time

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!

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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Yes, It’s Sweetest Day

October 15, 2016

sweetestday Did you celebrate Sweetest Day today with your spouse or significant other? Did you even know it was Sweetest Day?! If you aren’t from the Great Lakes region, mostly Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, you may have never heard of it! My husband and I are from the Cleveland, Ohio area, where the “holiday” originated, so we know it comes along every third Saturday in October. Does that mean we spend every Sweetest Day exchanging cards, chocolates, and having fancy dinners? Of course not, especially since we live in Virginia. We were surprised to find a very small selection of cards by accident recently, when looking for a birthday card at our local Kroger. We were pretty shocked to find such a thing in Richmond, since most often people here have never heard of the so-called holiday. According to Hallmark, Sweetest Day came into existence around 1922, when a Cleveland, Ohio candy company employee, Herbert Birch Kingston, wished to bring happiness to those who were sometimes forgotten. Hallmark began making Sweetest Day cards in the mid-1960s and now has more than seventy cards to choose from for your loved ones.

candlespic

I believe many take advantage of today to create a romantic day full of fanciness and grand gestures, but really it can just be another expense for a lot of couples. Some parents use it as a way to give their children more candy and toys. The gesture of giving a day of extra time could be a better way to spend today or any Saturday really. My husband and I didn’t remember Sweetest Day until this evening, when he saw something about it on social media. I simply responded “Oh yeah” and continued with what I was doing, content with the time we have been able to spend together today. We don’t always get Saturdays together, due to work or different commitments, so we take advantage of those we do. Today we filled our time with a free and local Harvest Festival, a late lunch at Chipotle (fairly inexpensive), a car wash and clean at Car Pool, and a few random errands, before returning home to finish watching the Cleveland Indians beat the Blue Jays in the American League Championship! As I finish this post, we will end the night with watching a few shows on the DVR, and I will no doubt fit in writing my lesson plans for school this week. Sundays for us typically consist of being filled at church prepping and running the youth night, so I have to squeeze my work in beforehand! If you didn’t know about Sweetest Day, you now know what kind of crazy things we northerners think up to celebrate love! Don’t be pressured to spend a fortune on love. Just show you care, and spend time with your family.

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