This week felt like a fresh start for me. Not in a huge way & not for any particular reason, but it’s like a switch went off in my head & I was like… I’m going to be happy & less anxious. Of course anxiety doesn’t really care what you think if you suffer from it, but I’ve learned a lot of it has to do with what I let stress me out. As many of you know we are on a fertility journey that’s lasted 7 years & along the way we have lost 7 precious souls too soon. 7 miscarriages is rough, but I also suffer from PCOS & all those not so fun side effects. Along with that anxiety & depression seem to creep in there as well… but through all that I am living my best life & I wanted to share with you guys how I stay positive & how I am making some conscious changes to be even happier this week & I wanted to share those with you guys today.
- Surround yourself with happy people.The move to Michigan was hard. I left all my friends behind in North Carolina so moving to Michigan without my people was rough on my soul. I noticed a huge change in my anxiety and depression when I didn’t have my tribe by my side when I needed them. Who was going to go on Target runs with me or coffee dates? Who was going to come over in their pjs in the morning and have chats that lasted into the afternoon… I had to find those people. Those positive radiant people who were goal oriented & looked at the world in a positive light. We have only been in Michigan for 2 years so I’m still finding those people, but I have to say I have already found some great ones that lift my spirits & I pray I am a light for them too. Surrounding yourself with happy people makes life a whole lot brighter.
2. Get out.Get out and do something. Be active. If I’m having a down day even a simple trip to Starbucks or to visit my mom makes everything seem better. When we are alone with our thoughts sometimes we just sink deeper into that sadness & we are not always our best friend. Get out & do something that will distract your mind. This week I went to my local greenhouse with a friend & I don’t know how you can’t be happy when drinking coffee, looking at pretty flowers, & laughing with a friend… getting out is good for the soul.
3. Do what you love.Honestly I feel so blessed in this category. I truly am able to do what I love daily & that makes me so happy. I own a store with two amazing people that I truly love & our customers make us so proud & in love with what we do. I am also able to blog here daily & I can honestly say that this is my happy place. I’m so thankful that some people come here and read the blog… it lifts my spirit to be able to share here with you guys! Do what you love whether that’s a hobby, job, one small thing a day… just do it. You deserve to do what you love.
4. Spoil yourself.This one can look so different to everyone. Spoiling yourself can be anything from reading a book for 20 minutes a day, getting a pedicure, grabbing a coffee in peace on your porch, taking a walk, buying yourself a shirt that you have been wanting, or going on a trip. From small to big I highly suggest thinking of yourself even for a small amount of time everyday to really take care of your soul. Happiness isn’t always material things, but more of feeling loved & we have to love ourselves to be happy.
5. Look at the big picture.
It seems dumb, but this one works so well for me. I can look at the small details a lot of times. The day might seem really bad because of a bad moment, but if I take a step back and look at the big picture all I see are blessings & a really good life. Looking at the big picture of life really minimizes any problems that were getting me down. A big example of something that gets me down is our fertility journey, but when I step back and look at this beautiful life that God has provided for us & this wondering marriage he has put me in I am so thankful that it’s His plan and not mine… there is always so much to be thankful for!
6. Stop caring what others think.This is my last tip for today, but the hardest one for me. I am a people pleaser, I care what others think, & I have a hard time putting myself before others. It’s a thing that I’ve always done & it’s not always a bad thing, but sometimes it gets the best of me. I’m always worried what others think & not doing something for myself first. I know that sounds selfish to do something the other way, but there has to be a healthy balance. There has to be a balance of caring what others think & not caring. Laugh at yourself, be silly, be nice, be care free… that’s a huge step to being happy.
Just six quick ways to make everyday happier. I hope these thoughts I had this week truly help one or two of you get on a journey to living your best life & being happy. Now, the giveaway. Head to my Instagram [ @LizMarieGalvan HERE] for all the info [go to the photo on my Instagram shown below to find the giveaway post with all the info. I will be giving away $300 to Nena & Co., the maker of this bag I’m carrying, & trust me… it’s the best bag you will ever ever ever carry. Let me know what your tips on being happy is… I would LOVE to hear what works for you. Seriously, I think your tips could help me and others as well. I can’t wait to hear from you & I’m excited for the winner of the giveaway! xx
Head to the photo circled below on my Instagram [HERE] to enter!
I was just wondering if it’s none of my business just say so but why don’t you adopt? You sound like you would both make great parents and so many y babies need families.
My daughter too suffers from PCOS, and with it, depression and anxiety. The struggles are real, but silent, and sometimes no one knows your pain or how much your heart hurts. Thank you for helping to put a face and name with the silent pain, of miscarriage and all that it brings with it. Speaking up, and out, helps those with no voice. Thank you
I’ve been a long time reader of your blog but never commented until today. I have traveled with you to the rental home in North Carolina, to renovating the house in Michigan and now to your amazing farmhouse. I also have PCOS and have struggled with my fertility for 6 years. It’s been a really tough journey and one thing I do to be happy in my dark times is I come here to read your wonderful blog. You seem like such a sweet person and when you write about your struggles I’m right there with you. I feel at peace knowing I’m not alone. The icing on the cake are all the gorgeous photos and decorations in your beautiful home. It was so much fun seeing your photos of the Silos in Waco. I live an hour and a half away from there and felt compelled to return after your wonderful journey. There really is a vibe there that you can just feel. It’s a special place. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart from this long time fan and reader of your blog. Thank you for being part of my happy.
As a person who struggled with fertility, finding the right doctor is key. My first doctor called me on the phone one day to tell me I wasn’t pregnant and that after discussing it with her partners decided I needed to go somewhere else. Thankfully my husband and I had all ready made that choice. Eventually we had our family, not as large as we would have liked, but we are grateful everyday for the life gad has granted us, my happy envilves staring out at our farm and rembering our girls running through the fields. I truly enjoy your blog and say a prayer for you and your husband.
You are a beautiful soul. God Bless.
LizMarie~you’re such a brave soul for sharing your infertility and depression/anxiety issues. I’m sure you’re helping so many other young women who are struggling with the same thing. Your positive attitude and faith are a shining example of the kind of person you are. I can’t imagine what you’re grief and losses feel like and my heart and prayers are with you and your husband.
My daughter also suffers with PCOS and I just want you to know that she blessed me with my first grandchild 18 months ago. My little peanut Maddox is proof positive that it’s definitely possible to conceive with PCOS.
Please have faith that God will do what is best for you in His time.
Hugs and prayers,
Candy
I to struggle with anxiety. I finally decided to give medication a try and found relief. I fought it for a long time looking at it as failure. But it was the best decision I made.
It’s so terrible what we put our minds through as females. I do find the older I get the wiser I am. I have come to realize this is my life, you can’t compare it to anyone else. Everybody is made differently physically and the sooner we stop comparing the happier we will be, but I strongly believe this has come with age. I am 46.
I to have a store in Ohio, and some days I get up and don’t feel like doing people. But once I am there I am so much happier.
I have not dealt with infertility, I can only imagine what it’s like with anxiety. We have to just take it one day at a time, just know you are not alone on your thoughts and feelings.
Best wishes,
Melissa
hello from an infertility survivor… we got the third child on the pill after many years of tears and doctors and surgeries 🙂
God cracks me up sometimes! I pray you get God’s timely gifts.
you can get ill trying to please people…it is impossible. this illness feels worse than infertility. a friend told me 😉
for happy…a walk in nature, for sure…it’s fresh and it’s physical and you see little God creations all over the place. talk to Him while you walk, a free yet priceless activity!
hugs!
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