Back in skinny jeans

Part I of II: Blogging for bucks, do you want to be popular or purposeful?

I’ve been blogging for a living for almost 3 years now, and recently, I took a 3 week hiatus because I was burnt out. This girl was beat and cranky. But at a higher level, I was feeling like I was at a crossroads with my future in blogging, and with my future with my current blogs, Back in Skinny Jeans, and Noshtopia.

“Step away from the Publish button”

I needed time to step away, relieve myself of the pressure of posting 5 days a week, and to really decide as a blogger if I want to be popular or purposeful because one thing I’ve learned in my Pro blogging experience is that the answer to that question can make a significant impact on what you blog about, how you blog, and how you monetize. As well, the answer can impact your brand identity, and influence what kind of advertisers choose to advertise with you or not. The answer can also influence your future, and I’ll get into why.

BISJ Readers: Be Stephanie's friend on Facebook

I'd love to be friends on Facebook with my lovely readers. In your request, just let me know you are a BISJ reader!

Reaction (humor): Finding out calorie count in Chipotle burrito

This is how I felt when finding out just how many calories one whole Chipotle burrito contains...lol!

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Quote on Action II

Off your chest: What do you wish they knew about your body image issues?

What is the one thing you wish your parents, your significant other, siblings, or your friends understood about your body image issues? Related to body image issues are eating disorders, perfectionism, and addictions to things like alcohol, drugs, work, and shopping.

I ask because MamaVision asked a similar question of her audience comprising mostly of teen to college girls, "What do you wish your parents knew about your eating disorder?" Reading the comments was eye opening and brought back many memories of my own challenges. Back in my 20's the one thing I wished my loved ones knew is that it's not about the food. My head is immersed with, "I'm not good enough."

Issues start compiling over time

The Back in Skinny Jeans audience is a bit older, and as some of you who have had similar paths as me understand is that when you don't deal with one thing, the inner pain gets worse, and you can start developing other issues as you get older. Like for me, it started with bulimia in college, then came addiction to work, then came anxiety issues, and then alcohol issues which was the tipping point for me to finally say, "Enough! I'm done living in pain."

Over time, the issues can quickly compile, grow, and take over, and healing becomes an even bigger mountain to tackle. I learned that the sooner you deal with things today, the less you will have to deal with later. I spent a good hard 3 years working on my stuff, and it paid off, but along the way, you bet I thought, "Climbing this mountain to recovery is grueling. Why do I have to do this? Oh yeah, I helped build this mountain in the first place."

Yesterday, when I thought to myself, "Okay, what do you want to get off your chest? Which someone do you wish knew something about you?" And honestly, I could not think of one person or one thing, and it really hit me, it's because my efforts to create an authentic life have come to fruition. Wow! This is wonderful. I am real with everyone, and in cases where I've had conflict with someone, I've asked myself "Does it matter to me? Is this worth fighting for?" And in most cases, it wasn't. I don't mean that in a bad way, just in a way that I have let go of attachment to this person or myself being any different than who we are today. Not everyone has to stay in your life, and the ones that love you, truly love you will stick around no matter what, and vice versa.

Letting out what is festering in you

In order to heal, you need to start voicing to yourself and others what is going on inside you. Again, I know that sounds way easier in theory than in practice, but even taking tiny steps to start opening up will help you immensely in the big picture.

So, for those of you wanting to start taking those first steps or for those of you further along who want some added support, I'm giving you a safe and supportive place today to get something off your chest. What is your truth? What do you wish your parents, your significant other, siblings, or your friends understood about your body image issues? And feel free to sign as anonymous if that makes you feel safer, what matters is that you know, and you are amongst other who "get it."

2 Minute Cardio Quickie: Dance like no one's watching...

...like Carlton Banks of Fresh Prince of Bel Air! Get up from your computer and get a fun 2 minute cardio workout doing "The Carlton." There is no way you can just sit to Tom Jones. I start dancing every time I hear "It's Not Unusual." I love the face. The face is what makes the dance.

Banish Blogger Butt in 7 Beneficial Ways

Did you giggle at the term "Blogger Butt" because you know exactly what I'm talking about? You recognize parts of yourself in the Top 10 Signs You Have Blogger Butt. Like me, you work online and are sitting almost all day which is okay for working your brain muscles but not optimal for working your physical muscles which is important because creating more muscle mass kicks your metabolism into higher gear. But not to worry, here are seven beneficial ways to keep your tooshie from too much Cookies & Spam:

• Ideally, stop eating at your computer. When you nosh while at your screen, it's very easy to get lost in mindless eating and before you know it, you've eaten a whole bag of chips or cookies. If you're hungry, eat at your kitchen table or go to a restaurant. As for drinking, stick to lower calorie and lower sugar drinks like water, tea or coffee.It's easy to drink 700 calories in a day. Ideally, you'd say bye-bye to the caffeine, but hey I'm realistic, the web would not exist without caffeine. It is best to limit caffeine consumption though.

• If you must nibble at your laptop because you're blogging in a cafe and have to buy something to earn your seat, consciously order foods that are high in vegetables, protein, or fruit. I go to one specific cafe to blog because they serve Dolmas which is a fabulous healthy snack. If you get a hot drink, order drinks with as little milk as possible to help cut down calories and fat. And yeah, those brownies and peanut butter cookies look deelish too, but they will pack on the calories. To satisfy a sweet tooth, see if the cafe has any small chocolates.

What I did over my blog hiatus

I know many of you are dying to know what I did during my 3 week blog hiatus, and not to worry, I will share all the delicious details on Friday. Just trying to get my blogging fingers warmed up. And again, I am so touched by those of you who said you missed me. I missed you all too! Warmed my heart :-)

In the meantime, let's take a spin back in the day to enjoy some Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Head to Toe. This song used to make feel so bouncy.

Lisa Lisa Cult Jam - Head To Toe
by jpdc11

Better Than Nothin: 3 organization tips

Let's get moving towards your goals and dreams. All we need to do is start by taking baby steps, make mini moves, just do something because anything you do even if it is pip squeek in size or effort is better than nothin'. Tiny steps add up over time. Today's Better Than Nothin' tips are about organizing.

• Find the shortest pile on your desk, and shorten it by the thickness of your index finger. Either throw stuff away or file it away.

• Been meaning to lighten the load in your gym bag, computer bag, or purse? Take out two things you don't need, and put them away.

• Piles of dirty clothes next to your bed? Stop stumbling over at least one of the piles, and put the clothes in the hamper or the washing machine. You don't need to turn on the washer, but if you get motivated, might as well do a load.

Tiny Steps are "Better Than Nothin"

The theme of "Two Tiny Changes Tuesday" was to remind people that taking tiny steps or making small changes is all you need to start moving towards the achievement of your goals, dreams, and aspirations.

I believe that many of us hold off on our dreams or procrastinate from moving down our path because we feel like we have to launch with big goals and lofty ambitions. Really though, the most effective way to make changes in your life and to make them stick long term, is to make tiny changes, take small steps, and bite off small chunks.

In this video, one of my favorite vloggers, Gary Vaynerchuk talks about "Better Than Zero" which basically reiterates that doing something, anything, even if it is minuscule, is better than doing Zero, Zilch, Nada, and I totally agree.

For example, doing 10 sit ups today is better than doing zero sit ups. Making one sales call is better than making none. Organizing a 1/2 inch off that pile on your desk is better than zero organizing. See, tiny steps add up over time thus moving you towards your goals while at the same time not triggering your Inner Resistance Monster.

So, inspired by Gary, I'm going to replace Two Tiny Changes Tuesday with "Better Than Nothin'" Tuesday Tips to help all of you to stay motivated with achieving your goals.