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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

My 2019 Goals and Guiding Word

It took weeks for me to figure out my 2019 goals. I had to really think about what it is I hope to accomplish. The person I wanted to be a year ago is not the same as the person I aim to become now. Some priorities have shifted, and some goals I previously saw as unattainable are now aspirations I think I can make happen if I commit to them. 2018 has been wonderful for us. We bought a house and grew our family, and all my attention and energy went toward that. In 2019 I hope to refocus some of that attention on my own goals outside of motherhood and marriage. While family will always come first, I have career and self-development goals that are also important to me. With that in mind, I’m sharing my 2019 goals in hopes of inspiring some of your own. I hope you’ll share your goals or guiding words with me in the comments!

Make fitness a priority again and run two half-marathons. I want to bring back fitness posts, which have taken a hiatus in the past year during pregnancy and afterward. I want my energy back and I’d love to not be out of breath when I walk up the stairs while holding the baby or carrying laundry. Also, working out has always helped relieve my anxiety. This goal is more about committing to my health and fitness, and then using that newfound energy to meet my career and family goals.

Replenish our savings. I saved in 2018, but a lot of it went toward replacing the lost income I had from taking maternity leave, which was unpaid besides short-term disability payments. I want to increase our savings and set aside separate funds for becoming self-employed. I also want to explore new avenues of making money.

Travel to a new place as a family. Iceland, Seattle, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas are on my wish list, but we are still discussing possibilities for travel in 2019. Our travel plans all depend on my husband’s work schedule and on a major decision we just made, which I’ll share later. (We also have a wedding in Virginia.)

Sell photography services/prints. I have always loved photography, and I’d like to do more of it. I’m not trained professionally on it, but I have learned a lot from workshops, classes and watching tutorials. I recently had a collaboration in which I was hired to shoot video and photos for marketing materials, and I really enjoyed it. I want to do more of that in addition to selling prints of my photographs.

Blog consistently and pursue sponsorships with brands I love. In 2018 I nearly tripled my blogging income, something I am proud to have accomplished. I want to continue that growth while doing something that brings me joy. I would like to double my blogging/editing income this year while continuing to partner with brands that I think readers would like or benefit from.

Those are my main goals, but I’ll be thinking about other self-care and career goals, too. What are your 2019 goals?

My Guiding Word/Word of the Year

Abundance.

This word has come up a lot lately, which I’m taking as a sign that I need to refocus on this mindset vs. on scarcity. I’ve been focusing on the money and energy traveling outward instead of the abundance heading my way. It’s not just about money, either. I put so much of my focus on time I don’t have instead of maximizing the time I do have each day. 2019 is about changing my perspective in that way.

Do you set a word of the year? What did you choose for 2019? How did you do on your 2018 goals?

 Related posts:

Favorite Self-Help Reads
5 Ways to Improve Your Photography
Beating the Sunday Scaries

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An Overly Detailed Day in My Life

A recent post by Stephanie from Not Entirely Perfect inspired me to share my daily routine. I would love to have the exact same routine every day, but unfortunate my life doesn’t adhere to that. It would certainly be a lot less stressful, but often I have to be flexible and fit things in where I can. There are two versions to my weekdays: days when I work on Chicago time and days when I work Arizona time. This is because my work office is based in Phoenix and I work from home in Chicago. I usually work Chicago time on Wednesdays, when I have group training for the Chicago Marathon, and sometimes on other days if I have a running meetup, dinner plans or an appointment.

Version 1: Chicago time

7-7:30 a.m.: Wake up. I actually sort of wake up around 6 a.m. when Graham leaves for work, but I don’t actually get out of bed until anytime from 7 to 7:30 a.m. One habit I would like to break is checking social media first thing, but it has yet to happen. 
7:30-7:45: I brush my teeth, put on my contacts, clean my Invisalign trays, brush my hair and change. If I am feeling ambitious I might put on some concealer/foundation, bronzer and mascara. I don’t do my makeup daily. I only wear makeup if I am doing something that requires contact with people.
7:45-8:10ish: Make and eat breakfast and I sometimes grab Starbucks. I have been going there a lot recently, but I plan to cut back by making my own my own coffee. We’re just out of groceries right now. I usually eat two eggs (either on their own with peppers from the garden or in a burrito). If I grab Starbucks it’s either a spinach foldover or a spinach feta wrap. I also feed and water the dogs.

8:10ish-8:30: Check/write in my planner, participate in Facebook group threads and share my blog post on social media. Schedule posts for the day. I also use this time before work to pick up around the house. I like to start the day by putting everything in its place and making the bed. If I have time, I also water the plants now and pick any veggies that are ready to eat.
8:30-12:20ish: Log onto my work network and make a to-do list. Then work!
12:20-1:20ish: I make lunch, which takes me about 15 minutes to eat. If I didn’t that morning, I water the plants. I give the dogs more water and a treat if we have any. I also check the mail. I am someone who loves to check the mail, and I get ridiculously excited when I have a package coming. 
1:20ish-5:30: More work. I try to take a 15 minute break in between. I might do the dishes — we always seem to have some in the sink — or I might use the time to watch a Youtube video or read a blog I enjoy. If I am editing, I don’t like a lot of noise, but if I am doing something that requires little bandwidth, such as making graphs, I listen to music or an audio book. I also eat a snack at some point in the afternoon.
5-6:30: Get ready for marathon training, or whatever other reason I had for working Chicago time, such as a running group meetup, dinner with a friend or a Cubs game. On those nights there is no routine. I get home and often go to bed. On Wednesdays, it takes me about 30 minutes to get to our training location because of Chicago traffic, even though it really is only 4-5 miles from my place.
6:30 p.m.-7:30 on Wednesdays: Marathon training. We don’t know what we are doing until we show up. It can be anything from mile repeats, hills, a beach workout to exercise stations. 
7:30-7:45 or 8: Drive home and look for parking. Lately I haven’t had trouble finding parking on my street (I like to think it’s because I have had more positive thoughts about it inspired by the book “You Are a Badass”), but some days I have to drive around for 10-15 minutes and park blocks away. Chicago life is fun.
8-8:30: Make dinner and eat. If Graham is home he might feel kind enough to have dinner ready, but if he’s at work I make my own dinner.
8:30-10:30: Shower after my workout and then, if Graham is home, we watch TV, take the dogs out and just hang out. If we have laundry to put away I might freak out and start doing that. If you haven’t guessed by now I like things to be in their place. We also video chat with my niece and mom quite often. If Graham’s at work, I use the time to catch up on Bravo shows, work ahead on blog posts, read other blogs, listen to an audio book, edit a video and do random things like empty the dishwasher. If I am sore I will take an Epsom salt bath.
I try to be in bed by 11.

Arizona time:

7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.: Wake up around this time. I post my blog link on Facebook groups and then brush my teeth, put on my contacts, clean my Invisalign trays, brush my hair and change. I make and eat breakfast or I sometimes grab Starbucks. I also feed the dogs and water the plants.
8:30ish-9: Check/write in my planner, participate in Facebook group threads and share my blog post on social media. Schedule posts for the day. I also use this time before work to pick up around the house. I like to start the day by putting everything in its place and making the bed. If I have time, I also water the plants now and pick any veggies that are ready to eat.
9-9:30: Work on blog posts and take photos. 
9:30-10:30: Get things done around the house, make a plan/to-do list for the day, check email accounts and read blogs.
10:30-12:20ish: Work.
12:20-1:30: Orangetheory on two days a week, usually Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Mondays and Fridays I will catch up on a favorite TV show, practice yoga or do a short run along the lakefront. I then make and eat lunch, which takes me about 15-20 minutes to eat.
1:30-7:30: Finish work. I take a short break to shower during the afternoon if I went to Orangetheory or worked out that day. If I didn’t, I wait until before bed. Sometimes I switch from working at my desk to another room. If Graham gets home from work that afternoon we might take a walk to the beach.
*8: If I didn’t make it to Orangetheory at 12:30 on Thursdays, I might go now.
7:30-8:30: If I didn’t go to Orangetheory, I make and eat dinner. 
8:30-10:30: If Graham is not working, we watch TV, take the dogs out and just hang out. We video chat with my niece and mom. If he’s at work, I use the time to catch up on Bravo shows, work ahead on blog posts, read other blogs, listen to an audio book, and do random things like empty the dishwasher or write. If I am sore I will take an Epsom salt bath while using a face mask. 
10:30ish-11: Skin care, brush my teeth, take out my contacts, go to bed.
Things that throw me off:
  • When Graham works nights he is home until 10 a.m. and he might request that I walk the dogs with him.
  • When I have a work meeting that cuts into my lunch hour, that means I have to push my workout to after work.
  • If I wake up late I have to neglect cleaning.
  • If I have to run to the store, I try to do it when I work Arizona time before work because it’s easier to find parking in the morning vs. evening in Chicago.
That’s all, folks! What do your typical weekdays look like? 

Ways to Relax During the Workday + Meditation Playlist

Recently I’ve had an even harder time relaxing than normal. I have always dealt with anxiety, but it’s been on overdrive lately as I await some big changes and as work has become more and more busy. On some days I wake up and immediately zoom about the apartment cleaning up, taking care of the dogs and plants, and keeping up with my blog before work. Sometimes I barely have time to make myself food, so I rush over to Starbucks for an overpriced breakfast. Then work begins and my to-do list becomes a treadmill. I keep sprinting and sprinting but I never quite get to the end.

You can probably relate to this. You probably have a never-ending daily to-do list as well. I don’t like to complain because I know I am fortunate in many ways.  But when my heart is racing constantly for most of the day, I know I need to do something about it. It’s become more important to me recently to make the time to relax. So how do I deal with my anxiety on a daily basis? I’ve been finding little ways to calm myself when I’m stressed. Some of these actions work better than others depending on the day. Also, this more geared toward people who work from home like I do, but you can still incorporate most of these if you work in an office setting (or when you get home from work).

  1. Turn off anything that makes a sound. Turn off or ignore phone notifications. Sit there and work on my breathing. I will count my inhales and exhales and try to make my exhales a little longer each time. This doesn’t take a lot of time; just a few minutes will make me feel immensely better.
  2. Lie down on my yoga mat or bed and listen to my meditation playlist. I close my eyes and try not to think about anything. My meditation playlist has mostly ocean and rain sounds, which I find relaxing and remind me of being in Hawaii and Costa Rica. You can make your own meditation playlist of whatever soothes you. Put whatever you like on it — I’m not the meditation police! 
  3. Yoga practice. If I can’t make it to class at the studio, I practice on my own on my breaks. You can find many classes online. (See my guide for at-home yoga.) This doesn’t have to be anything intense, even light stretching and anything that opens your heart (physical movements that open up the chest) will help.
  4. Make your workspace as calming as possible, whether it’s clearing unnecessary clutter, lighting a candle in your favorite scent (if you’re not in a shared office), adding a photo of your favorite place on Earth or getting a small plant.
  5. Go for a walk or a run (or an Orangetheory class). It helps to get outdoors and fresh some fresh air. If I am super stressed I try to go to a class to get rid of that nervous energy.
  6. Remember that you can only do one thing at a time. Set asides blocks of time and focus on the most urgent things on your to-do list. Ask for help when you need it.
  7. Call someone. I recently had an upsetting workday and felt defeated. I decided to call my co-worker to talk about what happened and how I felt. While telling her what was on my mind didn’t change the situation, verbalizing how I felt made me FEEL a thousand times better. I had a clear head to return to work and get through the rest of my day. Call anyone who will listen, and be sure to ask about their day as well.
  8. End your day with a relaxing soak. I use Epsom salt several times a week. I listen to music or watch videos I enjoy. I then practice self-care with simple things like a face mask or painting my nails a new color. 
  9. Make time for whatever makes you happy. Lately I’ve been reading self-development (aka self-help) books like “You Are a Badass” and “Year of Yes.” These have reminded me to really pursue what I love and take steps to make my life what I what it to be. So whatever really moves you, try to incorporate it in your day in whatever way you can: reading about it, writing, knitting, dancing, whatever. 
Do you meditate? What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?

Meditation Playlist:

Related post:

How I Get 10,000 Steps a Day Despite Having a Desk Job

It’s tough to get all my steps in as a work-from-home editor. I have found ways to force myself to walk around more and get some exercise, otherwise my Garmin will yell at me — or vibrate and say “Move!” I don’t always hit the 10,000 step mark, but these little steps go a long way:

  • Take the dogs for an extra walk around the block. I take my dogs one at a time for two reasons: 1. I get even more steps in. 2. They are a little too much for me to handle together.
  • Sweep or vacuum. I have to do this often because, as No. 1 mentions, I have two dogs.
  • When I have a break between tasks, I will walk into another room and do a round of exercises. These can be crunches, handstand practice, jumping jacks, pushups or yoga poses. 
  • Find any reason to take the stairs. Take out the trash, check the mail, whatever.
  • Go for a walk or run during my lunch break. 
  • Eat lunch away from my desk. It’s not much of a walk, but every step counts.
  • Switch up my work space. I walk to a different room or go to Starbucks or another coffee shop to work. Again, every step counts.
  • Run errands or go to yoga at the studio before or after work. I walk whenever I can. 
It seems I have exhausted my ideas for how to take more steps during my workday. How do you get your steps?

New Routine: Working From Home

I’ve wanted to work from home for years now, and I’m finally there.

I quickly learned that I no longer have any incentive to NOT wear yoga pants. I’ve only done my makeup five times since I’ve been in Chicago: to look at apartments, when we had visitors for a day, to meet friends for coffee and to go out to eat with Graham.

My day starts when my alarm goes off at 7 a.m. Most days I dismiss the alarm and go back to sleep, especially if it’s raining. If I have the motivation, I run. Sometimes I have errands to take care of before work, or I may try to go to a yoga class at a studio.

Once my workday starts, I join meetings via conference calls. I usually check in with my manager at least once throughout the day. But before I can do any of this I walk over to Starbucks. I used to balk at spending money there, but my visits have become how I get myself out of the house sometimes. I often show up in yoga pants, boots and whatever jacket is nearest to me; it never matches. I order the usual and walk back to my building.

I try to break up my day by taking the dogs for a run around the neighborhood. This is a new development. If I don’t take them out I’ve found that they’ll end up wrestling, begging for attention or taking too many naps.

If I have any lulls in my workday, I’ll stop to do some yoga, pushups or core work. It’s not usual for me to finish reading a report and then practice handstand against the wall for 10 seconds. It’s also common for me to walk into the kitchen for whatever snacks we have in stock: chips and salsa, mac and cheese, an apple, cheese and crackers, etc.

As the day winds down, I’ll start cooking dinner as I log off my computer. I might rush off to yoga class before taking the dogs out again and then spending time with Graham if he’s home.

Goals for my new work routine:

Work from a coffee shop at least once a week. This doesn’t have to be an entire day; even an hour would do me some good.

Yoga in the studio twice.

Take the dogs for a run at least twice.

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