Healthy Love – SALLY♡THINGS

Write Down 10 Things You Love About Yourself.

I have been giving myself mini monthly goals and ‘Write down 10 things you love about yourself’ has been one of those mini goals to do. I’ve been putting it off for a while and honestly it’s because I felt like it would be hard for me to come up with 10 different things without having to look up some ideas. If I couldn’t list those off the top if my head, then what would that mean? Would it mean that I don’t love myself enough? Would it mean that I need help? I didn’t want to fall into that way of thinking, so procrastination. I finally tried it and I was able to list my 10 things one right after the other. I love myself a lot more than I gave myself credit for. Here’s to this silly little journal prompt, you should try it too ♡

10 Things I Love About Myself (in no order):

·𖥸· ─ I am a hard worker. I work the hours that I’m scheduled plus more. I don’t call off my shifts unless it’s really needed. Sometimes when work should be covered, I still work it. Even when I’m not at work, I am working.
·𖥸· ─ I’m pretty cute, as in i’m a cute person. I’m not referring to my looks, but it’s more of my personality or aesthetic. I basically am Hello Kitty in a human form.
·𖥸· ─ I am a good friend. I pride myself in those who I keep around and in my circle. I do what I can for my friends whether it’s physical or emotional. I support my friends in what they do in all forms. I have a crazy work schedule, but I do try to make it to events and my friends’ life moments. I’m here to support their endeavors and will spread the word around or share what they post. I try to be a safe space for them to come to with no judgement unless they ask.
·𖥸· ─ I’m an independent person. It’s true, I am just a girl, but I’m an independent one. If something goes wrong, I am the one fixing it or finding solutions the best I can without asking for help. I do love that about myself, but it can also be my weakness. I’ve been an independent person for what feels like my entire life, so it also is hard for me to ask for help. I do know that I can depend on myself though. I provide for myself in my daily life and can afford the luxuries in my life. I’m not rich by any means, so don’t get any ideas there LOL.
·𖥸· ─ My ability to do solo adventures. I’m not sure if it’s been noticeable, but I’ve been doing a lot of solo adventures. If this was 4 years ago, I would have just stayed home and not even go to events by myself. I wouldn’t even go to a restaurant by myself back then. I do all of that on my own now. I don’t miss out on events just because I have to be by myself. I actually really do enjoy my own company, I enjoy it so much that I’ve been doing solo trips out of the state and still having a great time.
·𖥸· ─ I’m passionate. I’m passionate my hobbies, I’m passionate about certain things like topics and views. I’m passionate about love, my friends and family.
·𖥸· ─ I am strong enough. I am strong enough to keep moving on and moving forward on things I choose to do or from events in my life. I’m strong enough to not let bad or negative things stop me from being myself. I’m strong enough to know I needed help and seek out therapy on my own. I’m strong enough to accept that I am broken in certain areas of my life and tend to them.
·𖥸· ─ Drive. I didn’t realize this until a friend pointed it out (thank very much). I also love the drive that I have. I’m looking to be better, do better, feel better always and I try my best to always be better. I’m constantly working on myself in many different ways, i’m also always looking into new things to do or trying new things. My drive is strong.
·𖥸· ─ Emotionally intelligent. Not everyone can be emotionally intelligent and sometimes being emotionally intelligent can also be bad. I can feel small and big feelings. I can feel simple and complex feelings. I can let myself feel, then express it in words. I can be open to understand the emotions or feelings of others. I make space and hold that space for others and myself.
·𖥸· ─ Last one on the list, but I am me. I love me, I am Sally. I know who I am and have not changed my authenticity to try to compete or to be better than anyone else. I don’t change who I am to try to impress others or to fit into peoples lives. I understand that I’m not everyones favorite and people will dislike me, hate me, think i’m annoying, think whatever of me and I’m completely fine with that. I myself don’t like every person I meet either, that’s just life. Everyone gets the same me, 100% authentic Sally.

I wrote everything in a journal first, then typed it in the blog. I won’t lie, I feel a little self centered sharing my list out there, but you know what? Why should I be scared to be self centered? What will a list of what I like about myself do? I’m wish more people shared what they loved about themselves. I want people to be happy about themselves and I want more people to celebrate themselves. It’s absolutely fine to be about you. Show yourself some love too. ♡

2026.

My Dearest Readers,

To my most esteemed and beloved SALLY♡THINGS readers, I offer my sincerest apologies for the excruciating torment you have endured whilst awaiting the arrival of my next literary delight. Your patience is as admirable as it is commendable, and it weighs heavily upon my heart to have kept you in such a state of eager anticipation. Pray, do forgive me, for the muse of inspiration shall soon grace us once more, and together we shall embark upon a most enchanting journey through the written word and journey of this life of mine. As we find ourselves immersed in the embrace of the year 2026, with a fortnight and a month having gracefully passed, I do hope it has bestowed upon each of you its most benevolent charms. With the occasion of Valentine’s Day having cast its enchanting spell, I am filled anew with inspiration, eager to resume my delightful endeavors upon this humble blog. This month, dear friends and readers, has blossomed with an abundance of love, lifting my spirits to the highest. It is with immense pleasure that I welcome you back, and I look forward to sharing in this journey of love and creativity once more.
With all my heart, yours ever devotedly, SALLY♡THINGS.

Update.

Hi, hello there. How are ya? I was feeling a little Bridgerton inspired, but I will admit it took me forever to write. I also haven’t watched the latest Bridgerton season, so please nooooo spoilers. I’ll start it after I finish watching Sex and the City. I am also aware that I am very behind on that too. I guess I just love shows were people write? How fitting that is.

2026. Where do I start? New year, same me? I can thankfully say that, I did not enter as the same me. There’s been a lot of self growth that’s been happening behind this computer screen. I have spent a lot of time on myself and will continue to do so. There’s not much to really update everyone on about me. I haven’t had any drastic lifestyle changes or hit any big life milestones, but I have celebrated many small steps in my own personal life. I guess, I have adventured a little more this winter than usual. Winter has been wintering here in Grand Rapids, but we have had a lot of sunny days at least. I’ve been feeling a lot happier this winter than past ones. Going into 2026 has been a wild ride for me, but every thing has been slowly coming into place. Tết or Lunar New Years just passed, so I had my “second” new years. Another start over right? I’m wishing all good health, fortune and blessings. Chúc mừng năm mới! Valentine’s Day just also passed, but you know that I celebrate all month long. I just love, Love. I have my annual Galentine’s party coming up, so I hope you’re not anti-Valentine’s just yet. I’m excited to see what i’m going to bring this year. Whatever it is, I hope it’s still all with love.

Hello 2026.

My goals list this year has a lot of the same repeating goals, not because I didn’t achieve them last year, but because they are goals that you can never reach the end of. They are goals that are good for your soul and make you a better person always.

2026 goals and intentions ♡
⊹˚. ♡. Film Photography. Last year I bought a film camera, a Canon AE-1 SLR 35mm and started to use it a little without any knowledge of anything. Only half of the photos turned out good. This year I want to fully learn all the settings and how to shoot film in different photography styles. I want to be a pro at using my film camera.
⊹˚. ♡. SALLY♡THINGS Growth. More content, more interactions, more milestones achieved. With more content being created, it also helps with preserving moments and having memories to look back on. It’s not all about getting paid, it’s to also save memories.
⊹˚. ♡. Online Business. This has been a goal of mine for a while, but I never really took the steps forward. This year I hope to have my online store up at least or close!
⊹˚. ♡. Travel. I want to see more, explore more, adventure more. There’s so much outside of Grand Rapids and Michigan, but also so much here that I haven’t seen yet. Big and small travels are fine. Solo traveling and with others is also the goal. I have friends from all over and I want to see them too. One monthly goal I have for the year is to solo adventure at least two times a month.
⊹˚. ♡. Dream Car. It’s finally time to get my dream car. It’s nothing crazy expensive, it’s pretty affordable (and used lol), but it’ll be better than the my current car. Last year, I’ve had so many issues with my car, I put in basically a good down deposit for a new car into my old car last year. My little blueberry has done me good and allowed me to visit loved ones in friends and I’ll be forever grateful for that, but it’s time to get something I want.
⊹˚. ♡. Slowing down and resting. If you know me, you know that I am always on the go whether it’s work or travels. I really want to prioritize slowing down a little and resting more. I definitely get burnt out more than a couple times a year and my body pays for it. I’m not getting any younger, so it’s important to take care of myself.
⊹˚. ♡. Healing. Healing will always be a goal of mine. I want to grow into my potential and you can’t do that unless you work on yourself. I want to heal all parts of myself. The healing goal isn’t just for me, I also want to heal my relationships with others. They aren’t bad, they are good, but they can always be better, get into those DMC, deep meaningful conversations.
⊹˚. ♡. Love and happiness. To do all things with love, to pour love, to be love. I am love and I intend to be love at the fullest that I can be – for myself and for others. Life is meant to be enjoyed and lived to the fullest. I want to continue to build a happy life for myself. Self love is self care and showing your love to others helps you see what type of person you are. I intend to only be love to those who support me, earned it and love me. It’s not meant for everyone.

2025, you were filled with love, strength, courage, and lessons. Please let 2026 be just as fulfilling, but with more positivity. Remember to be kind to one another, I hope everyone gets the year they deserve.

With all my heart, yours ever devotedly, SALLY♡THINGS.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Happy turkey day! Happy gobble gobble day!
Thanksgiving is a day to give gratitude. I wanted to give my gratitude before spending the day with my family.

To SALLY♡THINGS readers & supporters: I wanted to thank all of the SALLY♡THINGS readers & supporters. I’m very thankful to have this group of support and love. It means more than you know. I’m very blessed to have supporters who inspire me, supporters who help me, supporters who listen and read my content, supporters who motivate me. It has not been a content filled year, but you’re all still here waiting for the next post. Thank you for being there for me, when I am not. ♡

To my friends: To my closet friends all the way to just regular friends, old friends and new. I could thank you over and over and over for the next million years. I have the most supportive friends. The love from my friends has saved me from many, many hopeless days. You help ground me, but also help me live more. You stop me from doing stupids things, but also help me do those stupid (but good) things. This year, I’ve gotten many random messages, tags, phone calls from lots of people that included check ins, random compliments, silly jokes, serious conversations, motivational quotes, memes, etc. They all helped me more than you will ever know. Thank you for taking time out of your life to be apart of mine.

To my family: Thank you for loving me the way you do. I am nothing without the love of my family. The times spent together is always the best. I promise that I will do better with being more present.

To love: Thank you for the time spent together. Thank you for the love, I will hold on to it. Our time spent together as a small unit is all I ever want out of life. I’m thankful to be able to grow with love.

To my work: Read the friends portion as well because it also applies. I’m at work almost 24/7, so I spend most of my days with all of you. I’m thankful for that, I have made new friends and reconnected with old ones, I have made real connections and had so many laughs, work is never boring. My position can be very stressful, but knowing that I have a great team really helps with that. We’ll get through it all together.

To me: I’m thankful for being able to feel, to be able to sit with myself, to be alive. I’m thankful for my life and I will always strive to live my best life. There’s many days where I hold love and pain in the same place and I still come out soft, understanding and loving. There’s so much more, but I can’t find the right words. I’m just thankful that I still have room to grow, heal, and love.

I will now stop being so mushy and start my last minute grocery shopping. I am making deviled eggs for the first time today, so let me get focused on that. Again, I’m very thankful for those in my life. Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

Goodbye 2024, Hello 2025.

Yes, SALLY ♡ THINGS blog is still up and running for 2025! The end of the year and start of the new year blog is finally here. I told you that I was playing blog catch up. Since I’m a little behind, we get this cute 2-in-1 post ♡

Goodbye 2024.

In the beginning of 2024, I was parked on the top level of my college’s parking ramp just sitting in my car. Not having a good day at all. I was super emotional about a million different things, both positive and negative. I think I skipped my classes that day because I could not stop crying. I remember it was raining. That day I decided to try to calm my emotions down by journaling and instead of writing about my emotions, I tried to put my focus on what my goals and intentions were going to be for 2024. Writing about something that would bring more positivity forward was the mood that I wanted to try to set. That day I journaled two entries ‘2024 Goals and Intentions‘ and ‘2024 Blog Idea List‘. I think I ended up journaling in my car for three or four hours.

For 2024 Goals and Intentions, I wanted to come up with goals that were deeper than things like exercise more, get up early, drink more water, etc. I wanted the goals to be things that would help me become a better me and help with personal growth. Then when I came up with the goals, I wrote the intentions behind them or how I wanted to go about it. That way it wasn’t just a silly little self care goal, it now held a deeper meaning. I suggest everyone to do the same because it holds more value, is more meaningful and personable to yourself. It gives you a greater feeling when you complete it as well. Out of 16, I was able to cross off 10 goals that I completed in 2024. I call that a win and look, a win is a win!

A few completed goals with their intentions:

୨୧ Take more photos and videos. Print them out, save them, make montage videos, post them or whatever! I want to capture more memories and save/store them so they can be accessible in the future when I’m older.
୨୧ Live life/Be more present. Especially family, they are so important. Be more present in life. Live! Take in moments. Love life again. Don’t over work anymore and don’t over school. Live your best life Sally!
୨୧ Love and happiness ♡ I want to be more loving in everything and I want to remember 2024 as happy. The last few years have not been remembered quite well as happy, so this year will change. Let go of things that don’t belong and be okay with that.

For 2024 Blog Idea List, this was a list of topics that I wanted to blog about and write for the year. It was a list that I could come back to look at for ideas. I came up with 33 different topics and I wrote about 14 of those, but some topics have multiple blogs written about like travel blogs or food adventures. Don’t get me wrong, I do love my food and travel blogs, but some new content is on the way. A little less than half is not too bad, but it’s time to do better this year and I can’t wait to get back into blogging a little more often. I still have this blog “project” or series that I started last year, but I’m still working on writing it. It might not be finished this first half of the year, but my goal is to finish it this year or at least be able to post the first two parts.

Hello 2025.

Welcome 2025! My start of the new years was spent at The Armory with Kaskade and Sullivan King in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I spent my New Years in the most “Feral Festival Sally” way, so you can take that however you want, but I had a really good time. Maybe a little too much fun cause I woke up with gum in my hair the next morning. I have the funniest theory on how the gum got there too. Let’s just say this: I’m a headbanger girly with super long hair and there were a lot of gum chewers around. My hair is known to SNATCH PEOPLE! I also attempted to eat grapes for the New Years, but we did it sooo wrong. Yes, we were able to sneak in grapes at the venue somehow. I ended up being rave mom and passing them out to make sure my friends ate something during the rave. I think I ate 2-4 only, but this was all after the count down. So we all ate grapes to survive the rest of the night basically. It’s so funny to look back at the videos from that night. Thank you Minneapolis for a New Years that I’ll never forget!

For 2025, I want to do the same method with my goals and writing their intentions. I’m planning to repeat the same list and add new ones. I’m hoping to can accomplish more goals this year than I did in 2024. My vision for 2025 is to always live my best life, to be happy, love always and to be better. It’s another year to build the life that I want and deserve. I went in to 2025 as the same me, but a more experienced me. Still the same person, but I have something different about me. I’m still learning if it’s a good or bad thing or if it’s just a phase. This year I am digging deeper into myself and I’m protecting myself more than ever before. I’m also going into things with a different perspective. I posted this before and I’ll say it again here:

If you saw me, you absolutely did see me. If you heard me say something, I absolutely said it and said it with my chest. I’m done with playing the high road. We are not hiding in 2025. Respectfully ♡

I promise that I will be out here living my life for myself. Take it as my ‘villain era’, me setting up more boundaries, or me seeking my full potential, whatever. I said it here.

Here are a few goals and the intentions behind it, that I would like to see myself accomplish in 2025. It’s from both the 2024 and 2025 list.

୨୧ Healing. I want to heal all the parts of me that have been through the ringer over and over again. I want to heal the parts of me that easily get triggered. I accept that if the healing means I end up feeling hateful, then that’s how it ends up. I can’t end everything on love all the time, no matter how much I want that. Let it go and let things play out the way that it does. I was able to do it once, I know that I definitely can do it again. Be at peace and be comfortable and fine with that peace.
୨୧ More journaling and blogging. I know that journaling and blogging helps me with all my emotions, so why deprive that outlet from myself? I’m a person who feels a lot and holds all those feelings. Release it, stop holding on to them for so long. Let them go. I also love to journal and blog, it’s good for me. I have made connections with others through it. I’m no savior, but I’m a person and being a person speaks loud volumes.
୨୧ Love and happiness ♡ This is the 2025 revised version. I want to still be more loving in everything and I want to remember 2025 as happy. The love this year is more me orientated. I choose that love for me, I choose that happiness for my life, for my future. Whatever that looks like, but it’s self focused vs. what I did before. I worked on myself to reach an ‘us’, but this year I’m working on myself to reach a me. If an ‘us’ happens to appears this year, then that is something that fits around me and not the other way around. (No tea here, sorry. ‘Us’ is not a specific person, it’s general use.)

2024, you were wrong, but you were right to be wrong. Goodbye 2024.
2025, your new life is going to cost you your old one. What is meant for you, you simply cannot lose. Hello 2025.

October Healing.

Is it just me or does the October fall breeze has a calming and grounding feel to it? There’s something about October where I tend to slow down life and get really focused. I also noticed that a lot of different socials will talk about how October is about healing and grounding. I just went through a small rabbit hole on October’s birthstones, so now you have to as well.. There’s 2 birthstones for October: Opal and Tourmaline. Opal is known to symbolize hope, clarity and truths. It is known for their soothing, calming energies to alleviate stress and provide tranquility and peace. Tourmaline is known to inspire and promote happiness, encourages confidence and diminishes fear, energetic energy, best for healing the physical heart and can be used for grounding. Everything just ties together.

New month, new affirmations and intentions! September just flew by. I can’t believe it’s already October. We all made through another month and we’ll make it through this one. Lets take advantage of the healing properties of October, here are some affirmations and intentions ♡

୨⎯ October is a time for reflection; I appreciate the journey that has bought me here.
୨⎯ October’s chill is a reminder to nurture myself with self-care and warmth.
୨⎯ I welcome the calming and cozy energy of October in my life.
୨⎯ I create space for relaxation, allowing my mind and body to recharge.
୨⎯ I trust each season of my life
୨⎯ Love more; The world and everyone around you needs it.
୨⎯ Let go of the past you have survived it. Time to move on.
୨⎯ Give yourself credit for how far you have come.
୨⎯ Do things that fill your cup to reconnect.
୨⎯ Reach for the truth of your life more and more each day.

For those who need more reminder or motivational-like sayings instead of affirmations, this section is for you. Here are a few that I found ♡

୨⎯ You’re close, that’s why it’s getting tough.
୨⎯ We can’t control all in life, but what we can do is look ahead and dictate where we go next.
୨⎯ Transform to Heal: People-Pleasing → Authenticity | Difficulty Saying “No” → Setting Boundaries | Overthinking → Trusting Intuition | Comparing Oneself → Self-Appreciation
୨⎯ Allow yourself the time to just be this month. Love, laugh, play, create. Meet with a friend and talk. Indulge in the most beautiful bubble bath. We are at a transition of seasons and it’s time to find the space to be. To enjoy. To fill your cup and remind yourself that you are so truly worthy.
୨⎯ Choosing progress over perfection. Honoring what you’ve achieved while moving towards what you desire. Staying grounded in gratitude and feeling at peace.
୨⎯ Feel your feelings, even if it disrupts your day. Your inner child deserves kind self-talk. Love yourself harder on days you’re struggling.
୨⎯ Dear October, I won’t ask for perfection, as it’s all part of the ride. I won’t ask for abundance, as I have my own meaning of wealth, but I will ask for reminders to be present in the daily. I will ask for soft reminders when something isn’t for me. I will ask that I become what I need.
୨⎯ October will be filled with love, peace and healing. October will be filled with progress, blessings, and opportunities. October will be fill with happiness.
୨⎯ In October – Become the love you always wanted, but never received. Heal what hurts, so that it doesn’t use you as a channel to hurt others. Forgive yourself – for all the versions of yourself you did not become, for all of the versions of yourself you had to be in order to get here today. Slow down – live softly, and love softly, and above all else, never forget that while beautiful things may come and go – they still come. They still come.
୨⎯ October ins: Slowing down, letting go of old beliefs, making room for the new. October Outs: Forcing, unaligned action, negatives self talk.

Happy October and I hope that it brings everyone all that you guys need. It can flow to you and find you, but you also have to allow and accept it in too. Take care of yourself. A happier us is the goal. ♡

2024: July to September Photo Dump

These summer months were filled with travels for me. Remember how I said I was going to live it up this summer? I definitely did! Having a life outside of work has been a long time coming and well deserved. I’ve been able to romanticize my life again and mentally I’ve been so much better. I turned 29, I ate good food, I danced, I added to my plushie collections when I literally have no space in my room, I loved and was loved back, celebrated my friend getting married, saw old friends and made ones. It was the best. I would love to thank the summer sun for all it provided, you’ll be very missed soon. Hopefully the winter blues will be kind this year.
Loving every little thing in the world ♡

July

August

September

2024: April to June Photo Dump

I become a better person when the weather starts to heat up. I don’t know what to say, I just LOVE the sun. As you may have read or heard, I switched jobs and positions which has allowed me to have more time to have a personal life and more time to focus on my health and make improvements to it. I promised myself that I would live more this year in experiences and not live at work like how I have in the past. April to June has been a blessing and I have done just that ♡ I’ve done so many things in these few months, so I’m excited to see how this will continue for the rest of summer and after. I’m happy that I can feel like a normal person and be more with the people I love. Living my best life ♡

April

May

June

January & February ’24 Mini Writings.

Not so many to start the year off with and that’s alright. I’ve actually been a little shy to write down my thought and share them lately. I know there’s no need to be shy, but there will more mini writings to come in the next few months. ♡

January 20, 2024

“Slow and steady wins the race” & will also show you truth.

– sally.things

January 25, 2024

Live your truth.

Dig deep down and decide who you are and live in your truth.

What things are you going to let define you?

What things will you let take space up in your mind?

What image are you going to hold up?

– sally.things