Life Hacks

My Sunday reset routine used to be about commitments and preparing for the week ahead. Since Sunday was my last chance to get things sorted before work, I felt like I absolutely had to get as much as I could done! It meant that I spent most of Sunday afternoon dealing with leftover household chores, last-minute meal planning and rushing to the grocery shop. Because, yikes, what would we eat next week? Not much fun. My Sundays look a lot different these days, and I couldn’t be happier! Now, my Sunday reset routine isn’t just about getting chores done so I feel as prepared as possible for the dreaded Monday. Poor Monday—it always gets a bad rap. Now, my Sundays are more balanced. Yes, I tackle a few things if I need to, so I’m prepared for the week, but it’s no longer the frustrating rush it used to be. I’m learning to find a balance between being productive and giving myself permission to do things that make me feel good about life—because, as we all know, life is too short! My Sundays are also flexible, which means I might catch up with friends or family or spend the afternoon plonked on the couch. And sometimes, if I feel like it, I’m even up for a shopping trip to the city—because retail therapy can be a fun way to reset! My Sunday Reset Routine Sleeping In There’s nothing better than waking up naturally without an alarm. Now that my kids are grown, I’m in a different phase of life—gone are the days when they’d come running in at 6 a.m. (or earlier!) and jump on the bed. I miss them being little… but maybe not that part. Actually, no—I think I do miss it. Just a little. Brunch I’m not hungry before 10 am, so brunch on a Sunday is perfect. Tidying Up I can’t relax if my house isn’t tidy, so I try to get as much done during the week as possible. I do some on Saturdays and give myself Sundays off. In the past, I aimed for a completely chore-free weekend, but that was a bit too ambitious. When I didn’t get everything done, I’d feel frustrated with myself. So much unnecessary pressure! Now, I’ve eased up a little (no, really, I have!). I keep on top of things during the week, knock off a few bits I missed on Saturday, and actually let myself enjoy Sundays. Last weekend, I binge-watched Big Little Lies and started to feel guilty. Why do I feel like I always have to be productive? I’m not sure, but I’m working on it! Diffuser and Soft Music I light up the lovely diffuser my thoughtful friend gave me for my birthday with calming essential oils and play soft, chill jazz music in the background. The type that drives my husband mad, hehe. Lucky for me, he goes to work on Sunday afternoons. Self-Care I spend some time pampering myself with a face mask, waxing (because, as if wrinkles weren’t enough, Mother Nature decided to throw in a few extra whiskers, too), and doing my nails. Recently, I’ve fallen in love with the short “soap nail” look—it’s easy to maintain and perfect for me because long nails are just not my thing. Stretching Sometimes, stress, bad posture, clenching my teeth, or spending too much time on the computer leaves me with a sore neck. Sundays are the perfect time to spend a few minutes stretching to help release the tightness. It feels so good to be nice and loose, all ready for a new week of tension. 😉 A Simple Dinner I usually keep dinner simple, like a good old steak sandwich. By the time my husband is home from work, we sit down together to eat. Goodbye Weekend I struggle to let go of my precious Sundays and always end up going to bed later than I should. But after a Sunday reset routine that mainly involves self-care, I feel pretty relaxed and ready for a good night’s sleep. Good night sleeps don’t always happen for me on a Sunday night, no matter how relaxed I am. Sometimes, I start to overthink too much in bed, but at least I know I spent the day resting. The rest of the week, though? I sleep like a champ! And that’s my usual Sunday reset routine—a little bit of productivity and a big dash of rest and self-care. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you have an amazing day! Linking up with Shay and Erika

Hi friends! I hope you had a relaxing weekend. I’m linking up with Adrienne, Dara, Jen, Joanne, and Sarah today to chat about Finding Peace in Your Day. I have to admit, when I saw the prompt, I wasn’t sure how much peace I actually have on any given day. The first things that popped into my head were the constant noise at preschool, the busyness of every day, and the never-ending chores… phew! So much to do… always. But as I thought more about it, I realised I do find pockets of peace, even when life is full-on. So let’s take a look at what these little moments of peace look like for me. Thanks so much for being here! Finding Peace In My Day Walking When I leave home around 7:45 or 7:50 each morning, I pop in my earbuds and listen to uplifting podcasts or gratitude affirmations. I love the peaceful walk to work—it’s my way of finding peace in the morning. The streets are quiet but not so quiet that I feel uneasy. It’s a great way to get some exercise without feeling like I’m exercising if you know what I mean. I usually power walk, and by the time I get to work, I feel great and ready to start the day. In winter, I also arrive warm, which is a huge plus because I really dislike feeling cold. I love seeing the gardens first thing in the morning along my route, especially now that it’s spring and there are so many pretty blooming flowers everywhere! In the colder months, it’s fun to walk along the pavement crunching the leaves. Ha, I find that so satisfying! Walking home is great too! My earbuds go in, and I either keep listening to a podcast or have my own private version of a silent disco. It’s so tempting to dance in the streets, but of course, I don’t—because that would be weird! I think walking is the perfect way of finding peace in my day. The walk home, in particular, helps the stress and tension of the day melt away with each step. I try to relax my shoulders and avoid clenching my teeth, making sure I’m fully unwinding as I go. By the time I get home, I usually feel relaxed—except for today. Today I felt sick and think I’m coming down with a cold again…boo! A Cup of Tea in the Evening Another way of finding peace in my day is by finishing it with a cup of tea. After everything is done and the kitchen is clean, I go have a shower and then settle in with a cup of tea, milk and one sugar. I snuggle on the sofa, sit on a cushion on the floor, or, lately, sink into a beanbag. If I’m home alone and Steve is at work, I’ll watch my Swedish comedy-drama series (he’s not a fan). If he’s home, we’ll watch FBI, Blue Bloods, or Vera—crime shows that are interesting but not too intense. They’re kind of soothing and I find that these days I avoid intense shows as well as the news. The news is a peace destroyer in my book! Ending the Day I usually fall asleep praying, unless I’m caught up in a loop thinking about the next day or other silly distractions. Praying before falling asleep is the best way I know how to end the day. I surrender everything to God (or try to) and remind myself that I can’t control anything. We are all in His hands. And that’s about it—three simple things that are guaranteed to bring peace to my day. I look forward to being back here on Wednesday, and I hope you have an amazing day. Peace out!          

Feeling overwhelmed with work-life balance? Do you rush home from work only to find there’s hardly any time before you’re back in the cycle again? You’re not alone! Whether you’re employed or running your own business, the struggle to find quality time out of those post-work hours is real. Even when you’ve got upwards of 6 hours left of the day, the time we get after a full day of work can feel miniscule. How are you supposed to enjoy life when it feels like there’s never going to be a balance between these two worlds? Here are 3 tips that might just work for you.  Pexels Image – CC0 Licence Work-Life Balance: Maximising Post-Work Time Cook Easy Meals (or Plan Ahead!) Let’s face it, whipping up a three-course meal after a long day at work? Not happening. And who has the energy to figure out dinner on the spot, especially if you’ve got a hungry family to feed? Instead of wrestling with these challenges, why not streamline the process by planning your meals ahead of time? Take a moment on the weekend to map out your meals for the week. Then hit the shops to grab everything you need or save even more time by ordering your groceries online. With your meals planned and ingredients stocked, you’ll breeze through dinnertime without the mid-week grocery runs. You can also say goodbye to spending an hour or more in the kitchen preparing meals. That means more relaxation time on the sofa for you! Another way to balance work and life is through batch cooking. Spend time on weekends preparing large batches of meals to freeze and reheat during the week, reducing daily cooking stress. You can also explore meal delivery services for pre-portioned ingredients and recipes, eliminating meal planning and grocery shopping. Opt for simple, quick recipes with minimal prep time to further streamline your cooking routine. By adopting these strategies, you’ll save time and energy in the kitchen, leaving more room to relax and unwind after work Realise That Not Everything Depends On You Handling demanding projects, whether in business or at home, can be tough. Whether it’s managing a big event or keeping your living space clean, the pressure to succeed can weigh heavily. But here’s an important truth: You don’t have to carry the entire burden alone. In the business world, where deadlines loom and expectations run high. It’s quite common for companies to go into overdrive when they’ve got something big in the works, such as attendance at a summit or a new client that requires a lot of time and attention. Hire a professional to help plan your event, such as Catalyst Event Solutions, and make sure you’re properly staffed round the clock to cope with new project demands. Similarly, when it comes to managing your household, think of it as running a small business. Delegate chores among family members or roommates to lighten the load and maintain a harmonious living environment. Outsourcing tasks like cleaning or lawn care can also provide valuable relief, freeing up precious time for activities that bring joy and fulfilment. By sharing tasks and managing resources effectively, you’ll understand that success doesn’t solely depend on you. Remember, you’re just one part of the equation. Strike a balance between work and life, knowing you have support to thrive in both areas. Don’t Be Hard On Yourself For Taking Time to Relax Do you ever find yourself feeling guilty for simply unwinding at home after a long day of work? It’s a common sentiment, but dwelling on it isn’t productive. Remember, you’re not wasting time – you’re taking the opportunity to enjoy yourself! Relaxation is key, even if it’s just for a short time before bed. Don’t feel bad about taking a break – it’s important! Embrace it, and you’ll feel much happier than if you spent the time worrying about being busy all the time. If you’re constantly feeling like your evenings vanish in the blink of an eye, these tips could be just what you need to reclaim your after-work hours and strike that perfect work-life balance!

Hi friends it’s time to share 5 things I can’t live without on today’s ‘Share Our Lives link up’ hosted by Adrienne, Dara, Jen, Joanne and Sarah. Some are practical and some are personal and they all help me out every day. While I could add essentials like food, water, family, love etc to the list. I’ve narrowed it down to the five items that make my life easier and brighten my days. So, let’s take a look! 5 Things I Can’t Live Without 1. MOBILE PHONE I remember way back in the dark ages when mobile phones first came out and they were known as ‘bricks’. They probably weighed about the same and looked clunky like a brick. I also remember thinking “Who on earth would need to carry a phone around all day. As if anybody ever needs to be that contactable…hmph”. Well, wasn’t I wrong!! Now here I am in 2024 and the mobile phone has made it to the top of the list of things I can’t live without. This tiny little device has become my lifeline! It connects me to friends and family (as well as the occasional scammer). I can check emails, set reminders and alarms, I have endless information and entertainment at my fingertips. It’s almost impossible to imagine life without a mobile phone. Who would have thought? Certainly not me! 2. AIRPODS My kids surprised me with a pair of AirPods for Mother’s Day last year, and I love them! I use them every day when I walk to and from work. Sometimes I listen to a podcast or music, other times I have hands-free conversations. It’s funny how common it is nowadays to see people out and about seemingly talking to themselves with earphones in. I used to think it was so weird, ha! But now I’ve joined the club! 3. THE INTERNET I can’t imagine a world without the internet and it definitely makes it on my list of things I can’t live without. I know that I’m not alone either. Because on the odd tragic occasion when our internet service hasn’t been working. My whole family (myself included) behaves as if we have had our oxygen supply cut off and our very survival is at stake! 4. ORTHOTICS A while ago, I shared how I suffered from annoying lower back pain that made every day a misery for me. Thankfully, I saw a podiatrist who saved me with custom-made orthotics that support my arch and align my knees, meaning no more back pain for me! Now that I wear orthotics inside my comfortable work shoes, I could never live without them. While my everyday footwear isn’t the fanciest because I have to buy shoes that fit my orthotics, no pain trumps fancy shoes! Plus, the good news for me is that I can wear any shoes I like whenever I go out and on the weekends. Wearing orthotics every workday does the trick in keeping my dodgy knees aligned. 5. COMPUTER AND LAPTOP My computer means that I can do what I love and that is blogging! For the longest time, I held back from starting a blog, partly due to shyness and mostly because I didn’t have my own laptop. Then, I inherited my son’s old Macbook he used for school when they had to upgrade in year 12. It changed everything and I finally took the plunge and started blogging. Then last year I got an iMac and I felt like such a grown-up because it’s so sleek and fancy! That’s a wrap for today! Thanks so much for being here as I shared the 5 things I can’t live without. What are some of yours? Please share, I’d love to know!  

No matter how impeccably put-together someone may appear, let’s face it: insecurities are a common part of the human experience. Whether arising from childhood memories, dissatisfaction with one’s looks, past traumas, or the dreaded comparison game, these persistent doubts have a knack for infiltrating minds and causing feelings of inadequacy. They can lead to an obsession over appearance, incessant worry about the future, or feeling small in social situations. It’s essential for personal growth and fulfilment to overcome your insecurities. Despite their knack for causing distress, there’s a silver lining: insecurities don’t have to define us. In fact, they can be the catalyst for profound personal growth and resilience. By arming ourselves with the right tools and mindset, we can transform these insecurities into sources of strength. So, let’s dive into some empowering strategies to overcome your insecurities and emerge even stronger on the other side! 3 Tips To Overcome Your Insecurities Face Your Negative Feelings: Confronting Insecurities Head-On Ready to take on those feelings of inadequacy like a true champion? The first step is to shine a spotlight on those sneaky beliefs and perceptions you have about yourself. Instead of sweeping them under the rug, let’s get curious! Dive deep and uncover what’s triggering those fears and anxieties. And hey, don’t be afraid to question them. It’s time to flip the script! Say you’re gearing up for that nerve-wracking job interview. Instead of letting doubts run rampant, pump yourself up with positive reasons why you are the perfect fit for the job. Now, it’s time to map out your battle plan. Pinpoint those areas where your insecurities like to lurk and craft a strategy to show them who’s boss. And remember, perfection is overrated! Embrace those quirks and imperfections—they’re what make you uniquely awesome! So, are you ready to kick those insecurities to the curb and unleash your inner confidence? You’ve got this! Embrace Your Unique Beauty Embracing self-love and acceptance is crucial on the journey to overcome insecurities, especially those related to our physical appearance. Let’s face it, those physical insecurities can feel like a constant battle, staring back at us from every mirror and echoing in every negative comment. But here’s the thing: while you can overcome some of these challenges, others are simply part of what makes you uniquely you. However, if there’s something within your control that you’d like to change, go for it! For example, if you’re not thrilled with your teeth, cosmetic dentistry could be just the ticket to a winning smile! And why not explore shedding a few pounds or experimenting with a fresh hairstyle? It’s like hitting the reset button on your confidence! Furthermore, if you’re dealing with minor style hiccups, consider diving into body type research and curating a killer capsule wardrobe that truly reflects you. It’s all about embracing the journey of self-enhancement and feeling absolutely fabulous in your own skin! Embrace The Adventure Feeling stuck in your comfort zone? Break free and unleash your full potential! Don’t let insecurities hold you back – Instead, spark your creativity and boost your courage by trying new things. When was the last time you challenged yourself? Discover new passions and uncover what truly drives you. Whether it’s trying out a new hobby or embarking on a thrilling adventure, now’s your chance to shake things up! Start by creating your very own bucket list – jot down those daring dreams and aspirations that give you butterflies. From exploring far-off lands to achieving those lofty career goals, let your imagination run wild! Once you’ve got your list, it’s time to turn those dreams into reality. Break it down into actionable steps and watch as you inch closer to your goals with each stride. And hey, you don’t have to go it alone! Share your bucket list with a trusted friend or family member who’ll cheer you on every step of the way. Together, you’ll overcome your insecurities and unleash a whole new world of possibilities! Conclusion Viewing insecurities as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery is crucial. Remember, progress takes time, so patience is key. Each step forward, regardless of size, brings you closer to your aspirations. Insecurities are just part of the journey, not the final destination. Confronting insecurities head-on, embracing your unique qualities, and diving into new experiences can transform weaknesses into strengths. With confidence and acknowledging your inner strength, you’ll conquer any doubts that arise. Everyone possesses incredible potential waiting to be unleashed. Celebrate your progress, honour your strengths, and embrace life with optimism. Keep moving forward, because each step takes you closer to being able to overcome your insecurities and be your best self!