Happy November!

How did that happen?

What a whirlwind this week has been! And although there were a few missteps, all-in-all, I must say it was really wonderful. Some chapters of my life that are best kept firmly in the past seem to have finally closed and amazing new ones are just beginning. After hitting a bit of a slump, I’m feeling renewed and more inspired than I have in a long time. There are so many ideas spinning around in my head and I feel energized and ready to make them happen.

It just goes to show, no matter how dire something seems when you’re in the thick of it, often it’s leading you somewhere really wonderful.

I have a mountain of week to get back to, but I didn’t want to go another week without sharing my gratitude list.

This week I’m thankful for…
apropos tarot readings; the most perfectly pillowy gnocchi at Villa Bianca; dreaming of adventures in Paris (one more month!); FaceTime with Henry; planning my own happiness project; getting the perfect part-time job; receiving Gala’s Dare/DREAM/Do letters each morning; a Halloween junk food feast in bed with my flatmate while watching Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone (the perfect end to a tumultuous day!).

What made you love your life this week? Try using the hashtag #LML on Twitter for spontaneous bursts of gratitude.

Hugs & kisses,

P.S. It’s a day late, but check back tomorrow for my full review of The Happiness Project and the link-up with our other book clubbers. If you’re interested in getting in on the fun, join our Facebook group and pick up your copy of Daring Greatly (I found it at my local library).

The post #LML: The light at the end of the tunnel. appeared first on The Laughing Medusa.

Luckily, this city is more than a little bit amazing. If I’m feeling down, there’s always something waiting down the street to cheer me up. It might be a cheeky piece of street art, like the one above, that brings a smile to my face or finding a famous monument around the corner or the (always) free admission to the city’s national galleries and museums – whatever it is, it’s like London’s always right there, waiting to give me a hug. And trust me, London, I’m hugging you right back.

Here are some of the things I’m feeling grateful for this week…
moving into our new flat; reliable access to WiFi; a reunion with mon amour; kind words from across the interwebs; a glass of red wine in a cozy bar; epic wind racing through the trees outside my window & torrential downpours; an exciting interview opportunity with a super inspiring babe; stocking my kitchen with my favourite healthy staples; trashy TV & steaming mugs of tea to nurse me back to health.

What made you love your life this week? If you post your own gratitude list, be sure to share the link in the comments. And consider sharing spontaneous bursts of gratitude on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #LML. Let’s start a revolution of looking on the bright side!

Curled up in bed listening to the rain,

The post LML // London hugs. appeared first on The Laughing Medusa.

I keep stopping and saying to myself, “Oh my god, I live in London!”

I pictured our week consisting of hours spent in coffee shops responding to rental ads in between darting off to viewings in different parts of the city. In reality, Kari and I actually settled on the second flatshare we saw. We’d done a lot of research beforehand, so we knew more or less what parts of the city we’d like to live in and what was realistic to expect in our budget. The first place we saw was far from homey and had an entranceway that I’d have to describe as creepy.

That made us appreciate the second flat a lot more. Better location. Better rooms. Better building. Better vibe. Just better.

There were two other women there looking at the same rooms (there are 4 bedrooms total, but we were only interested in the 2 that were in our budget). While they decided to take the night to think it over, we took the plunge and told the agents we’d take the rooms. We weren’t excited about the locations of the other viewings we’d set up and felt confident we’d found our little home.

So, on Tuesday, we’ll be moving to Whitechapel! Maybe you’ve heard of it; it was Jack the Ripper’s hunting grounds in 1888.

In typical London fashion, the flat is teeny tiny and doesn’t have any “living room” to speak of as it was converted into an extra bedroom. But the space is clean and freshly updated and the building backs onto a nice little green space. There’s a cute kitchen table where we can hang out and we can cozy up in one of our rooms sleepover style if we want to watch a movie or something.

The hostel we’ve been staying in is clean and quiet and totally acceptable, but I’m really looking forward to all of the conveniences of having my own place again. Like not having to remember to take a key and all of my toiletries to the bathroom every time. A proper kitchen to cook dinner in. A place to hang my clothes. And a door to close behind me at the end of the day.

I can’t wait to have my own little space to start decorating! I need to pick out some linens before we move in, so I’ve been combing Pinterest and home decor blogs looking for inspiration.

And man oh man, I’m so grateful, after all these months of dreaming, to finally be living in London…

rocking the stage for Pravana at the CBS show; getting the news that my rock ‘n roll pinup photos by Camille Porthouse will be featured in Expressions Magazine; a drive to the airport with my parents and tearful good-bye; actually sleeping on my flight; finding my way around on the tube without much trouble; meandering around Brick Lane, visiting old haunts, and ogling street art; celebratory bubbly after finding our apartment; dinner at Mildred’s (my second visit and I need to go back again and again so I can try everything on their menu); Spamalot in the west end followed by a stroll past Big Ben and cakes near Trafalgar Square.

What are you feeling grateful for this week? Are you chasing any big dreams? I’d love to hear! And if you have any tips for decorating and organizing teeny tiny spaces on a budget, help a sista out!

The post LML // I live in London, England! appeared first on The Laughing Medusa.

I’ve got 11 sleeps left in Canada before I get on a jetplane and fly across the Atlantic to England.

On the one hand, I couldn’t be more ready. I only have one more administrative thing to check off my list and I plan to have my bags more or less packed by Monday night. I just want to get there already.

On the other hand, I get overwhelmed when I think of all the things I’d like to do that relatively small number of days. It can’t all happen. I can’t see everyone. There isn’t enough of time.

For that reason, I’m really grateful for the little bit of time that I do have left. My calendar is jammed with friends to hang out with, family dinners, and a few exciting details that you’ll have to wait to find out about. I know the time is going to fly by and I plan on making the most of it.

 
 homemade deodorant & body butter  a personal e-mail from Sera Beak  friendship bracelet making sessions  board game nights  a cupcake hat for a little cutie  the harvest moon  an epic thunderstorm  downloading Bossypants on my Kindle  donating a carload of clothing to Goodwill  enrolling in a new Skillshare class  working on a new blog design 

What made you love your life this week? If you post your own gratitude list, be sure to share a link in the comments.

Love,

The post LML // 11 more sleeps. appeared first on The Laughing Medusa.

What a year it’s been! It’s really seemed like the ultimate roller coaster. I can’t believe I’m leaving for England in less than 4 weeks. I’m freaking out a little bit. But in another way, I’m so ready. When I get on that plane, it will have been exactly one year since I set out across the ocean for The MASON’s research trip through Europe. I can’t believe how much has changed.

On Sunday I completed Gabrielle Bernstein‘s 6-week May Cause Miracles course, which is founded on the radical idea that only love is real. The book is based on the principals from A Course in Miracles, and provides daily affirmations, activities, journaling prompts, and meditations to recalibrate your mind back to love. The premise is this: in every moment we have the choice to choose love or fear. But the really incredible thing is that your choices become your reality. Most of us turned to fear a long a time ago. But in every second of every day, we have the option to choose love instead. And when you do, incredible things happen. Every time you shift your mindset from fear to love is a miracle.

I’ve already started to see the miracles roll in. But it hasn’t been easy.

A huge component of choosing love is forgiveness. And that means letting go. But is there really anything harder?

Whether it’s our lover, friend, job, business, or old dreams, sometimes we hold onto something so tightly that we don’t see how toxic our relationship to it has become. Not until it’s wrenched from our clutches and we’re left feeling broken and out of control do we realize the destruction it’s caused.

But consistently, from inside that heap of sadness and loss, these storms show themselves to be blessings.  Once we learn to let go and heal, we’re free to move forward into new adventures, into the people we dream of becoming.

I had one such experience earlier this year, soon after my 25^th birthday, when my relationship with one of my closest friends (who was also my business partner) completely dissolved. Or, as it felt at the time, exploded in a bombastic cloud of destruction. Shit had hit the fan.

For many reasons, this experience was terrifying and soul crushing.

There were many financial fears involved, but even worse was the heartbreak at losing a relationship I’d held precious and believed to be so strong. I went through all of the stages of a romantic breakup: I was angry. I cried a lot (a lot). I felt powerless. Some days it was hard to get out of bed. The dreams that had felt so close, now seemed impossible and far away.

At first it seemed impossible for me to forgive. I didn’t want to. My ego told me that I was the victim and I held onto my anger like a righteous badge of honour.

But slowly, little by little, something started to change.

I still felt ripped up inside. Sometimes I still do. But I don’t want to anymore.

My mind has shifted; I want to forgive. And slowly, I’ve begun to heal.

That’s what Gabby teaches. By surrendering to forgiveness we open ourselves up to it and we begin to let go. It’s as simple (and difficult) as that.

It’s an on-going process, this whole letting go thing.

It’s not something we can just choose to do. To let go. To heal. To get over it.  To move on. But there are choices we can make to, to crack ourselves open, become vulnerable, and let the process happen.

Unfortunately, first, you have to feel everything. Every excruciating moment of hurt. My first reaction to shame and heartbreak is to turn away, to find a way to numb or distract myself from it, so I can just feel better already. But numbing ourselves will never lead us back to love. We have to honour the entire process in order to move through it.

And just as important is sharing those feelings. In the darkness of silence, shame, pain, anger, humiliation, fear, self-doubt, and misery are allowed to fester and grow. By outing them to our closest confidants and the pages of our journals, we strip away their power. We start to see the artifice of our fears. And then we can begin to choose different thoughts.

That’s a powerful realization when you really believe it: you can choose your thoughts. You can choose to be grateful for the things that nearly broke you. Because they didn’t. Because you’re stronger. Because you learned from them. Because they helped make you whole.

So, all this to say: this year didn’t turn out anything like I expected. I’m no longer travelling the globe to make The MASON. But I am about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. And through all of the loss, I’ve learned the importance of choosing love over fear. I’ve learned to expect miracles. I’m allowing joy to enter my life in a major way. And I couldn’t be more grateful.

an apropos fortune cookie; finding the perfect black flats in adorable small town vintage store; wood oven margherita pizza; choosing to let go of a commitment that had become a major source of negativity in my life; almond macaroons; a rock ‘n roll pin-up shoot in graffiti-laden alleys; re-purpling my hair; vampy purple nails; jacket weather; late-blooming gardens; sweaty, late night dancing with my besties; greasy breakfast the next morning; picking up prints from a roll of film.

Thanks for making it all the way through this post. I know it was longer and more personal than usual, but more and more I realize the importance of sharing what makes us vulnerable. And I always want you to know where I’m at in my life.

What made you love your life this week? How can you become grateful for the obstacles you’re facing?

Love always,

Top photo by Camille Porthouse.

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Are you having a fab week?

I’m sorry for the radio silence around here yesterday – I’m only getting online by tethering my iPhone to my laptop and sometimes, there is simply no cell service. These things are usually a blessing in disguise though; being forced to unplug always encourages me to do something nourishing, like go for a walk or curl up with a good book.

After wrapping up work yesterday, my mom and I drove to a beach where I spent a lot of time growing up. A few times a year, my family would rent a cottage in the area. It was always such a magical place to me. I’d play with faeries in the forest and have grand adventures on the beach. Once we threw a message in a bottle into the lake. A local family found it and for a few years we corresponded by leaving notes and little trinkets in “the treasure log.” I was so grateful to go back and visit all of these places that form such a big part of my personal mythology.

the first local apples of the season; flea market adventures; gathering treasures for my latest creative project; reading The Gifts of Imperfection; fresh corn on the cob & Ontario peaches; Spamalot tickets!; apartment hunting (one month until takeoff!); new DIY projects; the fall issue of Vogue; looking forward to next month’s tattoo appointment; new work opportunities & feeling abundant.

Have you visited somewhere special lately? What’s on your gratitude list this week?

Hugs & kisses,

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How have your weeks been so far?

I’m having such a great time up here! I have to admit, I’m such a city girl. I feel the most energized and alive when I’m surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a thriving metropolis. But this time up north is such a welcome respite. Waking up every morning to the sound of the water lapping the shore and loons calling from the bay is soothing and meditative. It’s only a short drive to the closest town, but even being that removed from urban life has shortened my to-do list and made me realize how much I create errands for myself. There’s always something I think I need to pick up, someone I’m supposed to meet, or an event I really ‘should’ go to. These things nag away at me until I do them, but being removed from that self-created pressures puts into perspective how optional it all really is.

I know that by the end of next week I’ll be itching to get back home and even more excited for my move across the ocean, but for now, I’m really grateful for this time away to commune with nature, be still, and reflect.

my Wild Unknown tarot deck; spotting a deer in a field of sheep; the two swans floating on the bay in front of me; morning visits from chipmunks, bunnies, and hummingbirds; my new mantra: “I am enough. I have enough;” working through week 5 of May Cause Miracles; sewing time with my grandma; new fabric for a fabulous fall skirt; vintage motorcycle boots (I couldn’t resist!); all of my fabulous guest posters; drooling over vintage cars; prints from my Diana F+; living in my stripy maxi dress; lazy mornings reading on the porch; magenta sunsets, & big glasses of vino verde.

What’s made you squeal with delight this week? Have you been making a weekly gratitude list?

Love always,

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That’s what this week has felt like for me. All of the pieces falling into place. For the past couple of weeks I’ve had an overwhelming anxiety. I’ve been wondering, what have I been doing these last eight months? Why isn’t there more money in my savings account? Shouldn’t I have my visa by now? Can I really pull this off before October?

But things have to happen at certain times and in a certain order and so I just kept pressing on. One little step after the other. And this week I started seeing the big picture come together. I booked my place ticket without knowing for sure that my visa had been approved because prices kept going up. Within 24 hours I received an e-mail that my visa had been issued and that I’ll have it in my hands next week. Everything is working out. This is really happening and I am so, so excited  (and okay, completely terrified, too). I’m also totally grateful that I’ve been able to go through this process, work through my anxiety without a major meltdown, and see the major payoff of having a little bit of faith.

wearing my fringey skirt to a meeting with a Member of Parliament; getting my visa & booking my plane ticket (!!!); seeing Father John Misty at the Danforth Music Hall; red lips; brogues & knee socks; George Saunders’s advice to graduates; finishing week three of May Cause Miracles (after getting a little bit behind); housesitting; apartment hunting (!!!); dusting off my sewing machine; my New Moon ritual; meditating in the morning; giant mugs of tea; feeling overwhelmed with creativity.

Writing gratitude lists is one of the easiest ways I know to start incorporating a self-love practice into your life. Write them in the morning to wake up with a fresh perspective, or before bed to drift off with the calmness of someone who knows how wonderful their life is. Compile a weekly list to look back and remember all of the little things that make these days special and worth savouring.

But most importantly, write one when you feel like you have nothing to be grateful for. Dig deep and unearth every nuance that makes your life precious. Maybe you can even find gratitude for some of the difficult things going on – what are they teaching you? How much stronger will you be when you get through them? It’s amazing how powerful an attitude of gratitude is for changing your perspective.

So, how can you bring some gratitude on the things that have been getting you down?

Love always,

Congratulations to Nicole for winning The Self-Love Book Club giveaway! Send over your mailing address & I’ll pop your book in the mail. Thanks so much to everyone who participated and I hope you’ll get your hands on Red Hot and Holy: A Heretic’s Love Story and read along with us.

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It’s been a busy week, but the good kind of busy. A whirlwind of reconnecting with old friends, running from errand to errand to finalize my visa application, working through a pile of deadlines, and meeting with likeminded, passionate people about exciting projects . Instead of exhausted, I feel more pumped up and creatively fuelled than I have in a long time. I’m constantly stopping to write down post and article ideas, and I’ve gotten started on projects that I’ve been putting off for a long time. I’m so grateful for this week in the big smoke, it’s exactly what I needed.

a weekend at my friend’s cottage; HYPERtheticals; pink bubbly; “well, it’s definitely full”; a fresh haircut; practicing the casual beehive; finishing my visa application; a friend date at my favourite Mexican restaurant; travel pages in my art journal; Caravan Palace; letting go of toxic relationships; the Self-Love Book Club; Facetime with my favourite ginger; sending care packages across the pond and sealing them with a kiss; pink lips & bold cat eyes.

What’s lighting up your life and making you weak in the knees with gratitude this week?

Epic love & butterfly kisses,

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Love what you do and do it with love.

This is a great line from Meghan Telpner’s creed. When you find work that’s truly aligned with your passion, it stops feeling like ‘just work,’ because you know, in one shape or form, it’s what you’d be doing whether you were getting paid for it or not. And when you know that your work is bringing you closer to your dreams, it’s even easier to put in those long hours. So, this week I’m super grateful to be doing the work I love and that’s fulfilling, and for having lots of it.

And for all of the little things…
reuniting with an old friend; meeting baby Parker; discovering Gillian Anderson’s new show, The Fall; watching the Great Lake Swimmers at folk fest; moving forward with my visa application; lots of time spent with family; running a mile without stoping; finishing week two of May Cause Miracles; rekindling my meditation practice; getting photos from my trip printed.

Do you write gratitude lists? What are you grateful for?

Love always,

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