** I received a free invitation to the Hacking Your Health event and Thrive Clean wellness program. All images and opinions are my own. A few weeks ago I was invited to attend the Hacking Your Health Live Pop-Up hosted by GF Mom Certified Tiffany Hinton and Kilogear Cut at Lateral Fitness in Chicago. It was held on Nov. 14, which is World Diabetes Day, and the goal was to raise awareness on ... Read more
My Experience Meditating With the Headspace App
In 2017, I downloaded the Headspace app to help get me into the habit of meditating again. I had not been successful in maintaining a practice on my own, and I thought this app could keep me motivated. Sadly, the habit didn't stick until 2019. In that time I went through long periods of not meditating and then trying to start again. Over the summer I decided I needed a change, something to help ... Read more
Thoughts on “The Burnout Generation” on Audible Originals
When I saw the cover for the Audible Original "The Burnout Generation," I knew I needed to listen to it. It is a follow-up to journalist Anne Helen Petersen's article on millennial burnout written in January 2019. Many people reached out to her after the article, "How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation," was published, sharing their own stories of burnout. Petersen explores burnout by ... Read more
Things I Do Sunday For a Better Workweek
I had the most productive Sunday, which inspired me to share some of the things I do every weekend to make sure the next week starts off on the right foot. I find that Mondays aren't so bad when you have prepared on Sunday and tried to fit in some activities that are good for the soul. I like designating Sundays as "get my life together" days at home because I try not to schedule social events on ... Read more
My Pledge: Making Time for Me
** This post is sponsored by Wente Vineyards but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. My intention for the summer has been to explore. Last summer I didn't have much time for the outdoors. I spent most days inside and not enjoying Chicago's best season to be outside. I also didn't explore my new neighborhood as much as I should have. I didn't garden at all, even ... Read more
Trying Popular Lush Bath Bombs
I'm a bath lover, especially using colorful bath bombs. Taking baths is something I like to do about once or twice a week as part of my bedtime routine. It helps me relax so that I can fall asleep more easily and gives me much-needed me time at the end of the day. I recently received a bunch of Lush bath bombs as a gift, and I thought I'd share my thoughts on using each one, along with photos of ... Read more
Tips for Reducing Phone Screen Time
I recently realized how much screen time was affecting my sleep and my mental state. I was spending hours on social media, specifically Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. While I need to spend time on those apps to engage with others and promote my blog, I don't need to scroll as much as I did. I also wasn't feeling inspired by anything I was seeing on some of these feeds. So what did I do about ... Read more
Why I’m Going to Therapy and How It’s Helping Me
** This post shares my own postpartum struggles. I am not a mental health professional and am not providing specific advice. Please see a professional if you need help. In January I finally did it: I made an appointment to see a therapist after thinking about it for months. I found one that specializes in prenatal and postpartum issues and her office is not far from my house. She even ... Read more
My Self-Care Goals for the Year
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DoMoreForYourWholeMouth #ColgatePartner #CollectiveBias Self-care is a major focus of 2019 for me, and I want to help you also find ways to recharge and take care of yourself this year. In this post I share my self-care resolutions to incorporate in the new year. Besides ... Read more
Finding A New Normal After Having Kids
Today's post shares something that's been on my heart lately. I hope that it will help anyone who feels a little lost after a life change. Something I've discussed with my therapist this month has really opened my eyes to one of the sources of my anxiety and postpartum emotions. I realized that I have been holding on to the notion that I needed to "get back to my old self." I keep talking about ... Read more