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what have I been doing?

College move-in day

Wow. I look at my Facebook group and blog and realize I’ve been quite the slacker lately. What’s going on? Well let me tell you…

Life’s been going on. My oldest went off to college a few weeks ago, and though you might think that would free up more time for me (it technically has) I’ve also been having a hard time sitting still with my feelings or sitting still at all. The realization that my children are leaving the nest and my role as their mother is changing is throwing me for a loop. I’m not quite sure I’m ready for this. What does it mean for the rest of my life? Instead of thinking about that, I’ve been keeping quite busy-- cleaning the house, cleaning out closets, painting her room, planning band events, and planning an Alaska cruise. All things that need to be done eventually, but also things that can be parceled out after I’ve done the things that are really a priority to me, like writing and coaching—and maybe a little introspection.

room makeover

I’ve also been baking a lot. For many of us, food equals feelings of love. I’ve always tried to reduce the amount of sugar we eat in our house, but lately I’ve been finding myself making cookies, brownies, and other treats for my daughter and her roommates. Maybe I’m trying to show my love and be the “cool mom” who always brings cookies. Maybe I just want to connect with her. Either way, it was a little eye-opening to me this week when I asked her if they had eaten all their brownies yet and she told me they hadn’t even finished all the cookies, let alone the brownies! Who have I become? This isn’t what I preach! It’s certainly the way I grew up, though, (most of us did!) and subconsciously I think I do it quite often.

Band season has also started, and my sleep schedule is a mess. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with high school marching band, it consists of daily 5:30 morning practices, late nights on Tuesdays, and almost every Friday and Saturday night performances until Thanksgiving comes around. It also means planning for fundraising events, concerts, an invitational that we host, and celebratory events at the end of the season. I love every minute of it, but it is exhausting. I’m a morning person and enjoy the chance to get up and walk my daughter to band and then around the neighborhood before the rest of my day starts, but there are many days when I come home from work and have to sleep on the couch for an hour before I can accomplish anything else.

If I don’t sleep, then I start looking around for sugary treats to boost my energy, I stop lifting weights in the evening, and I find myself scrolling Instagram for funny cat reels—no focus, whatsoever.

It’s time for a reset among the chaos. Our schedules are ever-changing, but there are always anchors to keep us grounded. Here’s the deal: sleep, exercise, and a focus on whole foods and protein are non-negotiable. (No more baking!) So is my weekly yoga class, date nights with my husband, and connection with my friends. Journaling helps, and so does meditation, haircuts, pedicures, and massages. 😊

Sometimes just looking at our schedules and realizing where the ebbs and flows of our energy fall is life changing. Since I'm forced to get out of bed early, I use that time to exercise. I’ve decided that instead of fighting the fatigue every afternoon, I will give myself an hour of downtime and remember that after dinner I will have a second wind to work on other projects. Take control of your plan instead of letting it fall apart because you tried to plow ahead with whatever you might have done before. Look at your priorities and prep for those first. We can do amazing things, but we can't do everything.

So that's my rambling rendition of the last few weeks, friends. I hope you're finding peace and calm within the chaos of your own lives. And if you need help figuring it all out, give me a call. :)

My beautiful band kid


If you'd like to talk to me about creating a wellness and nutrition plan that works for you, I've got you!  I'm a certified Nutrition Coach who will create a simple, customized meal plan for you and coach you through how to implement it into your busy life.  We also talk about all the pitfalls that make it hard, and help you make it the anchor that keeps you healthy, energized, and sane through the whirlwind of your everyday life.

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