Ain't nobody got time to go to the gym...

Hi friends!

I've been asked to share a little about home workouts by a good friend, and living where we do the thought of "running to the gym" isn't as simple and quick as it sounds. I had a lot of trouble at first coming up with different ways to workout without one, because I thought you could only achieve results IN the gym. Honestly, there's so much available!!

First of all, I'll go ahead and interject and just say, I AM A SAHM. (That gives me street cred, right?!) I don't use a gym. But I can see changes, and I'll share a little of what I've learned.

1. Commitment. Easy as that. If you are a visually motivated person, start following some IG accounts, FB pages, etc to keep you constantly connected to others who have the same fitness goals as you. Trust me, some days I don't do anything until I see others' dedication.

2. Food. Its hard to balance it, I know. I have two kids and a husband who are thankfully not super picky eaters, but I constantly give them options (like eat beans or starve. Kidding! But really, I've sort of pounded it into their heads that we make good food choices because when we don't our bodies break down. Even at 5 and 8 they get that. I've also used the "You may not love broccoli, but broccoli loves your body!" line. For real.) Find a correct meal plan for your goals and your body type (LOOK UP body type if you're not sure, it took me 6 months to figure out I was eating for weight loss and not accounting my activity level and goals, there's more than one kind of healthy eating and you seriously don't want to crash and burn...especially if you have kids!)

3. Time. I don't do the same routine every week, and I loosely schedule my routines in my own down time (I know so many of you are asking yourselves "WHAT down time??". We both know you have it, and what you do with it. Ha! I'm going to be real with you, if your kids nap, you can do it. If your kids go to bed at a decent time, you can do it. If you like waking up before everyone, you can do it. Also, if your kids like a 30 minute movie...you CAN do it!!) Find that time and commit. Your body truly will thank you for it, and you might be tired at first, but eventually that investment will pay back in energy and endorphins. Promise!!

Honestly, I like multi-tasking. I like new stuff, I like routine. Once you start seeing changes, you'll be hooked. Find a good protein supplement, don't be afraid of weights. And heavy weights. It actually takes a TON of work to get bulky, and years of training if you think you'll turn into she-Hulk. I'm not a big person, but weights have reshaped some trouble areas and actually given me some kind of figure (as someone who has had the shape of a 14 year old pre-pubescent boy her whole life, that's a HUGE deal.) But I will even use dumbbells and do a workout while watching tv. I mean, seriously. You CAN do that.

I'll share some ideas for training that don't need a gym, I know I felt so stuck on where to start and what kind of stuff was out there. I haven't tried it all mind you, but I've really liked what I've collected and started doing over the past year and a half.

Yoga. Free beginner's yoga on YouTube (I really like Lesley Fightmaster Yoga channel, she has that soothing OHM voice and is a fellow mom!) These are full sessions, quick sessions, and offers beginner's-advanced. I like vinyasa yoga, great for the arms and not the same movements each time but has a nice flow. There are several different yoga types, here's a link if you'd like to read up and see what kind you're interested in. The strength you can build is nothing short of amazing. Be prepared to surprise yourself with your improvements!


Strength Training. What is strength training? Weights. Go for heavy and slow. I'm still working on my twiggy arms and legs, but being persistent and patient with the process has left me with noticeable change over the past year. There are so many workouts that you can look up for specific areas, even pinterest that stuff! Run to walmart and invest in some dumbbells. Everything I do currently is with two 20 lb. dumbbells and a 10 lb kettlebell (though I'd rather have a 10 lb dumbbell, use what you've got!) I'll post a link to some fun exercises I like for a few areas:

Arms. <-- Link .
Abs. <-- Link Running. Even just a little, even just once a week. Don't focus on time, enjoy being by yourself with some great music. I actually don't worry about trying to get down to my all time best PR, but just go as fast as my body can without overexertion. Honestly, I like running, and I think some people don't because of competition or the beginning bumps on that journey. But that's just it, its a journey, not a race. Start by running for two minutes and walking for 30 seconds, until you can work your way up and start going distance vs. time. Enjoy the rhythm. And for the love of Pete, invest in a foam roller! They are life savers! So are good shoes. Anyone close to 30 and older can tell you what a great deal of relief good shoes are! You can find your running type if you feel your shoes aren't right and you start hurting your knee/hips. Have a run analysis done at a local runner's shoe shop, or read up on the types of strides/pronation here. And EAT something afterwards! You really don't want to crash.

Resistance Bands. These are fun. I just got some for Christmas and have been slowly incorporating them into my routines. The bands come with instructions and a poster of the different exercises you can do with them. I feel like I've finally gotten something that is as close to some of the machines in the gym as I'm going to get without paying an arm and a leg for home stuff. Here's a fun example of resistance band exercises: VIDEO.

That's it. There's a lot of wiggle room in these areas to do all kinds of exercises, and tons of free stuff out there to help you get started. Try it without weights until you feel like you can add them. Practice correct form with the knowledge that 8-12 reps is the best range for any exercise, 3 sets. You can totally do this. Compete against yourself only, and strive to have the best body for YOU, not what someone else has...they may have a totally different body type and genetics than you.

And, if there's anything I've learned, FIT looks different on every body. Find a buddy and feed off each other's motivation if you need it, and just do what works for YOU. (and maybe creep on some fitness pages that share video exercise ideas! Great motivation and reminder when you see it to just mooooove!!)

You can do this. There are days you will have viable excuses, don't beat yourself up, but keep plugging along in one direction and you'll figure it out!

xo.
k

Why is handmade so expensive?

I decided to blog about why handmade is so expensive. I prefer the term handmade, because "homemade" sounds like paper, cardboard, duct tape and stitch witchery (google it). Not the efficient craft it actually is. Its handmade, y'all.

First, let's start with a price. Let's say you order baby bedding from my shop. We start the process with google search engines and carefully worded etsy listings. If you don't spend time overall on the whole look and wording of the shop, nobody cares what you have for sale. Countless hours are spent browsing other ideas, finding a unique spin on an overdone product. Between the work spent on your demo set, including supplies, and trying to find the right way to take a photo of it, its a hefty process, not for the non-committed.

Next, after you've selected the right person for your personal project (price + availability) you begin discussing options. In the world of custom, there are TONS of options. Color? Length? Box pleat? Pattern play? Thread color? Applique? Stuffed or bumper pads? This is really only the tip of the iceberg. The negotiations can become weary when you meet the picky customer, who knows exactly what she wants but can't articulate. You draw. You sometimes send color options, and search thousands of fabric listings. You describe the different fabric choices, how they'll hold up, and what's worked in the past. You answer thousands of questions, because you're a people pleaser with a creative art, and without the customer, you do nothing. And as always, you do it with a cheerful disposition. Nobody buys again or refers cranky sellers. Nobody.

After the hours of back and forth email, you've agreed upon that perfect set look. So you create a listing and wait for the customer to purchase, because smart you, you recall the customer that fell upon hard times and simply couldn't pay for the custom work you spent countless hours skillfully crafting their dream for. Sometimes you wait a week. Sometimes you wait a month, until their husband provides a nod of approval, which is more like the wife prying life from his weathered hands (you'd think, the way some husbands guffaw at this process). And if it floats out there in that lonely online space, having never been loved enough to let go and move forward, you lose 20 cents for the listing itself. And a short amount of pride for the time you've already invested. These instances, quite frankly, damage your craft ego (did you know you have a craft ego? "nobody likes my stuff", "nobody understands the price", "am I wasting my time?", "do they know the difference between handmade and homemade?", "what am I doing with my life?")

Once this process makes it through the affirmation phase, you order supplies. And by order supplies, I mean maybe one thing. The rest is now up to a carefully chosen gamble between where you spend this precious money. Is it cheaper at JoAnn's? What's on sale at Hobby Lobby this week? Do I still have that coupon? How many days until I can withdraw the money I had to transfer to my bank? (3. The answer is 3. Business days. Possibly 5. Minus the fee for the listing and taking care of your sweet little transaction.) "If I stop by the Walmarts for the fifth time today, I'll have to remember to grab that because its less expensive. gahh I wish I had learned that sooner. I could have saved myself $3 every set for the past two years. How much would that be? If I have had 73 transactions, and maybe half of them were for bedding sets...I would have three ice creams. Because that's what I said I would get for my kids for being good. I wonder if they have new organic foods? They've been doing so well about reading what the consumers in our area really want. More options. Did I switch the laundry to the dryer? Shoot. Now my husband doesn't have pants for work." (because this is how it works, you don't have the precious commodity to commit all your thoughts to one project for more than 20 minutes.) And whatever you have left after bargaining with the chain stores for supplies, is what you actually make. Because prices fluctuate. And you don't have time to run to each store just to compare prices.

You lug your kids in, they run like little wild banshees, and not the little ladies they are, upon receiving death threat stares from mom it seems to only encourage them (hey, I'm already getting a spanking!). You feel awful, but you simply must concentrate or you will have to try this exact same trip again tomorrow. So you let them squeeze in between the fleece bolts, flip through pattern books, knock over button displays, and run through the freestanding bolt sections playing tag until their sour disposition takes over and they are no longer having fun...they are having a meltdown because its lunch time and you've just got to squeeze in this stop before driving home for the day (of course you don't just live 10 minutes away from the closest hobby lobby. You live 40 minutes away because you and your husband wanted solitude and you never considered factoring in the closest fabric store into your home search). At the register they are hysterical over carefully placed tiny stuffed animals and candy, you're doing the calculations in your head and trying to find that online coupon, trying your hardest to speak in loving tones because the grandma behind you talks about how children are precious cherubs and should be held close to your heart, lest you blink and they're gone and married like hers now are. (honestly you're trying to remember how many spankings you doled out to each kid for misbehaving and poor attitudes. You know you must follow through or that article you read will prove how spineless you actually are and how you're raising adult hellions, contributing to poverty, and lowering the nation's testing scores (You didn't know all of this trickled down from lack of discipline, ehh?)

After a smooth checkout ("No, we aren't buying gum." "No, we can't have the ponies directly beside the cash registers at your eye level." "We aren't buying candy. Yes. You HAVE had it before. Stop saying "I Never.."") we then cry because someone else opened the automatic doors before us, then crumple one by one into the car. Because it is lunch time, and mother planned poorly, she swings through Chic-Fil-A drive through for a sub par lunch of little nutrition, and water because she's absolutely no fun and will not buy sprite or chocolate milk. Wind flying hair wildly, country music up so as to keep everyone within their own minds to keep from blurting out every grouchy comment. I am beside myself as we arrive home, commanding my little ducks as they mechanically remove trash and toys, far past ready for nap time. Then of course, there's the matter of sorting out the schedule for cutting, which can take up to two hours, then sewing, which is anywhere between 8 and 12 hours, depending on how intricate. Of course, I have a mild form of OCD AND ADD, so this process is painfully long, as every process must be absolutely correct before moving on...and there's the process of packaging and shipping often done at the post office, where I am sure the older gentleman who sees me so often feels I am a rude, hurried customer, much like all of my generation and those after me. There is a small amount of displeasure I must endure there, but only 1/3 of the time, as there are usually two other workers at the post office I frequent.

It is likely one would ask at some point, "Why?" To which, I can only answer, "Because I love this. Because I simply MUST have a creative outlet. Because I love costume jewelry, and shoes, and helping to pay for dance/gymnastics classes, and rain boots for tiny feet. Because, I am helping people who are excited for each precious life, who are celebrating it by adoration in gifts, who simply cannot do this themselves, and because I know that for them, this is worth it."

And, what is learned talent, if you cannot share it? Creativity is a gift to the world, and I am just a catalyst. I play a small part in what is certainly a precious celebration of life, freedom, love. And when a great plan comes together and is completed, in this case especially, everyone wins. Trust me, you are a blessing to me as much as my craft is a blessing to you. #sappymoments

// Natural Beauty Routine //

A couple of months ago I decided to try my hand at crafting makeup and moisturizer. Thanks to this tutorial I found on Pinterest, made of arrowroot and the moisturizer of lavender and coconut oil, I can see a huge difference...

I'll copy the recipe, should clicking one more link make you weary (or should you like a preview of ingredients!)

INGREDIENTS:
2 Tbsp arrowroot powder or non-GMO cornstarch
¼ tsp cocoa powder
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
ground cloves
ground ginger
ground sage
10 drops nourishing oil (lavender essential oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil or vitamin E oil recommended)
5 drops tea tree oil (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:
In a small glass bowl, measure out arrowroot or non-GMO cornstarch.
Add ¼ tsp of cocoa powder and ¼ tsp of nutmeg. Mix well with a wisk.
Add remaining ingredients, ⅛ tsp at at time, depending on your skin tone and wisking well after each addition.
Test the color by dipping your foundation brush into the bowl and brushing on your face.
Adjust the color as needed.
When you've found your perfect color combination, add 10 drops of lavender oil and wisk well. If you would like additional moisture, add the optional tea tree oil and wisk well.
Scoop powder into your final container and store closed.

Link for tinted moisturizer after making foundation.

Coincidentally, after receiving my presenter's kit from Younique, I started using the 100% natural mineral pigments for eyes and blush. I'll admit, that when I started selling Younique products, I didn't know their mission was to create beauty products with natural elements (I was flabbergasted by the 3D fiber mascara and simply had to start selling it). 

Obviously, this only deepens my (super hip) natural vibe, but a blessing for my predicament nonetheless. 

Okay. Gross but super realistic information-if you simply cannot handle informative tips about the way the body works, skip this part. (You're welcome for the heads up!)

Mites. Did you know there are very small bugs that invade your eyelashes, where the follicle meets the skin, hundreds of them? Mites are everywhere, little bugs that devour your dead skin. When they crowd enough, your eyelash has no choice but to give up and fall away. Lavender oil has natural antibacterial properties, combatting these dirty little things and helping your lashes to live longer (resulting in longer growth periods). Put about 5 drops in your mascara (the transplant gel if you use Younique mascara) and over a few months you might notice longer lash life!

Here's a little more information in case a cleaner makeup line was ever in your radar. My LINK if you heard it from me 😉

My new cleanser. The goats milk breaks down oils, lavender is a natural antibacterial, and oatmeal is healing for your skin. It leaves my skin SO soft, and is free of all additives and chemicals. Bonus!!

From one girlfriend to another, your face deserves this peace. It's done great things for my skin, and I truly hope it works as well for you as it does for me. With any change in routine, it takes a few weeks before your skin begins to react, so be patient (and diligent!)

xo,

Kes

A special potato and Dallas...

With all these kiddos going off to school this week, my anxiety level has increased and most likely peaking out at this point. Did I tell you? We're homeschooling. H-O-M-E-SCHOOLING. Like, at home. If I had a panic button, it would be jammed because I've pressed it too many times. Which actually wouldn't do any good, because most likely (and in my head) I'm imagining there would be a scene from the movie Panic Room where the bars roll up the windows and the whole place goes on lock down. Except, I'm locked IN. I can't get out. I have no choice but to dig my heels in and teach the curriculum I've given my left arm for. (and now I'm imagining trying to teach my children with one arm...see how far we've reached down this rabbit hole? This is my life.)

But I've finally gotten around to revamping my hutch for carrying said arm-priced books for this school year...

I actually freaked out and did a lot of home projects before our newest family member came...including painting my hideous blood red master bedroom..

Spray painted tons of stuff for my bookshelf, Pinterest inspired. Then also organized my bookshelf, Pinterest inspired...

Sewed projects...

Which honestly have me convinced I need to write up a whole 'nother post about why handmade is so darn expensive. Y'all, I can't even begin to explain what you're receiving when you open your handmade order. Likely invisible tears of frustration, and for those of us who suffer from ADD AND OCD, pennies on the dollar for my time. Like I said, whole 'nother post.

We had family pictures done! I haven't received them all, but we went to Crystal Bridges for a few fun shots.

And yes, I know you're thinking it. Our tiny underbite friend is missing. We really weren't going to bring the puppy either, but Doug said you can't have a golden retriever and him not be in the family pictures. Which made sense in that split second moment before leaving.

Did I tell you? We have a golden retriever? After a 6 month long battle, Doug won him. And then I lost the good fight to name him Walter.

Our newest family member, Forrest...

YES. I take way too many pictures of him. #sorrynotsorry
We told the girls on the way to Springfield to pick him up that we were going for a ride with dad to pick up a special potato. And when he went into the shady residential house to get him, that he was going to the backyard to pick the special potato from the garden. And then upon seeing him in dad's arms, how cute our new potato was. (Our family has a thing for potatoes. One Christmas you might remember we wrapped up potatoes and gave them as gifts. The girls thought that was hilarious. Thanks, Jimmy Kimmel, for the new family potato obsession.)

I went to Dallas Market! It was amazing. I'm still in awe of the magnitude of clothing and accessories we saw. I learned SO much about market, and the behind the scenes stuff. We even ran into local shop owners and designers. I'm so excited for the fall line we picked out, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. While absolutely overwhelming, bearings were found and I feel like I could do this, all the time. It makes me want a shop. A lot.

Awful picture, but our hotel was huge. We stayed in the Hyatt Regency, on a level high enough to make my stomach queasy on every.elevator.ride. I couldn't look down into the lobby/bar/cafe area. My first valet experience, I was so excited to see the hotel I thanked the valet by his name on his tag. Apparently nobody uses his name, and I got a scary sparkly smile directed my way. From then on we had an ongoing joke coming up with nicknames for our new admirer, "I wonder if Gare-bear is working valet today". Funny thing is, he will every know we spoke of him in this way. (I'm now trying to think of things my name rhymes with when they speak in reference to me. "You know, Keslyn, that _______ girl." Mostly trying to find ways to drop the "G" in amazing and have it rhyme nicely. Something to that effect, right?)

The most amazing grilled cheese, treasured new gem restaurant in Dallas that serves amazing paleo foods at fantastic prices, my first experience at super Target and Trader Joe's, 15 floors of shopping, finding a mannequin that obviously squats, etc...you've probably already seen these if you're following me on Instagram. Pictures are pretty much how I describe my life now. That's quite obvious, right? To my delightful surprise, Doug and the girls survived the week while I was away, but just enough to miss me and appreciate the role I play ;) And I survived my first ever time away from them that amounted to more than a few hours in the evening. I'm glad to be back, but alas, my real job awaits and my week needs to get started. Because you know, life doesn't wait on you unless its things you absolutely MUST do...

-K

"When you try out a local hair trend..."

Because sometimes, when you try out a local hair trend from a shop you completely adore...

You really just turn out like this:

Feeling like Shang from Mulan. #mixedprobs

Full blog coming soon...

An NWA Fashion Week 2014 Wallflower (tryouts and Thursday designer night)

I realize its been FOREVER since NWA Fashion Week, but I thought I'd blog about it in case you were wondering how it went. This year was quite amazing, and I had the absolute best time being an NWAFW 2014 wallflower!! It was glorious chaos, and let me tell you, as a lover of people watching...THIS was the place to be. Tons of characters, some great, some not so great (and some just trying to survive high heels and backcombs) Since I had the pleasure of being there all 3 nights, I truly witnessed it all. The good, the quirky, the chauvinistic, the naked...(whoa, I saw so many body parts-some real, some NOT so real..)

Let's start with tryouts: My totally typical Tuesday evening, you know...standing in a sea of gorgeous ladies, snaking lines through FIX Ultra Lounge, downtown Fayetteville. We were separated into two rooms. One where we were all in white shirts, jeans, heels, and one of slight intimidation (though much less scary than last year). Picture a dark room, spotlights criss-crossing each other in the middle, whispering bodies motioning in the pale blue lighting. Music up, drowning out your fears and insecurities. A team of Fashion Week crew timing each hopeful model's walk, complete with a small pep talk ("This is your 15 seconds. Own it, work it.") I don't think my hips have ever swayed so much in my life...I was mimicking Sasha Fierce. Fake it til you make it. After 3 hours of waiting your turn, a quick 15 seconds to walk, you walked out into the night, thus beginning the agonizing wait to hear from boutiques who wanted to book you. Night 1.

The Calls: After a couple of weeks, the local boutiques started calling, emailing, facebooking each person. I was absolutely thrilled to have booked for each night (Judith&James, The Haley Boutique, Country Outfitter, Co-Ed CoOp, and SOHO Clothiers) It really almost felt like a part time job going to each fitting, the run through, the hair/makeup prep, the shows. Probably the most glamorous part time job ever (Uhm, hello! Fashion Week! Sure I'll sit for hours whilst you make me beautiful!)

The Run Through: We met at Fairlane Station for the boot camp/run through. Everybody in regular clothes, crowding into one room. I recognized some from last year, and some local faces that really you don't forget. This sweet girl Emily who I recognized from last year chatted me up, I told her I remembered her face and watched her light up, pulling her fist up and then close to her body, a silent "Yessss!" that she was memorable. Meeting with the Jordans (husband AND wife duo who had the exact same first and last name. The rest of fashion week they were called "girl Jordan" and "boy Jordan" when finding them to ask question. This was slightly confusing when they started emailing me.) to try on my outfit and try walking in the shoes (which didn't match my outfit I wore to the run through. I wanted to explain to everyone staring at my walk "I promise I didn't come dressed this way" and "I know these black peep toes don't match my mustard yellow and forest green color palette"). There was a switch of outfits, and I was now to be Miss Arkansas in their collegiate wear. I scrunched into the tiny red cheer skirt, a sigh of relief that the mass gainer I was taking hadn't affected my waist yet.

"Here, put these glasses on too."

"Oh those are cute! Do I look like a librarian?"

"Yes. We're going for a classy sort of sexy one."


Oh. Oh my...#workit #butimsoawkward





(Jax watched and critiqued/helped your walk as you walked down the middle of the crowd. Whoa. That was real.)


Thursday Night: Thursday night was the local designer show. Anything from shoes, to dresses, to college senior designer projects were showcased. It got pretty entertaining. Arriving at 21c Hotel as early as 4pm, we stood around and waited for instruction. As with first runs, it was a little confusing as to what was happening. We had a few rooms in which to get prepared in, hairstylists and makeup artists standing with smiling faces (yeah just kidding, these ladies and few gents meant business and were ready to get their hands on your unruly hair and makeup-less faces) in each room, so classily dressed in all black with lanyards defining their expertise. These were local salons, Paul Mitchell students, freelance makeup artists, etc...all volunteering their time so they could deal with us divas. I like to think of them as miracle workers. I mean, some women went from small town housewife to Giselle freaking Bundchen in the course of 3 hours.

After finding my hair and makeup team assigned to our group, I wandered through the sea of bodies to the dressing area. "Oh...yep, and there's your boobs. Hi there!" Some girls were a little less modest than others.

We had a quick run through down the runway, which was thankfully a loop, so no stopping. Walking among the empty white chairs, it was less intimidating and you could focus on your walk. ("Head up, eyes steady, sway gracefully") Show was finally starting. We lined the halls, everyone dressed and in order, chatting and being shushed several times. The girls in front and behind laughing and conspiring to take turns checking out the boys still dressing in the hall. I don't think I've giggled that much hearing what they had to say. There was one kid in particular they were swooning over (remember this later). I'm laughing, because I know my secret that they don't. (That I'm old as dirt, y'all. But they're cute carrying on, and I've forgotten what that's like.)

Moving up, almost showtime. The designer group in front of us is panicking, yelling at his models, who are in 7 inch heels. I kid you not. Several of us were betting one of them would fall to their untimely death. It was stressing me out just watching his frustration. "Go. Just go!" Flailing his hands, appearing to have given up on the order and timing.

Here we go. Classy. Stoic. Eyes Up.

Yeah right. Do you know me?

I almost died upon seeing this first runway picture. And there was no other from that night. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean...Haha, funny thing..." I started several times, finally finding a way to apologize to the designer. Needless to say, this picture didn't make it to the album she shared. It was salt to wound after reading more about the organization she represents, which is actually a really terrific cause benefiting the widows in Kenya by providing them with a job sewing these little beauties (and here I am boogying freely in the US in one of these pieces). (Anna, I'm still sorry! It was the music!)

You can read up and order from Judith & James. Truly great organization, receiving fabulous reviews from New York Fashion Week this spring!

Here's a few more from that night I loved:





(Walking the loop)






I adored my hair and makeup!!




(Disclaimer, some of these are NOT my pictures!)

Friday and Saturday night on next blog entry >>>>>>>>>>>>>

Let's talk about my videos...

Let's talk about my videos. I know some of you maybe don't get them, they're just meant to be entertaining (like my blog). 

Let me clarify-I love God. I know He's blessed (at least I think it's a blessing) me with a funny (and awkward) personality. I love my family. I love fitness, fashion, nutrition, and funny funny things. I truly enjoy life, and every opportunity to laugh and be light hearted. 

People are complicated, layered to the max. It's what makes them interesting. I adore imperfect people who are open and honest, and easy to be around. 

So don't withhold your weirdness, and I won't withhold mine. How much better would the world be if we stopped trying to be what we are not?

Unapologetically. I love it. Shoot for abnormal, be who God made you, stop worrying about what others think. Surround yourself with people who empower you and build you up. 

And remember, nothing is better than people loving you for who you are, than valuing you for who you are not 👌