Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

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I don’t plan on doing super personal posts very often, but right now I just feel compelled to talk about some of my experiences because I think it might speak to a lot of you. Just keep reading- I promise this is going somewhere. 

I am so happy with my life right now. I have incredible friends & family, an amazing boyfriend, and 3 of the most wonderful puppies in my life who all bring me so much joy every day. I finally graduated from college FOR GOOD. My brother is getting married soon and I am so excited for him and Sky. I just started this blog/Instagram account, which allows me to share what I LOVE with people who care enough to read it, like you right now. Although it’s just the beginning, I’m excited about the potential it has & the opportunities that could arise from it. If nothing else, I enjoy doing it and that’s enough. 🙂

As I am in this transition period of my life, I am finally finding myself at peace. I am spending a lot of time studying for my RD exam, but at the same time, I’m finally letting myself relax. You know how long it’s been since I have been “relaxed”? Too long. I am always on a mission, always stressed. I’ve mentioned this before; I’m very type A. I’m a perfectionist. I have to make sure everything is just the way I want it to be. I have to have perfect grades or the perfect body, blah blah blah. Do you know how exhausting all that can be sometimes? Not to mention unrealistic.

Over the past few years I have suffered from some serious GI issues, and the doctors told me that a lot of it was likely due to stress. Lately, as I’ve been in this “relaxation” slash transition period, I have been significantly less stressed and simply enjoying my life. I won’t say my GI symptoms have completely disappeared, but they have definitely improved. I’m sleeping better, I have better self-esteem. Overall, I’m just feeling happier and best of all, hopeful. Hopeful and confident that something great is going to happen. This is the beginning of the rest of my life. And as terrifying and intimidating as that is, I am ecstatic to see where it takes me.

There’s this 75-ish year old woman who works out at my gym. That’s right, she still works out EVERY DAY. [Hopefully that’ll be me someday.] Anyway, we have worked out at the same place for the past couple years, so somewhere during that time we became friends. I think of her as sort of a grandmother figure or a guardian angel to me, my own personal cheerleader. She always tells me how proud she is of me & my accomplishments and gives me all these compliments, but in reality she barely knows me. But she says she can tell exactly the type of person I am from the way I speak, smile, and how I carry myself. She said something to me the other day that stuck in my head. She asked if I had gotten a job yet, and I told her, “nope, I’ve applied for several, but unfortunately nothing has worked out for me yet.” And she looked at me and said, “You know what? Every little problem is just another bug on the windshield of life. Sometimes your windshield will be totally clean, but it won’t be long before another one comes along and makes it messy again.” Her message: don’t sweat the small stuff. Life happens, but most of it isn’t worth losing sleep over. It’s nothing some good windshield wiper fluid can’t handle. 😉 Trust in God’s plan and have faith that everything WILL work out, one way or the other. Whether it’s the way you wanted it to happen or not is a different story, but regardless, it’ll all be okay… eventually. 🙂

 These cute little inspirational cards were found at my bank and they made me happy. SMILE 🙂

If you get nothing else out of this post, take this.

Smile and laugh often.
Enjoy the people in your life.
Be kind to strangers.
Make memories.
Embrace change.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.

In the grand scheme of things, that little problem you’re stressing over probably won’t matter. But your attitude towards life will affect you and those around you forever.

Choose happiness. 

And have a fantastic rest of your day!

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Oh wait- the inspiration wasn’t enough? You want a recipe too? Fine. Here’s one of my favorites that I just made this week! Whipped cauliflower – an amazing substitute for mashed potatoes!! Sounds crazy I know, but trust me. They are SO DELISH, taste a lot like mashed potatoes, but you’re saving a ton of calories and getting way more nutrients! Boo ya.

Whipped Cauliflower

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• Pinch of salt (I don’t use any and I don’t think it needs it!!)

Instructions:

1. Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer.
2. Cover and bring water to a boil over high heat. Add cauliflower, re-cover pan and steam until soft (10-15 minutes).  
3. Season and mix until evenly distributed.    Enjoy! 

 eat well. live well. be happy. 

Shanna

#wellnessforthewin #happy #smile #stress #free #relax #mentalhealth #live #healthy #food