Friday Faves

Hello there 2019, and Happy Friday!

The Christmas tree is still up, with half of the lights burned out. Frigging tree. I didn’t get any of my over-the-vacation-clean-the-clutter projects completed. Too much crap not enough time. And I’ve yet to figure out what my word is. You know, my word of 2019. The word I set to define and guide the next 12 months ahead.

I’ve set an intention word for the the past 5 years and they’ve been:

• Focus
• Enough
• Present
• Thoughtful
• Nourish

Have I delivered on all of them? I tried. I put my best effort out there. They definitely gave me a mantra to work toward. Isn’t that really what it’s about in the end?

This year my intention word(s) is:

JUST DO

How much more time does it take to hang up my clothes in the closet instead of leaving them in a ball on the floor? About two seconds harder. Just do.

Why do I feel the need to take 20+ photos and edit just one just right before sharing it? I don’t. Just do.

Why do I put so much time into brainstorming and outlining new projects, ways to build my business, and work flows to make things easier, and then don’t pull the trigger and put them into place? Don’t overthink. Just do.

Stop procrastinating. Stop perfecting. Just do.

One of the most valuable skills I learned in my job as a waitress was to never touch things twice. If you’re going to a table, take a water pitcher with you and never walk away empty handed.

It taught me to do more than one thing at a time. Multitasking. I thought I was really good at it. But in the end, multitasking is just an excuse to lose focus, become distracted, and procrastinate. I am really good at noodling and perfecting until the time comes when the deadline is barking at my door and there’s no more time and I simply have to just say, “done.”

It’s why I’m going to keep my head down and plow through, even when I think I could just do a quick vacuum or stop by HomeGoods on the way home, just for a minute that turns into an hour.

It’s why I’m going to force myself to singletask, and stay focused.

It’s why I cut down the number of daily to-dos in the Nourished Planner’s daily to do list from 5 to 3 top priorities to get done each day.

It’s why I’m going to train this brain to chip away at one thing instead of worry and flit to the 328 other things to do and tasks to finish and responsibilities to finish popping through my brain.

This year I’m creating a new habit, and it’s going to just do, starting with:

• I’m going to post the back log of awesome blog posts that are sitting in my drafts folder.
• I’m going to write it down on my calendar right when I commit instead of be late or miss the appts/trips/commitments later on.
• Donations will go straight to the Girls and Boys Club instead of piling up for months in my office.
• I’ll end my work day when my family does, and if it doesn’t get done, then it’ll still be there tomorrow.
• Returns will go back to the store so I don’t miss my window. Online shopping can be my nemesis.
• I’ll text my friends, mom and dad, and sister when I’m thinking of them so they know, instead of feeling I don’t have enough time to catch up.
• Invoicing will happen right when the project is done before moving on to the next much more fun task. I hate it but I’m always surprised how quick I can get through it once I do.
• I’ll make more dates with my husband instead of wondering why he doesn’t.
• I’ll eat more plants but buy in more realistic quantities so they don’t waste away.
• Medical bills will be paid when the arrive in the mail instead of waiting to wonder if they’re correct.
• I’ll give myself a break, and know it’s okay when I don’t get my to do list done. Because there are other reasons more important than whatever I let go of, because it’s more important to me to just do so I can just be.

What are your new year goals? Do you make them? Let them go? Do them all year long? I know everyone reading this wants to know, so share with us all in the comments below.

But enough about me, let’s get into this Friday Faves thing! And JUST DO!

It’s a new year, and a new you:

• How to choose your word of the year and 175 words to consider.
• 10 intentions for the new year.
• How to set your own intentions.
• 4 simple tips to get back on track.
• Why writing your goals down makes them more successful to achieve.

It’s been six months since I’ve drank/drunk alcohol, and I was totally surprised when I read this article that explained much better than I, why and how I stopped—basically because I was just tired of it. It’s a good read that translates to any change you want to make in the new year. (I didn’t buy the book the author refers to but it sounds intriguing).

MUST READ: This is literally the LAST conversation that clears up every question about healthy eating, diets, and everything in between. Mark Bittman rules.

Podcast: How to ruin a dinner party. I’m listening so I won’t.

This slurpable soup is the healthy cure to your pizza cravings.

I’m a stuffed pepper enthusiast and these stuffed pepper babies have all the right stuff(ing).

31 Instant Pot dinner recipes to make now.

Quinoa is still having its day and this healthy salad proves it.

Creamy, vegan, and pasta. There’s nothin’ wrong with that.

Fish tacos with everyone’s favorite seafood: salmon!

This veggie burger burrito bowl is totally the way I eat lunch.

Or this brussels sprouts salad with all the fixins’ for the crunchy cruciferous win.

7 registered dietitians dish their best tips for eating better and save money.

No. No. NO!!! The man bun is bad enough, so why are guys doing this????

We could all use a dose of this: 7 natural remedies for anxiety.

I started watching the interactive episode of Black Mirror Banderwatch with AliSmudge and it is surreal how you can interactively change the movie’s ending. Spoiler alert: Here’s how it works.

Are you like me and ready to deep dive into spring cleaning NOW??!!

• Some of these I knew about, some are new, but all of them are smart. 30 all-time brilliant cleaning hacks.
• How to become a minimalist thanks to these tiny steps.
• 10 decluttering tips to put into practice (#2 is what I’m working on now).
• 12 things to get rid of now.

I just want to lounge this weekend instead of taking down my Christmas crap. Wish it would be in this pretty robe (Mom, take note!)

Next week it’s back to the grind, but at least in this blouse you’d still feel cozy while looking good.

FINALLY ordered these boots for snow days. Can’t wait for them and the snow to arrive.

This dress promises sunny skies ahead.

I’m moving my office downstairs so I need a new storage solution. Will it be this credenza (so fun!) or go basic (and cheaper) with this one?

The Golden Globes are Sunday, are you watching? *Stalker alert*—because I did actually stalk the Golden Globes one year—Here’s where all the parties will be to get your selfie game on strong.

Okay! I’m off to plan my decluttering/Christmas take down/office move attack! Have a grand weekend and I hope you get in the kitchen to cook more real good real food!

P.S. Don’t forget you’ll get 25% off my Nourished Planner when you enter FoodieCrush25 at checkout.

Craving more life balance, less stress, and better health? Check out my Nourished Planner, the daily planner to help create simplicity and under-schedule your life.

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