The new year doesn't need to mean a make over

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas and holiday! I won't be posting a "Christmas haul" post nor have I been very available since I had an intense work schedule this month, so apologies for both of those things! 

I wanted to talk a little bit today about the "New year, new you" mentality. Before you step on the scale, clear out your closet or sign up for hundreds of hours of community service (not that any of these things are bad, by the way,) remember that you are enough. 

Say it out loud: "I am enough."

         

While the new year is a great reason to do something, well, new, don't be caught up in change. Despite your weight, your clothing choices and your stress levels, you don't need changing. 

If you want to change things, great! I know I want to clear out my closet and donate or sell my gently worn clothes that don't fit or I haven't worn enough to really want to keep around and I also want to learn how to cook (the latter is more urgent.) 

But before you make a long list of New Year's resolutions, remember: You are enough. 

Stay true to yourself,

Alyson 

Mani-mergency

With all the cold, plus some stress, my nails have flailed down a dark path of despair.

It probably started when I began polishing them maybe 2 or 3 times a week in an effort to "regain control." I literally read that in a magazine once - painting your nails gives you a sense of control. Okay. I'll take it.

But, the control freak in me, partnered with some unusually brisk weather for this time of year has left me with a mani-mergency. My normally nice nails are peeling and the cuticles are chapped and slightly overgrown.

My fighter nail... the thumb (and his new friend, mysterious white spot.)

I began this regimen to get things back up to snuff today:
-Get more sleep
-Drink more water
-Wear gloves or put my hands in my pockets when I'm outside for more than a minute
-Use cuticle oil before bed
-Become a slave to hand cream
And the worst one:
-No polish (until things improve)

I did put on a few coat of Essie's Rock Solid to try and protect what's left and I treated myself to a cuticle remover cream to help tackle some of those cuticles that are hanging on for dear life.

Do you have a hard time with your hands in the winter? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

40 degrees with a chance of laziness

As it gets colder outside, I have a harder time getting out of bed. I have a harder time putting on proffessional clothes (though technically I could wear a sweater, jeans and boat sheos to work everyday) and a harder time staying focused.

What gives? Is it the cold? Is it my longing for the college life when the cold meant finals, and finals meant Christmas break, where I could go home and cry about how hard my life was? Yes, I've definitely done that. I didn't really know how easy I had it then!

But I also have it pretty easy now. The most stress I've experienced lately is balancing time with my cat, who no longer is allowed to sleep with me because he can't leave the Christmas tree alone. And my car is acting a little funky -but with a commute in walking distance I don't have much to complain about.

Such an adult! My own tree!

Yes, the post-grad life is both easier and harder than college. No Christmas or spring break - wah! But I traded a week off to travel back home in exchange for all the Saturday's in December and the early shift on Christmas morning (yawn!) which, I think, was a great bargain.

How do you stay motivated when "the end" is nowhere in sight? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson