I feel so alive today. I just got home from a great class at yoga. It was only me and one other person! We made coffee before and opened the doors to have class on the terrace. It was so nice. That’s for sure where all the energy comes from.

I started a new notebook last night. You know that feeling? If you don’t. Get one today, open that first page, I always start on the 2nd blank page) Write something down! If feels so good. Feeling, what you ate, exercises, ideas, doodles, anything. Just write something. 

Being back in the city is so nice. I took simple pleasures yesterday in walking 2 minutes to the corner store to buy lactose-free milk. Also drinking tap water. These are the little things I swear that make a truly happy person.

Taking joy in everyday things will light your heart on fire and fill your soul with love.

Wow, am I yoga drunk right now? I think so. Did two classes yesterday, aerial (at Whole Life Balance) and sweat (at YOGA YOGA). Silks yoga is so cool, check me out upside down. You do stretches and inversions and it is a good workout but you could for sure do it.

Upside down! Aerial silks class w/ @Futurpreneur. So fun. Want one of these at home. #MediaMatters #yoga pic.twitter.com/VkEhGLztc2

— CASiE STEWART ☀️ (@casiestewart) August 15, 2017

Anyone recognize the title song lyric? I listened to Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories, Tails album this morning. So many memories with it. I must have listened to the tape 8,000,000 times during junior high in my bedroom. Last night I lit this really nice candle and instead of a wax wick, it has a wood wick (say that 20 times!).  I wondered if it was Sandalwood which reminds me of the song on the album with the same name,  ‘you skin smells softly like sandalwood‘.  I couldn’t get it out of my head so that’s what prompted the throwback today. Wow cool story bro. Here’s the candle, thanks Futurpreneur for the gift! Smells so nice.

I’m heading into the 1188 office after what feels like forever today but first I need a manicure. I am crazy about having my nails done because it looks professional and makes me feel like I have my shit together when maybe on the inside it’s a bit messy.

You have the opportunity to make today great, do it!

I’ve been trying to make the most of my summer. Despite heaps of rain this year, I’ve really tried to be outside. I’ve gone on epic bike rides around the city with my bff, through the park, along the railpath.  Spent heaps of time up at the cottage. Caught some sun on the West Coast,  went to a friends cottage, mini golf, canoe rides, and last weekend we took Sean’s new family boat out for a spin.

Just like summer, the new Bueno White won’t be around for long. It’s only avail over the summer so I suggest you pick up a couple if you see them. You’ll only find Bueno White in select locations of Dollarama, Loblaws, Sobeys, Metro, 7 Eleven (and a couple others). I found them at the corner store near my house and bought a whole box for the cottage. Honestly, I don’t eat that many chocolate bars but the Bueno White chocolate is so milky and creamy. It reminds me of chocolate from New Zealand I had as a kid. Melts in your mouth! 

This Bueno is my fav Bueno, so good. The white chocolate reminds me of NZ chocolate. ? #treatyoself pic.twitter.com/sxBGK1bV8U

— CASiE STEWART ☀️ (@casiestewart) July 20, 2017

I’ve been carrying these little treats around on my adventures all summer. In each package there’s two individually wrapped bars, so you can have a wee little snack when you’re looking for something sweet, or treat yourself to both bars. You probably deserve it!  ?  I recommend trying it with vanilla ice cream after dinner.? (Or whenever, do what you want! ?)

Keep your eyes peeled for Bueno White and grab a couple before summer is over.

Make the most of each day, soak up that sunshine!

Had a nice relaxing weekend. We went to the beach and Scarborough Bluffs on Saturday as a family. It was so beautiful out, no rain! We had to delay the Airstream trip w/ Go RVing Canada but it’ll still happen before summer is over.

Had lunch at my sister’s restaurant in the Beaches, Green Eggplant. Food there is amazing and portion sizes are HUGE. We all had takeaway that made for great snacks all afternoon.

I started by day with yoga which was so good. After being sick last week I was really missing class and managed to go 4 times this week. I have an unlimited membership at YOGA YOGA so try to make it to as many classes as I can.

In other news, the new Metro Food Basics is now open in the Junction Triangle. It was a whole thing because the neighbourhood thought a Metro was moving in and people didn’t like the idea of a discount grocery in the area. Read more about that here. There are heaps deals, if you’re into that!

Looking forward to a good week. I’ll be at home/office trying to get as much accomplished as possible before we head up north for 10 days. It’s Sean’s birthday next week and we always spend it at the cottage.

Sending you sunshine across the internet!

I started this post in the spring and it’s been sitting in drafts for a while. Sometimes I just don’t feel like it. I love writing and blogging but sometimes I really don’t feel like sharing my life online. It’s the social media that stresses me out. 

I daydream and think about people who just go to work and don’t have Facebook, they walk in a crowd listening to music never thinking about sharing it or seeing someone from Instagram. They don’t have to pretend they didn’t see that person they’re friends with on Facebook, passing them on the street.  I don’t remember what that’s like.

I know I created this, but that doesn’t mean it’s not overwhelming sometimes.

The world of social media and the internet have blown the F UP. Everyone and their dog has a blog or Instagram now. It’s almost impossible to avoid.

I try though. I spend heaps of time up at the cottage, in the wilderness, I’ve been taking more breaks, but then I get anxiety because I haven’t posted. If you’re having a bad day or not feeling well, social media can be the worst, endless scrolling of perfect lives and happy faces.  And even though you know it’s not all ‘really’ like that all the time, it can get to you. Last week when I was sick I felt like garbage on the outside and social media was not helping, I started feeling like garbage on the inside, about myself.

This weekend I shaved my head and cut off all the blonde. At first, I felt liberated and free, riding my bike home from the barber after yoga, sun on my face. Then, I kinda panicked like omg what have I done. I also decided I really don’t like my natural mousey hair colour. It’s been 20 years of blonde and other colours. So forgot what it looked like. I haven’t coloured it blonde just yet but I’m planning on it. The cut for me, symbolizes a bit of change, a restart, regrowth.

I go through this “what am I doing with my life?” Every couple months and I think that’s ok.  It’s usually driven by being tired, sick, sad, or waiting on cheques. [If you freelance, you know what I mean!]

Writing about my own struggles helps me deal with it. Trust me, a blog is great therapy! 

I hope reading this helps you realize that you are not alone. The internet is sometimes a web of lies, so don’t compare your self to anyone.

The race is long and in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Take a few deep breaths, look ahead, your future is bright. ☀️