Kristen Henderlong

My name is Kristen. I want to welcome you to my blog. This is my first post and I have to admit I am nervous to share. But I have been dreaming about this for years.

I have learned it’s ok to do something imperfectly; especially since most people have different standards of perfect. Sometimes you have to dive in without looking back. So here I am starting a blog. I hope you enjoy.

I am a dreamer through and through. I could spend hours thinking up exciting ideas for how to live. There’s so much out there to explore and experience. I definitely have major FOMO (fear of missing out). How do you pick just ONE thing to do? I can’t… and contrary to popular believe… maybe I don’t have to.

There is a pressure I have put on myself for too long now. A pressure to do what I thought I was supposed to do. You know what I mean? Do you ever feel bogged down by this societal push to go to college, get a good job, find a spouse, start a family, make X amount of money, and successfully provide for yourselves?

Your job should be stable. You should have a reliable car. You should have decent health insurance. You should make sure you have a retirement plan. You should…should…should.

Please don’t get me wrong: these are absolutely valuable and beautiful things. There’s a sense of satisfaction when you achieve them. It’s what so many people dream of and strive for. I do not blame you for wanting what they call “The American Dream.”

All I am saying is it’s not necessary to put all that pressure on yourself to build a life you think you’re supposed to have. It’s ok to reach for something unconventional… something a little more risky. Instead of asking what we should do, what if we dig a little deeper and ask ourselves what would be truly fulfilling? What would make a difference in the world?

I want adventure. I want to let loose. I want to see the beauty around me instead of being distracted by obligations. I want to learn new things and meet new people. I want true friendship and connection. I want to live with less so I can experience more. I want to give more than I take. I want to create and dream. I want to know I am living out who God created me to be, not living out what the world tells me to be.

Taking action can be intimidating, but sometimes you have to take a leap of faith. There’s a thrill in the jump. If you fall, just get back up. I want to encourage others in following their dreams. I want to light a fire of contageous hope. I want to inspire others to live a little. Every moment is worth it. So here I am to tell you: don’t put so much pressure on yourself.

As I continue to write and contribute to this blog, I hope to inspire others to live life to the fullest.

Live a little. Dream a little. Give a little. Love a little. Laugh a little… Or a lot. But most of all, remember: You are loved.

Here’s a book recommendation for some interesting perspective on living in the moment: The Power of Now by Eckhart Toll. Check it out!