The Importance of “Me Time”: Simple Habits for a Balanced Life

Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s all about you: “me time.” This isn't going to be one of those fancy, picture-perfect conversations, but rather, real talk about taking personal time for yourself, and why it's so important to your well-being.

Start Your Day with Intention

Light a candle, pour yourself something refreshing - whether it’s water, tea, or coffee - and take a moment for yourself. Every day, you deserve 5 to 10 minutes to reflect, breathe, and reset. If you’re already working on a Glow Up routine and you’ve fallen behind, don’t sweat it! Today is all about resetting, reevaluating, and getting back on track. You don’t have to be perfect, just consistent.

The Power of Tracking Habits

I’ve started using a habit tracker, and wow, what a difference it makes! Whether it's movement, steps, or even getting outside, tracking your habits gives you insight into how you're spending your days and where you're falling short. Here's the kicker: even small daily habits can have a massive impact!

For example, I’ve been focusing on five key habits this month:

1. Daily movement or workout

2. Getting in at least 10K steps

3. Meditation

4. Spending time outside

5. Reading

I know some of you might relate, especially if you’ve been feeling sluggish or unmotivated lately. When I miss a workout or a step goal, I can immediately see the domino effect. I wake up later, feel less productive, and my mood takes a hit. On the flip side, when I hit my goals, my productivity skyrockets, and I’m in a better mood all day. It’s not just about physical health, it’s about mental and emotional balance too.

Movement: Small Changes, Big Impact

When it comes to daily movement, don’t overthink it. It doesn’t have to be a hardcore gym session. Personally, I love following workouts in the Grounds app, or even free YouTube workouts, and I keep it light with things like ankle weights or simple yoga stretches. Even on the days I don’t feel like working out, I’ll do a quick 10-minute session to break the resistance. Trust me, those small bursts of movement make all the difference!

Let’s talk about how we feel after a workout! Ever notice how your body feels tighter and more in tune after certain days, especially post-period for my fellow ladies? Tracking your movement can help you see the tangible benefits, not just in how you feel, but also in the energy you bring to everything else in your life.

Getting Outside: Your Daily Dose of Vitamin D

This might hit home for those in colder climates. I'm Canadian, and during the winter months, I sometimes go 48 hours (or longer… oops!) without stepping outside. It’s a bad habit, but I’m working on it. Even just a few minutes outside each day can make a huge difference in your mood and energy levels. Vitamin D isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity!

Meditation: Five Minutes to Recenter

Another practice I’ve embraced is meditation. Even if it’s just for five minutes, meditation helps calm the mind, center my thoughts, and truly relax. You don’t need anything fancy! Just find a quiet spot, breathe deeply, and give yourself a few moments of calm.

How These Habits Affect the Bigger Picture

The beauty of these small daily habits is that they don’t just affect your physical well-being. They trickle down into everything else: your confidence, your productivity, and even your relationships. When I take care of myself, I show up as a better business owner, wife, and friend. It’s all connected!

Time for a Gut Check

Let’s get real. How much are you moving each day? Are you hitting your step goals, getting outside, or finding time to meditate? Be honest with yourself. There’s no point in exaggerating or pretending you’re doing more than you actually are. This is a safe space to share, reflect, and grow.

If you’ve been struggling to stay consistent, don’t beat yourself up! Instead, start tracking your habits and make adjustments as needed. Whether it’s more movement, more sunlight, or more “me time,” these small changes will lead to bigger transformations.

Final Thoughts

If all else fails, take a bath. Seriously - there’s nothing like a warm bath to help reset your mind and body. Put on some calming music, light a candle, and just breathe. You’ll be surprised how much clarity and peace come from a little alone time.

So, my tough-love assessment for you today is this: Are you making time for daily movement, sunlight, and meditation? These small actions can have a huge impact on your mood, productivity, and overall well-being.

Now, go out there and move, breathe, and take care of you. Trust me, you’re worth it!

Embracing Slow Mornings: My Relaxed Morning Routine in the Countryside

I’m excited to share my updated morning routine with you today. If you’ve seen my previous routines, you’ll know they were all about the hustle and bustle of city living - quick and productive. Things have changed quite a bit since we moved to the country about six months ago! Now, our mornings are slower, cozier, and more laid-back. Let me walk you through my new morning routine!

We sleep with our bedroom door open every night, which I love. The mornings are peaceful and quiet, with fresh air flowing in. It’s the perfect way to wake up! The first thing I do after getting up is head to the bathroom to freshen up. I like to tie my hair up and slip into a cozy robe, especially on cooler mornings.

I HAVE to brush my teeth as soon as I wake up - it’s a non-negotiable part of my morning. I use a charcoal toothpaste that I adore. After that, I wash my face with a simple soap bar, and dry it with clean, single-use towels. I find these towels cleaner and better for my skin compared to regular bath towels.

Once I’m ready, I like to peek outside to check on the forest animals that like to visit us. I always make the bed around Carl, our little fur baby, who, as always, is the king of the castle. He’s a funny little guy and always steals the spotlight. After making the bed, I step outside onto the balcony to enjoy the view. It’s one of my favorite features of our home. Being surrounded by nature brings so much peace and serenity into our lives!

Next, I open all the windows in the house to let in even more fresh air. Carl is always full of energy in the morning and plays with his toys while I get ready. I don’t dive straight into my workout like I used to. Instead, I put on something comfy and head to see Andre, who’s usually up before me. Together with Carl, we’ll head downstairs for some coffee and breakfast.

I can’t start my day without taking a moment to appreciate the view from the top of our stairs. It’s a daily reminder of how grateful I am for our life here! Once downstairs, we’ll make some coffee and feed Carl his kibbles and treats, which he loves. We love making breakfast outside on our griddle - one of the best purchases we’ve made for our country home! We use it daily, cooking everything from eggs to pancakes to steaks. The griddle has truly turned us into home cooks, a far cry from our city days of constant takeout.

Living out here comes with its quirks, like dust, cobwebs, and the occasional bug. So, I usually spend a little time dusting off the balcony and checking on my plants. I’m thrilled to see our cucumbers growing! For breakfast, I made some simple but delicious eggs and English muffins. It’s easier than it looks, and a great start to the day!

We usually eat breakfast in the kitchen, although we’re considering screening in the porch to create a cozy dining space outside. After breakfast, we have a little meeting about our workday. Andre and I both work from home, so this is a nice way to align our plans for the day. Once we’ve cleaned up and done the dishes, it’s time for another coffee.

With coffee in hand, Carl and I head back outside. I water my plants, including strawberries, carrots, and cucumbers. I’m no gardening expert, but thanks to some great advice, my plants are thriving! After tending to the garden, I take a few moments to soak in the view and get some vitamin D. I wear a fitness tracking ring that even measures my vitamin D levels, which is helpful since I tend to stay indoors a lot. Part of my new routine is making sure I spend more time outside!

Carl gets his first walk of the day shortly after breakfast, and Andre often joins us. One of the main reasons we moved to the country was to have the freedom to step outside and go for a walk whenever we wanted, without worrying about traffic or neighbors. The path we walk is on our property, which provides privacy and peace.

Back inside, I set up my workspace. I don’t have a dedicated office anymore; instead, I use our porch area. Sometimes, I work on the floor at the coffee table. It’s my favorite spot! Carl usually stays close by. I start my workday by organizing my planner, listing my top goals for the day, and setting priorities. This helps me stay focused and reduces any sense of overwhelm.

After a few hours of work, I head downstairs for my workout. I aim to start by noon and keep it simple with activities like yoga. Yoga has become a favorite of mine, not just for the physical benefits, but for mental clarity as well. It’s a chance to take a break, stretch, and just focus on myself.

I’ve also simplified my beauty routine. Gone are the days of a full-blown beauty room. Now, I stick to a minimal skincare regimen. I use a serum, eye cream, and a moisturizer with SPF. It’s refreshing to have less clutter and more consistency in my routine!

This slower-paced, cozy lifestyle is a world away from our fast-paced city life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s all about finding joy in the little moments, whether it’s enjoying a morning coffee, tending to the garden, or simply taking a walk. I hope this gives you a glimpse into how we’ve embraced our new life in the country. Thanks for joining me on this journey!

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How I Start Fresh Every Month: My Personal Reset Routine

A reset routine is the perfect way to start a new month or begin each week. If you have My Dream Life Blueprint Workbook, you can follow the prompts to create your own reset routine, but I wanted to give you an inside look into what mine looks like.

First, I set my phone to airplane mode so I wouldn’t be distracted. Then, I grabbed my workbook to map out my routine. I decided how long I wanted to work on my routine and used a timer to keep me on track. I started by writing down my thoughts and the activities I wanted to do that I knew would fill my cup the most. From there, I mapped out the month ahead in my planner, as well as the week and day ahead. It was a great way to set up my goals, outline what I wanted to achieve, and get everything out of my brain and onto paper. It felt really good to be able to do that and focus on my goals!

After I got everything on paper, it was time to get changed into my workout clothes. I tidied up my closet a little bit because that was on my list, then I went downstairs to do some yoga. Sometimes I’ll turn on a space heater and a humidifier during my yoga sessions to create a detox effect. Another thing I’ve been doing is putting on some ankle weights to kick it up a notch. This, paired with the space heater and humidifier… oh my gosh, you really feel it! I usually just find a quick yoga class on YouTube that’s 20-30 minutes long, and it feels super good!

Once I finished my yoga session, I went back upstairs and decided to make a green juice. My go-to recipe is one celery stalk, two apples (cored), four oranges (peeled), two cucumbers, some pineapple spears, and a little bit of ginger root. That amount usually makes enough for two servings, so I made a glass for Andre as well.

I brought my juice upstairs with me to dye my hair. I thought this was perfect for a reset routine, especially at the beginning of the month! I love putting oil in my nebulizer and my towel warmer, then heating up the towels before getting into the tub. I also put on an eye mask and decided to tidy up the bathroom a little bit while I waited for my hair to process. When my hair was finished, I took a bath and did a hair mask. It was a whole vibe!

After my bath, I made my way back downstairs and put on a fresh set of press-on nails. The trick for longevity with press-ons is filing down your nails and using a nail dehydrator before putting them on. I also love using glue that has a brush tip; that way, you can control where the glue is going. I’ve found these glues last longer than the ones that come with the actual nails. I can get about two weeks out of a set!

Next, I did my skincare routine. I love doing a facial massage using a gua sha tool, then I go in with serum and cream. I decided to invest in good skincare because I was using a lot of different brands. Once I stayed consistent with one quality brand, I felt like it made a big difference! I also love using a lip mask. It’s probably my favorite product ever! Once my hair was dry, I put in some hair growth serum and did an easy makeup routine. I applied tinted moisturizer, liquid blush, a little eyeliner, and some mascara.

To make things cozy and set those spa reset vibes, I love playing Disney spa music from Disneyland Paris. It’s so good! I set up on the floor with my music and Carl, and read my book for a little while.

Part of my goals and reset routine is to spend more time outside. I grabbed my earbuds, put on a podcast, and went outside for a little walk. After my walk, I headed back upstairs to tidy up the bedroom, which was also on my list. If you’re having a really bad day, just make your bed. That’s something that can completely turn your day around!

I decided to turn on a few nebulizers around the house with my favorite eucalyptus spa scent. It just elevates the whole house! Not only do they humidify the space, but the eucalyptus smells amazing. Then, I grabbed a cute cuppie to make a drink, chilled in the living room, and checked off the remainder of tasks on my list in my workbook.

I loved going through my reset routine with you! Taking the time to focus on self-care and set intentions really helps me feel centered and ready to tackle whatever comes my way. Whether it's a new month, a fresh week, or just a challenging day, having a routine that grounds me makes all the difference. I hope this glimpse into my reset routine inspires you to create your own. Remember, it's all about finding what makes you feel good and supports your goals. So, grab your planner, put on some calming music, and carve out some time for yourself - you deserve it!

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