am now looking at researching before I actually post, and I really want to include information that experts, or experienced people have studied. I do have a background in counseling, and I know about some things, but I certainly couldn't go and open my own practice. I don't have the background. It's important in some posts to include quality and researched material to give your post more credibility, as well as your blog.

Don't shy away from social media

Social media can become very tiresome, however, it's the majority of our communication as bloggers. It's important to not shy away from these tools. These outlets are ways for us to connect to our readers and to each other. By not participating on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or Periscope, we aren't being completely open about our lives. I do believe in preserving our privacy, buy our readers want to know us more. To them, we are someone who they can count on. Who they go to for a laugh, or an idea, or a dream. I do think it's good to limit yourself to 2 or 3 really good social media outlets. Don't try and put all of your energy into all forms of social media. The material will end up looking forced and it may not drive any more traffic to your site. 

Create posts that will go viral

The posts that do the best on my blog are about being single, living a good life, and lists posts. These posts spread like wildfire because I know they are relatable. I think creating 10 or so posts that can easily go viral can drive consistent traffic to your site. My post called, "Tips to Stay Married" has gotten over 10,000 views, 100s of repins on Pinterest, and has been shared on Facebook and other outlets. Being divorced has given some significant insight into what makes marriages work and for those that are still married, they find the information helpful. Again, this is a list post, includes an easily readable and shareable graphic, and is simple, with little to no fluff. That's what people are looking for!

Blog because you love it

I can tell when a blogger really doesn't love to blog, but does it for the income, or the prestige. I can tell when the posts are all fluff, or really don't include relatable content. These people are operating our of desperation, and not love. I love blogging. I love writing and always have. Yes, I have made mistakes and not every post is crazy traffic worthy, but I don't give up on it. If you blog because you really love it, and love what you can do for others through blogging, then keep it up! Eventually you will find success and you will find what you're looking for through your little part of the internet. Enjoy it! Do what you love!

If you found these goals and tips helpful, please feel free the pin the graphic below and SHARE!

PIN THIS!

Happy Thursday, xx!

BOOK REVIEW

I have been reading the book 7: an experimental mutiny against excess, and I must say that this has been an extremely convicting book to read. It was recommended by a co-worker friend of mine and then she so sweetly decided to purchase the book for me as a Christmas gift. I was so excited to read it because of all of the great stuff she said about it. I love books based on case studies and/or experiments. Being a counseling major in college, it made me feel kind of like I was back in school, and for that, I was actually excited.

Here is some background about me before I divulge the primary purpose behind the book. I grew up in a middle class family. There was a TV in every room, and we were always in separate rooms in the evenings watching our own shows. On occasion I would go downstairs and join my parents while we watched a TV show, but for the most part, I was on my own each night. I grew up in a small house that we lived in for 12 years, and my dad had a used ski boat that we would ride on during the summers. My dad was a handy man and my mom a receptionist. We didn't have everything we wanted, but I never went without. We always had food, electricity, water, and cable. We always had a shelter over our head, and I never worried about my basic needs being met. When I was a teenager, cell phones were just becoming more popular and landlines were becoming less and less common. Facebook hadn't been invented yet, but we had a desktop computer and dial-up internet. It was very rare that a TV wouldn't be on or the stereo blaring when I was a kid. My parents didn't have a lot of money, but we took yearly vacations to different places, and at one point, we were taking three vacations per year. I don't know any different. As I have gotten older, credit cards have become more common for me, and I have almost every gadget I could want. I have an iPhone, Macbook, TV, DVD player, and for the most part, I am content. I also have several pairs of boots, shoes, flats, and more clothes than I need, although I did purge a good bit after I moved. I am in no shortage of anything, but yet, for some reason I still desire more. I still want more even though all of my basic needs and bills are paid for. I have student loan debt (who doesn't) and a car note that I will pay off in a reasonable time.

So, when I decided to read the book, that I'll call 7 for short, I was a little skeptical about Jen Hatmaker's intentions. This isn't her first book by the way, she has been around quite a while. I wasn't sure if I was going to be reading a book I could relate to, or if I was going to read the rantings of some weirdo who decided to "go off the grid". The book 7 isn't about going off of the grid, or preparing for a technological apocalypse, it's about reducing the 7 excesses in the author's life. She deems these as, "clothes, spending, waste, food, possessions, media, and stress". The significance of 7 goes beyond the 7 excessive items, it is also the number of items she limits herself to in each category. So, for one month Jen only consumes 7 foods. For one month Jen only wears 7 items of clothing. Currently, in a chapter 4 she is reducing media to complete radio silence except for texting for emergencies and using the internet for important things like work and life. So, you kind of get the picture.

I have not yet completed the book, but thus far, I am feeling very convicted in several areas of my life. I know I love to spend. I admit this and I think I am not the only raising their hand right now about having a spending issue. I spend when I am happy, sad, angry, lonely, etc. I also impulse buy WAY too often. I know this about myself, and while I have gone years rationalizing it, I no longer can. I see the significance in fasting certain things in my life, but I want to be called by the Lord to fast these things and not just throw myself into a fast without praying or seeking beforehand. Jen was strategic in her fasts, and she had a counsel of women who were there to support her and help clear the muddy waters. It's not always easy to completely turn your life upside down without any help with the navigation.

Overall, the book is hilarious, thought-provoking, and eye-opening.  To think she did this all in 7 months, it just blows my mind. Not only was she fasting certain things in her life, but her husband and kids were joining in too, which I love! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to just lessen and reduce in their life. If you want to purchase the book, head on over to Amazon for a good price! Also, email me and let me know what you think if you decide to read!

PIN THIS!

Happy Reading, xx.