Life Balance

If, like me and many other people I know, you struggle to fit everything into your day, I want you to know that help is out there. There is a way to fit in everything you have to do and all that you want to do. After all I know from experience that it is the things we want that we make time for last. Life is busy, we are all busy. We have families and jobs and commitments and we forget what it is that we love to do. That which makes our soul dance.

For me this was painting. After I left college I didn’t paint for 6 years or so. Through having a family, jobs, my own business for 3 years when I was a nail technician, that part of me got simply forgotten. Brushed under the carpet, by me, in favour of looking after my family and my business.

These things were necessary to do though. As was that period in my life in which now I can look back on and realise that I need to be able to create. To feel whole, to make sure that all the different parts of me are being taken care of.

Yes, I believe that we all need a creative output in our lives to keep our lives balanced. Do you remember what it is that you used to enjoy that you don’t have time for any more? Maybe not even creating, maybe dancing, yoga, bathing, painting your nails, laughing with friends? Well I am here to tell you that there is time, that you can have to energy to do it and so will I!

I have started painting again, now I write, I am studying for a degree, I manage this blog, look after 2 children and a house and I want to do more! I know I can and the way to do it is to plan for it. To plan all my days around what I want to do. To pace yourself and making sure you are fitting in even the smallest section of time to focus on yourself and what you want to do. 

In the coming weeks (after the house move next Thursday) I will be explaining how I can help you achieve this way of balancing your life to fit in everything. 

I hope you enjoy your weekend and make time for yourself even if only a little.

Love Imogen x

Gentle Mornings

I’ll be honest here, I struggle with mornings. I have read about and tried different ways to make mornings easier, to become a ‘morning person’ but, after much effort, I have come to the conclusion that I’m just not very good at mornings. It isn’t so much the waking up but the getting out of bed and doing things. I could quite happily lounge around in my bed reading, pinning, snoozing for a good couple of hours before actually getting out of bed. But, Alas, I have little people here that need me. I need have a cup of milk ready for the baby the second she wakes up or she will scream. I need to have the right breakfast at the right temperature for the boy or he fusses and it’s generally not an ideal way to start the day. And I need to make sure that i can sit down and relax while I eat and drink because I hate to rush meals.

Here is my plan of action to help my mornings become more gentle;

• Wake up/get up earlier than the kids. It makes such a difference to have already eaten and to have prepared their food before they get up. Gentler for them and for me. They get up at 7:20am, I get up at 7am (I refuse to get up earlier than 7!)
• Give yourself enough time. I get up at 7, I need to leave the house at 8:30, so I need to make sure that there is enough time to get ready without rushing. I know from experience that I need to be getting ready to leave the house at 8:20am. I need enough time to dress the baby, feed everyone, dress myself, do my make-up (personal preference, I rarely leave home without any on)
• Encourage children to do as much for themselves as possible. If they can dress themselves, let them. It may not be perfect but at least its done.
• Let go of the need to tidy before leaving the house. The pots aren’t washed, the beds aren’t made, the washing isn’t on. I know, its can be horrible to come home to a messy house, especially if you have to work all day. But, really, what harm can it do. It won’t do any harm and it will give you extra time. This one was a very hard one for me but I can do it.
• Don’t put the TV on. In my experience if its on for even 5 minutes in the morning it makes it harder for all of us to get going.
• Do what you can the night before. For me that includes showering. I need to be clean but I know I don’t have enough time in the morning so I shower in the evening.

I hope this helps to make your mornings gentler. I know it has definitely helped me. Now i’m going to spend some time with my crazy, wonderful Grandma because today is her 82nd birthday!

Have a good one.

Imogen x

Goals

I have always been a big fan of goals, and lists. So a list of goals is obviously right up my street. When I got the Leonie Dawson Create your amazing life work book at the end of last year this was the part that I was the most excited about filling out. And it is sooo motivational. I haven’t ever felt motivation like it if I’m honest. So I thought I would share some of the goals I have already completed which is just amazing.

1. Write a book
2. Listen to classical music
3. Start a blog!
4. Try holistic therapy
5. Start my degree
6. Create new routines
7. Host a murder mystery party
8. Bring baby books up to date
9. Party in Leeds
10. Take kids to local museum
11. Look for a new house
12. Bake bread
13. Go to felting workshop
14. Throw away my scales
15. Buy new underwear sets!
16. Shop locally
17. Get some new shoes (managed to do this one twice ;-))
18. Feed the ducks
19. Research business and marketing
20. Buy oracle cards
21. Print Leonie workbook

So far this year then I have completed 21 out of my 100 goals. A lot of the other ones I have started already and will continue to do throughout the year or until they are complete. It feels good to review the list and go back to it to see how I am getting on with it. From the silly, to the personal, to the huge life-changing things. Its good to know that when I write these things down it is the start of their manifestation.

I really don’t think I would have done half of them if I didn’t have the workbook. I would recommend the workbook all day long to anyone basically.

Imogen x

Things that I am looking forward to…

Moving house. Having a garden. Warmer weather. Whole days and nights spent outside this summer. Walks by the river. Getting a puppy. The spring. Planting flowers. A trip with Mr.H. Publishing my book. A fresh start. Reaching my goal of blog views so I can set another! Cooking & eating the halloumi and sweet chilli recipe from my pinterest Food Inspiration board. Finishing packing and then finishing unpacking. Going on holiday with my family, including my mum and sister. Doing some yoga during baby nap time today for the first time since half-term began. The new episode of House of Fools tonight. Getting my first assignment done and sent for my Open University degree. My first ever solo retreat (post to follow). Celebrating my little fairy girl’s 2nd birthday with a farmyard themed cake.

My first ever crystal therapy session. Being my sister’s matron of honour. Planning her hen party. Buying a tent so we can slip away whenever we need to. A new tattoo. My order of Nakd bars arriving as I accidentally ran out. Plans to travel next year. Brightly painting some second hand furniture for the new house. Making a birthday present for my Grandma. Some quality time planned for me and my boy after we move house.

And, well, lots more besides. It does do us good to remind ourselves of all that we have to look forward to.

Try it my lovelies.

Imogen x

Weekends; A to-do free zone

My weekends can be pretty hectic. Or they can painfully quiet. There never really seems to be much of an in-between. My main rule for my weekends is that any routine and schedule that is kept during the week basically goes out of the window. Which makes enough freedom to be spontaneous. It is perfect for when you get an unexpected sunny spell to go to the park or the forest. Or for when you run into friends and decide to go for coffee. Obviously some plans have to be made and kept even at weekend. And somethings have to be done at some point, for me that is studying. But as I say its so nice to have no pressure, to be free and to enjoy your time.

If you need any ideas of fun things to fill your weekend with I recommend The Wonderful Weekend Book by Elspeth Thompson. It is full of fun, weekend joy. Now I’m going to spend my Friday doing as much studying as I can in order to have some free time this weekend. I hope you enjoy whatever it is you are doing with yours.

Imogen x

DIY Pamper night

Everybody (I include men here) needs and deserves a weekly pamper night. Mine are usually on Thursdays. It is a necessary time that I keep sacred to refresh and rejuvenate myself. It also helps me to feel like myself again. Especially as a mother it is all too easy to lose some of your identity.

Here is what I like to include if I get time to do a full pamper night, a scaled down version is used when there is less time and that works by priority!

~Dry body brushing, actually I try to do this daily. It is super good for you.

~Wash hair, then do hair mask/face mask

~Shape, file, paint nails while masks do their work

~Rinse, bathe, use a sugar scrub, moisturise

~Remove unwanted hair! (However much you find necessary ;-))

~Finish off with a pedicure, including peppermint foot soak, foot scrub, foot mask, moisturise and file nails

There are loads of recipes for home made beauty treatments on Pinterest using ingredients that you may already have at home. I have some on my Beauty Pinterest board.

When I’m finished I start to feel human again. I make myself a herbal tea and relax for the rest of the evening watching something on Netflix.

What do you do to pamper yourself? Whatever it is that you like to do make sure that you make time for it regularly. You deserve it.

Imogen x

I declare a day off!

I declare a day off!
A day off packing. A day off cleaning. A day off decluttering. A day off writing (anymore than this post). A day off constantly needing to entertain the children (hello dvd day). A day off cooking (chippy tea anyone?). A day off washing (let it pile up, it won’t hurt).
Today’s to do list;
~Find some alone time
~Read
~Do yoga
~Meditate
~Nap
Some days it’s all I can do to get through the day without going crazy.
Imogen x

10 facts about me

Morning all. I am very tired today. It is only the second day of half term and I am completely drained! I think it is more to do with the packing up a house of 4 than the extra child being here in the day. But the sun is shining and its pancake day so i’m happy!

So here is a little snippet of my life; 10 facts about me that you (hopefully) won’t already know…

1. My favourite shop is Holland and Barrett. I love experimenting with super foods and anything that gives me energy is priceless to me!

2. Every time I buy something new (even if its from a charity shop) my mother accuses me of being ‘Decadent’

3. My favourite ‘story’ ever told is A Midsummer Nights Dream. Ever since studying it in high school 15 years ago.

4. I cover the telly in my bedroom with a scarf when it is not in use because I think it is ugly. Mr.H thinks I have lost it.

5. I hate wires. They are taking over my house.

6. I declutter on a monthly basis. There is always space to be made and things no longer needed.

7. I think this week will be full of ‘list-posts’

8. Actually I totally love lists. They are the best way to sort the muddles inside my head.

9. I was so shocked when I found out that I was having a baby girl. Sometimes I still look at her and am amazed that she wasn’t a boy.

10. I love getting older. I love life lessons and becoming wiser and more comfortable in my own skin.

Well now I am off to have pancakes with my Grandma and the kids, then time for more packing and a lot of playing and some yoga to relax. Have a gorgeous day!

Imogen x

Half-term aka. school holiday survival

Ok, if you don’t have children then the term ‘survival’ in the title there may seem a little dramatic. But that is what it feels like. You have to get through the day without the children killing each other, without them driving you bonkers and while still trying to get done all the things you have to get done if you work at home like I do.

Everything has to change for that week. I have to make sure that they don’t get bored. That they expel enough energy. That they aren’t watching TV all day. That they get time outdoors. That we have activities together that we all enjoy and therefore enjoy our time together as a family and make the most of it.

Here’s a little list of the things I try to fit in each day

~Get out somewhere (somewhere free hopefully) the library, swimming, the park, a museum, a different park, a friends house etc.

~An activity to do together. Either a big board game session, crafting, baking, drawing

~Some down time reading, doodling, watching a film. A nap for baby.

~A bit of cleaning/clearing. As little as I can get away with. Normally 1 small task a day during holidays.

~Hula hoop & yoga for me.

~Time to write, for me.

~And the extra thing that has been added on for me in this half term in particular. Packing to move house!!

Today is the first day and it is only a 1 week holiday so I am not too worried. I have managed just about to fit in all that we need to do today and if it was the big summer holidays I would be much more willing to spend money to keep us entertained!

I hope I can continue to keep up to date with blog posts during the week. Although i’m sure you will forgive me if they come about it little later in the day than usual :). Please share any other tips you may have for keeping busy and staying sane in the school hols.

Also, my Pinterest boards Mummy things to do, Jonah and Baby Violet all have ideas of crafts and bits to do to help keep you busy and so you can enjoy your family time together. Enjoy!

Imogen x

Thoughts on courage

When I started this blog it took a massive leap of faith for me to press the publish button. I have a lot of thoughts of self-doubt and I have suffered from low self confidence and self esteem. It can be difficult to ignore.

For example;

~Will anyone read it?

~Will people think that anything I have to say is relevant or interesting?

~Do I have anything relevant to say?

~What would my friends & family think about me acting as though I can write anything worth knowing?

That last one in particular actually makes me laugh a little reading it back now. First of all because who cares? And also because actually my family and friends are always very supportive of me. I suppose its just that little paranoid noise ticking away at the back of my head putting doubts there.

So, yes, it was a leap of faith. I read up on how to start a blog and typed away trying to ignore the doubts and clocked publish before I could talk myself out of it. Because I wanted to do it, I do have faith that I have something worth saying and that I could actually help people with how to balance their lives, which is what I want to do with this blog.

So I closed my eyes and pressed publish, I almost didn’t expect anyone at all the read it, at first especially, then I checked back and there was a like, a few visitors, and even some followers! (Hi, by the way, its is very nice to meet you!) So that encouraged me to write more. I read up on how to grow my blog and made sure that I followed through with what I was reading (there is some good blog advice on my Blog Help Pinterest board if you need some tips). So I try my hardest to write a post every single day and release it into the world via the internet and now, after all the worrying, it feels good to do it and thank you for reading & responding to it.

After the experience I have had here I hope to be writing in this way for years to come and continue to get more response as that is what it’s all for! It took a lot of courage for me to publish my first post and now I can’t imagine what I would do without it. I hope that you find the courage you need to take a leap of faith into something you want to do, even if it scares you. Especially if it scares you!

Imogen x