Stop. Wait a minute.

Don't worry I'm not going to bust out into the chorus of Uptown Funk. Though my boys love the song.

Nope, instead I'm going to talk about baggage for a minute. Baggage. We all have it. To some to degree. In some form. Emotional baggage. Physical manifestations of our baggage. Baggage.

This week I was working on lightening my load. Because really my baggage doesn't affect my past or the person I thought shoved it into my bag, it affects me now and into the future. Including the future generation.

So anyway, I was given homework. Good thing this homework is a lot more enjoyable than other school work I've had in the past! Along with some reading assignments, I was given two tasks. First, keep a gratitude journal of some sort and write down the little things. Second, do something self-care everyday.

I have been practicing paying more attention and expressing gratitude for the little things around me, but I'm terrible at regularly recording it. I don't know why, but I get stuck and just can't manage to put the words onto paper or screen. So I'm embracing that challenge because there is something to putting down in words. And here's how I'm going to do it... I desired something easy. I don't necessarily want to sit down at the computer to blog it each night, but I wanted to share my day to day with you too. To share my little stories and not just my big ones. So I'm headed to Instagram with this goal. Each day I am going to stop and wait a minute and notice.  I'm am going to start by finding 3 things each day, and at least one of which I will snap a picture of or of something that represents it. Then at the end of each day, I will post on Instagram (and I'll share with Facebook too). I will hashtag all of my pictures with #mindfulmoment (it does already exist). So then you can look them up and see them. AND anyone so inclined to join me in this challenge, please do! Add the same hashtag, and I'll be sure to check in on you too!

I'm terrible about taking a few minutes for me. It really is something I need to work on, and I'm guessing most of you do too. So each day I'm going to do the same thing with a little snippet of what I did to take care of myself... whether it was a shower (Don't worry I'm totally G rated, with maybe an occasional borderline PG... what can I say, diaper bums are cute!), wearing make up (hello, blue moon), reading a book, enjoying a cup of tea (Good Earth Sweet and Spicy, anyone?)... or whatever. I will hashtag all of those #selfcare (again already a hashtag). Hashtag it up with me and share what you do!

Let's share all of our story... the big and little moments. Help keep me accountable. Join me on Instagram at lachellebarnes. Let's find the light to dwell in together.

And the next post in my mini series is coming. Loss shows up in the form of relationship heartbreak. Check back soon and thanks for journeying with me!