Personal Growth

February 2018: Goals Review & Things I Loved

Another month bites the dust. Our month was filled with Super Bowl watching, Valentine’s Day celebrating, lots of baby preparation and goal crushing.

Even though we’ve barely started the year, I have been impressed with how much easier it has been to make huge progress on my goals simply by breaking them down into 10-15 minute tasks. (If you want to read more about how to do that, check out this post about how to shatter your goals.)

Without further ado, here’s how I’m progressing on my first half of 2018 goals.

My 1st Half 2018 Goal Progress

Simplify home management.
My biggest meal planning victory this month has been making Francesca’s meals and snacks in advance. I made 4-5 meal options and 5-6 snack options and put them all in one of my produce drawers that are on the bottom of the fridge. She can open the fridge and pick out what she wants herself. It has been a huge sanity saver since she usually gets hungry before we do, and I was always in a rush to get something made for her. On the cleaning front, we are trying out our newest purchase- the ILIFE A4s robot vacuum. I want to use it for a little while before letting you know what I think, so expect an update next month.
Spend more time making memories with my family.
We celebrated the Super Bowl together at home with lots of man food, like sliders, sausage balls and a cheese tray. I knew my hubby would really appreciate that.

And we always celebrate Valentine’s Day at home because the restaurants are crazy, but we all 3 enjoyed playing with our gifts. Then on the weekend, Francesca went to a church for a parent’s night out, while we went out to eat alone.

We also went to the Shrine Circus a couple of weeks ago. Francesca loved the trapeze, and we were amazed by the motorcyclists. Very impressive that no one was decapitated.

Prepare for new baby’s arrival.
Well, everything is as ready as it can be, which is good since baby Julia is coming this month. All the clothes are washed, the Moses basket and swing are ready and the car seat is installed. The checklist is complete, although I doubt we’ll ever be ready for the crazy that is a newborn and a toddler.
Make quality time with Jesus a part of my morning routine.
I have kept up with my 1 and 2 Kings First 5 study and am looking forward to the next study that starts on March 12. It will cover Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah. If you’d like to join me, you can get the Prone to Wander experience guide here.This has been such a game changer for me that I’m making it one of my top 3 to-dos after baby arrives. If I can get sleep, prayer & study time and exercise done, I will have won the day.
Prioritize quality time with my husband.
I already mentioned that we were able to go out for dinner while Francesca went to parents night out. Going to dinner is a perfect occasion for us to be able to really talk without the distraction of an activity. The past couple of dates we’ve enjoyed talking through a few of those “would you rather” questions as we eat.
Spend more time with my daughter doing things she enjoys.It is really difficult for me to do active things with her at this point, but I’m still trying to make an effort. We had a playdate, visited the Children’s Museum and went to the park.
Eliminate or reduce time wasters to spend more time on goals.
A friend recently recommended unroll.me, which shows you all of your email subscriptions. Even having already cleaned out my inbox, I still had 54 subscriptions. They show you a list and give you options for each one to unsubscribe, keep in the inbox or put in a daily digest.The other tactic I’ve been using successfully this month is focusing on the day’s top 3 tasks before looking at emails or checking Facebook.

Things I Loved in February

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub
After noticing that my skin looked dry and wintery, I picked up this body scrub at Ulta. It is easy to use in the shower and leaves my skin feeling super soft. Now, if only it wasn’t blindingly white. 🙂
An Hour Behind on Amazon Prime
If you are an Amazon Prime member, check out this cute movie featuring Barry Watson from 7th Heaven.
Strawberry Kiwi Breeze from Smoothie King
We seldom visit a smoothie bar but decided on a whim to stop at a Smoothie King that recently opened near us. My hubby got this drink, and I was super jealous since it turned out to be so much better than the one I chose. Now I’m on a mission to recreate it at home.
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
I struck out on several of the books I read in February, but I did enjoy this one. If you are a fan of Jane Austen or just like an easy read every now and then, check out this book.
Jeff Foxworthy Interview on The Tonight Show
One day when I woke up in a funk, I did a bit of YouTube browsing and found a video of Jeff Foxworthy talking about his kidney stone. Hysterical and completely turned my day around.
Christy Wright on Instagram
I am a huge fan of Instagram, especially Instagram Stories. I don’t follow hardly anyone I really know, but I use it to follow influencers and authors I like. One of my favorite people on there is Christy Wright, creator of Business Boutique and one of the Dave Ramsey personalities. She posts a lot of her normal life on Instagram Stories. It has been so funny this month to watch her pet shenanigans. There was the saga of her son’s dead fish and her recent flight to Minnesota to pick up the cutest dog ever. (The Facebook Live videos she’s been recording lately are great too if you are a gal who has or would like to start a business.)

Thanks for helping keep me accountable for making progress on my goals again this month. I’d love to hear how your goals are going too. Feel free to email me at defeatingbusy@gmail.com and let me know.

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Need to LOL? Start here.

Some days you just need to laugh.

Like on those days you wake up in a funk? As in, a bad mood for absolutely no reason.

Or maybe you are in a bad mood for a perfectly good reason- an unexpected bill came in the mail, you kid got the flu for the second time, you got a speeding ticket or you and your hubby got into an argument.

I’ve found that letting myself wallow in a bad mood is never helpful. If I do that, my mood and my day just continue to get worse.

Instead, turn your mood around by having a good laugh.

“Laughter is the best medicine” is a cliche for a reason.

So where’s a girl to go when she needs a laugh?

Well, here are 8 places to go for a little LOL break.

Eight Ways to Take a LOL Break

Tune into Laugh USA on SiriusXM.
This is my hubby’s favorite. He listens to clips from a variety of comedians on his way to and from work. And unlike many comedy stations, this one is family friendly.
Browse People of Walmart.
If you want to see photos that are equally funny and horrifying, People of Walmart is for you. In addition to the site, you can also search for People of Walmart on Pinterest.
Watch your favorite comedy show.
I know that I am always guaranteed to laugh when I watch an episode of Parks & Recreation, Reba or American Housewife. Friends and The Office are also popular choices among my friends.
Watch clips from your favorite late night talk show or funny daytime host.
You can’t beat late night favorites like Jimmy Fallon or Jimmy Kimmel and daytime hosts like Ellen or Steve Harvey. To get you started, here is a great hashtag segment from The Tonight Show about mom quotes and this classic video of Kristen Bell talking about her sloth obsession on The Ellen Show.
YouTube your favorite comedian.
Let’s face it; YouTube is awesome for this type of thing. You can’t go wrong with watching the three Js: Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan and Jeff Foxworthy.
Go old school and read the comic strips.
Remember those days of snatching your parent’s newspaper so you could get to the comics? Well, guess what? Some of your favorites may still be running and can be found at GoComics.
Search Pinterest for humor.
There is an entire category on Pinterest called Humor that features funny memes, e-cards and puns. One of my tricks to get a laugh is to keep a Pinterest board for things that make me smile or laugh. It’s a great place to go when I need a pick-me-up.
Play a game with friends.
If you are having a particularly hard week, invite friends over and break out a board game that will guarantee laughs like Charades, Speak Out, Pictionary, Apples to Apples or Taboo.

Even if these ideas don’t work for you, make sure you know exactly where to go when you need a laugh. Even the Mayo Clinic agrees that laughter has a ton of benefits, including relieving your stress.

And what gal over the age of 13 doesn’t have stress in her life?

Where do you go when you need a laugh? I’d love to hear your ideas so I can share them with others on the Defeating Busy Facebook page.

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5 Great Devotionals for Short Quiet Times

Don’t you wish you had more time to read a devotional and pray? It would be great to have an hour each day to study our Bibles and talk to God.

But let’s face it. There are times in life when you don’t have time for that. Like when you have a baby, you have a job with early hours, you have young kids at home or you are out of town and off your normal routine.

These are times when you need a different plan.

You need a 15-minute devotional time that still lets you study the Word and spend quality time with God in prayer.

That’s where these devotionals come in.

I have used all five of these and like that they are all scripture-based and dig deeper into the passage to help you apply it to your life.

Five Short, but Effective Daily Devotionals

Jesus Calling and other books by Sarah Young
If you’ve never read Jesus Calling, this is the format: There are a couple of paragraphs that are written as if Jesus is speaking directly to you. Then, at the bottom of the page, it sites the scriptures they based the devotional on. The pages are dated, and you just read one short page each day.
First 5 App
This app was created by Proverbs 31 Ministries and is the devotional I am currently using. It is based on an in-depth study of a book of the Bible. Each day focuses on one chapter, and they write a short devotional that helps you apply something from that chapter. If you want more, you can also order a digital or print experience guide (workbook) that gives you questions to answer about each chapter. I am getting so much from my devotional time going through the current study of 1 and 2 Kings.
Youversion Bible App
This is one of the most popular Bible apps out there; in fact, if you have a Bible app on your phone, this is likely it. They also offer tons of reading plans– everything from topical plans, to books of the Bible to plans that correspond to popular Christian books and movies. Plus, there plans from authors you wouldn’t expect like John Maxwell, Rachel Cruze and Mandisa. You can also set a reminder for a certain time each day to help you remember to read your devotional.
In Touch Daily Devotions
These daily devotions are written by Charles Stanley, father of author and pastor, Andy Stanley. You may have seen Charles Stanley’s broadcasts on TV. Although I do not watch him on TV, his devotions are solid. There is a short passage of scripture to read, plus a devo to go with it. You also have the option of listening to it via an attached audio clip. If you are a paper person, you can sign-up to receive a free print version via mail.
Rick Warren’s Daily Hope Devotional
Remember that super popular book from the early 2000s- The Purpose-Driven Life? The author is Rick Warren and he also offers a daily devotional. This one also focuses on a passage from the Bible with a short devotional and has the ability to listen to an audio version. What’s different about this one is that there are a couple of questions at the end to help you dig deeper in applying what you read to your life.

So, aside from reading a devotional, what does my devotional time look like?

First, I find a quiet time and place, which is usually first thing in the morning when my daughter is asleep and my hubby is either asleep or at the gym.
I start with a short prayer to help me focus my thoughts and ask God to open my heart and mind to whatever He wants to show me.
Then I read the scripture and answer the questions in my study workbook.
I end my time by writing in this prayer journal, which gives me space to write what I learned about the passage and prayers for the day.

Everyone’s quiet time with God looks a little different. And that’s okay.

It doesn’t matter how long it is or what you read.

And it’s not about checking it off the list.

The whole point is that you can’t have a good relationship/friendship with someone you don’t spend time with.

Setting aside time to read our Bibles and pray allows us to do that.

Know him better. Hear from Him. Talk to Him. Be changed by Him.

There is no better use of your time if you are a Christian.

P.S. If this post was helpful to you, sign up for my weekly email newsletter here and make sure you don’t miss anything I post on the blog. You’ll also receive my free guide on 25 ways to re-claim your time, so you’ll have more margin to do important things like have a devotional time.

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Hygge: Why You Need It in Your Life

Have you ever heard of the term “hygge?”

For many years, the Danes have been named the happiest people in the world. In fact, several of the countries in northern Europe stay at the top of the happiness list.

Why?

According to many, including this article, hygge is one of the reasons.

So what on earth is hygge, and why should you care?

If you’ve heard of hygge, it probably came with advice to spend more time cuddled up with a cozy blanket in a candlelit room. But to the Danish, it’s more than that.

Hygge is a philosophy; a way of life built around simplicity, time to unwind and slowing down the pace of life.

And simplicity is what this blog is all about.

So how can we take a note from the Danes and incorporate hygge into our lives? Here are 5 things you can do in 5 minutes to unwind and slow down.

Sit in the silence.
If you are like me, silence is a long-lost friend. Even if I can manage to quiet my surroundings, my thoughts are usually loud. But there is nothing more peaceful than a few minutes of complete quiet.
Get outside.
Take a short walk outside or just step out into your backyard and soak up the sun for a few minutes. Connecting with nature is good for your body and mind.
Put your phone on airplane mode.
I find that Sundays are a great day to do this. Spend the distraction-free time doing something like playing games with your family, reading a book or taking a nap.
Play relaxing music.
Create a playlist of songs that relaxes you. Mine is a Pandora station filled with soundtrack music. It immediately soothes me, especially when I have had a stressful day.
Be still.
Women are fantastic at completing things and multitasking. It is so hard to turn that off. That’s why we’re starting with just 5 minutes. Stop moving. Stop thinking about your to-do list. Sit down, close your eyes and just be present.

Are you wondering how you’ll find a good time for hygge activities in the middle of your busy, loud life?

Here are three times that it may be easier for you to find quiet:

Before everyone else is awake or after everyone is in bed.
On the weekend, especially Sunday, which is typically slower paced than other days of the week.
In your car, when you are alone. You may be waiting on your kids or just arrive somewhere a couple of minutes early and can make time to unwind.

What do you think about hygge and how differently other cultures live compared to Americans?

I traveled to Europe with my husband on a work trip once and could see a huge difference in their speed of life. They lingered over meals and over conversations.

Something we could definitely benefit from doing.

P.S. If you are a Christian and would like to read how the Bible supports hygge, check out this blog post by Moms Have More Fun.

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9 Ways to Boost Your Energy

If there’s anything working gals, wives and moms want more of at the end of the day, it’s energy.

I have seriously gotten up some days and been tired by 10 a.m. Not acceptable.

But there are a few things I’ve discovered the past couple of years that help me boost my energy level when it is low.

Exercise
This is one of those things I make myself do even when I don’t feel like it. I know that I always feel more alert and happier after as little as 20 minutes of movement.
Get out in the sunshine.
When I feel sluggish or a little blue, it is really helpful to get outside. I’ve found that even a 15-minute walk around the neighborhood makes a huge difference in my attitude and energy.
Sneak in a power nap.
This one is a bit harder to make time for, but many studies have shown that a short nap of 20 to 30 minutes has a huge impact. And if you’re someone who has trouble falling asleep that quickly, even lying down and closing your eyes for that long has benefits.
Drink more water.
Sometimes slight dehydration feels like tiredness. Make sure you are getting in those 8 glasses of water a day to avoid feeling draggy.
Eat less sugar.
This is by far the hardest one for me. But eating sugary foods causes your blood sugar to rise and when it goes down again, you just feel tired and crave more sugar. Sound familiar? The only way to stop blood sugar-related sluggishness is to cut back on the sugar.
Improve your sleep.
When it comes to sleep, it’s not just about getting enough (7 hours minimum). It’s about the quality of your sleep as well. If you toss and turn or wake up several times at night, you wake up feeling exhausted. You can improve the quality of your sleep by keeping your bedroom cool, blocking out all light, using a sound machine and/or avoiding screens before bed.
Lower your stress level.
It’s really easy to feel tired when worries and stresses are weighing you down. If this is a regular struggle for you, make it a priority to carve out time for prayer or meditation to help better manage your stress.
Eat smaller meals more frequently.
Ever had a big lunch and wanted to spend the afternoon napping it off? Or feel like Thanksgiving dinner should come with mandatory naptime? That is proof that you are better off eating small meals more frequently than eating large meals that leave you dragging. Some people swear by eating every three hours, but experiment to find what works best for your body.
Make time for a dance break.
Keep a playlist of your favorite, energizing songs to play when you need a pick-me-up. It may sound weird, but cranking up the music, singing aloud and dancing will wake up your body and spirit. My favorite feel-good song currently: this one by Carrie Underwood and Ludacris.

Start with the habits that seem easier to you. Save the ones that require more discipline for later.

And unfortunately, some of these will require you discipline yourself to do them even when you don’t feel like it. And discipline isn’t always fun.

But isn’t feeling better and having enough energy to live your life well worth it?

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January 2018: Recap and Things I Loved

Maybe I’m just nosy, but I love reading recap and recommendation posts from my favorite bloggers.

Plus, doing a recap post each month helps keep me accountable for meeting my goals.

So, at the end of each month, I’ll write a post to review my progress toward my goals and share a few things that I tried that month and loved.

My 1st Half 2018 Goal Progress

Simplify home management.
Though I’m still struggling a bit to get a good plan for lunch, planning my meals once for the whole month (using themed dinner nights) was a huge help. I also decluttered quite a bit in December and at the beginning of this month, which has sped up my cleaning routine considerably.
Spend more time making memories with my family.
I didn’t make a lot of progress on this in January, but I’m going to make this a bigger priority in February.
Prepare for new baby’s arrival.
I knocked a few easy things out this month like making a few freezer meals, pre-registering at the hospital and washing all the baby clothes and accessories. I plan to really hit this one hard in February as well.
Make quality time with Jesus a part of my morning routine.
I am doing a study on 1 and 2 Kings through First 5 and am getting so much out of it. I have been working through the study after my workout on weekday mornings. Weekends feel more challenging and less structured, so that’s an area I can improve in the next couple of months.
Prioritize quality time with my husband.
We did squeeze a date night in at the end of the month when my parents came to visit, but I still want to work more on connecting, especially before our little one comes and things get really crazy.
Spend more time with my daughter doing things she enjoys.
This goal has actually been going well. We joined the local children’s museum at the beginning of the month and have been there twice. She loves getting out and doing activities, so I have made sure to take her somewhere to play one day per week.
Eliminate or reduce time wasters to spend more time on goals.
I have found more time by unsubscribing from emails, only checking emails when I set aside time to respond and batching errands and phone calls. Spending less time on Facebook is still a challenge, as well as deciding how I can still be productive when my brain needs a break.

Things I Loved in January

For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn
This book about what women need to know about the inner lives of men was a quick and easy read and opened my eyes to a few things I’d never considered. Check out my Facebook video recapping what I learned.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
I read this book after Money Saving Mom recommended it. Though it is fiction, it helped me to better understand the life of a paraplegic and what would make someone consider assisted suicide.
Milestone Birthday Gift
My mom celebrated a milestone birthday this month, and I stole this idea from Pinterest to put together a basket of gifts related to things that happened the year she was born.
Dr. Jart Black Label Beauty Balm
This is technically the second time I’ve purchased this BB cream, but I am a huge fan. It is good for all skin tones, is very moisturizing on my dry, winter skin and covers my skin’s imperfections without feeling heavy.
Prayer Journal
I have been using this prayer journal as a way to write brief thoughts from my Bible study, a couple of prayer requests and things I am grateful for that day. So far, I love using it, especially since I prefer a paper journal to jumping on my computer immediately in the mornings.
The Happy Planner
I started out the year with The Day Designer, but the page-a-day format wasn’t working for me, so I switched to the Happy Planner. It has been so fun to be crafty for five minutes each Sunday night adding stickers and stamps to the layout for the coming week.
Geostorm
We watched this movie recently, and my hubby and I both enjoyed it. If you like a good action movie and aren’t bothered by unrealistic plots, add this to your watch list.
The Champion by Carrie Underwood & Ludacris
I know what you’re thinking. Who would put these two together on a song? But trust me it works. They recorded a song to promote the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics.
I Will Be Confident by Steven Furtick
Check out this video Steven Furtick and the peeps at Elevation Church put out if you need a kick in the pants to go after something God is calling you to do. Epic.
BLT Flatbreads by Emily Bites
It has been a long time since I’ve tried a new recipe that I absolutely loved, but these BLT flatbreads hit the spot. These were great for lunch but are an option for a light dinner too. Just a note: they are low calorie and Weight Watchers friendly, but they are not dairy or gluten free.

Thanks for joining me for this recap post.

I encourage you to review your goals at the end of each month as well.

When we stop to evaluate our progress, it motivates us to keep going and gives us the chance to celebrate how far we’ve come.

Here’s to an epic year!

And if you enjoyed the section about things I loved this month, sign up for my email newsletter. Each week, I always share something from the week that I am loving- whether it’s something I’m watching, listening to, reading or making.

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