If you’re following me, you’ll notice this month my goal is to take time for your mental health.
Last week I worked on my mental health by listening to a podcast everyday …. this week my goal is to read for 20 minutes a day. It’s amazing how reading does wonders for your mind and mental health. Reading is a great way to relax and get absorbed into a story.
Relax and Read!
I know it’s EASY to find reasons not to read a book. However, reading a book is so great for mental health in a variety of ways. Here is a list of ways to take time for reading without feeling guilty :
1. Read a book that helps you learn a new skill and feel accomplished after your finished reading. Even if the skill is a “self- help” or “how to better your life” type of book… read it.
2. Find a genre you know you love. When you’re easily sucked into a book there’s less of a reason to think about your long “to-do” list while reading.
3. Remind yourself that reading is taking time-out for yourself and it’s not selfish … reading is uplifting and can help you be more productive in the long run.
4. With the great weather starting to settle in… read a book outside to soak up some natural vitamin d as well.
5. Join a book club and read along with your group. Being able to socialize and discuss the book is not only fun, but great for your deep thinking skills!
So …..go find a book you think you’ll enjoy and start reading!
During this pandemic where the world has turned upside down a bit, take time to enjoy some fun reading and I think you will be surprised by the positive effect reading has on your mental health and stability.
Here is a list of resources to follow to find some great books!
I think we can all relate to the idea that being “present” with family and loved ones is a new challenge in 2020.
We live in a world of everything at our fingertips….literally.
If we want ANY information, really just about ANYTHING we want to find is on our phone.
We all know the internet and social media are such amazing technology advances, but did we think about the downfall of these incredible tools?
The downfall, is getting so “caught up” on your device that has endless information…that we forget to PRIORITIZE relationships that really matter, that really count. Our family relationships.
I personally, catch myself getting zoned into my phone and I hate that. I want my kids to remember me as a mom that was “present.” I want my kids to remember me as a mom that created memories and actually enjoyed playing with my kids. NOT the mom that was “too busy” for my kids.
My goal is to learn to have limits and boundaries with my technology. Of course we are blessed to have the technology we have today, and it can benefit us greatly…but I just want to make sure I am utilizing my time productively and focusing my PRIORITY on my sweet family.
I love my family, I waited a long time to be a wife and mother, and I don’t want the years to fly by and to look back with regretting thoughts like:
“was I on my phone too much?” “Did I only cook and clean when my kids were home?” “Did I ever get involved and actually play make-believe with my kids?”
I don’t want to be haunted with the concern of how much I was distracted by technology so this months priority is to be “present” with family.
As always, I will keep you updated on how this monthly goal journey goes.
I would love to hear any tips and advice on this topic.
And I would love to share my goal calendar with you so click on the link below.
I have mentioned before in the past that I taught school for seven years before I had my children.
I taught middle school history and I loved my experience teaching.
Something that surprised me when I started teaching school was how many children struggled with reading. Even by seventh grade, there were still many students that did not enjoy reading, because it was hard for them.
My heart when out to these students that struggled with reading. Of course there were many factors involved with why many students struggled. Some kids dealt with learning disabilities which affected their ability to be a success in reading.
However, I did observe that there were many students that just never “practiced” their reading skills.
Everyday at our school we had something called “DEAR” time which meant
Drop
Everything
And
Read
DEAR time was a great way for students to get some reading time in.
Here in Utah the temperatures have dropped and its chilly. October is the perfect time to grab a comfy blanket, and read a book with some hot cocoa close by.
The book suggestion I have for this month is one that I was required to read in college…and I have loved it ever since.
The book is entitled “Tuesday’s with Morrie” by Mitch Albom.
I will warn you that you may need a box of tissues nearby, because I definitely teared up throughout this book. However, the tears were “heartwarming” tears as you can relate to this book in many ways.
The author, Mitch Albom, writes this true story about re-uniting with his old college professor who is slowly passing away from a disease called ALS.
Albom spends his Tuesday’s with “Morrie” and writes about life lessons and lectures that Morrie teaches him.
For me, this book made me think of spending time with my dear grandma who always had a lot to teach me without even realizing it.
It’s quite a quick read, and I highly recommend adding this to your “reading list.”
(If you’re interested in purchasing the book click here. )
My career background before I stayed home with my kids was teaching school. I taught middle school, 7th & 8th grade. I loved every minute of teaching middle school. Sure it came with it’s challenges, but I felt that this age group was so open to learn and grow.
One book I read to my homeroom class that I absolutely loved was the book entitled “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio. My students listened incredibly well to this book, and I will say I loved it too.
If you want a book that is a great reminder about respecting others and their differences this is the book for you. It may seem like a book just for young teenagers, but I would say all adults would benefit from reading this wonderful story.
Even better, they created a wonderful movie about this book as well, so after you finish reading the book…you can have a movie night and enjoy the show!
Before the month ended I had to make sure and give you a book suggestion. I only tell you my tip top favorites…and this book is incredible! Some of you may have read it but just thinking about it makes me want to read it again.
I love this book for many reasons. First, it’s based on a true story which always makes a book more interesting and compelling.
Also–it’s set during the time period of the Great Depression. It tells some heart wrenching stories of what life was like for many Americans during this struggling time.
This book has such an interesting viewpoint on the value of teamwork and dedication. For those that enjoy competition or sports you will enjoy this aspect of the book.
I would highly recommend this book and I hope you enjoy sitting back, and taking time for yourself while reading a book. You deserve it:)
Once a month I wanted to suggest a book to you that I myself had read and enjoyed. The book for March is entitled “You are the Mother your Children Need,” by Christie Gardiner.
Christie Gardiner is an LDS writer and she includes many wonderful spiritual thoughts. But even if you aren’t LDS, if you are Christian or part of any faith, you will love Gardiner’s insights and thoughts on motherhood.
I personally was drawn to this book simply by the title. Have you ever felt like you were failing as a mother? That maybe your kids would do better with a different mom, because you feel like you aren’t cutting it? If you have ever had those moments, this author enlightens you on how to realize you are exactly the mother your children need, despite your insecurities.
An summary ofChristie Gardiner’s book“YOU ARE THE MOTHER YOUR CHILDREN NEED”
“Motherhood is the toughest job you’ll ever take on: there is no interview, no job description, and no salary. When you get the position, it can be all too easy to feel underqualified and overwhelmed. But with a sweet message of encouragement, Christie Gardiner reminds women there are as many ways to be a good mother as there are mothers in this world—and there’s no on more capable of raising your children than you!”
Bottom line, if you are a mother, or want to learn more about motherhood, this book is for you. I felt uplifted and inspired after reading this book because she addresses many insecurities that mothers have, and she informs the reader that it’s possible to tackle these troubling issues. Gardiner has a great sense of humor about things as well and shares many heart-warming stories.
For pick #17 I wanted to tell you about my favorite blogs and why I enjoy reading them. In a world where you can find entertainment in a variety of ways, I believe that reading good and uplifting blogs can be not only enjoyable…but also educational. I think it’s so important to continue learning in life. Something simple such as learning a new skill can keep us thriving and pushing ourselves. I feel that blogs can help in this area. We can learn SOO much from the many talented people in the world through the blogging universe. I enjoy many bloggers and it’s hard to narrow down just a few…so I can promise this will become an ongoing pick for me to talk about. So with that, here are my Top Ten favorite blogs NOT in any order. I hope you enjoy them!
If you want some great tasting food, and wonderfully written recipes…this is your blog! I love that Si Foster (the chef/blogger) is very organized about her blogging and for me…I love that she adds in gluten free ideas. She also has wonderful table scapes that I intend to copy one day:) If you are in need of a blog that can help you add variety to your meals, you will enjoy reading A Bountiful Kitchen.
(Below is a picture of Si Foster’s Valentine Table in which she shares her Hawaiian Haystack recipe)
Wow—Jordan Page is the writer of this blog and goodness is she financially savvy! This girl has really researched and found ways to save money and keeps it organized and simple. Jordan is also real–meaning she is a mom, with six kids and loves to share her ups and downs. She has been featured on Rachel Ray and many tv shows. She has some great hacks and tips for everyday life too…so even if you aren’t looking for a finance blog, you will enjoy her entertainment.
If you love home decor, you will be amazed by Jen Hadfield. This blog features some of the cutest home decor ideas. The blog also features great snack foods and dinner ideas, and the bright colors she uses are soooo vibrant and fun you just learn to love all her creations! Probably my favorite is her front porch….she always decorates her front porch for different holidays and it’s amazing how artistic she can be. What’s neat is Jen does a lot of her crafts at a great price so that it’s feasible for all viewers to try. So if you are looking to change the outside or inside of your home in some way….Jen Hadfield’s blog “tatertots and jello” is where you want to be looking. The bonus part is she often has free printables which is always helpful.
(A picture of Jen’s Front Porch idea for Valentines)
This blog is written by Jackie and oh my goodness I love all her tips and advice. She knows all about how to get good deals on the grocery store and has couponing down to an art. Some of her posts are just plain heart-warming to read…she is a great writer and she is also a great resource for how to stretch your budget a bit and get financially fit!
Another blog that simply amazes me when it comes to talent is this blog entitled “Her Toolbelt.” Amy is the author of this blog and she can create just about anything you want when it comes to building things out of wood. Amy provides free woodworking plans, and has a wide variety of items that she creates. She has beautiful indoor craft items, outdoor benches, and my most recent favorite…a downstairs two-story playhouse she belt for her kids! It’s pretty spectacular to see all of her ideas come to life. Even if you don’t love woodworking, it’s pretty neat to see all that Amy is capable of. (Some pictures of her projects below)
Who doesn’t love food? This girl–Brooke Eliason, is great for informing you which restaurants are best in different cities. Brooke not only hits the best places to eat in Utah, but she now has connections to other states as well. She recently posted the 8 top chocolate shops in Salt Lake City. I have seen Brooke featured on television and she does a great job coming up with new ideas and researching great foods. So if you want to learn about some wonderful places to eat in your area, check out her blog!
I love Wendy’s blog because her writing is so creative and inspiring. Many of Wendy’s topics are spiritually written, but you can relate to many ideas that she expresses. I always find myself at peace when I read Wendy’s blog posts, they hit to the core and I think so many can relate to what she has to say. So even if you are not Christian or a member of any sort of church, I feel that you’ll be moved by Wendy’s words and you’ll enjoy seeing her perspective on life.
This blog is a beauty blog written by Kate. What I love about Kate’s beauty blog is how “down to earth” she is. Kate is very real, and you just enjoy listening to all her fun ideas. She not only covers the beauty basics, but she opens up about being a wife and mom as well. She shares recipes besides makeup and beauty tips, and she is full of creativity and style .
This is another beauty blog, written by Abby Smith. What I love about Abby is how fun and vibrant her personality is! I personally am not great at doing hair, but she makes learning new hairstyles enjoyable and exciting. She is the expert at braiding hair and has actually written a few books on braiding hair. Abby has great tips and advice when it comes to hair and makeup, and she throws in her personal life a lot which makes reading her blog even more entertaining. Go see what Abby has to say and you may even learning a few new hairstyles while you’re at it!
Al Carraway is a spiritually uplifting blog to read. Al has a way of thinking outside the box when it comes to faith in the Lord. She shares wonderful ideas and tips for exercising your faith in God and Jesus Christ. Al Carraway is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but is a convert so she has a very interesting and diverse background within her religion. I feel that anyone who is looking for a spiritual boost no matter what religion they are, will enjoy Al Carraway’s wonderful insights on life and her devotion to God.
Lastly—Hopefully there may be one or more blogs you may enjoy from reading this. I feel that I was inspired to start my blog after reading many blogs that I personally enjoyed. Thanks for reading and supporting as always, and stay tuned for my next “Favorite Pixx:)
