by | May 9, 2021 | From the Heart |
Some of us have sought solace in our own bubbles of being after more than a year of lockdowns or restriction. As restrictions loosen across the community and our social media feeds are filled with places beginning to reopening, we may start to feel anxious. But, because we have been through so much, it is perfectly natural to feel a range of emotions, from excitement to overwhelm or anxiety. Let’s look at how you can learn to cope with coming out of a pandemic.
Photo by Christian Chen on Unsplash
Take it easy
It’s important to acknowledge that you have options. It is absolutely fine if you are not ready to fill your calendar with social activities. Friends and family should not pressure you into doing more than you are happy with. You might feel overwhelmed at first after being out and about for too long but take it slowly. Try not to concentrate on what others are doing to help you remain calm, and instead focus on yourself.
Talk about how you feel with someone that you trust
Talking to a trusted friend or family member about how you are feeling is a crucial first step in regaining control of your life. It is very likely that they are experiencing the same feelings as you. After all, we have all been through this together and will emerge stronger as a result. Recognize that any doubts or concerns you have are rational.
Consider what advice you would offer a friend who said that they felt this way and treat yourself with the same kindness. If you do not feel comfortable approaching a friend or family member, there are plenty of professional agencies who can lend a helpful and caring ear.
Be organized
It is possible that being in a crowd right now is daunting. Take some time to prepare and create a schedule for returning to work and socializing. Call ahead to find out when bars and restaurants are open to avoid the busiest times of the day. It is also a good idea to inquire about the precautions in place to keep you safe.
Many people, understandably, would be concerned about public transport. Consider how you can reduce your risk factor and increase your sense of security. Bring hand sanitizer with you, wear a mask, and keep your distance from others.
Look after your body and mind
When life becomes busier, it is important to schedule a time to care for your health. Consider what you require right now in order to truly care for yourself and make it a priority. It may be that you need some rest or a quiet moment – whatever it is, make time for it. For many people, now is the time to get that long-overdue haircut, manicure, or sort out your smile with All on 4 Dental Implants. If it makes you feel good, and it is safe to do so, do it!
Keep up to date with news, but know when to switch it off
Make sure you have the most up-to-date knowledge and information from reputable sources. If it starts to feel stressful, limit your news consumption to once a day.
by | May 8, 2021 | Inspirations |
Hi Lovely Beautiful People,
Wow, it’s May, and the irises are starting to bloom. As I sit on the piano bench, looking out the window in my living room and begin to practice, I ponder over memories of my mother. You know I’m not a child prodigy on the piano. I didn’t start playing at age five, nor did I begin performing concerts at age 7. My mother always wanted me to have a piano, not even really knowing if I could actually play or not. She always wanted me to be the best at everything. I don’t know if she secretly wanted to play piano, but the goal was to one day have a piano, and I took hold of that. She attended San Francisco State and studied music for two years. The joy of music rubbed off on me, and I didn’t have a clue.
As I started my sophomore year of college, I decided to take a private course in beginning piano. At this point, I didn’t have a piano of my own, nor had I ever played before. I went to a private Catholic college, and my instructor was a nun whose specialty was classical music. I could only practice at the East Building in the piano study rooms while I was on campus. I didn’t stay in a dorm for a variety of reasons. I would catch the bus with my Dad being my chaperone and come to school early to practice before my 9 am class. I was a very protected and sheltered only child, so you read that correctly. My Dad would ride the bus to me to college before he went to work. Without a piano, I could go through the first semester and perform a recital at the conclusion.
That next semester, my parents purchased me a piano at a great deal, and I still play on that same piano today. I enjoy learning new pieces. Right now, I am taking a course in piano to sharpen those skills. My mother and father always wanted the best for me and would do whatever they could to help me pursue my goals. I’m their only child, and as I shed tears, I love them so much.
Am I a concert pianist? No, but I enjoy playing. Every time I sit down and play, I am humbled and grateful for their love and overflowing generosity. Even after all these years, it has not been easy to share memories of my mother and father. I would not want to go to church because people would say Happy Mothers Day to me, not knowing whether my mother is on earth or actually a mother myself. I have grown to nod when people say Happy Mothers Day and smile, which is really okay. I remember saying to my friends that Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are hard for me to talk about because they are both in heaven. I realize I have to change my mindset because if I don’t talk about the love they had for me, no one will ever know.
I miss my mother, grandmother, and father, but I know they are with the Lord, and they are forever in my heart. My family is not big, but they were family. The treasure of the beautiful times with my parents is fond jewels to hold on to.
Whether you are a mother, a step-mother, an aunt, a father-mother, a fur-mom, an influence, or however you may have positively impacted a child’s life, I say Happy Mothers Day to you! You do not have to conceive a child to be a motherly influence.
by | May 1, 2021 | Fitness |
If you’re focusing on changing your diet as a means of meeting your health goals, then you’re already taking the right approach. A lot of people look at fitness methods first, but diet accounts for 80% of all health regimes. However, it’s still easy to make a few mistakes, especially if you’re relatively new to the world of dieting. Here are a few that you can keep note of, and avoid.
Picture – CC0 License
Having no goals
Any changes you make for a healthier lifestyle should be done with a pinpoint focus. In particular, you should be thinking about what your goal is and ensure you’re making diet changes towards them. For instance, if you’re aiming to lose weight, then calorie restriction should be a key part of it. However, if you’re trying to address some deficiencies, then you should do your research on where to get the nutrients you need and incorporate those foods into your diet.
Cooking everyday
Whole food meals are, undeniably, going to help you when it comes to reaching your nutritional goals. However, cooking healthy meals from scratch every day can be tiring and there are going to be days that you would wish you could take a shortcut. Make those shortcuts easier on yourself by preparing some healthy meals in advance. Apps like Noom Meal Prep can help you find meals that are easy to put together in advance while still sticking to your health goals.
Not keeping track
Of course, you want to make sure that all of the foods that you eat are not only helping you stick to calorie goals, but are also providing the nutrients that you need. To that end, you can use tools like the MyFitnessPal Diet Tracking app that can look at your overall diet, letting you know what you might need a little more of and what you can cut back on from week to week.
Not fueling your exercises
If you’re working out at the same time that you’re dieting, you should make sure both of them are compatible. Restricting your calories a lot while you’re also doing strength training is not a great idea, however. You can easily supplement your controlled diet with additions like Muscle Nation Custard. You want to make sure you’re giving yourself enough calories, especially in proteins and fats, to allow your body to meet its workout goals.
Allowing yourself snacks
One of the worst habits that you can allow yourself to keep falling into is that of snacking. You should ensure that you’re only eating the meals that you have planned throughout the day. You can start by making sure you only have healthy snacks available in the home, but slowly you should start to phase even those out of your diet. The quicker you get out of bad eating habits, the sooner you can manage full control over your diet.
With the tips above, you can make sure that you’re avoiding some of the most common and easy pitfalls while building a healthy diet.
by | Apr 24, 2021 | Giveaway |
Hello, Elegant Readers
I’m not sure about you, but for me, Spring Cleaning is a real thing in my house. As the days begin to get warmer, I look around my house for projects that I put off during the winter season. From preparing the backyard for the flowers and vegetables we anticipate planting to cleaning out the closets and getting rid of unneeded clothing, I look forward to a fresh start with the changing of the seasons. May times you can have an article of clothing in the closet or a decorative piece on your wall for so long that you don’t even realize that you still have it. If that is the case, it may be time to gift it to someone else and bring in something new. Maybe a new painting for your bedroom or a serving tray on your kitchen table. A new item will breathe new life into a room that needs a refresh. It’s giveaway time at Katherines Corner, and I’m co-hosting for your chance to win a tiered tray that can be used in the dining room, the bathroom, or in your walk-in closet.
tiered tray giveaway with JT
Please remember to subscribe and follow Katherine and all her hostesses so you can earn all of your entry opportunities.
Katherine — Katherines Corner
Lisa — Casa Bouquet
Diane — Mamal Diane
Karren — Oh My Heartsie Girl
JT — Bubbling with Elegance and Grace
Laura — Everyday Edits
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by | Apr 20, 2021 | Lifestyle |
Minimalism is a concept that has become more popular in many aspects of life, including home décor. Not only does it keep your home organized and more inviting, but it also improves your mood and well-being. According to psychology professor Tim Kasser, minimalist homes can increase your satisfaction levels, reduce stress and enhance your mental health. Besides, it has proven helpful in combating conditions such as anxiety and schizophrenia. Perhaps you’re considering this option for your next home make-over. You can follow these tips as a guide.
Image Credit
Invest in multifunctional furniture
Multifunctional furniture items are ideal for perfecting the minimalist look in your home. Aside from their original purpose, you can use them for other functions such as storage. They also reduce clutter and maximize your home space. For instance, you can opt for a bed with additional storage space to keep your books and other items. You can also buy shelves that convert to tables or the murphy sofa. Thanks to convenient payment options such as international money transfers, you can buy these furniture items from any part of the world. There’s a wide variety to choose from, and you can purchase those that appeal to your taste.
Create a focal point
While a minimalist home design promotes baring down to the essentials, it doesn’t mean you can’t beautify your walls with art. However, it’s vital to reduce the number of art pieces in your home as it can create clutter and defeat the purpose of minimalism. It will help if you see art as a focal point that draws attention to your home. You can get a large art canvas or a small picture in a simple black frame. You can also choose a section of your wall with a vibrant color to serve as the focal point for your space.
Let nature into your home
Plants clean and beautify your home. They also come with health benefits such as reducing stress and anxiety levels. However, you need to know the plants to incorporate to produce the minimalistic feel you desire. You can opt for rubber plants, the chain of hearts, the dragon tree, and the weeping fig for a simple yet classy feel. You may want to avoid flowering plants as they can appear fuzzy and make your space feel crowded.
Embrace natural lighting
Lighting is a vital component of the minimalistic design. It can enhance your mood and create a welcoming space for your guests. Letting the sunlight in opens up your home space and makes it appear more prominent. You can leave your windows bare or use blinds or light curtains if you feel uncomfortable with open windows. You could even hire a custom window installer to help you optimize the natural light. Alternatively, you can also use artificial lighting or mirrors in rooms without access to sunlight.
Use neutral colors
Neutral colors can make your room brighter and more spacious, especially when combined with natural lighting. Additionally, they give your home a relaxed and elegant feel. You can choose colors such as white or beige. Fortunately, they come in different undertones; white comes in bluish and peachy shades, while beige has pink or gold hues. You can incorporate these into your home for a relaxing effect.
The minimalist home décor is excellent for creating space and comfort. Hopefully, these will guide you as you create the perfect look for your home.
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