I’ve been enjoying reading posts from others on Substack about the things they’re loving and hating so I figured I’d make my own. I’m going to focus more on what I’m loving and enjoying though (for now.) I also thought this would be a cute way to share my internal world with others and invite more gratitude into my life so here we go!
Celery juice. The girlies on the internet said celery juice is great for the skin and weight loss so I started drinking celery juice to heal my gut and my skin. Both of these parts of me were nearly in the pits of hell after adopting a horrible diet in the last months of 2023. My diet was filled with too much candy, too many flavors of Pringles, not enough water, procrastination about hitting the gym, and the total opposite of beauty sleep. I’m about two weeks into my having celery juice for breakfast most days. It’s an acquired taste but I feel so healthy when I drink it and I’m looking forward to better digestion and better skin. It’s me and my celery juice against the world this year.
“Melt” by Kehlani. I am in love with Kehlani. I have the biggest girl crush on her meaning I have spent an insane amount of time wishing I was a lesbian so I could make her my wife. Anyway, “Melt” has been making my heart glow since the beginning of the year. I get chills every time I listen to it. It’s brought me and some friends of mine to tears. This song is easily one of my favorites for the way it captures the experience of being in love. “Melt” is for the real lovers in the world and the real lovers only.
Makeup looks on Pinterest. I love Pinterest and the many ideas I come across. This morning while I was procrastinating getting out of bed and ready for work, I saved a bunch of beautiful makeup looks I doubt I’ll ever have the skill of precision to replicate, let alone master. Still, I love admiring the artistry of the makeup girlies. I love bold otherworldly makeup looks the most, looks that open you up to new ideas. The makeup girlies are truly sights to see.
Cinnamon sugar pita chips. Cinnamon pita chips have become my new go-to snack. I love the Stacys brand and the Issas brand from Whole Foods. They pair nicely with yogurt, ice cream, pudding, and other sorts of snacks, but I prefer them alone. I love the crunchiness of pita chips and how obnoxiously loud they are when chewed. All hail cinnamon sugar goodness. Hmmm.
Pushing myself at the gym. I just recently started doing squats. Assisted of course, but squats nonetheless. Most girls do squats for a nicer ass I think, but I want a stronger core so squats have become my new gym thing. I saw a woman doing squats last week and her form was immaculate. I was too shy to tell her how perfect I thought her form was, but I made a mental note that I wanted to be like her. So I’m working on my form and getting those squats in every leg day. #UpTheAnte.
Coffee detox. I was a coffee fiend not too long ago. I officially gave it up February 6th of this year, woohoo! I loved coffee. I mostly started drinking it when I worked at Starbucks and told myself I’d only drink it to wake myself up. To be fair, I was waking up at 3:30 am, I needed that coffee. But it spiraled and I started a love affair with Dunkin Donuts whose espresso felt like cocaine but whose comedown was like screeching tires on asphalt. I knew it was time to give up coffee when I felt even more tired after drinking it and my stomach hurt like hell. Tea has become my new bestie. I’ve been enjoying Bigelow’s “Calm Stomach,” tea and Pocas Honey Ginger lemon flavored tea.
“FALLBACK” by Bia. Now this is my shit. I put this song on before work, during a workout, after a workout, when I’m putting on my makeup, in the shower, after a long day, when I'm feeling down, whenever wherever. It gets me hype and makes me feel like this is my world and everyone else is just living in it. I love Bia’s confidence, her voice, and the way she raps with a sense of ease.
Pilates. Choosing to be a healthy girl in an unhealthy world meant adding Pilates to my workout routine. I enjoy Pilates and the way I can work my muscles with a sense of ease. I think pilates is great for the lazy girls that want to feel the burn without feeling like they’re gonna pass out in the process. Pilates gives me, “Push yourself, but at your own pace” vibes. I follow along to Pilates videos on YouTube on my rest days from the gym. Yesterday I watched IsaWelly and I loved her upbeat attitude. And yes, I subscribed. I need her in my life.
Discovering new authors on Substack. I’ve been taking time to discover new writers on Substack and reading their work. Here are some authors and articles that have inspired me as of recently:
Risk-Aversion Is Killing Romance by Freya India
No Good Alone by Rayne Fisher-Quann
The friendship problem by Rosie Spinks
How To Watch A Movie by Charlie Squire
The way we live in the United States is not normal by Kirsten Powers
And last but not least,
Choosing myself. Last week I chose to separate myself from people that didn’t have the capacity to be my friends in ways that mattered and felt good to me. I’m still shaking off the residue of disappointment and grief from this, but I am proud of myself as well. For choosing myself instead of a crowd that I don’t feel at home with. I’m proud of myself for recognizing that what I was being offered wasn’t good for me and walking away from that, even it meant being alone or feeling lonely for a while. I’m proud of myself for caring about myself enough to walk away. Here’s to maintaining the strength and courage needed to choose myself over and over again.
Until next time, XoXo