Living with Less - Detoxing Your Mind

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Lately I've been having trouble sleeping. I've gone to bed thoroughly exhausted but no matter how tired my body is, I can't seem to shut my mind off.

As soon as my head hits the pillow, my thoughts start to race. I start to think about all the things I have to do, and the plans I need to make the next day. I'll think about all the things I'm worried about, and think of ways that I could fix the issues in my life. An hour or two (or three) later, I'm finally asleep.

The next day, I'm too exhausted to achieve all the things I thought about the night before which leave me feeling frustrated and planning when I go to bed the next night, and the cycle starts all over again.

I'm sure you've been there before and understand how frustrating it is when you can't control your thoughts. A racing mind can leave you consumed with worry and stress which negatively effects your overall health and well-being - an unfortunate side effect of our busy world!

I'm working on controlling my thoughts so I can create a more peaceful home inside my head which in time will create a healthier and happier me. It's time to s l o w  d o w n and edit your mind - so you can get some peace of mind!

Clear the busy air around you.

Turn your phone off, close the extra tabs, seek out somewhere quiet. Even if you're in a busy, urban area you can create your own peace and quiet by limiting your interactions with technology and other people.

For me this usually means putting my phone on silent in another room, or waking up while everyone else is asleep so I don't have to focus on anyone else but me for a while.

Let go of any regrets and accept them as lessons learned.

A lot of times when we stress out it's because of something we've done or said. We like to call these things "regrets".

Instead of regretting an experience, try to look at the experience as a lesson learned. Forgive yourself for making the mistake, tell yourself it won't happen again, and use your experience to create a better you in the future.

Accept the apology you never received.

Don't waste your energy and thoughts on someone that wouldn't do the same for you. It took me forever to learn this lesson, but it's an extremely valuable lesson.

When you hold off on forgiving someone (even for something as minor as bumping you on the bus), you're only hurting yourself by holding onto those negative feelings. If it's something major, don't accept the same poor treatment from someone (lesson learned) but allow yourself to live as if they already apologized and move on. If it's something small, don't sweat it!

Focus on your breathing.

The next time you're feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts, try focusing solely on your breathing. Breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat. Let this task distract you for a while and calm you down. I've used this technique several times to help me fall asleep at night or when I've felt a sudden rush of anxiety.

Empty some of your thoughts on paper.

When your mind is racing with worry and thoughts, try emptying some of them onto paper, or into a journal. If you take a few minutes to write down your thoughts and acknowledge your feelings about them during the day, they'll be less likely to haunt you at night.

Indulge in less stimulants.

A stimulant is anything that increases your psychological energy. This can be caffeine, drugs, sugar - even certain people can be stimulants. Energy is good and essential to daily living, but too much can make your heart (and mind) race. Try cutting back, or eliminating your intake of stimulants to feel more balanced in life.

Let go of judgement and replace it with love.

Many of my negative thoughts in the past have revolved around my expectations and idea of what someone/something should be. Society has taught us that if someone/something is different then it's wrong. This idea is close-minded and does not contribute to the evolution of our world. 

Instead, replace judgment with love. Be open minded to new ways of seeing things, new ideas and new people. 

Let go of fear and replace it with trust.

As children we may have been afraid of the dark, or the monster under the bed however now that we're adults our fears have turned into something much worse.

We could be afraid of not being able to pay the bills, we could be afraid of losing our partner, or if not that - we could be afraid that we might be alone forever. We may be afraid of losing our health, our happiness, or even our hair. The options for things to fear are endless! No wonder half the world can't sleep at night.

A while ago I read a quote that resonated with me. "Worry does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace." When you let your fears control you and constantly worry about things, you're only robbing yourself of time, peace, and energy. Don't let this happen.

Replace your fear with trust. Trust that things happen for a reason. Trust that you can find a solution and get through this. Trust in the timing of your life.

Focus on the positive.

Sometimes I get really wrapped up in the all the negative in the world. It feels like my newsfeed is always plagued with another shooting, another genocide, another injustice, (or another certain president). When we're constantly bombarded with negative energy in the world, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with sadness and anger, and feel depressed.

When I start feeling like this, I try to step back and think about the progress we've made in the world - and the progress still to come.

Change doesn't happen until someone rocks the boat. Sometimes you have to fall in the water to learn how to swim (a.k.a. a bunch of bad can eventually lead to a bunch of good.) The key is to keep fighting for what's right and surrounding yourself with those people that believe in the same love and beauty that you do. Let your positive and loving thoughts trump the negative ones. Pun intended.


Your mind is a powerful tool which effects your entire well-being and peace of mind - don't forget to cleanse and nourish it, as well as your body! 

Affirmations:

I let go of resentment, and replace it with forgiveness.
I let go of judgement, and replace it with love.
I let go of fear, and replace it with trust.
I am in control of my thoughts and happiness.
I allow peace and positivity into my life and mind.

Namaste.

Brittany
@simplylynne


***On a side note - it's my birthday this weekend, yay! I'll be taking it easy and spending some time with loved ones. To celebrate I'm doing a sale on Etsy - Everything in the shop is 15% off until January 23rd. Just use the code "SURPRISE" during checkout!***

Living with Less Series #1 - Detoxing Your Body

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Hello and welcome back! It's a new year and this is my first blog post of 2017.

I'm excited to announce that this month I'll be writing a blog post series about living with less. Since a new year is all about good intentions and self-improvement, this is a great chance to make some positive changes around your home, for your body and for your mind.

Now I don't know about you, but I ate pretty poorly over the holidays and I'm paying for it now. Large quantities of sugar, chocolate, fatty foods and bread have got me breaking out, and feeling bloated and sluggish. I know that what I eat has to do a lot with how I'm feeling (and looking) so I've really been evaluating my diet and lifestyle and have been looking to make some healthier changes.

Did you know that when you write down your goals you have a 21% increased chance in achieving them? It's even more likely if you write them down in your own handwriting. So this is me writing down my intentions to detox my life - starting with my body.

I'm sure you know the phrase "you are what you eat" and it's absolutely true. Same goes for what you put in your skin, what you breathe in, and what you drink.

When you put something laden with chemicals into your skin (I'm looking at you Bath and Body Works) or into your body (even most grocery store "healthy" fruits and veggies are soaked in toxins!) you're eventually going to have a negative reaction. This could do some serious long term damage to your health!

If you're looking to clean up your habits, here are some tips to detox your body for a healthier, happier you. If you see some ideas you want to work on, be sure to write them down or tell a friend to increase your chances of success!

1) Buy organic food as often as you can. 

Certain fruits and veggies carry more toxins in them (aka, The Dirty Dozen) and can carry up to 67 pesticides per serving. Yikes! If you can't buy all organic, make sure to wash fruits and veggies thoroughly before eating with a mild all natural soap. 

2) Eliminate (or eat less) gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, peanuts and refined sugar. 

In an over-processed and chemical filled world today, allergies are on the rise. This list contains some of the most aggressive food allergens which can irritate the digestive system and in time threaten our immunity. Avoid them if you can!

If you are considering eliminating these things, I recommend checking out the Eating Clean Cookbook by Amie Valpone. I picked it up recently and am working through it for my own health plans. Not only does it include a 21 day plan to detox your diet, but it's filled with anti-allergen and vegan recipes which all look delicious!

Bonus points: Try adding more turmeric, honey, charcoal, and clay (yes, clay) to your diet. All can be extremely beneficial for your health and can help with detoxing and boosting your immunity. Just be sure to do some research first or consult your doctor!

3) Swap your cleaning products for chemical free versions. 

It's hard enough to avoid toxins outside the house (hello, carbon emissions) so why not make your own home a personal haven and minimize the chemical impact in your home environment. Try swapping out your average Mr. Clean for something gentler on the air and skin. There are many great earth and body friendly cleaners out there - or you can make your own!

I personally like a little vinegar water for cleaning with a few drops of lavender essential oil. Here are some other great recipes for All Purpose Cleaner, Laundry Detergent, Furniture Polish and more.

5) Purify your air with plants.

This one's a favourite of mine! Interestingly enough, I read somewhere once that the average home needs 14-16 plants to help keep the air pure in a home (looks like I'm going plant shopping). 

Plants breathe in carbon dioxide and can also absorb other harmful gases such as cigarette smoke, benzene from plastics and formaldehyde. Not only do they help purify the air but they add life and style to a home. So go ahead, buy another plant...for your health of course.

Not sure what plant to get to clean your air? Check out this list! 

4) Simplify and green your beauty routine. 

Most health and beauty products are filled with harmful chemicals and cheap fillers to lengthen the shelf life, all of which unregulated, not tested long term, and can cause serious health problems.

I can remember when I first read about a possible link between breast cancer and antiperspirant,and started researching the chemicals in health and beauty products. I was shocked by the amount of toxins included in everyday health and beauty items - all of which are mass produced and marketed to us (click here for a detailed article on toxic beauty).

Our skin is the largest organ on the body and absorbs 60% of what's put on it - make sure it's 60% of something kind and non-toxic. (I'll be doing a post on my favourite all natural health/beauty products within the next few weeks!)

A very helpful resource I like to use is the Good Guide.  You can type a product into this site and find out exactly what the ingredients are, how harmful they are and what they can do long term, and how ethical a beauty brand is. I've typed in Physician's Formula Organic Mascara for an example - take a look! 

5) Drink more water.

The average human body is 50-65% water which means you're most likely not getting as much water as your body needs to function fully and properly. Water is essential for flushing out toxins, promoting healthy skin, keeping the immune system in check and other sorts of great things. Green tea and lemon water are also extremely beneficial for detoxing the body. What are you waiting for? Drink up!

6) Sweat it out.

Staying active doesn't just keep you looking and feeling great - it also helps flush toxins out of the body during the sweating process. Crying is also great for releasing toxins (both physically and emotionally) so you can always curl up with The Notebook too. Don't forget tissues!

Detoxing your body is a great way to improve your overall heath and to keep your immune system in check. A healthy, organic diet, natural health and beauty products, and clean air environment are essential in working towards a non-toxic life. Try eliminating a few toxins from your routine today - the results can change your life!

Tune in for next week's Living with Less blog series post: Detoxing Your Relationships.

Namaste,

Brittany
@simplylynne

3 Things I Learned in 2016

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They say that the older you get, the faster time goes by. If this is the case, then I feel like I'm 103 because it feels like yesterday it was summer when actually it's winter and it's almost 2017. What sorcery is this!?

Anyways, this time of year always makes me both excited and anxious because it'll be a new year, and - it'll be a new year. There will be new opportunities, new challenges, and a fresh start. Everyone wants to start the new year off on the right foot, but part of growth is learning from past mistakes. 

This includes the mistakes you made in 2016. For some of you, this may have been colouring your hair "silver", getting back with an ex who wasn't good for you, or saying something mean when you shouldn't have. 

This week, I'd like to share some of my worst mistakes  best lessons learned over the past year. 

1) You don't have to settle. 

This year some of my biggest struggles revolved around a toxic ex-roommate and feeling undervalued at my workplace. These are common struggles around the world and situations that I've dealt with in the past, but this year the outcome was different: I learned that I didn't have to settle and I decided not to. 

To clarify, compromising is necessary in life, but settling is a choice. This year I decided to choose happiness and put myself first, instead of settling with situations and people that left me miserable or feeling less than I deserve. 

This included saying goodbye to a childhood friend - the same friend that became my roommate from hell over 2 years due to her unresolved mental health issues. I also said goodbye to a city and job because I no longer felt like I was a valued employee. Neither of these decisions were easy to make as they affected me mentally, physically and financially, but they were decisions which had to be made if I was going to do what was best for me. 

While I don't have everything worked out yet, I know I made the right decisions for both situations because I felt relieved immediately after I made the choice not to settle. There's always a choice!

2) It's okay to move on.

If you followed my blog about a year ago, then you'll already know that I had been going through a difficult breakup some time ago (catch up here!). It's a breakup that haunted me for the past 2 years - not because it was a long relationship but because it was the first relationship where I really, truly loved someone and opened up to them. 

This relationship ended almost 2 years ago, but I was still holding onto it. It's not that I wasn't trying - I was seeing other people and open to someone new, but no one as good or real (for me) came along. That is until I met my current boyfriend. 

I knew he adored me long before we even started dating, and I knew he was great and we had a lot in common - but I wasn't going to allow myself to jump into anything I wasn't sure about. So we started hanging out in May and after 3 months of friendship, I really started seeing things in him that I hadn't had in any previous relationship; I started comparing my ex to him, instead of him to my ex. I realized that this was someone really special - someone that was never going to intentionally hurt me and was always going to put me first. 

So before we headed out on our first vacation together, I wrote my ex-boyfriend a letter. It was handwritten and sent via snail mail - after asking his mom for his address because he had blocked me on everything else. 

In the letter, I apologized for the mistakes I made while we were together and let him know that I forgave him for his mistakes. I let him know that while things ended badly, I wasn't angry anymore and wished him the best. 

This was me letting him go. I was after 2 difficult years, finally able to set myself free from the pain of losing us. I learned that it was okay to love my ex without it holding me back from new love. I learned that it was okay to move on.

3) Sometimes you need to be aggressive.

In the past, I've had a habit of letting certain situations or negative treatment from people slide because it was easier than confrontation (does anybody actually like confrontation??) However most often than not, I've kicked myself after a bad situation for the things I should have said or did. I regret not taking a bigger stand when it mattered or for standing up for myself when I felt disrespected.

I've learned that sometimes you need to be aggressive. I'm not talking about getting up in someone's face for no reason, or throwing punches - I'm talking about thoughtfully and respectfully telling someone off when need be, or standing up for what's right. Words are powerful tools which can be used to debate, persuade and discuss. They can be used to defend yourself or create change for a bad situation. 

This past year, I've been working on speaking out more. I reported a professor who was cutting classes, being disrespectful to students and not taking our education seriously - she ended up being replaced for the semester because multiple students spoke up. When more people stand up for what's right, society progresses. 

Another example was when I asked a previous employer for a raise. In previous part-time jobs, I accepted the minimum wage I was offered with no fuss because I was young and unsure of myself and the job system. I felt that minimum wage was acceptable for someone of my experience/education etc. 

This year however after graduating with my second diploma, and with several years of experience under my belt, I was no longer going to accept an intern's wages. So I decided to speak up and brought the issue up with my employer. 

The outcome was that I was offered a raise, but in the end it wasn't significant enough to be worth my time and effort (or anywhere near the cost of living in Toronto) so I left the job. While I didn't get the outcome I necessarily wanted, I did learn that I can create change when I speak up. I learned that sometimes you need to be aggressive and ready to fight for what you really want. 

Photo by Chris Amorim.

To sum it up, 2016 was a good year with some valuable lessons learned. I've learned the value of speaking up and have grown into a person that's allowing myself to move on when things don't go as planned, and only pursuing things in life that make me truly happy. I'll be taking these lessons into the future where I know my future self will benefit from these experiences and wisdom as I continue on my journey of personal growth - I hope you will too!

I'll be on holiday next week but will be back with new blog posts in the new year. In the meantime, I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season. Cheers!

Brittany

@simplylynne

"The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw yourself."
                                                                                                     - C. Joybell C.

Confessions of a Minimalist

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Minimalist. Hippy. Granola. Eco-conscious. Frugal. These words have all been used to describe me at one point or another and they're being used more frequently the older I get.

My journey to living with less started when I first moved from my hometown to another city for college. I was moving from a bachelor apartment and had a ton of stuff. A huge moving truck to be exact, plus some car loads full.

Over the past 5 years, I've moved about 7 times. (Thank you, shady landlords and bad roommate situations). With the hassle of each move, I really started thinking about the things I owned. I considered why they were important to me, whether or not I needed them, and how owning these things made me feel.

From there I began to question where my desire to own things came from. I thought about how society effected these desires and about how society's 'ideal life' differed from my own.

Once I realized these differences, I began to change my mindset to create a life which was more meaningful to me. 

It's a long and ongoing process, but here's some things I've learned so far on my minimalist journey.

1) I believe in re-gifting. It's the thought that counts! Besides, if I don't love something and know someone else will, I'm happy to pass it along to a new home.

2) I don't wash my jeans until they've been well worn multiple times. Unless of course I KNOW they're dirty or they smell. With the amount of water that a load of laundry uses, I do my best to practice sustainable laundry habits. Besides do jeans ever actually get dirty??

3) Over the years, I've drastically cut down my beauty routine. I started with 1 hour and a full face of makeup and blowout, to 20 minutes and just the essentials. I believe my time is more valuable than me looking perfect every day. A little mineral foundation, some all natural mascara and tinted lip balm and I'm good to go.

4) I don't keep old notes and cards, unless they're really, really special. I keep them for a few years, thank them for the joy they brought me, and then recycle them.

5) I believe the gift of quality time is the most valuable gift you can give a person. 

6) I make my bed everyday because it makes a room look so much tidier and I feel like starting the day by making a bed or doing some light tidying makes for a much more productive day.

7) I don't spend money I don't have. When using a credit card, I make sure to pay it off right away, and avoid unnecessary spending.

8) Instead of focusing on how to make more money, I try not to need more money. It's easy to get sucked into the idea of needing this big a house, this car and that lifestyle, but it's 100% not necessary to live and be happy. In fact, it's that kind of mindset that distracts you from true and simple happiness.

9) I try not to get sentimental about "stuff". I'd rather have one or two really special things from someone, or photos than hold onto everything that reminds me of them (or a certain time etc.)

10) I don't have a lot of friends, just a small handful of really good, genuine, caring friends. Growing up you realize quickly who your true friends are. Keep them close!

11) I air-dry all of my clean clothes. Not only is it better for the environment and save money, but it's much gentler on your clothes and keeps them lasting much longer.

12) I'll go out for a good cup of coffee, but I won't go out and buy a tea. I can't get myself to spend money on a cup of tea, when I have a wide selection and hot water at home already.

13) I value authenticity more than anything else. Nobody's life is perfect and I appreciate when someone can be honest and open about both the bad and good.

14) I wish my parents had made me save all the money I made during my first part-time job instead of spending it on silly things like belts and band t-shirts. Lesson learned.

15) I used to be a huge online shopper - especially clothes. Now I never buy clothes online because I can't see the quality in person and can't justify spending the money without that assurance (or at least easy returns!)

16) I love sweets, particularly chocolate and baked goods. I believe it's okay to have these things in moderation but if I'm going to eat junk food, it needs to be good and high quality. Remember, your body is a temple.

17) I'd rather be somewhat poor than work a job that I don't like. My time is valuable, my thoughts and feelings have value and they are more important than making money. If these other things aren't being honoured, and you have another way you can survive and feel good about, go for it. Time is money.

18) I frequently remind myself that I won't always be healthy, young, alive etc. This may sound like a downer to some, however I feel it's important to keep our mortality in mind in order to appreciate what you do have now and work towards overcoming fears which may be holding us back. More on this here! 

19) 'Pick and choose your battles' has become an important mantra for me. We face injustices everyday - just open up a newspaper on any given day. We know that we can't make everything fair in the world so we have to pick what we find most important and fight for that. Let the little things slide.

20) I don't upgrade my stuff all the time. For instance, I had a flip phone up until just a few years ago when it broke and had to be replaced. I wear my favourite shoes until they fall apart. I'm still typing on my old laptop from my first year of college. If it ain't broke...

Do you have a confession you'd like to make? Let me know in the comments below!

Cheers,

Brittany
@simplylynne

My 3 Biggest Fears and How I Plan to Overcome Them

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Whether you celebrate Halloween or not, it's impossible to avoid the sights and sounds of the season.

Stores are filled with candy and costumes to thrill every trick or treating whim. Horror movies are on a constant stream on TV and pumpkins are on many doorsteps awaiting children who come to call. 

I can remember one Halloween night when I was younger, and some children came to the door for candy. It was after the early evening rush and some of the older kids were now making their rounds. 

The doorbell rang and after opening the door, there stood a tall kid in the infamous Scream Ghostface costume. My little brother (who must have been 3 or 4 at the time) saw the spooky face and yelled screaming and terrified, "Funny monkey! Funny monkey!"

While this was hilarious to most of us, the genuine terror on my little brother's face was real. For many years following this, he's had some night terrors - whether or not they stem from this experience is to be determined. One thing is for sure though, and that is that fear is real.

We're all afraid of something. 

Some of us are afraid of spiders, snakes, or the dark. 

Some of us are afraid of terrorism, getting sick, losing a loved one or the unknown. 

Some of us are afraid of fictional characters -  Chucky (this was me for many years), Norman Bates, or more recently, American Horror Story's The Butcher. We may even be scared of real life psychopaths (and for good reason).

It's okay to be scared. Fear is part of being human and part of our basic survival instincts. 

It's important however to recognize when your fear of ____________ is interfering with your life, and if it is to figure out a plan to change this. 

I'd like to share my 3 biggest fears with you, and my plans for overcoming these fears. While I know I can likely never erase the fear completely, I know I can prevent fear from controlling my life and keeping me from living.

1)  I am afraid of not having enough time.

I'm sure you can relate to this. After all, we're only given so many years and days and minutes in our lives. We don't have time to see everything or do everything there is to do (unless you're an immortal vampire). 

The first step to conquering this fear is to accept that your time is limited and one day you will be too old, too sick or too dead to do anything. Accepting this simple fact of life will bring you a great deal of peace. 

The second step to conquering this fear is to prioritize your life. 

Make a bucket list, and actually work on it. Don't make excuses such as "I'll do it one day" or "I'll go there one day". The time to live is while you're living. Don't let excuses such as family, work, etc. hold you back - work around them. 

Choose the things which are most important to you, and forget the rest. Pick a job that you're passionate about so it doesn't feel like work. Spend time doing things you love and take time every day to be grateful for the opportunities and time you have (so far) been given. 

2) I am afraid of not being heard, and being misunderstood. 

For some reason, this fear has plagued me for years - it's probably why I've become a writer and artist. 

I've had dreams where I've lost my voice and can literally not be heard. I've had dreams where I can repeat myself 100 times but the person will still not understand what I'm trying to say. I've had dreams where I've even tried to kill someone because they were physically dragging me down and not understanding. I'm always aware that I'm dreaming and the things in my dreams aren't real, but I still fight them (waste of a dream if you ask me!)

This fear stems mostly from situations with difficult people - people who don't quite have the same sense of reality or awareness that I do. 

It stems from feeling like I don't have a voice, or can't make a difference. 

It stems from seeing others who aren't being heard and knowing that I can't save the world. This is especially relevant when I see the violence and injustices in the world which I feel I can't directly help. 

This too unfortunately, is part of life. 

We can't save everyone. We can't make everyone understand us. The world is much too vast.

But this doesn't mean you don't have a voice. It doesn't mean you can't speak up when you see injustice - this is especially easier in today's technological world. We can connect and give light on bad situations and inspire people with our thoughts and actions. You do matter and you can change the world, slowly but surely. 

If you have this fear, I encourage you to write more, create art and find other healthy ways to communicate. Develop your communication skills and surround yourself with people who think the same way you do; there is power in numbers. 

Also be sure to remain open to new thoughts and ideas - just because something is different does not make it wrong. We all just want to be understood and have our feelings validated. 

3) I'm afraid of pain, gore and needles. And doctors.

Again, a basic human fear. There aren't too many people that don't have this fear to some degree. Being in any sort of pain isn't enjoyable and if the pain threatens our life, or is for reasons unknown then we have that to deal with as well. 

Being more exposed to your fear does help you conquer it. Maybe this is why my tolerance for gory and horrific movies has broadened over the years (catch last weeks episode of The Walking Dead, anyone?) This is in a way a perk (if there is any perks) of the desensitization of gore in North American culture. 

I'll admit, in the past I have cried and made a scene when I've had to get a needle. 

When I got my first bloodwork done as an adult, I had a friend go with me and still was a little theatrical. 

I've had a few more since then, and while the process makes me anxious and is uncomfortable, I've gotten better and better at dealing with needles. It really does make a difference when you bring a friend that is capable of distracting you during the procedure. I hope to one day, not need a friend there at all.

In regards to gore and doctors - I've been working on accepting that sickness and getting hurt is inevitable in life and the best action is preventative and educational measures.

I make many efforts to keep myself in good physical condition to avoid trips to the doctor when I can.

I read up on the human body, and occasionally watch clips of minor surgical procedures to understand heath care and the workings of the human body so as not to fear it. Knowledge is power.

What I find works best for this fear however is controlling my mind. There is no sense worrying over something that likely will never happen. If I have an anxious thought about something bad that could happen, I take that thought and tell myself that we can cross that bridge if we come to it.

Worrying about a fear of needles, doctors and gore doesn't help your health - it threatens it. Which is the whole thing we want to avoid in the first place!

We're all afraid of something but controlling that fear is essential to living a full and healthy life. 

As Halloween festivities come to a close in the next few days, I encourage you to do something truly scary - *look death in the face and say "not today". 

Pick a fear that you have, even if it's something minor and choose to face it. Consider where your fear stems from and how this fear could be affecting your life. Then choose to change it.

I accept my time is limited.

I will make the most of the time I have.

I have a voice and I can create change.

I am not a slave to my fears.

I choose peace over fear.

I choose to live.

Wishing you all a fear free and safe Halloween.

Best,

Brittany

(*Thanks Game of Thrones for the epic quote reference).

Taking the Scenic Route on an Autumn Adventure

This past weekend, the boyfriend and I decided to go on a spur-of-the-moment roadtrip through some of the small towns near Kitchener. With a full tank of gas and full bellies, we headed onto the open road seeking autumn and adventure.

We drove out to Erin, Ontario and through Alton and Orangeville area passing many farms and open pastures and saw many glimpses of rural life in the fall. We saw cows and sheep farms, old Victorian homes and churches, quaint inns and even a few mansions. One of my favourite things to see though were the barns.

After spending the past few years living in Toronto (originally a small town girl), I've developed a small obsession with barn photography and driving past farmsteads. I suppose they bring back some pleasant childhood memories visiting the farms of relatives - collecting eggs in the barn, family gatherings in the summer and the occasional horseback riding.

To me a barn represents a simpler life. It represents a re-connection with core values such as family, hard work, sustainable living and nature. A barn conjures up images of home cooked meals, days spent working in the garden, or quiet evenings on the porch. A barn represents home.

We had picked the perfect day for a road trip. The sun was shining, there were clouds in the sky and the trees were at their colourful, autumn peak. It was chilly but warm inside the car, and cozy inside our sweaters. The only thing missing was a cup of hot apple cider!

One of the highlights of the trip was when we met this adorable cat. She stopped beside the road and struck some poses for us. Isn't she photogenic?

We also stumbled across this gorgeous old property for sale. I'm not sure if the building is even habitable because it looks like it needs a lot of work - but it was so charming, and so old! It had a sunroom, an antique water pump, and woodstove inside - it looked very cozy.

I spent a few moments imagining myself living there and thinking about who may have lived there over the many years of its existence. I pictured myself sitting in the sunroom surrounded by plants, sipping on tea or knitting (#grandmavibes) or maybe chopping up wood for the stove to warm the little house for winter.

I wondered what the house might look like inside, and if it had the original wallpaper, and when it was first built. I also thought about contacting the realtor but...I'll wait until I win the lottery for this fixer upper.

I'm so grateful to have been able to experience autumn this way. Shoutout to my boyfriend for the drive, and to nature for being so damn gorgeous!

We have a few weeks of fall left, so if you're able to go out for a scenic walk/drive, I highly recommend it. Take some pictures, but don't forget to be in the moment too.

Feel the chilly air on your skin.
Smell the crisp, fresh scent in the air.
See the countless shades of yellows, greens, reds and oranges.
Listen to sounds around you - whether it's rustling leaves, bird songs or busy city sounds. 

Let yourself come alive in the moment and create a memory that will last forever.

Brittany
@simplylynne