When the alarm rings and all you want to do is sleep for four more hours, the idea of hopping out of bed all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed seems like a nightmare compared to the dream you were just jolted from. Hitting snooze once or twice is no big deal, but wouldn’t it be far better if you were up and at ‘em without hesitation? The start of a brand new day has unlimited potential, and lying in bed doesn’t quite get the ball rolling effectively. I am a big fan of waking up early and getting a head-start on the day’s tasks and to-dos. I get adequate sleep so I’m not groggy, and the thrill of seeing the sunrise and the sky turn to baby blue is reason enough for me to tap into my energy and get excited for what’s to come. Do you need a jumpstart to make the most of your morning? It is totally understandable, as we are all booked to capacity and have a lot on our plates. But when you wake up with a sense of wonder and a will to make every moment count, it makes awakening on time less annoying and more appealing. Here are some tips to get yourself in gear for a great day ahead. You won’t slap the snooze button when you’re ready to rock and roll.   An Attitude of Gratitude We are all lucky to see a new day each morning. It is something we often take for granted, but the beauty in each breath is a gift that we should never take lightly. The moment you wake up, take a few seconds to give thanks for the life you have and your many blessings. When you put things into perspective, you’ll start off with a positive vibe that will set the tone for your day.   Prep Breakfast the Night Before Knowing you have a wholesome breakfast ready to go will give you the incentive to get right up so you can dig in. Set the coffeemaker on a timer so the scent permeates the air. Before bedtime, prepare overnight oats, a yogurt parfait, or an omelet mixture you can toss into a pan or the microwave in a snap. You’ll not only save time and tame your hunger pangs, but you will be more likely to eat something nutritious rather than grabbing a donut or a greasy fast food meal on the way to work. While you’re at it, if you have to go to work the next morning, another time-saver is to set out your clothing the night before.  That way you can skip the dreaded morning “fashion show” that always leaves you flustered.   Pump Up the Volume Create a playlist of upbeat songs to get your spirits soaring as the sun comes up. When your favorite songs are playing as you go about your morning routine, you’ll feel instantly happier and get that pep in your step [...]

Who’s ready for 2020 to conclude? While there were surely some high points, the year was certainly one for the books. We were all affected by the many twists and turns the year brought upon us, but as we look on the bright side, we can declare 2021 as a fresh start with lots to look forward to. With the New Year fast approaching, how about uncovering a “new you” to symbolize the hopes for what’s to come, and a commitment to better days and bigger dreams? While you don’t have to erase your past, there is always room for improvement and advancement. I am perfectly content with the woman I am, but each year, I think about how I can be a better mother, partner, friend, and woman. As the New Year rings in, I reflect on what’s going well and what could be changed for the greater good. The “new me” for the New Year is filled with tons of excitement and a fresh energy to get the year started on a high note. I stay positive and promise that I’ll go easy on myself, yet commit to the self-care I’m ready to reward myself with. Here are three tips to make your “new you” as fabulous as you deserve it to be. Remember, you’re already awesome, but you can step it up and shine even brighter.   Be Healthier Eat well, exercise, and be mindful. When you take care of your body and soul, your physical wellbeing will benefit, and your spirits will soar. Commit to consuming wholesome foods, work out regularly, get plenty of rest, and engage in meditation or prayer when you have some quiet “me time.” These practices will keep you healthier – both physically and mentally. You need balance, so don’t go overboard, as moderation is key. Feel free to indulge every so often, stay up late sometimes, and be a comfy couch potato when you’re sore from an intense workout. The next day, get back at it and achieve your goals.   Let Go of Negativity Part of your “new you” would benefit from brushing off negative vibes that can hinder your progress. Steer clear of social media threads that promote bashing and bad-mouthing. Remove yourself from toxic situations and pessimistic people. Don’t sweat the small stuff and see the bigger picture. When you choose happiness, the hard times aren’t as difficult to deal with. Smile when you’re sad, and pick up the pieces when you’re falling apart. It’s easier said than done, but you can make it a habit to be positive when there’s pain or pressure pulling you down. Your fun-loving attitude will attract others and hopefully give them the motivation to “let it go” too.   Look the Part As gorgeous as you are already, a “new you” would look even more alive with a little spruce-up or a new style. Try a new hairstyle, revamp your wardrobe, or simply get a relaxing “mani/pedi” [...]

As 2020 comes to a close, it’s time to think about a New Year filled with hope, health, and happiness to come. 2020 was certainly an unprecedented year, from the pandemic to politics, riots to revolutions. Hopefully, 2021 will see less chaos and confusion and more peace and prosperity. While we can’t control the world around us, we can look inward and do what it takes to make our personal lives better. One common way to get the ball rolling is by planning New Year’s resolutions and committing to following through with the promises we’ll make to ourselves. Every year, I make New Year’s resolutions as a way to work positivity into my life. I don’t pressure myself to be perfect, but I resolve to better myself in ways that benefit my life, my family, and my overall wellbeing. I think about what I want to improve and find time to take it step by step to ensure I can reach my goals. It’s not a race towards an instant transformation, but a paced journey I embark upon to steadily succeed. You can do it too. Follow these tips below and make New Year’s resolutions you can achieve.   A Little Goes A Long Way Set doable goals. If you resolve to take drastic measures, chances are you won’t accomplish it all. This can leave you feeling frustrated or like a failure. Resolutions don’t have to cause stress. Rather than aiming too ambitiously, commit to attainable steps that you’ll actually get done. As you progress, you’ll feel proud and pleased. It will give you the energy to keep at it, succeeding as you meet each endeavor with enthusiasm. These small wins add up to a year full of victories that will make you feel good about yourself.   Reward Yourself As you follow through with your resolutions, give yourself a pat on the back. It’s not always easy to carry out your plans when there’s so much else going on day to day. Share your success with those who care about you, and encourage them to follow in your footsteps. Perhaps you want to post your progress on social media or simply reward yourself with a small gift or treat. When you give yourself kudos for a job well done, you’ll be inclined to keep the momentum going. Congratulate yourself on the hard work and push yourself to continue the progress.   Accept Setbacks but Start Up Again With 365 days in a year, you’re bound to have a few bad ones. That’s OK and totally acceptable. Don’t let a minor slip-up stop you from picking up the pieces and getting back to your resolutions. Perhaps your resolution was to give up sweets. You may have indulged in a piece of cake on a friend’s birthday. Don’t stress over a little sugar. Tomorrow, have a fresh salad and do some sit-ups. It’ll be fine, even if you’ve “fallen off the wagon.” Each day is a [...]

2020 has been a year like none other. From the pandemic to politics, stress has been swirling, and finding happiness has been hard for many. That said, as the year comes to a close, there’s a lot to be said about looking towards a future that’s filled with hope and harmony. If you are having trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year, know you are not alone. But do not let the worst of 2020 drag you down. See the glass half-full (hopefully with champagne), and close out the year with an optimistic outlook for opportunity. These three tips will bring out your festive side, with all the love and light you deserve. No matter how your year has been, embrace the attitude that there is always a new day to dive into.   Get Decked Out…But Stay In Financial issues have burned many people over the past months. And even if you are doing OK money-wise, it does not mean you have to blow big bucks over the holidays. Do away with big events and over-priced restaurants and clubs. Stay home, make a nice supper, and sit back stress-free. However, put on your party outfit. Give those sweats and PJs a break. Look like a million bucks while spending far less. Take those pics for Instagram and show the world you can do casual and classy simultaneously. Get into the party spirit by playing lively music and decorate your home with traditional touches. “Deck the halls” with a holiday vibe that’s perfect for a homebody. You won’t have “FOMO” when you’re creating your own fun.   Resolve to Reconnect Social distancing has kept us from friends and family for a while now. The holidays are the perfect excuse to call (or FaceTime/Zoom) friends and family members you haven’t seen in ages. There is plenty to catch up on, so expect to be occupied for hours. After all these weeks binge-watching TV and far too much solo time, these connections will be more than welcome. Promise you won’t let as much time go by without checking in on one another. Relationships are precious, and you are lucky to have these people in your life. Keep in touch to stay up to date in 2021 and beyond.   Give Back and Do Good The holidays remind us of our blessings, and no matter how much or how little we have, there is always something to be thankful for. Those who are less fortunate could use a helping hand, no matter the size or effort of the contribution. Take time this season to volunteer your time or donate money to a charitable cause that’s close to your heart. Think outside the box to help those who don’t often get the care or consideration they so desperately need. Not only will you change someone’s life, but you will feel proud of yourself for participating in something so positive. It’s far better than anything you’ll ever find under [...]

This year, Halloween has a bit of a different vibe, so you may not be attending any costume parties or go trick-or-treating around town with the kids. Safety always comes first, but that doesn’t mean the spirit of the October holiday gets shut down. You can have a fun time with your family this Halloween with a celebration at home. You will still get to dress up in costume, indulge in candy, and make memories that will last a lifetime. I am all about making the most of Halloween, and love to go all out when it comes to costumes and creative decorating. I ditch my usual healthy diet for the day and give in to all the goodies I can get my hands on. Here are some ways to do a hands-on Halloween at home, perfect for kids and adults alike. We could all use a break from reality, so get festive and have fun.   Set the Mood Turn your home into something of a haunted house with some spooky decorations and Halloween-themed music to keep things moving. Dim all the lights and use lots of candles to create an eerie element. There are plenty of decorating items you can purchase online, like fake creepy cobwebs and ghost cutouts. If you happen to be crafty, make your own Halloween decorations and hang them all over the house – outside too, so your neighbors know you are serious when it comes to spook.   Sweets Scavenger Hunt If you are staying home, that means you won’t be going door-to-door to collect your candy. But we can’t have Halloween without the mouthwatering mini chocolate bars and chewy candy corn. Create a candy scavenger hunt, and hide Halloween candy all throughout the house. Everyone gets a sack for collection, and can follow the clues to snatch up their sweets. It will be a sweet surprise when you stumble upon a Snickers bar stuffed between the couch cushions mid-November!   Zoom Costume Party One of the best parts about getting dressed up for Halloween is showing off your costume to your friends. If you can’t have a large Halloween gathering in person, do so remotely. Everyone can log in to Zoom at the same time and give a twirl. Add some friendly competition and hold a contest for the best costume. It will encourage everyone to put some extra “oomph” into their outfit. Be sure to take lots of pics to post online to share with your friends and followers. It’s always a hoot to see how people react to your costume.   Jack-O-Lantern Joy Pumpkins are aplenty this time of year, so head to the patch and pick up a few. Carve some creative Jack-O-Lanterns for display, and use the “guts” to make a pumpkin pie. If you’re not into carving, decorate your pumpkins with paint and glitter instead. Get some tiny ones too to line your shelves and side tables. Whether you’re a witch, a [...]

For most of us, our lives are like a non-stop rollercoaster, full of to-dos that never seem to settle down. For the most part, it’s nice to know that we’re busy rather than bored, but there is definitely a happy medium that comes with finding clarity. With some focus and fine-tuning, you can declutter your life, leading to less chaos and more contentment. Even if your schedule is packed and you never have time to pause, you can find ways to cut down and carve out more “me time.” I’ve learned to take charge of my daily routine rather than allowing it to be run by outside forces. This is the key to decluttering, among some other secrets I’m happy to share. I’ve found harmony and happiness with a clearer picture and a positive outlook.   Stick To A Schedule I’m a planner, which makes decluttering doable. I keep a calendar, make appointments, and wake up and go to bed pretty much the same time every day. This structure allows me to forecast my own obligations, and unless there’s an emergency, I don’t run off course. One major reason people feel their lives are cluttered is because they attempt to jam in too much when there’s only 24 hours in a day. They may even set aside their own needs to accommodate others, leading to stress and feeling overwhelmed. Not everything has to happen now. Find a free slot in your schedule in the upcoming days or weeks. Not only will this lighten your load, but you’ll have more time and patience to devote to the matter. You’ll be able to concentrate about something you genuinely care about.   Slim Down On Social Media It’s enjoyable to scroll through Instagram and check in to see what your friends are up to on Facebook, but too much social media can be a huge waste of time. Some say it’s addictive, but I consider it a modern habit that’s hard to break. You clutter your life with mostly nonsense as you spend hours glued to the screen, comparing and contrasting life stories with some people who are virtual strangers. Your mind gets filled with self-doubt or perhaps a false sense of security, depending upon what you happen to see that day, comments you can’t help but obsess over, and so on. Imagine if you spent even a fraction of the time now lost on social media doing something productive. You’d get through your chores, work, and self-care, find more time for friends and family (in real life), and even have time to spare to relax and recharge. Not to say social media is a bad thing, but moderation makes a big difference.   Let It Go! Fans of Frozen know the song, and the sentiment rings true. Find ways to forgive, forget, and focus on the future. When we can’t get over the past, we’re stuck in a rut and ruin our chances for calm and clarity. [...]