Summer Self Care

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summer self care

This summer let’s thrive on self care where we rejuvenate all summer long! Summer is beckoning us outside to enjoy more Vitamin D, fresh air and greenery. Make this your summer of self care.

 

Read or listen to a book

Take a cue from the many book clubs and grab a summer bestseller. You can read an audio book too. Choose your favorite genre to enjoy.

 

Hydrate with fresh fruit and a beverage station

Add berries or cucumber to your usual tumbler of water.  Keep a pitcher of water handy with lemon slices floating in it. Add fun to festivities with a summer beverage station, including adult and kiddo beverages for you and your playmates to enjoy.

 

Exercise outside

Summer is the perfect time for an early morning walk since it’s light much earlier. You can find a water exercise class to end your day. Remember your sunscreen and bug spray too.

 

Enjoy the seasonal green stuff

Head to a Farmers’ Market, a berry farm or grow a garden. Nurturing ourselves by cherishing our food reminds us of where we get our food is important.  We are for sure what we eat. Fluff up a salad for lunch and dinner to get all your 5 a day veggies.

 

Disconnect from your devices

Having time away from technology helps clear your mind.  Set your device aside for a certain amount of time. You can unplug for an hour or a day, whatever feels more freeing.

Take a day off

Be in touch with your younger self with a list of summer fun. Don’t forget making homemade ice cream, taking a trip to a water park, enjoy a day at the beach or the pool, make s’mores, or do something special that reminds you of summer camp.

 

Meet a friend for a picnic

Gather up treats and head to a shady park to meet a friend for lunch or an early dinner. Be a support and get support while you catch up on news.

 

Be creative

Summer invites us to be more artistic and creative.  Choose fun art mediums like water colors or chalk for self expression. Snap some artistic photos with your smart phone. Keep it simple and easy to be creative.

 

Start a new interest

Have you wanted to paint pottery, play the guitar or take up scuba?  Start a new interest during the summer. With the longer daylight, it feels like there is more time in the day.

 

Vacation or Staycation

Pull out your calendar right now and schedule time away. That time can be physically away or away from work.  Setting the date is the first step to really committing to time off the grid. Prep for your time away a week ahead with lists, packing, and organizing. While away, stay in the moment and enjoy the time.

 

Houston’s Top Self- Care Products

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Houston top self care products

 

We are spending lots of time this year talking about self care. It is necessary with the uncertainty of life and our need to address the anxiety that comes with that. There are physical examples of self care like developing a regular sleep routine, aiming for a healthy diet and going for a walk at lunchtime. In addition, there are many product possibilities that lead to taking care of ourselves in a way that also improves organizing and productivity.  Check out these options, including many that work with your smart phone.

 

Hidrate Spark syncs with your smart phone for all day hydration

Hidrate Spark syncs with your smart phone for all day hydration

 

Sunrise Simulation Alarm Clock

Sunrise Simulation Alarm Clock to wake to natural light

 

Scale Synching with Smart Phone

Scale Synching with Smart Phone to graph your weight, body mass and more

Fit bit

Fit Bit to record your exercise and sleep

 

Amazon Alexa

Amazon Alexa (to play music or dolphin sounds)

 

 

Headspace

Headspace (an app) for Meditation helps you relieve anxiety and create serenity.

 

 

Lavender Bath Salts

Lavender bath salts for a relaxing end of your day

Learning, Listening and Embracing Diversity

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As we celebrate Black History Month. I am listening and learning.  These authors, leaders, allies and advocates give me insights into belonging and inclusion.  As we continue to learn, we are embracing diversity.

 

Black History Month 

Learn more about the origins of this month long celebration.

 

7 Powerful Lessons Learned from Black Authors

Read about diversity and inclusion from seven well known black authors.

 

Black History is for Everyone

Author Daily Lovelace shares ways that we are all acknowledging the rich history of African Americans in our country.

 

PBS Celebrate Black History Month 

PBS shares documentaries and shorts on celebrating Black America.

 

Biography.com

Learn about prominent Black people who play significant roles in America.

 

 

4 organizing tips to accomplish your 2021 health goals

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4 organizing tips to accomplish your 2021 health goals

 

Getting healthy and losing weight have forever been the number one new year goal.  This year even more of us have the goal of getting and staying healthy. The uncertainties of life have reminded us that we must focus on what we can control.  Nutrition and exercising are what we can focus on and work together and work together on.  Here are four tips to help you accomplish your 2021 health goals.

 

Be intentional

Intentional is where all change starts.  Since we are more aware than ever the role that health takes in our lives, being intentional about wellness means it keeps a top priority. That motivation starts every morning with positive input with meditation, prayer or podcasts.  The days things go awry are the days you are overtired and unfocused on your plan.

 

Be specific

Every good plan requires specific actions.  Keep it simple with fewer choices and specific ways you are eating and exercising every day. Fewer choices means having the same breakfast each morning rather than choosing between protein bars, egg bites, smoothie, or yogurt with fruit.  Keep exercise simple with walking 5 to 10k steps which can be clocked on your fitbit or apple watch. A specific number keeps you set on your goals.  One friend tracks the number of days she has walked 10k steps to keep motivated not to “break the chain.”

 

Be organized

Every goal that is a priority must have a time to accomplish this goal. Wellness starts with this time allocation.  Set time on a specific day at a specific time for meal planning, grocery shopping and meal prep.  Plan on protein snacks so that you are preparing for unhealthy obstacles.  What time will you walk or exercise?  That is an additional block of time. Time to reset and unwind are valuable time slots for you, which includes setting the same wake and slumber time each day.  With these realistic time blocks, you are assured of success.

 

Build a team

We are all in this together now with health and wellness. As we are on this journey, gather and support a team of those who are like-minded.  Teams are the best way to assure you keep on track and are accountable to your goals.  This year I have embarked on a new health journey to use intermittent fasting with intention.  I have several friends who are on my team to support this effort.  It’s also fun to compare notes on our successes.

 

Rules for Life 2021

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2021 simple rules for simple living

 

I have been inspired this year with many ways to be positive and resilient.  Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper has a Sunday To Be list each week that is a synopsis of a person’s goals.  Tim Denning recently wrote a his Overly Simple Rules for a Good Life focusing on rules. His new mantra included “Rules provide constraints in your life. Constraints help you focus. Focus provides clarity. Clarity helps you take badass actions.”

 

Entering 2021, I wanted to create some life guidelines aka rules that help me be my best and make a difference for others.

 

Keep it Simple Sweetie

I have to start here. Life is getting more complicated so I want to have a rule that helps me keep focused on simplicity. When life is simple, we enjoy our time with others and live life to the fullest.

 

Talk less, smile more

These words from Hamilton resonate with me.  I love to learn about the back story, what motivates others and who supports who.  That is when can connect in the most rewarding and authentic manner.

 

Curate incoming information

We have a lot information coming from a lot of sources.  We must review and process the quantity and quality of this information. Know what are your trusted sources and who you can rely on for truth.

 

Limit decisions

I like to keep it to only three choices.  I apply that to every decision, whether it’s paint color or breakfast.  Having fewer choices keeps us from being overwhelmed.

 

Plan and pause

Strategic planning, weekly planning and a daily task list keep me organized.  Adding a time to pause weekly also keeps me organized. This pause happens every Sunday when I take time to reset and rejuvenate.  Life is a balance of moving and stopping that keeps us organized and productive.

 

Family first

Knowing my family comes first makes it easy for me to prioritize.  Each decision is run through this filter of why I do what I do.  Having this priority makes it easy for me to make decisions, as well as plan my week.

 

I encourage you as the new year is about to begin to write your list of rules.  It is your way of affirming who you are, what’s important to you and shaping your every day.

7 Simple Organizing Tips To Keep Life Moving Forward

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7 simple organizing tips to keep life moving forward

Life keeps moving. It’s moving fast and it’s easy to get bogged down, especially with our new normal. Your fatigue, anxiety, extra time spent resolving a challenge or a regular work week can get you behind in organizing and staying organized. Here are simple organizing tips to keep you organized on a regular basis.

 

Get through daily paper work and mail.

Paper is can paralyze us with so much paper coming in. Set up recycle and shred to easily sort the mail daily or at minimum weekly.  It takes 5 minutes daily or 30 minutes weekly to do a quick sort and triage.

Have a grocery plan and a dishes plan.

Food makes everyone happier! It takes a few extra minutes to order online, however you are saving time and money in the long run.  Make your grocery plan on the weekend so that it can arrive before the week starts.

Paper plates have a new sparkle if you are not getting your dirty dishes done each night. Create partnerships within your family to load, unload, and clean up each night after dinner. That includes taking out the trash.  Your future self- that’s tomorrow’s self- will appreciate this more than you can imagine.

Check your calendar each morning and evening.

Our best plans can turn against us without checking our calendar each day.  It’s a good start and end to the day to be organize, prepared and proactive.  Add tasks, appointments and projects all the time to your calendar to keep it current in real time.

 

Have a donation bag available all the time.

When you try on something and decide it’s scratchy, the wrong color or too hard to keep from wrinkling is the time to drop it into your bag. We drive by drop off sites all day and simply bring the bag to your car and drop off when it is full.  You will find it is much easier to do the laundry with fewer clothes too.

 

Keep laundry moving

I have seen loads of laundry washed and dried, yet not back to the closet or dresser.  Break loads into smaller units to get that final step complete. Set up your laundry room for success!

 

Host a daily home and work reset

We wish we had a magic want to get all the items and papers back to where they belong.  Since we don’t  have that wand, we need a daily reset at both home and work. That’s where your family comes in to partner with you here.

 

Self-care is a daily priority

Self-care looks like a lot of different things in our lives. It’s going to be on time, exercising, eating healthy, taking a shower, reading a magazine or facetime with friends. Whatever self-care looks like to you, be sure you are keeping it a priority every day.  We need to laugh, get outside and get to bed to be our best selves.

 

It is hard to keep all these organizing maintenance tasks going. If you find a lapse in one in particular, focus on that for a week. It is also easier once you have your family on your team too.

What to Organize Now Fall Organizing

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fall organizing

 

Start fall out with a plan of what to organize now. In the uncertainty around us, we want to create a calm, organized space at home, at work, for family and for ourselves.  That’s the biggest benefit of organizing. We feel in control, make decisions and see positive changes in our space.  Here are 5 tips of what to do right now for Fall Organizing.

 

Edit and reset your closet

Make every day better by editing and resetting your closet for fall.  Now you know what you did not wear this summer so grab a shopping bag and start decluttering.  Your closet editing will lead to resetting for fall.  Bring in items from other closets and rearrange fall colors to the front of your closet. It’s fun to see your new fall wardrobe this way.

 

Pantry prep

Starbucks is heralding pumpkin spice and it’s time to spice up your pantry. Check for expired items from spring’s surplus buying.  Re-organize what has gotten out of order.  Bring in your fall favorites for winter weather like apple pie filling and canned pumpkin.

 

Get ahead of the holidays

Holidays are going to look different this year. Now is the time to start conversations with your family.  Start with your family plan on gathering and gift giving.  Assess what is in your gift closet now, make a list and take stock of what you will be giving this year.  Get head with your holiday lists. It will be joyful to think ahead.

 

Structure your schedule

Schedules offer us sanity in uncertainty.  It is about work flow for our both our personal and professional life. Our schedules include routines which help us thrive.  Review your morning and evening routines.  Talk through homework, dinner and bedtime and what to improve on getting your routine consistent.  Drill down to a simple, easy to follow schedule for you and your family.

 

Declutter your home and office

The pandemic has set us in motion to make big changes. Families are moving, individuals are seeing new work opportunities and relationships are taking off. Decluttering is important. You can let go of more than you think and thrive. Place a donation bag at an easy access location to drop items in regularly. When the bag fills, drop it a your local philanthropy.  Letting go will always be what to do now for getting organized.

 

Fall is a favorite season for many of us with cooler weather and getting back to routines. Follow your intuition and use this time to get organized and gain clarity.

 

6 Ways to Create a Home To Recharge and Re-energize

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6 ways to create a home the re-energizes

 

Our homes continue to be our place for work and play. Since Spring we have been “safe at home” with COVID-19 and now we are home this summer more than ever with restricted travel. This summer is the time to create spaces in our homes for tranquility and vitality. Every family needs space in their home to recharge and re-energize.

 

Declutter first

Decluttering first gives us energy. Maybe you haven’t realized how much your stuff is weighing you down. When we edit and remove that which is not loved, used or needed, we open up space in our homes. Start in your family room and then move to your kitchen, then next to your bedroom.  In the family room decide which collectibles are still important to you.  Do you need to edit photos or add more recent photos? Are there books you can donate to the library book sale room?  Create a space that helps you gather together for games and family fun. In the kitchen, simplify what you use for preparation and storage. Have your extra dishes become more than you need? Are you ready to slim down your food storage containers (aka tupperware)? In these high traffic areas, look to simplify and create easy access for what is most frequently used.

 

Create Tranquility Zones

Set aside time each day for tranquility.  Comfy sofas and bedrooms are ideal for napping.  These spaces for tranquil rest are where we can renew with cool temperatures and the whirl of a fan.  Add a soft throw or coverlet and you will enjoy your short rest.

 

Create a Book Nook

We’re learning and reading more than ever. That reading includes audio books, paper books, kindles, devices and magazines.  Book and magazine storage can be a small basket beside your night stand or in the family room. You can create a family library by installing additional shelving in a hallway with low two shelf storage or tall five shelf storage that matches the wall color. Decide how much book storage you would like, set that as a boundary for the number of books you want and then donate books that won’t fit into your space.

 

Create a meditation or yoga space

More of us are using meditation and yoga for calm starts to our day.  Your family room can be divided into zones for a variety of uses including media and exercising. Place your yoga mat in a wicker basket for storage in a corner of your family room for easy access and room to exercise.

 

Invite your family outdoors

Time outside in the sun and the shade energizes us.  Getting our daily dose of vitamin D is important as well as fresh air.  Invite your family into the outdoors with a hammock between trees, an oversize Adirondack chair in the shade or a bistro table and two chairs for snacks outside.  New sports like pickelball and old sports like crochet are fun family activities to play throughout the summer.

Create a common charging station for everyone’s devices

Prioritize your family’s tranquility each evening with a common charging station in a common space. Each evening place all the devices in your home in the station to recharge.  Everyone will benefit with a better night’s rest.

 

Re-organizing your home this summer will re-energize everyone.  This boost will make a difference for summer fun and time together as a family.

Creating Resilience in Difficult Times

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resilience

 

Are you beginning to think we have been thrown back to ancient times and there are many plagues before us? We are going through a global health crisis, economic bumpy roads, and social unrest.  It’s certainly a time to create resilience during difficult times. Here are some strategies that can hold you in safe space with the unprecedented times.

 

Solid routines

I am a professional organizer and productivity consultant. Naturally the first recommendation I have is to create a rock solid routine for your morning, evening or the day. Your routine can have flexibility without begin rigid.  Rock solid routines include your set bedtime, your daily exercise and your productivity time blocks. A solid routine helps you know what your plan is for the day, which can be rearranged as needed.

 

Sacred self care

Self care and resilience are like peanut butter and jelly. Your self care will keep you well rested, well hydrated, and positive.  We need energy to stay calm and carry on. Many people are learning new games, crafts and outdoor activities. When you give yourself time to do what you love or to learn something new, you feel energized and upbeat. Self care is required during these times, and beyond.

 

Trusted sources and resources

Media and social media are filled with many emotions and lots of information. By now you have drilled down to what is your trusted source.  Stay true to what you trust and rely on.  Double check facts online.  I have been relying on science based information rather than many opinions. Use many facts to find the truth of the situation.

 

Spiritual learning

There is not much in the media that is sharing thoughts about faith. This is a time to lean into your faith. That may be through religious ceremonies via zoom, a daily evening prayer, grace at meals or with a prayer book at home.  Knowing there is a great good and a higher power empowers our hope and resilience.

Authentic connections

Authentic connections help you process the world and keep you grounded. Throughout the pandemic, I have called two friends a day to spend time processing what is going on around us. They have helped me find meaning and purpose in this bumpy time.  This is the support we all need as we discuss and sometimes laugh at the tough times.

 

 

Find the good. It’s all around you.  It is the awareness that even in the most troubling of times, good is here.  That is resilience. Knowing the good is here.

 

3 Tips to Help You Get Organized to Stay Healthy

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Health has been a long time priority for our family. Above all else, we prize taking care of ourselves and building good routines that support wellness.  Our motivation includes being a role model for our kids and grands kids. We know that what we do reflects on their choices.  As a family we have sadly had parents die at an early age. We want to live a long healthy life to spend time with our family and friends.  We have prioritized health and well being and you can too by adjusting a few tweaks to your self care and lifestyle.  Check out these 3 tips to help you get organized to stay healthy.

 

Make time for exercise in your schedule

Exercise is a stress fighter and immunity builder. It’s that important to be sure that even with the busiest of days with the longest hours, you add in exercise. There are so many ways you can make sure you exercise multiple times a week.  Set a schedule to include some exercise, whether it is a class at the gym or a far walk from your car to your office.  You can exercise with your family when you all take a walk together, ride bikes or online classes.

Finding the exercise you love helps you commit to this. Since 1988, I have prioritized taking a walk every day. I have the opportunity to set my own schedule, I start my day early with a walk. A variation of my walk can include a “walk and talk” with friends to keep connected or “think big time” about my business, professional next steps or personal goals. I have made the commitment to walk 10K steps a day currently and love that I am accomplishing this early in the day.

 

Make it easy to take medications, supplements and vitamins

While not everyone agrees on the value of supplements or vitamins, we do all agree that to take care of ourselves we need to make it easy. What is easy? It is placing your medicine or vitamins where they are easy to see and take each day.  Using a medicine organizer, you can be sure you are taking your daily doses timely. It’s easy to take medications by setting your alarm on your phone to be sure you take these at the correct time.  I carry a small ziplock of over the counter medicines to keep with me as I go about my day.  Using auto refill, it’s easy to have all your medications without hassle.  You can pull up to the pharmacy window to pick up your refill when texted. When things are accessible and easy to see, it’s easy to be sure we take what we intend or is prescribed.

 

Plan a great night’s rest

There’s nothing more powerful for wellness than a great night’s rest.  Experts share the many ways to help you relax and rest. With so much to think about and worry about, it’s hard to settle in.  However, getting more exercise helps us rest better. We slip into slumber more easily and stay asleep all night. As adults it is tempting to stay up late, binge watch and then hit the snooze button in the morning. It is a matter of creating a schedule that includes a bedtime that works for you.  By establishing time for tranquility, we are setting ourselves up for a better day tomorrow.

Here is how I get started scheduling my bed time. I start very early in getting ready for bed, like ridiculously early, at 6 pm. I wash my face and get ready in my night wear. I keep my bedroom very cold and very dark. Also my bed sheets are heavy and weighted. I plan on eight hours of rest. My bedtime and rise time are the same every day, including the weekend. As you can see, I love being rested! I am a creature of habit that makes it easier too. While you may not be a person with solid routines, take one of these tips to use for your bedtime.

 

Get started on these lifestyle changes with one small step. Over time, your new habits will be something to brag about to others.  Your family will be thrilled too.