Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for AVEENO®. I'm a 2014
AVEENO® Ambassador. All opinions are 100% my own. I received a 12 oz bottle of
AVEENO® Daily Moisturizing Lotion
and a $100 Visa gift card for participating in the
#AveenoDailyChallenge. Come with me on my three week personal journey,
as I commit to activities that will help me de-stress, meditate,
reflect, and take time for myself. I'll be using AVEENO® Daily
Moisturizing Lotion everyday, along the way.
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Challenge #6 - Close Your Eyes, Be Still & Think Happy Thoughts. Last week, I came across a chart that showed a few examples of how to de-stress. It pretty much showed the usual things, but one in particular stood out. It said, "to close your eyes, be still and think a happy thought. It's the quickest way to de-stress." Wow. So simple. So quick. So true. So FREE. As I was running errands, I stumbled upon a small carnival being set up. It instantly made me smile. I decided to stop and take a few pics. It was refreshing, because no one was around. Everything was still, yet moved. Everything was silent, yet spoke to me. There was a nice breeze in the air and I decided to just walk around for a minute. Despite no one being there, I could picture the rides moving. I could picture a line of people at the ticket booth. I could picture the carousel circling 'round. It was a funny feeling, but I felt so relaxed. Then, I imagined the food. I could picture the bright red, candy-coated apples being sold, buttery popcorn being popped, fluffy pink candy floss (cotton candy) and hot dogs with ketchup & mustard being eaten. It was truly a magical experience. It was like my own personal Candy Land (for the mind). I thought I would capture my experience and share it with you today. It was very unexpected. Have you ever experienced the same? Have an enlightened Monday!
Oh how cute - carnivals are always a fun and exciting things for me. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, sometimes we just need to learn to be still in today's world and take a moment to focus on a singular thing, like a hapy thought!
The Dragonfruit Diaries
This sounds so relaxing! It is nice that you had the time to stop and feel all those little things that makes us happy. And to capture them. The cotton candy sounds great, I haven't had for years! Have a great Monday too!
ReplyDeleteI love the nostalgia of a beautiful carousel going round, there's something about it that takes me straight back to my childhood. Sitting still and just thinking happy thoughts is relaxing - when I can manage to do it and my mind doesn't wander off into all sorts of directions. Have a lovely Monday xo
ReplyDeleteWonderful doll...sometimes it as easy as closing your eyes and thinking happy thoughts to feel more relaxed. I love the carnival...the smells of cotton candy and hot dogs is always wonderful. I used to eat so much of it as a child. Not been in ages. I hope you have a peaceful week doll Xxx
ReplyDeleteTo close your eyes and thinking happy thoughts is perfect to daydream and you get more relaxed! The carnival is always fun, I liked it as a kid (and still do..)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
www.sohostyles.blogspot.nl
I love this atmosphere, it sounds a great experience!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday dear
Viky --- MySecretFashionPoison
This just looks so much fun! Kim, you don't know how jealous I am right now, haha! I have my exams going on and on top of that, they are all back to back! :'( I'm doing 8 hours of studying per day :(
ReplyDeleteBut this looks so much fun!!!
Relationships.College.Love
Oh I hope you get to go experience the carnival when it's open Kim! Although I'm guessing it might be loud and crowded and not as relaxing, haha!
ReplyDeleteAway From Blue
Hi Kim! You know is like I could smell that food just from your photos? Must have been nice to take them, I agree, that is the simplest way to de stress and relax. I do it too!:) For now, I wish I was in the carousel as the children!:P Have a lovely week ahead my friend, many hugs! xo
ReplyDeleteI need to do this by the end of the week I usually beyond stress out. I like the sound of the waves.
ReplyDeletehttp://tifi11.blogspot.com
Isn't it amazing how a simple thing could totally change our state of mind? I actually treasure moments like this coz I must admit that it's hard to be so aware sometimes. I find usually just thinking of simple things like a freshly-mowed lawn could totally de-stress me:)
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday, Kim.
Will you go back to the carnival when it opens? Nothing beats the food at a carnival, yum!
ReplyDelete-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
that sounds great sweety!
ReplyDeletewish you a wonderful new week!
<3
http://www.getcarriedaway.net/
What a cute little carnival - they instantly transport us back to happy childhood memories I think xo
ReplyDeleteI love carnivals!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love carnivals!!! :)
ReplyDeletePeter Pan was obviously onto something about de-stressing! I often find the most magical, unusual moments are ones we spend alone in places that are normally filled with crowds of people. I'd love to have a carnival all to myself one day, even just for a few minutes.
ReplyDeletexox,
Cee
Man, I haven't done a theme park in more than a year, I think. Would be great for summer!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I had a moment like that with my nephews. I was babysitting and it was nighttime and snowing and we went out in the snow and the wind was really blowing making that really cool sound and I said to my nephew Luke "Isn't that a really cool sound?" and was like "yeah" in wonderment and then my other nephew Jake was talking and Luke said to him "Shhh listen to the wind"
ReplyDeleteAllie of ALLIE NYC
allienyc.com
We rarely have cute carnivals like this here, looks like such a treat! Many thanks for stopping by, may your week start on a high note.
ReplyDeleteI love fairs! I try to go to one a summer (at least)! They make me so happy and definitely remove stress :)
ReplyDeleteI see that you spent amazing and happy time in this weekend! And I have to try your tip for de-stress ;)
ReplyDeletehttp://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/
it's a wonderful thing to have to be able to imagine! must have felt so serene, kim. and i love carnivals at night. i always tell yangkyu that we should go every year but we miss out. this year for sure!
ReplyDeleteI really love carnivals, can't wait to go to one again soon :) Also thanks for your latest comments. I was away this weekend so I couldn't answer earlier. You had asked me about Treaclemoon. I don't really know if they ship to the US but on the UK page I saw that they do international shipping when you write them an e-mail so you could try that. You need to click on the products to get the e-mail address and here is the page:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.treaclemoon.net/index.htm
Hope this is helpful :)
xx
Our minds are so powerful that they can transform our mood if we just let it. Being at a carnival is such a fun experience to imagine. I like to imagine being on the beach :) Happy Monday Kim!
ReplyDeleteRowena @ rolala loves
I think "close your eyes, be still and think a happy thought" is both the simplest and hardest way to de-stress. On the one hand, like you said it's an easy and free thing to do. On the other hand, in our crazy busy and constantly connected modern society, who can find time to sit still for more than 2 seconds with absolutely no distractions?!
ReplyDeleteGood advice, though, if you can manage to do it!
We have a carnival going on this week! You just reminded me that I need to go before it ends. :-)
ReplyDeleteMo
Wow fantastic Place! Looks like a great Time :)
ReplyDeletekisses
I love this, I'd love to visit a carnival!
ReplyDeleteCorinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
Kim, what a good tip! Looking at your photos brought back childhood memories!
ReplyDeletexo Jo
http://www.whiterosesandcoffee.com
Aw! I miss carnivals (our annual fair gets WAY to crowded for me to enjoy).
ReplyDeleteTBH, when I first read this, I thought there was a CandyLand (the board game) theme park.
Someone should totally make that! :D
very nice pics,sounds great this experience
ReplyDelete----> tr3ndygirl fashion blog <----
have a nice day
A fantastic atmosphere!
ReplyDeleteCiao
What a great post!! So agree with you - drawing back to meditate is good for us. Keep em coming dear. :-)
ReplyDeletemissymayification.blogspot.co.uk
Random but true: I'm craving a hot dog now.
ReplyDeleteI remember going to a carnival when I was little. Isn't it funny how there are such simple steps we can take to help us relax? That's why I always love wearing happy colours it helps with your mood as well. Glad that you were able to enjoy Kim.
ReplyDeleteSuch a good job describing the scene! I can picture it perfectly!
ReplyDeletewww.amemoryofus.blogspot.com
That's a really good way to de-stress! I wish I had more time to meditate but I always feel like I need to be doing something >< This post reminded me it's almost carnival season! that's exciting :)
ReplyDeletewww.lettersimpromptu.blogspot.com
it's been such a long time since i was at a fair like this ;) carousels are my fave!
ReplyDeletesteph / absolutely-fuzzy.com
Hi Kim, it's true that technique of being still and to clear our minds with negative thoughts and be positive will help us de-stress. I try my best to do this. Maybe I should really make a commitment to do this every night. Love the sight of carnivals. We have some carnivals being set up here too. Truly a sign of Spring.
ReplyDeleteThis is just so sweet and definitely distressing for sure. Great job!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thefashionstirfry.com
This reminded me of my childhood, those places have some magic, and when empty it feels nostalgia, perhaps by the absence of noise. Have a nice week Kim!
ReplyDeletewww.urbanikamoda.blogspot.com
What a fun challenge - and who wouldn't be happy with candy-coated apples? I'd probably pick a similar place. Maybe Disneyland? Or Coney Island?
ReplyDeleteThis is what I need. I need time to just enjoy the surrounding I live in. Thanks for the gorgeous pictures!
ReplyDeletehttp://ahleessa4realz.blogspot.com/
You are right, sometimes all that you need to de-stress is to take a little breather and open your eyes for the beauty around you. It's in the simple things! Sounds like a darling moment you had, I'm happy for you sweetie!
ReplyDeleteI so agree! Closing your eyes for a second and thinking about something that makes you happy totally de-stresses me. They're are so many people around me that need to live by this quote ^_^
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments on my blog, sadly I can't reply to them idk why T_T
www.TheSyedaSisters.blogpost.com
Your posts are always fun to read.Hope you are having a great day.
ReplyDeleteeffortlesslady.blogspot.ca
This looks like a really fun theme park.
ReplyDeletehttp://kintsugioflife.blogspot.com/
WOW! It's an amazing place!
ReplyDeleteMarianna,
THE ADVENTURES OF A SHOPAHOLIC
THE ADVENTURES OF A SHOPAHOLIC ON FACEBOOK
I always love carnivals! Ever since I was a little child I was drawn to those places & still now I am definitely loving all the noise, the laughter, the bright colors that can be epxperienced in carnivals! :)
ReplyDeletewww.callmemaddie.com
I love carnivals, love these photos Kim!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post! I think that carnivals are the epitome of summer, so of course they would make you smile! :D
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the words "Candy Land," I was instantly whisked away to my childhood. My brother and I used to play a board game called "Candy Land." Of course, carnivals take me back, too... Great pics and inspirations! T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteI try that de-stress tip all the time it works. Its always good to think positive thoughts.
Loving the carnival set up!! How fun you got to capture the essence of it!