Living Day by Day

Do you ever feel like you just don't have a plan and you don't know what direction you want to take? That's how I feel about 2014.

So many of you have goals of weight loss, blog organization, doing things to make yourself happier... but what do I want? Do I need to want something specific? What does it mean about me if I don't have specific goals? What does it mean for 2014?

There are so many questions I could dwell on, but I'm not going to. Sometimes it's nice to live day by day without the pressure of reaching certain goals.

Sure, I would like to weigh a little less, I'd like to have a list of blog topic inspiration, I'd love to spend my days at home organizing the house and being a housewife (technically, fiancee). Some of these are possible, and some of them aren't.

There's nothing wrong with waiting until you feel up to tackling a task. The new year is inspirational for many people, and that is fantastic. I'm just not feeling it this year.. but I have a feeling that positive changes will come in the next few months.

Until then, I'll enjoy my days of nothing and living in the moment, and look forward to taking action later on! Are you excited about the new year? What goals do you have, or why do you choose not to have goals this year?

Five Favorites: 2013

This year is quickly coming to a close! Many of us are reviewing what happened this past year and reflecting on all of those events. For this edition of "Five Favorites," I'd like to talk about five of my favorite things about 2013.

1. Being a Homeowner

Who would have thought I'd be a homeowner at my age (26)? It's really pretty incredible. It was probably the most stressful process of my life when I was trying to buy the house, but now that it is over and I've been in the house close to a year, it is definitely worth it. Nothing compares to having your own space that you can do whatever you want with! Now I just need to finish unpacking... Yes, I am a horrible (great?) procrastinator!

2. Driving at Sebring International Raceway

It isn't often that you get an opportunity to drive on a track that countless racing professionals have raced on for decades. Not only was this an amazing experience just because I got to drive at the limits of the car, but it was also incredible because of this track's history. This is one of the most challenging tracks around, and mastering it is an incredible feeling. I don't know if it is possible to master this track, but just driving it at a decent rate of speed is amazing.

3. Getting Engaged

OMG OMG he proposed and I said yes!!! Haha, so it was an early early morning in August when Mike and I were out on the beach for my sea turtle patrol. He asked if he could come with me this time, and of course I said that was fine because it can be a little lonely on the beach at 6am. We were walking along, and he pointed something out, so I turned that direction, and when I turned back around, he was on his knee! Being engaged has been a fantastic experience. It's amazing knowing you get to spend your life with the love of your life.

4. Decorating for the Holidays

I'm not posting a picture for this one, even though I have a few examples, because I've posted them before and I've posted them recently. I'm sure you all have gotten your fill of holiday pictures. Not only are being in a house and being engaged fantastic, but celebrating our first holiday season together in our house was awesome! It is so nice to have a place to decorate together. We even had our own Christmas tree!

5. Growth

This one is an important favorite. Growth isn't one of those things I can pinpoint, but the combination of experiences I've had this year have helped me grow as a person. I've had good times and bad times, and they all teach me something. It's nice looking back and knowing you are a better, stronger person now. Life is always changing, and that isn't a bad thing. One of my favorite quotes is "Everything drifts. Always in waves." So let's ride those waves and have a blast doing it!

Happy New Year!

Getting Up When You're Down

Sometimes everything just falls onto your plate at once, and it's overflowing, and it's heavy, and you're tired, and you just want it all to go away. You don't want any of it. In those situations it can be hard to be positive. It can be a struggle to work or get through your day. We've all had days like this, and we all get through them somehow, but how? Luckily I have found something that I try to focus on when I have days like this.

Whatever you put your energy into is what will surround you. They always say the grass is greener on the other side, but the truth is, the grass is greener where you water it. You have the power to make the grass green and brighten your day. It is easy to feel defeated, but when you remind yourself that you do have this control, it can make things a little easier.

When you focus on all the tasks you have to do at work, and that new project you have absolutely no time for, and the appointment you have after work that is going to cause you to have to work late another day, it is really hard to get that green grass to grow. You're focusing in on all the dirt and awful stuff.

Now imagine focusing on the good instead -- you have a job, you are able to afford to go to the doctor when you need to, you are trusted to take on extra tasks at work, you have a partner who loves you, you have a roof over your head and a comfy bed, etc. These things might seem like little things when you have the negativity overpowering you, but the more you "water" the good things, the more green grass you will have, and the easier it will be to stay positive.

This is a technique that I use when I have bad days, and I really try to stay positive by using this thought process. It isn't always easy or instantaneous, but it does help. What helps you get more positive when you are having a bad day?

Welcome, Readers

Hello, internet!

Yet another blog has joined the world of the web (like it really needed one more). This blog is mostly a creative outlook and log of interesting things in my life, but hopefully it will also benefit some of you! I plan to post about the following:

• Photography
• Kitties
• Homeownership
• Couponing & Budget
• Wedding Planning & Married Life
• Healthy Habits
• Eating
• Emotional
• Physical
• Nail Polish & Manicures
• Automotive Racing
• Random Musings

Hopefully some of these topics appeal to you and we can share ideas with each other. Also, I suppose I should introduce myself...

My name is Rachel, and I'm a 26-year-old wife-to-be. I bought a house and moved in with my wonderful man, Mike, in February 2013, and we got engaged about six months later in August. Home life is a big change from living by myself in an apartment, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Each new challenge adventure teaches me something new, and I love learning new things. Making the best of life and looking on the bright side is what I try to do, and I hope my blog, Light and Love, reflects that. Thank you for reading! I look forward to getting involved in the blogging community and becoming friends :)