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Sound, in and of itself, is a miraculous thing. Taken at its simplest, most granular level, it is merely a vibration, a rippling of the air molecules all around us that generates a sympathetic vibration in everything it touches. Sound can shatter glass, or it can heal emotional wounds. It can move the soul, or it can start an avalanche. Sometimes, it does all those things at once.
If there is a silver lining in the dumpster fire of a year that was 2020, it is this: all of us have gained a deeper appreciation for our own mental health. Even the most steadfast among us had their cages rattled this year, leading to the widespread popularity of the notion, “It’s okay to not be okay.”
For many people, including me, two of the hardest words to say are: help me! But they are the two words that have the most potential to positively impact your quality of life or perhaps even save you.
If you’re feeling a little moody these days (and who isn’t?) do yourself a favor before you snap off another head or cry yourself to sleep: get moving! Walk around the block, take a spin on your bicycle, run in place, or do 10 jumping jacks—anything to get your blood pumping—because exercise may just be the closest thing to magic when it comes to improving your state of mind. Don’t believe it? Here’s evidence.
Friends, we’ve all had a rough year, and we most definitely should commemorate the end of 2020 by exchanging tokens of affection and friendship. After all, nothing says “happy holidays, and congrats on surviving this insane year” like swapping thoughtful gifts over food and cocktails. This year, however, there are guidelines, and there are certain gifts that should be left off of Santa’s list. Not sure what you’re getting people yet? Allow us to narrow it down by process of elimination. Here are 10 gifts that 2020 has deemed either redundant, inappropriate or just plumb useless. You’re welcome in advance for saving you money.
In the year 2000, Michael Kelca was forced to make a complete change in careers when he was employed by an area quartz distributor as controller, and the only option of compensation was to trade some slabs for salary owed. Prior to this, Michael had always worked in corporate finance, traveling the country auditing various mills and manufacturers. The countertop world was one that he found intriguing. He has a natural talent for art and creating and loves a good day of hard work. To turn slabs into countertops and other surfaces was a challenge he welcomed. He was determined to make lemonade out of sour grapes!
Raise your hand if you are exhausted: your multi-tasking, people-pleasing personality keeps you going through the motions, but your body, mind and spirit are screaming for a break. If you find yourself living in this constant state of stress and overwhelm—taking care of everybody else’s needs with no time for yourself—stop it! Because running around like a headless chicken is (a) unattractive (b) draining the life out of you, and © stealing your joy. It’s time to start looking out for number one.
Can’t concentrate? Can’t sleep? Can’t stop binge-eating your feelings? In a year of unparalleled anxiety—from Covid-19 to an election year for the books—people everywhere are sharing stories of stress eating, binge drinking, cancelling appointments (who can possibly sit through any more Zoom meetings?), and putting themselves to bed for a week.
A Q&A with Local Artists
All year, you tried your best not to look at your dreary, dated kitchen cabinets.
With lockdown, it got even harder. Suddenly you found yourself housebound, the entire world now shrunk to the space within your four walls.
Blinds, shades, shutters—what is the difference? And is neutral the way to go, or is this a good time to spring for pattern and color? What about installation, embellishments? And before we go any further, how much will I have to spend?
Passion peeks out from behind a hot pink facemask as Afton Ryan calls a cheerful, “welcome in” to the customer who has just stepped into her charming Bluffton boutique, Egan + Ella. In spite of a pandemic that shut her doors just three months after opening, Ryan’s eyes gleam with a contagious energy you’ll want to catch.
I don’t want a flat stomach,” said no person on the planet ever. If you’re still walking around with that stubborn belly pooch in spite of all the crunches, planks and mountain climbers you’ve been doing (or not!), it might be time to add Pilates to your workout routine.
It can be a little tricky to take the long view these days, with so much still so uncertain about what the next few months or even the next year will bring. But one thing is certain: each of us is going to have a “where I was when the pandemic broke out story” that we’ll carry around forever. Much in the same way you may remember where you were when you heard Kennedy had been killed, you’ll be able to recall exactly what those first few weeks were like. For educators, those stories will be particularly harrowing.