Inspiration Archives - Mandy Hale - Just a single girl with a story to tell

14 Reasons to Celebrate Your Singleness This Valentine’s Day

February 13, 2016147 CommentsMandy Hale

Valentine’s Day is upon us, and few things send single women running for the Ben & Jerry’s faster than the thought of spending another February 14th alone. From the obnoxious singling gorillas in silk boxers (I mean, c’mon…what self-respecting man (or ape) still wears silk boxers?!?) that assault our ears at Walgreens to the obnoxious “I love my hubby soooooooo much!” posts that wage war on our Facebook feeds…let’s face it: Valentine’s Day is not … » Read More

If An Ex Pokes You on Facebook and You Don’t Respond, Did Anything Actually Happen?

February 5, 201681 CommentsMandy Hale

The following is an excerpt from my new book Beautiful Uncertainty, in stores now.

Those of you who are regular readers of my blog have introduced to my long-suffering, on-again, off-again ex, Mr. E. And I’m sure you likely have your own long-suffering, on-again, off-again ex, like Carrie’s “Mr. Big” in Sex & the City. This is what happened when mine reappeared in my life again after two years of silence.

Even though I hesitate to give him … » Read More

It Should Kill You, But It Doesn’t.

January 18, 2016180 CommentsMandy Hale

The following is an excerpt from my new book Beautiful Uncertainty.

It should kill you, being told you’re not loved.

It should kill you but it doesn’t.

It feels like it’s going to.

In the silence, after words like that drop their weight onto your heart…all you can do is struggle to draw a breath and pray that life will somehow magically rewind to the moment before the person you loved and trusted most in the world said them … » Read More

40 Days of Surrender

May 25, 201541 CommentsMandy Hale

As a follow-up to 40 Days to Feeling Good, my dear friend Caroline and I have decided to kick off 40 Days of Surrender, and we want to invite all of YOU to join in with us! Basically the goal of this process (for me, at least) is to learn to loosen my grip on the things that I can’t control (which is most things). To stop trying to force and manipulate and endlessly overthink life and … » Read More

Love is Messy

May 6, 20159 CommentsMandy Hale

I was reading this well-known and beloved quote from The Velveteen Rabbit today that popped up in my Timehop and something occurred to me that I’m not sure has ever occurred to me before.

Love is messy.

We always talk about life being messy, and it is. But love…LOVE…real love, true love, life-changing love…is impolite. It’s untamed. It’s not always pretty. It knows no boundaries and lives by no rules.

Love is messy.

Look no further than a grandmother’s … » Read More

Ten Easy Ways to Instantly Improve Your Mood & Increase Your Confidence

April 20, 201521 CommentsMandy Hale

•Let yourself off the hook a little.•Be kinder to you.•Speak to yourself the way you would a friend.•Show yourself grace.•Realize that no one’s life is perfect and stop comparing your bloopers to their highlight reel.•Forgive yourself. You are doing the best you can.•Replace the negative self-talk with positive affirmations.•Begin each day with gratitude.•Stay mindful and present. Leave the past in the past and let the future take care of itself.•Accept everything about yourself, because God … » Read More

Dash of Sass: 40 Days to Feeling Good

April 17, 201534 CommentsMandy Hale

I’ve realized over these past few weeks (as I’ve been dealing with some challenges) that I’m not very nice to myself. I am kind to others, supportive of others, encouraging to others…but when it comes to myself, I can be really harsh and unforgiving and completely lacking in grace. Examples of negative self talk:
“You look terrible today.””You’re so weak. Why does something so stupid bother you?””You’re never going to be normal and happy, like everyone … » Read More

Dash of Sass: Changes & Transitions

April 9, 201530 CommentsMandy Hale

I found this quote of mine on another quote page and wanted to share it with you guys today because I feel strongly that this is a season of transition, not just for me but for lots of people. Someone told me yesterday: “I get excited when I see people who are broken because I know the size of the breakthrough that’s coming” and that really inspired me. I don’t know what you’re going through … » Read More

Dash of Sass: Turn the Page

April 1, 201521 CommentsMandy Hale

It’s a new day, a new month, a new season. A new start. Turn the page. Don’t stay stuck re-reading the last chapter because what’s to come is uncertain. Everything in life that matters starts off with a little uncertainty. The stories your life has told in the past were good…and they got you to today…so be thankful for them, but then let them go. Turn the page. Allow yourself to be the leading lady (or … » Read More

And Then Suddenly…Everything Changed

March 28, 20159 CommentsMandy Hale

This winter in Tennessee seemed to stretch on forever. One gray, cold day after another passed…the trees bare and stripped of life, the flowers hidden far beneath the winter snow, the sky heavy with clouds that looked like they might never part. Every day for the past few weeks I have looked around as I drove these country roads home, searching for any sign of LIFE. I remember even saying to my mom: “Why is … » Read More