Five Simple Things (April 26)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These "greens."

Always love getting my Your Super shipment for the two weeks ahead. I've gotten into a solid routine with these and I feel like they set the weeks ahead up for success.

2. This box.

I always look forward to receiving my Kiwi Eco Box each month. There is never anything in this box I am not thrilled to start using, and this month was no different. The cloth pad was my favorite item this month.

3. These souvenirs.

So many great things from our Eclipse road trip earlier this month. I am excited to go through all of them. We bought several things, but also my mom and sister gave us some gifts, as well. I can't wait to sort through it all and relive the wonderful moments from our trip.

4. This doggy.

Hardy has been sleeping a lot since we got back. He had such a great time exploring new areas and all the new smells. He loved every minute of it and right now we are letting him relax since we returned and he has been taking advantage of it 100%. He is such a good doggy, he deserves it.

5. This selfcare.

I found these Hello Kitty eye masks on our trip and I couldn't wait to use them once we returned. When I was a kid I loved Hello Kitty, but that was before it went mainstream and got popular. I like to think I was one of the first OG users of Hello Kitty, even at the tender age of eight.

One last thing:

While we were in Arkansas, I was blown away by all of the state sales taxes. After living in Oregon for almost 20 years I've gotten used to no sales tax. The amount of tax that Arkansas has people pay is mind blowing. On a $27.42 purchase, there were a 6.5% state tax, 1.5% county tax, and 1.5% city tax. I get that this tax is how the states make money on tourism dollars, but that's a lot of tax on a small purchase. Not only that, if these states are charging that much per transaction, why are these states still so poor? It's a mystery to me.

Positive affirmations this week:

One thing I have tried to focus on more is the good in every situation. Even in stressful or hurtful situations, or even situations of loss, focusing on the good is a way to train the brain to not sink into a dark place for too long. Sadness and anger are valid emotions and there is nothing wrong with feeling those feelings. Be it for a day, a week, or even a year. But, feel those feelings and let them go. Grief has no time limit, but the longer we stay in a grief moment, the longer it because part of us. Time does help to allow us to accept it, but when that first light of hope comes in, allow it in.

You can do this!🌈