Tag Archives: improve

Dim Lighting In Your House? Brighten Things Up!

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Dim Lighting In Your House? Brighten Things Up!

There is absolutely nothing worse than settling in on the couch with a good book, only to realize that you don’t have adequate lighting to read with. Believe me, I know, because the lighting in my apartment is awful (There is only one usable window.) and reading during the evening and, honestly, sometimes during the day is next to impossible. If the lighting in your place is lackluster, then follow these tips to brighten your space up:

Installing Windows:

If the lighting in your living room or home office is too dim to get your work done efficiently, then how about installing a few windows with Plantation Shutters to let the sunshine in? Not only will this brighten your space and improve your property value but the additional lighting will also make the room appear bigger! It’s a total win/win and your house plants will be thanking you for that extra boost of sunshine! You can shop with Model Space Designs for the finishing touches of curtains and drapery for your new installation.

Improving What You Have:

One of the most simple fixes that you can make when it comes to improving the brightness in your home is replacing your light bulbs with those of a higher wattage. Dimmer bulbs are nice, of course, when you are settling in for the evening. However, they are less than effective when you still have a whole work from home day ahead of you! Experiment with a few different light bulbs to find the one that works best for each space you would like to brighten.

If simply replacing the bulbs in your home isn’t enough to lighten the space, this might be time to call in an Electrician in Mill Creek, WA or your local area. You will be able to design a lighting plan together that will make your home the best and brightest yet!

Accessory Lighting:

Expertly placed table lamps, standing lamps, or fairy lights will not only assist in the brightening process but help to accessorize your space, as well. These are options that won’t break your bank, either. I have had great success at finding budget friendly but effective standing lamps at Target. I even have quite a few table lamps that I found at the Goodwill for a more unique fixture.

If you’re looking to really brighten up your space and make a statement too, neon lighting could be the way to go. I bought my husband a Rolling Stones neon sign for Christmas and he loves it. There are a ton of different signs for different themes in your decor. This astronaut neon light would be especially cool in a space themed room. Don’t forget the star stickers on the ceiling!

If you’re not feeling outer spacey, www.neonfilter.com allows you to create customized neon lights for your home or business. A neon “welcome” sign that leads into your game room will definitely be a cool way to brighten things up.

Change The Room’s Color Palette:

A room with dark paint on the walls and furniture to match is stylish, yes, but it will also make your room feel closed in and dim even with the lights on. Changing the color palette of the room will not only open up your space but will allow the light to bounce around, creating even more brightness. With spring just around the corner, now is a great time to reevaluate the color palette in the problem area.

From big fixes like installing windows to simple improvements like merely changing your light bulb wattage, you will no longer have to live in the Dark Age in your own home! Brighten things up, sink into your couch, and finally crack open that book you’ve been itching to read!

Natural Ways For A Man To Keep Fit

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Natural Ways For A Man To Keep Fit

For natural ways to keep fit, there is nothing like a run in the country. However, the weather is not always that kind to us, neither is the time that we have when we have busy working lives that involve earning a living to support ourselves. So, we look to ways that are less time consuming to keep fit. In other words, exercises that can be done that do not take us too far away from home.

This could mean attending a local gym or making our home the gym. The exercises in a gym are still natural because they involve the natural movements of the body. All we are doing is recreating the same movements as if we were running, using an oar, or climbing a rock face. Then, to assist further in these activities, some people like to use a natural testosterone booster to enhance their workouts. These are healthy supplements which you can take that complement and improve our performance with activities.

This article will consider some of these gym exercises that we can do in conjunction with taking natural boosters to decide how they relate to actual activities:

Treadmill:

The treadmill is a popular piece of gym equipment because it replicates the action of running. Also, it can replicate, by changing its angle, the gradient, so it recreates the exertion required to run up a mountainside. Apart from being a cardio workout machine, the treadmill will also help you to lose weight. So, perfect for a healthy heart and profile. For more information on running machines, click here.

Rowing:

A rowing machine will provide the same activity as if rowing in a boat down the river. It is an exercise that will increase both stamina and fitness. Rowing machines can benefit a range of muscle groups, keeping them well balanced and strong. Regular rowing will also strengthen the shoulders, back muscles, and the arms. In addition, rowing will be good for your hamstrings and glutes. It is a muscle strengthening activity as much as it will tone core muscles.

As a very physical activity, rowing is also good for pumping the blood around the body and, therefore, promoting a healthy heart. Exercise is only of benefit when it involves much exertion and rowing can certainly be said to achieve that. Another great thing about rowing machines is that they are compact and can easily fit in your home. If you are not interested in buying a machine outright, you can search for “concept2 rower hire” to rent one. This will help you get the hang of rowing and decide if you want to fully invest in a machine for yourself.

Dumbbells:

Lifting weights can be the same as doing a physical job that involves carrying heavy weights. Repetitions of the same activity, that is lifting the dumbbells, will strengthen and tone the muscles in the arms. The advantage of dumbbells is that you can have different weights and build up from light to heavy. In fact, this is recommended. Another benefit of dumbbells is that they are more portable than other pieces of gym equipment and would not take up so much room in your house.

In summary, there are three types of gym equipment that can keep our body functioning to its peak and help with muscle development and strengthening. In addition, there are health supplements that can be taken to aid these activities and muscle development. For instance, boron will develop and strengthen the muscles that we need for these activities in the first place, and then assist our body in carrying them out, while something like this Gummy for immunities will ensure your body and health are resilient in the face of infections and sickness, as well as ready to take on whatever you throw at it. Sports nutrition is a growing industry and anyone from any walk of life can obtain products to help with fitness and improve their body’s performance and health. 

Featured Image By: Maksim Romashkin from Pexels

Creating An Opulent And Impressive Bathroom Space

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Creating An Opulent And Impressive Bathroom Space

When designing the ultimate in luxurious bathrooms you can’t go far wrong in following the template of a five-star hotel bathroom. The elegant and extravagant style that is found in the best hotels anywhere in the world is the pinnacle of luxury. Design really is the key to an opulent bathroom and doing it well takes time, a great eye for detail and, of course, a generous budget Do not be tempted to cut corners where costs are concerned on any of those little details that will make your bathroom a true showpiece:

Don’t cut corners with plumbing:

The first thing you need to do is find a good plumber; someone you can rely on for everything from increasing water pressure to backflow inspection and repair. No matter what you do, your bathroom won’t be luxurious if your plumbing lets you down. In fact, it would just be disastrous!

Style:

One thing to consider is the look you are hoping to achieve, be it a sleek modern luxury or an ornate rather opulent bathroom with extravagant fixtures and fittings that are, perhaps, just a little over the top without looking cheap. Once you have a style in mind, the color scheme, bathroom suite, and all of the fixtures including light fitting can be sourced to fit in with the style. Before you hire a Bathroom remodeler in Ogden, UT or your local area, make a plan of what your remodel will require. Then, you and the professional can put your heads together to bring it to life.

Clutter:

Consider your clutter when designing your bathroom, as clutter is not a feature that sits well in an opulent bathroom. Sleek lines and well thought out storage solutions should definitely be a big feature in any opulent bathroom. Keep personal items on display to a minimum and, instead, rely on cleverly designed cupboards or even a vanity unit to keep them out of sight. 

Fixtures:

Say goodbye to simple framed mirrors and glass-covered ceiling lights. Opulence is all about adding that touch of extra to the room. Make sure that your fixtures make a statement in their own right like the mirrored medicine cabinets linked here and consider using several light sources within the room to create a variety of light depending on your mood. Remember, lighting and mirrors can really help give the illusion of space in a smaller bathroom. If you have difficulty imagining new fixtures or are lacking inspiration, it could be a good idea to visit a few different bathroom showrooms. Seeing fixtures and designs in real life could be just what you need to make your project a success.

When it comes to your fitting, look for taps and shower fixtures that are a unique shape or style to set your bathroom apart. Freestanding furniture such as vanity units and even a freestanding bathtub can also add to the luxury design of your bathroom, as can frameless shower units.

Tiles:

Special attention and consideration should be given to the choice of floor tiles or tiles for your wall. It is important that the theme of your room continues over every surface in order to achieve the bathroom you desire. Opt for high-quality tiles – a choice that could even add value to your property. The tiles you choose can truly make or break the space so think carefully about your decision. If you need help narrowing things down, check out this guide on selecting tile color. This will come in handy if you are having a difficult time with this important step.

Create a bathroom fit for royalty, which will not only increase your property value but decrease any stress as you sink into your freestanding tub after a long day!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Simple Upgrades To Make Life Easier

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Simple Upgrades To Make Life Easier

With all of the additional stress that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought, I think we all deserve to treat ourselves to a few upgrades that will help make life a little easier. Our minds have been filled constantly this past year with concern for the health of our loved ones and any additional space we have left is spent worrying about work, bills, and how to keep our mental health in check. Give your brain a break by adding some of these simple and super handy upgrades into your life:

Remote Car Starter:

A remote car starter is an amazing tool to have, especially in the winter. I always find myself wishing that I had one, as it snows a lot where I live and nothing sounds more luxurious to me than getting my car to defrost automatically while I wait inside. A remote car starter will save you a lot of extra time in the morning since you can warm up your car as you finish getting ready for work. It will also save you from the frustration of having to slip slide around your car to brush your windows off. I hate that!

Air Fryer:

I know I’m about to sound like Every. Single. Adult who has an air fryer when I say this… But the air fryer is the best kitchen appliance ever. I am blown away by how good my food turns out whenever I use it and it is a much healthier option than greasy fried food. Air fryers are not only convenient in size but also really nice for when you’re feeling ravenous because you don’t have to wait for them to preheat.

Contact Free Shopping:

Did you know that certain grocery stores have employees that will gather the items on your shopping list for you, bag it, and either deliver it or put it all away in your car? As we are still in the midst of a pandemic, any way to cut out unnecessary contact is a good thing and is an immediate upgrade that you can make next time you need to restock your pantry.

It has also been said that people feel less likely to impulse buy when they shop for their groceries online, which can help save you money. Talk about a win/win!

Cleaning Appliances:

Endless time at home means an endless cycle of things to clean – That’s sure what it feels like, anyways. If you are constantly cleaning up at your place, you deserve to make the job easier with the right tools. Purchase a Swiffer WetJet instead of having to break out the mop and bucket. Or how about a Dust Buster for those hard to reach corners and spaces? There are also spot carpet cleaners which are great for if you have a new pet that you are house training. Cleaning is hard work and it is well worth it if you can make it any easier on yourself.

Upgrades don’t need to break your bank, despite the word sounding expensive. Simple upgrades, like the ones above, are budget friendly ways to make some improvements.

 

Giving Your Living Room A Mini Makeover

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Giving Your Living Room A Mini Makeover

Considering that we have all spent the majority of this past year in our living rooms, I think we all deserve to give it a mini makeover! If you are as sick of your living room as I am at this point, then a mini makeover could be just what you need to brighten the space as we continue on through the COVID-19 pandemic. Mini makeovers are also great because we are not talking huge renovations here, rather, small improvements to make your space better. Try utilizing some of the following tips as you spruce up your living room:

Choose A Statement Piece:

Is your couch losing its stuffing? How about a wobbly coffee table? Or perhaps your favorite recliner’s cushions have sunken in? No matter the case, visit Modern Sense Furniture to find exactly what you need and make it a statement in your room. One new piece of furniture can instantly transform a space and it also might give you the inspiration to base your room around it if you are interested in making a bigger change. Remember, when choosing a statement piece, you not only want it to be unique and visually appealing but you still want it to function properly. Who wants to sit on a cool couch if it is really uncomfortable?

Make Your Space Cozy:

The living room is where we go to unwind after a long day in the home office, so fill it with things that are comforting to you. Whether it be a plush rug beneath your feet, candles, thick curtains, or pillows and soft throw blankets – treat yourself to a few new items that will soothe you. You can even turn your quest for comfort into a new hobby through candle making, knitting, or crochet. Just make sure your living room isn’t too comfy during the day if you like to work from home on the couch. We don’t want you falling asleep on the job!

Create An Accent Wall:

Accent walls are a relatively cheap and very effective way to make a room feel like new again. Just a few painted accent walls in my parent’s home completely changed each room’s atmosphere. Accent walls can not only be created with paint but can be achieved with decor or even interesting floating shelving. If you choose to make an accent wall with pieces of art or framed photographs, the trick is for it not to appear cluttered. Go with paintings or pictures with color palettes that compliment each other. A hectic display with clashing colors is definitely not conducive to your relaxation!

Once you finish your mini quick fixes in the living room, don’t stop there! Small, simple steps can be achieved room by room to transform your home without any major renovations.

Spring Cleaning: It’s Never Too Early To Start!

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Spring Cleaning: It’s Never Too Early To Start!

Although spring time feels like it’s just around the corner, we still have a while to go until moderate temperatures and beautiful flowers blooming. However, it is never too early to start some spring cleaning to breathe some freshness into your home after a long and claustrophobic almost year of living during a pandemic. I, myself, did a fair bit of pre-spring cleaning during a random day off last week and once I was done, the atmosphere in my apartment felt much more relaxed from pecking away at the clutter. I plan on utilizing the following mental bullet points I came up with as I continue to clean up my place:

Get Prepared:

This may seem like a no brainer to have all of the necessary supplies handy to employ in your cleaning but, sadly, it’s not for me because I always forget to buy them when I’m grocery shopping! Trust me, your motivation to clean will quickly dissipate when you realize you don’t even have a sponge. Prior to your cleaning day, make sure you have everything you will need. Whether this be renting a dumpster bin through Bins Toronto for a massive haul away or picking up all of the products to deep clean your bathroom with, it’s better to do it beforehand. This way, you won’t be scrambling (Or completely not want to clean!) on your planned spring cleaning day.

Work In Sections:

Lighten the mood of the overwhelming dread that comes with saying “I’m going to clean the house today” to “I’m going to clean the living room today”, instead. Breaking your cleaning process up into sections will make it much less daunting of a task. You will also be able to really deep clean if you work room by room as opposed to a lighter cleaning all over. Before I did my pre-spring cleaning, I decided that I wanted to put all of  my laundry away and clean the kitchen and coffee table that were both very cluttered. I set an achievable cleaning goal and I felt good about the fact that I spent the extra time to do it the best I could.

Providing individual attention to each room will make your entire house feel more open, lighter, and relaxed.

Make It Fun:

Cleaning is hard work but it doesn’t have to be a totally miserable process! I always seem to get my best cleaning done when I have music playing. Then, not only am I cleaning but I am also starring as lead vocals, back up vocals, and guitar in all of my favorite songs. Hey, whatever works! Whether it be listening to music, motivating yourself with Starbucks, or dictating your memoirs – do what you can to make cleaning an, if not enjoyable, than slightly less awful of a chore for you.

Starting your spring cleaning early will make it feel like your house fast forwarded into April and, I don’t know about you, but that sounds great to me!

Hurray! 100 Day Duolingo Streak

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Hurray! 100 Day Duolingo Streak

Hello! One of my favorite hobbies is learning new languages and I practice French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Czech on Duolingo. Pre-pandemic, I was lucky if I could get a four or five day streak of practice going with a busy work and social schedule. Now, I am proud to say that I am on an over ONE HUNDRED day streak of practicing all five languages and I am honestly blown away by it. I also don’t plan on stopping any time soon!

For the past one hundred plus days, I have been dedicated to doing one to two lessons per language daily with Duo and it’s exciting for me because I can definitely tell that I have made great improvements. I consider myself to be quite fluent in French (I took it throughout high school and college) and I think I have made huge gains, as I can understand a majority of the French shows and movies I watch without subtitles now. I have found that my Spanish and Italian is much smoother and my vocabulary in both German and Czech has made good progress too.

I know people have talked about their hobbies to NO END during the COVID-19 pandemic but it is just so cool to me to notice substantial gains from just one hundred days of practicing for a half hour. Everything from work to social lives seems to be on a stand still right now with not much to look forward to. However, I look forward to working on my languages every day now so my skill set can continue to blossom.

Learning a different language opens up a whole new world. New friendships, new skills, new entertainment, new dream locations to travel to. Duolingo is a free app and if you find yourself overwhelmed by all of the free time we now have, then I highly recommend giving it a download. You can even treat yourself to Duolingo Plus, which will give you unlimited hearts! Learning something new is exhilarating and incorporating Duolingo into your life could be just what you need to shake some blahs away until things get back to normal. ❤

Do you know a different language? How do you practice? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feeling Stressed? Let’s Change That!

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Feeling Stressed? Let’s Change That!

We all experience stress every once in a while. That’s a given. At the end of the day, stress is a natural response to dangerous or potentially harmful situations that we have evolved to benefit ourselves. But when you experience stress on a regular basis, it can become a problem. Stress can result in detrimental effects on your overall health and well being, from physical harm to emotional harm, mental harm, and even resultant behavioral changes.

Unfortunately, right now, many of us are stressed and have been stressed for a long time. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in all sorts of unwanted changes in our day to day lives, from health concerns to worries for loved ones, job loss, financial troubles, social isolation, loneliness, and more. Stress is a logical response. However, you should, where possible, be doing everything you can to minimize your experience and symptoms of stress. Here’s some more information and a few suggestions to help you along the way:

Identifying Stress:

Stress is pretty simple to identify. Here are some of the warning signs:

Physical Impact:

  • Headaches
  • Muscle tension
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep problems

Emotional Impact:

  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Sadness
  • Procrastination or lack of Motivation

Behavioral Impact:

  • Emotional Outbursts
  • Undereating
  • Overeating
  • Withdrawal from Social Situations

Reducing Stress:

There are many healthy stress reduction methods out there. Here are some you may want to discuss with your doctor and try out:

  • Meditation and Mindfulness: Meditation and mindfulness are calming practices that can help. Try following tutorials and apps.
  • Getting Enough Rest: Sleep is an important process for your body to rest, resolve trauma or injury and illness. Make sure to get your recommended eight hours a night.
  • Getting Organized: Sometimes stress can stem from a lack of organization. Try organizing your life, tackling issues and concerns, and giving everything more structure.
  • Massage: While spas may be closed, you could try out some massage at home using foam rollers, massage balls, and more. This can release tension.
  • CBD: Some studies have found that CBD can reduce stress symptoms. So, why not try out some CBD candies and see how they work for you? Gummies are definitely the most common form of CBD candy but have you ever heard of CBD honey sticks? Gold Bee offers this and so much more on their site for a sweet treat that tastes good and reduces stress. What will they think of next?! …

The answer? Hero Brand CBD. These CBD oils can be bought either to rub directly on the skin or to be dissolved into beverages. Either way, you will receive the benefits of pain and stress relief. The soluble solution is also taste free so it can mix easily into your favorite food or drink. How cool is that?!

Stress Reducing Hobbies:

If you are a more hands on person, you might want to try hobbies that can relieve stress too. This can include a long nature walk, cooking or baking, reading a good book, or taking a dance break to your favorite tunes. One of the most popular stress relieving hobbies, however, has to be gardening. Getting out in the sun, feeling the grass beneath your feet, and helping something grow is incredibly soothing. If cannabis is something that helps you relax, you could even grow your own with seeds from Multiverse Beans (or a similar company in your local area). The effects will be twofold – you can relax while you garden and relax while you enjoy your harvest afterwards.

Know When to Ask for Help:

Of course,  stress can also be a symptom of underlying mental health conditions. So, if you are ever feeling overwhelmed, that you can’t cope, or that you are experiencing excessive or unnecessary stress, make sure to reach out to your doctor. They’ll be able to identify and diagnose any conditions and recommend the best course of treatment for you. There are also support groups, helplines, and mental health charities who can help too!

Most of us are bound to feel stressed right now. What’s important is that you don’t simply accept stress as a given part of day to day life. This is something that can be managed, handled, and even overcame. Hopefully, some of the above information will help you get started out on the right foot when it comes to managing your stress properly and effectively.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Simple Tips To Improve Your Mornings

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Simple Tips To Improve Your Mornings

Hello! Every day seems like twenty-four more hours of the exact same thing: Wake up, work, relax, repeat. It can be hard to spring out of bed every day with a pep in your step when things are so monotonous but that doesn’t mean you can’t try. Starting your morning out strongly means that you have a better chance of keeping the momentum going all day, which can definitely help improve a blah mood! To get your day going on the right foot, keep the following in mind:

Don’t hit the snooze:

No one is more guilty of hitting the snooze button than me but I really am trying to work on this bad habit! Hitting the snooze button, even for just five minutes will already be pushing your morning back which makes the pre-work rush even more frantic. As soon as your alarm goes off, shrug off your blankets and get yourself moving. If you are feeling sleep deprived, it’s better to go to bed earlier than bank on those extra five to ten minutes every morning that leave you scrambling around the house so you can leave for work on time.

Have something to eat:

Some people are just not breakfast people and that’s okay – no one is saying you need an elaborate breakfast spread every morning. But, it’s important to try eating a little something before you start your day. We need the extra energy to help get us through until lunch time and your morning is really going to drag if all you can think about is how hungry you are. Have yogurts or breakfast bars handy at home so you can have a quick bite before work. On the weekends, there is nothing better than brunch with friends. Quaint restaurants like The Black Penny make for a perfect spot to chat away and enjoy a great meal.

Complete your normal morning routine:

I’m sure all of our morning routines have changed drastically since the start of the pandemic since there really is nowhere to be that requires us to get spruced up. I, myself, have tumbled into an unending cycle of leggings and hoodies. But, there is just something about completing your full morning routine, even with nowhere to be, that hits different. This might mean applying a bit of makeup, styling your hair, or shaving. Whatever it is, give it a shot. It will bring back a touch of normalcy to your day and it will be nice to feel totally work ready again.

Prepare things the night before:

Whether this be making your breakfast or lunch, prepping your paper work, or readying your outfit, it’s always better to do these things the night before. Leaving all of these random additional tasks for your work morning will only add time and stress as you start your day. Plus, if you do everything that you can to already be ready the night before, then you can hit the snooze button without it having such a negative impact! 😀

The tips above are all easy changes that you can start incorporating into your morning routine immediately so you can always wake up on the right side of the bed!

Are you a morning or night person? When do you normally get up in the morning? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Year’s Resolution Check In

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New Year’s Resolution Check In

Hello! We are already getting close to wrapping up the first month of 2021 and if you made New Year’s Resolutions, then now might be a good time to reflect on these past few weeks and see how you have been faring. Consider the following and make adjustments accordingly so you can achieve all of your goals this year:

How often are you working on your goal?

If you have been dedicated to working towards your goal several times a week, you might want to buff up the time you’re spending by an extra five to ten minutes. However, if you’re struggling to work on your goal during your set scheduled times – don’t fret! There is no need to be hard on yourself. Rather, make a schedule that you know you can accomplish and then add more time to it gradually. Remember, a resolution is supposed to last you until the next New Year so it’s important to not let yourself get discouraged or burned out.

Is your resolution something you want to do?

It’s all well and good to say resolutions that sound well and good like losing weight or taking a class for your own enrichment. But, if you’re not one hundred percent dedicated to what you’re saying, then what’s the point? If there is something that you’d like to accomplish but it doesn’t fit in with a traditional New Year’s resolution, then it’s time to change things up while it’s still early in 2021.

Think carefully about all of the goals you have in the back of your mind, big or small. You are sure to feel an “Aha!” sensation about something and that means you are on the right track. And, don’t let anyone else’s goals intimidate you because resolutions are about bettering yourself. Start small and work your way up to big moves.

Are you feeling different?

Achieving goals feels awesome and if you’ve been steadily working on your resolutions, then you might already be feeling the benefits of small gains. Feeling discouraged is a totally different story, though, and that’s the polar opposite of what making New Year’s resolutions is all about. It’s impossible to start something new and be an instant expert because good things take time. If you’re feeling a little glum, take a break for a day or two and come back to your goals with a clearer head so you don’t completely turn yourself off to the process. Everyone needs time to relax and, if that’s the case for you, then it is one hundred and fifty million percent okay.

January has been flying by and that can make New Year’s Resolutions feel even more intimidating. I hope everyone is making huge wins in their goals and I, for one, am very proud of all of your successes big or small. Keep your chin up no matter where you’re at in achieving your resolutions and you are sure to accomplish everything you set your mind to! ❤

What is one of your New Year’s resolutions? How are you faring so far? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah