Life is short. It’s unpredictable, somewhat controllable, and too precious to be taken for granted. Whether you think so or not, we all have the ability to change our lives; even if it’s a tiny change. There’s always a way to make each day just a little bit more enjoyable.
I told myself that I was going to put my happiness first a long time ago. Money will come last, love will hang up there with happiness, and life will be lived to it’s fullest. Now, that’s not always easy to do. Not everyone can jump up and walk away from their desks, but they can still incorporate the things they love into their lives more.
I’m so excited to be apart of the “Create a Life You Love” Instagram campaign with the Kathy Davis brand, and I encourage you to join along with me. I couldn’t agree more with Kathy Davis‘ belief that everyone is capable and should follow their dreams by creating the life they love. There are so many talented people out there that enjoy painting, cooking, or woodworking, but they spend years working for someone else at an office that they hate. It doesn’t matter how much time you have, what kind of space you have to work with, or how much money you have in your pocket; try to find ways to incorporate those hobbies into your daily life. Kathy Davis had a little corner in her bedroom that she dedicated to creating art and soon turned it into a full out business, and she now sells her work all over the nation! I love that her products make everyone happy; the designs put a smile on your face and the cards motivate you to enjoy life.
Even though I’m back in school and will be taking a complete turn in the career world soon, I created the life I love. I wouldn’t trade my life for the world, because after all, I turned my love for connecting with people as a full time job. I love that I get to share recipes, travel, and talk with complete strangers all day long. I’m always pushing people to dig into their talents and make it a career, and I love when people are genuinely happy – or at least keep striving to be.
I want to hear about how you created the life you love. Do you add running into your daily routine because you love it? Paint on the weekends for enjoyment? Have family dinners on weeknights, or make cakes on the side? Share your stories on Instagram and tag @KathyDavisBrand with the hashtag #CreateaLifeYouLove. We will be having some awesome giveaways coming up for the Holiday season and I look forward to seeing all of your posts.
Three Questions For You!
- What are your plans for creating the life you love/or how did you create the life you love?
- What do YOU love?
- Will you guys help me inspire others to create the life they love by sharing your #createalifeyoulove stories on Instagram!? If so, don’t forget to tag me and @kathydavisbrand so I can read and get inspired!
Jessie says
I LOVE to travel & be outdoors. To me, that means I run & hike outside as much as I can, and when the weather’s nice, I spend time out on the porch, drinking wine, reading a book, or just sitting & chatting.
It also means my $$$ goes to travel. Whether a weekend camping trip, or a week in New Zealand (my next adventure).
Jessie says
I LOVE to travel & be outdoors. To me, that means I run & hike outside as much as I can, and when the weather’s nice, I spend time out on the porch, drinking wine, reading a book, or just sitting & chatting.
It also means my $$$ goes to travel. Whether a weekend camping trip, or a week in New Zealand (my next adventure).
Taralynn McNitt says
Ugh. That all sounds amazing. I LOVE sitting on the porch and just relaxing! New Zealand sounds great!
Melissa Fitzgerald says
1. My plans for creating a life I love include getting a new job that doesn’t make me miserable; cleaning up my diet and stepping up my exercise routine; finally pursuing my idea of blogging; and facing my biggest fears that I know are holding me back from being happy!
2. I LOVE dogs, makeup, moose, exercising, cooking, new kitchen gadgets, snuggling up on rainy days, not having to set an alarm, a good cup of coffee, that “new book” smell, lazy days with my best friend, scarves, snow, Harry Potter, and school.
3. Yes! I will incorporate that as I try to get my blog up and running. 😉
Taralynn McNitt says
I love that you have a plan and seem pretty determined! Keep it up! xo
Your LOVES sound a lot like mine 🙂
I’d love to check out your blog 🙂
Chandler says
1. I recently got a new job because the previous job I had didn’t make me happy. I was miserable going to work everyday, and I realized I had the power to effect change in my life. I love my new job, and it’s definitely more on the career path I want to follow long term. I’m also working on my health right now using the 21 Day Fix through Beachbody! I lost 14 pounds this summer using it, and now I’m doing another round 🙂
2. I love feeling healthy, reading, writing (which is awesome since I now work for a book publishing company), singing, cooking, holding babies, red wine, and being with my family!
3. Yes, I will definitely participate! 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
1. Congrats on the new job! Proud of you for taking that step! You are definitely living proof and an inspiration for those going through the same thing! & CONGRATS on the weight loss! I heard the 21 Day Fix is a great program!
2. Love all of your LOVES! Do you live in a big city?
3. Yay!!
Chandler says
I live in a decent sized city 🙂
M. C. says
1. My plans to create a life I love include being the healthiest I can regardless of my weight, doing the things that scare me, being thankful for the blessings and the trials in my life, and helping others whenever I have the chance!
2. I love to cook, do makeup, bake, exercise, hike, dance, watch any nerdy movie, shop for anything, try new food, play with animals, take pictures, read good books on cold days with a cup of tea, and travel anywhere and everywhere!
3. Yup will do!
Taralynn McNitt says
Doing the things that scare you make you the strongest person! After you do it, you can do it 10x again. I also love that you want to help others!
Do makeup?…wanna help a sister out! xo I need some tips hehe. Also, i love all of your other LOVES. They are all things that you can definitely incorporate into your daily life.
xo & Can’t wait to see your posts!
Nicole says
I LOVE to travel, and I made it a point going into 2014 to really make it a part of my life. In the 2 years since, I’ve gotten to see a lot of the East coast and spend time abroad. Many people my age are bewildered that I am able to take trips so often, and don’t understand how I afford it, but it can be so simple! I prioritize my budget, cut out unnecessary expenses, and really plan ahead to take advantage of opportunities! It’s made a huge difference in my happiness, as I love leaving little parts of my heart and soul all over the world when I visit.
Taralynn McNitt says
I love that Nicole! And you’re right. If we took out unnecessary expenses we could travel all the time. I know that if I cut out clothes shopping, sports tickets, dining out, etc…i’d be able to go places all the time! I love that you have the will power to make traveling your priority! You sound like such an outgoing person! i love it! xo
Brooklyn says
I LOVED this post! So much positivity 🙂
My plans for creating a life I love is to focus on my blog more, as writing for it is what makes me happiest, and focus more on quality and not quantity when it comes to blogging. I hope to be either fully out of retail or part time in a year and fully switch career paths.
http://www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks Brooklyn!
Sometimes you gotta be positive to feel positive!
I agree:) I always struggle with overloading myself and forgetting to take time on my blog. I get so many things going on and it’s hard to say “no” and sit home and work on priorities! I’m trying hard to find a balance.
Keep working towards your goals and dreams! xo
Danelle says
1.my plan on loving my life is finishing nursing school, continuing to recover from anorexia while staying healthy, bringing awareness of eating disorders to people, staying positve even when people try to bring me down,keeping family first.
2.my loves are running, hiking, trying new healthy recipes, Christmas! Lol my daughter, traveling and the outdoors!
3. I will definitely incorporate this into my page and Instagram
,
Taralynn McNitt says
Love those plans! 🙂 Keep up the good work.
We have a lot of the same LOVES! 🙂
So excited to see your instagram! xo xo
Jessi says
Hey this isn’t related to your blog post but I was just curious about your roommate? You were so excited to live with her and we never hear about her! I know you are busy, but I was just curious as to how she is doing! 😀 And keep everything up, you’re doing great!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Jessi!
She’s doing great. She is a momma and has a beautiful baby boy. 🙂 Very very very happy for her!
xo
Em says
Oh wow, that’s so cool! What is it like living with a little baby?
Much love from Australia xo
Taralynn McNitt says
I don’t live with anyone 🙂 xo
Stephanie says
I am in love with this post. You have always inspired me to be happy and shoot for the stars. I have been reading your blog for almost three years now and I can’t live without it. I have decided to start painting more and selling it at the D.C. market. Hopefully I can turn it into a full-time job one day. You are a blessing.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you so much Stephanie! That means the world. I’d love to check out your work! xo
Susie says
I LOVE that you posted this!!
I’ve recently decided to follow my heart and take a huge leap out of my comfort zone.
I started my own organic, made-to-order, baby food and toddler meal delivery service (called Little Foodies). I wanted parents to be able to feed their kiddos more nutrient dense foods, and also create a stronger, more supportive community. However, I’m 100% TERRIFIED literally all of the time because it’s so scary to put yourself out there like this! But, I’m creating a life I love and doing something I believe in 🙂
We just don’t have enough time to be unhappy in this life, so I absolutely believe in following your dreams, even if they scare the crap out of you. Because being able to say “I tried” is infinitely better than never even showing up. Failing is part of being successful, right?
Keep doing what you do Taralynn, because seeing a strong, independent woman like yourself following her heart inspires so many people, including myself. I read your blog daily!
And feel free to check out my site http://www.littlefoodies.co (that’s .co not .com!), I’m based in Boulder Colorado 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you Susie!
Look at you go! I’m so excited to follow your story and watch you grow! You are making the world a better place and healthier one! I know that when I have kids, I’ll be looking back at this comment to find your company 🙂
I agree that life is short and we don’t know how much time we have on this earth. I could be gone in fifty years or I could be gone tomorrow. You have to fail to know how to climb your way to the top. Failing is the best motivation.
I can’t wait to check out your website!! Keep up the drive and determination!
xo xo xo
allie says
This post was beautiful. I go to work everyday and simply HATE my job. I wish I could go back and do something like you. One day, I want to open a floral shop becuase flowers make me so happy.
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Allie!
You should definitely start doing lithe floral arrangements on the side if you don’t already. You could potentially make that into a full-time business 🙂 I love flowers too. My aunt is a florist and I’d love to connect you guys! xo
Let me know!
Kelsey says
In September I took a risk and moved to England in order to live the life I love! I started school in London, and will be here for a year.
I love traveling, and my dream job would be to make travel a full time job! I’ve contemplated starting a blog (for now I just write for fun, and have a few posts about my adventures! https://coddiwompletheworld.wordpress.com)
Taralynn, I have been following your blog since all the way back when you were undressed skeleton! You are such an inspiration, and I always love reading your posts. I know you get a lot of critics, but just know that for every one person who criticizes you, there are a hundred who want to see you happy! Keep up the great work!
Taralynn McNitt says
That is so inspiring! Your blog photos are beautiful. That shot you took with the balloons is breathtaking!
Keep up the blog! I’m excited to follow!
Thank you so much for the kind words. You have no idea how much that means and the little reminders keep me positive. I just have to remember to never let the opinions of others effect my happiness and dreams. I hope you do the same!
xo xo
Wonni says
Good Morning!
lol The time differences… my uncle lives in Australia. It was funny, when my mom visited him 3 years ago. I had two watches to get along with the times.
1. At first… I do love my life. It´s not all like I want it, but I´m a mom and thankful for the healthiness of my family. I guess, that is every moms main thing.
I´m 39 and my sons are 20 and my daughter is 16. So I focused on them all the years. And the teenage years are not easy. *sigh* My boys are doing well now. One of them (the c-section twin) had bad anxiety states for many years. It was pretty scary. Really hard times for us.
We have some trouble with our daughter at the moment. She is taking some lessons of life. Sometimes I wonder, how stupid kids can be.
But we can handle everything with love and humor.
Apart from this, I am a writer. lol My german is much much much better than my english.
That is what I really want to do. I´d love to have more time for it. But … family first.
2. I love books, dogs, my friends, painting, sewing aaaaaaaaaaaaand KNITTING! That is so relaxing!
Springtime pulls me out of the house. Gardining is a huge part of my life.
3. I´d love to, but I´m not on Instagram. I´m not even blogging anymore. That is something what I really miss.
I´m reading your blog for so many years now. Crazy, but true. There is something in your personality that touches my heart.
Might be the fact, that you don´t hide that you have bad days as well.
Life changes with every new day. You´ll never now what happens next.
What I´ve learned 18 years ago… never ever give up! Back than my first husband died. He had an aneurysma in the back of his head. He had headaches, but nobody thought about an aneurysma. So one day he passed out. We were schocked. I had to let him go. It was on me, to tell the doctors to switch off the machines two days later.
Hope, there is at least one person, whose life was saved by the donation of is organs. And I hope, he,she or them is/are living it with a lot of happiness!
Hug the pups and have a nice day! ♥
Wonni
Taralynn McNitt says
Love that you put your family and priorities first, but make sure you do take some time for yourself 😉 I also like to garden! I never got into knitting, but it does look relaxing and I always love when my cousin knits me hats!
Also, thank you for the kind words about my blog. That makes me so happy 🙂 Funny how we can relate to people that we’ve never met. You should definitely get back into blogging if you love it. Just set an hour or two aside each week to post. Even if it’s just a little picture and a caption. oh, and we ALLLLL have bad days. Also, so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband. I can’t imagine how difficult that was and still is. Life is precious. What a great thing he did as an organ donor. I bet he saved the lives of many and his heart is beating somewhere else in the world and his lungs are still breathing. 🙂
XO XO XO I enjoy your comments and love getting to know you!
Katherine says
I love this post it is so inspiring! I see you mentioned you are currently in school for a different career. Maybe I missed something in a previous post but I am just curious as to what it is you are going to school for?
Katherine says
I love this post it is so inspiring! I see you mentioned that you are currently in school for a different career. Maybe I missed something in a prior post but I am just curious as to what it is you are going to school for now?
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks Katherine!
I am keeping all my school life pretty low-key right now. I’ll be on campus next august and I do not want my location being public. It’s pretty obvious where I’ll be going, and if I tell people what i’m studying they’ll know what building I’m in. I’d just rather be safe than sorry 🙂
Katherine says
Oh I definately understand, I wish you the best of luck with school and everything 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks girl!