Why is it that January always goes by so fast? and we’re somehow nearly halfway through February?? The older I get, the faster time seems to go by, which is a bit of a scary thought so on to happier things. My 2020 started off wonderfully. At the beginning of January, I traveled to Sedona for my first ever mindfulness retreat and then I ended the month celebrating my 26th birthday. I also ended up with a few favorites I want to share. I always love putting these together because I think it’s fun to share things that bring us joy. Keep reading if you want to see what I loved this past month.
Trip: Retreat in Sedona
As I mentioned above, I traveled to Sedona, Arizona, for a week-long mindfulness retreat hosted by Tara Kemp. The whole retreat was a magical and transformative experience. We meditated and practiced yoga every morning, ate nourishing and delicious plant-based meals, went on hikes, had group sessions, journaled, and connected to ourselves and to one another. I left the retreat feeling inspired, motivated, supported, rejuvenated, aligned, and at peace. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the new year.
What truly made the retreat the special experience that it was for me were the retreat staff and my fellow attendees. Everyone was so supportive and accepting and we were able to create a safe space for everyone to be vulnerable. These women will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s crazy how close you can get to some people in only a few days’ time.
I’m really proud of myself for going on this retreat, for investing in my personal growth and development, and for prioritizing myself. I overthink everything and I could have easily talked myself out of going on this retreat. Instead, I stuck with my intuition that told me the moment I first learned about this retreat that I needed to go. And I am so incredibly grateful that I listened to my intuition, that I felt the fear and did it anyway. It was quite possibly one of the best weeks of my life.
Documentary: Miss Americana
Fun fact about me: I am a huge Taylor Swift fan (I have been since I was 12). So you can imagine I was pretty excited when I found out she was releasing a documentary about the last few years of her life. The Miss Americana documentary, which premiered on Netflix on my birthday, shows us a vulnerable side of Taylor we’ve never really seen before. She talks openly about the various struggles she’s dealt with throughout her career and how she’s had to rewire her mindset to get to the healthier place she is at now. One of my favorite scenes is when she is talking with her team about wanting to voice her political views prior to the 2018 midterm elections. I also loved all the scenes of Taylor with her mom (they have such a beautiful relationship) and scenes of Taylor in the studio writing songs for the Reputation and Lover albums.
I didn’t think I could love Taylor more than I already did but I do after seeing Miss Americana. Not only is she incredibly intelligent and kind but she has overcome so much and will forever be an inspiration to me. Whether you are a Taylor Swift fan or not, I’d highly recommend watching Miss Americana.
TV Show: Season 3 of Anne with an E
I adore this show! It’s wholesome, smart, funny, diverse, and has so much heart. Anne with an E is an adaptation of the famous Canadian book series Anne of Green Gables. Season 3 came out on Netflix at the beginning of January but I’ll give a little background from the start of the show. It’s a coming-of-age story set in the late 1800s about a young girl named Anne. She grew up in an orphanage, occasionally being lent out to families to help with housework and child-rearing. Anne had a rough childhood and all she longed for was to feel loved and accepted. Through a miscommunication, she finds herself at Green Gables on Prince Edward Island and eventually is adopted by aging siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. The show follows Anne as she navigates her new life, starting school, making friends, and finding her place in the world.
Unlike other adaptations of the Anne of Green Gables series, this version has been modernized and touches on a variety of current-day issues, such as gender equality and racial issues. It is refreshing to see a period piece that is able to incorporate some touchy topics and execute them in a beautiful way. Another reason to watch this show is for its many loveable characters, especially Anne. She has a vivid imagination and is kind, intelligent, adventurous, and courageous. She always stands up for what is right and is never afraid to speak her mind. Clearly you can tell I LOVE this show. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
Movie: The Art of Racing in the Rain
I watched The Art of Racing in the Rain during my flight to Sedona and it gave me all the feels. I’ve had the book on my to-read list for years but haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. When I learned it was made into a movie starring Milo Ventimiglia and Amanda Seyfried, two actors I love, I knew I had to see it. It’s a heartfelt story about a dog named Enzo, who narrates the movie, and his best friend and guardian, Denny Swift. We experience Denny’s life through the lens of his philosophical dog and the two have an unbreakable bond. An airplane might not have been the best place to watch a dog movie because I cried more than once but I’m so glad I saw it. 10/10 would recommend seeing The Art of Racing in the Rain but make sure you have some tissues on hand.
Beauty: Elate Sheer Lipstick
I ordered this lipstick from Elate Cosmetics as a Christmas present for myself and I’ve worn it almost every day since I got it. I bought the color Vivacious and, while it may look like a dark berry shade, it’s a sheer lipstick. I like that it’s a buildable color so I can play with how light or dark I want my lips to look. Not only do I love the color but the formula of this lipstick is smooth and moisturizing. I’m so happy I tried out this brand and I would definitely try more of their products in the future.
How has the start of 2020 been for you? Let me know in the comments below.