Today, I encourage you to go beyond your comfort zone.

Have you ever felt like you weren't ready for something, so you didn't do it? Or wanted to try something new, but opted out because you didn't want to mess up? 

I recently spent a month exploring Maui and there were several times I found myself feeling unsure and afraid. A 10-mile warrior hike - am I even capable? What if I sprain my ankle? What if we get driven off private property?  First time snorkeling (in the ocean I might add) - what if I embarrass myself? What if I panic? Maybe I won't be able to breathe properly. What if I get attacked by a shark? 

Our minds can seriously go THERE, to all the dark places and through all the ‘what if's’…that usually never happen btw.  So why do we allow our minds to crush our dreams? How often has fear stopped you from saying yes? 

A wise person once said, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

This became my mantra during the trip. And I have to tell you, completing that hike was EXHILARATING. Snorkeling in the ocean was BREATHTAKING…in the best way possible! Beyond my comfort zone and out of my element, I experienced nature in new ways and got lost in those moments.  I felt the reward of growth on the other side, along with genuine joy, pride, and confidence from moving forward, despite being afraid. Saying yes was BEYOND WORTH IT!

There is something about familiarity that brings humans peace. We like our creature comforts. Yet, as in nature, there are seasons and cycles to be enjoyed and variety that we get to experience in each new day. 

So today, I invite you to try something different. Take a different route to work, pick up a hobby, do something you've always wanted to but haven't, try a food that you've never tasted, walk through fear. Just dip your toe in…even if only for this moment, for this day. Say yes, and see where it leads you.

Take a deep breath and trust that you've GOT THIS!  🖤

Welcome Summer - a seasonal tribute

A season of brightness, energy and motion, Summer is here.

When all living things bask in the sunshine, a time to feel truly alive.

Bees buzzing about, flowers abundant, sun-kissed skin, longer days, later sorbet sunsets.

It is in the heart of summertime where we celebrate the brighter daylight.

The renewed sense of time and making fun memories with friends. All of nature is awake.

Summer, we welcome you. Let's smile and dance and feel it all.

We honor you and celebrate your beauty, light and unique gifts.

What are your favorite ways to spend summer? Any seasonal hobbies, favorite things, or nostalgic memories come to mind? Share yours in the comments, we’d love to hear!

A few Thoughts and Questions for the New Year

As this unprecedented year comes to a close, we want to invite some thoughts into your heart, and also give you a few questions to ponder…

First, a few considerations…
As you seek resolution in your mind and heart from all that the year 2020 has been, may you find joy and anticipation for all that the future has in store.

Hold onto the notion that January is full of hopefulness and abundance. Even if it doesn't feel like it right now, and although circumstances won't change overnight, there is still something to be said for fresh starts and new beginnings. So, cling to that newness. Rest in the brilliant possibilities. Commit to doing something you may have put off in the past. Dream big. Share your light with the world. Keep curiosity and wonder alive 

We often fall back upon the guiding principles of HUNTRESS, particularly during challenging times, and welcome you to harness them as well. Beauty, Grace, Strength, Resilience, Life. These traits are within you, surrounding you, and can be called upon anytime. Step forward with clear intention and watch what blossoms. 

And now, the questions to reflect upon…
~ What are you most grateful for from 2020?

~ Are there any lessons that came forward for you?

~ What are you most proud of this year?

~ Is there anything that you are leaving behind?

~ What are you taking into the next year?

For us, we know that there is a lot of goodness brimming on the horizon for Huntress Florals! We are coming to you soon with expanded offerings and thoughtful ideas. So, stay tuned! And, in the meantime, best wishes for a healthy, peaceful new year 🏹💐🖤

Holiday Grounding Practice

Today, we want to guide you in a short, but impactful grounding exercise, a few moments to take just for YOU. Follow the prompts outlined below, and feel free to eventually make them your own. Enjoy!

Make yourself comfortable.

• Maybe that’s a seated position in a chair or on the couch, or laying on the floor or in your bed.

• Find a cozy space to be in, and a comforting position to relax into. Maybe you have a favorite blanket to wrap up in, light a candle or some incense, apply your favorite essential oil

Take a few deep breaths

• These may simply begin as regular breaths at first. Bringing awareness to your breath is enough.

• Eventually try to deepen your inhales and lengthen your exhales with each breath that passes through your lungs.

Soften your gaze.

• As you come to a more relaxed spot, drop your eyelids ever so slightly.

• Begin to journey inward, closing your eyes between reading the prompts, if that feels comfortable to you.

Check in with your senses and the space around you.

• What do you see in your surrounding space?

• What are you feeling around you?

• What sounds do you hear?

• What are you experiencing in the space that you are in right now?

• Simply notice, without judgement.

Take inventory of your body.

• What areas of your body can you extend awareness to?

• Breathe into any areas that you feel tension. Perhaps you can release further into your seat, drop your shoulders, unclench your jaw, relax your forehead.

• Scan your way up and down your body until you feel more at ease.

Be intentional about feeling grounded in the present as your mind journeys.

• Think back to a fond moment or even a place that brings you joy, and imagine yourself there.

• What do you see? Smell? Hear?

• Listen, really listen.

• Feel, really feel. As if you are back in that exact place. That precise moment in time.

• Perhaps you are alone or sharing the experience with someone.

• What about that memory brings you joy?
  

Take a few more deep, slow, continuous breaths. Inhale through your nose and audibly exhale through your mouth. Let it all go.

When you're ready, begin adding slight movement back into your body, gently wiggle your feet and hands, curve your lips into a smile and slowly open your eyes.

And now, go about your day — hopefully feeling more centered, more grounded.

And if the holidays feel chaotic, or a moment becomes overwhelming — be intentional about taking a few minutes out of your day to listen to your needs, to focus on your senses, to check in with your body, and to ground yourself.

A few of our Favorite Gratitude Quotes 🍂

Today, we’re sharing a few of our favorite quotes on thankfulness to keep the momentum of a grateful spirit forging ahead, into the weekend.

Which quote resonates most for you? Comment below!

1. “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” (Amy Collette)

We love this quote, because we’ve experienced firsthand how powerful gratitude is. It really does spark happiness in your heart. And that joy? It’s quite contagious when you start within and then expand it out toward others and into the world ✨

2. “A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.” (Cicero)

So much of life, and so many virtues in this world, stem from gratitude. A thankful heart truly is a great starting point to live a rich, beautiful, full life 🖤

3. “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” (Brene Brown)

This quote by Brene Brown is so simple and profound. Paying attention and practicing gratitude — these two, things can cause loads of contentment. Even the mundane moments of life can be beautiful. Seek the beauty in the every day 💐

4. “Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” (Alphonse Karr)

We saved the best for last! This quote is one of our all-time favorites. Thankfulness and perspective go together. Sometimes all we need is to choose to see the glass as half full, or, in this case, the thorns with the roses. What a glorious way to view life 🌹