Tag Archives: life

Mar31

How To Advance Your Healthcare Career

Posted on by
Standard
How To Advance Your Healthcare Career

It’s no secret that working in the healthcare industry is one of the best career choices that a young professional can make. After all, this is an industry that will always be in demand. If you take a look at the jobs that are expected to grow in the coming years, many of them are simply different ways of saying ‘nurse’ or ‘doctor.’ So there’s a lot of potential in this career.

However, while there’s plenty of potential, that doesn’t mean that success will automatically come your way. You’ll need to work hard to ensure that your healthcare career can progress in a way that you like. So how do you do that? In this blog, we’ll take a look at some useful tips that will keep you moving on the right path:

Always Learning:

You’ll have learned a lot when you were at college. But that shouldn’t be the end of your education. In many ways, it’s just the beginning. The healthcare field is always moving forward so it’s important that you commit to learning as much as you can, as often as you can. Equipment like Catheter Devices, monitors, and treatment devices and apparatuses are subject to change as technology advances. AI is also becoming extremely popular across all aspects of life but particularly in the medical field. Implementing tools like generative ai use cases in healthcare can improve patient outcomes as well as boost efficiency. There will be no shortage of courses you can take and qualifications you can obtain. If you don’t know which ones will be best for your career, ask your supervisor.

Making Connections:

Who you know can be just as important when it comes to advancing in your healthcare career. As such, it’s essential that you take some time to learn the art of networking. Just by making connections with others, you could open many doors for yourself in the future. You can connect with people in the healthcare facility in which you work and also in the wider healthcare community. Attending talks and courses is a great way to do this. You should also consider doing in-depth research for each healthcare facility you apply to in the first place – you’d have to do this with any career. For example, checking out the Care.com reviews before you start working to care for a doctor’s family will ensure that you gain the right role – one that works for you and your time.

Jump At Opportunities:

There will be a lot of opportunities available to you. But unless you look at what they are and then jump at the chance to make them yours, then you’ll struggle to progress. There are plenty of places to look at what’s out there. For example, you could get in touch with Cornerstone Medical Recruitment and see what positions they’re looking to fill.

…And Make Your Own:

It’s also important that you create your own opportunities, too. If you’ve been networking correctly, then there will be times when opportunities land at your feet. But you shouldn’t just wait around for them to come. You should make your own opportunities by showing initiative at work and taking courses without being prompted to do so. You can also forward your opportunities when you look the part at your job. For example, purchasing smart no slip shoes or finding the Best Quality Teal Scrubs For Nurses On Shift will show that you are invested in your career and take all aspects of it seriously.

Set Goals:

Finally, be sure to set goals and targets for yourself. This will help ensure that you never get too passive about your career or too comfortable in your position. You’ll always be working towards something bigger and better than what you currently have. You can create small goals like obtaining a raise or a position in a new department. Long term goals could include going back to school or getting a Public Health certification for the most up to date skills and knowledge in public health science. When you make goals dedicated to learning, who knows where your career will take you next?

The healthcare field is one that is never going to go away and with constant room for growth, it will always be a viable career option!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar18

Unsatisfied With Your Smile? Braces Could Be Right For You!

Posted on by
Standard
Unsatisfied With Your Smile? Braces Could Be Right For You!

We are not sure about you, but one thing we have noticed a lot more lately is that adults seem to be wearing braces more and more than they used to. And that is awesome! We often have the tendency to assume that braces are purely for children, i.e. to correct your teeth so that they are not crooked later in life. However, this is simply not the case and finding a local orthodontist for your braces and additional care can transform your smile even as an adult.

Braces can help people of all ages, as they can correct a wide range of issues like:

  • Jaw joint disorder
  • Crooked teeth
  • Incorrect jaw position
  • Cross-bites
  • Under-bites
  • Overbites
  • Crowded teeth

There are many different styles of braces to choose from:

If you need braces, you will have plenty of different options to choose from. There is something for everyone. When we think about braces, our minds tend to think about thick, metal bands. However, you can actually get invisible braces these days, which are known as Invisalign. These braces are to be removed whenever you eat, so they work slightly differently. The best thing to do is simply book an appointment with a dentist who will be able to talk you through all of the different options available and give you their professional opinion on the best solution for you.

It is about investing in your future smile:

Braces are all about investing in your future smile. Making changes today can help to make sure that you have a beautiful and healthy smile in the future. Plus, it is important to remember that braces are not only cosmetic. They can also help to prevent headaches, pain, and other dental issues that can occur when you do not rectify the issues you are experiencing at the moment. This is why it is always important to book a dental appointment sooner rather than later.

Finding the best dentist for braces:

Needless to say, you need to choose a dentist with care when it comes to treatments like this. You need someone with years of experience who has provided braces for people time and time before. You can read reviews that have been left by others to make sure the dentist you are considering has a good reputation for the services they provide. Some dentists also have images on their websites so that you can see before and after photos to make sure that the treatment has worked effectively.

If you are unhappy with the condition of your teeth and you think that you would benefit from braces, there is no harm in scheduling an appointment. We know that wearing braces can be intimidating but there really is nothing to worry about. You will look great!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Mar17

6 Simple Steps To Promote Mental Wellness In Daily Life

Posted on by
Standard
6 Simple Steps To Promote Mental Wellness In Daily Life

Nothing in this life is more important than your health, and your mental wellness should be included. Whether you’ve experienced symptoms of poor mental health or not, it is wise to implement habits to protect your frame of mind. A combination of good daily habits and actions to combat symptoms will serve you well. Focus on the six below to get started:

Invest in your looks:

Looking good makes you feel good, even if you don’t consciously realize it. We can’t all look like supermodels, but we can benefit from face masks and products that restore a natural glow. A new hairstyle or outfit can have a positive impact too. Aside from seeing a better reflection in the mirror, you will receive positive reactions from your friends, family, and colleagues.

Stay hydrated:

Nutrition plays a central role in all of our lives, and staying hydrated is the most important factor. Hydration will keep your mind engaged and alert in all daily tasks. Moreover, it is a move that will keep your muscles and organs performing at their peak level. While mastering your eating habits can take a little time, drinking more water should be easy.

mhh1

^^^ Pixabay Image

Treat physical discomfort:

Physical pains won’t only cause direct pain and discomfort. They can eat away at your mental health as they restrict you in several aspects of your daily life. Finding the right style of headache & migraine relief, for example, can help you get back to your day far sooner. It removes a great deal of frustration from your life, which will make you a healthier and happier person.

Make time for rest:

While we all want to stay productive, it’s important to let your mind and body relax too. For starters, getting a good night’s sleep will provide the perfect platform to build upon. You can also use yoga & meditation to break up the day and freshen your frame of mind. Losing a few minutes may seem counterproductive, but it will often allow you to achieve more at work and in recreational matters.

Avoid negative people:

Positivity is contagious, but so is negativity. Therefore, surrounding yourself with the right people in life should be considered vital. Taking a step back from people who negatively effect your well being will allow you to focus more of your time on the people who matter most. Their positivity should inspire you to achieve more in daily life too.

Spend more time outside:

We live in a tech-fueled world, and it can take a toll on our mental wellness. While you cannot simply avoid using computers for work and daily tasks, you can at least take a break. From gardening to going for a bike ride, those moments of exploring the great outdoors are great for your mindset. The fresh air is sure to bring a sense of inner peace and tranquillity to your world. Embrace it.

Your mental wellness can be improved upon by taking small, simple steps every day and maintaining them so that you can feel like your best self in all that you do.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar10

Health Checks To Add To Your Schedule

Posted on by
Standard
Health Checks To Add To Your Schedule

We all want to take good care of our health and well being. Our bodies and our mind are what we experience the world through and we want to keep them in the best condition possible. But this is often easier said than done. Scheduling conflicts, work, and the like can all make scheduling regular health appointments an inconvenience.

What’s more inconvenient, however, are health issues going unchecked so do be sure to pencil in the following:

Dental Checks:

Booking a dentist appointment is essential once every six months. Use a reliable dental practice with plenty of qualified and professional dentists working for them. During your check up, your Dentist will be able to take a look around your mouth and notice any issues such as cavities, decay, or other dental problems. They can then book you in to resolve these problems if they do exist. If not, they can just pass you on to your hygienist, who will be able to clean your teeth thoroughly for you.

Eye Checks:

You should visit an optometrist once every two years. An eye check can help your optometrist to ensure that your vision is up to scratch and to identify any changes in your vision. They’ll be able to recommend prescriptions to you if you do require help with your vision and educate you in best practices and tell tale signs like cataract symptoms to watch out for. You might realize that you are exhibiting symptoms as soon as you hear your optometrist say it out loud. They can also take some time to look out for common eye health complaints such as glaucoma, cataracts, or even issues like diabetes. Take the time to ask your optometrist any questions concerning you, such as what does laser eye surgery do or how glaucoma may affect your vision. Keep in mind, the earlier problems arise, the easier it is to treat them.

Hearing Checks:

Hearing checks are one of those medical things that often go forgotten about and if you’ve not had it checked recently, then it’s important to do so now. A hearing check might be able to give you clarity on any ear pain or lack of hearing you’ve noticed in recent years. There are plenty of new technologies and engineering within the world of hearing aids now too, including a range of hearing aid styles. Don’t skip on your hearing appointments!

Cervical Screening:

If you have a cervix and are over the age of 25, you will need to attend cervical screening appointments. This process can also be called a “smear test” or a “pap smear”. If you are aged between 25 and 44, you will be asked to attend screening once every three years. If you are aged between 45 and 60, you will be asked to attend once every five years. The process is simple and, while some would describe it as uncomfortable, generally pain free. It helps to identify any abnormal cells in your cervix and could help to identify signs of cervical cancer in their early stages. This could be a life saving check so it really is important to schedule it in.

These are just three appointments to book but, hopefully, they’ll get the ball rolling when it comes to encouraging you to maintain good health practices!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar8

3 Tips For Developing New Professional Skills

Posted on by
Standard
3 Tips For Developing New Professional Skills

Largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the way that it has deeply disrupted many industries across the professional landscape, a phenomenon that some are calling “The Great Resignation” is currently underway.

Instead of going through the motions in their current jobs or “going with the flow” and sticking to the current trajectories of their careers, many people are now looking for options for developing new professional skills, retraining, and changing jobs or career types outright. Whether you’re interested in getting into mobile applications technology or want to start working in ecological management, here are a few tips for developing new professional skills:

See if your current job is open to offering additional training and certification opportunities:

Many employers will have a budget for training and skill development on their teams and will offer a range of optional courses and qualifications to their employees. Even if your current employer isn’t explicitly advertising these courses, you could go to them and ask whether they would be willing to fund and sponsor you for training that would potentially make you more effective in your role.

The training options that will be on offer within your current job will naturally tend to be things that are related to your current career that your employer deems will make you a better asset for the company. And there will often be some contractual stipulation that you need to stay with the company for a certain number of years after completing the course or else pay the cost back.

Either way, this kind of training can be helpful in enabling you to adjust course in your career, particularly if you’re not in a big rush.

Take online courses and work on them at a consistent time each day:

Today, there are many great online courses to be found, ranging from full-on certificates and online degrees offered by Universities, to more basic certificates and courses in things like the fundamentals of coding or graphic design. Signing up to online courses and spending some time working on them each day at as consistent a time as you can manage can be a great way of quickly acquiring new skills and insights.

Whether you are looking to extend your knowledge or learn something completely new, there is a program online that can fit into the schedule you set. If you are a software testing professional who is looking to progress in their career, for example, the ISTQB test management course could be an excellent thing to have on your resume. Advanced learning shows that you are committed to your job and are always up for learning more, which is what employers love to see.

Work on projects that you’re inexperienced with during your day job or as a side venture:

Some of the best skill development happens or, at least begins, “on the job,” whether at your actual day job or while working on a side business or other project in your own time. Working on project types that you’re relatively inexperienced with but see potential in can be one of the most fruitful and rapid ways of developing your professional skills. It will give you a clearer and more accurate sense of the kinds of topics where further training might be necessary or beneficial.

If you’re unsatisfied with your current job, there is no better time than the present to make changes to a career path that better suits you.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar2

One Of Those Mornings

Posted on by
Standard
One Of Those Mornings

Hello! Last week was an insanely busy one for yours truly and when I woke up Friday morning, all I could think was TGIF. Little did I know, it was going to be one of those mornings. You all know the kind, when nothing seems to go right and you’re ready to crawl back into bed before it’s even noon. As I’ve mentioned before, I am a woman of routine and my usual mornings got way bent out of sorts. All I can say is: WOOF. lol

On Friday morning, I had a lot to do between writing and my online job before I made my way to work. I was making good progress and decided to take an anime break before I completed the rest of my assignments. I watched an episode of Black Clover and was halfway through the final episode of the Entertainment District Arc of Demon Slayer when the lights began to flicker.

For a brief moment the power went off but turned back on immediately and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I went back to watching my show and five minutes later, the power turned off again and this time it was for over an hour! I stuck around at home for another fifteen minutes or so to see if it would turn back on but had no luck so I decided to bring my laptop to my parents’ house before beginning my shift there.

What normally is an under five minute drive to chez parents ended up taking forty minutes because my car was frozen solid:

image_50456577(2)image_50404097(3)image_50447617(1)

Due to Ohio’s crap weather, we had freezing rain and snow Thursday night and it left my car completely encased in ice. Oh, the joys of apartment living and no garage! It took my car about a half hour to thaw out and it was about as boring as watching paint dry lol. When the defroster had finally done its job, I still needed to pop to the gas station so I had enough in my tank for the weekend only to find that it was still frozen shut. SMH!!

When I finally arrived at my parents’ place, I was able to watch the rest of Demon Slayer and finish all of my work with five minutes to spare before clocking in. It was a mad dash, I tell you! Thankfully, the rest of the day went without a hitch because I was totally wiped out – blame it on evil Aunt Flo, I guess.

By the time I got back to my apartment, I seriously didn’t move for the rest of the day and it was SO needed. My Johnny also managed to lift my spirits by teaching me how to play Rummy, which actually ended up being a lot of fun… Probably because I kicked his butt! He also suggested that we play Scrabble, which is my favorite game, and it resulted in a tie. No one was more surprised by this outcome than me because I usually wipe the floor with him. 🙂

One of those mornings turned into a good day at work and an even better evening. But the night was the best because I slept like a dog/rock/log/baby!

What is your favorite game? How do you spend your time after work? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar1

Using Tech To Improve Your Mental Health

Posted on by
Standard
Using Tech To Improve Your Mental Health

Mental health is something that goes overlooked far too often. Throughout the pandemic, everyone’s screen time increased exponentially. Today, we’re going to explore some effective ways that we can use tech to improve mental health:

Entertainment and destressing:

Many of us feel like we need to destress and unwind at the end of a busy day or a stressful week. Technology offers us a host of entertainment options, which can lift our spirits, distract us from stressors, and help us to feel calmer and more relaxed. From interviews with music stars on TV shows like Tavis Smiley PBS and the latest movies to online games, TV box sets, and customized playlists, you can choose from a vast array of platforms, sites, apps, channels, and shows to enjoy your downtime, boost your mood, and chill out.

If you are finding it difficult to destress and unwind, even during a relaxing evening spent watching TV, then you may want to explore the amazing world of cannabis or CBD to enhance your relaxation. While this is not an option for everyone, it can be helpful. You can start by purchasing some CBD gummies or by visiting a well-established online weed dispensary Emeryville, or one more relevant to your location, to discover a strain that’s right for you.

Boosting physical health:

Looking after your body often has benefits for your mind. Mental and physical health are intertwined. More and more people are using tech to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and disease. Examples include using wearable activity trackers, food diary apps, and devices that monitor sleep quality and duration. Increasing activity levels, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can make a huge difference to your psychological well being.

Exercise makes you feel good, it aids sleep and it is also a natural stress buster. A nutritious diet fuels your body, preventing you from experiencing low energy levels and ensuring your body gets all the vitamins and minerals it needs. Sleep is vital for optimal mental health. If you’re tired, you may be irritable, your energy levels will be low, and you may experience mood swings. A lack of sleep can also increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.

Connecting with others:

Socializing and interacting with others is proven to enhance mental health. Human beings are naturally sociable creatures and we enjoy talking to others and spending time with friends and family. Technology has been instrumental in bringing people together and encouraging us to make new friends and stay in touch with family and friends even when we can’t get together in person. Technology can help to prevent isolation and loneliness.

Finding help and advice:

Many people find it hard to talk about mental health and they are reluctant to seek advice. Technology can help those who are struggling to find charities or organizations that provide help and connect with others who have been in the same situation. Using smartphones, tablets, and computers can also make it easy for people who want to reach out to find the relevant support by providing easy access to websites or contact details for doctors, therapists, and organizations that offer free advice. It can also be beneficial to join forums or social media groups to meet people who experience similar problems, particularly if you don’t feel comfortable opening up to people you know.

tech1

Pexels Image

Many of us are making an effort to protect and improve our mental health. Technology plays an increasingly integral role in modern healthcare and it can help to boost and nourish mental health. You can use tech to destress and have fun, connect with others, enhance physical health, and find help and support all from the comfort of your couch!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb27

What Have I Been Up To?

Posted on by
Standard
What Have I Been Up To?

Hi! It has been a while since I’ve filled you all in on the comings and goings of my day to day life and, honestly there’s not been too much! The weather in good ol’ Akron, Ohio has been total crap with heavy snow and rain making outdoor activities few and far between. We actually had a close to sixty degree day earlier this week and then the temperature plummeted again, which was such a cruel tease of spring weather!

With both mine and Johnny’s busy work schedules, we spend a majority of the time during the week at home. However, we do try to have an outing every weekend, which is a nice change of pace from a year ago when we legit weren’t doing anything because of the pandemic. We’ll usually go have a drink at a bar or lunch at a restaurant but our best outing was definitely our evening in Cleveland seeing Jesus Christ Superstar. Other than getting married, this was seriously one of the most exciting things that we have done since the start of the pandemic lol.

The time at home is just fine, though, because Johnny and I have a lot of work to do! As I’ve mentioned before, we are trying to move into a three bedroom apartment soon and need to get our place in tip top shape for a walk through. I am so looking forward to the additional space and it will be great when we are watching our little niece. I can’t wait to have her over for sleepovers filled with our favorite Disney movies and dancing while Johnny plays guitar!

When we’re not cleaning and organizing our space, I have spent a lot of time both cooking and reading. Thanks to Pinterest, I have been able to shake up my dinner menu and it has been a lot of fun! I forgot how much I enjoyed cooking until I began trying new recipes instead of the same old favorites time and again. I have also been trying to finish a book per week and am currently working on Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. Keep it posted for a Lil Red’s Book Club review soon. 😀

Obviously, we don’t lead the most thrilling lives at the moment but I love our happy little bubble no matter what. When the weather changes to more moderate temperatures, our activities will pick up once more. Including going ice skating at least twice a month for me. This January, I stopped attending my lessons because the Omnicron variant was skyrocketing in Ohio. I can’t wait to go back once my evenings aren’t filled with cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning.

That’s about it in Lil Red’s world right now and, as always, keep it posted for all of the latest and greatest! ❤

What have you been up to? Have you done anything exciting recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb25

4 Tips To Improve Your Personal Presentation

Posted on by
Standard
4 Tips To Improve Your Personal Presentation

People work hard to attain the skills and knowledge to stay progressive in life. They will invest heavily in those areas, often creating specialties that can help them create a stable career and lifestyle for themselves. However, those elements are not the only things contributing to your progress. It might not feel like an important matter, but how you present yourself is critical.

Body language, posture, and self care will be a few indicators of how well you present yourself. Its effects might feel like an effort to please others, but it is actually an opportunity to take care of yourself more. The confidence you can achieve from improving your image can help you interact with others better, even leading to the point where they compliment your efforts. As a result, people have more reasons to listen and believe you.

However, it can be challenging to identify where to start. If you want to enhance how you present yourself, these tasks will be ideal for your daily routine:

Personal Hygiene:

Your self image relies heavily on physical appearance. The first thing people will see is your face and body, and they might already have plenty of stuff to say about them. Flaws will stand out. Walking into a room full of talented professionals means you must also present yourself that way. Unfortunately, you might pop out in the wrong way when you have messy hair, unorganized clothing, and look disheveled. Odors and bad breath could also have more significant consequences for your self image.

Fortunately, you can eliminate those minor physical flaws through your daily hygiene routine. Showering, brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and applying deodorant might be enough to help you stay clean and neat. Your efforts will ensure that you are presentable, making it the first step towards an improved self image.

Skin Care:

Proper hygiene routines can help you stay clean. However, it does not mean you are automatically presentable. They aim to maintain neatness, but you might have to do something more to improve your physical appearance. A good skin care routine can be incorporated to help minimize wrinkles, acne, or age spots. Even sunscreen can do wonders for your appearance. A consultation with a dermatologist can be a good start and will help increase your knowledge of self-skin care routines.

As you explore different options for skin care, it’s important to be able to identify what your skin type is. Then, you can buy products to help improve and enhance it. Looking up skin health information, advice, and tips can help make you more knowledgeable when it comes to perfecting your skin care regimen.

Active Lifestyle:

Going to the gym, playing sports, and performing at home exercises can help you improve your shape. However, the results might be challenging to achieve without a healthy diet. Cutting down on carbs and removing fast food from your life can help reduce weight and prevent illnesses like diabetes and obesity. An active and healthy lifestyle can help you present your physical appearance better, even improving your posture, balance, and self esteem.

Fashion Trend Updates:

The steps mentioned above allow you to make a routine that improves how you present yourself. They might be fixed guidelines that every person must pursue, but another element can make you stand out even more. Your fashion sense will play a huge role in helping you present yourself better.

Experimenting with a few accessories and pieces of clothing will allow you to improve your fashion sense. However, fashion trends pop up unexpectedly. You must find ways to keep up, which means going shopping every once in a while. You can shop for Kate Spade items online to make the experience more convenient or have a treat day at your favorite store.

Keeping yourself presentable is necessary in life, even though it feels like less of a priority than knowledge and skills. Incorporating these routines means that you will always be in peak shape whenever you are in public, because you never know who you’re going to meet!

Feb25

Lil Red’s Spring Cleaning Pro Tips

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Spring Cleaning Pro Tips

Howdy!! In about two months, Johnny and I are possibly moving into a three bedroom apartment which means that we need to get our place in tip top shape to prove ourselves worthy. The timing is perfect because it coincides exactly with spring cleaning! Slowly but surely, we have been tackling this task and it’s not as bad as I thought, especially when following these tips:

Declutter:

A true deep cleaning of your home can’t happen without a good decluttering session first. Johnny and I are still on this phase in several areas of our apartment but I can already see a big improvement. I knew that we both have a lot of stuff but I don’t think I realized just how much until we began going through everything piece by piece.

When decluttering be sure to organize like so:

  • Throw away: Anything that is damaged beyond minor issues, garbage, and don’t forget anything past its expiration date in the pantry!
  • Donate: Items still in fair condition that are no longer needed including clothing, electronics, home goods, even dishes! Johnny and I have SO. Many. Glasses. which I definitely plan on downsizing.
  • Hand Me Downs: If you have close friends or siblings that might be interested in any of your donate items, feel free to pass them on. I know my sister will want a peek at any of my clothing or accessories that I no longer need!
  • Buy, Sell, Trade Groups: Facebook Marketplace and the like are a great way to make some extra cash for unneeded things. This is especially good for more expensive items or larger ones that you could see someone else wanting. You can use your new funds for more cleaning supplies. 😀

Deep Clean:

Once your unwanted items are out of the way, it will make a good deep clean so much easier. This is when you pull out all of the stops – dusting, sweeping, disinfecting, and so on. Prior to your cleaning session, just make sure you have all of the products that you need to accomplish it. Once you have motivation to complete this task, a run to the store can burst that bubble really quickly!

Remember that you will need specific products for different types of cleaning and some things might require more care than others. For a really good deep clean, it can help to call the experts in. For example, a company like Hydra Clean NW (or a similar one in your local area) would be a good idea to call for tough stains in upholstery and carpets. You will be amazed at the difference it will make once those unsightly stains are gone for good!

Work In Sections:

No one says that spring cleaning has to be done in just one day! Sectioning off your cleaning and working in small bursts will help decrease the stress of such a big chore. I try to work in half hour or so increments every other day and always feel pleased with my progress afterwards.

During my cleaning, I have been working on the easy stuff first while slowly pecking away at the bigger projects. My kitchen and bathroom are small so those were the best places to start whereas my living room will need a lot more effort. Long story short, sectioning off is the way to go when spring cleaning!

Delegate Tasks:

I am a huge fan of organizing and I don’t mind cleaning all that much so those are the chores that I have been working on. However, there are things that require heavy lifting or a lot of elbow grease that I’m just not capable of and will be Johnny’s assignments. If you have kids, a chore chart will be helpful and you can throw a pizza or ice cream party when the work is done to celebrate your nice, clean house.

If you live alone and could use some extra help, invite some friends over and have them lend a hand. Pizza and ice cream also goes a long way for adults! Also, there is no shame in hiring someone to clean, either. Johnny and I are going to take care of a majority of the work but when we move out, we will be hiring my sister’s friend to make the apartment look the best it can and get my security deposit back lol. If you don’t have a connection in the cleaning business, services like those offered by Squeaky Clean Homes (or a similar company in your local area) will help save you so much time and energy. Especially if you need a deep clean to get your place back in order or are preparing to move or sell. A clean home is a happy home and whether you DIY or hire a helping hand, you will be so happy when all of the chores are crossed off of your to do list!

Entertainment:

When I am cleaning, I can’t stand to work in silence and will put on my favorite music or something that I have already seen on Netflix. The key words being “something that I have already seen” because nothing kills motivation quicker than getting way too into whatever is on TV! Once your tunes are on or you’re laughing along to your favorite scenes from The Office, the task at hand doesn’t feel so bad.

Reward Yourself:

No one wants to spend their weekend or evening after work cleaning when they could be relaxing. I sure don’t! After I complete my cleaning burst, I try and do something that I enjoy like reading, playing Animal Crossing, or settling down with a movie. But it could be anything! You could treat yourself to some take out or have a nice, hot bath. You so deserve it!

Cleaning is a necessary part of life in your home and while it isn’t the most fun thing, it doesn’t have to be completely miserable, either. Use the tips above and soon your place will be as fresh and clean as a spring day!

What is your least favorite chore? What are some of your spring cleaning tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah