Life is busy. We all have our “must do” stuff every day. With work; getting the kids off to school; walking the dogs; playing chauffeur to and from preschool, games, and practices; grocery shopping; cooking meals; cleaning; finding time to work out; and the list goes on. I’m exhausted just thinking about it all. How about you?

And it’s easy to lose yourself in all the chaos.

Throughout my life, I’ve suffered from depression. One of the biggest life-changers for me was shifting my mindset to acknowledge my own need (and I believe everyone’s need) to nurture Self. And the best way (really the only way) for me to make this happen (and to feel better!) is to schedule time to do more of the things I love. Depression isn’t one of those things that ever goes away, but putting energy into myself, my hobbies, and my passions has made a significant difference in my life.

Exploring My Passions

Taking time out for me to do the things I love most reminds me that I’m more than just Mom, Wife, Entrepreneur, Blogger, etc. I wear a lot of hats each day, and it’s essential for me to remember that I’m also Kerry. I’m the woman who loves traveling (probably my #1 all-time biggest passion), reading, flipping houses and designing beautiful spaces in homes (from my interior design days), having quiet time, spending time outdoors, and so much more. I have a lot of sides to me. When I take time to explore the things I love, I remember that my needs and passions are important too – just as important as my wonderful husband, amazing children, and awesome clients!

A Change of Scenery Helps

Traveling is the one thing that really keeps me grounded and connected to not just my family and the beautiful world around me, but also to myself. Physically removing myself from the everyday places and activities gives me the fresh perspective I need to go inward and to get more centered. I’ve been to some incredible places and I always learn something new about myself with each journey. New destinations inspire me and places I’ve already traveled to feel familiar, comfortable, and relaxing.

It’s probably not much of a surprise that I love being outdoors. As much as I love getting dressed up and doing my hair, I also love roughing it a little. Hiking is a passion of mine, as is being near mountains and trees and away from the hustle and bustle of everyday stuff. Every year I do an all-female fishing trip and being near or on the water is another way to disconnect from the busy world and tune in to me. We recently bought a cabin in North Carolina. It’s a fixer-upper that sits on 7 gorgeous green acres with a little vineyard and a waterfall right on the property. It’s my Zen. The moment I pull in the driveway, I feel like I can breathe more easily.

(Side note: I recently had a not-so-little furry intruder to my Zen when when a black bear broke into my car one night and tore it up. True story. You can read about it on my Instagram. Regardless of that bit of drama from nature, it’s still one of my favorite places to be.)

It’s slower paced there. There’s only one grocery store, not great cell service, lots and lots of beauty all around, and it’s only 2.5 hours from our home in Atlanta. A short drive from big city to paradise. And of course I’m looking forward to renovating it in the Spring! Stay tuned as I’ll be sure to share it all here with lots of pics!

Hobbies Are Life-Savers

The point is, hobbies are necessary. Passions are crucial. If you want to live a happy life (who doesn’t?) and one that makes you feel fulfilled, take time out for yourself. Let yourself do something you’d normally shy away from. Take the dance class you’ve always dreamed of. Go on a solo trip to the beach. Write a book. Whatever it is you’ve been putting off, do it. I promise it’ll be worth it. And if, like me, you wrestle with depression from time to time, it’s critical that you put yourself first!

Your Turn

How do you stay centered? What fills you up so you can keep on keeping on? Don’t forget to tell me all about it. I want to hear about your biggest dreams and your strongest passions. Go ahead and leave a comment below – what makes ya tick?

xoxo,