Vision Board Friday: Live Less Out of Habit + More Out of Intent

"Live less out of habit and more out of intent." Intentional living has become important to me over the past two years. I value being able to listen to my gut and make decisions with purpose. Everything from the direction of business to buying clothes can be decided with intention and purpose.

Start questioning WHY as much as possible. Are you making this decision with how you want to feel in mind? or with a specific goal? Or are you just doing what feels easy and familiar?

Take a few minutes to check out my favorite intentional blogger, Jess Lively. She is full of inspiration!

Vision Board Friday: It All Begins + Ends in Your Mind

"It all begins and ends in your mind. What you give power to has power over you." Why waste your thoughts on worry, comparison and negativity when you could be focusing your power on optimism and reaching your goals?

Vision Board Friday: Be Still

It's a fresh, new year. Take time to reflect on 2014 and envision how you'd like to shape 2015. >>image credit: Julie Song Ink

Vision Board Friday: Small Steps Every Day

Break your goals down into small, bite sized pieces. You'll be amazed at how much less intimidating it will become! Lasting changes are more likely to be made by small changes over time rather than big changes all at once. With new year's resolutions coming up, how can you turn your big goals into small, attainable steps? What small steps can you start with TODAY?

>>image credit: Dara Muscat

Vision Board Friday: We See Things How We Are

"We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are." The outside world is a reflection of our inside world.

>>image credit: I'm not sure what the original source for this photo is. If you know, please leave a comment so I can update it. Thanks!

Vision Board Friday: Pursue Your Dreams

Sometimes a pretty graphic with a simple phrase is all you need.

Vision Board Friday: Perfection is an Illusion

"Perfection is an illusion & those who seek perfection will find themselves unfulfilled their whole lives."  

Do you have perfectionist tenancies? How do you handle them?

Vision Board Friday: Do it Now. Sometimes Later Becomes Never

"Do it now. Sometimes 'later' becomes 'never.'" Don't wait until things are "perfect" to start chasing your dreams.

Vision Board Friday: There's No Need to be Perfect to Inspire Others

"There's no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections." I liked this quote because I think it's a reminder bloggers and entrepreneurs need every so often. People will relate more to your imperfections than your perfections.

Vision Board Friday: Learn to Let Things Go

"Learn to let things you cannot control go" This is something I need to remind myself of daily! Holding on to worries or stressing over something you can't change will only make the problem worse.

>>image credit: Original from Beth. See her beautiful Etsy shop here.

Vision Board Friday: Eat. Energize.

Food is fuel. Give your body the healthy foods it deserves, and you'll be rewarded with the lasting energy you need to accomplish everything you have on your plate. With how busy we all are, it can be easy to go for the quick, processed snacks/meals (I've done it!) but isn't an apple just as quick?

>>image credit

Vision Board Friday: Be The Change

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." -Gandhi

Image credit: I can't find the original source. If you know, please comment and I'll add it. Thanks!

Vision Board Friday: Lose the Fear of Being Wrong

"To live a creative life, we must lose the fear of being wrong."  

Image credit: I can't find the original source. If you know, please comment and I'll add it. Thanks!

7 Ways to Recycle Old Clothes + Goods

If you read my post on the "Throw Out 100 Things Challenge," you know I got rid of quite a big of clutter recently (especially clothing). I've also posted about my goal to focus on quality vs. quantity when it comes to buying new clothes. While I'm working on simplifying my apartment, I don't like to actually throw anything away if I can help it. I've donated 3 big boxes to Goodwill lately and have a feeling I'll be doing another round of simplifying soon.

I've been testing out different ways to recycle clothing + unwanted goods:

Donate to Goodwill or other charity

• Always a good option. There is no shortage of people who could use help.

Sell on Craigslist 

• This is a good option for big items, like furniture + appliances. When we moved into our current apartment, it already had a washer and dryer, so we had to sell our beloved units. (I was quite attached to that hand-washing option!) Just be careful using Craigslist- talk with the person on the phone first and don't let them inside your home if you can help it. We've never had a problem with the site, but we've all heard about the movie.

Trade items on Freecycle.org

• I've never used this site personally, but I know friends who have. I absolutely love this idea. "It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and keeping good stuff out of landfills."

Sell on eBay

• eBay is good for higher priced, specialty items (like designer handbags). I used to be able to sell decent name-brands but this has been harder in recent years and not worth the time and effort.

Sell in a Facebook yardsale group (now called Marketplace)

• I've had varying success with this option, but it's much cheaper than ebay. You get cash and don't have to worry about shipping. I often feel shady like a drug dealer or something when meeting people, though haha. You can find a local group by searching for your location + yardsale. Then you'll find related groups in the right sidebar so you can choose the most relevant for your needs.

Sell at a consignment shop or Plato's Closet

• Plato's Closet is an excellent option for lightly-worn young adult type clothing. I've had great success selling brands like American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, etc. The last time I stopped by I sold 7 items for $26.

Sell on a consignment website

• There are a few websites out there like Thredup.com.

• I decided to try Thredup.com, but was very disappointed. They provide a calculator on the site to estimate how much you'll get per item. I sent about 30 items, including Express business pants and similar brands, and expected a little bit of money per item according to their website. They accepted 6 items for $5.76. The website claims they donate the remaining items to a charity (but doesn't specify which charity). It's not so much that I wanted the money, but I felt mislead by their website and calculator. I would have much rather donated the clothing to a charity of my choice if I knew I would have gotten so little.

**This is not a sponsored post and is not in conjunction with ThredUp in any way. It's just an honest review or a method I tried. 

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What are your favorite ways to recycle clothing or other unwanted goods?

Vision Board Friday: Taking Time to Live Life Will Only Inspire Your Work

"Taking time to live life will only inspire your work." How many entrepreneurs, small business owners, bloggers {or anyone!}  could use this reminder each week? Each day? It's too easy to get caught up in doing more, more, more to build your business, serve your customers, write another post, finish those projects.

I learned this lesson the hard way. I'm nearing the end of my second year running my business full time and have been reluctant to take days off. The burn-out started creeping in a few months ago, so I've taken a few days here and there this summer. Completely shutting out work made me more motivated when I did return. I had a renewed energy and inspiration. I still struggle with this, so it's definitely appropriate for my vision board.  I need the constant reminder.

If you're a blogger, you can consider this in another way, too. Many of my clients ask, "How will I come up with topics to write about every week? Or multiple times a week?!" My advice is to pay attention to things going on in your life and write down ideas every day. Even if you don't have a lifestyle blog, I promise topics will come to you. What questions are people asking you? What are you struggling with yourself? What have you learned how to do recently? Keep a notepad or app handy to record your ideas.

How does your life inspire your work? Do you take vacations or tech detoxes to renew your energy?

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Vision Board Friday: This Life is Pretty Amazing

"Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing."We could all use this reminder sometimes.

Generally vision boards are meant for visions of the future, but you may have noticed many similar quotes like this on "vision board fridays." The future is made of each individual day strung together, so I believe in filling my board with reminders of how I'd like to feel and to be present in each day.

Also, I believe in making your vision board whatever you want it to be.

34 Little Reasons to Smile

Happiness doesn't only come from hitting big milestones and reaching goals. There are small things in everyday life we can appreciate, and these things are worth celebrating! Below are some of my favorite moments and things that make me smile. 1. A perfectly ripe banana

2. The 1st sip of coffee in the morning

3. Cold sheets and the cold side of your pillow

4. The first warm, sunny day after a cold winter

5. Finding a book you can't put down

6. Wearing your favorite outfit

7. Finding a great deal on something you've had your eye on

8. Visiting your home town

9. Reminiscing with an old friend

10. The silent calm before a snow fall

11. A cool breeze coming in your window

12. Birthday cake or birthday traditions

13. Baby animals

14. Clean sheets (especially fresh, white sheets)

15. Fresh fruit on a hot summer day

16. The first kiss with a new love

17. That feeling after a great workout

18. Lying down when you're exhausted

19. The anticipation before a vacation

20. Christmas morning

21. Inspiration for a new project or creation

22. Getting in the "flow" of what you're doing

23. Finding the last of something you've wanted (especially if it's a piece of clothing in your exact size!)

24. Sleeping or relaxing on a rainy day

25. The smell of fresh baking cookies

26. A new jar of peanut butter or nut butter

27. An unexpected day off (like a snow day)

28. Sleeping in your own bed after being away from home

29. The release of a book or movie you've been waiting for

30.  The moment when something finally clicks in your mind

31. The sound of rain on a tin roof

32. The sound of lawnmowers and airplanes during the summertime

33. Receiving an unexpected compliment

34. Helping someone (or animals) in need

What moments are you grateful for? What small thing makes you smile? Share in the comments below!

Vision Board Friday: Live in the Moment

This requires daily, or rather, constant practice, but it can be done.Be grateful + positive. Let go of the past and leave room for growth + change in the future.

image credit: I couldn't find the original source, so if you know, please let me know!

VIsion Board Friday: The Grass is Greener Where You Water It

"The grass is greener where you water it." - Neil Barringham I love this quote. It's so relevant to life, work and the comparison trap. Put that energy into your work and see what happens!