Why Is It So Hard To Accept Your Responsibilities?

It’s sad, so sad. 

Why can’t we talk it over? 

Oh it seems to me

That sorry seems to be the hardest word. 

When Elton John recorded the song in 1976, he probably didn’t imagine it would be so relevant to so many people. But the truth is that we are quicker to complain than we are to accept our responsibilities. And saying we are sorry is one of those impossible tasks that take a lot of personal work. Why is it so hard to admit you’ve made a mistake? For a lot of people, there is more a mistake than something that went wrong. Admitting your faults becomes a personal and self-exploratory journey that requires self-confidence, adequate self-defense, and forgiveness. Sorry is the hardest word because, ultimately, it exposes our flaws in a society that seeks perfection. 

typewriter-1138667_1920.jpg

Pixabay - CC0 License 


You take your mistakes too personally

We pursue an impossible image of perfection. Success is what social media lets us see. Unfortunately, what many of us fail to understand or recognize is how biased the world of social media can be. The perfect glamorous and gorgeous influencers you follow are not afraid of airbrushing and editing their selfie shots. When you compare your reflection in the mirror against their promotional Insta-selfies, you can help but feel inadequate. But, it helps to remind yourself that these pictures may not be as realistic as they appear. Besides, even if they are, they are the result of years of hard and dedicated work. The same principle applies to successful entrepreneurs who seem to do everything right and happily share how they made their latest million. Everybody makes mistakes, and because you can’t see those made by other people, it doesn’t mean they are perfect. Accepting that mistakes are part of your journey to self-improvement makes it easier to recognize and cherish your faults. 


You feel defenseless when you’re in the wrong

Are you worried about feeling exposed and at the mercy of others when you admit your mistakes? It is a common fear. However, you can surround yourself with legal advisors such as Golden Law Office, who are specialized in defending your rights. Indeed, there is no denying that not all mistakes are equal. Some might carry massive consequences. Nevertheless, all faults should be handled with the same fairness of judgment. In other words, making a mistake doesn’t mean you should always be paying the highest price for it. 


You find it hard to forgive, even yourself

It is impossible not to be disappointed by the people you trust. And when they do, you can find yourself thinking about them negatively and feeling irritated about unrelated things. Holding a grudge is an attitude we revert to when we find it hard to forgive and move on. People who have high expectations about others tend to develop grudges. But when it comes to yourself, you may have the same approach to your own mistakes. As such, you could struggle to forgive yourself or to move forward with a positive mindset. 


Accepting your faults and being able to grow from past mistakes is a delicate art to master. More often than not, fear, self-doubt, and self-resentment can affect your path to personal development. Our mistakes are part of us. While you don’t need to celebrate them, accepting them gives you the strength to grow and be at peace with your conscience. 



How to write the perfect blog post

DSC_4335.jpg

So you want to write a blog post but not sure what to do? Well, first, JUST START. Getting your thoughts down on paper are key if you want to be successful. Below you’ll find my tips for creating the best blog post possible.

Step 1: Determine your topic

Here on the blog I have several categories that I blog about Mom Life, Beauty and Lifestyle. Since my blog is more personal, I would think of something that is related to my life and how I want to share it.

For example, I recently decided that I wanted to restart my fitness journey but I’ve gained weight and needed new workout gear. Finding quality workout gear is hard enough and then being plus size adds another layer. So, what better way to do so than to create a guide that other people may find useful when they being searching for workout gear/active wear.

Step 2: Write it out

Getting your ideas down on paper is the best way to get started. I like writing on paper before I head to my computer. It makes it feel more real. After my thoughts are written down I head to my laptop and begin typing out my post.

 

DSC_4348.jpg

Step 3: Edit

Sometimes I like to have another person view my post before I actually publish it. It’s good to have a second set of eyes review your work. If you don’t have someone to do this, print it out if you can and then review. Our eyes can play tricks on us if we stare at the computer screen for too long. I’ve even found that I may say something in my head that’s not actually on paper. So it’s always good to edit and edit again.

You want to make sure that your post has flow and makes sense. If you didn’t write it, would you understand the topic?

Step 4: Create Graphics/ Take Photos

Why you ask? Well, it’s always better if you can use your own photos versus stock images. While stock images will get the job done, it’s nice to your creativity shine through.

What I like to do is create a flatlay if I’m going to be doing a product review or if I’m showing off an outfit, I will take a picture to show off the look. Not only will you be able to use these photos for the post but you’ll need them to create your own Pinterest pin and Instagram post.

Take a lot of photos and try different angles. You will need at least 3-5 good photos.

DSC_4342.jpg

Check out this blog post for an example here.

Step 5: Publish

Now you’re ready to schedule your post. Make sure you send out social blast to go along with your blog post to allow your followers that may not be subscribed to your blog to they can check out your latest post. This is a good time to use your Facebook page or Instagram bio for this CTA (call to action).

A Plus Size Girl's Guide to Athletic Wear

Hey Girl!!!

I have the crazy idea that finding cute workout clothing will encourage me to work out. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t. Worst case scenario; I have just upgrade my athletic wear.

I’m on a mission to find active wear that not only makes me feel good but is comfortable to wear. This is what I found available in my size and at a decent price point.

Target – All In Motion

IMG_5377.jpg
IMG_5388.jpg

I actually never thought to shop Target for active wear but in my poll on Instagram, you all told me to check them out. So I went with the All In Motion brand. I found an outfit that and paid $50 for all 3 pieces. This brands tagline is “Made for every move, priced for every day.” The price is relatively decent when considering the cost of most athletic wear.

Bra: XL

This bra fits very nicely. I’m a size 40 C, not a lot of boobs but I’m a little wide so I like to feel comfortable. I wasn’t sure if I should have went with the XXL but I’m happy I got the XL due to the sizing chart. Be sure to always check there; it typically won’t steer you wrong and read the reviews.

Leggings: XL

These fit like a true XL. I wanted enough room to pull them up on my stomach a little (that’s where I carry most of my weight). They are easy to pull on and feel really good when I move.

Top: XL

IMG_5408.jpg

I really like this top. It’s the perfect addition to this outfit especially since I don’t plan on wearing an additional bra. This top is a muscle top and

Old Navy

IMG_3777.jpg
IMG_3785.jpg

Bra: 1X

This bra fits so well and the color complements my skin beautifully! My kids loved this one on me; they said it hides all of my mommy rolls.

Leggings: 1X

These are nice! I didn’t feel exposed while bending over which is a major plus and the way the legging curve to my body make me feel hot! But after a lot of moving around and getting sweaty I did notice a little slippage.

Victoria Secret

VS is not particularly plus size friendly but I figured it would be worth including them in the lineup since they do carry a few workout pieces. I’ve tried their knockout leggings before and love them. I’ve had them for a few years. I believe they are slowing down on their sports line because not much is available.

IMG_3774.jpg
IMG_3761.jpg

Bra: XL

At first I wasn’t feeling this bra but covers my side rolls very nicely it just exposes a lot of back. It’s very smoothing and I see it being put to good use.

Leggings: 14

Now I was shocked by these leggings. Since I have been a huge fan of their Knockout Leggings I didn’t know what I was going to get. These are very similar but have pockets. I actually think I prefer them.

Walmart – Avia

Top: XL (16/18)

IMG_5359.jpg
IMG_5353.jpg

The top fits great and comes in a few other colors. When shopping for tops make sure you go a size up. You want to have room to breathe.

Leggings: L (12/14)

These fit me like a glove and they come up a little and go over my belly.

Fabletics

Mila High Waisted Leggings – XL

Bella High Impact Bra – XL

IMG_4944.jpg
IMG_4946.jpg
IMG_3811.jpg
IMG_3729.jpg

Trinity High Waisted Leggings – XL

Overall, I think all of these companies offer a great selection. The more companies see that plus size women do workout and that we want options; I believe they will make it for us. So, I’m sure you’re wondering who I think came out on top.

Price point - Walmart gets my vote, I spent under $25 for an entire outfit and you can’t beat that.

Style - Fablectics is hands down the winner. They offer comfort, compression and style. I love that offer plus sizes as well and they’ve designed certain styles to be more flattering for the plus size body!

Let me know what your favorite is!

Baecation – Myrtle Beach, SC

Disclaimer: The world is hurting right now due to COVID-19 and I hope this post allows you to smile if only for a moment and gives you something to think about when everything calms down.

IMG_5449.jpg

It’s been a very LONG time since Cleveland and I have had the chance to getaway. We love it but with managing 7 kids that’s nearly impossible. We shared a hearty laugh the other day when we realized we have not had a date night in over a year! YIKES! So, I was extremely excited about this hosted stay that we were offered.

We stayed with You Are Where I Go rentals at their Myrtle Beach, SC location and loved it. It’s perfect for a quick getaway if you’re local or needing a place to stay when you head to the beach. We have not been to Myrtle Beach in years so this was definitely a treat. Sometimes we forget that our own state has these beautiful hidden treasures!

IMG_5459.jpg

Myrtle Beach, SC is roughly 2.5 hours from Columbia, SC and one of our most known beaches. You can swim, shop, and tour some really neat places. This area seems to be most popular during the summer; great tourist spot.

The cottage is beautifully decorated with a warm and cozy feel. It’s perfect when you want the amenities of home. The house has a very open layout; beautiful outside deck and open french style doors. Two bedrooms one queen size bed and the other bunkbeds; perfect for bringing kids. They also have beach umbrellas for your use. This location does have a stove top and refrigerator so if you’re going to stay for a few days then you can cook. This location is also pet friendly which is perfect for us because we needed to bring the dog, Jax! The space can accommodate 5 but we opted to leave the kiddos at home. The beach is within walking distance which is perfect, no need to move your car, yay!

When I’m going away for an extended stay I like to stay in a house verses a hotel so that I can enjoy the comforts of home and my children get run around without having to worry about disrupting other guests.

IMG_5530.jpg

If you’re not in the mood to cook, there are tons of options around. We wanted to check out the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament, since neither of us have been and it something fun to do to get out of the house. Unfortunately, we decided to skip this option due to the number of people that fit in their stadium. Cleve loves seafood and there are a lot of seafood buffets around but I’m not a huge fan of them, so I searched and searched and we ended up at the Lobster House, the food was great. You get large portions for a fairly decent price. It is an old place and not super fancy so if that’s what you’re looking for then skip it but if you don’t mind go get some great seafood.

IMG_3443.jpg
IMG_3445.jpg

So, if you’re ever in town be sure to check with You Are Where I Go for your lodging needs. It was a pleasure working with this company.