Thursday, December 10, 2015

Thursday Thoughts...

Happy Thursday Girls!
 
I cannot even believe that Christmas Eve is two weeks from today!  2015 has flown by!  I am still not done with all my shopping, but I am not stressing about it, I know it will all get done in time!
 
 
If you have read my blog since October then you know our family has been through lots of changes.  We packed up and moved away from a life that we loved.  We left behind family and friends that we miss terribly, and quite honestly, it has been HARD for me.  During my first few weeks in the new place we now call home, I found myself doing A LOT of complaining.  I was complaining about everything...the heat, missing my family, the new school schedules, you name it, I was complaining about it.  I was finding joy in nothing.  Mark was getting really upset, he is always so supportive, he is a wonderful man, and I am lucky to have him by my side, but he was getting very annoyed with all my bitching, and for not trying to make the best of things.  Looking back, he had every right to be annoyed with me.  I wasn't the only one going through the changes, we all were, the difference was that everyone was focusing on all the positive things, not the negative ones! 
 
I loved my life in Charlotte, it was pretty darn good.  I loved where I lived, I had some great friends, my kids were happy, my family was close by...Charlotte made me happy!  After being here for about 7 weeks now, I realize that it isn't the "place" that made me happy, it is who I share my life with that makes me happy.  My truest happiness comes from within my four walls.  As long as I have my husband and my children, I can always be happy.  Now I am not saying that I still don't have days where I am just down, but for the most part I am finding happiness and joy again...and it's nice.  We made this move to better our lives, and I am so thankful that my husband works so hard to provide such a wonderful life for me and the kids.  I realize now that memories are wonderful, and making new memories and starting new traditions are just as wonderful. 
 
These past two months have taught me so much!  It is so easy, especially nowadays, to get caught up in always wanting more, thinking we need more "things" in order to be happy and feel fulfilled.  I love social media, I do, but sometimes scrolling through Facebook feeds, or Instagram pics, you can really start feeling bad as you see picture after picture of someone's "perfect" life, seeing all the "things" they have.  I myself have been guilty of it, but no more.  I have truly learned to appreciate what I do have, I know that "things" can provide you a sense of immediate happiness, but it fades quickly.  My house isn't new and big and perfectly decorated, but its where we call home, it is filled with things that money cannot buy, and to me that is way better!  I'm ok to share pictures that include a huge mess in the background, because that is my life, chaotic, crazy and at times messy!  Capturing the "perfect" picture is great, but it is very clear to me that being in the moment, rather than trying to capture it for the perfect social media post, is much more important. 
 
Going into 2016 I am going to constantly remind myself to be thankful for all that I do have, for it is so much more than many have.  We are always going to want more, it's just part of life, but I am really going to focus on all that I do have, and be content and happy with it. 
 
Thanks for stopping by today, be sure to check back tomorrow for Friday Favorites.
 


35 comments:

  1. It's so important to realize that happiness more often comes from experiences and people rather than material objects! Don't get me wrong, that's not always easy!!! You've had a lot of change in your life lately so don't be too hard on yourself...you're doing the best you can!!

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  2. Thanks for the reminder :) I'm glad you're all liking it! When does Harrison get in for Christmas?

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    1. Harrison isn't coming for Christmas. He just couldn't get the time off from work...I am devastated. But realize it is life and we have to make the best of it. He will be coming in January so I am thankful for having something to look forward to after the holidays !

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    2. Sorry he won't be here to celebrate the holidays with you, but I'm glad you'll be seeing him pretty soon!

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  3. I can certainly understand your complaints with the heat in Florida. Being from the Midwest and moving to South Florida 11 years ago, I still can't get used to it. Christmas feels like it is missing something without cold weather (and snow!). We make it work and a few times have even gone to the beach to make new traditions and memories.

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    1. It's a change for sure...wearing shorts and tank tops during the Christmas season. But we are making the best of it !!!

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  4. I think you hit the nail on the head. A lot of times what people post on social media is just making up for a void they have in their life and wanting to fill that void from an external source (strangers praising their houses, clothes, etc.) Not only that, but most bloggers that post don't actually show you their homes and things because they care about you and want you to know where you can get things too... they do it for themselves. They make money by linking to stuff and so they post things so people will think they NEED these things to have the charmed life they portray. It's all very calculated. Don't fall for it, you are right that you don't need all that crap to be happy.

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    1. I totally get many people that blog do it for a source of income, and I respect that, however I'm not a huge fan of a post filled with a gazillion affiliate links and I am not a fan where you ask someone where they got something they refer you back to a link, isn't it just as easy to just tell them! I share lots of things on my blog, and I will put a link in just in case someone likes it too, however I don't receive any compensation or anything. I am just sharing what I love. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment today! Have a wonderful day.

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  5. Agreed! Why not just answer the question instead of referring back to your blog for a link? Worse is a lot of people don't tell you it is all essentially an ad. Who knows if they really like the things they push or if they just do it for money. It's all very sneaky.

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    1. I'm not saying everyone who does it is sneaky, and I am sure some people advertise things solely for the compensation. I respect that many bloggers use heir blog to provide an income for their family and I have no issue what so ever with that. However , not all of us have time to sign up for like to know it, or have time to re check a post to find something. It gets very annoying ! Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great day!

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  6. What a great reminder. I needed to hear this today. It is always so refreshing to hear honest you are about your feelings. This post hit home!
    Lisa G., McKinney, TX

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  7. Hello from a fellow Florida girl! I live in the Panhandle and I'm wondering where is our cooler weather?? I'm hoping that we have a little cold front come through for Christmas! Thanks for this post today Kimm- I often times need a reality check. I have it so good, yet I have a tendency to start comparing myself to others (looks, house, belongings, you know all the UNimportant stuff!). And of course I feel like I'm falling short :( Sometimes I have to step back and take a breather from the blogs and magazines and re-focus. I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

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    1. Merry Christmas to you also! Thanks for reading !!!

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  8. Yes!! I have had to take a break from certain blogs that everyday show me new things to buy in four different colors. I don't need all that extra stuff! I'm glad you are settling into your new home. I live in coastal NC and while I sometimes miss it being cold and feeling like Christmas, I took a walk today on the beach in short sleeves and shorts and was reminded why I love where I live!

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    1. I'm learning to embrace the warm weather ;). Merry Christmas!!!!

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  9. I often think about how much simpler my mother had it. She had a contentment about her, and I think it was largely due to the fact that she didn't have social media in her life! I also think about how sweet and simple my childhood was too. Times have definitely changed and I'm not sure for the better.

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    1. Hi Casey! I couldn't agree with you more. I tell my kids all the time how I really think times were better when I was growing up versus how they are growing up now. I feel like that society encourages us to raise spoiled , entitled children. I refuse to buy into it all. We are sticking to old school here and I think when my kids are older, they'll appreciate it ! Have a great day!!

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  10. You are not the shoes you wear, the jewelry you have, the car you drive, you are a person and you seem to love your family. That is more important than any material thing that you will ever have.

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    1. Hi Christie ! I love my family more than anything. And all those beautiful things mean nothing in an empty life. That's for sure

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  11. Great post today Kimm! I agree with you on everything and its not about where or what you do on the holidays but WHO you do it with. I used to follow several bloggers but lately, its all affiliated links and what not and I really could care less about who wears what or who has what. Social media is getting scarier by the day! Preach on sister! Have a great day!

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  12. Ahh those perfect life posts on social media...I shake my head at them girl. People aren't truthful if they say life is 100% fine and dandy and that everything is just picture perfect (besides wouldn't that be boring?) NOW of course given my life I would like a little boring..I would like off this ride for a while. BUT in the end what you say is truth..most important is the family within the 4 walls of the home. Love them dearly tell them often..live, love and laugh: tomorrow is never promised.
    Love you girl! Smile!!

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    1. I've learned life doesn't have to be perfect to be good! Love you girl !

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  13. You have become one of my favorite bloggers and it's because of posts like this one!!! You are soooo real!!! You inspire me to want to start a blog (if I ever stop procrastinating and just do it). And I also have no problems with bloggers who do it as a business - as long as it's clearly stated and discounts/freebies are clearly disclosed, which isn't always the case! I believe too that some small companies don't want bloggers to disclose it to make it seem like the blogger just happens to buy every new release that comes out bc they love it so much so you will too... Anyway rant over lol.. have a wonderful day! Thanks for being you!

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    1. Thank you so much for those kind words. And just bite the bullet and blog away girl! Have a great day!!!

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  14. I really enjoyed this post. I'm glad that you are feeling settled in Florida now. With the holidays coming up, it's perfect timing. What you said about social media is so right! I've heard the quote before "Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone else's high lite reel." It's very true!

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  15. Enlightening post, Kimm! I am trying to focus on all the positives in my life this holiday season instead of harping on what others have that I may not. I'm sure plenty of people would be thrilled with my home/life, so to live my life always wanting more, more, more would be such a sad way to live! Keep focusing on what's important! :)

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    1. Thanks Jen! Sometimes it's super easy to lose focus on what's really important ! Have a wonderful holiday!!

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  16. Perfect lives in pics are usually just that, perfect FOR pics. I think if one would get to know some of those folks personally, one would see they are far from perfect and the blog perfect life is their way to earn a living. And IMO, there is nothing wrong with that as I'd do it if I could myself. I still struggle with questions of why I can't have, do, buy, etc, but I have to just trust God's plan for me.

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    1. I have no issue either with people making a living off their blog, I just wish sometimes if you ask someone about something they don't refer you back to some link...just tell me. Lol! I really believe that perfect doesn't always equal happy! Have a great weekend !

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  17. Oh girl I feel you. We moved 6 months ago. It is sooo hard to start over, To make new friends, and build a new life. It's a process and it takes time!! I have to keep reminding myself that!

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  18. I liked this post a lot. I often remind myself of the positives and how they outweigh the negatives. It is something I try to do daily. I hear you on the heat though. We are in the high 30's Celsius, it is like an oven outside this time of year!

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