Self Love & Taking responsibility

I haven't managed to do many creative things so far this year. Instead I have been focusing on myself - becoming healthier, becoming fitter but most importantly learning to love myself. A few days into January I decided I needed to spend this month on just me. No blogging, no business planning, no commitments to anyone other than myself. I needed to get into a routine and prepare myself for all of the changes I'm going to make this year. I knew that it wouldn't be possible if I wasn't in the best mental and physical state.

It began when I bought a few of Gala Darling's 'Love & Sequins' chapters. At the time I could feel that I was starting to fall into the black pit of depression again and I knew I had to stop it from getting any worse. I have managed to pull myself out before but it never lasts for long, and after nine years of being at one extreme or the other, I needed to try something different. As it happened, it seemed that the planets had aligned or something because I read later on that day that Gala Darling was having a half price sale on her Love & Sequins book. I really believe it was meant to be, so of course I bought a few chapters. I read through the PDF's and listened to her MP3's and then it seemed as obvious as the nose on my face.

"...you have to start taking responsibility for your life. 100% responsibility." 

You might say, 'well DUH.'  But think about it; how often do you blame the person driving really slowly in front of you for you getting angry or irritated? Yes they might be driving slowly but you are responsible for how you react to it. They aren't telling you to loose your temper.

Realising this is what started my journey towards self love.

"Finding happiness is a life long mission. One I plan on enjoying and experiencing..."

I started to look at everything in my life as it was at that point: my mental health, my physical health, my relationships (positive & negative), my current job, my dreams and my future plans. I then started being brutally honest with myself, something that is very hard to do if it's done right. We spend our whole lives denying ourselves what is best for us because it's easier than changing - 'one more day of smoking won't kill me, another 6 months at my job won't hurt, staying 'friends' with that one person who keeps bringing you down'. I looked at e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g and by the end I was totally drained but I had clarification.

From there I started working on what needed to change - to start with my health and fitness. So I joined a gym and have already lost 5kg (11lbs) which I am ecstatic about. I am doing so much more physical activity during the weekends (rock climbing, bush walks) and I'm going to the gym 3-4 times a week before work (so I'm getting up at 5:10am) as well as changing my eating habits. My weekends, weeknights and everything in between is so full now but I feel great about it.

Here I am with my first free Saturday so far this year and I felt it was time to start sharing what I have been working on and how far I have already come. It makes me so excited to think that I can do this, that I can do anything I want to.

"A place to dream, feel safe. To feel comfortable and loved"

I will be sharing more about my journey in weeks to come, as well as re-branding, re-designing and working on everything in between.  I am hoping to be able to launch my new blog within the next 6 weeks so there is lots for me to do behind the scenes.

P.S. If you are interested in following my progress with fitness, pop over to my tumblr that I have transformed into my platform for sharing motivation and tracking my changes.

Rhiannon xxx

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

A big warm hello all you lovely readers! I know I have been missing in action recently but good things are going to come from it, I promise. I am actually looking at moving this blog to another host. After having countless problems with blogspot recently (and still no solution in sight), I have decided that its time to move, re-vamp and re-brand. I'm currently looking into Squarespace and would love to get some feedback from bloggers who currently use this or have in the past. You can flick me an email at rhiannon.e.stone [at] gmail [dot] com or leave a comment below. I am keen to do a lot of research before I take this jump and would love to hear your thoughts on any other recommended platforms too.

In the meantime I wanted to share this video with you. A wonderful friend of mine, Leanne Choi, sent me this short animation clip today that I can only describe as a book lovers dream come true. It has won countless awards and has even been made into an ipad application! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did (I think I'm going to watch it again now tehehe)




Rhiannon xxx

I love New Zealand

A traditional Kiwi Christmas is cooked on a BBQ at the beach (or backyard), jandles are acceptable footwear for pretty much everywhere (in fact going barefoot is perfectly adequate as well), our self appointed nickname is after our native flightless bird and we invented bungee jumping. Plus when half of the country looks like it does in the Lord of the Rings, what isn't to love?

Let me take you on a little photo journey to my new favourite place- Wairere Falls. Dan and I stumbled upon it when we went down to Te Aroha over the Christmas break. The whole trek felt incredibly magical, like being in another world. I can't wait to go back next time and do the full 4-5 hour return hike to the summit.



While I'm on the subject, here are 8 fun and interesting facts about New Zealand
Y We are home to the biggest insect in the world.
Y Stuff like this happens from time to time.
Y 90 Mile beach (far north of the north island) is actually only 55 miles long.
Y We are home to one of the most breathtaking natural attractions in the world (it's still gorgeous when it's about to rain).
Y Prostitution, soliciting, and brothel keeping is legal.
Y We have among the slowest Internet connection in the developed (and some parts of the developing) world.
Y Auckland has the largest number of boats per capita of any city in the world.
Y Sir Edmund Hillary was a Kiwi man and the first person in the world to reach the top of Mt Everest in 1953.

What do you love about where you live?

Rhiannon xxx

2011 reflection

I like to do these posts a few days into Jan because it gives me time to enjoy the holiday's with my family and spend time reflecting on the past year. Overall 2011 was an up and down year; some mega highs, and some bad lows but never-the-less I have accomplished projects and goals that I am really proud of.

2011 accomplishments:
Y Passed my final driving licence test
Y Finished the 365 Project
Y Improved my blog
Y Read more - I didn't reach 12 books this year but having this goal did make me read more than usual.
Y Passed my Certificate course at TLC - you can see more about my journey here.
Y Adopted 2 homeless and abandoned kittens to join our family
Y Took part in Natty's 'In The Sun' e-course
Y Bought ad spaces on other blogs that have a similar demographic (hi all you new readers!)
Y Dyed my hair different colours - here, here, here, here
Y Bought my first polaroid camera
Y Took numerous e-courses - although I need to go back and finish some of them
Y Learnt about 2D animation and even did two basic scenes
Y Did a touch of opp shopping
Y Started looking for a house to buy with Dan
Y Went on solo coffee dates - something I have come to love doing on a Saturday morning
Y Went on mini road trips and to New Caledonia
Y Took part in One World One Heart

There are so many more but these are the main ones I wanted to share with you.

From my first road trip of this year with Dan Y

 Rhiannon xxx

Winner of My Memories package

I am happy to announce that Genny is our winner of the My Memories Software - CONGRATULATIONS GENNY!!!

I will be contacting you through facebook with the code to download the software.

Rhiannon xxx