It’s been quite the week!  There are lots of changes afoot, both in my personal and online life, but hopefully they will be for good.  At this time in my life more than ever I am discovering just how strong I really am as I lean on that strength to navigate new and unfamiliar paths.  Change is a necessary and predictable part of life.  It is in honoring my true self that I am able to accept the inevitable changes that life sends (and sometimes hurtles!) my way and hold fast to firm footing even while everything else is up in the air.

One of my tools to keep myself grounded is to use planners and journals as guides in both the daily details and big picture experiences of my life.  I posted an update on my Filofax last week where I shared a look at how I keep track of my daily schedule.  I thrive within structure.  I find it especially important for me to use tools such as planners since I am at home most of the time and do not have the built-in structure that comes with attending school or working outside of the home.  Planning out my to-do list for the next day allows me to let go of any worrywart thoughts that have a tendency to take over my mind.  I sleep easier knowing I have a plan in place for the next day, even if I don’t always end up following it to the letter (and I typically don’t. I use my planners & lists as guidelines, not strict absolutes).  Additionally, journaling is a way to give my emotional and spiritual self a bit of structure.  I keep a daily gratitude journal so I am always ending my days on a thankful note regardless of what might have transpired.  I’m also trying to make a point of keeping up with my personal journal on a more regular basis.  The more consistently I write, the better I am in tune with myself and the more equipped I am to handle change, both good and bad.

I agree with the quote above that it can take time, patience, and compassion to truly embrace who you are deep down inside for yourself.  I also believe it is a lifelong journey.  I am constantly learning new things about myself.  For instance, I recently discovered that I find purple-tinted baths quite soothing (who knew?).  I’ve known for years that I love Martha Stewart cookbooks, but am hoping to learn something new from her book on living a full and healthy life.  I may not agree with some of the choices she has made and shared with the public in her life, but I do respect the wisdom she has acquired from her journey.  Another thing I learned just this week is that many people do not recommend reheating tea once it’s been brewed.  I am currently running an experiment to see if I taste a big difference between my freshly brewed and reheated cuppas.  I’ll keep you posted on my findings in my next Tea Time post (coming up in a couple of weeks!).  There are lessons both big and small in all of life’s moments.  The trick is being open to receiving them.

One of the big changes of last week involves my MHWL YouTube channel and the kind of content I will be posting there from now on.  After much consideration, I have decided to discontune the Weekly Vlogs I have been posting so far this year.  I filmed a whole (typically long-winded) video sharing my reasons for this, which I suggest watching if you’re curious:

I do have one last Weekly Vlog to share before I switch up the kind of content I post on MHWL.  You can watch it here if you’d like:

I want to send big hugs and lots of love to all of my YouTube viewers and blog readers who have supported me along the way.  This online journey has been an unexpected but delightful roller coaster ride of self-discovery and connection with others that I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined just four years ago.  There will certainly be changes along the way, both big and small, as I navigate the online world and share my feelings, opinions, and experiences.  One thing, however, will remain the same: my grateful heart for all of the love and encouragement you have shown me.  I wouldn’t be on this crazy, exciting, and educational journey without you.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤

* This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are genuinely my own. *