Fresh Face February

Hello everyone!

So as January is rapidly coming to a close (eek!) and February is approaching. I have the pictures for my passport ready, and I'm working on filling out the paperwork. Although there are a few things I have to figure out before submitting anything, hopefully I'll have everything ready by the end of this next week (like submitted at the Post Office and everything).

Starting on the first of February, I am participating in something I'm calling Fresh Face February. This will be the month that I don't wear makeup.

The reason why I'm doing this is because I've realized makeup is a sort of crutch that I've used. It's a comfort blanket. I don't want to feel the need to rely on something like makeup.

The rules are simple.
I don't wear makeup for my normal day-to-day life, such as work and going out with friends and that sort of thing. There are a few exceptions that I'm giving myself, such as if I go somewhere fancy or get a date (hahaha -- I make myself laugh).

I'm hoping it'll give my face a chance to breathe.

So that's all for now.

If you want to join me in this, feel free to comment below!

Until Next Time,
Shelby

A Few Things New

The Bachelor is back on, guys! I'm so excited. Although Nick isn't necessarily my favorite of past Bachelors he isn't on my list of least favorites. That title is firmly held between Ben F. and Juan Pablo. They were annoying and rather boring. I've not quite decided where Nick will fall. 

But one of the coolest things that ABC is doing is the Bachelor Fantasy League! Woo! I've got 50 points so far. I didn't read the small print when signing up for it (whoops) but I'm hoping I didn't accidentally sign away my soul. 

On a different note, I've almost written another children's book. This one is about a kitten finding her forever home. 

Also, I've taken a picture for my passport. It's not the best picture since it took me forever to find a place that takes them. Note: not every CVS and Walgreens are set up to do that. I learned this the hard way by not calling ahead. And what I had hoped would take ten minutes ended up taking two hours. 

So now I just need to finish the paperwork and submit that with the funds and I'll be one step closer to a passport. 

Another thing I have done recently is start a new workout regime. It has been brought to me by IdealShape. I'm only on my second day, but I am very sore. Like VERY sore. But it could be worse and I know that. 

A week from today, Leigh comes to town and we are going to see Iliza Shlesinger with Margaret and it is going to be fantastic. I can't wait. 

I know this wasn't a long blog, but a brief update seemed like a good idea.

Until Next Time, 

Shelby

Welcome To The New Year

Welcome, my friends, to 2017, a new year where all things are possible.

Another new beginning, another year to grow.

A time of possibilities, a time of chances, a time of new plans.

A continuation of old ideas, a compilation of ideas.

It is 2017.

Many years have passed by and hopefully many more will continue to move along.

Last year, I spent a good portion of it making plans in my mind, contemplating things I could do. I didn't do many of them.

Despite all I was able to accomplish last year, finishing my first first draft, losing weight, attending my best friend's wedding, learning that I strangely enjoy F1, attending the Renaissance Festival with Margaret (and having a fun-filled weekend with her), and overall becoming happier with myself, I realized something.

My goal to stop being a stagnant Charater in my own life story failed. Well, not necessarily failed, I did grow as a person (at least I'd like to think so), but I still feel stuck.

Anytime in the past that I have tried to decide on how to stop feeling stuck, I've talked myself out of any ideas.

"They were too expensive."
"I couldn't do them alone."
"Why would this thing or that thing help?"
"I can do that when I'm done paying off student loans."

I've been making excuses.

Why?

Because I'm scared.

I've been so in my comfort zone, circling it like a vulture circling above its prey, so much that I've worn away the dirt beneath my feet.

Maybe I've been pulling myself out of the hole that I had fallen into, but I've been creating another just as difficult to get out of only in different ways.

So today, right now, I'm going to make a list of things that as exciting as they are frighten me for reasons I don't necessarily understand. Maybe not all of them frighten me, some I just really want to do. I'll pull from my bucket list as well, so I guess they don't all necessarily frighten me, but anyway.

• Get a passport
• Go most of a month without make-up
• Go skydiving
• Go on a vacation somewhere
• Go somewhere not in Texas
• Go Camping
• Finish my second draft 
• Get a literary agent
• Easily run a mile
• Do a 5k (I've done one, but I want to do another)
• Make Homemade jam
• Go Ziplining
• Learn to cook more things, different things
• Go Kayaking
• Become a Morning person
• Apply for something I'm pretty sure I won't get

That is 16 things to do. The list is in addition to continuing my journey to be healthy. 

Overall, my hope is it will help me become more comfortable with stepping outside my comfort zone. Yes, I know many of the things don't seem like they should cause anxiety and looking at them they don't. It's just when I go to actually try and do many of these I get nervous and uncomfortable, so what better way to stop walking in circles and actually do some of them? 

That is a little more than one thing a week for the year. Some things take more time than others, and although I'm going to try and cross everything off, if I can get 12 of the 16 done, then I'll be content. 

Have you made a resolution this year? If so, tell me what it is in a comment!

Until Next Time,

Shelby