Tag Archives: happiness

Massive Let Down… But Summers Already Here.

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Hello Y’all. I hope you are doing well in your corner of the world. The Fourth of July holiday is a day away, and it’s going to be a nice, long weekend with cool temperatures and fun. But if you’re in the States, you have been hearing of massive layoffs and cuts going on recently across the board. It’s hard on people, and it’s even harder on families. But what are they going to do about it? Summer is already here, there are things to do, vacations to take, and plans to be executed. If you’ve lived long enough and worked for any length of time, you should have experienced at least one layoff. We’ve all been there, and the first reaction is panic.

Questions like ‘What will I do? How will I live? How will the bills be paid? Vacations are already planned?’ runs through your mind, and some immediately start putting out applications in panic mode, which isn’t the worst thing to do, but I’d love to share some tips on a better approach to dealing with this than what I’ve experienced and witnessed in the past.

Helpful Tips from Yours Truly.

Try to decompress and get over the initial panic – know that layoffs happen.

Realise that companies will always put themselves first, no matter your loyalty or dedication. In this day and age, most companies aren’t like they used to be. Many view their employees as numbers and not people with families and responsibilities. So be shrewd, take your breaks, have boundaries; if you work for a ‘taking company’, return the same energy.

Do a quick snapshot of your current financial status, including bills, savings, debt, investments, etc. If you have been responsible in the past, financial institutions are more likely to work with you on certain commitments and reduce some of the initial stress.

Let your immediate family know. This is a tricky one because sometimes, the affected individual doesn’t want to panic the other members of the family. But this doesn’t always help. Communicating effectively helps with better decision making, especially incorporating cutbacks and conserving existing finances.

It’s OK to have rollercoaster emotions and down days. Take time to feel your feelings, but don’t stay there.

Reprioritize. Being laid off is not always a bad thing. Sometimes it brings families together or gives birth to a new business idea that may provide better stability.

Be optimistic. Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes the down times are where we really get to reflect; and we don’t have the noise around us to distract us. Some of the best decisions I’ve ever made were made during down times, when I was able to chart the course of my next steps as I emerged from the rut I was in. Once things returned to normal, it was smooth sailing. I already had a plan and a charted course and was not distracted by the passing frivolities that tend to distract us along the way.

Find a way to enjoy your Summer break. It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. You are alive, you’re healthy, and have people who love and care about you; that’s more than enough to give you the boost to get up and make it in life. There are so many fun things to do that are great if you’re on a budget. Finding fun and cost-effective ways to get through the tough times makes you stronger, not just mentally but all around in life.

Folks, I have been spur-of-the-moment baking these past weeks and haven’t had time to share some of the pictures. I made a very simple GF Carrot Cake.

I hope you enjoy. Until I come your merry way again, I remain,

Periwinkle Starr

It Only Takes A Little Courage.

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Hello Y’all! I hope you are doing well in your corner of the world. It’s already April, and one would have thought we were done with Winter. After changing out my wardrobe for Spring, the temperature dropped close to freezing over the last weekend. So, the heat came back on, and the layers had to come out….there goes our love/hate relationship with the Texas weather. Still, we won’t change it for a darn thing. Planting season is upon us, and I’m sprouting sweet mini peppers, okra, beefsteak tomatoes, and carrots this year. Can you imagine yours truly, the one who couldn’t keep anything alive only a few years ago? Well, today’s post is all about not giving up and having a little bit of courage, so stick around for some positivity.

I feel like life is a reel and it consist of the stories we tell ourselves through our experiences and what we could do to change those mindsets, narratives with the right information, being in the right groups of people, with the right encouragement, with people who force you to see a different viewpoint from yours.

Sometimes, we give up on dreams, on ventures, on projects, not because we didn’t believe in ourselves but a lot of times because we did not have the right information, enough knowledge, discernment, mentors, and a good support system. Failing is hard, and no one feels it more than the person who has a dream. There are so many people who I come across and those in my life who had dreams growing up that have been thrown in the ‘reality-check’ pile, which is also known as an excuse we tell ourselves for not going after our dreams. I truly believe that our happiness as people stems not from the amount of money we have, even though having money is not a bad thing. It is not dependent on the people surrounding us, our spouses or significant others or children, neither is it our jobs or material things we possess. I believe that what makes us truly and deeply happy in life are the simple things specific to us that give us joy.

I have met many people who were established in big corporations that left to open flower shops, coffee shops, be ranchers because that is what makes them happy.

Dare to Follow Your Heart

I’ve found the phrase ‘Life is a B****, and then you die’ to be funny but a true reality. But it only takes a little courage. I have so much respect for the people whose stories I have heard where they didn’t feel fulfilled, didn’t have inner happiness, and had to look themselves in the mirror one day and take a leap of faith. No one could understand; some said they were going through a phase while others said they would be back. But they stuck with it. They had a little courage, and many of these people have come out on the other side better. They’re happier, and the light in their eyes is back; their health is stable, and they enjoy the life they’ve always wanted…many a times with less or more money. I have seen people trade in seven-figure jobs to be part-time grocery store clerks, but they love the time they spend with their family. This could be whatever your happy place is.

I admire those who went against the norm to pursue their dream, their happiness even when it did not make sense. Those who dared to have the courage to say no to a bad arrangement, a bad relationship, a bad decision and deciding to turn the course even though they had already wasted so many years on the wrong path. All it takes is beginning with a little courage, trying again, but this time with the right information, a better understanding of the situation, a team of mentors, and not being afraid of what you don’t know. Friends, life is too short to not fight for your dream; dare to have courage. It’s better to try and fail than not have tried at all. Until I come your merry way again, like, follow and share.

Periwinkle Starr

Finding You Again!

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Hello Y’all! Summer is officially here and we’ve just hit a cooler front with temperatures dropping about 12 degrees overnight. It has been an interesting couple of months, sometimes hectic and other times not as much. But in everything, I’m so glad to be sitting on my overstuffed couch with a zillion pillows and writing this post. It is planting season, so if you love to garden, this is the perfect time to get on with it. Yesterday was the Fourth of July, and I must say that this year was a bit lowkey than the last couple of years. The fireworks weren’t as loud and didn’t last as long. Still, I was glad for the holiday. Today’s post is one I’ve been meaning to write for two months now. I started it but just now getting to finish it. It’s been a journey I have been on for a while and felt now was the time to share it with you so, grab a comfy spot wherever you are and read on.

As time goes by, we change. Whether the change is by our surroundings, life events, circumstances, or through the people in our lives or those we interact with daily. We are a product of these factors. Thinking back to when I graduated and had my first internship, there were so many dreams and things I had planned that I wanted to do and be…but you know how it goes – there’s what you want to do and be then…THERES LIFE. Depending on what side of the coin you’re looking at, some things could be good and other things unpleasant but the goal is to never lose yourself completely. I liken it to holding onto your hobbies, love, hopes, dreams or ambition… even if it’s by a thin thread because if we let life, circumstances, people, or events take that from us, we begin to die albeit little by little.

Now, there are things that are considered wishes. There are things that are likened to literally digging for fool’s gold. What I am referring to here are the simple things that make your soul happy. The things that brought joy to your innermost being without a huge price tag. Those things my friends, are the things we must never lose no matter what life brings or throws our way.

I love to bake. I’m not a master baker or an expert. I just love baking. My love for it was inspired by my grandmother who was a regional chef/competitor/winner when I was little. She put a lot of love into baking and cooking, you could taste it in the food. It was different. Baking is something I do for close friends and family and not on a large scale but it’s a part of me and what brings little flutters to my heart whenever I make anything from a simple recipe to something complex and unknown.

Life Happens!

I liken life to the sea. Its waves are strong when the tide is high, it could be still when the tide is low but be rest assured, it’s always moving. The goal is to know when to fight and when to let the waves do their thing. To know when to be flexible and adjust and when to brace for impact. To know how to watch the tide, how to time it just right, and when to make a run for it.

As we mature, we attain a layer of sophistication which is part of maturity and a positive on every front. But never losing touch with who I am is one of the things that anchor me to the ground despite life’s roses or shenanigans. If you are reading this post and you’ve got this far, thank you for being here. Take a moment and think deeply. Liken your life to an onion with layers. As you peel back the layers, the wins, the losses, whatever it may be; when you get to core, are you still that person you were? Can you still indulge in the simple things that make your heart flutter? Can you still connect to that person? Is there any semblance between that person and you?

Folks, never let go of who you were born to be. Never stop finding ways to do the things you love and things that really fulfill you. Only then will we feel anchored, only then will we not forget who we are or lose sight of why we are here. If you’re far removed from your authentic self, you can always retrace your steps and find you again. It will always be a balancing act but without any of the pressure…just focus on the simple things. Until I come your way again, let me know your thoughts and comments and if this is a journey you would like to embark on.

Periwinkle Starr