Jenn Hildebrand

Galiano || My Birthday Weekend

For my birthday, a few of my close friends and I went to Galiano Island for a weekend adventure.

Saturday morning we packed the car full of groceries and good tunes, and set sail. The moment we made it to Galiano we headed straight over to their Saturday Market. It was super cute with a guitarist playing some cover songs as well as locals selling fresh fruit and veg, coffee, sweets, and other local made items.

Once we were done there we drove to the other side of the island to the place we were staying. The moment we settled in we headed straight to the kitchen to cook up some food. There’s something so great about having “family” meals with your friends. I la la laaave it. I also really love Bows + Arrows coffee and am still crying over their cafe shutting down in East Van…

Okay if you ever go to Galiano, definitely check out the Sandstone Caves. It is on Private property so you do need to be careful of that, but oh MAN is it gorgeous. It’s a bit of a walk down but totally worth it. And you better believe we took this as an opportunity to have a photoshoot.

This is genuinely the best place to get that classic PNW insta shot.

Sunday – aka Birthday day! This was spent exploring the island. Some places to definitely check out would be:

  • Galiano Island Soap Works
  • Galiano Island Books
  • Bowline Cafe – Had the most delightful Lavender Fog with their in-house made nut milk!
  • Babes in The Woods – Had their veg pizza and it was delishhh
  • the trails – it was raining on Sunday so we weren’t able to go on many but we did do a v short walk towards some steps that led down to the water and it was so gorgeous. Honestly, there’s nothing better than being in nature!

Honestly – this weekend was what I needed. I’m a very on the go person and I barely take time to rest. Being away from the busyness of the city and surrounding myself with nature allowed me to really slow down. Plus there’s the bonus of being with some of my people. Instead of being on our phones we played board games (and A LOT of Dutch Blitz), asked each other questions that allowed us to dig deeper, and we allowed ourselves to unplug from the every day. If you haven’t had a chance to visit BC’s Gulf Islands, I 100% recommend you do!

27.

Twenty Seven.

Here’s to a new year.

Twenty six can be concluded as a year of growth – emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and unfortunately not physically. (A girl can only dream of what it’d be like to be 5’4 *sigh*).

Things that happened this year:

  • got a new job (YAY!)
  • made some new, super rad friends who are crazy empowering, loving, and encouraging
  • was introduced to the Land of Eyelash Extensions (I’ve been made their Queen)
  • went vegan
  • then decided that I love smoked salmon too much and instead chose the pescetarian life (sorry Nemo)
  • tried to date… LOL key word tried
  • chopped my hair
  • dyed my hair
  • dyed my hair again
  • BROKE MY ARM (I still can’t believe that happened…)
  • grew closer to God – this has been so important for me…
  • learned more about my own calling in life and ministry
  • stepped out of my comfort zone SO many times (and something I don’t mind sharing more about if you’re interested)
  • discovered that I can cook semi decently
  • can count on my hands the number of panic attacks – which is major progress
  • joined a gym (YUP… me… a gym…)
  • and saw Harry Styles in concert (BLESSINGS)

Twenty six was something else.

But going into twenty seven, I’m excited for what’s to come.

Here’s to a year of more awkwardness, more selfies, laughter, food, travelling, friendship, love, concerts, and growth.

Here’s to a new year.

*photo credit: Cally Petersen Photography

New Year, Same Jenn

Holy crap it’s 2018!

It’s a month into the new year and I’m still processing that it’s no longer 2017.. and as cliche as it sounds, where the heck has the time gone? It’s crazy to think that it’s a brand new year. A fresh start as some would say.

And now that the holidays are over (and so is January), the party hats have been taken off and the 2018 balloons have deflated, it’s time to write out the obligatory new year, new me blog post. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the same one that everyone writes at the start of every new year, hashing out all their big “resolutions” that they want to concur. They talk about all the good and bad that has happened over the last year, and what changes they need to make in the new.

Now, I’m no stranger to the old saying “New Year, New Me”. I’m the queen of saying it (usually hinted with some sarcasm and a cheeky smirk). But as I thought about it, I’m not suddenly this brand new person. Sure it’s a new year, but it’s still the same old Jenn, only with a couple new goals. A new outlook, if you will.

Just because it’s a new year that doesn’t mean that you have to change the old you. Instead, focus on little changes that can only better yourself. Things that will only help you grow and enhance your life. Be a little healthier… set a couple goals… go to bed early… do whatever it takes that will make you feel happier.

And that’s what I’m planning on doing. I’m planning on doing things that make me happy. I’m choosing to be happy this year. I started off January with a bang and used The Happiness Planner. The planner is organized into a monthly overview, daily challenges and goals, as well as monthly challenges. It also begins with an overall assessment and happiness tools that challenge you to look at yourself (and life), pin point your own weaknesses and strengths, as well as setting goals that you want to achieve in the next year, five years and ten. It also gives pages for personal reflections as well as an exercise to help define what happiness is to you.

Even though February is already here, I’m still working my way through the personal exercises and reflections. It isn’t something that you can go through quickly. It’s something to take your time with – to really reflect and set intentions. That can be a post in of itself if you’d like me to talk about (let me know!) PLUS – the planner is GOALS and gorgeous and it fulfills all my stationary dreams. Definitely pick one up! Click here to check their website (note: this is not sponsored).

Switching back to my goals, my 2018 ones are pretty simple…

  • choose happy
  • stick to a routine (nightly – read my Bible, pray)
  • make healthier choices
  • get my license (I’m 26 and I don’t drive. It’s probably time. I’ve also been saying this for the last 5 years)
  • adventure more
  • put more focus on my blog
  • get my own place

What about you? What are your 2018 goals?

J. xx

       

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