Happy Birthday to the friend whose kept me sane fr Happy Birthday to the friend whose kept me sane from 6 feet away. 😘💗💎📏

Claire, thank you for being a gem and for constantly finding joy in the least expected places. (Like cast iron pans, flannels, press briefings, game night, math, David Muir, kayaking debacles, sunlight lamps, and a panny)

I hope you know how incredibly loved you are. 💕
Mugs + Cakes + Podcasts = all my favorite things! Mugs + Cakes + Podcasts = all my favorite things! ☕️🧁🎙 

On my life long quest to figure out why my life isn’t as perfect as it looks on Instagram— I created a Podcast to talk about it. Meet “Behind the Filter” a place where I talk about all the things we don’t say about social media. 

You can listen to the first two episodes on Spotify (link in bio). One is a mini episode explaining the “why” and the other is an interview with food blogger Chen from @chens_plate! She sheds light onto what it’s really like to be a food blogger, self esteem, and how to be authentic on IG. 

Follow along for more updates @behind.the.filter.pod. (And I’ll probably bother you about it on here too). If this type of convo is your jam— let me know I’d love to have you on as a guest!
Too hot to handle ☕️(talking about the pepperm Too hot to handle ☕️(talking about the peppermint tea in my hand of course) #thingsthatbringmejoy #friendshipfrom6ftaway #flamingo #masksarethebestaccesory #diva
My family couldn’t decide between a star or an a My family couldn’t decide between a star or an angel this year, so I gave them both. 🌲👼⭐️ #ohkristentreeohkristentree 

(And yes we are only pulling our plastic tree out of its box T-4 Days before Christmas). Sending love to anyone not feeling that “festive feeling” this year. Just a reminder, you don’t need to feel like a walking piece of human tinsel &  it’s okay to feel thankful and sad in equal measure. 💚
Voted in my first US Presidential Election today!! Voted in my first US Presidential Election today!! I voted for human rights. I voted for change. I voted for kindness. I voted for empathy. I voted to help change history. But more importantly: I voted so my voice could be heard. 

Never underestimate the power of your own voice & thank you to all the wonderful people in my life that ignite my inner fire and encourage me to use mine every day. #VOTE like your rights depend on it. (Because, they do).
The Brody household is officially home to the newe The Brody household is officially home to the newest nursing school survivor, and RN!!! 🚨👚👏 CONGRATS ALLISON. Whoever gets to be my sister’s patient, I can promise you—you are in good hands. Allison has been working her booty off the last few years in nursing school. I can vouch, I’ve been keeping nurse Allison on her toes the last few months, and she’s taken pretty good care of me over the last 20 years. (Plus she looks pretty good in crocs). Allison you are the bravest, smartest, kindest, and most compassionate person I know. You’re the type of nurse every patient wants, and every caretaker hopes for. I cannot be more proud to be your sister. I can’t wait to see how many lives you touch with your kindness. You totally eaRNed it!!!! #bestie #knockknock #newnurse #scrublife #proudsister
Not a b-a-a-a-ad way to celebrate my b-a-a-a-aday. Not a b-a-a-a-ad way to celebrate my b-a-a-a-aday... and yes you can call me a G.O.A.T. 🐐💗🎂 20 on the 20th in 2020, on the longest day of the year!! Thank you to everyone who made my birthday special by showing up for me (both literally and socially distantly) in so many outrageously creative and bold ways. I love birthdays because they are a reminder of all the love I’m surrounded by (and boy is that a lot) #baaday #goatyoga #goldenbirthday #twodecadesold ps. Oreo take notes
To my Disney-obsessing, dog owning, Harry Potter l To my Disney-obsessing, dog owning, Harry Potter loving, facebook addicted, movie watching, Manhattan exploring, mamma mia dancing, graphic designing, photoshopping, cricut crafting lovely friend: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I am pretty sure everyone can vouch that anyone who has met Sammi is a better person. You are kind, caring, compassionate, braver than I’ll ever be, moderately sassy (in all the good ways), protective, and oh so loving. I don’t think you know this BUT... before we met at leadership weekend, I struggled adjusting and making friends and I didn’t really feel like FIT was my home. Then when I met your smiling face in the meeting before the we left for the leadership weekend and you asked to room with me for the weekend I knew that everything I was worrying about wasn’t really true. You accepted me for who I was and after that weekend kept inviting me out with you and your friends. I’m not sure if you even noticed how much that small gesture of just including me meant to me— because being inclusive is something that you do so naturally.. BUT the reason I’m sharing this is because that kind spirit you have is one of the many things I love about you. Sammi you are literally home in a person (and I’m sure all of your residents feel the same way 😉). From our time at FIT Olympics, to escape rooms, to watching movies (both at the theater and in the dorms), to upstate adventures, dining hall chats, library study sessions, target runs, alpaca farms and random frolicking no matter what adventure we go on— you manage to make everyone you make contact with feel loved and you make every place feel like home. Being your friend is literally an HONOR and I wish everyone in the world has a friend like you in their life. I hope Charlotte and Willow have a big surprise up their sleeve for your big day. (I am sure they have been plotting). I am counting down the days till I can hug you and we can celebrate in person. I hope your day is magestic, magical, sunny, cake-filled, and just as beautiful as you are and I hope you always remember to embrace your inner sparkle ✨ 🏰🍎💃🏻🐕🦙🍕🌃💗🎉
Camryn!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my fav gymnast, city Camryn!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my fav gymnast, city adventuring, graphic designing, friends-watching, embroidering, Mamma Mia fan, alpaca petting, pizza loving, cat and all animal enthusiast of a friend. Camryn there is no one else I’d rather go to a rap concert with. (Still can’t believe we did that). You are spunky and sassy (IN THE BEST WAY— and that is one of the many reasons I love you). You light up everyone’s day with your fabulous smile and genuine kindness. From all of our adventures to alpaca farms, bacon bars, escape rooms,rap concerts, upstate, the wild subways, and trips to the library— you always have managed to brighten my day. One of my favorite memories is that one day freshman year when we went to the dog park and hung out with random dogs for an hour. (Absolutely Magical— BUT WHAT WERE WE DOING) I’ll never forget the night we did face masks and you had the cooking incident. I’m gonna have to watch Mamma Mia tonight in honor of you. Also sorry for all those times I should’ve used photoshop and used Indesign instead. Thanks for being just as crazy as I am. Thank you for loving me so fiercely and for being such an amazing friend constantly. Thank you for picking me up when I’m down. Thank you for encouraging me to be brave. BUT more importantly: thank you for being a friend. I can genuinely say that I am a better, more compassionate, arguably more sassy, and kind person because I have you in my life. Hope your day is JUST as magical as you ✨💗🎉🌆🍕🧁
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Life, Honestly · December 21, 2020

It’s Okay Not To Feel Like Human Tinsel This Year, And 21 Other Magic Reminders.

Here are some reminders to get you through this unconventional season..

I have never been a big fan of the holiday season because the pressure to feel happy and festive often pushes me the opposite way. Things that are supposed to make me sparkly, like gift shopping, decorating, card-making often stress me out. There is a pressure that Christmas should be perfect and look a certain way. 

2020 has been quite the year. With a global pandemic, virtual learning, election stress, racial unrest, and social distancing– the holidays are bound to feel a little different this year. This holiday season, it’s okay to feel sad. It’s okay to be angry. It’s okay to be thankful, nervous, and down in equal measure. More importantly: it’s okay to be confused. It’s okay to not know how you feel.

This year has forced us to sit with uncertainty, and drop expectations– but it has also allowed us to find joy in unique and creative ways. Here are some reminders for trying to survive the 2020 holiday season 

  1. No one’s Christmas looks as good as it does on Instagram. I can promise you, their cake doesn’t taste as good as it looks, and their tree is only decorated in the front. When you see the perfect family photo you aren’t seeing the fights that broke out right after. (Does anyone really like itchy matching PJ’s?)
  2. The gift of health is the best holiday present. Staying home and keeping your family healthy is the best gift you could ever give them. (Trust me on this one!)
  3. It’s okay to ignore your phone. If you don’t want to respond to your best friend’s “Merry Christmas Lovie!!!!” text– you don’t have to. They know you love them.
  4. Christmas cards are just a highlight reel. No one looks that good on the beach in the winter, and no one’s year was that perfect. (It’s 2020 for crying out loud!)
  5. It’s okay to put your tree up in October, and it’s cool if you leave it up until March. It’s also cool if you don’t decorate at all.
  6. You don’t have to eat holiday foods to the point where you are sick. Pizza is always acceptable. 
  7. Alternatively, you are allowed to eat foods knowing damn well they will leave you on the toilet for the next few days
  8. Your packages probably won’t come in on time. It’s okay to be disappointed about it, and feel grateful for the mailmen and essential workers at the same time. You can hold both emotions.
  9. You don’t need to rebrand yourself on January 1st. (You’re not Taylor Swift!).
  10. Ignore the diet talk around food on Christmas and goals for New Years’. That extra cookie won’t make you gain five pounds, and you don’t need to try the newest workout challenge for January if you hate exercising. Also, you don’t need to spend 3 hours listening to your distant family members “keto journey.”
  11. Dance parties are acceptable. That’s the reason why Christmas Trap Music exists.
  12. You don’t need to attend a virtual party. If you are feeling “zoom burnout” tell your friends you can’t come. They don’t need an explanation.
  13. You don’t need to kiss strangers on New Years’. (Especially during a global pandemic!). But seriously nothing is wrong with you for wanting personal space. 
  14. It’s also not a requirement to get drunk on New Years’. Your choice not to drink bothers others more than it bothers you!
  15. Take this from a pro: It’s okay to ring in the new year on the couch in your pajamas. You can also go to bed at 10 and sleep through midnight. 
  16. Turn off your email notifications. You don’t need to do work. But at the same time, it’s okay to do work if you need to distract yourself.
  17. You don’t need to listen to friends or family members talk about their irrational feelings towards the COVID-19 Vaccine. Feel free to shut them down.
  18. It’s okay if you don’t make hot cocoa bombs. (Hot chocolate just tastes like weird flavored water anyways). But if you do make them, I totally want to try them. Send me pics.
  19. There is nothing wrong with doing holiday-themed TikTok group dances by yourself. That’s what the “duet” feature is for.
  20. You’re a star. Seriously, go put yourself on the top of the tree. (I did)
  21. No one can hit the note in “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Don’t beat yourself up for not being the next Mariah Carrey.

It’s okay if your traditions look a little different this year. This is temporary. Lean into this space and channel the sadness to make new traditions. Step by step friends, we will get through this together.

In: Life, Honestly · Tagged: 2020, Christmas, Mental Health, Pandemic

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Comments

  1. Nancy Richardson says

    December 22, 2020 at 8:41 am

    This was awesome! I Seriously LOVE LOVE LOVE your writing style .. some of this was HILARIOUS! Its all sOOOOO TRUE !!!

    Reply
    • Kristen Brody says

      December 22, 2020 at 2:45 pm

      Nancy I am so glad you enjoyed it! I hope you have a safe, and happy holiday! Sending love!!

      Reply
  2. Nathalia Basso says

    December 28, 2020 at 10:03 pm

    Such great reminders! It’s been really nice to disconnect and stay off of social media these last few weeks of the year.

    Nathalia | NathaliaFit – Fitness & Wellness Blog

    Reply
    • kristenbrodynyc@gmail.com says

      December 29, 2020 at 3:54 am

      Thank you Nathalia! I couldn’t agree more!!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Kristen! I am a twenty-something, blogger, podcaster, craft-a-holic, and bad dancer living in NYC.

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Happy Birthday to the friend whose kept me sane fr Happy Birthday to the friend whose kept me sane from 6 feet away. 😘💗💎📏

Claire, thank you for being a gem and for constantly finding joy in the least expected places. (Like cast iron pans, flannels, press briefings, game night, math, David Muir, kayaking debacles, sunlight lamps, and a panny)

I hope you know how incredibly loved you are. 💕
Mugs + Cakes + Podcasts = all my favorite things! Mugs + Cakes + Podcasts = all my favorite things! ☕️🧁🎙 

On my life long quest to figure out why my life isn’t as perfect as it looks on Instagram— I created a Podcast to talk about it. Meet “Behind the Filter” a place where I talk about all the things we don’t say about social media. 

You can listen to the first two episodes on Spotify (link in bio). One is a mini episode explaining the “why” and the other is an interview with food blogger Chen from @chens_plate! She sheds light onto what it’s really like to be a food blogger, self esteem, and how to be authentic on IG. 

Follow along for more updates @behind.the.filter.pod. (And I’ll probably bother you about it on here too). If this type of convo is your jam— let me know I’d love to have you on as a guest!
Too hot to handle ☕️(talking about the pepperm Too hot to handle ☕️(talking about the peppermint tea in my hand of course) #thingsthatbringmejoy #friendshipfrom6ftaway #flamingo #masksarethebestaccesory #diva
My family couldn’t decide between a star or an a My family couldn’t decide between a star or an angel this year, so I gave them both. 🌲👼⭐️ #ohkristentreeohkristentree 

(And yes we are only pulling our plastic tree out of its box T-4 Days before Christmas). Sending love to anyone not feeling that “festive feeling” this year. Just a reminder, you don’t need to feel like a walking piece of human tinsel &  it’s okay to feel thankful and sad in equal measure. 💚
Voted in my first US Presidential Election today!! Voted in my first US Presidential Election today!! I voted for human rights. I voted for change. I voted for kindness. I voted for empathy. I voted to help change history. But more importantly: I voted so my voice could be heard. 

Never underestimate the power of your own voice & thank you to all the wonderful people in my life that ignite my inner fire and encourage me to use mine every day. #VOTE like your rights depend on it. (Because, they do).
The Brody household is officially home to the newe The Brody household is officially home to the newest nursing school survivor, and RN!!! 🚨👚👏 CONGRATS ALLISON. Whoever gets to be my sister’s patient, I can promise you—you are in good hands. Allison has been working her booty off the last few years in nursing school. I can vouch, I’ve been keeping nurse Allison on her toes the last few months, and she’s taken pretty good care of me over the last 20 years. (Plus she looks pretty good in crocs). Allison you are the bravest, smartest, kindest, and most compassionate person I know. You’re the type of nurse every patient wants, and every caretaker hopes for. I cannot be more proud to be your sister. I can’t wait to see how many lives you touch with your kindness. You totally eaRNed it!!!! #bestie #knockknock #newnurse #scrublife #proudsister
Not a b-a-a-a-ad way to celebrate my b-a-a-a-aday. Not a b-a-a-a-ad way to celebrate my b-a-a-a-aday... and yes you can call me a G.O.A.T. 🐐💗🎂 20 on the 20th in 2020, on the longest day of the year!! Thank you to everyone who made my birthday special by showing up for me (both literally and socially distantly) in so many outrageously creative and bold ways. I love birthdays because they are a reminder of all the love I’m surrounded by (and boy is that a lot) #baaday #goatyoga #goldenbirthday #twodecadesold ps. Oreo take notes
To my Disney-obsessing, dog owning, Harry Potter l To my Disney-obsessing, dog owning, Harry Potter loving, facebook addicted, movie watching, Manhattan exploring, mamma mia dancing, graphic designing, photoshopping, cricut crafting lovely friend: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I am pretty sure everyone can vouch that anyone who has met Sammi is a better person. You are kind, caring, compassionate, braver than I’ll ever be, moderately sassy (in all the good ways), protective, and oh so loving. I don’t think you know this BUT... before we met at leadership weekend, I struggled adjusting and making friends and I didn’t really feel like FIT was my home. Then when I met your smiling face in the meeting before the we left for the leadership weekend and you asked to room with me for the weekend I knew that everything I was worrying about wasn’t really true. You accepted me for who I was and after that weekend kept inviting me out with you and your friends. I’m not sure if you even noticed how much that small gesture of just including me meant to me— because being inclusive is something that you do so naturally.. BUT the reason I’m sharing this is because that kind spirit you have is one of the many things I love about you. Sammi you are literally home in a person (and I’m sure all of your residents feel the same way 😉). From our time at FIT Olympics, to escape rooms, to watching movies (both at the theater and in the dorms), to upstate adventures, dining hall chats, library study sessions, target runs, alpaca farms and random frolicking no matter what adventure we go on— you manage to make everyone you make contact with feel loved and you make every place feel like home. Being your friend is literally an HONOR and I wish everyone in the world has a friend like you in their life. I hope Charlotte and Willow have a big surprise up their sleeve for your big day. (I am sure they have been plotting). I am counting down the days till I can hug you and we can celebrate in person. I hope your day is magestic, magical, sunny, cake-filled, and just as beautiful as you are and I hope you always remember to embrace your inner sparkle ✨ 🏰🍎💃🏻🐕🦙🍕🌃💗🎉
Camryn!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my fav gymnast, city Camryn!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my fav gymnast, city adventuring, graphic designing, friends-watching, embroidering, Mamma Mia fan, alpaca petting, pizza loving, cat and all animal enthusiast of a friend. Camryn there is no one else I’d rather go to a rap concert with. (Still can’t believe we did that). You are spunky and sassy (IN THE BEST WAY— and that is one of the many reasons I love you). You light up everyone’s day with your fabulous smile and genuine kindness. From all of our adventures to alpaca farms, bacon bars, escape rooms,rap concerts, upstate, the wild subways, and trips to the library— you always have managed to brighten my day. One of my favorite memories is that one day freshman year when we went to the dog park and hung out with random dogs for an hour. (Absolutely Magical— BUT WHAT WERE WE DOING) I’ll never forget the night we did face masks and you had the cooking incident. I’m gonna have to watch Mamma Mia tonight in honor of you. Also sorry for all those times I should’ve used photoshop and used Indesign instead. Thanks for being just as crazy as I am. Thank you for loving me so fiercely and for being such an amazing friend constantly. Thank you for picking me up when I’m down. Thank you for encouraging me to be brave. BUT more importantly: thank you for being a friend. I can genuinely say that I am a better, more compassionate, arguably more sassy, and kind person because I have you in my life. Hope your day is JUST as magical as you ✨💗🎉🌆🍕🧁
My mom always taught me not to play with my food—but I don’t think this is what she was warning me about. This is skittles, my pineapple parrot & PSA he was very easy to make — I highly recommend fruit carving as a coping mechanism (& to those who know about my picky eating— yes I actually touched fruit to make this)..... I know everyone’s world feels flipped upside down and the current media cycle has my emotions spinning in circles... but its also sparked my creativity. I think we all need a little more smiles so enjoy my fruit art and other silly things that keep me happy. To all my beautiful sunshine-y friends, keep on sharing your smiley insight, and spreading hope to this topsy turvy world. Fighting this is just as mental as it is physical !!☀️🦜

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