Hi sweet friends. Happy Monday. I know it's the most dreaded day of the week but we can make them better. After all, it's a fresh start every week. I love sitting here on Monday mornings, cozy with my favorite mug of coffee, reflecting on goals and chatting with all my lovelies on Facebook. Did you know that i've started a Facebook Live Coffee Chat every Monday morning? If you're interested in joining us next week let me know, i'll add you on Facebook. For now grab a cup of coffee, get cozy and share what's on your heart.
If you and I were on a coffee date...
I would tell you that moving is hard work but it's so exciting and rewarding. I'm enjoying putting my new house together and adding all of our sweet personal touches from our wedding that I've had stored away because we didn't have the room to display them all at the old house. It feels so refreshing and comfortable to have a space that's truly ours. Our new neighbors are truly incredible, too. Our cat, Chance ran away last week and they all took the time to be on the look out for our boy. They sent well wishes and prayers and checked in everyday until he came home. It is definitely a good feeling knowing we live in a place where everyone comes together and watches out for each other.
I would also tell you that my mother in law recently made the comment to my husband that she noticed we live such happy lives and we don't fight and we have no drama in our lives. The secret to all of that is living simple, being happy with what we have and where we are in life and not inviting un-necessary problems into our lives. We also talk about everything. Are there times we have disagreements? Sure. We're like every other couple but we always talk it out. At the end of the day we're in it together. We're on the same team and I want to snuggle up next to my husband at night, knowing that we are both happy.
I'm on a mission to live a more simplified life; both mind and material things. Moving has really forced me to look at the "things" I own and question their value. Does it mean anything to me? And if so, am I proud to show it off? Would I display it in my home? When is the last time I used it? I've got quiet a big pile of things to donate sitting at the old house right now because they've served their purpose for me, now it's time to pass them on.
As far as living a more simplified life in terms of mind; it's all about organization and happiness. I'm the kind of person who makes lists like my life depends on them. To be honest, I think it does. That's why my Happy Planner has become my life. I can organize everything into the calendar and I even have add ins for daily scheduling and brain dumps. I'm obsessed with this planner, y'all.
And happiness is something we create. We can't depend on anyone to give us happiness. It has taken me years to figure this one out but now that I have, I can tell you this. If you want to be happy, BE! Change whatever it is that is dragging you down. You don't need anything that doesn't bring joy into your life. Find a hobby. I had someone say to me one time, "I'm not sure how you enjoy being a stay at home mom." True, my only child is a teenager and doesn't need me to be home as much anymore but it's still comforting knowing that I'm here anytime he needs me. He's never known life in a day care or with a babysitter because I've had the privilege of raising him and being able to be with him all the time. Aside from that, I take pride in taking care of our home. I can clean myself into a frenzy but it's because that's my job, to provide a safe, clean, happy place for my family.
I'm also a huge believer in hobbies and self care. If you don't have a hobby, my only question is, why? You can literally grab your iPhone and snap pictures of anything and have an instant hobby. I have too many hobbies to keep up with but I can promise you this, i'm never bored. Sometimes I might be lacking inspiration to do any of my hobbies but it's usually cured with a quick change of environment or a run to Target.
Self care is another huge thing for me. It's a key element to living a happy, healthy life. I hear people, mostly women, say it all the time; "I don't have time to (fill in the blank), it's usually something along the lines of paint my nails, do a facial, take a bubble bath with a candle lit and a glass of wine in hand and it takes everything within me not to roll my eyes out loud because that's a choice. Those people are choosing not to take the time to take care of themselves and eventually they'll burn out. Not saying it's going to be an epic, hit rock bottom kind of burn out but it'll be enough to stop them in their tracks. I know, i've been there and I learned that you can't be good for anyone else if you aren't good to yourself first. So this week, I challenge you to take 10 minutes everyday to do something for yourself. Turn off your phone and lock yourself away in the bathroom and paint your nails, give yourself a facial, or take a bubble bath. Bake something. Grab yourself a treat at your favorite bakery. Buy yourself some flowers. Do something that makes YOU happy then get back to taking care of everyone else.
This week I want to focus on letting things go and making room for more positive things in my life. This message has been brought up three different times in the last two weeks. I feel like God is trying to tell me something. The first time I heard it was in church two weeks ago. The message the preacher was preaching was learning to say no to things that just don't feel right so that you can make room for more positive yeses in your life. Last night one of the sweet entrepreneurs I follow, Erin, said "let things go, even if it is a bummer, and you open yourself up to a world of positive possibility." Yes, Lord, you've got my attention.
What would you tell me if we were on a coffee date?
Monday Mantra
Goals
How'd I do with my previous goals?
+Start doing yoga 5 days a week again. Epic fail. I didn't do yoga one time over the last month.
+Keep replacing sugary drinks with water. I've been really bad about drinking sweet tea lately and a few cokes, too. So fail.
+Pack away nightstand and Living Room Decor. This one is a win. Not only has it been packed away, it's actually been moved to the new house and already put back out.
+Fulfill my tee shirt orders and my hubby's request for vinyl flags. Another win. Well, i've got to find that flag and finish it off but it's been made. Now i'm on to round two of tee shirt orders.
+Stay sane.
Y'all, the struggle is real with this one. With closing coming on Friday and family getting here Saturday, i'm getting more nervous, anxious and excited all at the same time but I'm also trying to squeeze in 4,550 things this week. So i'm going to try not to be crazy stressed and just do what I can and remember the rest will be there when I get to it. I'm calling this one a win! We made it through closing and enjoyed time with our Illinois family. We've even moved a good bit of our stuff and got our new house set up and I haven't lost my mind once!
This week's goals
+ Wake up at 7 every morning
+ Do yoga and meditation every day
+ Work on creating a morning routine
+ Watch the replay of the Hashtag Webinar I missed last week
+ Clean up the FB groups i'm a part of
+ Work on engagement in blogging groups and returning social media and blog comments the next day
+ Cut back sugar
+ Put together my craft room/blogging office
+ Start the recipe swap group back up
What are some goals y'all would like to achieve this week?
