Feeling under the weather is never enjoyable and it can make you feel sluggish, hopeless and unproductive. Self-Care is an important part of my daily and weekly routine, but it’s also become important when I am not feeling my best.
The past few days I’ve been struggling with...
Read more...The past few days I’ve been struggling with...
Since 2014 I have had a home-based business. I absolutely love working from home and setting my own schedule. It can be a bit tricky though creating boundaries and staying on task. The hardest days are the ones where I don't stick to my planner or I feel like I have to do ALL THE THINGS at once. I've compiled a few tips that have helped me along the way - hopefully these will help you too or spark some ideas on what will work for you as you work from home.
1. Create a Time Blocking Schedule - It's a simple tip with major impact! When you time block your day you have a much easier time sticking to your schedule. I love to work my business from 8:30am to 11:00am and again from 2:00-4:00pm. What happens in-between those times? I work on a cleaning project, prep a meal, meet a friend for lunch, run errands. This helps me to stay on task and feel very productive.
2. Create a Dedicated Work Space - This one is really important. Before I had an actual office on our home I was doing everything from our dining room table. Totally not ideal. The clutter that my job brought to the table made me super frazzled. I had paperwork, notebooks, my laptop and iPad scattered all over the table. Then if someone came over or we hosted a friends dinner all that stuff got swooped up and stashed in a closet. So not organized! We turned one of our guest bedrooms into my office and I loved creating this space as my own. All my work stays in my office now and doesn't clutter my dining room table. This also helps keep you focused and you aren't worried about your kitchen not being cleaned or sweeping the floors.
3. Practice the 10 or 20 Minute Rule - If you have kids maybe working 2 to 3 hours straight isn't ideal for you. I know on the days where I am rushed for time, practicing this rule is very helpful. Set your timer for 10, 15 or 20 minutes and focus on the task that you would like to accomplish. It's amazing how much you can accomplish in a short amount of time if you only focus on that one thing.
4. Practice Self Care - To be honest, not much gets accomplished if I am eating poorly and not getting enough sleep. Choosing healthy food options, exercising, having a morning routine, going to be on time - those all contribute to my self care and having a productive day. Is every day perfect? Not at all. Knowing what helps you have a smooth running day will be so beneficial to you though.
5. Put on Actual Clothes - This might just be a personal opinion, but I know when I dress for work I feel successful and empowered. No, I do not wear dress pants or a fancy dress to work. I do change out of my comfy clothes though. What we wear tends to give off certain vibes. When I wear comfy clothes or I don't change out of my pajamas I tend to be a little more sluggish. When I wear jeans and cute a top I feel more productive. Now I have totally rocked a cute pair of leggings with a sweater while working. Dress in a way that makes you feel productive and not in a way where you want to take a nap all day long.
2. Create a Dedicated Work Space - This one is really important. Before I had an actual office on our home I was doing everything from our dining room table. Totally not ideal. The clutter that my job brought to the table made me super frazzled. I had paperwork, notebooks, my laptop and iPad scattered all over the table. Then if someone came over or we hosted a friends dinner all that stuff got swooped up and stashed in a closet. So not organized! We turned one of our guest bedrooms into my office and I loved creating this space as my own. All my work stays in my office now and doesn't clutter my dining room table. This also helps keep you focused and you aren't worried about your kitchen not being cleaned or sweeping the floors.
3. Practice the 10 or 20 Minute Rule - If you have kids maybe working 2 to 3 hours straight isn't ideal for you. I know on the days where I am rushed for time, practicing this rule is very helpful. Set your timer for 10, 15 or 20 minutes and focus on the task that you would like to accomplish. It's amazing how much you can accomplish in a short amount of time if you only focus on that one thing.
4. Practice Self Care - To be honest, not much gets accomplished if I am eating poorly and not getting enough sleep. Choosing healthy food options, exercising, having a morning routine, going to be on time - those all contribute to my self care and having a productive day. Is every day perfect? Not at all. Knowing what helps you have a smooth running day will be so beneficial to you though.
5. Put on Actual Clothes - This might just be a personal opinion, but I know when I dress for work I feel successful and empowered. No, I do not wear dress pants or a fancy dress to work. I do change out of my comfy clothes though. What we wear tends to give off certain vibes. When I wear comfy clothes or I don't change out of my pajamas I tend to be a little more sluggish. When I wear jeans and cute a top I feel more productive. Now I have totally rocked a cute pair of leggings with a sweater while working. Dress in a way that makes you feel productive and not in a way where you want to take a nap all day long.
There are so many more tips on how to work from home successfully - you can find lots of ideas over on Pinterest or doing a quick Google search. These are just a few that have really helped me. And when in doubt, just drink more coffee! A book that I highly recommend to kickstart your morning and have a successful day was The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod.
Journaling is a great way to jot down your thoughts, ideas and even prayers. I began journaling when I was in high school and traveling on mission trips with my high school and church youth group. Every mission trip was a new experience and I didn’t want to forget anything that I had learned and observed. My biggest travel journal was when I went to Northern Ireland in college with my education team. That is a fun journal to go back and read through.
It wasn’t until going through my sad season (which you can read more about here) that I started a gratitude journal. I actually learned about a gratitude journal while listening to a business training online. The gal would just write down three things that she was grateful for - and that was it. It wasn’t anything fancy, or long written out pages. I thought, ‘I can do that.’
My gratitude journal was the start to my emotional healing journey. It was a simple task that I did every morning and it helped me feel like I accomplished something. Each day I would write down three different things that I was grateful for. Eventually my gratitude journal turned into a prayer journal, an affirmation journal, an idea journal - and it’s just been a beautiful healing journey ever since.
There’s quite a few benefits to keeping a gratitude journal. Here’s a little list that I have compiled for you.
1. It boosts your positivity- when we write down a few things that we are grateful for, we automatically become positive. We begin to see and experience all of the little blessings that surround us.
2. It improves your self-esteem - This is a very personal journey when it comes to having a gratitude journal and it’s a great way to remind yourself of your own accomplishments. When you are focused on the good that is happen in your own life, you are less likely to compare yourself to others.
3. Sleep will be so much better - If you journal in the evenings, this helps you release any thoughts or ideas that are swirling around in your mind. You are able to release those thoughts onto your journal an your mind will be much more at peace. This then allows you to have a more peaceful sleep.
4. It reduces stress - Grateful people tend to have a much more positive outlook on life. Focusing on feelings of contentment just naturally helps lower your stress levels. This helps you to feel more grounded, and when tough situations arise, you feel more confident on how to make the best decisions in those times.
If keeping a gratitude journal is something you are curious to experience for yourself, hop on over to my Stressed to Blessed facebook community for our free 5-day Gratitude Journal Reset. We’d love to welcome you!
It wasn’t until going through my sad season (which you can read more about here) that I started a gratitude journal. I actually learned about a gratitude journal while listening to a business training online. The gal would just write down three things that she was grateful for - and that was it. It wasn’t anything fancy, or long written out pages. I thought, ‘I can do that.’
My gratitude journal was the start to my emotional healing journey. It was a simple task that I did every morning and it helped me feel like I accomplished something. Each day I would write down three different things that I was grateful for. Eventually my gratitude journal turned into a prayer journal, an affirmation journal, an idea journal - and it’s just been a beautiful healing journey ever since.
1. It boosts your positivity- when we write down a few things that we are grateful for, we automatically become positive. We begin to see and experience all of the little blessings that surround us.
2. It improves your self-esteem - This is a very personal journey when it comes to having a gratitude journal and it’s a great way to remind yourself of your own accomplishments. When you are focused on the good that is happen in your own life, you are less likely to compare yourself to others.
3. Sleep will be so much better - If you journal in the evenings, this helps you release any thoughts or ideas that are swirling around in your mind. You are able to release those thoughts onto your journal an your mind will be much more at peace. This then allows you to have a more peaceful sleep.
4. It reduces stress - Grateful people tend to have a much more positive outlook on life. Focusing on feelings of contentment just naturally helps lower your stress levels. This helps you to feel more grounded, and when tough situations arise, you feel more confident on how to make the best decisions in those times.
If keeping a gratitude journal is something you are curious to experience for yourself, hop on over to my Stressed to Blessed facebook community for our free 5-day Gratitude Journal Reset. We’d love to welcome you!
Within the last two or so weeks there has been a lot of panic and fear floating around our community and the rest of the world. An unfamiliar situation and season of life can be very overwhelming and scary. Fear and worry can be harmful to our immune systems and emotional health though. It’s very important that during these times we take care of ourselves and our loved ones.
Here are a few Self-Care tips that I think are really beneficial during times of uncertainty.
1. Prayer and Meditation: Taking a few minutes to pray and meditate on God’s word right away in the morning will set you up to have a quiet and calm mind. A verse that is my favorite when I start to worry is from Psalm 91:4 (NLT) and it says, “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
What a beautiful word picture that verse creates for us.
Here are a few Self-Care tips that I think are really beneficial during times of uncertainty.
1. Prayer and Meditation: Taking a few minutes to pray and meditate on God’s word right away in the morning will set you up to have a quiet and calm mind. A verse that is my favorite when I start to worry is from Psalm 91:4 (NLT) and it says, “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
What a beautiful word picture that verse creates for us.
2. Fuel your body with the good stuff: This seems like a basic tip, but it’s super important to be taking care of your body. This is especially important for those of you (like myself) who tend to worry too much. Drink plenty of water, get your fruits and veggies and healthy grains in so you can be fueling your energy and immunity! Plus, it’s also amazing for your skin too!
3. Exercise: Moving your body at least 20-30 minutes will be so good for your heart and emotions. When I don’t get my workout in I can definitely tell my emotions aren‘t quite where I want them to be. I’m more sluggish, insecure, overthink things...and sometimes crabby. Not good, friends! If you only have a few minutes then I suggest stepping outside and breathing in the fresh air. The fresh air will wake you up and feel more alert.
4. Epsom Salt bath with Essential Oils: This is so relaxing and a great way to treat yourself after a long day. Epsom Salt is awesome for helping your body detox and helps get rid of dead skin that might be lingering on your body. We all want beautiful, glowing skin! Adding essential oils to your Epsom Salt bath add an extra boost to your wellness. Oils like Lavender, Stress Away and Frankincense are a few of my favorite calming, relaxing and grounding ones to use at home.
3. Exercise: Moving your body at least 20-30 minutes will be so good for your heart and emotions. When I don’t get my workout in I can definitely tell my emotions aren‘t quite where I want them to be. I’m more sluggish, insecure, overthink things...and sometimes crabby. Not good, friends! If you only have a few minutes then I suggest stepping outside and breathing in the fresh air. The fresh air will wake you up and feel more alert.
4. Epsom Salt bath with Essential Oils: This is so relaxing and a great way to treat yourself after a long day. Epsom Salt is awesome for helping your body detox and helps get rid of dead skin that might be lingering on your body. We all want beautiful, glowing skin! Adding essential oils to your Epsom Salt bath add an extra boost to your wellness. Oils like Lavender, Stress Away and Frankincense are a few of my favorite calming, relaxing and grounding ones to use at home.
5. Sleep: Getting plenty of rest is crucial to staying well during a challenging season of life. I personally like to aim for 7-8 hours of sleep. Seven and a half hours is absolutely perfect for me, but for some that I might be too much or even too little. Find your sweet, sleeping spot and make it a priority. Turning off all electronics an hour before bedtime might be helpful to you too.
What are your thoughts on these 5 Self-Care Tips? Any tips you would add to the list? What has helped you?
What are your thoughts on these 5 Self-Care Tips? Any tips you would add to the list? What has helped you?
I don’t know about you, but when January and February roll around the winter blues tend to settle in. Being at home and cozy is one of my favorite things; but I also love knowing I can step outside in my cute sandals and enjoy the sunshine. That’s not always possible in the middle of winter and in freezing temps.
There are a few tricks that have helped me stay healthy and positive during the winter months. They may be helpful to you asl well!
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1. Exercise - This may sound like a no brainer tip, but it works well for keeping your heart healthy and your mind focused and your spirit lifted. Aim for at least 20-30 minutes of a workout you enjoy. Our alarm goes off at 5am and Clinton goes to our local fitness center and I workout from home. I’ve created a space that works well for me, added some fun decor and workout equipment that I enjoy. Whether you workout at a gym or at home, play your favorite music and wear some cute workout clothes. I really believe that wearing cute workout clothes makes us feel more confidant about ourselves too.
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2. Positive People - surround yourself with positive people who encourage and support you. When we let toxic individuals into our lives we are opening ourselves up to experiencing insecure emotions about ourselves. During the winter months, especially if you live in a frozen tundra, it’s easy to hide out at home. When we are near or surrounded by negativity it’s easy for us to close up ourselves internally. We shut down, hide our emotions and just start to feel crummy. That’s not healthy! Let go of the negative, embrace the positive. Invite a few gal pals over for a movie night and enjoy chatting with each other. A good book (that I HIGHLY recommend) to read during the winter is The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon.
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3. Do something you enjoy - This is a fun one! What is an indoor or outdoor activity that you enjoy or would like to learn? For me, I love to read and put puzzles together during the winter. Maybe you like to snowshoe, cross country ski or ice fish - those are fun outdoor activities to look forward to. Or if you are like me and prefer to stay indoor where it is warm - go to your local library and find a new book, or cook a new recipe for your family, have a family game night or turn on some soft music, pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy sitting by a fire, wrapped up in a new blanket.
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4. Fresh Air - On the “nicer” winter days, getting outside is a must. When the temps hit the upper 30’s I put on my cute boots and jacket and walk around my backyard while Zoey and Lily roll around in the snow. The fresh air feels so good and is so invigorating for your soul. My dogs love when I come outside with them too. Lily loves to play fetch with her tennis ball and Zoey loves being near me and chasing the birds and squirrels.
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5. Travel - This one might not always be possible, but I think it’s important to either go somewhere warm, plan a weekend getaway, or plan something for the future that you can look forward to. When we don’t have something fun to look forward to we can kind of just go through the motions of our daily routines. Even just planning a date night is something fun and exciting to look forward to. Clinton and I love Florida! We try fly south towards the end of February - this gives me something to look forward to as I try to survive the longest month of the year (AKA: January). We try to plan random weekend getaways too through the year - Minneapolis, Sioux Falls, Stillwater - those are some of our favorites for the area we live in.
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What are some of your tips for beating the winter blues? I’d love to know what helps you!
Lily. She could play in the snow all day!
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1. Exercise - This may sound like a no brainer tip, but it works well for keeping your heart healthy and your mind focused and your spirit lifted. Aim for at least 20-30 minutes of a workout you enjoy. Our alarm goes off at 5am and Clinton goes to our local fitness center and I workout from home. I’ve created a space that works well for me, added some fun decor and workout equipment that I enjoy. Whether you workout at a gym or at home, play your favorite music and wear some cute workout clothes. I really believe that wearing cute workout clothes makes us feel more confidant about ourselves too.
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2. Positive People - surround yourself with positive people who encourage and support you. When we let toxic individuals into our lives we are opening ourselves up to experiencing insecure emotions about ourselves. During the winter months, especially if you live in a frozen tundra, it’s easy to hide out at home. When we are near or surrounded by negativity it’s easy for us to close up ourselves internally. We shut down, hide our emotions and just start to feel crummy. That’s not healthy! Let go of the negative, embrace the positive. Invite a few gal pals over for a movie night and enjoy chatting with each other. A good book (that I HIGHLY recommend) to read during the winter is The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon.
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3. Do something you enjoy - This is a fun one! What is an indoor or outdoor activity that you enjoy or would like to learn? For me, I love to read and put puzzles together during the winter. Maybe you like to snowshoe, cross country ski or ice fish - those are fun outdoor activities to look forward to. Or if you are like me and prefer to stay indoor where it is warm - go to your local library and find a new book, or cook a new recipe for your family, have a family game night or turn on some soft music, pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy sitting by a fire, wrapped up in a new blanket.
_____________________________________________________________________________
4. Fresh Air - On the “nicer” winter days, getting outside is a must. When the temps hit the upper 30’s I put on my cute boots and jacket and walk around my backyard while Zoey and Lily roll around in the snow. The fresh air feels so good and is so invigorating for your soul. My dogs love when I come outside with them too. Lily loves to play fetch with her tennis ball and Zoey loves being near me and chasing the birds and squirrels.
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5. Travel - This one might not always be possible, but I think it’s important to either go somewhere warm, plan a weekend getaway, or plan something for the future that you can look forward to. When we don’t have something fun to look forward to we can kind of just go through the motions of our daily routines. Even just planning a date night is something fun and exciting to look forward to. Clinton and I love Florida! We try fly south towards the end of February - this gives me something to look forward to as I try to survive the longest month of the year (AKA: January). We try to plan random weekend getaways too through the year - Minneapolis, Sioux Falls, Stillwater - those are some of our favorites for the area we live in.
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What are some of your tips for beating the winter blues? I’d love to know what helps you!
Lily. She could play in the snow all day!
