I am HORRIBLE at completing CERTAIN tasks on time. Other things I loooooove doing? I can’t run fast enough towards them!
Tasks like TAXES. Or expense reports. Or laundry… Anyone else out there??
Today is the blessed (or dreaded) TAX DAY and though I FINALLY got ours done last night, I could have saved a BUNCH of time, stress and emotional haywire had I stayed on top of it as I went. uuuuugggghh.
I was thinking about this last night and realized there are a few EASY things anyone can do to stop procrastinating… so I thought I would yell at MYSELF and see if anyone else related! You too? GREAT!
Here we go!
TIP #1: GET ORGANIZED
Well duh.
But are you doing it? Like REALLY doing it? Lets take the simplicity of laundry for example.
It HAS to be done and for most people with kids, it needs to be done DAILY. Double uuuuggghh.
So instead of putting it off in hopes of the laundry fairy coming and sweeping it all away, get a system in place!
“Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.”
Wise words from Ben Franklin and they really make an impact! If you know you need to do a certain number of loads a week and you get super overwhelmed doing them ALL at once (OMG punch me now) try breaking it down into more reasonable and manageable goals.
Wake up and put a load in. After lunch put it in the dryer. Kids down for their nap? FOLD JUST 1 LOAD.
Then tomorrow do the same thing or every other day if it’s just you and the hubs.
Doesn’t that just FEEL better? Instead of having a pile of 4-5 loads of laundry, you stay organized, integrate it into your schedule and get it done more consistently. Talk about keeping your stress level (and lack of piles of laundry) low! WIN.
TIP #2: MAKE IT PRETTY/FUN/ENJOYABLE
OMG. If it’s not pretty or creative or somewhat enjoyable I run as fast as I can the other way. YUCK.
For my 2016 taxes I am going to try something new this year to help keep me a bit more on top of things. First I am going to get some really pretty files.
Insert the wonderland of TARGET…
Target has some gorgeous files that I have seen rotating in their dollar section (omg why is this section so magical!?!) and I looooooove the itty bitty prices! Recently they have had some adorable home office items that make some of the mundane tasks preeetttyyyyyyy.
Why pretty? Sound a little silly to you? Well to be honest, keeping record of all my expenses for the month isn’t exactly my idea of FUN. Buuuuuuut if when I have to pull it all out and I have something lovely to look at, it sparks that tiny sense of joy, I feel like I can pummel through! Try integrating things like labels, stickers, washi tape and color coding to make it enjoyable! Mmmmmm washi tape.
ALSO- Get an app on your phone that you LIKE and will USE that has an easy interface. Ok this isn’t exactly pretty, but make it enjoyable. Read reviews and find something that fits YOUR needs and is actually a bit fun to use! If you don’t despise doing the work, you will be less likely to procrastinate. These types of simple changes, though small, will make an impact of consistency over time and get your habits straight!
TIP #3: PUT IT IN YOUR SCHEDULE
I touched on this earlier, but if you don’t plan to do it, you will ALWAYS find an excuse to put it off till later.
My husband and I decided that Thursday afternoons will be when we BOTH work on our expense reports. Not only are we accountable TOGETHER but the weekly consistency helps us to stay on track and not have HOURS to do in one given time slot. Instead we spend 30-90 minutes a week. That seems SO doable when you look at it that way! Some weeks will be super easy and others a bit more time-consuming BUT it’s blocked out int he schedule, just like a meeting would be for work.
This also helps you to remember out of the ordinary situations that crept up. Keeping a schedule with thing you HATE doing will help you to not avoid it and embrace the simplicity of the task at hand. Less stress and a little more peace in the heart? YES PLEASE!!!
So there are my TOP 3 tips to kick procrastinating in the BUTT!
What are some ways that YOU have found helpful to stop procrastinating?
Post a comment below with your FAVORITE tips and tricks!
If you haven’t joined the conversation over at FACEBOOK, make sure to drop me a note hello!
Lets kick procrastination in the face ONE DAY AT A TIME!
Is your skin SUPER dry as we transition out of winter and into SPRING!?
Boy oh boy is MINE! I feel like I am shedding a winter coat over here!!!
LOTION BARS TO THE RESCUE!!!
These were SO fun to make, super luxurious PLUS many of these ingredients are GREAT for other recipes like my Margarita Lip Balm and Whipped Body Butter!!!
RECIPE:
1 cup Organic Coconut Oil
1 cup Shea, Cocoa or Mango butter (or a mix of all three)
1 cup beeswax (pellets work the BEST! Trust me on this one)
Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil I got most of these off Amazon for a great price!! Read the reviews and try to get Organic if you can!
DIRECTIONS:
–Combine ingredients (other than oils) in a med-large size mason jar. Place jar in 1 inch of boiling water.Any glass jar will do, just make sure its something you set aside for these projects. Once the residue dries on the glass, it’s a beast to get off!
–Stir ingredients consistently until smooth.We found that the pellets melt faster than the beeswax blocks. We even tried grating it but that stuff is TOUGH! Not impossible but the pellets will save you tons of time!
–Remove from heat then add essential oils.Note to self: If this mixture is too hot it will actually destroy the potency and therapeutic benefits of the oils. Try and wait a few minutes for it to cool before adding them. But be careful not to let the mixture start to harden! If that happens, place it back on the burner (with the water) and let it heat up again.
–Carefully pour into molds and allow to cool completely for an hour or so before removing. I prefer to use these silicone molds as it is easier to pop them out! SO many fun, cute shapes you can find at any local craft store! You can also use cupcake liners or individual metal tins that turn out ADORABLE! The sky’s the limit!
I hope you have as much fun as I did whipping up these ADORABLE bars!
They make perfect gifts for bridal showers, birthdays, Christmas gifts or JUST BECAUSE!
Have fun combining different oils for different application methods! The possibilities are endless and these little babies keep for a LONG time!
Wrap them in cellophane bags or tissue paper if you are giving them as a gift! Or you could store them in your bathroom in a cute glass jar!
Make sure to comment below with your favorite essential oil combination and add a picture if you have it!
If you haven’t joined the conversation over at Facebook, let’s be besties STAT!
Since last Mondays blog post, I have really been thinking about the difficulty to actually BE myself. Sounds silly, right?
Maybe…But have you ever thought about it?
To be honest, posting and sharing a LIVE video was VERY exposing for me.
Monday was without makeup, hair up in a pony tail, just worked out, not a great camera angle and imperfect lighting. Needless to say it was SCARY… I think I might care a little toooooo much what other people think. But I did it because I wanted to confront my own fears and be REAL with each other.
It was important for ME to breakthrough the insecurities I hide under and share from my heart. And you know what is CRAZY?? We reached OVER 3,600 views on that RAW, weak, honest video. 3,600!!!! WHAT THE WHAT!!!? (Video can be found HERE in case you missed it!)
The crazy thing is how many emails, responses and comments FLOODED in by me simply being me. Raw, makeup free, real ME.
It caused my heart to ponder the deeper work God was doing in my heart.
Why do I spend so much time hiding behind the masks?
Why do I fret over what others think of me?
What am I feeling when I give into those fears? Rejection… Sadness… Hopeless… Anxious…
But what is the deeper desire in my heart?
That desire that was put there BY God?
For me its to make an impact.
To see lives and hearts awakened to truth.
To be known, seen and heard for who I truly am, not who I am projecting.
So that’s the question I want to pose to you:
What are you feeling when you allow comparison to steal your joy?
What desires are so deep down inside of you, screaming to be free?
Breaking free of false expectations and truly being YOU. Wild, crazy, YOU.
Think about what you like to do. What your passions are. What YOUR dreams are. What God says about you and how He made you PERFECTLY.
Do you agree with Him?
I struggle with it… still.
BUT I am asking for grace to love me for ME and love what He worked so hard to make.
Think about some of those fears that seem to paralyze you and comment below with something that you LOVE uniquely about YOU!
We are in this fight for life and light TOGETHER!
Back when I used to drink diet soda like it was my full-time job (don’t judge!) I looooooved squeezing some lime juice to spice it up a bit!
Now that I am soda free (3 years strong baby!) I loooooooove putting lime essential oil in sparkling water!!! Was that an AH-HA moment for some of you!? YES. Citrus essential oils and sparkling water are a match made in heaven!! Trust me, you need this is in your life!!!
My fave is to use a SodaStream! It’s so easy!! Just get your water all fizzy, put 1-3 drops in a GLASS, fill the remainder with your uber bubbly water and VOILA! Refreshing spritzer that is good FOR you and tastes DELICIOUS!!!! (Reminder! We never want to use citrus EO’s with plastic/styrofoam! WHY? Click HERE)
But lets get back to basics:
Meet LIVELY LIME! Part 2 of our “Citrus in the Spring Series”
BASICS:
Lime Essential Oil (Citrus Aurantifolia) is cold pressed and extracted from the peel of the fruit. It is such a bright, fierce, invigorating oil. With aromatic notes that are tart and sweet, Lime is a hidden gem in the essential oil kingdom. Most people don’t realize the AMAZING benefits about this champ of an oil! From room refreshing to heavenly guacamole and luscious DIY bath products, this little guy gets passed by BIG time! But no fear! I’m here to help us change that!!
Lime has some amazing benefits and qualities that might shock you! Many enjoy using Lime for its digestive support, boosting the immune system, restorative properties, tonic, and respiratory function. What is incredible about lime though is how quickly it can boost the mood! Toss that baby in the diffuser and you can’t help but do the happy dance!!
TOP USES:
• Diffuse to naturally purify and cleanse the air WHILE also lifting your mood. (Hellooooo 3pm slump!)
• Place a 1-2 drops on a cotton pad and use to help remove grease spots and sticker residue. (Works AMAZING!)
• Add a few drops of Lime to your water for enhanced flavor. (Helloooooo tropical oasis!)
• Add 1 drop to your DIY all-purpose house cleaner or even to shampoo for added cleansing properties. (YUM!)
EMOTIONAL BENEFITS:
Lime helps us reach for our zest for life! (Sounds awesome already, right?!!)
Many of us go through various seasons of pain, grief or discouragement and LIME is an amazing oil that can help you break out of that deep, dark funk. This oil gives the individual courage and cheer, bringing us gratitude in the heart.
Have you ever felt like your emotions just needed a little spring cleaning?
I know I have!
Well, Limes your guy then! This oil assists in uplifting our heart, welcomes joy and cleans out negative, toxic emotions. Think of it like a traffic cop, clearing out the debris to make room for hope, courage and joy! Get ready to feel empowered from the inside out to face life’s challenges with a happy heart!
BLENDS WITH:
Lime makes everything brighter! Illuminate your day by blending with citronella, clary sage, lavender, rosemary and ANY other citrus oils.
For emotional support, Lime blends specifically well with Tangerine, Melissa, Wild Orange and Lavender.
PRIMARY APPLICATION:
Here’s a snapshot of some of my FAVORITE ways to use and apply Lime Essential oil
PRECAUTIONS:
Any natural solution taken out of its proper context can be harmful. Essential oils vary in their characteristics and since we are all different in how we respond to using essential oils, its good to remember to always consider safety and common sense. Though negative reactions are rare, make sure to be a wise steward of YOUR body and pay attention to how you and your loved ones respond. Remember a little goes a long way with these power packed oils! Use caution if you have sensitive skin or are using with small children. Excessive amounts of any oil can cause skin irritation. Keep out of direct contact with eyes, ears and nose. Not all oils are created equal, so research what products you are using carefully and follow directions on label properly.
Citrus oils are often photosensitive. This means that they contain natural substances called furanocoumarins which can possibly react with ultraviolet light to create hyperpigmentation or burning of the skin. All those big fancy words mean this: citrus oils can increase the skins sensitivity to UV rays… so be cautious! Even though Lime essential oil has amazing beneficial properties, always take care after TOPICAL application. It is suggested to wait at least 6-12 hours before exposing skin to UV rays. (Yes ladies, that also means the tanning bed) An adverse response can appear within minutes, hours or days after application and exposure, so pay attention! Don’t fret, just be aware and take care!!
WRAP UP:
Lime essential oil is your bright, happy, cleansing, mood busting, grease cutting, diffuse daily GO TO oil!
If you haven’t cracked this bad boy open, go grab your Lime oil RIGHT NOW and take a deep whiff! I promise you will feel like fields of green just entered your soul and you’re ready to take on the world!
Don’t have any Lime on hand or want to learn more?
Scroll down below and fill out the form to learn how you can get this oily awesomeness in your hands STAT!
I also wanted to pass on one of my faaaaaavorite DIY recipes!
You probably have ALL of these in your kitchen!
If you make it, make sure to let me know how it turns out!!
I hope you enjoyed this Lime-alicious chat and learned something NEW!
Drop me a line and let me know YOUR favorite way to use Lime essential oil!!! Till next time, Happy Oiling!
Are you new to this Essential Oil journey and curious to learn more about how to empower you and your family with these amazing natural solutions!? Make sure to fill out the link below and you will see some GREAT info flying your way!!! If you want great daily inspiration, tips, tricks and resources, pop over to my Facebook page and join the conversation!!! HAPPY OILING!
And don’t even get me started on the lure of “Pinterest Perfect Living” that creates a perfect storm in too many hearts.
Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t one of those BOOOOO social media posts. Oh please.
I love Pinterest and use Social Media for my business (and have met some AMAZING people over the last few years).
But let’s be honest with how many times we are jealous, envious and comparing our reality with a “perfect face forward” image we see displayed. Best photos, best moments, never struggling… Sound familiar??
THIS is what we need to stop. THIS comparison is stealing our joy.
Let’s be clear about one thing. Comparison didn’t start when social media flew into our lives.
Nope. That little beast has been around for generations, assaulting and shutting down the hearts of men and women alike. Social Media has heightened our awareness, and we need to be on guard of where our hearts are.
But I want to address you, dear daughter, and the fight that you are in.
Did you even realize that? YOU are in a fight for your life.
There is an enemy that is hunting you, doing everything it can to steal your joy, your heart and your core identity. Evil is hunting us all and more often than not, we are completely unaware of the assault.
No wonder I feel like I can’t get out of this pit I’m in...
You, dear daughter, were made in the image of God. You were made PERFECT. Beautiful.
Don’t give me the “But I’m overweight… I’m not pretty… I’m not good enough… strong enough… smart enough” ENOUGH WITH THE LIES!
We have a choice to STOP believing them.
WE have to stop waking up every morning HATING what He so beautifully and purposefully made.
But only you can make that choice.
Please know that I get it. Its real and I have lived most of my life in that space. But we MUST believe what God says that defines us instead of believing what culture is screaming down our necks.
BE this… DO that… LOOK like this… ALWAYS be on… Never fail… SUCK IT UP… BE perfect… STAY quiet… DONT rock the boat… ENOUGH! I can’t take it anymore!
I am so tired of living up to a standard I was never meant to reach.
I am so heartbroken watching my own life and those of dear friends crumble under the weight of comparison.
I am so READY to live in the peace and freedom promised.
We were created in HIS image and if we are accusing what He made, then ultimately we are saying that He is not good and made a mistake.
Go grab your Bible and open it up to Psalm 139 right now and let the truth wash over you.
For you createdmy inmost being; youknit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts,God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
Psalm 139 13-18 (Emphasis mine)
I want you to read that verse again and ask the Father what He was thinking about when He made you.
What were His emotions?
What was His desire?
What purpose were you created for?
Have you ever thought about the fact that you could have been born 100 years ago? 1000 years ago?
But God chose you for THIS time. To be here in THIS generation with THESE pressures and trials to give HIM glory.
We are all in the battle.
We are all in the struggle in some way.
Yet we have a God who is intentional, purposeful and perfect in His leadership.
We have a Father who sees us, knows us and has counted every hair on our heads.
This is who you are beloved. You are His and He is fiercely committed to you.
What if we actually walked in that confidence?
Believed what He said was true?
What if instead of comparing and tearing each other down, we actually spoke life over one another?
Love over one another?
Calling out the beauty we see in each other?
Offering rest to our weary souls and acceptance that we are ALL on the journey to stand before Him in love.
This is such a deep desire, and reach for my life.
I have not always loved well. I recognize this.
I have made many mistakes. I also recognize this.
But I know that God is for me and has given me grace to love, grow and lean into Him. Grace to love others as myself and speak life and truth instead of lies and accusation.
I invite you to ask Him some of these questions.
Let Him touch your heart and give you grace to love who He made.
You are enough. You are loved. You are worthy.
You are adored.
Start the dialogue and let Him pursue the deeper places of your heart.
I’ll do it with you. Who knows, maybe if we stop comparing ourselves so much, we could actually love well.
Ok yall… Before we dive into my Citrus in the Spring EO series,
(starting off with my fave Wild Orange)…
Can we just talk about SPRING for a minute!!?
ITS FINALLY SUNNY! And beautiful! And warm! And breezy!
Spring colors, spring cleaning, spring nights and cool mornings…
Well, enough about ME. I’m sure you get it… I LOVE SPRING!
So let’s get started and kick off this “I love Citrus in the Spring” series with my best pal WILD ORANGE! Mmmmm. I love orange. OK, here we go!
Meet your new BFF. Seriously. In a few weeks you are going to ask me how you survived as long as you have without this gem of an oil. And oh boy is it a happy one!! I’m sure we can all use a little mood boost with a daily dose of vitamin D after those cold winter months, right!? RIGHT!!!
This is going to be a family favorite in NO time!
BASICS:
Wild Orange Essential Oil (Citrus Sinensis) is extracted from the rind of the orange and cold pressed. It is such a dreamy, lovely, intoxicating oil. If I am travelling and even crack the lid open, (heaven forbid I actually place a drop or two in the palm of my hand!) everyone around me sighs and says “ohhhhhh wooooow… that smells SO good!” AND RIGHTLY SO! Wild Orange is an uplifting, invigorating and renewing oil that is quite creative. Creative you ask? Let me explain…
Most oils in the citrus family (Lemon, Lime & Grapefruit) have a predominant uplifting effect on the body, mood and energy levels. Wild Orange not only has that ability but can ALSO have a lovely calming effect when the body calls for it. I like to think of it this way: Some of us are wired with a ton of energy and an INVIGORATING BOOST is not exactly what you need but RATHER a gentle, natural, calming effect. Wild orange does that and more! Many have found it to be helpful to lull them to sleep by diffusing it before bedtime AND help wake them up in the morning. Give the body what it needs and it works the way it is supposed to! Pretty cool huh!!?
TOP USES:
• Powerful cleanser and purifying agent
• Contains powerful antioxidants*
• Supports a healthy immune system
• Energizing and revitalizing aroma
EMOTIONAL BENEFITS:
How many times have you cut into an orange (or tried to peel it with your fingers) and that zest from the rind invigorates your senses?! That is your nose interacting with the essential oils! SO cool! Something that I LOVE about an orange peel is that the scent is so HAPPY. This energetic oil is often known for these amazing uplifting properties and can support and foster creativity, boost physical energy as well as inspire abundance. Simply breathing in this oil can affect many different things we might be emotionally going through. Wild Orange aids in letting go of fear, scarcity, poverty mindsets and so many more. When we breathe in these amazing oil molecules, they are actually affecting different parts of our brain that control our mood and emotions. Wild Orange helps us to connect to the playful part of our hearts, allowing us to walk in joy, fun and spontaneity!
BLENDS WITH:
One of the best part of using essential oils to support different parts of the body is that you can LAYER them with others! Not only will you SMELL SO GOOD but you will be layering the benefits one by one! I like to massage an oil into a reflexology point or desired area of the body for about 30-45 seconds before I layer another one on. This helps to increase circulation, allowing the oils to penetrate deeper into the skin. ALSO it is good to remember that these oils are so power packed that one drop goes a looooooooong long way. So only use 1-2 drops at a time, remembering that as soon as 15min has passed, DON’T BE SHY, REAPPLY!
(In case you are new, some EO Basics can be found HERE)
SO back to what blends BEST with Wild Orange!!? Nearly EVERYTHING! When you are looking at scent compatibility, Cinnamon, Lavender and Peppermint are your top winners! Looking for deeper emotional balance? Try Tangerine, Ylang-Ylang, Lemon or Peppermint. Some of my personal favorites are Frankincense, Bergamot, Clary Sage and Arborvitae. Discover what works best for you and have fun whipping up your own favorite blends!
TOP USES:
We have talked about a TON of different ways that you can use Wild Orange, but here is a snapshot of my faves!
All citrus oils are AMAZING at cleansing and purifying surfaces naturally. Place a couple drops in a spritzer bottle with water and a little white vinegar and VOILA, homemade all-purpose cleaner!
Did you know there are some essential oils SO pure that you can take them (in moderation) internally!? YES! Its true and I want to tell you ALL about my yays and nays of why I believe some brands are safe! (Make sure to click the link below to learn MORE!) BUT if you have a bottle of essential oil that has a supplement fact sheet on it, then you are cleared to put a drop or two to flavor water, boost smoothies, heighten the flavor of foods and SO much more! (Stay tuned for more into coming your way about the safety of essential oils!)
OMG diffusers. I will eventually post on why they are so magical, but trust me. You have to have one. I promise. I have like 5 and seriously they are the best things ever to dispense essential oils into the air! Boosting moods and cleaning the airways one tiny molecule at a time!
Last my but not least, just take a drop, place it in the palm of your hands, rub together, cup to your nose and inhale gently but DEEPLY! Try and do this slowly, holding your breath for 10 seconds and repeat 3-4x. I promise if you are a cranky bunny it’s only a matter of time before you are soaring with smiles! I keep wild orange in my purse just for those moments I get CRAZY!
WRAP UP:
Wild Orange is your BFF, your mood radar, your mid day energy booster and your super awesome kitchen cleaner. I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about this AMAZING and favorite oil of mine and will go grab yours RIGHT NOW and breathe it in deeply! Trust me, you will be glad you did!
Make sure to join the conversation and comment on my FACEBOOK page your FAVORITE way to use wild orange!
Are you new to this Essential Oil journey and want to learn more about how to empower you and your family with these amazing natural solutions!?
Make sure to fill out the link below and you will see some GREAT info flying your way!!! HAPPY OILING!
Have fun, stay healthy and smile big with WILD ORANGE!
