ask G.

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A couple of months ago I wrote a post called “why blog?” Now that I look back, writing that post was the first step in falling in love with blogging in a whole new way. It helped me to connect to my readers more than ever, and it changed how I view this once-hobby (now passion/part career) of mine.

Since that post, I’ve received more reader emails than ever with questions about everything from beauty products, to dating, to moving to New York, and anything in between. And I’ve got to say – I love reading and replying to those emails!

Because of that, for a while I’ve toyed around with the idea of doing an “Ask Gracie” series on GML. I would always instantly decide it wasn’t a good idea mostly because a) I’m not an expert in…anything and b) I was nervous about how it much honesty it would require on my end.

…but isn’t honesty what it’s all about? And while I’m not an expert, I do think I’ve experienced at least some of life’s highs and lows, and learned a heck of a lot from them.

So here’s what I’m going to do.

I’m going to do a trial month of opening up the floor for a little Q&A action. You can either:

  • leave your question as a comment on this post
  • email your question(s) to me gracie(at)girlmeetslife(dot)com
  • or *gasp* ask me anonymously

Disclaimer: While I’ll definitely do my best to answer all of your questions, I can’t promise I publicly will for every single one (depending on how many I get). Inappropriate questions probably won’t get a response, and if I feel the question is too personal I’ll reply letting you know.

So let’s do this, shall we? Ask away…!

real talk: on healthy living.

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Around the time I graduated high school, I started loving and practicing all things health & fitness related. I held on to those habits through most of my college career, and reading healthy living blogs is actually one of the things that inspired me to create my own.

But as my life progressed – especially by moving to New York – my interest in those things began to fade. While I still aimed to live as healthfully as I could, things like forwarding my career, having a fun social life, and building a life in a new city were much higher on my list of priorities. And, well, they still are.

But recently, I’ve found that I’ve sort of been re-falling in love with a healthier lifestyle. I think I’m reaching a point in my life where I’m craving structure and just feeling my absolute best.

…but that’s not the only reason I try to be healthy. And if I’m going to start blogging about health & fitness-related topics, I want to always be 100% real about it. Some people may genuinely love a healthy lifestyle because how it makes them feel, or because they truly love working out.

I’m not that person.

Yes, a healthy lifestyle does make me feel good, and I do really love clean, nutritious food.

…but the real reason I aim to be healthy?

I want to age well. I want to look good. I want my body to be in shape not for the sake of being in shape, but so that I can enjoy the rest of my life even more than I already do.

I guess what I’m trying to say is I don’t think I’ll ever be that person who is genuinely passionate about running, yoga, or Crossfit.
In fact, the thought of doing more than 30 minutes of cardio terrifies me.
I love vegan food, but tofu grosses me out.
I eat lots of bacon and meat without calling myself Paleo.
Sometimes I lift weights, and sometimes i just do the NYC girl workout.
I eat Lean Cuisines and all their gloriously strange ingredients like, a lot.
I try to eat less gluten, but I’ll never say goodbye to gluten-filled New York bagels.
I will always - and I mean always - choose quality of life over being healthy.

So does that make GML a healthy living blog? I don’t know. I don’t think so, but I don’t really care. I just know that if I’m going to be posting about my life, it should include everything – the healthy, unhealthy, and everything in between. And hey, maybe the blog world needs a dose of that reality…

What does “healthy living” mean in your life?
What are your favorite healthy living blogs?

some good reads.

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Back before I was a blogger, I was quite the avid blog reader. Over the years my time writing blog posts seems to have taken over the time I spent reading them. Not to mention…well, most blogs just don’t seem as entertaining to me as they used to be…

BUT. There are still a ton of gems out there! Here are some articles and great blogs that I think are worth a read.

polish my crown.
This is one of my favorite blogs and a daily visit. Andi is one of the most inspirational women I know (and she may or may not be my virtual pen pal). Girl gives some great advice! I find myself constantly bookmarking posts like this.

15 things girls like to do on social media.
Who…us??

waiting on perfection.
My friend Jessica is doing amazing things with her Pure Beauty Project and for women in general.

the curse of the connector.

how sweet eats.
My favorite food blog for years, and my go-to when trying new recipes. Not only are Jessica’s recipes creative and delicious, but she’s just a cool chick. No food-snobbery here.

the 10 girls you’ll meet at every post-college bar.
This is too hilarious…and unfortunately too true. Thanks, Thought Catalog, for saying what everyone else is already thinking.

the divine appointments.

51 animal pictures you need to see before you die.
No explanation necessary.

why you need to tell someone how scared you are.

nyoutritious.
My friend Regina has so much knowledge when it comes to nutrition, and great recipes to match! Her Apple Cashew Cupcakes look especially delicious.

the ebb and flow of life.

life in your early 20’s vs. life in your late 20’s.
This gets an lol.

***

What are some blogs/articles you’re loving right now?

i need an internet break.

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Twitter, Facebook, blogs…all of it.

In a good way :)

It’s perfect timing too because I’m heading out to the Hamptons for the long holiday weekend. I’m looking forward to unplugging, spending time with friends, and getting fresh revelation from God.

Will be back to regular blogging some time next week. Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend, friends!

on being inspired.

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For a good majority of my life, I never thought of myself as being a creative person. Inspiration was a word that was used when there wasn’t a concrete answer to be had.

I wouldn’t even dare put my name and “art” in the same sentence. Drawing and painting never came natural to me. As a child you couldn’t get me to stop singing and performing, but even it never stuck. I loved acting for a while and was decent enough, but the passion just wasn’t there. I could barely ever find myself getting lost in a fictional book.

The older I got, the more I embraced my non-creative self. I began to appreciate my love for making lists. Non-fiction books. Watching the news. Being good with finances. Being rational.

…But then, I went too far.

In order to find some sense of identity (which, in your early to mid-twenties is quite the dreadful interesting experience), I found myself put in a self-imposed box that wasn’t really me at all. I started to not only identify with this structured, Left Brain self, but I began to actually look down on all things creative and inspirational. I convinced myself it was silly to get your head lost in the clouds like that. Adults don’t do that.

When I graduated from college, I found myself living back at home, working for my dad’s company with little to no social life, and no hobbies or passions. I started this blog, but I didn’t have even a fraction of a life worth showing for. Needless to say, I had what I guess I’d say was a quarter life crisis. This structured life I had chosen wasn’t getting me anywhere…except stuck in a boring, passionless, uninspired life.

Something had to change.

To make a long story short, that’s when I decided to up and move to New York City. I had a logistical plan – finances, housing, job, etc. – but I had absolutely no idea where the move was going to lead me in life. That’s exactly what I hoped it would be, and that’s exactly what it turned out to be.

I think that’s why I have such a deep love for this city. Whether I live here for another year or another 10 years, there will always be a special place in my heart for the city that allowed me to become inspired. To reconnect with God on a whole new level. To meet the best friends I didn’t even know could exist. To experience things I never imagined I would.

And then of course…there’s this little old blog. As I’ve mentioned before, I couldn’t tell you what even inspired me to start GML. But I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made because of how much it forced me to learn about my likes, dislikes, purpose, and that it’s actually okay to allow myself to be inspired by life.

I may not be an artist, poet, singer, or designer.

But I can get lost for hours looking at images of people and places.
One quote can literally change my day.
I get way too deeply attached to certain songs.
Give me a good meal and I literally cannot shut up about it.
Movies. Just…movies.
My vivid imagination and memory sometimes drives me crazy. In a good way.
My heart explodes at the sight or sound of romance.
I worship and belong to a God who created the heavens and the earth, but who also knows my heart’s deepest desires, the number of hairs on my head, my darkest secrets, and loves me anyway.

Creative? Maybe I’m not the most.
But inspired? In this beautiful, confusing, incomprehensible world? Absolutely.

brb.

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The end of my stay in Pennsylvania was just what the doctor ordered: R&R, shopping, and time with the family. Oh, and all’s well that ends with sushi.

I even found the time to try a Pinterest-inspired snack that I’ve been wanting to make for months - Cinnamon Honey Fried Bananas. They’re simpler and even more delicious than they look! Definitely a new go-to sweet snack/dessert.

This morning I hopped on a train back to the city…where I may or may not be writing most of this post from 😉

Gorgeous view, isn’t…it…?
Yeahno.

The rest of my off-from-work day consisted of an allergy shot (glamorous, I know), errands, and packing for my mini vacation.

(…almost!)

Speaking of which, the point of this post is to let you know that I’ll most likely be back to regular blogging on Monday. Lugging my huge laptop with me just seemed incredibly unappealing. Woof.

BUT I’m sure I’ll be doing my thing on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram! So feel free to keep up with me if you so please :) Enjoy the rest of your week, babes.

Have you tried a recipe found via Pinterest? Was it a success?