Morning Routine

I love to start every morning by making my bed and then making a hot cup of tea. Before doing anything else, I stand in my kitchen with that tea and look out the window while I sip. It’s important that I have those few minutes of quiet alone time. Then I write out my current mantra in a dedicated journal before starting the day with my kids.

Best Productivity Hack

I like to set up what I can the night before. Unload the dishwasher, fill the kids’ sippy cups and prep some fruit to be able to give them while I make breakfast. Sit a clean mug out next to the tea and kettle. Write out a to-do list for when I get into the office, color coding the MUST-DO’s versus the would-like-to-dos.  Anything that will make it easier to get started the next day.

What’s Something You Want for Your Kids (That You Didn’t Always Experience)?

Knowing at every second of every day that they are worthy of love.

What Has Been Your Biggest Failure (Turned Lesson)?

My biggest failure was accepting less than I deserved because I was afraid. I was terrified that if I asked to have my own needs met or even considered that I would be seen as needy and a burden. Instead I became a people pleaser and ran myself into the ground by people that were eager to use me. I learned that boundaries are necessary and that the right people wouldn’t want you to sacrifice your own needs and happiness in order to make them feel better about themselves. I learned to love myself.

What’s Something You Do That Other People Might Think Is Weird?

I always have at least 8-10 journals going at once. Some serve a specific purpose but others are just because I’m feeling like a different energy in the moment and the cover or style of one is calling to me.

What’s One Thing You Would Never Change About Yourself?

Being a mother. No doubt in my mind- being a mom is my greatest achievement and blessing. There are days when it’s also my biggest struggle because I’m exhausted and touched out but there has never been a second where I would give up being a mom.

What’s One Thing That Has Felt Like a Win as a Mom?

My daughter’s confidence/self-assurance. She doesn’t second guess herself. If you give her a compliment, she responds with a smile and ‘Thank you, I am’. She’s quick to tell me her needs and feelings because she knows that she can trust me. I’m her safe place and she never doubts it.

Ten Minute Tip

Journal every night. Spend some time unloading all of your thoughts- the good and the bad. Get it all out of your head so that you’re not overthinking instead of sleeping. It doesn’t have to be a novel- it doesn’t even have to be complete sentences. Just a few minutes of writing out thoughts, emotions, feelings, dreams, goals or whatever else in on your mind. When you’re having a fear or negative thought or self-doubt, this is your safe place to get to the root of it. If there’s something you’re grateful for that you want to make sure you remember, the action of writing it out actually helps your brain to store it more deeply. If you don’t know what you want to do or who you want to be, use your journal to figure it out. It’s the one place you can turn to that is yours and yours alone. No one to judge you or criticize you or make you feel bad about anything. Get to know yourself a little deeper so that you can figure out how to be the best and happiest you that you can be.