Can I start by saying I missed you? I did. I really, really did. I missed writing here, sharing thoughts and connecting with people all over the globe, who somehow made their way to my little space here on the internet. So for those of you who are still here, thanks for sticking around, and to anyone who is newer, hey girl heyyyyyyy! And welcome to The Weekly Sparkle.
I wish I could tell you there was one main reason why I haven’t been here in so long, but I think the answer is just, life. Life has been lifing (I know, I know, maybe “living” would be most appropriate here, but in 2024 we add “ing” to anything and the people get it, so here we are). I have a toddler these days, took on a huge interim job over the last year at work, and writing took the backseat. Being honest, a lot of things took the backseat, and it’s taken almost an entire year to feel like my head is above water. And it is above water. As a matter of fact, I feel like I’m sitting in the lounge chair next to the water, basking in the sun and feeling it’s warmth on my face. I will absolutely share more on how I got from being under water, to sitting pool side, and I think little weekly posts will help us get there. I told a friend recently that I feel the happiest I have been in a looonnngggg time, and I really feel that. So, if there is anything I can pass along to help you maybe get there too, that’s what it’s all about.
Do you see that girl above in the gorgeous artwork by Adrian Valencia? This is how I feel coming back here. I feel like I’m home, and happy, and ready to share and connect again. This girl is how I feel in my every day life, and I can’t wait to share how I got here.
You read the title correctly y’all, I gave up social media for Lent. I know I know, what on earth was I thinking? If I’m being honest… I was thinking A LOT about this decision. Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?
As your average 30 something, I’m on social media a lot. My two guilty pleasures are Instagram and Facebook, with the occasional TikTok, Twitter, Snap Chat use. Before Lent began 1 week ago today (not that I’m counting the minutes or anything), I was probably on Instagram for multiple hoursssss a day. It was the first thing I put on when I woke up and the last thing I watched before bed. I had influencers I looked forward to watching GRWM (IYKYK) and knew what was going on with friends around the globe, even if I haven’t spoken to them in-person, or by phone and text, in years.
So why did I decide to give up social media for Lent? Growing up Catholic, each year you’d give up something you really like for 40 days in preparation of Easter. So through the years, like many Catholics, I’d give up thinks like chocolate, coffee, sweets, cursing, one year in my 20’s I gave up beer, (haha) you get the idea. And as I got older I really tried to pick a thing or two to go without to really embrace the Lenten season, and even at some point began adding things to better myself- morning walks, reading books, focusing on no gossip, praying more, uplifting others more intentionally, etc.
I won’t spend this moment sharing the depths of Lent, other than that it’s meant to commemorate the time Jesus spent fasting in the desert for 40 days- and if he can do that, I can spare the world some IG stories and a few tweets, right?
If I’m being honest, I needed a break for a long time from social media. I think I’ll talk about this more next week, but it has been on my mind for awhile, and as we approached Lent, I thought, here’s my chance to try something really challenging, and I’m more likely to succeed because I’m doing it for my boo, Jesus.
I definitely just said my boo, Jesus 😄
Anyways, I’m alive. If you have ever wondered if you could survive some time off social media, I’m here to share that survival at the week mark, is possible 🙌 As of now, I am l o v i n g it! Like, loving loving it. I have time to actually do things that make me happy (more on this later), and am getting better sleep and feel less anxious throughout the day! All of the stimulation social media gives us isn’t what our bodies were made for, and as of this week, that has never been more clear.
And look at me writing here, spending time with all of you during this social media hiatus. Writing on my blog has been one of the brightest spots for me the last 10 years, and taking a pause in giving my attention elsewhere has allowed me to do this. Just a small example of what taking a break has provided!
If you’ve ever considered taking a social media pause, come by next week and see if I’m still as optimistic, and in the meantime, pray for me, will ya?
I. Love. This. Saying. I’ve said it for years, and when I heard it again recently, I knew it was time to talk about it a little more here, with all of you 👑
Last night I had the true honor of attending the Athena Awards, which are locally held by the Women’s Business Council here where I live in Pennsylvania. To tell you I left with my heart feeling so inspired and my cup completely full would be an understatement. All of the amazing women honored, their stories of strength and power, bravery and wisdom… each one, one after another, serving as a true testament to the strength we have as women, alone, and most importantly, together.
We talked about being a champion for other women, encouraging and echoing their ideas and strengths, and helping them in ways behind the scenes when they need it, without having to point out to others that you’ve done so. Being a sister to a another women in need, OR to simply lift her up, can have life changing impacts for her and for you. My eyes were open in a way I needed, and I’m so grateful to have been in the room.
I had the honor of writing on behalf of my friend and fellow community supporter, Meg, as she was crowned the Young Professional Athena, and I just couldn’t have been more proud. Because Meg won… I won… all her nominators won… every single female in the room won. That perspective reminder was exactly what my soul needed 🤎 We all win when one of us wins- every. single. time.
Another topic we discussed, which I plan to write more about soon, is imposter syndrome. Phewwwww hearing that a room full of women I admire have suffered and sometimes DO suffer from this self talk, reminded me I’m not alone and that we all doubt ourselves sometimes. The reminder was to think about all the negative things you’re saying to yourself, actually saying them aloud and specifically telling yourself why they’re not true. When you do this, you reframe your negative self talk, turning it into the real, positive reminders you need, especially in moments of full on imposter syndrome mode.
How do I have a seat here? I don’t belong in this room. Everyone here is so much more accomplished than me. What if they find out I’m not as great as they think I am?
Imposter Syndrome is a biotch, and she cannot sit with us. *snaps fingers*
Another take away for me from the Athena Awards, was doing things out of your comfort zone. This is another page from a book I haven’t taken off the shelf in awhile. But this morning when I woke up, and thought more about the evening, I grabbed the book from the shelf and began wiping some of the dust off it. This is something I’ve been struggling with a lot lately, and it felt right that it resonated with me during the fireside chat portion of the night.
If I’m being 100% honest with you, which I know I can be, we’re all friends here, ♥️ I almost left the event last night after the first 5 minutes. I know, I know, I know. I just got done telling you how incredible the night was, so thank God I stayed, but let me explain.
Somewhere around 5:05, my imposter syndrome kicked in…HARD. For a few moments, I felt like I didn’t belong there, or maybe even deserve to be there. In a room with these incredible, distinguished woman, all who had groups of people they were with, people they felt they belonged with, and for a moment, I felt out of my comfort zone. No colleagues, no BFF to cling to, it was just me and I felt out of my element. (This was also before the amazing imposture syndrome pep-talk Meg gave us all- go figure! haha). But in the midst of those feelings, I took a deep breathe, didn’t leave and decided to embrace this amazing night ahead. I started meeting new women and engaging in some really great conversations and guess what, the room where I didn’t belong, or didn’t know anyone… was filled with women I’ve looked up to for years, have called on as mentors and have done community work with for over a decade. * Waves goooooodbyyeeeeee to imposter syndrome*
Stepping out of our comfort zones as a WHOLE has an entirely new meaning coming out of Covid times, so I’m giving myself a little time and grace as I get back into the groove of things. If you’re struggling with this too, whether socially or professionally, you are not alone. So join me and give yourself some time and grace and say a big-ol sayonara 👋 to imposter syndrome! You are amazing, you are worthy and you belong right in the space you are in 👑💕
To straightening crowns, lifting each other up, telling imposter syndrome to take a hike and stepping one foot outside our comfort zones, we got this ladies.
Happy Sunday everyone! Lots of reflection this last week, and as I sit here sipping some coffee and hanging with my little girl, I wanted to share some of it! ☕️
So let me start by saying thank you for spending some of your Sunday With Me, I appreciate you being here, even if it’s not Sunday and you stumbled here another day of the week!
I’ve talked about Sundays With Me before, but let me share a little bit more about exactly what it is and what it means to me 🙂
10 years ago when I first started dating Joe, (my now husband), he knew I liked to write. Whether it was quotes, inspiration or unofficial blog posts (helllllo Xanga & MySpace 😆), I loved putting my thoughts out there and seeing who could relate. So, I told him I wanted to start a blog that was a little more professional, with hopes I could reach more people and have a welcoming space for them to visit regularly!
…& just like that, my dream came true! ✨
For our one year anniversary he gifted me my current blog site with all of the framework and behind-the-scenes information I needed to look and feel like a “real blog.” I have to put “real blog” in quotes, because Xanga wasn’t exactly the cream of the crop or anything. IYKYK
Originally, because he wasn’t sure what I would want to title it, he named it “Sundays With Me,” and said this was because it was his favorite day to spend time with me and to relax, because we always had the best time together on Sundays.
What a sweet sentiment, right? I thought that at the time and all these years later it’s one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received 🙂
As I began to play with the blog and what I was trying to share with people who came across it, I came up with the name of The Weekly Sparkle. Sparkle to me is the happiness, positivity and kindness you put into your own life and the world around you. I love it ✨… but Sundays With Me has always stuck with me.
I think Sundays in general have always been meant to be days of rest, time spent with people you love, and a day that’s meant to recharge your batteries and fuel your soul from a hard week that’s passed and get ready for a week ahead.
‘Sundays With Me’ have looked different through the years: As a kid growing up, Sundays usually included a large Italian family dinner, some time at church, playing with the neighborhood kids, then eventually, Sundays With Me were filled with presentations and college work, then spent getting ready for my big girl job and the new work week ahead, and transitioned to times where I can spend time with girlfriends, go to a winery, and enjoy Sunday Funday!
Currently, Sundays typically look a little different (although I love a good Sunday Funday)!! Sundays With Me now usually include watching some Sesame Street with my daughter, enjoying a cup of coffee while watching her play, spending time with family and loved ones and focusing on gratitude. I think at this point in my life I’m realizing that Sundays With Me are really more about the Sundays I get to spend with the people who fill my heart, and how lucky I am to have a full life and to receive love in all the ways that I do. Maybe that’s what Joe meant at the time too!… I’ll have to ask him ♥️
After some downtime being sick this past week, I felt the reflections of a typical Sunday spill into the week. So much of our life and our mood depends on how we perceive it and what we choose to focus on.
On this Sunday With Me, I want to remind you to take a second and just breathe today. You always deserve to do this, but why not make Sunday your day to do it? Note 5 people or things in your life that you’re grateful for, take a long, deep breath and do something big or small that fills your soul.
Thanks for spending some of your Sundays With Me 🙂 I plan to share shorter, quick inspo in future posts, but wanted to give a little backstory to my Sundays and why I just love them so much. I hope you come back soon & see what’s twirling around in this head of mine! 💋
Happy Sunday Friends! Let’s have a great day & week ahead. Grateful for you all!
Hey friends! New Mom life going on over here, so I’ve been a little quiet lately. I shared some inspo on my Instagram today so I wanted to share here as well! Feel free to take and share what you need ❤️ Sending you lots of love!
I think about all that’s passed since March of 2020, and I can’t believe we’ve had an entire year of holidays, life changing events, postponed occasions, and time we’ll never get back or get to do again. Heck, I myself got pregnant this year, and will have my baby during Covid times.
Isn’t it amazing (or even crazy) how many of us have been home for a year already? Like many of you, I can remember what it was like to leave work for that last time, thinking “we’ll be back in 2 weeks after Easter.” So much for that, huh?
In the time I’ve been home working, and by the time we go back (whenever that may be) I would have grown a child inside of me, birthed it, started raising it, and no one I work with would have ever known or seen me pregnant haha. {I mean I did tell them, and they threw me a beautiful zoom baby shower, but you get the point}!
I remember when Covid started, and I felt as though the “break” would be really great for my mental health, and that it was the perfect pause that many of us needed but never took for ourselves. Never did I think the virus would actually affect the people in my life or result in personal loss of family members or friends that we love and didn’t expect to lose. It was certainly a way more challenging year than I think any of us had anticipated.
So as we enter month 12, and many of us have begun getting vaccines, I pray that the light at the end of the tunnel continues to get brighter, that the loss of life we’ve seen begins to grow less and less and that whatever the new normal is comes, and offers grace and patience to all of us as we get used to (once again) a change.
If you’re reading this, you’ve survived the pandemic to this point, and I’m grateful you’re here… I’m grateful I’m here too & get to interact with you all. If you’ve lost someone, I’m sorry, we have too, and it was extremely difficult. My heart goes out to you. ❤️ Sending you lots of love and light as we walk toward the end of the tunnel.
Having a gratitude filled perspective isn’t something many of us learn in life. If you have grown up this way, you’re ahead of a lot of us, and I’m jealous of you! If you’re like the many of us who need to work at this, or even have to realize the need to work on it, this is for you!
As someone who is primarily a positive person, I get asked sometimes how I do it. If I could answer this question and give away some kind of magic secret in a 2 minute conversation, I would, but that’s not the reality of seeing your world through a grateful lens. Or as I call it, seeing the world through your Gratitude Glasses.
Having a heart full of gratitude helps you see your cup as half full! When you start going down Complaint Road and Woe Is Me Lane, it’s easy to snowball and get to a place where nothing feels good enough. This is where negativity lies, self doubt lives and the feelings of “why doesn’t anything go my way,” overwhelm you. . The truth is, it’s a practice to have a grateful heart; you have to work on it and it takes time. When the negative thoughts start creeping in, you need to actively remind yourself of the blessings that surround you, and the cup that’s currently half empty slowly shifts to becoming half full.
Mental Exercise time 💡💪: Doing this helps me remain present and reminded of the blessings in my life- when you wake up each morning, say 3 things to yourself that you’re grateful for. It only takes moments, but it starts your day off on the right foot and with a grateful heart ♥️
I’ll start: I’m grateful for 1️⃣ The health Baby Brunovsky has and the positive visits we keep having about her 2️⃣ My relationship with my husband and how in sync we are 3️⃣ That today is the last day of work until 1/4/21! Wooo! ✨✨
Now it’s your turn! What 3 things are you grateful for today? Can you try to start each morning this week with this exercise? It’ll start your day off with reminders of how blessed you are, even if in a tough season, and give you the opportunity to proceed into the day wearing your Gratitude Glasses.
… which is why we need to bring the Positive Vibes more than ever! 🙌✨
The internet is a crazy and beautiful place…
Let me start by saying that I love social media and the internet for so many reasons- for me, I love the immediate connection to those I care about, as well as having the world at my fingertips.
What’s amazing is how generations before us never had this, and generations after us will never know anything different.
But just like with other positive things, for how great it can be, there can always be negative that comes from it. And while I think some of that is based on perspective, I also know the importance of trying to mute some of that if it’s effecting you negatively. {Hellllooo unfollow button} 👋
The world we’re in now is one that is more vocal & divided than ever before. It’s so hard to come on online and not get flooded with the arguments, bashing, negative comments, aggressive viewpoints, disrespect and most of all, hate. Some days, I literally log off because within my first few minutes of being online, I feel overwhelmed by all of the negativity and hate I’m seeing on my screen, and I feel it sucking the life out of me.
While in Quarantine, I’ve spent a lot of time seeking out pages and people that act as light during this time (and always) and leave me feeling good when I leave their page. Unfortunately, some people or pages have gotten unfollows, just for the fact that their contributions to my feed aren’t pleasant ones. If you need to do this, DO it. While everyone deserves the right to share as they’d like, you have the right to only view what you like- there’s no shame in the un-follow game! 🙌
With all that being said- this is why no matter what, I’ll keep coming back to social media, I’ll keep posting on The Weekly Sparkle Instagram, Facebook Page & my blog. I love being able to spread a little positivity or laughter to those who stumble across my pages or stories, and God knows our world is going to continue to need that 💗
So thank you for being here, reading to the end of this & following along. What positive things do you like to see online? Any accounts you’d recommend we follow for some fun/positive content? Mine is Courtney Shields 🙏 She’s a rockstar Mom, fashionista & legit feels like a friend!
Cheers to spreading Good Vibes Only! Xoxo ✨✨✨ -Aurora
I don’t know about you guys, but we’re well into six weeks of quarantine and I have definitely hit that mark where sometimes I’m feeling a little stressed out and not as positive as normal.
While of course coronavirus itself scares me, most of my family/friends and I have been lucky enough to remain at home and #StayHome. I am in a career however, where COVID-19 has doubled my workload at times. There’s been a few 12 and 13 hour days, and pairing that with a pandemic, can do a number on anyone. The last few days I’ve been feeling very stressed out and rather than letting negativity and anxiety takeover, I began writing out a list of things I can do to put my mind at ease and to promote a more positive mindset.
A huge part of why I like sharing some details of my life on social media, as well as in this blog, is because there have been plenty of obstacles I’ve gone through or life lessons I’ve learned that make me think:
If I’m going through this, I’m sure somebody else has or will too… and if I can share something that resonates with them, Why not put it out there?
That’s where this post comes in: I want to share some things that have helped me during quarantine that maybe you haven’t considered doing or haven’t thought of to get your mind, body and spirit on the same page while we’re all going a little Corona crazy. If there’s something not on this list that you have found to be helpful during the pandemic, please let me know in the comments, and I’ll add it to the list!
The last thought I’d like to leave off on is this: we are responsible for our own attitudes, mindsets and how we allow situations/ people/ setbacks/ frustrations impact us. Every morning we can choose how to start the day and as obstacles pop up we have the choice to go over, under, around, or through it. I use some of these things below when trying to power through it:
16 Ways to Shift Your Attitude During Stressful Times
Go for a walk/run or get physical– Exercise helps manage stress! Ever have a rough day and workout afterword? It always turns my mood around! If you take a stroll outside, try and be present when you’re out in nature. Listen to the birds, feel the breeze, notice the colors of the leaves- putting yourself in the moment while taking in what’s around you can immediately calm you down.
Meditate/ Pray- I love doing the below exercise! My favorite part about it? You can do it anywhere, in any setting, at any moment!
Get good sleep– Seriously- is anyone else on a really funky sleep routine due to Covid-19?? That’s a hard yes for me! My goal has been to get at least 7 hours a night.
Download an app like Headspace– Headspace walks you through mindful meditations day or night to help you relax and center yourself. I use this app usually when going to sleep and the breathing techniques are amazing and have me out in minutes!
Start your day with gratitude– this is my morning GO TO- before your feet hit the floor, note 3 things you’re thankful for for that day!
Take a break– many of us are at home right now. It’s okay to take a break from your work space (just like you might when in the office). Go for a walk, stop by your “break room” aka kitchen and change the scenery every once in awhile. If your screen is doing a number to your eyes, you can also purchase my favorite blue light glasses from Amazon by visiting my Aurora Loves Page.
Unplug from electronics– Leave your phone in another room, shut off the Tv, time how long you’re allowed to scroll, whatever it is you need to do, breaking away from your electronics is A-OK in my book!
Put a feel good playlist together! I made The Weekly Sparkle Quarnatine Playlist specifically for you that you can download instantly on Apple Music of Spotify!
Find ways to Give Back– helping others immediately makes you feel good and so many people can use the support right now! Look up your local Volunteer Center to see who needs what!
Clean up a small area– I love tidying up a space that could use the love. This might have been a weekend task in the past, but since we’re home now, I may take 15 minutes and cleanup a space I may not typically think to. It’s proven- when you’re in a cleaner environment, your stress reduces significantly.
Start a new show! Hiiii Netflix!!!
Start a new hobby or pick up an old one– I plan on doing some arts and crafts this week to flex my creative muscle! Why not do some of the things during this time that make you happy/excited? You can catch me making some jewelry this weekend!
Journal– there is no right or wrong way to write down what’s in your head! Grab a pen and paper and get your thoughts out- sometimes it helps to de-clutter your brain and let your emotions out. I call this “brain-dumping” and use it to organize my thoughts!
Read a new book– I just got Love Does by Bob Goff and I can’t wait to read it! Bob is truly inspirational!!
TAKE A NAP– this one is for your Nap Queen over here. Naps reset mindsets/allow you to shut your brain off.
Take a Breather and Give Yourself Grace– You’re allowed to have a bad day, you’re allowed to have a moment you wish you handled better, you’re allowed to feel crazy right now! FEEL everything you’re feeling. None of us have gone through this before, so you’re feeling is 100% okay and allowed. The important part of feeling stress, however, is that we don’t allow it to completely take over and lead us down a negative path.
I hope there’s something you can grab off this list and try! Let me know what you’ve done and if it’s not here I’ll add it for others to see too!
The Weekly Sparkle 