I love reading (when I find or take time). Today I was reading a little on psychology, which is a favorite topic of mine. Our thoughts and feelings are what maintain our spirit, provide our source of motivations, and ultimately determine our level of success. The way we choose to think affects the way we live, which can define our life as good, mediocre, or irrelevant.
We should all put some energy into thinking that our day will be good in order for it to feel good and actually be good. My day has started out very nicely and it’s only going to get better from here! 🥰💜
You deserve an amazing day too. I hope you help yourself out by generating positive thoughts and actions. You won’t ever regret helping yourself have a great day. 💭 🧠 🤔😀😘
It’s a trying-to-stay-warm kind of Wednesday in … guess what color? 🤭
I think if I make this a regular thing it needs a name. 🤔 Something like … check out day 2 of “Shelly’s softer side” 💁🏼♀️🥰
Video is a little good morning message from me. 🥰 I have no idea if videos with me like this will be something my fans like or not? I think if you choose to unlock it, then you can comment on it or send me a DM if you do (and want me to make more). If this is not something that earns unlocks, then I’ll save myself a little time and some scrolling by time for you guys 😆
Oh and before you ask… no, I’m not naked … 💜
🏋️♀️ Weekly Plank Challenge: Week 18, 12.5 Minutes🏋️♀️
Since I’ve joined a more traditional gym for cross training I thought I’d do this week’s plank there. Being in a setting with more people working out around me had me a little nervous at first, but some good tunes in my ears and I found myself oblivious to even the time. It felt good to not feel the need to check the clock and having to be interrupted to be told I had made time!! 🙌🏻👏🏻
If only every week felt as good as this one, then maybe I can keep on for a while longer?! 😁 💪🏻
Be sure to check out some of the earlier plank challenge videos (here or on my @oftv channel) for more details on how to join and what happens once I max out on my time! 😊
https://of.tv/video/65a559f96f08bf00011d98cc
I’m just a normal small town girl who has and is working hard to chase my dreams. I have PLENTY of days that I feel self conscious, shy, and question my place in life, but every now and then I feel like I could be somebody in the world that others do notice for her inner and outer beauty. 🖤💁🏼♀️
🎶 I am starting with the (wo)man in the mirror🎵… if you wanna make the 🌎 a better place take a look at yourself and then make a change 🖤✨🩶✨💜
🎧 That sound of fingertips getting claimed by the rock that a climber hates to hear when working a route and a hand pops unexpectedly. 🧗🏻♀️
Keep a lookout for the full route coming to my @oftv channel soon!
Guess who made the most of her day off and had to hike out in the dark… 🏔️ ⭐️ 🙋🏼♀️
Stay tuned for an upcoming @oftv episode from this girl (and her super pup) working a little project route! 🧗🏻♀️🙌🏻
Sometimes working out gets really uncomfortable. The process of building and toning our body by cognitively stressing our muscles in a voluntary physical grind is something we do because we know visible results will follow with persistence. The determined fitness fanatics push through the burn, but when it starts to feel too hard to continue I get a rush of renewed motivation by taking a second to peek at the progress going on below the cover of my clothes. 💖 Be sure to keep your brain satisfied with what it needs to keep you pushing for the changes you want because a large part of success is derived from a positive mental outlook. Visual rewards can feed that need.
After a washout kind of rain it’s always a little unsettling to check around the farm in the daylight. Fortunately there wasn’t too much damage done, but a pretty deep wash in the arena made it down to the base and will require attention. A large old oak tree in the corner of two pastures met its demise and folded down a section of fence. The large old tree made it look as if the wood boards were designed to be folded like an accordian. At one point during the rain, the retaining walls along each side of the arena looked as if they were built to be waterfall attractions on the property. The natural roll of the land was evidenced by snakelike formations of dirt, leaf, and twig debris that had been shoved along the earth snagging on higher patches of grass along the way as it was all involuntarily carried to lower ground by the unrelenting flows of water. Other than those obvious discoveries all was well. Just as expected after any storm the sun came back out today shining as if it had never been blocked by the clouds and a brisk breeze worked diligently to lap at the icy puddles left behind. The horses were dry and safe below their blankets and nickering for breakfast like normal, but with an added sense of excitement tossing their heads towards the sun instead of standing still with their heads down to control the beads of water flowing along their wet coats.
Without the rain we wouldn’t realize how lucky we are as horse people to have more sunny days than not. The rain does refill the ponds and replenishes pastures, but it’s a reminder too of the unpredictable yet unstoppable and enthralling power of nature.
Pics are from yesterday in the storm, but showing me picking out some “cute” socks and getting ready to make the most of the day with some gym time since climbing and riding weren’t options. Bending over to pick out and then put my socks on made me feel all the sore muscles I am developing with all the planking and working out I’ve been doing lately. At the end I picked out some leggings that seem to be made to be either super high rise or to fold down? Not sure which way looks best or is “correct,” but they are definitely warmer up and cooler when down 🤷🏼♀️😆
Weekly Plank Challenge
📌Week 1️⃣7️⃣, 12 Minutes📌
Last week’s video made it to my @oftv channel, but in the shuffle of life and with a few days of disconnection (between myself and my phone) it hadn’t made it here yet 🤷🏼♀️
Hopefully late is better than never 🤔
I think my core and arms are going to be stronger in 2024 if I keep this up! 🙌🏻 A little more strength is something we could all probably use a little more of 💜
https://of.tv/video/659724979232e10001f7287f
I hope I get to read some good books this year … it’s been a while since I made time for some good stories outside of here. Although some of the best ones I’ve ever read have been delivered right to my DMs. 😉😘🥰 I could spend a day curled on the couch with you or we could skip the reading and make our own story, but either way I always want happy endings. 💜
Today I swung through a drive thru to grab some breakfast on my way to work. It might not have been the healthiest option, but it was quick and easy. The woman behind the window was already at work while I was merely on my way. She smiled at me as she exchanged my money for the food I had ordered as she wished me a wonderful day. Before I pulled away I told her how beautiful her smile was and watched it grow wider across her face as her eyes squinted a little with joy. Her smile made mine larger too as I drove away to turn onto the highway. The truck turning in beside me was suddenly close to my door. As my eyes moved almost involuntary to the driver close by, my smile was still plastered across my face, and now his face responded with another large smile too…It’s hard not to smile when others are smiling too. Have you smiled at someone today?
Did you know smiling can lower cortisol levels, slow your heart rate, boost the immune system, and prolong your life? Since smiling back at another person can be a reflex of your body, wearing one in public you are freely helping improve the health of others. Studies have proven that animals understand smiles too.
💜😁💜
With the new year comes new goals, new ideas, and a chance to start a new resolution. While fitness resolutions seem to be a gold standard for myself and others, I’ve decided that equally as important for my existence and the improved existence of others, I’d like to commit to a non-fitness related resolution this year too….
A few days ago at the grocery store I stepped up in the check out line after a long, but fun day of horseback riding and farm work. I wasn’t wearing anything special just a pair of riding pants, boots, and a riding shirt with a light jacket, lost in my thoughts as I loaded the conveyer belt. I had my hair in a typical ponytail with a hat pulled over it to cover the tangled mess construed by my helmet. I looked up at the clerk whose eyes suddenly found mine and instantly shined with a surprised gleam as she excitedly and enthusiastically voiced how she thought I was beautiful. Feeling a bit derailed by the unexpected compliment despite my soiled barn clothes and messy hat covered hair, I beamed back at her. My southern manners intact yielded a thank you as I fumbled with my words. Further attempting to repay the welcomed feelings of joy she had produced came an automatic smile while I felt a reflexive boost in my mood.
Over the following days to come I found myself once or twice grinning in the mirror with the thoughts of her words bouncing inside my head. I even teasingly shared the scenario with friends at dinner, proudly reveling in how I had received a random compliment at the grocery store from a stranger in my barn clothes. Her words gave me repeated surges of positive feelings of worth, which may not have even been because she told me I was beautiful, but her kind tone and chosen words made me feel seen that day. This 5 second event inside a grocery store has had me thinking about how I would like to be bold and humble enough to share words of love and kindness to random strangers when I am out and about. I often think them, but just as frequently I keep them to myself and I don’t bother to send them out to the deserving recipient before me. And why not? Especially after taking time to reflect on how large an impact such a little deed can make. Her words have provided multiple moments of good for me and even influenced my thoughts for how I can do similarly for others. A perfect example of how kindness can spread.
So for my (non-fitness) New Year’s resolution I would like to be more vocal with my kind thoughts. Uninhibited in sharing words of encouragement; to take time to help others have a moment like mine that causes more moments to follow of feeling seen and admired. Reflectively I should also like to be more reserved and guarded in how I discuss matters that could be hurtful or misconstrued. Life is hard enough with the hate that will always be, but I can make this conscious effort to spread love and kindness as is fitting, and so I will.
Let’s be beautiful inside and out … we can all learn to contour our face and polish our looks, but let’s not forget in 2024 that the words we speak should be beautiful too.
💜 Shelly
Taking a little time to reflect on the eve of the New Year… in my own little corner, in my own little chair 💜 🎶
I have more on resolutions to share later, but for now I wanted to wish you all a safe night and a Happy New Year! 🎉
🎉Weekly Plank Challenge: Week 16, 11.5 Minutes🎉
I was trying to hold out on posting this until it became live on my @oftv channel, but I think the holidays have things running a little slow. Since it’s the end of the week and already Friday I didn’t want to wait any longer …so here is week 16 of the plank challenge!
Some stubborn determination seems to be helping me along. 😝 Excited that the weeks are still rolling and maybe the new year will provide a motivational date to recruit some new plank challenge supporters! For more details on how this started be sure to go back and watch the week 1 video!
Thank you guys for helping me become stronger and for keeping me accountable. 💪🏻💪🏻 Life is tough, but a little extra strength, a challenge to work for, and supporters on the sidelines always seems to help. 💜
I have been working on some adjunct training to help with my climbing, riding, running, and planking fitness. Don’t mind me if I’m walking a little funny tomorrow. 😆 Sometimes it’s nice to step outside of a normal routine to build strength and muscle in new ways and settings. Hoping to see some gains with a little cross training in 2024. 🙌🏻
There’s something about the soft muzzle, warm breath, and tickling whiskers of a horse muzzle that makes time stand still for me, my worries fade, and tensions of life smooth into soft waves of joy.
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and that y’all are enjoying whatever gifts your life has provided you. 🎄😘
Since this Christmas Eve in the south has been so beautiful and warm, O volunteered to go ahead and eat the carrot we had saved just in case some fluke of nature had brought us a white Christmas to build a snowman. No snow here, but I bet we could build one out of mud. 😆 Gotta love Christmas in the dirty south! ❤️🎄💚
Only 3 more days until Christmas?!!
I should have been spending my first day off of work for the holidays doing my last minute shopping, but a much needed day at home with my besties won out 💚🐎❤️
🎅🏻🎄Weekly Plank Challenge: Week 15, 11 Min. 🎄🎅🏻
We might only be 4 days away from Christmas, but for those who really dig into a good challenge you know that the most dedicated participants don’t allow holidays to completely disrupt the process.
Week 15 of the plank challenge called for 11 minutes of planking time. It was kind of fun to plank in front of the fireplace until I realized planking for that long on a hard surface, with only a thin yoga mat, was not ideal for my elbows. 😮💨
Next week I’ll be sure to head back to the gym for thicker padding…. Wait, did I just give away the surprise that the challenge continues?! 💪🏻 😆🤭
You can watch now to see for yourself (be sure to check out my @oftv channel!). It was tough and not very pretty, but pretty is as pretty does in some cases.
https://of.tv/video/6584ad39af240d00015bf791
Only 5 more days until Christmas!!
I am doing my best to stay on the good list 😏and I finished my bedroom tree just in time to enjoy it for a few days.💚🎄❤️
If you’re in need of a Shelly (the Christmas Elf) decorating fix, then this unlock is all for you. 🧑🏻🎄🧝🏼♀️
The video is a bit long, but you can relax and enjoy the “elfisode” if it jingles your bells, or the pics are kind of festive and fun too. (No full nudity - green and black elf lingerie filled with southern Shelly charm - with those angles that were missing in the last post). 😘
Today is the eve of Winter. The glorious sunrise this morning with my sparkling fields of frost and the vibrantly illuminated sky is foreshadowing the months of cold ahead, but it sent a vivid picture today reminding us that the harsh weather also carries a beauty all her own. Have you taken time to notice how the sky appears clearer and brighter the colder it is? …the colors are more radiant and the frost shields the landscape as if to mute any surrounding distractions, silently coaxing our eyes to shift upwards to nature’s etherealism.
Winter always arrives with unique challenges and discomforts for me and life on my farm, but it also brings low humidity, which makes for crystal clear skies that glow along the horizon. The shining frost of tiny ice crystals sparkling below the warm sky send my soul a spark of fuel as if providing me with an intangible, celestial message that amongst the discomforts of seasons are glimpses of unseen, ever changing, but unique and irreplicable sources of earthly awe.
Some days I get up feeling a little anxious about all of the things I have to do … farm chores, laundry, dishes, a little sweeping up some hay and shavings off the floor, shower and dress, rush to try to get to work on time, plan for evening shopping and decorating, maybe squeeze in some time for a workout, climb, or ride, find something to eat a few times mixed in there, repeat chores, shower for the night, then take a few photos and try to message as many of my fans as I can before my bed lulls me to sleep, preparing me for the morning when I hit repeat.
Sometimes I have found when life feels rushed with a lot to do, it helps me to take a few minutes to turn off all the noise, focus on breathing slowly and deeply, and to close my eyes absorbing the quiet darkness. Within a few minutes re-opening your eyes to a world of color appears fresh and exciting.
My days are full of all things that I want to do, but getting to them all is the trick when attention and time feel like they are being pulled in every direction. Find a spot and be still for a few minutes, pet your dog or groom your horse, and for me things start to feel a little more doable and wonderful again. Now I am ready to keep on running and glad I get to do it with you all. 😘
Santa 🎅🏻 is sending this little elf to town now to pick up a few more things, but he told me I couldn’t leave the house like this or I’d be getting naughty looks. 🤭 I thought I was doing a good job staying out of trouble, but he told me I looked like I was ready to find some … 😏🎄
Only 7 days left until Christmas ….
Pics are all front and side shots of elf-inspired lingerie … looks like next time I’ll have to be sure get a back view 🤭
