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Christmas Light Shows Add Hygge | Simplify Christmas
Christmas is almost here and, as a busy mom, you will be feeling exhausted at the end of your day. It’s easy to use your exhaustion as an excuse to stay home. How about adding some hygge to the season? Break up the normal routine and take the family to see a Christmas light show. Simplify Christmas and plan a night out. Christmas light shows add hygge to your Christmas season. I’ve been working long hours lately and have developed a comfortable evening routine of self-care. I delve into a “fun” book and whisk away to another world (#1 stress-busting hack). This was perfectly comfortable for me but I had noticed…
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Health Benefits of Pajama Days | Slowing Life Down
It’s that time of year where pajamas are a hot purchase in the stores. We often schedule pajama days for the family, when there is an opportunity to say no to other non-important events. I knew that spending this time with the family was important but I didn’t realize the health benefits of pajama days until recently. I recently discovered a podcast episode, Inspired Conversations with Amy Schuber – Episode 433 (Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith), that truly blew my mind. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith explained that there were 7 types of rest that we may need to create balance. I was shocked to learn that this form of self-care was defined into specific categories.…
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Big Life Journal | Teaching Teens Valuable Life Skills
As a mom and productivity expert, I was honored to complete a Big Life Journal review for their Teen Edition. I had discovered this journal through social media and was intrigued enough to reach out to the company. As a productivity expert, I often talk about setting life goals for adults and provide some parenting advice on my website. I’m also a mom that coaches her own kids in goal setting and growth mindset. When I received my copy of Big Life Journal – Teen Edition I was pleasantly surprised with the life skills this journal teaches teens. This post may include affiliate links. I only recommend products that I love.…
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Simplify Christmas Baking | Simplify Christmas
As a busy working mom, time is precious but so are Christmas traditions. That is why we shortened the list to simplify Christmas baking this year. The budget for Christmas is tight this year and my health journey doesn’t need a freezer full of temptations either. So we sat down as a family and we made a must-have list. Thankfully the list was relatively short and we were able to stay within budget. Our Christmas Baking List The family requested our traditional nuts and bolts. This isn’t your normal Christmas baking but we only make them during the holidays so they have become a savory treat for our family.…
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Self-Care During The Christmas Hustle | Simplifying Christmas
It’s a busy time of year with Christmas preparation in full swing. All of the hustle and bustle of the season makes for a very tired mom. When trying to find ways to simplify Christmas so I could enjoy this time of year with my family, I had to make time for some self-care. There are a few favorite items that are essential for my self-care but how does one relax enough to enjoy self-care when “all the things” keep floating around in that busy mom brain? This post may include affiliate links. I only recommend products that I love. All opinions are genuine. Any purchases made don’t cost you any…
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Winter Fun For The Family | Simplifying Christmas
In all the hustle and bustle of the holiday preparations, it can be hard to slow life down to actually enjoy Christmas. As busy moms, we get sucked into trying to create the perfect Christmas and we often lose sight at what matters most. Making time in the schedule to add winter fun for the family is one of the best ways to slow life down and simplify Christmas. This morning I found myself talking with my daughter about her stress levels. We often forget how overwhelming teens can feel during this time of year. It’s not just the back-to-school time that is overwhelming. Her mind had been whirling with “all…
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Simple Christmas Eve Traditions | Simplifying Christmas
Our simple Christmas Eve traditions are stress-free and fun for everyone. We focused our Christmas Eve traditions around spending time with the family. It is just us and the kids most years and everyone looks forward to this night more than any other night of the year. As busy parents, trucking kids around most nights and weekends too, we chose to make Christmas Eve very low key and simple. The last thing I wanted to do was hope in the car to go somewhere fancy. Both my husband and I were generally working that day so cooking a huge dinner (unless it was the Coca-Cola Roast Beef), a big fancy meal…
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Give the Gift of Self-Care | Simple DIY Gift Idea
I’m a huge advocate of self-care because I neglected it for many many years until I realized how bad I was treating myself. Now I frequently use self-care as my nightly or morning routines to help balance life and take care of my mental health. Whether you are creating your own self-care emergency kit or want to give the gift of self-care for someone special, here are some great ideas that will help you kick-start your self-care journey. Remember to keep it simple and enjoy creating this gift for your loved one. Think about the person you are gifting it to and try to find those simple touches that make…
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Decorating The Tree With Memories | Simple Christmas Traditions
It’s the holiday busy season and I used to love and hate it at the same time. I hated the busy expectations of Christmas but loved the moments we could slow life down and enjoy life. One of our favorite simple Christmas traditions is decorating the tree with memories. For me, decorating the tree helps kick start my “holiday spirit”. My brain seems to use the tree as a way to organize my internal Christmas checklist of “all the things” that need to get done. When I have the tree up I can then start to prepare mentally for the extra busy season ahead. I’m feeling a bit weird to…
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How to Simplify Christmas | Creating Memories Instead
I used to stress about Christmas and spend more time planning and preparing for it rather than enjoying the holiday. Learning how to simplify Christmas and spend time creating memories instead was the best decision I could have made. Years ago my Christmas preparations used to include a long list of things to do. After all, the perfect Mom does the holiday decor, baking, annual Christmas letters, cards to make and send out, the family Christmas photo, shopping for everyone, and planning the meal. Oh and don’t forget to plan a get-together for family and friends. It was endless stress. Add this to work obligations, Christmas concerts, and kid activities…
