1. Spend a day at the beach
2. Read a new book while tanning
3. Have a picnic date with David in Piedmont Park
4. Visit a farmers’ market
5. Celebrate David’s 21st birthday
6. Keep my blog and social media updated!
7. Make homemade ice cream
8. Go to a concert
9. Take lots of pictures
10. Cheer on my Atlanta Braves

I will be the first to admit that I probably don’t live the most eco-friendly life, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized just how important it is to take care of the earth we live in. I think that is one of our main responsibilities because God gave us this planet. We shouldn’t just trash it.



Again, I’m no expert, but every day, I try and do a few things to do my part. In my free time, I enjoy researching ways that I can continue to do my part to live a more eco-friendly life. If you don’t know where to start, I’ve got some tips for you!

1. Eat less meat. Raising livestock is a huge contributor to pollution!
2. Try to use less paper and recycle more. 
3. Make sure you’re using reusable bags when you go shopping. 
4. Unplug things that aren’t being used. Turn the water off when you brush your teeth or wash your face. 
5. Don’t waste time in the shower. 
6. Buy a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water. 
7. Replace your lightbulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs!
8. Head out to your local farmers’ market
9. Donate your used stuff AND buy gently used items (Poshmark is my fave!)
10. Pay your bills online
11. Learn how to make your own cleaning supplies
12. Buy some plants for your home

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These are just a few ways that you can start to live a more eco-friendly life. If we all made just a few little life changes, it would make such a big difference. 

Do you have more to add to this list? If so, leave your tips in a comment for us! 

xo,
Amanda

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I talk about everything - the good and the bad - and today, I'm sharing my battle with self-esteem and body image.

Let's talk about... self esteem and body image, shall we?

I'm sharing my biggest battle. I'm being super vulnerable with you today. This is something that I've shared with maybe one or two other people, but I think it is super important to share.



I've always been a little overweight. I'm working really hard to eat healthy and work out to get healthy. I'm going to get there. I mean, I don't really have that much weight to lose in the grand scheme of things. One of the things that gets me down the most is that I gained about 10 pounds in college and haven't been able to kick off those pounds...

I've never really eaten super unhealthy to be honest with you. Yeah, I have the occasional side of fries or a milkshake, but my everyday diet is pretty healthy. I do enjoy food, though. I like cooking. I like sharing a meal with friends and family. Something I definitely struggle with is making time to workout. I've been using the app, 8fit, which has been amazing.

Related: 5 Tips For Sticking To Your Fitness Plan

For years, I've struggled with my weight and for years I've tried to lose the weight. Through all those years of trying to lose weight and ultimately failing, I've learned that losing the weight alone isn't going to help my self-esteem and the way I think about myself. I need to learn to love myself right now.

I can't remember a time I wasn't self-conscious about my body. I remember being in kindergarten and remember thinking that I didn't look  like the other girls. I remember going to the store to buy new clothes and always being a couple sizes bigger than most of the other girls shopping. I remember feeling ashamed, ugly, and worthless because of the way I looked.

My weight, while being a big factor in my self-esteem and body image issues, wasn't and isn't the only thing I see and don't like about myself. I feel like my shoulders are too broad, I've got a bone issue in my knees that not only cause a lot of pain, but my legs aren't as straight as they should be. I've got thick thighs that no matter how much weight I lose, seem to always stay thick. My hair isn't curly and isn't straight, but kind of mess when I leave it natural. I've got some stretch marks. My boobs are tiny. I hate my nose. Oh and my voice... I hate it.

And that isn't even everything I dislike about myself.

I can probably count on one hand the times that I thought wow, I look good today.

I have avoided going out. I've avoided being social. I've avoided seeing friends and family because I was ashamed of how I looked.

Body image and self-esteem is a daily battle. I constantly have to remind myself that my worth isn't defined by the way I look. Yes, I'm trying to lose weight, but I've made that about my health rather than superficial reasons.


Yep. A little no-makeup selfie. HAHA

I am motivated and passionate. I love hard. I am a great listener. I am creative. I've accomplished a lot at 22. I am a go-getter. I like my smile.

Those are a couple of things that I love about myself. Everyday, I shift my focus into the negatives and think about what I like about myself.

I make sure that I think of at least one things I love about  myself every day. I focus on my accomplishments. I don't compare myself to others. I celebrate me. Those are just a couple of ways that I reframe my thinking to remember that my worth is not determined by what I consider my flaws.

Positive body image and self esteem starts with you. It starts with how you talk to yourself. That inner voice. It starts there.

What is one thing that you love about yourself? Share that in a comment!

Remember that today, you are beautiful and you are worthy.

xo,
Amanda