How to Celebrate the Everyday

There are 24 days left until I drive back to Wilmington for the summer. I'm trying to make them count without losing sight of the simple, everyday joys. I was reminded last night how life is far more than last minute projects or wishing for the weekend. Celebrating the little moments -- like the anniversary of a great friendship or a successful outcome to a meeting -- are necessary to living a life of happiness. Enjoying these cherished snapshots of life can be challenging, so below are three ways to find joy in the little things. 

1. Write your joys down.

At the end of the day, write down three things you are grateful for or experienced during the day that had you slowing down and enjoying the moment. These can be a kind smile or word, coffee with an old friend, or a picturesque skyline on your drive into work. They don't have to be over the top or exceptionally unique, just lovely snippets of your life. This exercise opens your eyes to the little moments rather than constantly waiting for the next big thing. 

2. Breathe and engage in the moment.  

You can only enjoy the unique moments if you are paying attention. If you are in a situation where you default to staring at your phone, I encourage you to put it down and be present. Take a deep, solid breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. Look around you. What is new? What is different? What is beautiful about your surroundings? Is there someone around you reading a book you love or wearing a pair of shoes you think are wonderful? Tell them, ask them, engage with them. You'd be surprised of the beauty found in green tinted trees just starting to bloom or the quick flash of a smile of a person caught in pure moments of enjoyment. 

3. Always have essentials on hand to celebrate or turn the day around.

While I will freely admit to disengaging with my surroundings or not being as grateful as I could, this is one rule I follow adamantly. I always keep champagne in my fridge to celebrate the little things like promotions and exciting news or to simply turn a frustrating day around. Champagne for me reflects the mood I seek in times of frustration or celebration; it is bubbly, different, and classy. Your simple way to turn a day around doesn't have to be champagne, but something that takes you away from 'the struggle' (i.e. balloons, flowers, a special coffee drink, etc.).

How do you enjoy the everyday moments? 

Tag @yourfriend_em on Twitter or Instagram with your favorite way to enjoy the everyday moment. Share this with people who could use some celebration in their lives. Hashtag #thegreatvibesguide to spread the Great Vibes! Xx


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Book Club :: Elizabeth Gilbert's, Big Magic Part Four - Persistence

cover photo of big magic by elizabeth gilbert

cover photo of big magic by elizabeth gilbert

Today we are getting into Big Magic's fourth part, Persistence, and I'm really excited to hear your thoughts. What do you think about showing up for your craft? How do you tell it you're here to stay?

I think it can be really scary to be strong and to have passions and to go against the grain. Almost like mediocrity is the new normal, so is it even okay to want more? Where did wanting more almost make you less than or gossiped about? I think society likes us when we are stressed and anxious but has no idea how to handle us when we are brave and daring? How can you be more brave and daring?

What do you want to talk about?? Hop down to the comments and give it a whirl -- no thought too big, small, unwanted (within reason), or otherwise!

If you've missed any prior Book Club get-togethers, head over to Book Club and catch up! Still haven't grabbed the book? It's not too late. Promise! Buy it here.

For March 4th let's read Part V. Xx.

*affiliate links were used in this post :: thanks for supporting The Great Vibes Guide & me! Xx.


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Book Club :: Elizabeth Gilbert's, Big Magic Part One & Two - Courage and Enchantment

cover photo for Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

cover photo for Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert


Today we're finally jumping into Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I feel like these last few weeks have been yeeeaaaarrrrrsssss. Ya feel me? But gosh, what a book!

For today, we're talking all things Courage and Enchantment. What lovely titles, huh? Let me just say that this book is beyond captivating. I find myself talking about it with everyone I speak with, explaining her views on ideas as living entities and our responsibility to "show up". I've yet to read elsewhere how we're responsible and also not responsible at all for the spark. We can ask for it, want it, show up for it, hold hands and skip with it, but we're not lost if it isn't there or if it takes flight in the middle of a good conversation.

I never read Eat Pray Love, but I bet women and men everywhere really identified with her voice, because I find myself associating with the images she outlines. I find myself falling for her narration and the tales she's woven of creative habits, of falling in love with your craft, and freaking owning everything you've got to put it out front and center.

I've got a few questions to spark discussion, and I'm hoping we can get some great discussions going in the comment section! Ready, set, let's go!!! (Clearly I'm excited to talk about this -- the girl gang has been blowin' up facebook with talk of how genius this is, and I'm excited to debut those thoughts woot woot! -- sorry F.Scott, I can't lose the exclamation points on this one).

If you've missed any prior Book Club get-togethers, head over to Book Club and catch up! Still haven't grabbed the book? It's not too late. Promise! Buy it here.

For February 5th read Part III, Permission. Xx.

Question Time

Courage::

+ What are some of the ways you fear living a creative life?

Here are some of mine: I'm afraid I'm a fraud that no one has discovered yet; I'm afraid somebody else is doing it better, and I shouldn't bother; I'm afraid I am unworthy; I'm afraid my honesty isn't refreshing but detrimental; I'm afraid I'm not the glamorous, attractive woman the media wants to see in the public eye; I'm afraid I'll run out of ideas; etc. etc. etc.

+ Have you ever argued for your limitations? Pg. 18, she writes of the saying: "Argue for your limitations and you get to keep them."

+ I LOVED how she wrote how fear is so boring, because it is always the same. Ugh. Fear is so stupid!!! In your head or aloud, say "STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP!" right now to any doubt or fear creeping up. If you're wondering why, refer to the aforementioned sentence or bullet point.

+ What could you think bigger about? Your future, your career, your romances, your passions?

Here are some of mine: My career is going places I couldn't even have imagined, so I need to stop dreaming small; my future is going to happen whether I'm ready or not, so I need to stop worrying about if it's going to face plant -- it's already kicking up; I'm worthy of the romance of a lifetime, so why the f*** do I keep telling myself not yet, not necessary, not worthy. Doubts are silly, and I'm done with them. What are you done with?

Enchantment::

+ How do you deal with the dreaded "they stole my idea"? Do you recognize how awesome it is that it's living its purpose or do you close off and hate the person? Have you ever had that happen? What could you do differently now on forward?

+ What has the world said "no" to that really ticked you off, but later you realized it was meant to be, because something freaking amazing was hurtling towards you at the same time?

+ Have you been waiting for a permission slip? You don't need one, but if you're worried you do, as Elizabeth Gilbert writes, "THERE, I just gave it to you" (p. 90).

+ Right here, right now, declare your intent. Who are you?

I am a dreamer, a romantic, a writer, a yoga instructor, a guide, a health coach. I am all of this and even more.

+ What have you been complaining too much about?

Here are some of mine: I don't have a significant other; I'm not earning enough money; It's just not working. LAME. I'm only bringing more of that in my direction, so let's cut that out, K? K. 

Any other ideas?

That's all of the questions I have to spark conversation for now... Hop down to the comments and give it a whirl -- no thought too big, small, unwanted (within reason), or otherwise!

*affiliate links were used in this post :: thanks for supporting The Great Vibes Guide & me! Xx.


P.S. Did you know you get The Great Vibes New Year Guide when you sign up for The Newsletter? Subscribe right now >>>>>

P.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?