This little blog turns 3 years old this month. Wow. 

I simply cannot believe that we've been at it for three whole [freaking!] years. I'm going to save my reflective, gratitude-filled, celebratory thoughts for the actual blogiversary (3/5), but just wanted to say a quick thank you to YOU, in particular, for signing up to receive this newsletter every month.

Some of you have been reading for the 3 full years that I've been around (OMG!), some for just 3 months, and some for only 3 days--but the fact that you've willingly added this letter to your (overcrowded?) inbox makes me feel extremely honored. I am so thankful to have you in my online [+ some of you, offline] life, and appreciate your interest in Starr Struck's happenings ;) 

As you might have seen in Friday's edition of SJOTW, I've decided that starting this month, I'd like to switch things up newsletter-format-wise. There was something that just didn't feel right about my old newsletter format. Sharing all of my plans and goals felt a bit self-centered (yuck), and honestly, writing it every month stressed me out, and I don't like that feeling! 

So, from now on, my monthly newsletters will be a bit more free form. Each month will simply include a little note from me to you, on whatever topic is on my mind at the time. I'll still include some monthly inspirations (since many of you have told me how much you like these), but the "Monthly Goals," "Theme," "Pre-Planned Relaxation Time," and some of the "_____ of the Month" categories are gone (but not all!).

I hope you understand. 

Okay, phew. Now that we've cleared that up, lets jump right in!

Presenting, March's newsletter...



I don't know about you, but in February I felt very drained. Almost all month.   

It was like no matter how much I did, I could never get on top of things. No matter how much I slept, I didn't feel rested. No matter how many times I "cleaned out" my inbox, it was still always full. No matter how many dustballs I picked up off of the floor, there were always 10 more in the next corner.

However, despite feeling completed depleted and behind, I was still struck by inspiration quite a bit over the course of the month.

I kept getting painting ideas, writing ideas, blog post ideas, household project ideas--but sadly, I had no time to create. For someone who lives for these moments of inspiration and the creative process that they bring with them, this was frustrating.

I don't want to have a life where I don't have time to act on inspiration!  But I enjoy my life right now, and I love everything that I'm doing, so what's a girl to do?

Do you ever feel this way? Not lacking in inspiration, but lacking in the time and energy to make it all happen? To bring all of your dreams into fruition? It's better than feeling completely uninspired, but I think it's just as aggravating, in a way. 

One of my favorite quotes, that I read often in my yoga classes (I've also shared it on the blog before), kind of relates to this concept: 

For a long time it seemed to me that real life was about to begin, but there was always some obstacle in the way. Something had to be taken care of first, some unfinished business; time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last, it dawned on me that these obstacles are my life, and I am living it.  -Bette Howland

This is kind of what happens to me when I'm feeling inspired but don't think I have the time to act on that inspiration. I think, I must get through these other obstacles before I can do what I actually want to do right now. I have to check these things off of my to-do list before I can write that essay I want to write. I have to take Sayde to get her toenails clipped (MUST. DO. THIS. A.S.A.P.) before I can start that painting. 

But isn't writing the essay or starting that painting JUST as important as the other things on my to-do list? It's all part of living life, right? So why don't I pick to do those things, instead? Why do we keep ourselves from acting on our desires in the moment? 

I don't know if you can relate to this, but I hope that you can relate to the idea that we are living our life EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY.

The 2 minutes that I spend picking dustballs up off of the floor are equal to the two minutes that I spend sending an email, the two minutes that I spend snuggling with my husband or my dog, and the two minutes that I spend painting. They all count, they're all a part of life, and they all make up our experience.

I want to do more acting on inspiration and less living on a predetermined schedule. [Easier said than done.]

So in March, I'm going to reject the depletion of February and embrace my obstacles, my inspirations, and every one of my moments. I hope you'll join me in this effort.

And now, for some monthly inspiration...