the best me + how i’m doing it

As a busy wife, mommy, businesswoman, etc., I wear a lot of hats and sometimes it’s hard to wear all of these hats at the same time! Sometimes, it feels like you’re stacking them on top of each other and walking a tightrope that could break at any moment! It’s hard to know which hat goes where, how much time and energy should be extended to each one, it’s a lot to balance. With God, we are able to balance and wear all of these hats and walk confidently in who He says we are. It doesn’t mean it will always be easy but our strength comes from Him and He says we can do it! I can do it. You can do it.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Though our total strength comes from God, we must help ourselves and find ways to manage everything on our plates, or the hats on our heads. I believe God gives us wisdom to know that we should manage our load in a positive and effective way. He doesn’t desire chaos, confusion, or exhaustion for our lives. He worked really hard during creation and then rested on the 7th day. He wants us to live productive yet rested lives as well.
Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

I know…we are only supposed to post perfect pictures, perfect quotes, and portray a perfect life we want everyone to think we have. But let’s be honest, life is not picture perfect and most of us have found ourselves in a place of needing to recoup and get our lives together! I know I’m not alone! I can’t be! (haha) So I invite you in and dare you to ask yourself if something’s gotta give!

This is where operation “get my life together” commences! (Of course you have to put your game face on when you’re about to whip yourself in to shape)

I had been running nonstop for months and I finally had enough. I was exhausted, overworked, and not feeling very productive, though I was always doing something! Some days felt like a blur. What I was “trying” to do to help (working out, planning, scheduling, etc.) was not being done consistently so I wasn’t feeling the true benefits that were possible.

This sparked some changes, some really good, positive changes in my every day life and routine! It made me stop and refocus. It made me look at the big picture and decide what was important and made me look at how I would correctly manage the important things. It doesn’t mean I have it all together, because I don’t (haha) but I am doing my best to walk in confidence and victory! I’m also doing what I can to help myself and become the healthiest me I can be!

I’ve listed out a few key things I’m doing to focus on “me” which positively affects my family, friends, job, etc. Body, mind, and soul are very important areas in our lives and are often neglected. It is important that we focus on and pay attention to these areas so we can reap the benefits that are there for us. I will share more in future blogs so send me a message or comment on this blog if there are certain details you would like me to share!

• Body
  • Waking up early early (2 hours before I need to leave my house) – before the birds or anyone else is awake!
  • Wash my face and drink a cup of warm water with Himalayan pink salt and lemon juice
  • Working out (I normally work out at home. I alternate workouts and sometimes mix them together)
    • Fitbit workouts
    • Yoga (YouTube offers great options just like this one)!
      • Or this one that is a little more advanced!
        • Don’t get discouraged! It will take some time to find a workout or routine that works for you and it will take time for you to master it! Don’t give up! The fight is worth the results!
    • Running
    • At home core and strength training
• Mind
  • Keeping a routine/schedule
    • I go over my schedule on Saturday before I start my week
    • I keep a planner and a calendar on my phone
  • Cleanliness is next to Godliness
  • • Cleaning 1 room or completing 1 task before leaving for work every morning
      • Dishes, fold laundry, clean a bathroom (usually something FAST)
    • Organize 1 room a week
      • Includes taking items we no longer need/use to a donation site
    • I’m on a minimalist quest, I’m just not sure how minimalist I’m going to be (haha)
  • Planning meals
  • • Knowing what I’m cooking and when
    • Cooking my meat ahead of time or laying it out the morning I plan to cook it (No one likes to come home and thaw meat!)
    • Picking 1 night a week to go out to eat as a little treat to myself and my family
      • We do go out at other times, but as a standard we have cut down on eating out tremendously! (There is no shame in a good pizza night, take out night, or frozen snack food night! Life does not always go as planned!)
• Soul – the most important part!
  • Daily Devotions before starting my day
    • Reading my bible and journaling
    • Listening to uplifting music and praying
    • Listening to podcasts or YouTube videos (Inspirational speaking, encouraging or edifying preaching/teaching, and sometimes I throw in a Dave Ramsey podcast to focus on financial freedom)

There are so many ways to get your life together but this is where I’m starting! So far it’s working wonders. I’ve worked out consistently for over a month now, even if some days are short/easy workouts, I’m staying active! My house is clean and organized (you can’t avoid “messes” with a mischievous three year old running around (haha). Mentally I feel lighter, organized, and on track! I am on top of my health and feel great! Overall I feel like I can conquer the world!

This new me hasn’t been easy to achieve but the saying “all good things are worth fighting for” is so true! I will fight for me. I will fight to be the best I can be. I won’t quit and I won’t back down. I will stay true to me and who God has called me to be! You can do it too! Whatever it is that you need or want to do, you can do it! It may not be easy but it will be worth it! 🙂 Fight this fight!

XXO Alexandrea