Thriving at home [together]

In this time of all of us entering this unknown territory, we’re all trying to figure it out.

What I’m loving seeing right now is seeing how other visionary mamas and entrepreneurs are showing up with their gifts, their talents, and their hearts to serve others! It’s incredible, really, to watch, to hear messages of hope and pivoting and adjusting and really filling the needs that they see. I’m seeing business owners serving their audience by starting or reactivating facebook groups, giving away some of their talents for free with free live yoga, music, or coaching videos, gyms going out of their way to virtually coach their clients.. it’s mind blowing how many people are showing up and adapting to the circumstances so they can continue to thrive, serve, and give.

Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”

In light of ‘social distancing,’ this "meeting together” is now mainly virtual, and you know what? I’m mostly good with this. My introvert self + homebody soul is kinda rejoicing, honestly.

I’m recognizing I have this gift of making home, well, feel like a home. To make it cozy, hygge, comfortable and comforting, and of course, cute… working within our means, with what we have, and creating spaces that are appealing to all my senses.

So this blog post is for you - if you’re feeling overwhelmed in your space, not sure how to move forward, what to do with your time or how to organize your schedule, your life, your house… I took some notes for you, from my heart + brain to your home.

Tips for everyone being home

1. Create a “workspace” for everyone.

   The first thing I noticed, is how the kids were taking over every single square inch of our home, with glitter and glue and scissors and scrap pieces of paper. Our dining table was unusable, the coffee table was buried under “projects,” and generally just a disaster. So I pulled out a folding table, put a tablecloth over it (because ew, folding table) and moved around some furniture so they’d have their own workspace.

   I already have my own desk space, but cleaning that up was a priority, and assigning my hubby the dining table is currently what’s working well for us, as he’s mainly working from home, as well.

2. Get technology in order.

   Download the apps that are free right now or the ones as needed for virtual schooling or sanity purposes.

   Setup a second computer, if possible, for the kids to do their schoolwork.

   Harlee, my 6 year old, wants to learn how to draw, so I downloaded YouTube (with a lock on it) on her Amazon Fire for her to use for her drawing videos, for example, and I setup her iReady and SuccessMaker she uses at school on the computer for her.

3. Setup a schedule for the day.

   This doesn’t have to be exact (mine sure isn’t), but it creates a rhythm or a flow for our day. I know that this week is kind of a crap shoot for us, because I still have a bunch of meetings and things on my calendar that are “out of order” for this schedule, and next week is officially spring break, so I’m giving us lots of grace here to use that Netflix app and jump in the freezing cold pool. (Anyone else adding a pool heater to their list of emergency expenses, along with making sure the generator works for hurricane season?! Kidding, kind of ;)

   Anyways… here is the schedule:

   7am-9am breakfast + free play (I get a solo workout in if hubby is working from home)

   9-10am workout in my garage while the kids play outside, or kids bike while I run (if hubby not working from home)

   so it turns into 9-12 or 10-12 is school work + snacks. Again, this is like day 4 so I honestly expect this to get longer as virtual schooling gets to actually be a real, implemented thing by the county after spring break. Tip: if the kids are doing things online and you’re not super involved, get some stuff done around the house! Fold laundry, put in a podcast, start that project you’ve been wanting to do forever but haven’t gotten around to it! Ange Peters has some great tips for maximizing your time at home over in this blog and podcast episode.

   noon is lunch

   1-3ish is quiet play time/ movie time aka mommy’s work time

   3-5 is play together time - swim, golf cart rides, back yard playground

   5-7 is dinner, bath, show together if time, reading

   7:30 is bedtime for the kids

   This is such a similar rhythm to what we’re used to… remember, my kids are barely in school so this almost feels more familiar than remembering to wake them up to get to school on time.

4. Nutrition + Health

   It is SO important not to put your nutrition + health on the back burner during this time. So much relies on you staying healthy + capable right now! It’d be a good time, since you’re home anyways, to take inventory of your supplements and vitamins and essential oils and natural medicine supplies.

   Take the time to de-stress. Put the oils in the diffuser. Use your Verage face wash, then moisturize, and gasp - actually use your quartz facial roller.

   Here’s a simple essential oils routine you can follow right now, that focuses on stress reduction and immune support:

   • Lifelong Vitality, DDR Prime, and Turmeric Duo caps 2x daily (I do lunch and dinner)

   • ADAPTIV caps 2x a day (morning and late afternoon, typically). ADAPTIV is a blend for soothing anxious feelings that has made such a huge difference in my life lately!

   • ADAPTIV roller as needed on back of neck and pulse points

   • Put some oils in the diffuser that make you smile! Elevation, Citrus Bliss and Spearmint, Clary Sage and Wild Orange, Arborvitae and Lime are all great combos

   • On Guard and/or Oregano Touch (meaning they’re pre-diluted with coconut oil) on the bottoms of your feet at least 1x/day

   • Take the time to do the things that bring you joy with your self care. And if you’re a customer of mine, message me or email me, because I have a special ebook gift for you!

5. Give yourself grace.

   This is new to all of us. You are not alone in trying to figure this out as we go. And for the love of all things, wash your hands.

And if there’s anything I can help you with, if you want to get started with your own immune + emotional support essential oils - I’ve got you! (Plus a few extra gifts for the month of March so make sure to email me or visit my shop page so I can get you the special promo code!)

Love, Anna