Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving y'all! I have a lot to be thankful for this year. In no particular order, rhyme or reason, here's what's on my mind this holiday:

I am thankful for my fitness community. I'm writing this in a puddle of sweat following our 90-minute workout extravaganza this morning. The variety of moves we did will definitely have my metabolism on high today, which will come in handy for Thanksgiving dinner tonight. Thanks for giving me and so many other women out there the confidence to own our strength and beauty - whether that's in the jeans we couldn't fit into last year, or the sweatpants we are about to adorn for this Thanksgiving day.

I am thankful for Calico, my lash stylist, for always keeping my lashes on fleek. Forever grateful to Nohe for the recommendation!

I am thankful for my contract gig, which rocked the boat of my (somewhat stagnant) freelance life and brought some much-needed structure to my time. It's hard to say no, but it's a lot easier when your time and perspective are top of mind. I love the work that I do and I do it with a great team. Couldn't be happier!

I am thankful for my friends, who continue to inspire me to be greater every day. Some of them are pulling in extra work for me lately and for that I'm even more grateful!

I am thankful for Spike Baby, who's snoring heavy on my shoulder as I type this. Thanks boo for always reminding me to savor the simple things, like cuddles, hugs, feeding you dinner, making sure you have the perfect spot on dad's side of the bed to lay in, and those big brown eyes.

I am thankful for social media, which allows me to share ideas, resources and opinions that expand well beyond what I can share here on my blog. Social media has kept me tuned into the race movement unfolding in America, with its epicenter in Ferguson, MO since the day Mike Brown was shot and killed. I'm thankful for the block button, which I've only used on one person who thought it was a great idea to tell me the evidence compiled by a broken system supports a killer's accounts. There's so much more unraveling and the need to stick to 'unbiased' facts, order and system is exactly why you don't get it. BYE. FELICIA.

I'm thankful for the consciousness and slow but steady fight to spend more time offline and off of social media. There's only so much one can absorb from the maelstrom of online content. It's okay to miss the latest viral video in favor of more time journaling. It's okay to not share that cute Buzzfeed article in favor of relishing in face-to-face time with loved ones. I think we who work in social media let it become the cool thing to be online at all times and know everything currently trending. The actual cool thing is knowing your limits and remembering what's truly important to you. I guarantee sharing on Facebook isn't on that list.

I am thankful for our beloved Seahawks, who are spending the day in enemy territory for what's sure to be a good game!

I am thankful for my family, who are strong in numbers and in love. I can't wait to see them later today!

I am thankful for all of you! Thank you endlessly for reading Fresh Jess, and offering up encouragement when something here speaks to you. It will never not be scary to put yourself out there like I have on this blog the last few years, and your support and positive vibes mean everything to me.