The Key to Love🔑
Are you a reader?
Not just an email reader, but a book reader. Because I am a reading-fiend. In fact, I always have been. Here's a self portrait of me ⬇️
Fun Fact: I was an only child from birth until I was 8. I then had a brother for approximately one year before he passed away, unexpectedly, when I was 9. From then on, I stayed an only child until my second brother came into the picture (much to my mom's surprise) when I was 18.
As you can imagine, it got lonely growing up as an only child, so books were my escape. They were my friends, and my safe place. Not to mention I've always been a great reader–in third grade I was reading at a middle school reading level (the private library perks were siccc 😏)
All these years later, reading has remained a constant for me. But the one thing I've never been a fan of is digital books i.e. kindles, book apps, audio books, etc.
I'm that snobby girl that says a "true book lover" reads “real” books 🙃 But deep down I know, while you personally won't ever catch me with a Kindle, reading is reading. It's good for you (and your brain) however you decide to do it.
Anyways, I'm a paperback girl through and through. 📖
BUT I'm not on the other end of the spectrum either ➡️ I keep my books tidy. No dog ears, no highlights (unless its educational), no things sticking out of the pages. I can't get with it. The neat freak in me wants to scream. I instead use bookmarks religiously (My favorite bookmark right now is a metal one from MOMA that my step-daughter brought back for me from a trip to NYC 🥲)
So the other day I'm reading this fictional, first-person story about a woman in her 30s doing some shit and falling in love (seems to be the synopsis of everything I read nowadays 🤣). And this one particular line was SO GOOD. It was neatly tucked into a page with such little importance.
But I had never heard these 8 words said together in this order before, and it had me thinking for a hot minute (like literally a hot minute because the sauna was 190° 🥵)
Here's the line (including the first portion for context):
She smiles at me, and it's such a great smile, so warm and open and loving, that I realize I might do just about anything to keep it on her face. No wonder Gabe bought his mother this store. She seems like a wonderful person to make happy.
– Funny You Should Ask, Elissa Sussman
proof 👆
Am I the only one that's literally never thought of that before… if I'm an easy person to make happy?
I can guarantee there's someone you can think of right now who is easy to make happy. They find joy in the little things. They're warm and make you feel fuzzy for doing something for them. They're incredibly grateful, and they're the kind of person who will do it right back for you.
Are you that kind of person? I sure hope I am.
The older I get, the more I care about building happy, beautiful, and fulfilling relationships; and I 100% believe if you want those kinds of relationships you have to be lovable.
Yes, you should give love and give it well but you also have to learn how to receive love. How to respond to praise. How to take a compliment. How to love yourself first, so you can accept love just as full.
I like how this thought came to me during a month full of love (I'm a big Valentine's Day fan, call me a sap 😍). It reminded me how love is weaved into every fabric of who we are; but it all starts with how we love ourselves first.
We can't love others or receive love fully if we don't first love exactly who we are and where we're at right now.
I hope you are feeling the self-love today. And in case no one else has told you today, you're beautiful. Happy Valentine's Day. 💕
LISTEN
Dry January: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
For those of you who were (or still are) following along on my “sober” journey, I shared all the details on my experience with Dry Jan in last week's pod episode. Let me just say it was lifechanging. If you're considering making some habit/lifestyle shifts in your life, this would be a great episode to tune into!
LEARN
Free Masterclass Live on Feb. 23, 2023
On a scale of 1-10, how confident are you with your proposal and booking process? Save the date, sis, because on Feb. 23 I’m going LIVE to take you all the way to a 10 at my FREE Masterclass: Creating Your Polished & Profitable Proposal Process. (P.S. There's a huge giveaway going down too)!
EXPERT SPOTLIGHT
Gene Designs
When I say I am obsessed with everything Gina does, it's an understatement. She is a branding genius, and I have worked with her in countless capacities as her client, as her speciliast, and again as collaborators on other client projects. If you're looking for a skilled and stand-out designer for your next project, Gina is your girl.
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Show yourself some love today.
YOU'VE EARNED IT.
As always,
Taylor