Why hello there friends. It's always too long between posts, isn't it? If you've been following along with me on Instagram (I'm @photolexx), you know that the holidays have been in full swing around our little home (YASSSS for crossing another thing off my 26 before 27 list - decorate for the holidays).

I've decided that this year, I'm going to participate in Darling Magazine's, "#12DaysofDarling" winter photo challenge. I thought it would be a fun way to challenge myself and make some pretty pictures.

I have been using Instagram as a blogging outlet, because I find it so easy. However, with the app's latest update, there is a noticeable shift moving away from text heavy posts. I guess that means it's time to take my content back to where it was originally meant to be read/seen/shared - this space! This little experiment in posting will have me "micro-blogging" on YYZ to BOS, instead of on Instagram. Shifting the medium to make it work for me (and I like the sounds of that).

Today's challenge was to photograph what makes you merry. You can see my photo above.

May your days be merry and bright. What makes you merry? For me - it's light!

This season is all about creating the warmth + light that is lacking from these long, cold, winer nights. So I am finding ways to shine a light in the dark.

Waking up an hour earlier to bask in the morning glow with my coffee. Lighting candles for my evening practice, and sparking a fire with warm vinyasa flows. Using an off camera flash + bounce for photos (as seen here), because let's be honest - my apartment gets 0% light these days.

So this is me reminding you to make this holiday a mindful one. Keep your yoga + meditation practice (if you have one) consistent. Take lots of deep breaths full of cold air, and warm hugs from close friends. Cherish small moments of calm amidst the chaos.

Be present, spread love, and shop small.

Pssst... speaking of shopping small - stay tuned for my yogi gift guide up on Mass Musings and YYZ to BOS next week!

"Time isn't precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time-past and future-the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is."

- Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

Things have been quiet around here, haven't they. I won't apologize though. I don't like to say that I've been busy, or that I haven't had time. The truth is, I've been on a journey. Not in terms of kilometers or miles (though riding the T to South Boston from Brighton everyday certainly felt like an epic trek), but a journey inwards. A path of deep self-study, devoting all my time and energy to doing the work. Over the past month, I've spent the majority of my days at South Boston Yoga, completing their Summer Yoga Teacher Training Intensive. It was immersive, physically and emotionally exhausting, and so unbelievably amazing.

I feel like a completely different person than I was a month ago. And as I bask in the glow that is post-YTT life, I can't help but hope that this feeling sticks. It's amazing what happens when you just let go. When all those tiny muscles in your body let go of tension, of fear, of pain and anger that they have been holding onto for years. When you completely unravel, and have the opportunity to build yourself back up. You see the world in a different light, and everything burns brightly and makes sense for the first time in what seems like forever.

Maybe I sound like a crazy, new-age hippie, but I've learned that I (still) don't really care. I'm going to breathe + love + bend + flow + meditate, because it makes me feel good. And I hope that I can share those things with you in an accessible way. If you're still not into it, that's cool too! Let's just keep talking about punk rock, and travel, and my deep (seriously, deep) love for television.

I walked through the doors of South Boston Yoga on August 1, choosing love over fear, but not really sure what that meant for my life. Strong, grounded, and with an open heart, I emerged a humble warrior. Ready to share my voice, my passion, my love, my light with others. A leader, ready to hold the space, and guide my students through the practice that makes me feel whole.

While I still have so much more to learn. So much space to grow in my practice. So much more to give, and love and feel - I left those doors on Sunday afternoon a yoga teacher.

And I am so so so grateful. I can't believe I had the opportunity to complete one of my biggest goals/dreams/visions. It feels FANTASTIC. Manifesting what you want for your life IS POSSIBLE. You make your own magic, every damn day, in all sorts of ways. Each breath we take is an amazing gift. Remember that, always.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all the wonderful humans + hearts who have supported me during this special time in my life. I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

(Also, to stay up-to-date with all things Alex, follow me on Instagram, @photolexx!)

Peace + love,

Alex