Need a little mantra to help you relax and chill out? Steal the phrase that is helping me to lean in to fun and leading me to say “YES” more.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/home-with-heather-spring-home-tour-768x1024.jpg)
“I can be light-hearted and easy-going.”
“I can be light-hearted and easy-going.”
– Me to Myself-
This is the mantra I have secretly adopted over the last 2 years as we collectively dodged a mosh pit of fire balls that was life, living in a Covid cloud of confusion.
Amen?
If I am being honest…being light-hearted and easy going does not always come naturally to me.
Maybe it does to you.
For me?
As much as I would like not not admit it…I am more like:
“I know what I like.”
“I know how I like it.”
“I also know how I would like situation X to go down.”
Maybe just maybe you can relate a teeny bit?
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/home-with-heather-spring-home-tour-mantel-decor-768x1024.jpg)
I am married to a man who likes to test my preferences and often pushes me out of my comfort zone by suggesting things that I am naturally opposed to. (One day I will tell you what our ridiculously crazy Thanksgiving Eve tradition is. But not today. 🙂
And so?
“I can be light-hearted and easy going” became my inner mantra during Covid along with the many times when my husband would suggest something that I would naturally knee jerk react and say “No” to.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/heather-krout-interior-decorator-bel-air-maryland-768x1024.jpg)
The Little Mantra That is Making A Big Difference
As a result…my self made mantra of “I can be light-hearted and easy going” playing in my head, helps me to relax a little, (aka chill out) and let go of how I planned and saw a certain scenario playing out.
And instead?
Go with the flow.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/spring-kitchen-decor-768x1024.jpg)
Which often means?
Saying “Yes” to my man and other things more often.
So why do I tell you all of this mantra mental mindset?
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_6051-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_6020-768x1024.jpg)
Well because, maybe you too can sense in yourself, a need to let go of the reigns a little?
A need to exhale the expectations and inhale a chill-axed sense of self.
Because…while we all crave the “balance” on the outside, keeping all the work / life activities singing in equal parts sanity and synchronization…
I think what we really crave and desire more?
Is balance on the INSIDE.
This little life mantra that I have adopted…has allowed and created space for an in-road towards a “maybe” that leans and leads me to a place where “yes” doesn’t have to be so scary.
What I am finding is that by saying “yes” more often, (which is the easy going part)…by saying YES more often?
It cracks open a door to let more light in…and?
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/spring-kitchen-decor-inspiration-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/spring-kitchen-decor-home-with-heather-bel-air-maryland-interior-decorating-768x1024.jpg)
…unleashes our hearts a bit, to play outside on the playground of
un-predictable, where it can be more…
Lighthearted.
And so?
When I received a message while we were away on vacation in Sanibel, inviting me to participate in something that scared me?
My knee jerk jolt went into quick thinking mode, swiftly landing me in the safety net of my usual “No” and “No.”
And oh by the way?
Here’s my list of why my “NO” is No.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/home-with-heather-interior-decorator-bel-air-maryland-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_6038-768x1024.jpg)
So what did this mystery message invite me to do that made me want to say “NO” so fast?
The message was inviting me to be a ballroom “celebrity” dancer in a local fundraising gala to support the Maryland Center for the Arts, in our county.
Yes.
You read that right.
Ballroom dancing.
To the tune of me dancing in front of 450 people in black tie attire and raising 10K for the Maryland Center for the Arts in donations and sponsorships along the way.
I shared the details about my participation in this year’s Dancing for the Arts fundraiser yesterday on Facebook Live, you can see the fb live HERE.
Now that I have brought you up to speed on this THING I eventually said “Yes” to…
Hello…where are my “No” friends at?
SCARY…Am I right?!
And so, for the rest of our vacation in Sanibel…I decidedly went back to my seashell searching and sunrise soul therapy sessions, shoving this BIG ASK that was now on the table, to the back of my mind.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_6023-1-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_6024_jpg-1-768x1024.jpg)
And then?
Then, we came home and as I was quickly brought up to speed as to exactly what I was being invited to do and participate in as a dancer in this year’s Dancing For The Arts Gala to be held on June 4th.
Friends, can I just tell you that over the course of 7 days I changed my mind and flip flopped back and forth between No, Maybe and Yes a million times?
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_6029-768x1024.jpg)
Of course, over the week I discussed it at length with Shawn and my Mom who were so supportive but also had concerns over the amount of time that would be required during our most busy family time.
I mentioned it to my bestie and close knit group of friends, who lovingly encouraged me with “YOLO” and “DO IT” and “I’m feeling fringe for you!”
And?
I told our daughters about it. (You can guess what their vote was…they are already shopping Amazon for party dresses. 🙂
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/home-with-heather-spring-home-tour-Easter-decor-768x1024.jpg)
But really?
I talked to God about it the most.
And do you know what?
I was softly led into a place of decided discovery for what I wanted my Spring Posture to be.
Spring Posture, as in…what energy and perspective do I want to carry with me into this new season that the ground beneath us is waking up to?
While the weather warms and flower seeds stretch out from underground and bloom…I too am ready to stretch myself and embrace this new season…I want to stand in the light of lightheartedness and easy going FUN.
And so?
Here we are.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_6069-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_6072-768x1024.jpg)
I said “YES” to this big thing that is scaring me out of my dancing shoes for many reasons…
Reasons like:
This is truly a teachable moment to our daughters for what it looks like to pray through a decision and then also, to step out of your comfort zone and do something you NEVER thought you would do, but has potential to enrich your inner self in unique ways.
Also, I am ready to celebrate my first year in business as an interior stylist and home decor consultant!
After launching Home with Heather last Spring, I am ready to toast to the leap of faith and and all of the baby steps our family has taken in living through the birthing year of a launching a brand new business.
Honestly? It was full of some brutal and hard decision making…but we let God lead and know that He is a trustworthy Guide.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_6063-768x1024.jpg)
That reminds me!!
I was interviewed!
I was interviewed on a podcast recently and my podcast episode just dropped this week!
If you are thinking about changing paths and taking a leap of faith in a new direction, you may find this podcast episode, to be encouraging to your heart.
Or, if you are interested in hearing more about my personal business journey…from pharmaceutical sales, to Stella & Dot and all the ways I have followed the “breadcrumbs” as I call it, and fought off doubt and insecurity. I share all the tiny tidbits of my story that has led me to this place of here and now on the podcast episode. I was truly honored to be one Hustle & Gig’s first podcast guests! Thank you Beth & Mike for having me!
But Ultimately?
I said YES for the reasons of showing up well for our daughters, and wanting to celebrate my first year in business.
And also?
I think FUN should start taking a front row seat again.
I am finding FUN needs to be factored in…because light-hearted and easy-going don’t always come so easy.
But dialing up the fun factor…is a good way to get us there.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/heather-krout-dancing-for-the-arts-gala-blogger-interior-decorator-743x1024.jpg)
Thank you friends for all of your words of encouragement since my announcement yesterday.
I am thrilled and honored to be a dancer in this year’s Dancing for the Arts Gala to benefit the Maryland Center for the Arts. I spoke yesterday here on facebook live about my heart for the arts.
As a business creative, “the arts” is anchored inside of who I am as a person.
Were you around last Summer, when I shared a glimpse into my acting life background, here in this post?
Shawn likes to take credit for our three daughters athletic ability but I am laying claim to their creative sides! 🙂
If you are interested in supporting me as a dancer, you can support me by helping me to reach my goal of 10K for the Maryland Center for the Arts HERE.
THANK YOU to so many friends who have already hopped online, donated and written such sweet comments on my fundraising page! My heart is full!!
You can donate online HERE on my fundraising page.
ANY AMOUNT is welcome!
No amount is too small friends!!
I simply can not thank you enough for your kind and sweet support – it means more than you know!
If building a business from nothing over this last year as taught me anything…it is that you have to start somewhere and that EVERY little bit helps!
Thank you again for donating online and supporting me in this crazy thing I said YES to!!
And – if you want a front row seat to the FUN, you can also buy tickets to attend the gala on June 4th HERE.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screen-Shot-2022-03-18-at-12.16.59-PM-1024x425.png)
Living on a prayer (that I don’t fall in front of 450 people),
Heather
Shop this post:
Click on an image to be taken to the link for online ordering.
*Affiliate Links are used in this post
Shop My Amazon Favorite Decor HERE.
Click on an image to be taken to the link for online shopping.
*Affiliate Links used in this post
Loved your Post. Super excited for your dance partipation.David and your Mom had a blast…
Thanks so much Melinda!! YES!! I remember David and my Mom dancing VIVIDLY in the first Dancing for the Arts fundraiser! Such good memories!! XO, Heather