Feeling Too Much

A few years ago, I went to a book signing in Atlanta where I met the founder of To Write Love on Her Arms, Jamie Torkowski. I'd been a supporter of TWLOHA for a long time, and it was a cause that was very close to my heart. I had been secretly dealing with depression for a while when I discovered TWLOHA, so meeting Jamie was a huge deal for me. I made a blog post about it back then, but I never posted it because I wasn't comfortable sharing that part of myself with anyone, much less the internet. Five years later, talking about my mental health doesn't scare me like it did then. I've been in therapy and taken medications off and on for anxiety and depression for years, and I have no shame around it. It's a part of my self-care. 

When I decided to get back into writing my blog, I came across the TWLOHA post that I never published and figured now would be as good a time as any to post it. 

 

June 2015

I guess the best place to start this blog post is at the very beginning. Four years ago, I was going through a funk. I was super stressed and overwhelmed with life, and I was in a place where I was just very unsure about everything. I was in Hot Topic one day shopping, and I came across a little rubber bracelet that said To Write Love On Her Arms. At the time, I had no idea what the saying meant. I just liked it, so I bought it. I googled the phrase, and I found out that To Write Love On Her Arms is a non-profit organization that helps people who are battling with depression, self-harm, addiction, or contemplating suicide. I immediately fell in love with the organization and its message. For me, it was so encouraging to know that there were other people struggling like me, and it was even more encouraging to know that there were people out there willing to help people like us. TWLOHA's message is that everyone is important. No matter how you are feeling right now, your life means something; people need other people. Ever since then, I have been a supporter of TWLOHA. When I got the chance to meet the founder, Jamie Tworkowski, I jumped at it.

Last week, Alex and I made a day trip up to Atlanta. Jamie was having a book signing promoting his new book, If You Feel Too Much. We got up around seven Tuesday morning, drove six hours, wasted some time in Atlanta, went to the book signing, and then drove the six hours back home. We made a special trip to meet Jamie, but it was totally worth it. So many people came out for the signing, and I loved seeing so many people that I had at least one thing in common with, TWLOHA. Jamie was so nice and laid back. He was so thankful for everyone that came out. He made sure that he took the time to thank everyone individually, and he made everyone feel important, which is the idea behind the organization.

I feel like I have this connection to Jamie because To Write Love On Her Arms found me at a time when I need it most. Whenever I was going through a hard time in my life, emotionally, I found encouragement in TWLOHA, and I will always be thankful for that. His book also has a special place in my heart. Just the title alone speaks to me because it describes me perfectly. Sometimes I do feel too much, but it's not always a bad thing. Maybe sometimes we all need to feel a little more; feel a little more compassion, feel a little more understanding, and - most importantly - feel a little more love. And if you're reading this and you're going through a hard time, know that you are not alone. You are important. You matter. If you take nothing away from this post, please take this. It can't always be cloudy skies. The storm may feel like it will last forever, but the sunshine is still there waiting to come back through. I strongly believe in To Write Love On Her Arms and all that it stands for. If you are struggling and need encouragement or help check out To Write Love On Her Arms. And if you're looking for something to read check out If You Feel Too Much. It is real, honest, and moving. I will not disappoint you.

Hello 2021

 

Happy New Year! I know this post is a little late, but the year has been a wild ride already. New Year's is becoming one of my favorite holidays because I love the feeling of starting fresh. I love to sit down, plan things, and get organized. I always set goals for the year, and the past few years I've created a vision board. It's becoming a little tradition for me. I put the goals I want to achieve during the year on there along with some quotes I like and images to set the vibe for the year. Last year, I met almost all the goals on my vision board, so this year I started from scratch. 

Three Years Later...

Hey, y'all! It's been a long time, a little over three years to be exact. When I started this blog in 2015, I just wanted to write, and I figured having my own little corner of the internet where I could share my life and the things I love was as good an idea as any. I loved taking the photos, editing them, and writing the posts, but life got in the way somewhere along the line. I decided that I'd jump back into it this year because I believe that amid all of our responsibilities and obligations, we need to have some things we do just for ourselves, because they make us happy. I don't know how often I'll post between work, school, and life in general, but I'll be here as often as I can.

26

Last week was my 26th birthday. To be honest, I wasn't too excited about getting closer to 30. Then, I snapped out of it. I realized that just because I'm an adult now and getting older, doesn't mean that I have to grow up anytime soon. So, I did what any 26-year-old would do, throw a themed birthday party with my family.

New Memories With Old Friends

This past weekend, Alex and I got together with some of our old friends from high school, and we went out to eat and did a little bowling. For once, it took me forever to decide on an outfit. In the end, I actually went with Alex's suggestions. Looking back on the photos, I feel like I was channeling Harry Styles on the bottom half and Zoella and top half, but hey, it worked! I started out with my faux leather jacket, and then I just styled around it. The mustard striped shirt is from Old Navy, and I bought the scarf specifically to go with it from there also. So, when I decided to wear the striped shirt, I thought it would be fun to pair the femininity of the floral scarf with the edginess of the leather jacket. Then I just threw on some American Eagle skinny jeans and my favorite black ankle boots from Target.

Beignets by the Bay

A few weeks ago, my family and I got together and took my husband out for his birthday. We went to this little local Creole place called Boudreaux's that Alex and I love. It sits right on the bay, and it has live music and great Cajun food. Normally, Alex and I just celebrate together, but turning 27 is a big deal, so we invited my daddy, step-mom, and two sisters.

Saturday Out and About

Most weekends Alex and I try to get out of the house and do something, even if it's just running errands or shopping. This particular Saturday, we just wanted to spend the day together. We didn't have any specific plans in mind, so we just went to the movies, grabbed a bite to eat, and shopped around a bit.

Family Fun on the Farm

Last weekend, my cousins and I went to Seward Farm for a little Fall fun! We spent the day going through a corn maze, sipping hand-squeezed lemonade, and watching pig races. I decided to go for a casual but cute outfit that consisted of my favorite American Eagle jeans and a white t-shirt. I topped it off with an army green military jacket and a fringe cross-body from Lucky Brand and a hat from Aeropostale. Since I never miss an opportunity to accessorize, I paired the outfit with a gold laurent necklace from Walmart and my gold and tortoise Michael Kors watch. To finish off the outfit, I chose a pair of brown booties made by Rock and Candy.

Life After College

Six months ago If you would have told me that August wouldn't see me in my own classroom, I wouldn't have believed you. As all of my friends are sending their children back to school and my classmates are preparing for their first year in their own classroom, I am reminded that plans have a way of not going exactly how you want them to go sometimes.

Spray Tans and Casual Wear

Last night, Alex and I went to support our good friend Nick in his first bodybuilding competition, the Heart of Dixie. I had a new outfit to wear, but the weather has been awful all week, so I changed my mind at the last minute.

What I Got for Christmas 2015

We has such a fun Christmas this year! We spent a lot of time with family and got to see friends that we haven't seen in a while. We ate tons of good food, and received a lot of great gifts. Now, I know that Christmas is not about gifts, but one of my favorite holiday traditions is watching "What I Got For Christmas" videos on YouTube. I just love seeing people's gift ideas and seeing people get so excited about what their friends and family gave them for Christmas. So, since I'm more of a blogger than a YouTuber, I thought I would share with y'all some of the things I got for Christmas in this post.

After Three Years of Marriage...

Today is my and my husband’s anniversary. Today makes seven years that we have been together and three years that I’ve been able to call him my husband. When we met about 11 years ago, I knew that we would always be in each other’s lives in one way or another. Back then, I never dreamed it would be as husband and wife. It has been three amazing, beautiful years, and I am even more in love with him today than I was back then. Alex and I have the kind of relationship that few people get to experience. We aren’t just husband and wife. We’re best friends. We’re soul mates. Our relationship is so much deeper than just out marriage. I truly believe that God had me in mind when he blessed the world with Alexander Powell. We compliment each other in every way, and I actually feel like we are two halves of one person. When we’re not together, I feel like I’m missing a part of myself. I know that we haven’t been married very long compared to many people, and our relationship isn't perfect by any means, but I wish that every person in this world could experience the type of love that Alex and I have for one another.