resolutions and such

our chalkboard for the new year 

Goal setting is one of my favorite things to do. I love this time of year and try my best to take advantage of the new year enthusiasm to simplify, organize, and make room in my life for better, healthier habits.

This year my goals all revolve around a central theme: stress relief. Fall was a draining season. Work was tough, and I spent a lot of time anxious and unsettled. I picked up a lot of unhealthy habits (like copious amounts of television in the evenings) in an attempt to decompress, which didn't help one single bit. Shocking, right?

I decided that this new season would be different, and I've chosen goals that will hopefully be simple, healthy, and stress relieving. Here is what I've committed to:

• Taking my work email off of my phone. Such a handy tool...so anxiety provoking. No more Friday evening emails to stress over for the next 3 days. I'll only be answering (and looking at) work-related emails during work hours.
• Walking/running at least 10,000 steps a day. I feel so much better when I'm active. I've put a reward system in place (like a new pair of lululemon pants!!!) for each month that I get my 10,000 steps every day. Hopefully this will encourage me to push through the early months when habits are still forming. 
• Clean eating 80% of the time. Like exercise, I just feel better when I eat well.  "Clean eating" can be so vague, and honestly, I'm still trying to figure out what it means for my life. Where I think we are headed is non-processed, organic foods that nourish. Lots of vegetables and lean meats. Foods that are high in fiber and protein. No added sugars. Smaller amounts of dairy. My thoughts on clean eating are still changing and forming...and so what this looks like for our family may very well morph in time.
• Unplugging at least 30 minutes before bed. I love my social media, but sometimes it just stresses me out. Nobody needs that right before sleep. That time is much better spent reading, preparing for the next day, or catching up with the mister. 

So there you have it! My goals. I'm sticking to them so far! We've been eating well, exercising most days, and moving all days. I took work email off of my phone on the 1st, and I instantly felt lighter. It's been so nice. Unplugging at night as been difficult, but I'm confident it will get easier with time.

We start back to work on Monday and I feel more peace about going back than I have in a long time. I think that's a good start. :]

7 things

You know what makes for a pretty great Monday? Let's make a list. 

1. we bought a zoo movie night

2. a short (THREE day) work week. yay for conferences!

3. marking things off my to do list

5. copious amount of tea

6. fall scented...everything

and last but not least...

7. late afternoon snuggles with this lady ^^

seven days into october and it's been glorious thus far. huzzah!

list love: back to school...er...work.

I'm in the market for a new office chair after a cat took its claws to the arms of mine...this one would make me happy every time I sat down. / My water bottle is attached to my hip while I'm visiting campuses. Cheers to staying hydrated! / A happy print brightens any work day spent in front of a computer. I'm thinking I need to add this one to my collection this year. Maybe in a bright, cheerful frame. / A large work tote is a much for carrying files, snacks, and electronics around to campus meetings. I love how structured this one is! /  My Erin Condren Day Planner is --hands down-- my most favorite work item. It's my birthday present to myself every year, and I couldn't stay organized without it. I can not recommend this handy little book enough. 

making the mornings count

photo source: unknown. Please let me know if you come across the source and I'll link up!

Can you feel the summer starting to wind down? Three days left in July....two and a half weeks before I head back to work....crowded back-to-school isles in the stores...Yikes.

We are definitely feeling it over here, and while I am not even the tiniest bit excited about going back to work (those first few weeks back are always a little stressful), my body is starting to crave the routine that August brings. Our summers tend to be full of traveling, late nights, and a general disregard for schedules. Now that the boy and I have returned from our last road trip of the season, I'm feeling the itch to settle into a routine and start preparing for another school year.

On one of our trips this summer I read the book, What Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast. It's a really quick read (only 32 pages!), and I really enjoyed the brief glimpses into the morning disciplines of other busy professionals it provided. It got me thinking about what I could accomplish with an extra hour or two in the mornings and how those activities could shape and change my perceptions and attitudes during the rest of the day. 

So! I've decided to make a list. Because I love lists about as much as I love a good routine. This is my list of things that will help me be more successful, organized, and sane before the cooler weather moves in. 

• Over the next 5 weeks I will take my current morning start time from 7:30-ish to 5:00am. Each week I will move my morning alarm back an additional 30 minutes, leaving time for exercise, devotionals, and real breakfast. This week is 7:00am!
• Regular exercise will become...regular. Why is this one so hard? I feel so much better when I'm active and I'm much more pleasant. I've learned that afternoon exercise is a hit and miss thing for me. My work schedule can sometimes change rapidly, making it hard to plan for exercise. I'm often so drained when I get home that all I want to do is watch 30 minutes of something funny with a glass of wine...and there's really no coming back from that. Morning exercise is really my best shot at creating a habit, which is my goal. I'm currently working through a 10K training app, which I'm really enjoying. It keeps things easy (no equipment, no videos), making it a lot harder to come up with an excuse not to get moving. 
• Regular morning quiet times. Is there really a better time to be reminded of great love, grace, and self control? Taking a few minutes each morning to be quiet, read, and listen makes me a better at my job. It makes me a better wife. It makes me a better human. 

That's it. Three things. Not so much that it isn't doable, but enough to make a real difference in my day. The hardest part will be crawling out of bed while the mister continues to snooze..and snooze...and snooze. So here's to accountability! I'll report back on how things are going with the 7am wake-ups next week!

Here are some other posts from around the web about morning routines and such. 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

list love: summer edition

We have officially reached my most favorite season of the year. Happy first day of summer!!! I love the warm temperatures, long days, and laid back schedules of summer. It's the season of relaxing, recharging, and eating fruit for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. What's not to love? These are some of the things I've picked up in the last few weeks, and I'm quite sure I'll be loving them all summer long.

1. Last summer I switched my usual scent for this sweet, beachy bit of wonderful and I'm still pretty much obsessed with it. I couldn't wait for the weather to warm up enough for me to start wearing it again this year. I'd wear it to bed if it wasn't so expensive. It smells like drinks on the patio of a tropical resort and reminds me of my honeymoon. Goooood stuff. 
2. Oh avocado, how I love thee. You're a pretty color, require very little preparation, and make everything taste better. Chips and guacamole are a recurring meal around here these days, and I don't expect that to change anytime soon.  
3. I tried my luck with the high-wasted trend this season and I think I'm a fan. I added these J. Crew pieces to my closet aanndd they make me happy every time I catch a glance. What more can you ask for in a swimsuit? 
4. I love having long hair...I hate dealing with it. The less maintenance the better, especially in the summer. I've tried my fair share of wave sprays and have even tried making my own. While I definitely have my favorites, I'm always on the hunt for something better. When The Beauty Department published an article claiming that this Victoria's Secret spray was the go-to beach spray for lazy girls, I knew I had to try it. While I've only used it a handful of times, so far I'm a fan! It doesn't leave my hair as soft as I would like, but my waves look great and are long lasting. Also, it's only $12.00. Yes, please. 
5. About three years ago I decided it was probably time I got serious about protecting myself from the sun or else condemn myself to elephant skin in a few decades. Not cute. While I no longer "tan" and wear sunscreen daily, I still want that glow like everyone else. These little guys help me darken up without streaks or skin damage. They're travel friendly, affordable, and I love them. 
6. I'm on summer vacation until mid-August, which means I don't have to wake up early or get dressed for work for two.whole.months. It's glorious. I'm living in shorts these days, and J. Crew makes great ones. I have these pleated beauties in teal and adore them. They're flattering and comfortable, which keeps me from wearing athletic shorts everyday. (Your welcome, husband.)

Also-----> I joined Bloglovin! You can follow me here!