Rachel Melvin Instagram

If you’re anything like me you’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out who you are through the constructs of society, which are designed to help us easily and quickly assess and decipher who we understand ourselves or someone else to be. We do it based upon race, religion, politics, sexuality, gender, profession, income, birthplace, star sign! But, it often misguides us in the wrong direction while simultaneously complicating and clouding our understanding of who we, and others, are. We judge people instead of really getting to know the nuances that individualize them, and ultimately we do the same thing to ourselves. I’ve spent a lot of time recently mulling over false perceptions. Particularly how the one of myself and my interpretation of others’ perception of me have shaped my understanding of who I am and of my life in a limiting way. My empathic and impressionable tendencies have often cost me to negotiate against myself a number of times in both relationships and in business and thus, have held me back in ways I believe I could have excelled otherwise. I saw myself not as I was, but as the role I felt I should be playing instead. I felt shame when I should have felt pride. I trusted others at the cost of lying to myself. And, I made myself small so others could feel big. A lot of us do this to fit in or to feel accepted or to simply keep the peace even. But, every now and then something happens that removes the dirt from our lenses so we’re able to see clearly. And when that happens, our new perceptions introduce us to a world more beautiful than we ever could have imagined. . . . . . . #thoughts #perception #perceptionisreality #dailylook #dailymotivation #weekendmood #reflection #reflectiongram

Posted by @therachelmelvin on Dec 17, 2022 06:34PM

When someone you know’s been naughty… . . . . . . #christmas #christmascookies #christmastime #food #snack #sweets #dessert #holiday #holidayseason #holidayparty #holidayrecipes #holidaycookies #holidaybaking

Posted by @therachelmelvin on Dec 15, 2022 04:34PM

Although this post is somewhat late, it felt appropriate for it to be the first post after telling the story of our wedding. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for the sheer fact it asks us to be present and mindful enough to look past the thorns in our sides and reflect on the good that may have been lost in the shadows. Small moments carry huge impact if you allow them to, and you may find yourself surprised at how powerful a tool they are for combating what is burdening us. On nights I find myself unable to rest, preoccupied by thoughts and worries of to do lists, bills, job security, you name it, I’ve found the best remedy is to focus on the moment; what’s around me, where I am, what I’m doing, who I’m with… which always segues into gratitude. Anxiety is a master of distraction and it’s very effective at pulling focus away from presence, which is the only real thing that grounds us. It’s not easy, it’s a practice - one we all volunteer to take up every year on this single day. But again, if we aren’t careful, that message can be hidden from us with the hope of successful menus and a stalemate of familial tension(s) instead. In a superficial sense, this year wasn’t our best - even wedding aside - but I have so much to be grateful for. Number one being my spiritual growth and the education I’ve obtained through the hardship. But, I’d also add my relationships, husband, and community to this list. With all of that in mind I know I can withstand anything thrown at me. And, I hope with this day, if not some practice all year long, you come to realize, you can too. . . . … and yes, that’s my dance pole in the corner. Don’t worry about it . . . #thanksgiving #thanksgiving2022 #holiday #holidays #holiday2022 #turkey #gratitude #presence #grateful #abundance

Posted by @therachelmelvin on Dec 3, 2022 04:57PM

PT 6 These are the photos I would have posted if I wanted to subscribe to the social media norm. But, staying silent & lying by omission is something I’ve quite frankly, grown increasingly bored by the last couple years & its not authentic to me or my spirit at all. Since posting our story I’ve received so much outreach, love, and support from my followers & fans, not to mention people I’ve reconnected with as a result of something that now uniquely & intimately bonds us. Our wedding continues to bestow upon me the gift of a growing, quality community, and a true understanding of what it means to have a life well lived. Contrary to what we’ve become accustomed to believing, success cannot and is not attained by superficial or monetary gain, the public display of seemingly perfectly celebrated milestones, or highlight reels that mislead and cause others to believe they’re alone in their completely normal & common trials & tribulations. It is only through true connection & community, and by being our raw & honest selves that we’re able to thrive. My decision to post our story was not just to recognize the people we love, but the people like us who hesitate(d) showing their warts for fear of embarrassment or falling short in comparison to their peers. But, I have some news for you! Doing so is how you find your people. Sure, there will be those who, through certain comments, try to add salt into a wound that in reality, is their own, but it will only affirm your prosperity. Another thank you to all who surrounded us making our day the best it could be. We felt so moved, humbled, and strengthened by your love. And a special thank you to those we hired- you went above & beyond your call of duty & we could not be more grateful. Especially you adrianam80 chef_k8watson jonathan.bailey.12720 nigelroman_ and of course wildhoneyphoto our photographer, who did an incredible job despite all she had to work with. We’re so grateful for such a talented team of phenomenal individuals who we also get to call our friends. We love you all! . . . . . . #wedding #desertwedding #joshuatreewedding #disasterwedding #desertdisasters #weddinghorrors

Posted by @therachelmelvin on Dec 2, 2022 05:00PM

PT 5 I’m not sure there’s a way for someone to really know where they stand with others, unless and until they show up for you in an extraordinary way during an incredible time of need, unexpectedly. To have witnessed and felt that level of love from so many different people from so many different walks of our lives and all at once, is beyond overwhelming and humbling. These may not be the pictures I expected to share of our wedding, on pinterest, in our portfolio, or on my social media, but they are exactly what photos should and used to be - a reminder of how much love we have surrounding us in moments we will quickly forget, and how much of a driving force that is for a life well lived to begin with. And what could be better than that? . . . . . #wedding #desertwedding #joshuatree #joshuatreewedding #disasterwedding #desertdisasters #weddinghorrors #love

Posted by @therachelmelvin on Dec 1, 2022 04:49PM

In a year we worked our asses off and desperately needed a win, we felt completely defeated. It took some time, but I’m happy to say I’m finally at a point where I can look back, past the devastation enough to see what I missed in real time enough to celebrate it here. While choosing which photos to post from our photographer’s sneak peak and perusing photos shared from our guests, I saw photos of family and friends with shovels in their hands, pants rolled up, digging trenches. I saw our wedding guests staying despite the rain. I saw our bartenders relocating the bar three different times to three different places to keep the spirit(s) going. I saw the kitchen staff pivoting to turn our dinner service into a family style buffet so everyone could taste everything we made, instead of the one thing they ordered. I saw family members relocating flowers and decor to the inside of our home to make it more festive and beautiful for photos. I saw us making the most of the night once the storm had passed. I saw most of our guests returning the next day for brunch, where other family and friends attempted to right the wrongs of the night before by organizing. I saw our DJ driving back to the desert from LA to do the same, and our neighbors calling in favors for photographers to come get shots that were missing from the night before, free of charge. I saw family staying a little longer than planned before hitting the road to help us clean; our other neighbors bringing us soup and watching our dogs so we could recover while we were sick. What I ultimately saw was an entire group and community of people who love and support us so fully, they were willing to go above and beyond come hell or literal high water, to celebrate us - both rain AND shine. . . . . . . #disasterwedding #wedding #weddinghorrors #weddingnightmare #joshuatree #joshuatreewedding #desertwedding #desertdisaster kelleyjakle brilikesbikes happyhealthyjamielauren kellylaurenlayman enjoy_the_goodlife thejessmelvin_howard12 camerongharaee jameslagrappe wildhoneyphoto markhapka ladesigner

Posted by @therachelmelvin on Nov 30, 2022 05:14PM