Welcome! I’m Caroline
follow me
Subscribe By Email
Search The Little Things Blog
Follow Me On Bloglovin’
Categories
Archives
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Reading People to read as part of being on the book launch team. (I’d also ordered a copy for myself before hearing about the launch team option!)
Ok, so let’s talk about Reading People by Anne Bogel for a bit. You may recognize her name from the blog Modern Mrs. Darcy or her podcast “What Should I Read Next”. (I’ve followed both for quite awhile). When I first read about her new book, I skipped off to pre-order it, as I was sure I’d love it- it’s all about personality!
I love personality tests. I’m a counselor, so I’m probably prone to really liking them anyways (I even took a theories of personality class in college), but I REALLY like them. Not only are they fun, but they allow for so much. In one of the final pages of Reading People, Bogel says the following:
“I’ve found that personality insights help me see what changes are necessary, and how to carry them out. Learning more about personality has helped me make peace with the way I was made (even though some days I’d rather trade myself in for a different model). It has helped me understand the people I love, live with, and work with, and it has helped me accept the way they were made, which is to say, differently than me.”
And that’s the wonderful thing about personality tests. When we understand our personality types, we develop an understanding and self-compassion for why we think the way we do, why we respond the way we do, and why we interact with others the way we do. Even more than that, we develop an empathy for others in that we can understand a bit more about how they view the world and interact with it. I think understanding personality is powerful for growth and healthy within relationships.
In the book Reading People, Bogel walks through several different personality tests including Myers-Briggs, Strength Finder, and the Enneagram. She looks at ways each of these types views the world, areas that might lead to a lack of health, and even ways to get to a healthier spot.
I highlighted a LOT in this book, and I absolutely loved it. I already knew about each of the personality tests discussed in this book because of my job, but I still found gems throughout it. I’m definitely going to be keeping it at work to use with clients.
I also dragged the book with me up to Mackinac Island and enjoyed reading it next to the water!
Oh, and in case you’re wondering: I’m an ESFJ, a 2 wing 3, and learner/maximizer/responsibility/harmony/individuation. If you don’t know what you are-check out Reading People.
There’s also a pre-sale bonus going on right now, so click this link to read about it! Reading People is hitting the shelves in September!
Now it’s your turn to share! Do you know your Myers-Briggs, Strength Finder, Enneagram, or other personality type?
Oh my gosh- how fun was eclipse day?! While I wasn’t on the path of totality (I WISH- it looked awesome!), we were a little over 88% covered, and I was thrilled.
Last week I started thinking about my eclipse day outfit. I settled on a black dress (you know- since the moon blocks the sun) with white bursts on it which sort of mimic the sun. So fun!
A few co-workers and I made eclipse viewing boxes, since we only had one pair of glasses between all of us. I decided we needed to make it extra fun, and brought markers, construction paper, and pipe cleaners.
We included sun quotes and song lyrics and pipe cleaners on the box, and laughed our way through the entire thing. Talk about good team bonding!
I had no idea how it would work out, but I figured it was worth the try. Also- notice our little sun and moon creations on the top of the boxes? haha- they were a hit.
After spending our lunch hour watching footage of the total eclipse out west (Seriously- it was amazing!), it was our turn! We headed outside to try out the boxes.
Back toward the sun.
They worked! The image of the sun was projected through a pin hole in the box onto a white piece of paper on the inside of the box. I could see the little crescent sun, which was awesome. Of course the sun with the glasses on was even better, but I was surprised by how much detail I could see just with the reflection.
And just like that, Eclipse day was over! It was so fun to have a unique event at work with co-workers, and I especially enjoyed learning a bit in the process.
Now it’s your turn to share! Where were you for Eclipse day (or- have you ever seen an eclipse?)?
Happy Friday yall! This week I wore Essie’s Baugette Me Not with some silver glitter on top!
(picture from several weeks ago- they look the same today though!)
This lilac color is absolutely beautiful, and I really adore it. 2 coats is sufficient with or without glitter on top to get good cover on the nail.
Here are some random facts for the week:
1. This past weekend I went on my annual Mackinac Island trip with work. It was weird since it’s a bike trip and I can’t really bike, but riding in the van to help with broken bikes and injuries proved to be really eventful! I actually surprisingly really enjoyed it.
2. The book “Reading People” by Anne Bogel! I got my hands on an advance copy and am loving it! I even brought it to Mackinac Island with me for some quiet reading near the water!
3. ok- let’s talk Solar Eclipse! It was amazing, right? I have a post coming up next week, but I’ll give you a little preview of my Eclipse day with this picture:
4. Does anyone feel themselves relax and their soul still when they get into nature. THIS. This was so good.
5. I finally took the plunge and bought a little diffuser and am enjoying the scent of lavender in my room in the evenings!
Now it’s your turn to share! Do you have a diffuser? If so- what are your favorite oils to diffuse (scent-wise)? Have you been to Mackinac?
I’ve heard a lot about the author Sarah Dessen, so when someone suggested her book Saint Anything, I knew I needed to read it! Saint Anything follows Sydney, a high schooler who’s life has been dramatically changed due to the choices of her brother. She is left to pick up the pieces in her own life, understanding that she has to live with his consequences. Underneath this is her own feelings of hurt, betrayal, fear, and guilt.
As a counselor, I loved some of the psychological processing that we get to see as Sydney and her parents walk through the results of her brother’s choices. Things were a little slow at the beginning, but I was solidly hooked by about 40 or 50%, and I would definitely say that the book is worth reading.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
“You only really fall apart in front of the people you know can piece you back together.”
“It didn’t matter that I’d done none of those things. With shame, like horseshoes, proximity counts.”
“As I spoke, I realized I’d held these words in for so long and so tightly that I felt the space they left empty once released. It was vast enough that I could think of nothing to follow them.”
“It was one thing to let these thoughts haunt the dark spaces of my mind, but another entirely to put them into the light, making them real.”
Saint Anything is definitely worth a read, especially as you think through some of the things you might be holding onto in life. 4/5 stars.
*For other book reviews, check out my books/book reviews page.
Now it’s your turn to share! Have you read anything by Sarah Dessen?
Happy Friday friends! This week I had every intention of painting my nails a non-orange color, but I just couldn’t help myself. This week I once again painted my nails with Essie’s tart deco polish!
It’s a love affair I just don’t want to end (but I’m going to, as it feels so summer-y to me).
Here are a few random facts from my week:
1. The summer of 2005 I met my friend Krista when we worked at a camp together. We spent the summer vacuuming, scrubbing toilets, and mopping floors, and we’ve been friends every since. I talk fairly regularly on the phone, but we often go several years without seeing each other. I got to see her this past weekend when she drove down to spend about 24 hours with me, and it was so good to see her again!
2. Nicey treat is… so good. This weekend was beautiful, and a friend in town means having to get nicey treat. They have all sorts of delicious flavors (mango ginger and pink lemonade are two of my favorites!)
3. I’ve started purchasing kombucha in larger quantities… and now I’m wondering what it’s like to try to make your own…
4. This candle- I’ve been burning it for the last week because it smells like sweet, delicious summer and I’m hoping onto summer for as long as possible.
5. I had a fire with some co-workers one evening this past week, and it was so good to hang out for fun, and not during work. Does anyone else feel that way about their co-workers?
Now it’s your turn to share! What’s one random fact from your week? Do you like or make Kombucha?
Happy Friday! This week I’m wearing Essie’s Fiji nail polish.
I really love this color, and wish I could wear it more (but I wish that about most of my colors). It’s such a beautiful pastel color. If I didn’t put glitter on top, I probably would do 3 coats instead of the 2 I’ve done in the picture above.
Now on to some random facts for the week:
Cicada shells are EVERYWHERE right now. I mean, they are all over my fences, trees, on my front porch, etc… They are kind of cool and kind of make my skin crawl… at the same time.
My co-workers took me out for a delicious birthday lunch. Look at how huge that chai is (and it was SO delicious!)
Last week we had a retreat at work, and spent the night out in the country. I love the property, the flowers… and all the animals running about. I came back to the house to grab a sweatshirt and had to wait until one of these buddies moved…
These flowers. I wish I had some sort of flower service that would drop a now little bouquet of flowers at work every other week. They just make my office feel extra cheery.
I have a whole inside joke about tater tots with a friend. So, for my birthday, he brought me two large containers of tater tots. I managed to eat almost all of them (insert all the emoji faces right here).
Now it’s your turn to share! What’s one random fact from your week?
August already?! SLOW DOWN SUMMER! This month I felt like I was *barely* reading anything, but I ended up reading 12 books this month. That brings my total for the year to 88 books.
The Hopefuls (Jennifer Close): A book about 20-somethings engaging in the political process, both in D.C. and in Texas.
A Little Thing Called Life (Linda Thompson): Ok- this was so interesting. Thompson is Caitlyn (Bruce) Jenner’s (she refers to him as Bruce to delineate before and after transition) former wife. She also dated Elvis for several years, and I found those years of particular interest. This made for a great audiobook.
Wishful Drinking (Carrie Fisher): I’ve enjoyed listening to Fisher’s audiobooks to learn more about her life. 3.5/5 stars
Luckiest Girl Alive (Jessica Knoll): This was really interesting. I actually started reading this book in the Fall of 2015, but that was a hectic time of my life so I set it aside. A bit of a mystery/very tame thriller, and it kept me hooked. 3.5/5 stars
Option B (Sheryl Sandberg): This is Sanberg’s recent book, written after the sudden death of her husband. This book is about living meaningful in the option B, when it’s not possible to have option A. When people talk about their grief journey and processing I feel like it’s beneficial, and she did a great job in being vulnerable about what her journey was like. 4/5 stars
Between Heaven and The Real World (Steven Curtis Chapman): I listened to Chapman’s music growing up, so I really enjoyed learning more about Chapman as a person. I especially appreciated the honesty and vulnerability expressed about his daughter’s death.
Kris Jenner… and All Things Kardashian (Kris Jenner): haha- I sort of wish I didn’t need to admit that I read this. That being said, Jenner’s perspective on OJ’s trial, as well as her friendship with Nicole, were fairly interesting. 3/5 stars
Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors (Janina Fisher): I read this slowly over the past 2 months, and I deeply enjoyed it. As a counselor, I’m consistently trying to read and explore new ways of doing things. I found this book fascinating and so helpful.
The Road Back to You (Ian Cron & Suzanne Stabile): I could write a whole post about this. This book is about the Enneagram, a 9 type personality that is rich with history. They talk through each of the types, and include steps for growth towards health for each type. I find that there is so much understanding and empathy that comes from understanding these 9 types!
The is How it Always Is (Laurie Frankel): A story about family secrets and the lengths that families go to hide them. I appreciated the “behind the scenes” wrestling the parents did about what was right in the “situation” (the secret), and I found the book well written. I enjoyed this.
Being White: The title of this book is slightly misleading, as this book is more about the privileges that come with being white, as well as the healthy process to get outside of one’s self and engage with other cultures and races. Parts of it were pretty good, although this isn’t the first book I’d recommend regarding race or privilege.
To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee): I’ve read this book twice before (once in middle school and once in high school), so I thought it was also time to read it again. I forgot just how good this book is, and I will definitely read it a 4th time…
If you are going to read anything from this month, I’d suggest the following: To Kill A Mockingbird, The Road Back to You, and Option B.
Now it’s your turn to share! What’s one book on your “to read” list?
Happy Friday! This week I’m wearing Essie’s Tart Deco with silver glitter on top.
I really love this color, especially in June and July when I have a little sun on me. For the most part two coats covers my nails, but there are occasionally small spots that are a little see through. That’s fine with glitter on top, but I’d probably do three coats if I didn’t put any sparkle on top.
On to some facts for the week:
1. When I find this on sale, I like to snatch a few up! I love the lime flavor and the lemon ginger one the most.
2. A friend’s birthday was a few weeks ago, and she wanted to go paint pottery for her birthday. A group of us went, and I painted this little bud vase! I’m not artsy at all, but it was a lot of fun to paint, and I’m excited to use this over the summer and fall with flowers from my garden.
3. I haven’t read To Kill A Mockingbird since high school, but on Monday I decided that I needed to read it again. I’ve been listening to the audiobook this week and have really been enjoying it.
4. My new secretary started this week, and I’ve spent the week training her a bit, getting to know her, etc… My last one I worked with since 2009, so it was really really sad to see her go. I’m really excited about the one who just started this week, though, and am excited to have her as part of our team!
5. I’ve loved having fires the past few weeks, enjoying quiet and stillness. On Sunday I enjoyed a by myself fire while reading- so relaxing!
Now it’s your turn to share! What’s one random fact from your week?
Feeling positive about ourselves (or others, or our situation, or ____ (fill in the blank) can be difficult, right? In so many ways complaining, grumbling, or negative thoughts are what’s natural, and they’re what comes easily. However, we aren’t victims to our own thoughts (even when it feels that way). I know I’ve said many times on this blog that words have meanings, so I want to give you a little tool today to help aid you in feeling positive and healthy towards yourself, others, or a particular situation you might find yourself in in life.
The 5:1 rule. John Gottman, a psychology professor, had a “love lab” at the University of Washington. There, he studied couples, following them over the course of many years. One of his findings was the 5:1 rule. In relationships, to feel positive and happy about the other person and the relationship as a whole, there needed to be 5 positive interactions for each negative interaction.
Let that sink in for a minute! It’s not a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio. Clearly, as humans, the negative has a much bigger impact on us than the positive, which is why we need so many more positive interactions to help balance our the negative interactions that we have.
So I’m going to take this a step further. While this rule was outlined for couples, let’s expand it to ourselves, our relationships, and the situations in which we find ourselves. What if we allowed the 5:1 rule to play out in each of them as well?
When you’re struggling with feeling positive about yourself, someone you have to interact regularly with, or a situation you’re in (i.e. WINTER), you can choose to repeat positive or negative things to yourself. If you repeat the negative over and over, you’re of course going to feel negative, but if you train your thoughts on the positive, then perhaps you’ll find that your emotions might follow suit.
It’s worth the risk of trying, right?
DO you remember when I used to do my weekly nail polish and friday facts posts each Friday? When I went back to search on my blog it appears the last time I did one was March of 2016! For whatever reason I just felt like doing one this week, so here goes!
This week I’m wearing a new-to-me color: Essie’s baguette me not. (I put Essie’s set in stones glitter on top– because life is better with sparkle)
It’s a nice lavender color. It went on really smoothly, and 2 coats was sufficient to cover it up. It’s such a fun spring and summer color! And I realized that I accidentally matched my dress and nails this week- oops!
Ok- here are some Friday facts for the week!
My knee has been injured for 22 weeks now (UGH), but I’m finally to the point where I can swim comfortably. I need to write a full post on this but… I swam a mile earlier this week! It felt great to be able to get in a “longer workout” again, especially since the water feels so good on my knee.
I’ve added a few new plants to my yard this year, including these sunflowers and hydragenas. I can’t stop with the flowers… and I don’t want to. They feel good for my soul.
In mid-May I finally bought a Hydro Flask for myself, and I have been loving it all summer! It’s super easy to take with me (and I’m a firm believer of keeping water on me most of the time, especially in the summer), and because it’s insulated it keeps water cold for hours (seriously- the other night around 5 pm I put a bunch of ice and water in it, took it to a friend’s house, came home and went to bed, and there was still ice in it in the morning!). I’ve been loving it!
The key lime oreos that are out this summer- pure deliciousness!
I went into a meeting yesterday at work (it was 4 hours long), so I came prepared with snacks and all the fluids to stay hydrated. I may have been laughed at by almost everyone around the table… 🙂
Now it’s your turn to share! What’s one fun fact from your week?
