After I became a mom — or maybe it’s just a part of “growing up” — when someone asked me what I wanted for my birthday or the holidays, I had a standard gift list. I typically asked for things I tended to need, like clothes, socks, underwear -- and last year even curtains -- rather than things I wanted. If you’re looking for something a bit more, shall we say, creative and thoughtful when … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Boost Your Self Confidence
I’ve always been an introvert, more comfortable with my books and behind a computer than I am making small talk. Growing up, I remember walking to middle school with one of the more popular girls. She chatted a mile a minute, and I’d try to come up with something to say, practice it in my head… but by the time I had what I wanted to say just right, the moment would, of course, be gone. Affiliate … [Read more...]
Why Self Care Is Important; How to Make Yourself a Priority Even When You’re Busy
“You need to take care of yourself, too.” When I heard those words -- when my oldest was just four months old -- I felt myself rebel against them. My priority is my daughter and taking care of her, I had thought; her needs come before mine, and in many ways, nearly five years later, that’s still true. But I’ve come to learn something important: I’m the best mom and wife and sister and … [Read more...]
Why I Choose a Word of the Year Over New Year’s Resolutions
I don’t do New Year's resolutions, or at least I haven’t in a few years. But chances are you’ve already seen people on social media sharing what their “word of the year” is and why they’ve chosen that word. To me, WOTY is like a resolution, but oh so much better. Everyone has their reasons for this, but for me in particular a “word of the year” is a touchstone of sorts. It’s looking at … [Read more...]
In Praise of Slowing Down
Confession time. I’m addicted to being busy. Slowing down? It's not my forte. Over my handful of decades on this earth, I’ve had to force myself more than once to quit a few things, because I’d taken on far too much. I’ve had problems saying “no” to things people asked me to do. Now, as a mom, I find myself filling our calendar with classes, “field trips” to the library and park, and play … [Read more...]
