We Aim To Slay

Now that the spring equinox has come and gone the true signs of the season have started! The days are getting longer, the sun seems to be shining brighter, and local flora have started to bud.

Much like these natural indicators, I have noticed aspects of myself reemerging like the world around me; I’m reaching for more color, whether that’s pieces of clothing or incorporating it into my nails and makeup. I’ve been longing to be out and about, exploring new corners of the world and taking in new information. 

In spite of the nonstop barrage of news updates, I’m adjusting my mindset to maximalize the joy in my day to day life!

How it Started

In late February I saw and responded to a call to action – a local venue was hosting an event and wanted people to spread the word by attending!

The Pearsons Event Venue in Berlin, CT, is owned by the sister duo Sulena Lindsey and Keeya Holley and was named in honor of their late grandfather, William Lafayette Pearson, according to their website. They explained that the location is designed to meet “a variety of celebration and gathering needs,” and is available to rent for events such as bridal or baby showers, dance and yoga classes, corporate gatherings, and more!

I was invited to attend Music Bingo Night, and I’m so glad I went! I was originally supposed to attend with one of my sisters, but due to scheduling I ended up going alone – which reminded me that prior to Covid, I used to do a lot of things solo!

Like the natural world, I slow down during the winter months. It’s the perfect time to turn inward for reflection, and begin planning your next set of goals – but after a while it can feel like a period of stagnation. That’s exactly what I was experiencing as the winter came to a close, which led to feeling creatively tapped out. Attending this bingo night made me feel like Angela Bassett in How Stella Got Her Groove Back: I was reinvigorated, and excited to continue this period of reemergence! 

How it’s Going

There’s no denying that the world is in turmoil. And like so many others, I’ve found it difficult to make sense of, and ultimately, cope with every new detail uncovered. I’ve long struggled to know if this was even a place to be sharing such information – We Aim To Slay is by no means a political platform. But here’s a truth that I think many people are overlooking right now: human beings are pack animals, and there’s a special kind of safety felt only by sharing your thoughts and experiences. There is more that unites us as fellow citizens of this world, than divides us.

In a similar – but much lower stakes – way, I spent this winter denying myself a true sense of community. As I said above I turn inward during the winter months; I reflect on how the past year has gone, where I can make adjustments in my life, and spend more time alone with my thoughts. But by the return of spring I’m aching to leave my house and experience something new. I found that spark of excitement and belonging during that bingo night.

That one small sense of community ignited my excitement for life! It led me to actively make plans with my friends, and to rediscover my love of all things whimsical! I’ve gone to see a local production of “Mama Mia!” (one of my favorite musicals!), danced the night away with my sisters, hiked with my dog Dante, volunteer at a local gala, and had a little picnic in my backyard!

So while we cannot ignore that this is a very scary time to be alive right now – and for the record, I abhor and absolutely do not condone the actions of any individual that puts an innocent at risk, person or animal – I’m choosing to cope with that fear by adopting a “joy-maxing” mentality. I’m actively deciding to do things that bring me joy, simply for the sake of being joyful. Is this a revolutionary concept? Certainly not, but introducing it into my daily routine as an intentional practice is new for me and I’m excited to give it a try!

Starting with my backyard picnic! I recently went on a quick trip to World Market with my mom and came home with the best haul  – some of which I ate or drank before I could photograph them! That included items like this elderflower lemonade beverage, another canned fish (squid in Portuguese style sauce, I ate them on the car ride home from the store!) and a bag of scallop flavored chips (the squid flavored ones are my favorite – are we sensing a theme here?)

So this is my reminder to you – take time for yourself! Prioritize your own joy and mental health! Because adding a bit of whimsy or joy into your everyday life can be as simple as eating canned octopus in your backyard.

What Do You Think?

What are some of the little ways you’re bringing joy to your everyday life? Let’s share our self care practices below! Looking for some inspiration? Check out the We Aim To Slay #SelfCareSeries, all available episodes are live on YouTube!

I’ll be back next week to discuss the often neglected process of washing your makeup brushes!

Have a great rest of your week, and remember to SLAY!