Experimenting with Wellness

After deciding to take my own happiness and fitness into my own hands, I realized that I don't like to conform to the common rules other people live by in order to obtain these two goals. Being healthy is a concept that maybe requires an alternative approach. 2014 marked a year filled with a playful physical experiment. 2015 I explored the cuisines of the world. 2016 is about exploring mental health. Every month I will have a new focus, brought to me by people who have found their own ways of trying to own their mental health. In a world of different therapeutic options, the real question is: Which one is best for you?

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Summer run. . . . . . . #alkibeach #westseattle #running #viewswhilerunning #getthefuckoutside

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😍😍 . . . . #getthefuckoutside #westcoastbestcoast #hoodcanal

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Running to #childishgambino on a Thursday. . . . . #california #ballardlocks #westcoastbestcoast #upperleftusa #🏃🏼‍♀️#running #getthefuckoutside

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It is not enough to quote the words of Martin Luther King Jr., one must act. Some of these words are taken from something I heard earlier but it suited my sentiments so perfectly. I don't advocate in the way I would like to and have been looking for more authentic ways of doing so. However, in a world where inspirational quotes are thrown across social media like candy, I feel like we could all use a little perspective to encourage action. Not only is it essential to understand our individual privilege, but it's essential to understand the way marginalized cultures are evaluated within society to obtain or be limited by that privilege. It is a privilege to not listen. It is a privilege to ignore. It is a privilege to escape. As a person who knows how I exercise these privileges I struggle with what it looks like to exercise authentic self-care and knowing this. Maybe there is some self-care in the understanding of the struggle. If I wait for the struggle to be over, I may miss some invaluable lessons along the way. . . . . #mlkmemorial #atlanta #selfreflection #civilrights #dosomething #learnyourhistory #listen #selfcare (at The King Center)

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ATL on a Sunday. Much needed exercise after a weekend of seminars about multiculturalism, humanitarian efforts, international counseling, graduate degrees, existentialism... I needed to decompress. And this little East Atlanta park did just the serene little trick. . . . . . . #grantparkatlanta #running #justmove #selfcare #getthefuckoutside #travel

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#running #atl #chatahoochee #explore #getthefuckoutside #justmove #naturetho #riverruns (at Chattahoochee River)

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Running while traveling, doing a little exploring. I forgot about those Georgia skies. 😍 . . . . . . #piedmontpark #atl #hotlanta #georgiaskies #running #justmove #getthefuckoutside (at Piedmont Park ATL)

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As my birthday approaches I feel compelled to eat this cupcake and make small efforts to enjoy this week to my fullest. Being someone who doesn't like a lot of attention or praise I admit that for years celebrating myself was ridiculous. But here's the thing, I think celebrating myself is one of the most important things I can do. I not only honor my intention to myself but my intent to my surroundings. They are not always fun. Last year I was nursing my sick cat that ended in the most unfortunate way, and I wouldn't have done anything differently. My birthday has become a time(I did not say day) that I spend with the things I love the most, have the most fun with, care about, doing things that we all love. I am intentional at remembering what makes my community tick which sometimes means that multiple days are necessary to celebrate all things that live this life with me. Today, the day before my birthday, is my day to eat chocolate cake and not have to share it. I know that's selfish but anyone who knows me, knows how much I love it. Tuesday was my day to spend with a couple dear friends and spend quality time. Monday was my day to share a celebratory night with a birthday month buddy into the wee hours of the night. Tomorrow, my actual birthday, is for those who love to explore the ridiculousness that we all are sometimes. Celebrating ourselves is never selfish, it's honoring the life we're happy to be a part of. If takes a birthday to eat a shit ton of cake, then do what you gotta do to celebrate that shit on the regular. . . . . . #birthdaymonth #birthdayweek #eatcake #selfcare #selfawareness #caloriesarecool #acknowledge #celebrate #itsnotallaboutme

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#fridayfoodchallenge Homemade crab and cream cheese wontons with a fermented black bean and soy dipping sauce. . . . . . . . #wonton #whatsinyourrefridgerator #eatwhatyouhave #eatathome

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#fridayfoodchallenge I know I haven't done this in a while but I've been busy being in school and trying to be smarter and stuff! Luckily, I had everything I needed to make a simple wonton soup just the way I like it. I'm a simple girl and all I need is a little chicken broth, sesame oil, green onion, and freezer wonton dumplings. Anything more ornate and it's out of my league. #sosteamy . . . . #whatsinyourrefridgerator #wontonsoup #quickmeals #gettinsmarter #mmmsoup

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Is that an agate? No, today I looked in my freezer and decided to make bone broth from bones from a local farm. First, I roasted the bones to make a delicious bone marrow spread before boiling these suckers for hours. Little did I know that before doing so, this little beauty lie underneath. Food is pretty. . . . . . . #bonemarrow #beefbonebroth #eatlocal #prettythings #eatwhatyouhave #whatsinyourrefridgerator #whatsinyourfreezer

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What's for dinner? 🤔 . . . . . . #makingmole #abuelita #mexicanfood #whatsfordinner #thursdaynightdinner

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Listening to #common, getting over a cold, #running with a goal. #viewswhilerunning #ballardlocks

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I often struggle with what being in the present and looking towards the future looks like. Do we stay content with what is present or use the present for what we ultimately seek? Isn't it really all of the tenses that create who we are and who we become? I am a product of my past, a reflection of my present, manifesting the future. I went on this run tonight, like so many times before. I did it because I know from past experience how the healthier I am, the better I feel. How when I see places I think are beautiful, the more rejuvenated I become. When I am mindful and present in each moment, I can recognize my own psyche apart from anyone else's. It is in these moments of personal connection I am motivated to work towards a future I want. . . . . . . #herestothefuture #mindfulness #beingpresent #rememberingthepast #selfacceptance #discoverypark #washingtonstate #upperleftusa #running #selfcare #thatviewtho

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I am willing, I am winning, I got this, I am welcoming uncertainty. Lessons from a road trip done wisely. Last week I drove about three thousand miles. I saw old friends, so much family, new camp spots, huge trees, Sasquatch, golden gate at sunrise, miles of coastline, a climber's playground, diversity in the most surprisingly of places, these sand dunes, and roads relatively untouched. It is easy to underestimate what we are capable of, what the world is capable of. I broaden my perspective with each experience into a place I've never been before. Thanks to my homegirl @kerrimeow for doing a portion of this experience with me and encouraging growth while having this amazing scenery to inspire humble humility and the strength it carries. @wwjohnsen So good to see you and the beauty you hold within you! . . . . #roadtrip #westcoastbestcoast #oregonsanddunes #getthefuckoutside #getthefuckouttatown #humility #roadtrip #willingness #seetheworld #changeyourlife #changeyourperspective #sunsetsfordays

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Enjoying the road, all to myself. . . . . . #california #roadtrip #wanderlust #sunrise #solace #getthefuckoutside #getthefuckouttatown

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"Develop an interest in life as you see fit, the people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls, and interesting people. Forget yourself." - Henry Miller . . . . . #truth #henrymiller #bigsur #westcoastbestcoast #californiacoast #highway1 #getthefuckoutside #getthefuckouttatown #wanderlust (at Big Sur, California)