Get out of a slump with me

Since our big family trip to Hong Kong-India-Dubai, I’ve been a slump. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been getting things done, been ambitious, goal oriented but not with all areas of my life.  I’ve really felt like consistency has been out of focus. 

Which is interesting to read back as I write it, because on paper (and instagram highlights) I’ve done some pretty cool stuff: ran a half marathon, did some community environment events, re-did my vision board, meditated and journaled daily, making time to learn (GenAI, microcerts, exams PASSED) made lots of little art and launched my youtube channel.  But I feel like I’ve been lacking organization, regularity and stability.  Which then has turned around and effected other areas of my life. 

For example

  • I’ve only read 1 book, yes just ONE book this year and we are already 7 months in
  • My eating habits have been so out of it lately (including late night snacking, lack of portion control/meal planning, not enough protein and over indulgence ugh)
  • My schedule for sharing my art or blogging… literally out the window
  • Getting pictures printed (this is a digital age problem, like how much storage is there in the world and why do I take soo many pictures and do nothing with them)
  • Someone tell me why I don’t do ab/core exercises daily anymore
  • An atrocious sleep schedule
  • Procrastination on some important personal goals 

Anyways I’m sharing this because I know I’ll get back on track.  I’m setting up systems (including a new planner and digital productivity method), starting therapy and strengthening my visualization practice because I want to reap the benefits of good habits and mental fitness in my life.  I truly believe being mentally strong is the foundation of life productivity.  I think once I have my mindset correct, I’ll be able to re-create habits and routines to support my goals.

All this to say, is it’s okay to fumble, it’s okay to fall down and it’s okay to take rest.  The important thing is to have the awareness to realize what’s going on and the desire to course correct.

As always I like to share some tips on getting back on track 

  1. Do a brain dump:  If you feel like your daily routine, goals, thoughts and mind are feeling a little frazzled, do yourself a favour and WRITE.IT.ALL.DOWN.  Whatever IT is. This means it could be a brain dump, but it could also being a let out of all your feelings.  Let your pen/keys on keyboard go freely so you release what ever is holding you back emotionally or spiritual.
  2. Listen to your intuition: which means you’ll have to be quite.  You’ll have to turn inwards.  You’ll have to pay attention to the small and mighty messages both your body and universe are giving you. Remember not everything deserves your attention, but its important to work on the things that your intuitively know will get you where you need to be.
  3. Take intentional action: meaning if you are ready (mentally and inuititively) to incorporate activities to get you back on track, don’t try to boil the ocean.  Stick to 1-2 main activities daily.  Small wins everyday lead to accomplishing big dreams.
  4. Give yourself Grace: Rest and relaxation is key here.  Not letting negative self talk overrun your mind and dictate your mood is of the upmost important.

Looking for more inspiration?

Read this: 30 ways to get 1% better 

Watch this:

Spend a self-care day with me!

Leaning into your self care routine is essential to being more productive BUT can help in elevating your divine feminine energy. #SayLess

We all have those days where we feel like we should push through the exhaustion and be productive.

But then there are days when you sleep in (not by choice), feel decision fatigue with every little thought and feel overwhelmed by the thought of your to do list.

The way to circumvent getting to any level of burn out (like listed above, because they are both a form of burn out) is to have a regularly scheduled self care routine. 
Or in my case self care day!  These happen very rarely and are usually caused by not making self care a natural part of my day.  So I took the day to lean into myself, be self obsessed and get things done that would feed my soul.

So …Join me on as I take a self care day!

Although I completely missed my morning routine (journal, meditate)…My day started with a healthy breakfast

My go to oatmeal right now is half cup of cooked steel cut oats, 4 strawberries, 1 banana, quarter cup of blue berries an a tablespoon of maple syrup.

c/o pinterest

I have an awesome life partner who noticed me working too hard several weeks prior and booked me a 9am full body massage!

It was the perfect release after many weeks of half marathon training and general life pressures.

c/o pinterest

Since I was out, I figured I might as well get some errands done.  I did a Fedex return and dropped off some overdue books to the library!

I ended up spending time at the library, perusing books for future readying, searching Pinterest for my vision board and checking out books for the girls #MomLife

c/o pinterest

I went home and made myself a healthy nutritious lunch: scrambled eggs, edamame, roasted potatoes and broccoli and a home made alioli.

With lunch I watched some Modern Family.  I ALWAYS re-watch shows (SATC, Friends, Seinfeld and now Modern Family) because I do not have the bandwidth to start something new.

I let my food digest while I worked on my vision board and then got a workout in: 30 min run followed by a 20 min full body/no repeats tabata.

c/o pinterest

Full transparency I watched a few of my fav YouTubers while I worked out (ie: Tam Kaur, Melanie P Cruz, Holly B Fitness) – I love motivational inspo and could watch these creators on repeat.

Immediately followed that up with an epsom salt bubble bath …and yes the bubbles are MANDATORY ;)

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I made good use of my soak by reading.  I try and read 10 pages a day and I’m currently reading “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”.  I love self dev books, but try to balance them out with some fun fiction tool.

By the time I got out of the shower, I had about 30 minutes before I had to pick up my kids so I did a quick clean or my desk.  Switched up my set up and deep cleaned all the surfaces. 

It was a much needed spring clean.

The rest of the evening was spent being a parent but I managed to finish the evening with a brain dump in my journal (released a lot of thoughts/emotions), had a herbal tea and slept early!

c/o pinterest

Hope this inspired you to add some self care to your day, or take a day all together for yourself!

7 ways to show up for yourself

As we round off the year, I like to share tid bits of wisdom that I’ve gained or read.  And I think it’s really important that we show up for yourselves.  Sometimes we have to be our own hype person, our own hand to high hive or shoulder to cry on.  The list below are some of my tried and true methods to showing up for yourself.

*all pictures are my own* do not use without explicit and written consent.

  1. Commit to routines that are good for your well being – be disciplined to do them enough even when you don’t want to.
  2. Practice self awareness – listening to your needs and course correcting when you aren’t aligning to your ultimate goals
  3. Give yourself grace – we don’t need to be perfect, it’s okay to fumble, take the rest you need, what matters is getting quickly getting back to your routines.
  4. Take care of your daily human needs: stay hydrated, eat healthy, get enough sleep, get sunshine and practice moderate activity
  5. Be curious – take every opportunity to learn and stretch yourself
  6. Make yourself a priority – show up for yourself, take care of yourself and be proud of your accomplishments
  7. Always have a grateful heart – it gives you perspective

Remember to lean into your Divine Feminine Energy

Sometimes women get stuck in their toxic masculine energy.  This can be because of many factors but it all comes down to our fast paced lifestyle, being out of sync with the moon cycles, lack of community and not using our hands (aka holding a tiny black screen all day!).  

Which manifests for some women as:

  • feeling stressed all the time
  • being in flight or fight mode for years
  • operating from a point of fear
  • the need to control everything

But it’s very easy for us women to return to our natural state and divine feminine energy.

Credit

Here are 3 ways to nurture your Divine Feminine and call back your natural receiving energy.

  1. Be creative – This means making something with you hands. Can be art, can be a meal, knitting, writing/journaling, doing your make up/hair
  2. Spend time in nature – Being within the trees, walking barefoot in the grass, try to aim for 10-30 minutes in the sun and within the trees. We need to do a more concerted effort to reconnect with mother nature.
  3. Learn to say no – As women we often obligated to do things for others, take care of others and put ourselves last on the priority list. We often feel bad saying no and feel like we need to handle more than we can – it creates bitterness and resentment. Start practicing saying no today. It will be the first step in healing the the wounded feminine.

Journal prompts for your birthday!

If you know me (or have been around my blog for a few years) you know that I love to journal and truly believe in the benefits of journaling

Journalling is a form of therapy.  It offers a mental and emotional release that you may not even know you need.  Furthermore, using journal prompts offers a quiet reflection and forces us to be honest and thoughtful.

For my birthday this year, I chose a few birthday journal prompts to get me to both intentionally reflect on the past 12 months and refocus on the year ahead.

  1. How are you celebrating your birthday (today, this weekend, later this week/month)?
  2. When you think about the last 12 months, what is 1 word that immediately comes to mind? why?
  3. What happened this year that you are so grateful for?
  4. How have you stepped out of your comfort zone this year?
  5. If you could speak to yourself 10 years from, what would you say to yourself? What would Older Self say to you?

Do you use Journal Prompts? Which journal prompts do you love to use?  

Happy Journaling!


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Annual Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

I’m definitely not one of those moms (read: momfluencers) who plans gram worthy photoshoots at the farm.  Honestly I’d rather engage my kids in a 500 piece puzzle or take an early morning trip to the art gallery.

But once or twice a year, we head out to our local neighbourhood farm to support their small business.

The girls enjoyed “getting lost” in the corn maze and searching for the perfect pumpkin.  The fresh air and crisp air really got us in the autumn mood!

Pumpkins, Pumpkin patch, Barrel, Farm Visit, green grass, Gord, mini pumpkins