What I learned this summer

Happy Friday and September 1st! We have officially moved into the fall months. Before I buy my favorite Leaves candles from Bath and Body Works and attend the first football game of the season, I wanted to pause and reflect on those lovely summer months that always pass so quickly. Here are a few things I’ve learned…
Good times are fleeting. Bad times are fleeting. Reminding myself of this has helped me stay present and help cope with the bad but also really enjoy the good stuff.

Yoga twice a week has been a savior for my knees, low back, and recovery. I still have a joint strain on my vertebrae and my right QL is still crazy tight despite the yoga and digging into it with a lacrosse ball, but I definitely feel better in my movements at CrossFit with yoga incorporated into the week. I also find that I’m not as sore post-workouts too.

Using “natural” products for my face doesn’t work. I’ve tried getting off of Proactiv three separate times now in my life in favor of something more “natural” and every time I have dealt with terrible breakouts that don’t let up. This whole summer I went off of Proactiv and started using Beauty Counter’s charcoal bar and my face has never been worse. So two weeks before the wedding I decided to go back to Proactiv so I wouldn’t have to wear gobs of makeup to cover up my terrible face. And in two weeks my skin has cleared up. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Lesson learned.

Have something homemade and sweet in the apartment every week is a must. I love baking and I have learned that having the availability of something homemade, nourishing, and sweet in the fridge helps me to not feel deprived. I’ve tried deprivation enough times in my life to know it always back fires. Now, if it’s available to me, I enjoy it when I want or not. My favorite are these sweet potato brownies, almond butter cups, and paleo chocolate chip pumpkin bars.

Sometimes podcasts find you at the exact moment you need to hear their message. I love listening to Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations, the Thrive Global Podcast, and when I want to listen to a sermon, Matt Chandler’s messages at The Village Church are always good.

What have you learned this summer? Let me know! I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!