inspiration

I Don’t Have Time!

July 25, 2018

“If you really want something, you can make it happen.” – Cher

“I don’t have time.” We’ve probably all said it, but we’ve definitely all heard others say it, a lot. The busy response is a crutch, go-to phrase. I consciously try not to say I don’t have time for something, because let’s be honest… It’s not about having time. It’s about making time! We all have the same amount of time, but we aren’t mindful of how we use our time. In such a hectic world, priorities get lost, and the mundane routine takes over.

I don’t have time to work out.

It’s an excuse.
It’s an easy way out.
How long can you keep saying it?
Even though I don’t necessarily say I don’t have time to work out, I often wonder to myself how I can fit it into my schedule.
When I do work it in, I have more energy and feel better, so it begins to get easier.
It’s easier to keep saying you don’t have time, rather than take the first step to make the change.

I don’t have time to see friends and family.

I’ve heard people say they don’t have time for their friends or family, usually due to work schedules and what they “need” to fit in each day.
Stop putting work and your career first. It won’t be worth it later in life.
Closing off from friends doesn’t help, since ultimately, they are the ones who tend to uplift and make us feel happy and fulfilled.
Friends and family fill a void your career will not.
Saying you don’t need friends in your life is just another poor excuse!

I don’t have time to travel.

Take the time off work. You will regret it, if you never take a trip or weekend away.
You CAN leave your responsibilities, even if it’s just for a few days.
You are replaceable, and the company or business will still continue without you for a little while.
If you don’t have enough vacation time, it may be worth taking a few unpaid days. Never taking time off can lead to illness and being run-down, which means you can’t be productive anyway!
Don’t have the money? See if you know someone who has a beach house, or rent a budget-friendly Airbnb for a few days. You don’t spend most of your time inside, depending on where you go, so it’s okay if it’s not a top-rated hotel.

I don’t have time to clean the house.

You don’t have time after working all day. Schedule 10–15 minutes after work, before sitting down, to clean up, dust, or vacuum, a few days during the week. A little each day saves time on the weekend!
If you don’t know where to start, pick one room or section of the house at a time.
You aren’t “good” at cleaning. There’s no perfect way. Find a way which works for you and your family. Don’t stress about the whole house. Just focus on keeping things neat and clutter-free throughout the week.
Maybe you have too many commitments. If you find yourself having some weeks when you are over-committed, try to choose one day — maybe over the weekend — to catch up on several chores in one chunk of time.

I don’t have time to eat healthy.

If you find meal prepping overwhelming or impossible, simply try to plan lunch ahead of time for one or two days of the week. Small steps will make it feel achievable.
Planning can be hard, when it comes to eating out or while working full-time. Start with a few swaps you can make throughout the week. If you go out, maybe you can get a side salad, instead of a side of fries, or water instead of soda.
Finding recipes and shopping for the food to make them is time-consuming. Again, starting slow is key. I pick one or two to start, and it makes me feel like I can do it successfully!

Maybe saying “I don’t have time,” has become a habit, but it’s not too late to break it. It’s a really bad excuse, used when someone asks if you have accomplished something or one you may offer voluntarily, when feeling guilty for not succeeding in sticking with a habit. I’ve struggled with this myself in the last few years, and recently, it took a week I had off from work to refocus my energy and reprioritize what I needed to put first. Time off can work wonders for your mind!

The Podcast Perk

April 6, 2018

“Inspiration is hard to come by. You have to take it where you find it.” – Bob Dylan

Who knew the first podcast service provider, Liberated Syndication, launched in 2004? In 2005, Apple iTunes 4.9 released with support for podcasts (internationalpodcastday.com). I’ve always known about podcasts and what they are but have really never been a regular listener. When they first debuted, I was just finishing high school and starting college. I can’t believe that was fourteen years ago!

When I think of podcasts, I definitely don’t think of them being fourteen years old! Lately, I’ve been hearing more people around me talk about listening to podcasts. I also know a lot of the influencers, bloggers, and motivational/self-improvement figures I follow have podcasts. I started really listening recently, when I was seeking extra motivation for fitness, personal goals and development, and healthier eating advice.

Perks of Listening to Podcasts:

1. Inspiration & Motivation

There are many podcasts for health and fitness, some of which can be very entertaining and make you want to listen and do better!
If you are someone who has a passion or business you want to pursue, there are many to help you follow your dreams.
Personal growth and self-improvement is a big genre with many options, depending on what you want to work on and improve.

2. Social Media and TV Substitute

You won’t miss the TV so much!
We could all use a break from social media. Let’s face it, it seems to be taking over so much of our time. Podcasts are a great replacement for some of that time.
Fill the time with motivation and educating yourself instead… with a little entertainment along the way!

3. Make Tasks Less Stressful

Listening to a podcasts makes the time pass so much faster! A recent example of mine is listening while I cook. I actually can’t stand cooking but am trying to do it more to be healthier and save money. If I listen to a motivational podcast while I cook, I find it more enjoyable!
Getting ready for work and the drive there will both go more quickly.
Mundane, day-to-day tasks such as cleaning, doing laundry, or catching up on email will be easier than they used to be.

4. Education

Learn more about a specific topic or skill by listening to a show regularly.
Many podcasts are geared toward career development or business .
Entrepreneurs can learn a lot about getting started and how to survive!

5. Entertainment

Many podcasters are very amusing and entertaining, making it fun to learn something new or even find out more about becoming healthy.
They serve as a great distraction from the everyday mundane routines, tasks, and stress.
Becoming a regular listener is practically guaranteed to help you relax and wind down, in a world filled with busy schedules and chaos!

My recent habit of becoming a podcast listener – to a huge variety of shows and topics – has helped me keep going, when I am struggling with something or losing motivation. Depending on what you’re seeking or in the mood for, there are so many choices. Choosing a different topic or show for each day of the week would prevent boredom.

As I mentioned, with the help of a few podcasts, I have sought out the motivation I’ve needed recently to pursue a healthier lifestyle. Maybe more importantly, they help me with finding, or making, the time to write. Both of these areas are hard to intentionally make time for with a regular schedule and other areas of life to balance. I hope you will seek out at least one show to try soon, whether it’s for entertainment or motivation!

5 Ways to Find Joy in January

January 23, 2018

“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” -Mother Teresa

If you’re like most people, you feel a loss of joy or as if you’ve been completely let down during the month of January. If not each January, I’m sure you’ve felt this way a few times in your life! Let’s face it, all the build up and excitement we were looking forward to…well, it’s gone! To put it bluntly, without trying to sound too depressing: Christmas is over. You indulged too much, whether it be eating too much junk or spending too much money. That quality time we may have gotten with family and friends is probably few and far between by now. Most of us have broken at least one resolution or already put them off, and most obvious…the weather (depending on where you live) is most likely not hot and sunny! Hopefully, before the month is over, you can find at least a small amount of joy in what seems to be an overall dreadful month for most! Here are some ways to help you get over those January blues!

1. Make 1-2 achievable goals.

You read it correctly, just one or two goals for the month! Allow yourself one to two weeks for each goal, and that should take most or all of the month. We all know resolutions can be SO hard to keep. We make such grandiose promises to ourselves, as soon as the countdown ends and ball drops. We get caught up in the excitement and hype of the new year. Realistically, most of those goals we fail to accomplish.

Instead of telling yourself you will start a diet on January 1st and lose a certain amount of weight during the first few months of the year, break that goal down to something you can actually do! Cook one, maybe two, meals at home a week. Go for a walk around the block once a week, just to get moving more. Drink one extra glass or bottle of water a week. The point being…Keep it simple! If it helps, choose one area of your life every other month or so: career, family, friends, money, house, etc.

2. Schedule time with friends.

This is so important! We underestimate the power of friendships and carving out the time to spend with them. Friendships can be one of the first areas of life to become neglected, but why? Simply put, it takes effort. When you think of having good friends, it may sound silly to say it takes effort to maintain those relationships.

If someone is your close friend, it shouldn’t take so much work or effort to keep that relationship strong. Not true. That’s like saying it doesn’t take effort to maintain a happy and well-balanced marriage. There’s nothing wrong with a relationship it if takes work! If you and your friends, yes, both of you, don’t take your friendship seriously, it won’t survive. The past two weekends…because let’s face it our weeks get hectic!…I hung out with four different friends, and it really had such a positive impact on my days and weeks this month! Meet for brunch, go shopping, watch movies, or talk on the phone, it doesn’t matter! Try it, and you’ll see the difference in your own life and in your friendships.

3. Put all the “stuff” away!

Christmas gifts, decorations, laundry, suitcases, clothes from the suitcase, mail…Any of these laying around your house, not yet put away? These are just a few things that pop into mind this month, which could still be cluttering your living space! It doesn’t matter if your space is big enough to fit any of those items, put them away! The first month of the new year is always a great time to get rid of things y9u don’t use or wear. One afternoon, simply take everything out of the closet, sort through what you will keep, donate, or get rid of, and you will feel like a new person! Trust me, it’s so therapeutic!

4. Meal Prep for 1 week!

You can do almost anything for one week, right? Take a little time one afternoon or evening to prep your lunch for the whole week. Last week, I made one huge meal, which we also had for dinner that night, and packed it up in containers for lunch every day of the week. All I had to do each evening was gather the few items I would need to put in my lunchbox the next morning, and have them in an easy to grab spot in the fridge! It takes all the guesswork and dread out of part of the early morning routine.

For me, getting up at five in the morning is not something I enjoy, so the more I can have ready to go, the better I feel about having to get up that early! This makes such a difference, and it also eliminates the temptation to order in or get food on the go. It saves time, money, and your health, so you really can’t beat that! The reason I say to do this just for one week in January, goes back to those achievable goals I mentioned. If you can do it successfully one time, you’re more motivated to do it a second week and possibly every week of the month, as the year goes on!

5. Prep ahead at night!

Three important things to prep the night before work would of course be your clothes, lunch, and work bag. This obviously varies, depending on the type of job you have! I just discussed an easy way to prep your lunch for the week, but picking out your outfit the night before is such a relief early the next morning! When I don’t have my clothes out and ready to go, I feel so much more overwhelmed and negative in the morning. I don’t know anyone who wants to feel like that before even leaving for work!

Typically for me, prepping my clothes the night before, includes steaming them. Unless you like going to work in wrinkled clothes, which obviously takes away from looking professional, I would say ironing or steaming is a must! Typically, prepping your work bag should only take a minute. It depends on how much you use or take out in the evening. The work bag should be the easiest. Any prep which will end up being a timesaver in the morning is completely worth doing!

Start your year off more positive than you ended the last one! Working these five tips into your January, and even February if you really want to keep it going, should give you a head start to a more successful year! Don’t get hung up on resolutions, just for the sake of making a resolution. You should feel more motivated after January, if you can try some or all of these helpful hints! Good luck!

New Season, New Outlook

September 25, 2017

“I’ve seen a lot of seasons change in my life. It’s been a very lucky life.” – Tom Brokaw

Friday, as you probably know, was the first day of fall. I find this to be the favorite season of so many people. I also find myself asking why. Even my class of four and five year old students began cheering last week, when I explained the change of season coming. When I said, “Fall starts on Friday,” they responded by cheering and clapping. When asked why, one replied, “I like bounce houses.” I still don’t know what that has to do with fall, but I assume they associate fall with festivals. That was my best guess at least! It made me think of how wonderful it is to be their age and have no real reason for being so excited for something, to be genuinely excited about something so simple! The best season for me will always be summer, but I’ve come to accept fall. You could say we have a bit of a love/hate relationship! Don’t get me wrong, I do love fall clothes, boots, scarves, and festivals; however, I tend to feel a little bit disappointed, as if it is a let down. The summer comes to a halt. The vacations end. The cookouts come to a close. Beach time is done, until next year. The relaxed, summer feeling, suddenly disappears, although luckily where I live, we’ll have warm weather for a while longer! This year I find myself asking, “How can I make this season different, a more meaningful fall season?”

Eyes of a Child

As I mentioned, my students’ response and excitement last week, when discussing the change of season, really struck a cord in me. I paused for a moment, as they cheered. I took a minute, before quieting them down, beginning to think about why they had such a quick and joyful reaction. At the same time, why didn’t I have the same reaction they did? I remember thinking something like, “What is the big deal?”

When asked more in-depth about what they like about fall, children always mention things like: playing in the leaves, playing outside, Trick-or-Treating, Halloween, and sometimes the weather (depending on where you live). At what point in our lives do you we lose this childlike excitement? I’ve thought about it. I can’t really come up with a valid answer. I supposed it’s different for everyone. I don’t remember ever loving fall that much, since I’ve so thoroughly enjoyed summer my entire life. I do remember getting excited for raking and jumping in leaves, going to festivals, and Halloween. I think the older we get, the easier it is to focus on lists, rather than moments. Children think of it as a new time of fun things to come and all the things they might get to do. I think for me, each week during the season, I will try to find something new or a possibility to look forward to, as the weeks tick by so quickly. I’ve written an article in the past about trying not to wish the days away to get through the week, “living for the weekend”. I hope to try the same approach as we enter into this fresh new season.

The Scenery

Living in Central Virginia means most of our leaves are still green, and the weather has been very hot. Although it has not felt one bit like fall, as we get further and further into the season, our scenery too will change. I must say, I do love how pretty everything looks when the leaves have changed, usually a chill in the air by that time. Something about walking in boots with the leaves crunching under your feet is a relaxing sound. There’s no doubt fall is one of the prettiest times of the year, in many places of the country.

Speaking of scenery, one recommendation I have during the month of October is to take a long weekend getaway, just three or four days. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been for a long weekend in October was the Finger Lakes in New York. I stayed at The Inn on the Lake in Canandaigua. The exterior is gorgeous, equipped with Adirondack chairs right on the lake. I happened to be there during the most beautiful weekend in October, when the weather was warmer than usual, and the leaves had all changed colors. The accommodations were wonderful, and the restaurant at the inn was delicious, still one of the best steaks I remember eating. We found plenty to do to keep busy, including touring a mansion, visiting a winery, going to Watkins Glen State Park, and just enjoying the peaceful views and sounds of the lake. I highly recommend visiting the Finger Lakes and hope I can get back there one day!

Reflections

When I think of reflections during the new fall season, two things come to mind – the lake near our house and personal goals and reflections. This picture is the lake just down the road from our house, during fall. This lake is one of my favorite places to retreat when in need of a few quiet moments. It is even more beautiful in the fall, with all the colorful trees in the background. I think I’ve taken pictures of the lake every single time I go, no matter how many times. Something about it continues to draw me back and bring me peace. I’ve come to this place to simply sit in the quiet, say a few prayers, take pictures, walk around the water, make a phone call, eat lunch, or quickly take five minutes away from everything. I think a lot of people can relate to my love of water. Whether it be the ocean or this lake, it’s where I find my calmest moments. Just looking down into the water can take you away from the day-to-day tasks and thoughts spinning around your mind.

It may not be a place like this for everyone, but the start of a new season is a great time to take a little bit of quiet for yourself. Just reflect and relax. What is it you are most content with in your life, while beginning a new chapter of the year? What is bothering you? What needs to be changed? How can you do better, or who could you help? Maybe it’s in the form of prayer, journaling, or simply thinking it through in your head. Find a quiet place, alone, and reset for the next three months. It will most likely take more than that one time, but it will get you a jump-start on how to approach or change the next few months of your life.

How ever you choose to do it, use the seasons to reset your mind and outlook. Use it to break a bad habit, or pick up a new one! Go on a weekend getaway, or find something small to appreciate in each day. A new season is one of the easiest times to reflect on yourself and your life. It’s such a beautiful time of year, so why not try to be the best you can? Just like the world looks differently to each of us, we all have our own burdens and challenges. Maybe this is the moment to overcome a struggle or remove the negativity from your life!

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Just Two Hours

September 13, 2017

“I restore myself when I’m alone.” – Marilyn Monroe

I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds herself having days of sudden tiredness, overthinking everything, or feeling unsettled from time to time. It’s probably normal to experience all or any of those emotions from time to time, and certainly there will be those times in life when you feel it more than usual. For whatever reason, this week has been a little consumed with this state of mind…and it’s only Wednesday! Today I did a few restorative, yet simple, actions I don’t often do. In just three easy steps, hopefully you can turn a day of negativity, frustration, uncertainty, or lack of confidence around!

A Ray of Sunshine

If your not-so-good day or uncertain feelings happen to fall on a day filled with any hint of sun, it will most likely be one of the easiest ways to improve your state of mind! This morning it was a little gloomy, no sun, just clouds covering the sky. As the sun came out more as the day went on, it gradually brightened my mood, as it brightened the sky. The sun just seems to make you see everything a little bit differently, a little bit better. As I got home from work, I began looking up some information on my phone for something I’ve been working on, and suddenly found myself dozing off. Yes, just sitting up reading something on my phone. This has been happening more often, and I haven’t been able to pinpoint quite why. It was then as I jolted back to reality, when I decided to get up and leave the house. I needed to get outside in the sun and be out in the world. Despite a long list of things I needed to get done, I grabbed my keys, got in the car, and drove to the beautiful outdoor mall five minutes from our house. The lake down the road and this mall are my go-to pit stops for recharging and pulling myself back together.

Grab a Bite … Alone

Yes, I said alone! Not all the time, but once in awhile, eating alone – at a restaurant – can be unexpectedly therapeutic for the mind! A few years ago, when a co-worker asked what I did for lunch, she was appalled to hear my response of grabbing something from one of the local restaurants and eating it outside on the patio … by myself! I didn’t understand why she was so shocked, but when I asked, she said she could never do that, because she’d feel like people would stare at her and think she had no one to join her for lunch. My response? “I love sitting outside and eating by myself sometimes, especially on a busy or bad day! I don’t even notice who is around, and no one ever seems to think anything of it. I see a lot of people doing the same thing, and I don’t care what they think anyway!” I don’t think that went over as a normal response, but that’s fine!

Maybe my love of doing this started back in college, when time alone in quiet became something to appreciate more than ever. I can’t even fully explain what it is I find so enjoyable or peaceful, but afterwards, I always feel a little more refreshed and refocused! If this is not something you make a habit every now and then, I highly recommend giving it a try! It will make you feel better, at the very least. Today’s choice, which I’m not saying was a healthy one, was eating outside at Chick-fil-A at the mall I mentioned earlier. I should mention I felt a little regretful of the food choice I made at Chick-fil-A and later came home, did a short workout, and had hard boiled eggs, a salad, and cottage cheese for dinner!

Indulge – minimally

Indulgence isn’t often given as advice to turn a day around, but the type of indulging I’m referring to is pretty harmless and minimal! I used to indulge way more often than I do now, mostly when it came to shopping, pampering, and socializing/eating out. When you get married and own a home, that’s just something which should naturally dissipate, for the sake of improving and saving for your family.

This doesn’t mean all luxuries should be put to rest! You still need to enjoy yourself from time to time. I will admit, when I go out with a friend, get my hair or nails done, or buy something new, I do probably get a little too excited. Another reason I have gone through the last few years trying to almost cut out clothes and accessories shopping, is due to the fact that once I start to buy a few things, I tend to get a little carried away and want to keep going! It hasn’t been easy to slow my shopping habits, but it has been worth it. It has also helped me practice self-discipline! For these reasons, I have come to appreciate the little indulges so very much! Back to today … my small purchase, after Chick-fil-A, came at the small price of just $9.99. I had been looking for a pair of gray leggings to replace mine, and I stumbled upon them during a quick stop into H&M. After H&M, I decided that was enough, so I went home and already felt better and motivated to do the short workout I mentioned earlier!

This little refresher outing took just two hours out of the day. That’s all it takes! Most people, if they find it worth it for their own well-being, can carve out one or two hours to refocus their energy. We all hear it so often … if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be good for others or able to support those you love. It’s an easy piece of advice to dismiss, because we usually put ourselves last. More often lately, I’ve started to remember I need to have periods of time to refocus myself and keep my priorities in check. It really does make a difference, and I hope you can use these tips to make time now and then for restoration!

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