Breathe Deeply & Appreciate the moment

I am a huge believer that we all need people. We need those people that will always be in our corner in our lives that will help us through thick and thin that we can talk to and be ourselves with. People need people. Sometimes we may feel we don't but we do we need interaction with others we need to feel loved, feel important and feel like we have a place in the world. These people are family, friends and even our day to day acquaintances. People need people and that is ok. That being said that will never go away, that is a part of the human nature, but I have come to learn as I get older, go through some things and grow that even though we need people in our lives sometimes we need to focus on ourselves too.

Focus on ourselves? How do you do that? I've always thought that was being selfish. It isn't. I am learning it is not selfish to take care of you. You need to take care of you, do what makes you happy and love yourself. I'm not sure if I've ever said that I love myself. That feels weird. But why? How do you expect for others to love you, be there for you and be friends with you if you don't even like you. That is a crazy way to think about it huh? That was asked to me and it really got me thinking. I have to believe in myself, like myself, like who I am and where I am at in order to be happy, in order to be the best person, wife, mother and friend to those around me.

 SHIRT: Lulu Lemon || FLANNEL: H&M || LEGGINGS: Target || JACKET: Bench ||

SHOES: Nike || LOCATION: Trolley Square || PHOTOGRAPHER: Tyler Ulrich 

Focusing on you is not selfish and it never will be it makes you better and happy and in turn that makes you a better mom, a better wife, a better friend, a better neighbor, sister, daughter, it makes you better, stronger and more productive.

Focusing on you even though it is needed and encouraged it is hard. It is hard to just let go, because I am such a perfectionist, but you cannot get all caught up in your head like that. Stretch yourself. Push yourself. Do what makes you happy. Love on your kids. Do something nice for someone. Do something for you. Even if that is making a treat and watching your favorite movie so you can relax and be re-energized to take on the day or your tasks is sometimes the best thing you can do.

I am pretty notorious for being really hard on myself. I know that is somewhat normal at times but I have been told I am unhealthfully hard on myself. I know thats not ok. I kept saying that is just me and I don't know how to change it, but as time goes and the more I live my life and people who care about me tell me it isn't ok I know its time to work on it. I think the first step was figuring out why I am so hard on myself. Well another struggle I have is I care too much what others think of me. I know everyone cares what others think, but I just can't seem to let it go. I want everyone to like me. I take it super personal if someone doesn't and get very heartbroken over others opinions of me. If they don't like me I must be no good, if they don't like me I must not be worth anything, if they don't like me I mean maybe they are right. That isn't ok. Some people just don't click, we just don't get along with everyone. I still would love people to love me for me but if they don't I cannot dwell on it so much that it changed my self worth and the way I think and feel about myself. I know who I am, I know what I stand for and my goals and dreams and that has got to be enough for me.

So what I am I doing to focus on me? That is a great question. I have good days and I have bad days just like anyone else. I do want to focus on me and I am in the process, but I am also trying to enjoy the process. I am trying to breathe and appreciate each moment. Appreciating where you are at is one of the hardest things but something that is very important to be able to continue to grow and move forward.

I am just taking it day by day. I am trying to focus on my relationship with christ and pray more, I am trying to be more patient and spend more time on my kids, I am trying to be more positive and thankful for the blessings that have been given to me, I am trying to take a little time for me each day, I am trying to stress less and smile and laugh more.  I am continuing to work hard and do what makes me happy, share my passions with others and have fun in all the mix.

Life is hard enough, people can be harsh enough. Lets just love a little more, be kind a little more to others and to ourselves. Be nice to that person you see in the mirror each morning. Be kind to that person and just see what happens. I am still working on this it is an ongoing battle of mine but it is worth working on and bettering your relationship with yourself and others.

So go right now and write something or a few things or a lot of things that you love about you! It is love month. Love yourself. Love others! Be kind.

I would love to have you follow me on Instagram

@WHITNEYULRICH

to see all my fun pics, my real life, fitness, fashion ideas

and sneak peaks of what I've been working on

Make sure to check out my other social media sites and follow along
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There is Beauty all Around

I haven't been consistent in blogging for a long while. I'm not sure why, it just kinda happened slowly. But I do know I miss it and I feel like apart of me is missing without it. I was blogging less and less until it just kinda stopped for the most part. I think I was getting overwhelmed with what people thought of me and I didn't like that. I started blogging to share myself, my projects, my story, and my mom moments, not to brag or to be the Whitney show, not to look perfect, or show off, in fact the opposite I started this blog as an outlet, I started this blog to share my real life, the beauty and the mess, I wanted to share a project so someone else even if it was just one person could make one and enjoy it as much as I did. I shared my mom stories to show those messy moments yeah you are not alone when those happen. I shared my fashion posts because I loved it and I think its important to keep our interests, hobbies and loves when we become mothers. I shared my fitness posts to help busy moms out there be able to fit in some exercise into that crazy day. 

I took pictures, and I just wrote. I am not a writer by any means, in fact I used to dread English in school, My grammar is probably terrible, I put punctuation in all the wrong places, but I write and I enjoy writing. It is freeing in a way. I not good at writing but I like it. And I think that is why I have missed blogging so much. Not to mention I have met some incredible people through blogging that I don't think our lives would have crossed if I didn't. It is important to me so I am going to give another stab at it. I am not going to let it get to the point again that I am constantly worried about what I write doesn't sit well with someone in the world. I'm not going to worry if it's cool enough or good enough. I am just going to write, I am going to create, I am going to put together outfits and workouts and I am going to be real. 

 I am going to be me. I have learned a valuable lesson, at now almost 28, that I knew before but I just don't think it really meant anything to me until now. I have always cared about what people thought of me. I get torn up and hurt if someone dislikes me. I mean, it must be my fault. I must have something wrong with me. I just must not have it. And when these moments happen I crawl right back up in that shell I worked so hard to come out of. In the last little bit I have realized and it has been brought to my attention by friends that, all that type of thinking is only hurting me. Because I am so worried about what people think and so fixated on the ones that don't like me I am not treasuring and focusing, giving credit to or being thankful for my true friends that accept me. It was eye opening I mean I knew it already but for some reason lately this lesson has just clicked for me. I know a little late, but life is a journey and we are always learning life lessons along the way right?! I don't ever want my boys to think that they aren't good enough, that they have to impress every body, I don't want them to think everyone has to like them, or change who they are just to be accepted. I want them to be them and to not be afraid of that.

So this post for sure was not meant to be all about coming back to blogging, or about feeling accepted,  I just started typing and that is what came out. As I read through it I almost erased it and shortened it cut it all out and started over, but that wouldn't be what I truly wrote now would it. That would be me holding back, not being true to myself and the easy way out. So it stays and with that being said I am excited to tell you about another passion of mine. The outdoors. I grew up camping, Ive never been afraid to get a little dirty, wear a hat and sleep in a tent, but as an adult this has not happened nearly enough and I realized how much I miss and it and kinda need it. There is beauty all around us and if you live in Utah you know how gorgeous it is. So along with blogging more often, you will see me outdoors in nature a lot more often too. 

Last Sunday I woke up craving the outdoors, it was weird but I just thought Id go with it. We decided we would do a family hike up Adam's Canyon that is until I opened the curtains and saw how rainy it was, darn I was a little bummed. So we ate breakfast got ready and decided to at least go on a drive up the canyon to see Pineview and enjoy the mountains through the canyon. The drive up was gorgeous and the leaves were even beginning to change. It was so fun to tell Holden and Maddux about the changing leaves and to see their faces light up every time they saw a cow or horse out in the gorgeous open fields. Even in the car driving I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with the beauty and my love for the country. I love it I just want land so bad one day, that is my dream, land with horses, and even our own cow, some chickens and our own garden with our own fresh veggies, a house with a white picket fence and a wrap around porch. Going outside and just seeing mountains and open skys. Ahhhh what a dream. As we came down the hill into Huntsville we decided to drive around the lake and ended up at the swimming beach. 

The rain had stopped so we decided to get the boys out and walk the beach. Walking the beach turned into my adorable boys throwing rocks into the water and giggling not caring how chilly it was just have fun outside, on the beach with the mountains surrounding us. I couldn't help but just feel grateful. Grateful for my babies, for my family, grateful for this beautiful world, grateful for my friends, grateful for our life situations going on right now, grateful for my amazing crossfit family, grateful for my strength, grateful to be a mom and to be able to house and give birth to those amazing spirits, grateful for my savior and all that he has done for me and knowing he knows me better than I know me, and just grateful for my life. 

So go, go outside and when I mean outside I mean in nature in the mountains, by a lake, on a hike. Just breathe in the fresh air and relax, take it all in and enjoy the moment. Get away from the loud for a minute and enjoy the quiet. I am writing that for me also, I am guilty when it comes to life's hustles and bussels getting to me I am probably the most stressed out person and this just made me feel renewed. I can't wait to do it again and my boys are already asking to go back. 

Oh and this little super hero says hi!
Love you all, until next time....

I would love to have you follow me on Instagram

@WHITNEYULRICH

to see all my fun pics, my real life, fitness, fashion ideas

and sneak peaks of what I've been working on

Make sure to check out my other social media sites and follow along
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You Never know what a simple Smile Can Do {Day 16} of Leggings

Leggings: Agnes and Dora  // Shirt: Adornit  // Rain Boots: Amazon

Clutch: Poppy and Dot  // Umbrella: Ikea

It is the small simple acts of service that can make the biggest impact on someones day and even their life. Sure of course all service is amazing and big service is so selfless and wonderful. It is the small things like a smile or a compliment that keep people going that keep them moving forward. After yesterday I decided I need to get ready and go grocery shopping more often lol. I have never had so many sweet strangers come up to me. Even with my boys running away, and the other one crying in the cart, feeling overwhelmed and a failure as a mother, I was told I am a good mom {What the? lol). Even with my tired eyes, I was told I looked beautiful (I love those little cute old men). And even with rushing through the store looking like a hot mess, I received multiple smiles, hellos and kind eyes.

You never ever know what a smile or compliment can do for a person. It was just what I needed. I am so grateful for each one of those kind people in the store today and I hope to pass that sunshine and love on. Small simple pieces of service and and will change the world. Be a little kinder, smile at a stranger, be understanding, ask how someone is doing, hold the door, help and love those around you.

Now let's see your leggings! What are your favorite? How do you style them? I want to see!!! Take a picture post it on Instagram and then tag me @whitneyulrich and hashtag #30daysofleggings remember if you use the hashtag you are entered into the giveaway happening at the end of the series.

I would love to have you follow me on Instagram

@WHITNEYULRICH

to see all my fun pics, my real life, fitness, fashion ideas

and sneak peaks of what I've been working on

Thank you for your support, for reading and for following
It really means the world to me 

Make sure to check out my other social media sites and follow along
 {links below}

Best. Day. Ever {Day 7} of Leggings & a T-shirt giveaway

 Leggings: Ross // Shirt: Elevate Promo // Shoes: Target //

What is my best day ever? It is time spent with my family. It is rolling on the ground laughing with my babies and it is snuggling close and talking to my husband. My best day ever is talking time with my family while also taking time for myself. My me time is when I go to crossfit. I am able to jam to music on my way there and back, I am able to push myself, rejuvenate and build not only my health but character. I have learned so much through crossfit, so many life lessons, that I believe will make me a better person, a better mother, a better friend, and a better wife. I come back energized and ready to take on the rest of the day.

I wore this shirt last Thursday on the 4th of April, and it was such a perfect day to wear it. It was a good day. It was spring break, Maddux was home from school, Ty was home in the morning and we just hung out together as a family. We played, we talked and we went to costco together. A lot of family time. I have to admit Ty working nights has been very hard on me and the boys but for some reason this day was so great and we just focused on the time we did have together not the evening that we wouldn't. It was a great day and we were all happy. After lunch the boys and I went to the gym and Ty went to work. On Thursdays I work out at 3 and then I work in the daycare for a couple hours that night. The boys love playing with the other kids and I love that I get to bring them with me. It was a really good workout and day care was a lo of fun complete with a mini dance party and a lot of laughing. I was all packed up, the boys were in the car and I was ready to head home....until this happened....see pic below.

Yes I broke my key...guess I just don't know my own strength lol just kidding but seriously how crazy is that. I unlocked the door and it snapped in half. What the? I was in shock I didn't know what to do and I was all the way in Kaysville stranded while Ty was at work in Riverton about 45 minutes away. I called chilies and got a hold of him. He said he would try to figure something out and call me back. The boys were upset, but I was finally able to calm them down and they fell asleep. Then I look down at my phone and it is about to die. Awesome. Luckily there were still people in the gym so I went in to charge my phone so I wouldn't miss the call from Ty. He then told me he was on his way to rescue me. He had to hurry and train someone to do the bar and to start closing. He rushed down to give me the other key and then had to go back to work to close. As I was waiting for him I was anxious and felt bad he had to come down.

After we got rescued and on my drive home after being upset for a good 2 hours I looked back at my sleepy boys faces and realized what a great day it really was. Besides the whole I broke our key thing, I was with my family, we laughed, we played, we smiles and my boys got some rest while we were stranded. All ended up fine and I realized how grateful I really was for a day like today. Although I thought it was pretty ironic that I was wearing this shirt while I was stranded at 8pm in Kaysville, it really wasn't ironic at all It was a great day, and it was a day that taught me another great life lesson.

Along with this life lesson of being grateful for the good in our life I received that night, I heard a beautiful talk given by Dieter F. Uchtdorf just a few days latter. It was perfect and I felt like written just for me. I love general conference. This talk went straight into my heart. It was all about being thankful but not just thankful for things or not just thankful after the bad has passed but to be thankful in the hard, trying times. Being in the storm and still having a thankful heart, focusing on the positive and the good. We must learn to not only be thankful for the rainbows, but also the rain. The point I loved the most was when he said, "We can Choose to be grateful no matter what." That really hit me. We can choose to be happy, we can choose to be grateful. It is in our control. The bad things that happen, the trials, the mess we cannot control but how we handle them or how we choose to look at those times is up to us.

So although I was stranded and upset for a couple hours. I was blessed. I had a lot to be thankful for. I am thankful my boys were safe and they got their rest, I am thankful the awesome people at the gym welcomed me in and let em charge my phone, I am thankful for a husband that was able to come help us, and I am thankful for my heavenly father. It was a great day. It was one of the best days ever.

What is your best day ever? How would you describe it? Well one of you lucky ducky readers gets to win one of your very own BEST DAY EVER t-shirts from Elevate Promo. You will love it. Just wearing it puts a smile on my face and reminds me to make it a great day and to choose to focus on the good. Elevate Promo are also doing a contest with bloggers. The contest is about who has the best picture and the best day ever description.  When the contest goes live, I would love your support and votes for me! I will announce when it starts. Thank you in advanced and good luck on the fun giveaway. Can't wait who gets to be BEST DAY EVER twinners with me. Winner will be announced Friday!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Now let's see your leggings! What are your favorite? How do you style them? I want to see!!! Take a picture post it on Instagram and then tag me @whitneyulrich and hashtag #30daysofleggings remember if you use the hashtag you are entered into the giveaway happening at the end of the series.

Happy Monday!

Make it a good one!

Start your week off right!

Smile!

Have a great day and focus on the postive

I would love to have you follow me on Instagram

@WHITNEYULRICH

to see all my fun pics, my real life, fitness, fashion ideas

and sneak peaks of what I've been working on

Thank you for your support, for reading and for following
It really means the world to me 

Make sure to check out my other social media sites and follow along
 {links below}