Paper Ghost: Musings of a Restless Girl

I am tired of this idea that the holidays are -supposed- to be stressful. they're not. at all. I think more of us need to learn to let go of expectations and learn how to say "no" to things we don't want to do. Yes, we all have obligations and have to do things we don't want to do sometimes, but we CAN limit those things, and we can compromise, too. What is the point of the holidays if we can't do the things we want to do, the things that make us happy? While the holidays are about spending time with family for some, it doesn't always have to be if that's not what you want. Some of us have toxic families, and sometimes they become even more toxic around the holidays. The holidays are a time that we should all have a right to enjoy, and if that means avoiding the people that cause that holiday stress, then so be it. Turn your phones on silent, block their number, do what you have to do.  Take the time to set them aside and say "hey, I have ...

tonight, the new moon is in Scorpio, and it's the astrological Samhain. I did a lot of reflecting the other day for Samhain and my brain has started to prepare for yule and Christmastime.  this time of year always reminds me of my grandma, which is one of the reasons I discussed her in my last post. The new moon in Scorpio also means time for change and new things. It seems appropriate, as I've been hired at two new (one is new-ish) jobs that I'll be starting in the coming weeks, and saying goodbye to the SPCA.  I've only worked there for a few short months, but I have never been so in love with a job.  I have been accepted into the family and it truly feels like home. But alas, money is a real issue for me right now, and I must move on to other things for the time being.   As I've mentioned in previous posts, this year has been a year of newness. I turned 30, I celebrated my first wedding anniversary, we moved to a new city, I've started a new job, and ...

So I have spent the last week in Alaska, and by golly, it's beautiful! It looks exactly like every picture you've ever seen but way more gorgeous in person. Alex and I have been discussing moving North once we're done with our current degrees and Alaska has been on our list, so it's definitely something we're going to look into. This state is HUGE.  I was blown away by the flight across Canada and just how vast it is. and same with Alaska.  I've been looking at different towns and cities and figuring out how far they are from my best friend (in Eagle River) and it's mind blowing!  It can look like an hour drive on a map but it's actually a two day excursion. there are a lot of people here but it's not like Hampton Roads (or anywhere I've been really) where everyone is crammed on top of each other. Just going to the grocery store is like going on a wild, gorgeous adventure (five minutes away). I'm looking into visiting the town of Ket...