I was following a prompt today, but apparently they also took a page out of my book and neither one of them are blogging, so now you just get the post. Today I'm talking about my 5 Secrets to Happiness.
| ONE | Find your tribe or several
I once wrote how to make friends as an adult. I'll admit, it's super hard, you have to put yourself out there. Be vulnerable to asking someone to go for coffee or get lunch, but I promise, if you make an effort they will too. But being lonely is way worse that asking someone to go shopping and finding your tribe.
I have my on line tribe, who I just went to Canada with for 6 days, it was amazing.
I have my mom tribe when we first became mom's, who I don't know what I do without. Mom schedules might get in the way, but they know how to come through for me if/when I need it.
Then I also have my mom sports/school mom tribe, who really keeps me wanting to go to my kids functions, cause really it's the kids playing and the adults talking right?
Then you have those friends that you've been friends with since you were in single digits and no matter how much time passes they still drive 200 miles for your 40th birthday.
| TWO | Spend quality time with your spouse or significant other
Just like your tribe, you still have to work on your marriage/relationship. One of the reason I drastically cut back on blogging, I was spending too much time blogging and not enough time being present in the moment.
| THREE | Working Out
This is my time for me. I do so much chauffeuring that sometimes I don't get that hour I need/crave to workout. Wednesday is my day. I have a class that I love to take and the kids know this is my day. I will do anything and everything for them, but I need at least one day to workout. Ideally it's more, but I'll take the one day.
| FOUR | Vacations
Because who isn't happy when on vacation. This summer we were lucky enough to take a few trips with friends and it really was the best. More of those kinds of vacation coming soon!
| FIVE | Crafting
For me I love crafting, doing all the DIY's. Currently my thing is making key chains, and Tumblers...so if anyone wants one, hit me up!
Hi Foxy Friends! Happy Monday. Okay I lied, the last 3 days I've been vacationing with some fellow Blended Bloggers and I got some inspiration. I wasn't originally going to post, but realized I did have something to say about some Health Tips.
Most people think health tips include...
1. Eat healthy food
2. Work Out
3. Get enough sleep
4. Drink enough water
5. Avoid excessive drinking and smoking
I'm here to tell you what the health tips don't say...make some time for yourself! I can't tell you how great I feel, getting some time away from Mom life, time with my friends, laughing, eating, and having nothing on the schedule but eating, shopping and enjoying the sunshine. Like I said on Monday, make time for yourself, don't feel guilty, it's part of living a healthy, well rounded life.
Head on over to The Blended Blog to see some other Healthy Tips.
Hi Foxy Friends! Happy Monday, or is it? Not sure, jury is still out, just kidding. This week is a short week for me because I'm going to see some of the ladies from The Blended Blog! I'm so stinkin excited. We've been planning this trip for 17 months now...it's about time that it's here! Anyway, today over on The Blended Blog we are talking about Self Care...I've previously wrote about 5 Tips For Mom's To Take Care of Themselves, and didn't want to repeat that. Instead I am going to talk about why YOU, as Mom, matter.
So many times we forget that we were people before we became a Mom. We are so busy creating the childhood that we want our kids to remember that sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves. But in order for us to be the best we are, we need to make sure that we are taking care of ourselves first. That might look like a coffee in the early morning before the kids wake up, some devotional time before kid pick up, or a workout at the gym. I know for me, when I get so busy carting the kids around and don't make time to workout, I get snippy at the kids, I am not patient, I use harsher tones, and my over all demeanor is off. Now I know, that if I don't make time to workout I am grumpy. I can't be my best self or be the mom I want to be without getting that time to workout.
Some might say, but my kids NEED me, there is no time to do those things, but really, everyone suffers when Mom is not happy. You NEED to do things that make you happy. To remember who you were before you had kids, before tiny humans needed three meals a day, laundry done, boo-boos kissed, shoes tied, snot wiped, and the list goes on. If you can't do something for just you, when no one is needing anything for you, you yourself can't reset and say, yes I'm ready to conquer the day.
Guilt: Everyone feels it at some point or another, but just STOP it. Your kids are not going to perish and die, they will be cared for by whoever you have chosen to leave them with. And quite frankly, they'll probably miss you like crazy and welcome you with open arms. You know, distance makes the heart grow fonder. So go and get those nails done, get your hair done, or a massage, work out, take a girls weekend, whatever it is that you need to re-energize so that you can be the best person you can be. Because let's face it, if mom is upset, angry or mad the whole family knows and no one is having a good time.
So remember, it's okay to take some time for yourself. You matter, you are still who you were before kids, so try not to let them define who you are now. They accessorize who are are, but do not define you. Be a little selfish (although it's not being selfish if you are working on being the best you), and do what makes you happy, even if for just a few minutes a day.
Thank You Perennial Relations for sponsoring this post. As always all opinions and thoughts are my own.
Happy Thursday Foxy Friends! I had mentioned here that I wanted to try and lose a few vacation pounds I gained back in November, oops! Summer is here and my shorts are just slightly tight, so I need to get back in shape and stop eating so much candy...perhaps I should stop buying it first, haha. Anyway, here are 5 tips I'm going to use to try and keep on track besides the whole eating healthy, blah blah blah, we all know that, it's what else you do that makes the eating healthy a little easier.
Tip 1: Motivation
You need something to motivate you to want to lose the weight. I found that I was in this loop of wanting to lose the last few pounds and wanting candy or ice cream more, and ice cream would ALWAYS win. So I put myself on a self imposed shopping ban. I knew that I needed a reason to keep motivated, plus with the Nordstrom Anniversary sale happening towards the end of July, it gave me the motivation I need to lose it before that happens. Pick something that you really, really like, and then ban it for a few weeks, next time you see that donut or cake you think, this is not going to get me towards my goal of shopping that anniversary sale.
Tip 2: Outfit
Okay let's get real, if we look cute, we're more motivated to actually do the work. Cute clothes = working out mojo. One of my favorite brands is Fabletics, I know you see it splashed all over the place, but seriously I own several pieces and they are so comfortable! I own a pair of pants, that my dad has deemed the pants he will not be seen in public with me (I wear them any chance I get when I know he's going to be around). Even before I was approached for this post, I was a member and have gotten a lot more than I probably should have. Now that it's summer I'm hoping to grab some new shorts, but see Tip 1...not before I reach my goal.
Here are the pants my dad loathes, the reason why I love them, they're loud, they have every color under the sun so no matter what shirt I wear it's always going to match. My only regret is not getting them in the shorts, because they did have them, dang.
Okay so my shoes don't match the shirt, but when you find shoes that fit your feet and are comfortable you don't care what color they come in. This whole outfit is from Fabletics, shirt, sports bra and top. All comfortable, I wish someone was home to take a picture of the back, it's super cute and the reason why I got it.
Here are some of pieces I'm loving right now, the sheer side pants are so dang cute, and then the second pair have lots of color in it, so you too can wear any shirt and it will match. Those shorts? Perfect for the summer months. I know where my next subscription money is going. If you want to sign up use my referral code, you can get two leggings for $24 and I get some cash to spend too. We all win. Trust me once you try these leggings, you won't want to go back, they are thick, so they show no underwear lines and the wash like a dream. I've washed those leggings no less than 30 times already and still looking brand new.
Tip 3: Find A Class You Enjoy
I like doing workout classes because I push myself WAY harder then I would working out on my own. Like no way I'm letting that 60 year do more reps than me. I found one at my gym called R.I.P.P.E.D, that is AMAZING, each letter stands for something. Resistance, Intervals, Power, Plyometrics, Endurance. Here's a video that I found from the owner, who happens to try out all of their new routines on the class I take...it's awesomly hard, but so fun that we get to see what's coming up before anyone else in the world.
I went to class night and grabbed a picture with them. They are what make the class fun, they're enthusiasm is contagious and you can't help but want to do your best for them. All sweaty and gross after class.
Tip 4:Have a workout Plan B
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Sometimes you can't get to a class, I get that, so I like to do some workout videos if I can. If I have 30 minutes I'll do one of the 21 Day Fix videos or 30 Day Shred.
But sometimes I have 10-15 minutes and you know what? I figure doing something is better than nothing, so I will throw on a YouTube Video and do that for a bit. There are so many out there to chose from. Here is my playlist from YouTube that I go to when I can't think of anything else to do. Although I have been doing 4-5 of Fitness Marshall dance videos, have you seen him? Hilarious and it actually works you out in the meantime. You may or may not see me and some of the Blended Blog girls doing a video to one of them come the July 24th. Wait for it, it's going to be awesome.
Tip 5: Put It Out There
I think the hardest thing is doing this alone. You are not alone, tell your family and friends what you are trying to accomplish. For one, they will probably cheer you on and encourage you when you need it most, plus if you say it out loud it's more likely that you will actually do something. For example every other time I never said anything on the blog, but now that I'm saying it, it's like I have to follow through, else I'll just look like someone who gave up. I can do this! Saying it out loud makes it more real, and will most likely make you actually do something about it.
