6 Ways I’m Making 2020 Brighter

It’s hard to believe that 2020 is almost over. I think I speak for everyone in saying that this year has been quite the rollercoaster. When quarantine happened and I was stuck in my house, I started organizing and cleaning like a mad woman. And not even just organizing once, but redoing closets and drawers until they were perfectly functional. Is this normal, I’m not sure. Aside from buying an embarrassing amount of cleaning supplies, below are 6 other things I’ve been doing to make 2020 just a tiny bit brighter. 

Reading

I go through phases with books. Sometimes I read one after another and sometimes I go weeks between them. I recently finished Where the Forest Meets the Stars (I’d rate it 5/5), Finding Freedom (4/5) and The Two Lives of Lydia Bird (3/5). Bryan’s grandmother sent me a copy of The Nightingale a couple weeks ago and I can’t wait to dive into it! I’ve heard so many great things, including from many of you that I’ll likely cry my eyes out. I just need to get into a better routine with reading, because trying to read right before bed when I’m exhausted isn’t cutting it. 

Getting Fresh Air

This is my favorite time of year to be outdoors. It’s not too humid, the air is chillier, and the trees look beautiful. I tend to go for a walk most days at lunch (when I’m not going to Target), and will occasionally turn it into a run. Getting fresh air has been a game changer for my mood. Vienna is also much happier when she has time to run around after dinner, so sunset walks on the trail behind our house have been part of the routine too. 

Weekly Flowers

I started buying flowers for myself every weekend at the beginning of quarantine. It was a way to bring some life to our home and it’s a habit I’m so happy to continue. I really enjoy laying out the blooms, trimming them, finding the perfect vase, and arranging them stem by stem. It’s incredibly therapeutic, and makes the house so beautiful. I’ve also been enjoying planting flowers outside. I removed my spring/summer flowers and planted mums. Let’s hope I can keep them alive through the fall.

Creating New Playlists

There’s almost always music playing in our house. It sets a nice mood and helps me unwind. I like making new playlists for basically every occasion possible. Some of my favorites at the moment are:

• Season of the Witch – Halloween/spooky music. Lots of classic rock. 
• Feelin’ Good – Uplifting songs that put me in a good mood. 
• Country Feels – Cutesy country perfect for long drives.
• In the Kitchen – Music I love listening to while I cook.
• Morning Mix – Weekend morning jams.

Revamping the Blog

I started revamping my site months ago, right around the start of quarantine. Some weeks I powered through a bunch of tasks and others I just couldn’t get things to work properly. I wrote, rewrote, and rewrote code some more until it was exactly what I wanted. Sure, I could have just hired a web designer but it probably would have cost me a fortune since I’m so picky. Overall, I enjoyed making this site a place that felt more like a reflection of myself. From the new branding to the new features, I’m proud of the outcome! 

Manicures

I need my nails painted to keep them looking decent, because I’ve been a nail biter/picker my entire life. I generally stick to pale pink and white polishes, but I’m excited to transition to maroon, navy, and forest green as the weather cools down. I don’t get acrylics or dip, just gel polish. I ask my nail tech to trim them slightly (I like shorter nails on me) and file them into an oval shape. For between visits, I use Essie apricot cuticle oil to keep my skin moisturized. It smells heavenly.