MANIFESTO: PT 1 + 2

i've recently started a manifesto. seems weird, someone who has gone through some of the most important milestones one can go through is now starting to define how she wants to live her life. but here i am.

i'm going through katie den ouden's skinny dip society. she has us writing our own manifestos, to help us to live wild.free.alive. find out more about this here.

_______________________________________________________

DAY 1

the last time i felt wild.free.alive was when i was with my husband up on the grand mesa in grand junction, colorado. i remember waking up that morning, feeling ready to do something new that day. i had been wrestling with anxiety for the past few months, and going somewhere we had never been sounded incredible. i remember driving up the winding mountain with the windows down, smelling the sweet smell of mountain air and pine trees. as we rounded a corner, i saw the most beautiful view i have ever seen. i think my favorite place is where water meets the forest. there is nothing more breathtaking in the world. i still remember how i felt, how i never wanted to leave that place, how i wished i could stay forever among the flower fields and pine trees, swim in the cool lake water, and forever feel wild.free.alive.

parts of my day that make me think "I love my life": when my husband will text me an emoji heart, even if he's sitting right next to me. when i wake up and feel my pup charlie cuddling me. when my cat bandit falls asleep on my shoulder. when i hear from a friend out of the blue. i guess moments that remind me i matter in this world are what make me feel alive and loved.

________________________________________________________

DAY 2

if i wasn't bound by rules or restrictions, i would wear sundresses everyday, have tattoos up the wazoo, dance to music while i cook or bake, burn candles at all times of the day, wear no makeup, not have a cell phone, spend every waking moment by the water, live fully and carefree without the worries of the world weighing me down.

my ideal daily celebration would include candles, lots and lots of flowers, and friends. there would be laughter and love, and everyone wouldn't have a care in the world. all worries about work, bills, family, the world would melt away. there would be good, wholesome food, string lights and a starry night. we would celebrate each other, with only kindness in our hearts and on our lips. all comparison and judgment would be gone, and we would be able to be free and wild and alive.