Tag Archives: happy

Jan30

Work Goals Achieved (YES!)

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Work Goals Achieved (YES!)

Howdy! As the transition from 2022 and 2023 happened, one of my main goals was to work a lot more online. While I love my job as an Independent Provider, I wanted to try new things too and what I was most interested in was taking my online work to a new level. This was such an “asked and answered” situation because on January 4th of 2023, I began working as the in house writer for a tech entrepreneur in Massillon, Ohio. This was an absolute dream come true!

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With this job came the responsibilities of handling social media for several different accounts, writing blog posts and press releases, as well as office admin work. It honestly doesn’t even feel like work because it is so much fun! Like my job as an Independent Provider, I know that it’s something that I’m not only excellent at, but I genuinely enjoy too. It truly doesn’t get much better than that and I have lifewithlilred to thank. That is how I got noticed for this opportunity in the first place. ❤

At the end of 2023, my time with a long term client came to an unfortunate end and that was really hard for me. I assumed that I would be working with that family for forever and I was wrong. It was also stressful because I needed to find a way to make up for the hours lost. Once again, asked and answered. My online boss gave the okay for additional hours on Monday and, better yet, I get to do that in person! Every Monday, I have been going into the office for training and am learning so much. It gives me the chance to work with the companies my boss owns in an entirely new way and it is thrilling!

The cherry on top to my online work extravaganza has been accepting another new role. Starting this past December, I became the social media manager for a local metalcore band called Constellations. I created all of their social media pages from scratch and handle their content calendars, scheduling, and promoting. This is something that I have wanted for so long and I am very proud of myself for taking the plunge and tossing my hat in the ring when they were looking to hire someone. I took a big chance and it paid off big time. 😀

It’s safe to say that I am a pretty busy gal between all of my jobs, but it is the best kind of busy ever. I love everything that I do and I can’t wait to see what opportunities come my way next!

Have you achieved any goals recently? What is your favorite part about your job? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec4

A Lil Red Update

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A Lil Red Update

Helloooo darlings! Is it just me or have these past few months been crazy? I feel like I have been going nonstop and am so looking forward to Christmas break even though I literally just took time off for Thanksgiving lol. Even though I have been on the move between all of my jobs and I am exhausted, it hasn’t been bad at all! In fact, I have made quite a few changes to my work schedule and have been enjoying it – even though this change requires me to get up at three AM a few mornings during the work week. 😮 So early, I know but so worth it!

Since October I have been providing transportation to one of my old clients to take him to work. I pick him up at seven thirty in the morning, but that doesn’t mean that I can sleep in until I have to leave. After lots of mental math, I realized that I would need to get up at three for my morning to go like usual. Get up, work out, take care of the bunnies, shower, take the buns out to play, write, and work from home for my other job for two hours. After all of this, it takes me to seven o’clock when I have to leave.

The mornings are a doozy, for sure, but I have so loved seeing my old client again that I don’t even care. What’s even better is that our day together doesn’t end once we get to his job because I have recently became his job coach too! I got my job coaching certification a few years ago for another client and, unfortunately, it fell through. I never sought out another client for that particular aspect of my job so it was most exciting for the opportunity to give it a shot. I like to think I’m rocking it, but my client takes the cake and it has been a great experience for both of us. 🙂

My work in the field isn’t the only thing that has been keeping me busy busy because online work has been nuts too. Gotta love peak advertising season! Between lifewithlilred, my job as an in house writer for a tech entrepreneur, and potentially creating a podcast with a local celebrity, it’s safe to say that I have had a lot of quality time with my computer. It’s a lot, yes, but once again it is extremely fulfilling and I am thrilled with all of the ways that my different jobs have been taking off. I feel so proud of myself and it keeps me motivated to keep working hard to achieve even more of my goals.

With all of these changes to my work schedule, I am patting myself on the back and giving myself an “attagirl” for being all done with my holiday shopping! I knew there was a reason that I started around August because it’s one less thing I have to worry about now. Well… Except for wrapping everything lol but, otherwise, it’s a wrap. I can’t wait to keep working my hardest until my holiday break and hope the new year starts just as strong!

What has been going on in your wonderful world? How has work been going for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov15

Memories Of Misnyland

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Memories Of Misnyland

Hello!! Way back in May, Ohio’s premier personal injury/medical malpractice lawyer, Tim Misny, launched an online store called Misny Merch. I’m sure all of you are thinking “big deal”, but in my neck of the woods it actually really is lol. Anyone who lives in Ohio knows Tim Misny and he is a much beloved staple across the state thanks to his A+ billboard marketing. When the merch shop opened, there was a contest to show off your new swag for a chance to win an afternoon with Tim at his home called Misnyland. So, my dad got me some Misny Merch to rock for my birthday, I posted a Misny To The Max OOTD, and I ended up being a contest winner!

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^^^ The man, the myth, the legend.

Originally, the spoils of winning the contest was a summer BBQ at Misnyland. However, it had to be rescheduled to this past weekend for a Fall Fest instead. On Friday, Johnny and I made the trip to Misnyland and I was filled with butterflies during the entire almost hour drive. I was SO nervous to meet Tim and had no idea what to expect for the party on his property. Johnny and I were blown away when we pulled into Misnyland – the estate was gigantic, of course, and it was hard to believe that we were actually attending a party there. It was even harder to believe that we were personally welcomed by Tim as soon as we arrived!

During the party, Johnny and I met some fabulous new friends who we spent the afternoon with. We took a golf cart tour of Misnyland, had lunch, and mingled with the other contest winners and Tim himself. It was such a surreal afternoon, but it gets so much better. As the party was dying down, I asked Tim for some pictures as well as if he had time for a quick Q&A. He agreed, we went into his hunting lodge, and I ended up interviewing him for about thirty minutes. I think we could have talked all day if he didn’t have to bid farewell to the other guests! It was one of the coolest experiences of my life and it was easily the best thing my blog has ever done for me. I’m so glad I worked up the nerve to even ask him because that was a coin toss in my head the whole afternoon. 😀

There is SO much more to come from my time spent at Misnyland. Keep it locked for a brand new OOTD, bloopers, another OOTD with some new Misny Merch, and snippets from our interview. You don’t want to miss it!!

Who is a local celebrity in your neck of the woods? Have you ever won a contest before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

PS: Remember that proceeds from every Misny Merch purchase benefits the Cleveland City Mission! ❤

Nov5

Sleeping Good, Feeling Great

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Sleeping Good, Feeling Great

Hello!! I have had a few appointments with my new therapist and it has been most helpful! She is seriously the best and is so much fun to talk to – it’s almost like I’m venting to a friend and I really like that. I have noticed a significant difference in my mood already just by being able to vocalize some of the things that have been weighing on my mind. Another big change that I made other than therapy is finding someone new to handle my medication management and that has been a HUGE success!

It’s incredibly important to get professional help for your well-being when you’re struggling mentally. There are some great services out there, like this website, that you can look into when it comes to improving your mental health and well-being in general.

Prior to the new person I have been going to for med management, I was just seeing a general practitioner. He was fine, but our appointments literally only lasted like two minutes and it was expensive as all get out. So, I decided to make an appointment with a nurse practitioner who works in the same office as my therapist. My only regret? That I didn’t do it sooner because she is awesome and prescribed me a new medication that has seriously changed my life.

This past summer, I was diagnosed with PTSD. I have always suffered from night terrors, but it was getting to be SO extreme. There was a point when I was only having a handful of night terrors per week and it turned into an every single night affair. For months, I was waking up every night screaming and it was horrible for both me and Johnny. It was so hard to fall back asleep after I jarred us awake from screaming bloody murder and we were going through life exhausted.

I had no idea that there was a medication that could help with my night terrors, so I never brought it up. You could have knocked me over with a feather when my nurse practitioner told me that there was something that she could prescribe! Since taking this new medication, I have not had one single night terror. None. Nada. Zip. Zero. I don’t think I realized how sleep deprived I was until I was actually getting a good night’s sleep for the first time in months.

Now that I am sleeping better, I feel energized, my mood has improved, and my work days don’t feel anywhere near as daunting. Normally, I would be too fatigued by the time the weekend rolled around to do anything. Now, Johnny and I have had outings with friends, family, and ourselves every weekend. It’s fun! I feel more like myself than I have in months and I am so thankful that I am finally sleeping through the night. The power of being well rested is a real thing!

If you feel like you are struggling, I can’t encourage you enough to seek help. It might feel scary, but you are going to feel so much better and I am proof of that. I know you can do it! ❤

What is something that helps you sleep well? Do you dream a lot when you sleep? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct16

How To Bring A Little Joy Into Your Life

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How To Bring A Little Joy Into Your Life

Many times in a person’s life they can find themselves feeling stuck in a rut, deflated, or that there is nothing positive happening. If you feel like this, then it could be for many reasons. One of which could simply be that you are not giving yourself the time you deserve to enjoy the possibilities that life is presenting you. So, whether it is cutting out negative habits, creating new and healthy ones, or simply allowing yourself time to relax, here are several ways in which you can bring a little joy into your life:

Limit your time on social media:

Social media is still a relatively new thing as far as human existence goes. Although it has brought about many new and exciting possibilities, it also has some fairly negative attributes associated with it. Many people can find themselves consuming social media for hours, and letting the days slip by without doing the important things that make them happy. When consuming a large amount of social media it can be hard to detach from what you are consuming, and many people find themselves constantly comparing their lives to those they see online. Both of these situations can impact your mental health in a negative way, and suck the joy out of your life. To combat this, you should consider limiting your time on social media, and instead give that free time to yourself. Even if you do nothing and simply relax, this is better than an all evening social media session.

Find something fun to do outside:

It is no secret that many people, whether they realize it or not, gain huge benefits and satisfaction by spending time outside. If you can couple that with doing a fun activity or having new experiences, then you will significantly increase the joy you experience in life. Whether you live by the sea or a lake and want to learn the basics about paddle boarding, or perhaps if you live near the woods and want to explore your local areas and find out about all the wildlife, consider getting yourself outside and doing something fun to live more fully.

Make time for your loved ones:

Humans are meant to be social creatures. Although it’s perfectly fine to spend time alone, often you will experience a larger amount of joy when spending time with loved ones. This could be anything from taking a vacation together, to simply eating regular meals together. As long as you are enjoying each other’s company is all that matters!

Treat yourself:

If you want to truly boost your happiness in life, you need to learn how to be your own best friend. Do you need to take a break? Take it. Do you want to have that treat? Have it. Do you want to do something different? Do it. Self-love is one of the best ways in which a person can bring a little extra joy into their life.

There are many other ways in which you can bring joy into your life, but why not consider these first?

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Oct8

Therapy Success!

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Therapy Success!

Hello!! After a very unsuccessful first shot of therapy, I finally had an appointment with someone new this past Wednesday. And, I am pleased to report that it went awesome!! After canceling with the person who I was seeing, I had no plans of giving therapy another try. I felt really disappointed by how the session went because I didn’t feel heard whatsoever and it was hard for me to even set up an appointment in the first place. Thankfully, the receptionist encouraged me to give it another go with someone who she thought would be a better fit and she was completely right. It was a match made in therapy heaven!

During my introductory session with my new therapist, I felt really comfortable talking to her. She was pierced and tatted and I instantly liked that right away! I was also shocked to find that my last therapist wasn’t hearing me for real. My new therapist warned me that our session would be repetitive to questions already asked with the prior therapist and that was fine. I understood that she needed to confirm what was in the notes. However, MAJOR experiences in my life that are very important to my healing weren’t taken note of at all. This seemed so inappropriate to me because those appointments were not only a waste of my time, but it was went about in a way that I didn’t appreciate and it was confirmed.

Thankfully, not feeling heard wasn’t an issue at all with my new therapist. In fact, I felt better than I have in weeks after our session because I could tell she was truly interested in what I had to say. Like my first appointment with my old therapist, I made it clear that while I would like to learn new coping skills and get advice, I really needed my feelings validated and to talk about my trauma. My new one agreed 150% and my old one spent our appointments shoving halfhearted solutions down my throat. I am SO happy to know that I am going to get what I need during my next appointments and I feel great about the next steps going forward!

It’s true that you need to shop around for a therapist that works for you and this last session was a testament to that. I am proud of myself for trying again and so relieved to have found someone that I can do that with. 🙂

Have you ever had a bad therapy experience? What did you do about it? I honestly have half a mind to complain to the office about mine. I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep17

Belated Nine Year Blogiversary!!

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Belated Nine Year Blogiversary!!

Hello!!!! September 13th was lifewithlilred’s Nine Year Blogiversary and it came as a huge surprise to me lol. Obviously, because this is a belated celebration post! Not only was the date of this a shock, but also the length of time. It feels like just yesterday that twenty year old Sarah sat down and began her blogging journey. It is thrilling that almost a decade later, my blog is still going stronger than ever with daily content for the past four years and change!

As always, the best part about lifewithlilred is all of the incredible friends and readers that have come along for the ride. And, man, have we been through a lot! You have all been there through major milestones in my life – graduating college, new jobs, and getting married. It is so special to me to know that my dear readers are there celebrating the good and offering support for the bad every step of the way. It inspires and motivates me to no end, which is the main reason lifewithlilred has kept on truckin all of these years.

Every day, I feel so excited to sit down and write and I think that my blog is a reflection of my favorite phrase “the joy of writing”. I write for me, I write for my beloved viewers, I would write for no viewers – it just makes me happy to do. lifewithlilred is something that brings me true joy and it is my safe haven that I have carved out in the great world wide web. For nine years, I have been in blogging bliss and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for my page in the years to come. ❤

Thank you to each and every one of you for being the driving force behind lifewithlilred for the past nine years. I could not do it without that love and support and it works both ways. I love all of you and wish nothing but for you to continue on in your blogging journey and experience the joy of writing every day!

Aug1

New Debut Crochet Sweater

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New Debut Crochet Sweater

Hello!! I had a lovely shopping date at TJMaxx with Johnny’s mom last week and it was a very successful trip. Why? Because it is one of my favorite times of the year! Summer clothes are going on clearance and fall clothes are being reintroduced. While the store wasn’t bursting at the seams with jackets, sweaters, and cardigans; I saw a glimmer and I was loving it. As an added treat for yours truly, TJMaxx launched their Halloween home decor collection already! You can peep my purchase from that department tomorrow. Now, let’s take a look at this adorable sweater by Debut:

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When I saw this pretty little thing hanging on the rack, I literally gasped. It was just SO cute and one of those pieces that I instantly knew was going home with me. I had never seen anything like it before and I was enamored. The color bursts against the creamy base made me smile and I couldn’t think of anything better to begin my fall shopping with. Although I did find some summer pieces that I liked a lot during previous trips, they could all kick rocks as far as I was concerned. Fall was officially here… At TJMaxx, anyways. 😀

I wasn’t surprised when I tried my Debut sweater on and it was amazing. Like I said, I just knew! Everything about it worked. While it was a cropped sweater, it hit right where a normal rise pair of jeans would begin. This was great because I never understood why anyone would want their stomach bare when it’s chilly out! The crochet style was also just right. Although there were gaps in the fabric, it wasn’t so big that my bra was visible through them. Winning marks all around and all of the outfit ideas began to swarm!

Once this sweater was on, I really didn’t want to take it off. I loved it so much lol and it was comfy as can be. I have been eager to begin styling fall OOTDs for so long and I know exactly what I’m going to feature as soon as the temperature begins to drop!

What is your favorite season to shop for? What is fall like in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun26

New Gottex Swimsuit

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New Gottex Swimsuit

Hello!!! As all of you know, I am a certified shopaholic. I pride myself on my own personal boutique room with a huge collection of clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry, hats, skin care, and bath and body care. There has always been one thing missing from my wardrobe, however. That being, swimsuits. Every year when the pool opens at Timber Top, my sister mocks me for having the same swimsuit for almost a decade. But, in my defense, my Victoria’s Secret bikini still looks great and also bathing suit shopping sucks lol.

For years and years, I have avoided swimsuit shopping like the plague. My thought process being that I’d rather spend the money on something that I can wear anytime. I have seen bathing suits that I like online, but they are SO expensive. And, many of the options in store don’t have a bra style top which is what I need to feel comfortable. Rather than order suits that might not fit and spending time being disappointed in a fitting room, I turned my attention to other things in the store time and time again.

During my birthday gift card shopping spree at TJMaxx, I decided I would look through the swimsuit section just to say that I tried. I was not expecting to find anything as it was very picked over already. So, you can imagine my surprise when I found a one piece option that might work if luck was on my side. I am writing about it now so, clearly, the summer fashion gods were in my favor. Check it out:

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When I found this little number by Gottex hanging on the rack, I thought it was too good to be true. This one piece is in a style that I LOVE with the frilly skirt bottom, it was in my size, and there was a bra clasp on the inside of the suit for the top. I didn’t let myself get too excited because that would have really bummed me out if I tried it on and it didn’t work. I definitely had some anxiety going into the fitting room because I didn’t want to mentally go back to all of those times that I tried a suit on and it didn’t fit. Then, I mustered all of the courage that I had and slipped it on…

AND IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!! Oh my GAWD was I happy when the suit was on and it was everything that I was hoping it would be. The straps were thick and supportive, the bra top was perfect, the rouching on the tummy was flattering, and the skirt was cute as can be. I loved the way my body looked and I loved the way I felt even more. In fact, if I didn’t have a late afternoon shift after my shopping, I would have headed straight to the pool to show off!

I am so thrilled with this purchase and I feel very confident in my new suit. I have grand plans of a poolside OOTD complete with a sun hat, huge sunglasses, and sandals. And, now, I am officially ready to splash around in the pool with my nieces while frantically trying to not get my hair wet lol. This suit was originally one hundred and sixty dollars and I got it for forty – it was worth every penny and then some. You can’t put a price on feeling amazing in a swimsuit after almost a decade of bathing suit shopping abstinence!

TJMaxx came through for me during this shopping trip and I still can’t get over the fact that I found a swimsuit from there. My expectations were so low and now my confidence is sky high. I can’t wait to wear it!

What is your least favorite thing to shop for? What is your preferred bathing suit style? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun16

Turning 29 – It’s Not So Bad!

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Turning 29 – It’s Not So Bad!

Hello!!! Although my Gemini Twin and I have been joking that we have been turning twenty-five for the past several years, I turned twenty-nine this past week. And, no, that running joke never gets old by the way! Lol, anyways, I cannot tell you the amount of people who have wished me a happy birthday along with the sentiments of “oh, you’ll be thirty next year, you’re getting old”, yada, yada, yada. And, yes, that is factual information. BUT, I have come to the realization that maybe, just maybe it’s not that old after all. 😉

I feel like once people reach their twenties, turning thirty is looming over their shoulders like a character in a horror movie. The big 3-0 seems to have become the death of youth so to speak and I am here to call bullshit. Believe you me, I had the exact same thoughts and a teeny tiny part of me still feels that way. However, turning twenty-nine has made me start making the mental flip in my head and adopting the old phrase of “you’re only as young as you feel”.

In 100% seriousness, I honestly forget how old I am constantly and my mind is blown when I remember my actual age. Yes, I’m an adult and am close to thirty, but I really don’t feel like it. Sure, when I’m working I feel like a grown up. When it comes to my downtime, though, my age comes as a surprise to me. I am a goofy, outgoing gal, and I love to have a good time. Johnny is five years my senior and he is the exact same way. So, when we’re hanging out together or we’re with our friends age truly feels like just a number.

Despite everyone’s obsession with youth, I find myself thinking if I would like to be in my early twenties again and it’s a hard NO from me, dawg. I was plagued with mental health issues, was in one shitty relationship after the next, and my businesses hadn’t blossomed to what they are today. Now, here I am at twenty-nine and my mental health is much more stable, I’m married to the best guy in the world, and I am a successful business owner of two. My personal style has developed into something amazing, I love the way I look, and I feel happy other than a loved one being in poor health. It just took some extra years on the old odometer to get there.

If you feel like an approaching landmark birthday is the end of the world, I can now confidently say that it isn’t. I’m staring at thirty dead on and, at this point, all I can say is “bring it on” because there’s nothing else I can do. Youth is a mindset so, yeah, I guess I always will be twenty-five! 😉

Did you freak out before turning a certain age? Do you feel like your age? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah