Rachel MacDonald

Oh what a… year! (sing it with me, now) (lighters and swaying optional)

Over the past six months, creating my Making Me Happy posts and publishing them here each Wednesday has very quickly become one of my favourite things to do.

There’s something so enlightening about acknowledging the things you’re thankful for in your life. It’s grounding and empowering, and I’m not surprised at all that the more I’ve given thanks for the good things in my life, the more I’ve attracted to be thankful for. It’s a beautiful cycle.

Let’s slip the gears into neutral, be still amidst all end-of-year excitement (and craziness) and think about what we’re grateful for as the year comes to an end. Sound good to you? Hooray!

Cute Prints

 

I ordered these mini Instagram prints from Prinstagram about three weeks ago and I’m so happy with how they’ve come out.

The finish is matte and I plan on sticking them on the wall in a love-heart shape, similar to the pictures below. I forgot how good it feels to hold actual photos in my hands!

Gifts in the Mail

 

Checking the letterbox last week was an absolute joy because it was filled with goodies and thoughtful Christmas cards, instead of bills and boring bank statements!

My beautiful friend Kim from Dream.Delight.Inspire. wrote me a sweet letter and sent me some kikki-k paper goods, which I was enormously grateful for; Serena from Pretty Fluffy sent me a super cute card from her and her dog Soda; and Sodashi and Trilogy both sent me some lovely products to beautify myself before Xmas festivities rolled around.

Because I know you all like to experiment with new beauty bounty, see my short ‘n’ sweet reviews below:

Sodashi: I was sent a sample of the Rejuvenating Skin Boost and it’s been a fab little addition to my Sodashi-heavy skincare routine. Skin Boost is a toning gel that you apply before you moisturise, that helps firm the skin and minimise fine line. If it keeps doing it’s job, I’ll be adding this one to my wishlist for next year. Trying to go as natural as possible and Sodashi know how to do it right.

Trilogy: I forgot to start applying the Instant Bronzing Gel a few days before my work Xmas party on Friday (I think you need a few days to build the tan), so I layered some on over the top of my Ella Bache tan that morning and loved the effect! The tan has shimmery sparkles through it so it looks extra spesh for a big night out. I’m going to use it daily over the holidays to see how the tan builds. Oh, and it would be remiss of me not to mention that it’s 100% natural as well. Getcha getcha glow on!

Books On Order

Tiny Buddha: Simple Wisdom for Life’s Hard Questions (I’m a big fan of the Tiny Buddha site and this interview with the author, Lori Deschene, on Jonathan Fields’ blog had me clicking through the PayPal in a flash) and Edie: An American Biography because Edie Sedgwick’s tumultuous life fascinates me.

Feeling Uncomfortable

 

Discomfort is making me happy? Excuse me? Yes, you read right and before you go thinking I’m a complete nutbag sadist, consider this line for a moment:

Soul growth occurs outside the city of your comfort.

Brilliant, no? I read it in this article on Soul-Filled Life and it really spoke to me.“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” after all.

Like the Soul-Filled Life post, a bunch of blog articles have been “finding me” over the past few days and it’s no coincidence they’ve spun into my sphere just as I’ve been contemplating the direction I want to take my life next year. The closing week of the year always brings with it a spot of self-evaluation and through my own reflections, I’ve been thinking about courage and what it really means to get uncomfortable in the pursuit of a life that makes us feel fulfilled.

This may sound a little la la right now (you know I’ll keep you posted as these thoughts take shape), but just know that I’m (trying my very hardest) to take the roadblocks that have popped up at the moment as signs that greater experiences await us on the other side. It’s easy to be happy when life is flowing smoothly, but it’s when the ride gets a little bumpy that we really have to call on those inner reserves of light and love to guide us through.

Secret Projects

 

There’s a rather delightful collaborative project simmering away behind the scenes, and I can already tell it’s going to be a winner. My lips are sealed for now (unfair, I know) but keep an eye out next year for all the juicy deets!

You!

I want to thank you all – from the bottom of my heart – for your support over the six months In Spaces Between has been “alive.” I say alive because to me, this blog – this community of bright sparks – feels dynamic, progressive, full o’ spirit… and very much alive.

Without doubt, In Spaces Between is a sum of its parts, and those parts include (but aren’t limited to) the people that take the time to stop in for a read every day; the ones that tweet/ comment on Facebook/ send excited emails that make me feel like it’s all worthwhile; the people who share something I’ve written; and the people who drop a line or two in the comments to make this blog more of a conversation between friends than a monologue.

You might recognise yourself as one of those people or you might be all – it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re here and, without even knowing it, you’re helping me grow and challenge myself as I see where this journey takes me.

I’m so grateful for your presence. Big love x

+ So that’s me all wrapped up, and since it’s the last Making Me Happy post for 2011 – and we’re feeling all Christmassy and share-y – let’s end the year on a MEGA high note!

+ Share your big love lists below: the stuff that’s brought joy to your life this week, and the stuff that’s made THIS YEAR a meaningful one. Load up, lovers!

Images:  Wit & Delight | Tornadoes + Tigers / Bree Walk | Julian Bialowas | Vol25 on Etsy | Neet Magazine | This is Glamorous

Posted on: 21 December, 2011 | Filed under Making Me Happy | 11 Comments | ADD YOURS
Tags: happiness, making me happy