Believing in Something {Guest Post}

Today on the blog I have Sharlee from Believing in Something. She is an elementary school teacher, country music lover, wife, and doggy mom. I've asked Sharlee a few questions so you can get to know her a bit better. When you're done click over to her blog to read more!

1. What are your favorite topics to blog about?

I really like writing about relationships--mostly marriage, but marriage has helped me to evaluate all the relationships in my life and I like to talk about the different aspects of relationships. I've always been a hopeless romantic, so now that I'm a part of a love story, I love talking about it!  I also enjoy talking about my faith, living life with gratitude, and grappling with body image. I also like throwing in little tidbits and thoughts here and there. 

What is something most people don't know about you?

I hoard things. Not like from the show. In fact, I'm very clutter free. It's a little different. The way I hoard you would think I lived during the time of the depression. I've never been as poor as I act sometimes, but I have this strange fear of not being able to buy socks and stuff. So every time I buy a pack of socks, I keep at least one pair in my drawer and don't use it. Just in case. I also hold onto gift cards forever. I cannot spend them because I think, "I don't NEED this desperately right now. Someday I might need it desperately and I'll keep this until then." In my head I don't see a Target gift card as shoes, clothes, or accessories. I see it as a savings fund for someday when I can't afford toothpaste, deodorant, or milk. It's a really strange thing I do without real reason.

 What is the biggest piece of advice you could share with others?

Does it count as advice if it's still something I'm trying to learn? I think loving yourself is key to any amount of happiness in our lives. We have to love and respect ourselves. My vision of myself has it's own kind of seasons. Some days/weeks/months, I'm more kind toward myself than others. All I know is that I think it's the secret to life. When we are feeding ourselves with the things that we need (knowledge, time, health, our personal interests) we are happier. We are better able to function in the relationships we're in, in our jobs, and we are able to be a little softer toward others because we are softer towards ourselves. 

You enjoy blogging about body image, why is that?

It kind of piggybacks on my last answer. How we feel about ourselves physically is only one part of learning to love ourselves, but as women it plays such a big part. I have had days where I have loved my body and felt great in it and there are days where I've sat in front of the mirror and said horrible horrible things to myself. I hit a breaking point sometime last year, where I was tired of hating my body and realized that I've spent almost all of my twenties being unkind to myself. I decided to address it on my blog in the hopes of helping someone else and in building a positive community. I am trying to make exercise and healthy eating  a part of my daily life, not to loose weight but to love myself. We love the things we care for. I've stopped doing it for a change and started just doing it for me and how I feel. This is a topic I could go on and on about because I know that there are so many things out there that feed these negative self images and we as women need to take a stand in protection of ourselves. 

 

How did you meet your husband?

We met at my friend Jen's house at a game night with mutual friends. His friend, Jake brought him along and we pretty much hit it off immediately. You can  access my version and his version here. How I met my husband and how quickly it took off is one of the most surreal and incredible things I've ever experienced. 

What does your typical day consist of?

In a nutshell: My day starts with me hitting the snooze button about a dozen times and cuddling for just a few more minutes with my husband. I get ready for work in record time every single day. You'd think I'd learn and just get out of bed, but you'd be wrong.  I'm a fourth grade teacher and I spend my day balancing grading, lesson planning, TEACHING, organizing, filing, and about a million other things. If I'm dedicated,  I stop at the gym on the way home or I walk my dog. I make dinner, run a load of laundry, and quickly pick up my house. Finally, I  settle down on the couch. Sometimes I blog, sometimes I read a book, but most of that time is spent cuddling with Zach and watching whatever Netflix show we've become addicted to this time. It's pretty average...nothing extraordinary, but a day like this is pretty perfect to me.