life

A few of my favorite things

September 14, 2023 by Kristin 2 Comments

Bombas socks – I know, they’re kind of expensive. But I love how the ankle socks feel on my feet and in my shoes.

This braided band for my Apple Watch – I asked my 16-year-old daughter to find me a watch band that was comfortable and dried easily. This is what she came up with, and I love it. In fact, I’m going to order another color or two soon.

Crossbody bag – I have loved this Lululemon one for a while, but I found an even better and cheaper one on Amazon. Truly, hooray for liking the off-brand one better!

ESV scripture journals – I used to carry my Bible to church and fill the margins with notes. Both during our main church service and the Sunday school class I attend, we go through books of the Bible, so I bought the books we were in and now fill the notebooks with notes. There are whole journaling pages plus wide margins. Marking up scripture is the best way for me to learn, so this is the perfect notebook for me to carry with me to church.

Crunch Labs – Ben gets excited each month when these boxes show up on our porch. It’s a great subscription box for my teenager who loves to build things. Plus the whole family likes Mark Rober’s videos that go along with the projects.

Created for Communion – I know, maybe it’s weird to put my own book on here. But I’m really happy with how it turned out, thanks to Market Refined Media. I love the friendship bracelet on the cover and used throughout. The journaling prompts were originally planned, but I love having them incorporated. I rewrote my introduction during the editing process and am so pleased with it now. Studying the biblical friendships and then writing about them took me back to my journalism days, and it was really just such a fun process. (Plus there is some fun, free stuff on my website to celebrate!)

Walmart delivery – I was working this morning when the groceries I ordered last night showed up on my porch. I am a paying member of Walmart+ and don’t regret it. Plus you get other perks, like free, quick shipping on items not available in the local store. (Save $20 if you sign up through this link!)

How to enjoy life more

August 23, 2023 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Life isn’t always roses, but it’s nice to enjoy it as much as possible.

If you aren’t enjoying life, your work, family, and friendships can suffer. Identifying the reasons life is particularly hard will help you escape the thorns.

Pay attention to hormones

There are hormones produced by your body that send signals to your brain to make you feel good physically and mentally. The main ones are dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. You feel these when you do something pleasurable, like playing video games, eating chocolate, or winning at a sport. But these can be imbalanced naturally and can result in the need for treatment for anxiety, depression, and stress.

Sleep, exercise, and healthy eating can help rebalance these, although supplements may also be needed. About a year ago, I had blood work done to show various hormone levels. My progesterone was particularly low, so I’ve been taking a hormone compound to treat that – and it has helped my anxiety and improved my sleep. (Of course, do this under the care of your medical professional.)

Limit screen time

Most people use their screens too much – I know I can fall into those bad habits. Too much screen time can cause sleep loss, eye strain, and social anxiety. It’s especially distracting right before bed, although that’s when lots of people (me included) want to escape and relax.

Take care of yourself

Taking care of yourself is important – and goes beyond rewarding yourself with a pedicure. Resting, enjoying hobbies, eating well, and investing in friendships help you feel better about life in every way. Moms or other caregivers also need to make sure they regularly schedule necessary appointments.

Of course, self-care can be hard with work commitments, social obligations, and parenting responsibilities. To prevent burnout, take some time for yourself to do the things you really enjoy, even if it’s something simple like taking a walk in your neighborhood, listening to music while you drive, or watching your favorite sports team.

Reframe thoughts

Negative thoughts about yourself and the surrounding world can be damaging – especially when we’re believing lies. Your thoughts can form the wrong picture of yourself, and this can lead to depression and anxiety. To combat this, stay mindful of your thoughts with these exercises:

Remind yourself what is true and lasting. This is where my faith is helpful.
Tell yourself that things will change, and you won’t always feel like this. Feelings are temporary.
Think about the future and how you can make positive changes in your life and for others.
Note the day’s events and the feelings that came with them to understand triggers.
List your positive attributes and what you like about them, and why you do.
List experiences and moments for which you’re grateful.

If you aren’t careful, your thoughts can take over your life and build to the point where you don’t believe in yourself. These simple exercises help you understand the best qualities of yourself. For some guidance, a self-help book like The Lazy Genius Way can guide you in life.

Be grateful

Gratitude is the understanding that you have things in your life you shouldn’t take for granted. For instance, you can show appreciation for daily meals because there are people all over the world who don’t get enough to eat. Some people find the most effective way to practice this is to write down a couple of things each day and appreciate them. My family often does this together around the dinner table. The practicing of verbalizing the good parts of life helps us see how blessed we are – even on the hard days.

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If these practical how-to posts are helpful to you, download this pretty PDF with links to other similar posts to encourage you.

How to take care of yourself

April 19, 2023 by Kristin Leave a Comment

I’ve lived in landlocked Kentucky all my (almost) 44 years. I love it here, but sometimes I feel trapped. Going to the shoreline, even of Kentucky Lake, helps me take a deep breath and regroup. I actually did that in the middle of the week because anxiety and overwhelm were swirling around in my head. I needed to tend to some things at my vacation rental, but I really needed a deep breath of fresh air.

I’m notorious for going and going and going and doing and doing and doing until I am forced to take a break. I thought I had taken a healthy, long break on Spring Break, but I dived right back into life with decisions and feelings. I needed to regroup, again – and it was only Wednesday.

Our world loves to talk about self-care. And, honestly, I’m not really into that phrase, but I am into squeezing in some moments of caring for myself as I go about this crazy life.

In general, when we don’t take time out for ourselves and our regular duties, we can become tired and stressed. Those feelings can build on one another and leave us overwhelmed. This isn’t good for ourselves or anyone around us. Just ask my husband!

Regrouping to focus on our physical, mental, and spiritual health is necessary. You may not be able to take a whole self-care day, but we can all find some time to tend to our own hearts and souls before we move on to the next thing.

Delegate duties

I have to remind myself it’s okay to ask for help. My husband and kids live here too. My friends are willing to help. Groceries can be delivered. Chores can wait. Hire a house cleaner. I have to remind myself not everything had to get done in one day.

I love to cook, but sometimes caring for myself involves not preparing a meal so I can use that time for something else. After soccer practice, you’re liking to find us eating some chicken strips or visiting the local steakhouse. On these nights, not only do I not cook, but I also don’t have to do the dishes!

Declutter

Clutter impacts my mental state, so cleaning the house – even quickly – helps restore order and peace. I especially love donating the pile of clothes that don’t fit the kids anymore and taking out the trash.

Change the scenery

Sometimes stepping away from chores and work is the best thing. Restoring peace also means I’ll be more productive later. So take that walk – even just down your driveway, around the block, or through the woods. It doesn’t have to be long or fancy, just get in some steps and clear your head. I like to talk with a friend, listen to music or a podcast, or pray while I walk. Sometimes even nature sounds alone help soothe my soul.

I also have to change my mental scenery sometimes. When I am anxious or overwhelmed, I tend to believe lies and have to fight for the truth to come back to the forefront of my mind. Often I do this by talking with someone I trust, praying and meditating, slowing down, and listening to a playlist I put together called “Things That Are True.” (Listen on Spotify or Apple Music.)

Do what you enjoy

Free time shouldn’t always be spent catching up on a household or work project. Rather, take time to do something you enjoy. I’m likely to read a book, watch a TV show, plan a trip, catch up with a friend, or take photos.

Be grateful

Don’t let the busyness of life drown out the gifts. When I get overwhelmed, I love to turn on a playlist that prompts me to thank God for all the goodness in my life. When I start writing or reciting in my head all the gifts, the overwhelm and stress subsides. Writing a gratitude list helps me appreciate real-life gifts, people, and places when life feels stressful and overwhelming. Gratitude helps me reframe situations: Chores become ways to bless people and trials become ways to see the truth.

Call it self-care or whatever else, but we all need to care of our minds and hearts. I know firsthand what happens if we don’t and nobody we love needs that version of us.

How do you take care of yourself in the midst of everyday life?