If You Eat That Cheesecake, You Gotta Do Your Squats: A Lesson in Accountability & Building The Life You Love

@Cannabis @Flavor of the Day: @Bad Dog Farms @Huckleberry @vapes

Cheesecake was my midnight snack not so long ago, after telling myself I wouldn't eat after 10 pm, but I told myself I could have it, only if I did my 30 squats. I'm slowly becoming more mindful about food & exercise, but it's still a struggle for me. I did a little more squats than my goal and enjoyed a nice slice of store-bought cheesecake

💋Rock that bold lipstick.

🖤Laugh that booming Laugh.

🖤Make that joke.

🖤Get up and dance.

🖤Sing that song.

🖤Eat that cheesecake, even if you didn't do the squats. You're Beautiful anyway.

🖤Make that connection.

🖤Go for a walk outside.

There is a whole lot of life to live and love and we let too many moments be ruined by being self-conscious and hiding some part of our real selves. We hide some of our most unique qualities because of what other people think or our perception of what they might think. However, the people who love us because of that loud laugh, our ability to never say no to cheesecake, or singing loudly when we enjoy a song, even if they wished they had earplugs, or we make up our own lyrics. (#guilty)

I've observed in not only myself but others as well, unhappiness in stressing about what other people think, instead of enjoying the moment. The other people don't fucking matter. Don't let miserable people dim your light—life's too short to waste on negativity, even with inevitable lowballs it throws. It is totally ok to feel those feelings when you need to, regardless of how anyone else thinks you should heal, just don't let it drag you down forever. Life is just a blink & wouldn't you want that blink to be as Beautiful as possible?

What's the sense of being so judgemental? Pay attention to your own life and happiness. Don't worry about someone you will probably never see again. I usually prefer to stay in my cave and do my own thing, but it is good for me to go out on occasion & try new things.

When I know I’m heading out into the world, I have a self-love ritual to keep my anxiety demon in check. Here’s what works for me:

💋 Blast Music

💋 Light a scented candle

💋 Meditate

💋 Smoke canna

I try to have as much of a chill day as I possibly can, (Let's be honest, I smoke a lot of weed, too, stopping an hour before I have to leave anywhere unless I have a ride.) #smokeresponsibly This is ritual is to calm my ass down & shut up my anxiety before I go out into the world & people.I also limit phone use during this ritual—only responding to my daughter, coordinating plans, or controlling Pandora. Everything else can wait.

Granted, being a constant hermit is not good for one, but neither is constantly going out if you ignore responsibilities. There is balance and I'm still learning to find it, as I learn to find myself and my place. I'm learning that people will either love you or judge you regardless of what you do. The people who stick around even when your demon side comes up deserve your angelic side even more. Sour patch kids are real and live in each of us.

Apologize when you do something wrong and forgive when someone apologizes, but don't be a doormat either. Don't let it slide when actions don't match the words. Don't be ashamed of living your best life; that means keeping the wrong people out and cherishing the right people.

Who makes time for you & shows effort that they want to keep the relationship just as much as you do? Who are the people you'd choose for your survival squad? Not just for the apocalypse but for the ups and downs of everyday life? Those are the people that you keep.

What’s your version of cheesecake? How do you create those sweet moments for yourself? And who’s in your squad—the people you’d go to the ends of the earth for? Share in the comments—I’d love to know!

Thank you for reading!!

-Ash