As we all gear up to return to work or to send our kids back to school, there are some important questions to consider.
- How are YOU feeling?
- Are you ready to return to a more hectic lifestyle?
- Are you mentally ready to get back into the swing of things?
- Is your immune system prepared to take on returning to your daily (hectic) routine?
These are all questions that have been weighing heavily on my mind. The main being, “am I really ready?”
I want things to go back to “normal.” I want to see my family and friends, return to mass, have playgroups for the kids, host dinner parties at our home, go out on date nights. YES—I WANT to do all of these things. But something inside me is cautioning me from going hog wild and completely indulging in these once everyday occurrences.
Are you experiencing any of these same mixed emotions? I can’t be the only one struggling here, right?!
Luckily, I have found a few simple steps to help me work through all of these built-up emotions and feelings of fear. And, they only take a couple of minutes each day to feel motivated, empowered, and totally fulfilled. Ready to dive in?
Follow these 5 easy hacks to earn that precious time of yours back TODAY!
As a busy mama of two kiddos five and under, a part-time communications gig, teaching college classes, and facilitating professional programs online, all while managing a hectic household, I need all the time-saving hacks I can get my hands on!
We all need more time in the day.
But how do we make that a reality? From the hecticness of life right now to the lines of work and homelife blurring now more than ever, striking a work-life balance has never been a more delicate dance.
Is there anything we can do to change it?
You bet there is, sister! I’ve used these 5 simple hacks to save time, save money, and ultimately enjoy my days from home more fully with the kids.
Want to know my secrets? Keep reading! These are easy hacks to start implementing today to totally win your day—day after day, week after week! You’ve got this!!
No. 1: Plan it Out
It sounds so simple, right? But how many of us have started off the week (again!) without a real plan or direction? We’re all guilty of it! Now more than ever, creating a plan, mapping out how we would like to spend our time, and actually committing to it can make all the difference.
*Pro Tip: One of my all-time favorite hacks is time blocking. It’s simple, but crazy effective.
No. 2: Stay Focused
Keep that time blocking calendar close, and in a visible spot. Stick to it. If social media or your phone are constant distractions, close that window on your browser, and put your phone on silent. Minimize the distractions, and work like a madwoman to accomplish all you can during your blocked time.
*Pro Tip: I love using this little number to minimize distractions around me, and keep crystal clear on the task at hand. It helps get my mind ready to work and conquer the day EVERY TIME.
No. 3: Find a Brand You Trust
I know what you’re thinking. What does this have to do with saving time? Trust me. It means everything! When you find your favorite pair of jeans or your new favorite boutique, you go back for more, time after time. Right? The guesswork, the time to find that brand, try out those cute new jeans, the fit, the price, it all takes time—lots of it! When we find a brand or a store we know, love, + trust, and we keep going back for more, and we have more time on our side.
No. 4: Shop Online
Did you know you actually save money when shopping online? Yup! How many of us have spent $20, $50, maybe even $100 more when we get caught in the irresistible aisles of the Target dollar section? I’m guilty of this so many times over! But when we shop online, especially with a list in hand, we save SO much money by simply not even seeing those extra cute goodies. We also save our precious time!
*Pro Tip: Make a list and stick to it while shopping online. If you need to, set a time limit for how long you browse a particular site so you’re not scrolling your days away shopping online.
No. 5: DIY It
I’ve certainly not always been a DIY’er. In fact, I used to think (not long ago!) that DIY’ing took far longer than simply buying the product ready to use and enjoy. But now I know, with many household projects, this is simply not the case.
From crafting our own hand soap, to whipping up our own laundry detergent, daily fragrance, or multi-purpose cleaner, I’m able to save plenty of hours back in my day. Just a couple simple, natural, and effective products at my fingertips go a long way. This is the kit that I can’t be without to tackle so many of my DIY projects at home. No more scouring the aisles of Target or Walmart for hours on end.
*Pro Tip: Get organized! There are a handful of DIY recipes that our family uses over and over again. They have simplified our life, our routine, and ultimately provided us more time in the day to really relax and enjoy with one another.
Which of these time-saving tips will you be implementing today? I would love to hear from you! How are you saving time (and money!) these days?
… and other real thoughts from this mama on a mission to continue thriving during these tough times!
What’s crazier than working from home with two kiddos? ... NOTHING!
It’s completely nuts! And because of the chaos that is now our daily lives, many of my healthy habits that once were have gone by the wayside, too. Not to mention my own personal care … Did I mention it’s now a luxury to go to the bathroom on my own? YUP!
Can you relate?
Having little ones in tow through each moment of your day is exhausting and allows for very little (if any!) downtime. But what if I told you there was a better way?
What if you could get out of this hamster wheel, day-to-day monotony, and strike a better balance, self-care, and meaning in life?
My friend, you totally can! Want to know how?
Join me on a 3-day, totally free challenge to Conquer Your Health + Wellness Goals!
This challenge will be just what you need to kickstart some new healthy habits and routines in just 10 minutes or less each day. That’s it. Feel better, incorporate new healthy habits, and get back on track to thriving vs. just surviving.
It’s a simple choice: kick your health and wellness goals into gear or don’t. Come on, you know what you need to do!
Choose better, my friend. I can’t wait for us to take this 3-day challenge on together!
Ready to roll? Join our Oil Up private Facebook group if you are not already a member. Just search for “3-day challenge,” find the post, and comment: I’m In!
That’s it! It’s your time to get healthy and well today. Do it for yourself. Do it for your mental health. Do it for the future of your family.
See you in our healthy and thriving Facebook community today!
Self-care is a term that we hear all the time. But one that is commonly misunderstood.
When reviewing a recent poll, 1/3 of people asked, said that self-care was something only people with an abundance of money could partake in. Another finding revealed that nearly half of adults believe they do not have time for self-care.
Do you have any of these same beliefs?
Ironically, science totally busts these myths. When we are completely deprived and our own cups are not filled, we are not able to take care of others efficiently, and certainly cannot care for ourselves. But, if we take even minutes a day to work on our self-care, it can make a world of difference.
Better yet? You can even improve your productivity! “People that look after themselves [and practice self-care] do have better cognitive ability. They do have better focus and they do have better concentration,” Dr. Russell Thackeray, a licensed clinical psychologist who consults on the topic of productivity. “They tend to actually produce more.”
So, what can you do today to make self-care a priority?
Self-care looks different for each person. Maybe your self-care is reading a great book, taking a bubble bath, going on a peaceful walk, or treating yourself to a day at the spa. Whatever it is that fills you up, make the commitment to yourself to practice self-care each and every day.
You, your health, and your happiness all depend on it!
I’d love to hear from you! How are you implementing these self-care practices on the daily? My practice involves waking up at 5 AM, reading a great book, prayer, visualization, and doing a little yoga to kick-start my day.
Did you enjoy this article? You'll LOVE my guide: 20 Minutes to a Healthier, Happier YOU!
