Bambino! Here are only just a few of my favorite things about you:

You have always been a badass

You always do the right thing

You can move your body in a way no one else can

You are literally down to do almost anything at anytime (except early morning)

You are so damn loyal

You are kind to others

You are never too scared to put yourself out there

You are so rational when it matters most

You call 911 when there might be an emergency

You are so gosh darn creative

You can laugh at yourself

You are so thoughtful

Your style is outta control and only getting better and better

Your point of you is unlike anyone elses

You might have a shopping addiction

I like Van Morrison because of you

You dare me to do something in public and when I do you act like you don’t know me

You can wait longer than anyone I know to feed yourself

You are my best friend

And if that wasn’t enough. The video of you below says it all:

(image: Jeanloup Sieff, Vogue Paris, 1978

BAKING apple crisp with coconut cream (it’s so easy!)

LISTENING to records in the morning and setting the mood for the day.

WATCHING Azi Ansari’s new show, Master of None. It is pretty entertaining.

INDULGING in some serious pop music 24/7, including Justins Bieber and Timberlake on heavy rotation.

REFLECTING on a really powerful Phoenix Rising yoga therapy session I received today.  The body is so incredible with all the information it holds within itself.

REDISCOVERING Jerry Seinfield’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.  I used to watch this all the time but forgot about it.  Last night I learned I have three seasons to catch up on and I’m so excited.

(Image found here)

Recently, I stumbled across this article about a young model that was quitting Instagram. At first, when I saw the title I thought it was an Oniony-type of article. You know, the kind that is sarcastic, a satire piece. But as I read more, it was serious; about an Australian girl who had over 500,000 followers.  She lived for social media’s approval until one day realized she was done.

It goes on to tell how she had had an epiphany and decided that it was all bogus. She opened up about all the unhealthy things she was doing in order to get more likes and the sponsorships that forced her to fabricate her life. She decided to comment on each of her pictures and tell the real story behind them. She would say things like, “I never even wore this outfit out of the house” or, “I took this image 400 times before I got the right shot.” Her vulnerability and honesty was courageous to me. It might seem comical, but this is the world we live in. People measure their worth on how many likes they get.

I am all about changing social media as we know it. I have never felt fully comfortable with it. I have come to notice that I only click those applications if I am bored, want to avoid being alone or procrastinating. As of right now, I am taking a break from Instagram for a bit and trying to use the time I spent on it to talk to someone in person.

The thing is, I remember a time when Sunday dinners were a thing and people shared their pictures in person. When you would hear the real stories that were attached to the images. I remember when you were bored, you called a friend to play or walked over to the neighbor’s house. I want that time back or at least to know that we are working towards more personal connection and not less. Who is with me?

If you want to see someone living their truth, check out Essena O’Neill’s new website and videos here.

image via Getty Images

EXCITED to head into the holiday season where I get to see all of my friends and family.

SIPPING tea and making pies during this sweet fall season.

SPENDING my downtime like it counts – doing restorative yoga, reading, meditating, cooking, sleeping.

COMING down from an intoxicating weekend celebrating in Maine with an incredible group of people.

RECONNECTING for the day with one of my oldest & dearest friends in Boston before heading back to NYC.

FEELING grateful.  Really, really grateful.

It has been a long time since I have identified myself as a creative person. When I was younger, I used to write poems and take them very seriously. I would spend all night writing in the dark and let the words fly out of me. As the years passed, I stopped feeling things so deeply. I am not sure what changed. It could be age, it could be maturity, it could be meditation (?!) or apathy. I don’t think it to be a negative thing. Though lately, I have been craving some sort of creative genius within me to come out. For so many years, I focused on more practical and earthly things like keeping my house clean or being organized. But, that all starts to get a little boring.

In the past month, I have gone to two painting classes and though I don’t necessarily fancy myself to be the next Monet, I had fun. I didn’t completely suck. Most of all, I lost myself in the hours of painting. These classes have only cracked the door open for me toward putting my focus in expressing myself in one way or another.

It’s pretty awesome.

*Post inspired by Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.