Habits.

Like it or not, our habitual behavior (both positive and negative) is one of the single biggest indicators of how happy, prosperous and meaningful our lives will be.

“ Habitual behavior is one of the single biggest indicators of how happy, prosperous and meaningful our lives will be

Cultivating good habits can lead to abundance, health and joy, while giving in to bad habits not only detracts from our levels of fulfillment, it can literally cut our lives short (think cigarette smoking, illicit drug use etc.).

It makes sense then, that in order to truly live our most FabYOUlous lives, we need to focus our attention on building sustainable habits that add purpose, connection, joy and vitality to our lives. In fact, we can warp—speed our journey to FabYOUlousness if we take our old, bad habits and work to replace them with new, life affirming, soul edifying, body nourishing habits that move us closer the FabYOUlous vision that we hold for our lives.

If you’re feeling a little stuck and wondering what positive habits to start building into your life, check out this list for some fun and FabYOUlous suggestions.

FabYOUlous Habits for a FabYOUlous Life

• Never go grocery shopping when hungry. You’ll end up buying extra junk that will drain your wallet and add to your waistline
• Be constantly willing to edit your life and do so often. Take regular, ongoing steps to rid your life of energy draining people, bad influences, distracting clutter, negative mindsets etc.
• Drink more water. Good ol’ H20 has so many wonderful health benefits (for a rundown of many of them, click here) and refreshes us in ways that no other beverage can. If plain water is a bit to blah for you, try some of these invigorating infused water recipes for added flavor and health benefit. Add extra power to this habit by using it to replace a not-so-healthy soda habit.
• Spend more time in nature. Your psyche will thank you.
• Start using positive affirmations on a daily basis. For a FabYOUlous list of powerful abundance affirmations, click here.
• Organize your email inbox and then…keep it organized.
• Practice being less judgmental and more compassionate toward others…and yourself
• Read more. Read to learn. Read for pleasure. Read because it makes you sexy (it does! Click here to learn more). For a great list of books to get started with, click here.
• NEVER write/send an email or text when you are upset or angry. Always proofread your emails before hitting send—especially those that pertain to your profession.
• Recycle, recycle, recycle. We can no longer afford NOT to recycle and re-use whenever we can. Our planet needs each one of us to do our part. For a list of eight simple steps that you can take to reduce your carbon footprint, click here.
• Get more sleep. You need it. Trust me.
• Take a few minutes every day to dry-brush your body. There are so many amazing health benefits and it feels amazing. Click here for a quick how-to and list of health benefits of dry- bushing.
• Snack on almonds and berries. Your hair and nails will thank you.
• Get off your duff. Spend more time every day standing and walking and less time sitting. For a compelling list of reasons why, click here.
• Diffuse essential oils to help you relax and unwind…or to boost your energy—there’s an oil for just about everything.
• Take the stairs instead of always taking the elevator. While you’re at it, try parking at the back of the parking lot when shopping. Every extra step is a good thing.
• Track your goals. Keep a food journal, money diary, etc. That which is tracked can be changed.
• Unplug from social media one day a week
• Learn how to slow down and savor the moment. Make mindfulness a part of every day. Click here for suggestions on how to do this.
• Stop complaining. Be a part of the solution rather than the problem.

For further study on the subject of the power of habit, check out the book The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.

How are you doing?

Fine?

That’s how we always answer that question, isn’t it?  Is it true though? Are you really doing fine?

I’m asking because I personally, haven’t been as fine as usual these past few months. I’ve been struggling to bounce back after two very invasive eye surgeries that kept me out of the game far longer than I had anticipated.

Fortunately, I think the worst is finally behind me as far as the surgeries go (though I still haven’t been released for all activities), but still…it has been an ordeal.

I think the thing that surprised me the most about my situation is the toll that my physical condition had on my mental well-being. In fact, if I’m being honest, I feel as though I’m bouncing back physically more quickly than I am emotionally.

Fortunately, as a trained and certified Life Coach, I have a few tricks up my sleeve when it comes to helping clients to bounce back after setbacks. Now it’s time to try a few of these strategies out on myself.

If you find yourself feeling a little blue or off your game, pick out a few of these suggestions to implement in your own life. Emotional health is just as important (maybe even more important than) physical wellness, so don’t let it take a back seat when the going gets tough.

20 Easy-to-Implement Mental Health Boosters

1.) Take a good look at your existing self-care routine. Does it really do the trick? Do you make self-care a priority or is it something that happens only if/when there is time left at the end of your crazy, hectic day (because let’s face it, when does that ever happen)? For the next 31 days, commit to making time EVERY SINGLE DAY for some self-care.

2.) If you feel like you are a slave to your in-box, it is time to do some purging. Spend 30 minutes a day over the next week going through your email subscriptions and unsubscribing from those that don’t add any true benefit to your life.

3.) Try meditation. If you don’t think you’re the meditating type, click here for my post on meditation for non-meditators. You can also check out the site, Fragrant Heart for some beautiful guided meditations. I especially love their meditations for relaxation and stress relief.

4.) Create a “feel good” playlist that you can crank up anytime you feel a funk coming on. Might I suggest adding “Baby I’m a Star” by Prince and “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” by Wham to your list. What can I say? I’m a child of the 80’s.

5.) Practice conscious moments of mindfulness throughout your day. For some practical suggestions on how to do this, click here.

6.) Start using positive affirmations—they work! Click here for a downloadable printable of my faves.

7.) Make a plan to finish something that you’ve been putting off—and then get started on it. You’ll be amazed at how good it will feel to check it off your “to-do” list.

8.) Reach out to a friend. Go for coffee, grab lunch, take a walk. Spend some time reconnecting and sharing some laughs.

9.) Take a close look at what is going into your body. Do you subsist on calorie laden fast food with little nutritional value or do you nourish your body with healthy, organic fruits, veggies and lean protein? It’s nearly impossible to feel good mentally if you’re loading up on fats, sugars, caffeine and junk. The old saying “garbage in, garbage out” is true.

10.) Take a close look at what is going into your mind. Just as our physical nourishment is of critical importance to our overall well-being, so too is our mental nourishment. Turn off the negative and extremely biased nightly news programs, put down the gossip magazines and limit the gangster rap. Instead, fill your mind with positive stories, pretty instrumental music and inspiring reading material. You’ll notice a difference in your mental state almost immediately.

11.) Step outside and take a few deep breaths. Feel the sunshine (or raindrops) on your face. Fill your lungs with fresh air. While you’re outside, look up at the sky, plant your bare feet on the earth (unless it’s snowy out) and revel in the feeling of being alive.

12.) Create a sacred space that is all your own. For suggestions, click here.

13.) Try re-framing your struggles. Spend some time thinking about how your difficulties have made you stronger and more resilient. Look for the silver linings—they’re there, you just need to look.

14.) Go on a social media detox. Spend 48 hours with no Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat etc. Instead of spending hours looking at other people’s highlight reels, invest that time in yourself. Go for a walk, give yourself a pedicure, relax with a good book, etc. The images that you see on social media are not real life, but the moments that you carve out for yourself are.

15.) Create your own vision board. Not only is this a fun activity, it can be a powerful tool for creating the life that you most long to live. For more information on how to create and use your own board, click here.

16.) Read something inspirational for a change. Books are great for escaping into a world of fantasy, but they can also provide real inspiration and practical advice for living a truly FabYOUlous life. For a list of some of my favorite personal development books click here.

17.) Enjoy a night out with yourself. Learn to enjoy your own company without feeling weird about it. Take yourself to dinner and a movie, peruse a bookstore or check out a local band…whatever sounds fun to you—do it. For other suggestions on how to enjoy your time with yourself, click here and here.

18.) Tap into your creativity. You are creative–whether you think you are or not. We all are. Sometimes it just takes some intentionality to tap into that creativity. Click here for some creative ways to express your creativity.

19.) Adopt an attitude of gratitude. Yes–the topic of gratitude has been a bit overdone and had been covered by just about everyone. That’s because it works. It is impossible to stay in a funk when you are busy counting your blessings. If you need a little refresher on the benefits of gratitude or suggestions on how to make gratitude a habit, click here.

20.) Cultivate your own sacred, spiritual practice. This doesn’t mean going to church every Sunday or reciting ancient prayers (though it certainly can include either of these), it means cultivating a personally meaningful spiritual practice that feeds your soul and nurtures your connection to your higher power–whatever/whoever that is. Spirituality is a highly personal thing, and yet, having a spiritual practice can be immensely comforting and beneficial during difficult times. Click here for some ideas on how to discover  a spiritual practice that is right for you.

While mental health should never be taken lightly, and serious blues warrant a visit with a trained counselor; implementing a few of these quick strategies can help turn a bad day (week?) around, and if maintained over time, can lead to a prolonged sense of well-being. Give it a try–you’ve got nothing to lose…except the blues.

Ahhh March—the month of shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold and LUCK.

How lucky are you feeling this month? Are you one of those who always seems to snag the closest parking spot at the store right after hitting nothing but green lights? Does your name often get pulled for prize drawings, and your parade never get rained out?

Or are you just the opposite—someone who never seems to catch a break and often tends to get kicked when you’re down?

I’ll confess, for the longest time, I felt like the latter. It seemed that no matter how hard I tried to make things go right in my life, something always came along to mess things up.

That has changed though.

No, I didn’t find a lucky four-leaf clover, nor did I uncover a genie to grant me wishes. I simply began to understand the fact that I alone, was responsible for the amount of luck in my life. Let me tell you—that one realization has made ALL the difference.

Now, I truly feel like the luckiest girl in the world, and the Universe is doing a fantastic job of supporting that feeling (I mean, I did win an all-expenses paid trip for four to Hawaii and rarely do I not get a front row parking spot).

If you are ready to get Lady Luck back on your side, try the following suggestions and then prepare to smile as you hear your friends constantly say “you are SO lucky”…then, spread the luck by sharing these tips with them as well.

Five Simple Ways to Get Lucky…

• Recognize luck for what it truly is. What most people attribute to luck is really just an ability to be open to and seize opportunity when it arises. Oprah Winfrey once said, “I don’t believe in luck. Luck is simply a matter of preparation meeting the moment of opportunity”.

  “ Luck is simply a matter of preparation meeting the moment of opportunity —OPRAH WINFREY

  I have found this to be true in my life as well. Yes—I felt incredibly lucky when I won the trip to Hawaii, but I wouldn’t have won it if I hadn’t taken the opportunity to enter the contest. I had also (a few months earlier) created a vision board that had a beautiful photo of Waikiki beach on it. That image had ingrained into my subconscious and helped me to recognize and act upon the opportunity to enter the contest when it arose. Yes—there was some chance involved, however; I never could have won if I hadn’t envisioned a tropical vacation and then taken the initiative to enter the contest.
• Be the rising tide. There is an old saying that says “a rising tide lifts all boats”. When we work for the betterment of not just ourselves, but for others as well, we become a powerful magnet for luck. Not only do we create an atmosphere of cooperation and interconnection, we build bonds with others who will want to support us when they are able. This doesn’t mean that we should be generous to others just so they will feel indebted to us, it simply means creating a community where luck and abundance are generously shared and therefore allowed to be manifested more freely.
• Practice gratitude. For many of us, our natural bent is to notice when things are wrong, broken or unfair. This is why adopting a daily gratitude practice is so important. Gratitude is the one surest way to bring luck, abundance and joy into our lives. When we make a conscious effort to express gratitude for the good things in our lives, we (by way of the Law of Attraction) naturally attract even more good things. Additionally, taking the time to appreciate our many blessings might just help us to realize how truly lucky we already are.
• Put yourself out there. Often, we get so conditioned to our same old routine—day in and day out—that we forget that there is a whole wide world out there just waiting for us to come play in it. The more we expand our sphere of experiences and relationships, the more opportunity we have to find lucky breaks, make meaningful connections and discover new paths. Sometimes luck is waiting for you to step outside of your comfort zone and do a little exploring.
• Tell negativity to take a hike. It is impossible to invite more luck, abundance and good fortune into your life if you are filling your mind, body and spirit with negativity. If you truly want to get lucky, you need to take a hard look at the substances and influences that you are allowing into your being. Do you fill your body with nutritious, energizing food or are you addicted to fast-food drive-ins and alcohol? Do you waste away in front of a television, watching mind numbing reality TV shows or do you fill your mind with content that encourages creativity and personal development? How about your social circle? Is it filled with people who encourage you and inspire you to be the best person that you can be or do you hang out with people who are dishonest, negative and going nowhere in life (if you tend more toward the latter, you might want to read this post on setting strong personal boundaries). So much of our experience of life can be molded by the influences that we allow into our consciousness. If your luck seems to have run out, it might be time to start cleaning up your act. Rid your surroundings, your body and your psyche of negativity and just watch how things begin to change for the better.

You truly don’t have to have been born under a lucky star or find a field of four-leaf clovers to turn your luck around. The luck that you experience in your life is entirely created by you and your own choices.

“ The luck that you experience is entirely created by you and your own choices —MELISSA VENABLE

Once you recognize that fact and begin taking steps to raise your vibrations (more suggestions here) and take accountability for your thoughts, words and actions, you’ll soon start to feel like the luckiest person you know.

Today truly is your lucky day…click the image below to receive our two most popular ebooks for FREE

Here we are—smack dab in the middle of the holiday season…again. How did it get here so quickly? I swear, it feels like it was the Fourth of July just a few weeks ago!

If you are like me and love the holidays, but still wind up feeling a little overwhelmed at all of the things that need to get done, take heart—you are not alone. So often, we women expend so much time and energy making the holidays special for everyone else (family, friends, co-workers etc.) that we end up feeling a bit depleted and wrung out at the end of it all.

If you are dancing perilously close to the Grinch zone this year—it means that you need to do a bit more holiday gifting, but don’t worry—these gifts don’t require another trip to the mall. In fact, these gifts are meant just for you and best of all–many of them are free.

Best Gifts to Give Yourself this Holiday Season

• Solitude: Part of what makes the holidays so special is the additional time that we get to spend with the important people in our lives. On the flip side, part of what makes the holidays so stressful is the additional time that we get to spend with the important people in our lives. Family gatherings, girlfriend gift exchanges, office parties, charity events…and so on and so on. Then, throw in a few school programs, shopping at crowded malls, church gatherings, etc. and pretty soon, it feels like every second of every day is spent in the company of hordes of people. While time with loved ones is something that all of us crave, time alone during this busy season can also be hugely beneficial—especially for those of us who tend to be a bit more introverted by nature. This year, be sure that amidst all of the hustle and bustle of the season, you also give yourself some time to just be with yourself. Grab a good book (might I recommend this one) and mug of hot chocolate to enjoy by the fireplace, or spend some precious minutes indulging in a favorite hobby (if you’re a knitter, check out this super simple tutorial and whip yourself up a pair of comfy slippers). Regardless of how you spend your alone time, don’t feel guilty about it. The only way you can give your best to others is by taking care of yourself first and foremost.
• Personal Development/Coaching: I’m a certified life coach, so I especially love this gift. I love it because I know firsthand just how beneficial personal development can be. Whether you decide to read a book (click here for a few of my faves), take an online course or hire a coach (you can check out my coaching packages here), the time and energy that you invest in bettering yourself is never wasted. We are all evolving creatures who long to live with passion and purpose. Give yourself the gift of personal development now, and watch it pay off in 2019.
• Rest: This one seems like a no-brainer and yet, for me, it is the most difficult gift on the list. In order to truly function at the highest level, our bodies need rest. We need rest all year long, but it can seem especially difficult to come by during the busy holiday season. If you struggle to shut your brain off at night and therefore cheat yourself out of a deep and restorative slumber, try a few of these suggestions to make giving yourself the gift of sleep a bit easier. I’ve also recently had some close friends and family members tell me about the better sleep that they are experiencing after using a weighted blanket—I think I’ll be adding one of those to my Christmas list.
• Pampering: Comforting pedicure, nice long bubble bath, hot stone massage…need I say more? These types of activities can seem so self-indulgent but c’mon—what’s wrong with that? This isn’t about becoming self-absorbed and thinking that every experience in life needs to cater to our sensual desires, it is simply about allowing ourselves to feel good for a few sacred minutes. If you’re crafty and would like to make your own pampering bath bombs, click here for a simple how-to.
• Friendship: While solitude is important during the busy holiday season, so is spending quality time with good friends. Let’s face it, during the holidays we probably spend a lot of time with people out of obligation—not necessarily because we want to, but because family or social expectations make us feel as though we must. Be sure to balance out those musts with visits with people that you actually enjoy spending time with and who make you feel good about yourself. These visits don’t have to be long or involve elaborate activities; simply meet for a cup of coffee while you’re out doing your Christmas shopping or get together for an evening of watching Hallmark holiday movies and wrapping presents. Then, make a commitment that once the holidays are over, you will enjoy some “friend time” every month. For a fun list of activities to do with your friends, click here.
• Organization: Nothing kills my holiday vibe more than a cluttered, disorganized space, so one gift that I am definitely giving myself this holiday season is an organized office space. I am committing two Sunday afternoons this month to going through my piles of paper, sorting through desk items and pitching EVERYTHING that isn’t adding tangible value to my life. There is just something about walking into a tidy and inviting space that makes everything else feel okay. I’m going to give myself that feeling this holiday season. If you too would like to get organized, but aren’t sure where exactly to begin, try reading the book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, and then, visit my Organize It board on Pinterest for even more organization suggestions.
• Gratitude: It is impossible to feel sad or sorry for yourself when you are busy counting your blessings and expressing gratitude. Don’t let the chaos of the season rob you of your sense of gratitude. If you find yourself feeling more Grinchy than grateful, try a few of these tips for cultivating an attitude of gratitude.

  “ It is impossible to feel sad or sorry for yourself when you are busy counting your blessings and expressing gratitude.

• Education: No, I’m not suggesting that you sign up for night classes at your local university (especially when there are so many other things to focus on over the holidays), but I am suggesting that you engage in activities that will help to keep your mind active and help you to gain a better grasp on subjects that interest you. There are so many physical and emotional health benefits to becoming a life-long learner (click here to read about them) and so many wonderful platforms available for expanding your education. You no doubt know that you can learn just about anything by watching a YouTube video, but have you heard of the online learning platform Udemy? I just love Udemy and have been able to learn so much about a huge variety of subjects from how to master Photoshop to how to format a book for publication and how to master the art of Reiki healing. Even if you don’t have time during the holidays to sign up for a class, you definitely owe it to yourself to pop over to Udemy and check out their courses so that you can commit to beginning one in the new year (plus–they are running a killer special right now with many of their top courses priced at only $10.99).
  
• Awe: I grew up on a farm in central Kansas. Every year for Christmas, my family loads up the car and makes the trek from Colorado back to that farm. It’s so wonderful to feel the warmth of my parent’s wood stove and taste the delicious cranberry slush drink that my dad makes. The entire experience is filled with Christmas cheer, but there is one thing that always brings me such a deep sense of awe and wonder. You see, I live in Fort Collins, Colorado now. It is breathtakingly gorgeous where I live—but it isn’t quiet. I mean, it’s not loud or anything like that, but rarely can you step outside without hearing the sound of traffic (unless you head up into the mountains). At my mom and dad’s house though, it is quiet (okay—it’s not quiet in the house where all of the grandkids are—but it is definitely quiet outdoors). I absolutely love to slip outside late at night (yes, it’s cold but I don’t stay out for long) and look up at the sky. Something about looking up at the vast inky blackness that is dotted with stars, feeling the chill of the winter air on my skin and hearing nothing but the sound of the wind through the trees fills me with such a sense of awe. All at once I feel so small and yet so connected, all at the same time. While I realize that not everyone can make a trek to a house in the middle of rural Kansas (though my dad would have a blast entertaining everyone), I do know that moments of awe are all around us all the time—we just have to make the effort to notice and appreciate them. Be sure to make that effort and give yourself this very special gift this year.

The holiday season has so much merriment and joy to offer. Make sure that you don’t miss out on these magical moments because of a bah-humbug attitude. Give yourself a few of these powerful gifts and experience the true gift of the season.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to give yourself the gift of these two FabYOUlous (and FREE) ebooks: “365 Questions to Help You Find Your Answers” and “50 FabYOUlous Ways to Energize Your Life”. Snag them today by clicking the image below…

Albert Einstein once referred to creativity as “intelligence having fun”. I don’t know about you, but I like being intelligent and I especially like it if it’s fun.

However; despite my desire to live a creative life, the truth of the matter is that I’ve never really considered myself to be a particularly creative person. Oh sure—I like to create; I knit, crochet, craft, and write, however, the things that I create are usually from a pattern that someone else has created and I am simply replicating. Heck, even my writing, though original, typically falls in the non-fiction, self-help genre rather than among more creative fictional works.

Still…I long to be a more creative individual, so I’ve intentionally set out on a quest to cultivate more creativity in my life. I haven’t been at it for long but already, I can see that Maya Angelou was correct when she said, “you can’t use up creativity–the more you use, the more you have”. As I look for opportunities to expand my creativity, I find myself approaching everyday situations with a more creative mindset.

Here are some creativity boosting ideas that I’ve tried, along with some other suggestions that I’ve found from leading creativity experts. Pick a few to try and then watch as your increased creativity begins to spill over into every aspect of your life.

FabYOUlous Ideas for Living a More Creative Life

• Take one photo a day for an entire year. Try to vary your photos from standard shots (your family, your cat, your new car etc.) with more “artsy” photos (try varying the background or using different aperture settings etc.) At the end of your year, compile all of the photos into an album.
• Start the next great American novel by writing one page a day for a year. Just think—in a year you’ll have 365 pages. That’s plenty for a novel!
• Learn one new word every day and try to work it into a sentence. Not only will this boost your intelligence—it will also fire up your creativity.
• Take $20 to your local thrift store and try to come up with a fun new outfit.
• Create an indoor succulent garden/terrarium. For a simple tutorial, click here
• Hop over to YouTube and find a video tutorial for a creative project that you’d like to try. I’ve got this one on my to-do list.
• Try drawing something with your non-dominant hand
• Listen to some creativity inspiring podcasts. Might I suggest: The Go Creative Show, 99 Percent Invisible, Creative Mornings and The Unmistakable Creative.
• Daydream about your dream vacation, your next tattoo, your ideal career…get those creative juices fired up and then jot down the thoughts/visions/ideas that came to you during your daydream session.
• Flip through a cookbook or visit a recipe board on Pinterest (here’s one to check out) and pick out a new recipe to try.
• Try rearranging the furniture in one room of your house.
• Cut letters and images out of magazines to create a collage of your favorite quotes.
• Write a Haiku. For those of you who need a refresher—it’s a three lined poem. The first and last lines are made up of five syllables and the middle line is made up of seven syllables. It need not rhyme (most Haiku don’t).
• Visit an art museum or gallery that you’ve never been to before.
• Gather some stones and paint them, then…leave them laying around for others to find. For inspiration, click here.
• Practice an instrument for 30 minutes every day.
• Spend time every evening coloring in an adult coloring book. Here’s one of my faves.
• Upcycle something into a new, FabYOUlous creation. Here are some fun ways to upcycle blue jeans.
• Work your way through this book—it’s SO fun.
• Start a new collection of small items (rocks, thimbles, buttons, matchbook covers…) and create a shadow box in which to display your creation.

Finally, if you would like to check out a few of my favorite books on the subject of creativity cultivation, you can start with these…

• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Play by Stuart Brown
• Creative Confidence by Tom and David Kelley
• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Truly, the best thing about increasing your level of creativity is that there is no real wrong way to do it. Anything that gets you thinking in a new way is boosting your creativity. It’s simply time to start making the effort—it’s time to get creative about your creativity.

Don’t Forget to Snag our TWO Free Ebooks! Just Click the Image Below…

Could it be possible that the Beach Boys of 1966 had a deeper understanding of Universal laws than most of us do in 2018? I mean, clearly their hit song Good Vibrations was about a girl–but that girl definitely knew how to put out some good vibes and attract the guys.

I have no idea how well versed the Beach Boys were in subjects like quantum physics or magnetic frequency, however, it’s clear that they knew a little something about the effects that good vibrations have on attraction and (in their words) “excitations”. In fact, whether they knew it or not–the Universal Law of Vibration is one of the most powerful laws impacting our lives in every single moment of our existence.

In simple terms, the Universal Law of Vibration states that every particle in the universe is in constant motion and carries energy within it. This law applies to everything from giant planets, stars and moons to the pencil on your desk and the chair under your butt. This isn’t just a bunch of new age woo-woo, this is actual science as there are high-powered microscopes that are able to see the vibrational energy of even solid objects. What’s more–not only do all objects vibrate, they vibrate at different frequencies and, thanks to the Law of Attraction (for an overview of all 12 Universal Laws, click here), objects with a high vibrational frequency are attracted to other items with high frequencies (the same is true for objects with low vibrational frequencies–they attract other low vibe objects/experiences). High vibe objects, experiences and emotions are those that elevate our lives to higher levels of joy, contentment, love and compassion, while low vibes will make us feel tired, stuck, lethargic and unenthused. If you’re curious as to how you’re vibing, here is a checklist to guide you…

You’re stuck in a low-vibe state if…

• You feel physically unwell/unfit
• You continually seem to make poor life choices
• You feel stuck in an unfulfilling existence
• Your relationships are dysfunctional
• You experience chronic pain
• You have no energy and feel a constant sense of lethargy
• Your finances are a wreck
• You have a difficult time trusting yourself or others
• You often experience feelings of resentment or jealousy
• You seek out unhealthy means of self-soothing (drugs, alcohol, sex, cigarettes, food, etc.)
• Your life lacks direction or purpose
• You watch a lot of violent multimedia
• You are needy or high maintenance–expecting others to take care of you because you are incapable of taking care of yourself
• You feel cooped up with little exposure to nature
• You struggle to feel or express gratitude

You’re enjoying a high-vibe state if…

• Smiling and laughing come easily to you
• Your relationships with others are joy-filled, meaningful and mutually beneficial
• You experience high levels of energy and physical vitality
• New opportunities often find their way to you–whether you consciously seek them out, or not
• You are able to delay gratification if doing so will lead to a better result in the long-run
• Other people are drawn to you
• You are highly creative and have lots of ideas that you’d like to pursue
• You feel that life is full of endless opportunity
• You feel divinely connected to your higher power
• You don’t take yourself too seriously
• You regularly exhibit a high level of self-discipline that serves you well
• Synchronicities and “happy accidents” happen for you on a regular basis
• You are filled with gratitude on a daily basis
• You can see the good in people and situations (even when others can’t)
• You have strong personal boundaries
• You feel as though your life has purpose and that you are following that purpose
• You regularly nurture yourself and others
• You enjoy regular time out in nature
• You are tuned in to your intuition

While these lists aren’t exhaustive, they should give you a pretty good idea as to how you are currently vibing in your life.  If your life isn’t what you long for it to be, changing your vibration is one of the quickest and most effective ways to turn things around.

“ Changing your vibration is one of the quickest & most effective ways to turn things around.

If you are serious about living a life of purpose, contentment and joy, try these vibration raising techniques today and start noticing the (almost immediate) effect that they they have on your life experience. Then, once you start living your life in a more consistently high-vibe state, you’ll be able to build on that initial momentum and continue to expand your experience of good vibrations–just like the Beach Boys.

Vibe Up to Level Up

• Practice positive visualization with the help of a Vision Board. For suggestions on how to create a truly powerful Vision Board, click here. 
• Recite daily affirmations. Click here to download and print a list of powerful abundance affirmations.
• Stop dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Instead, embrace the present moment and live it to its fullest.
• Get rid of clutter in your space. Make room for fresh, new energy to come in.
• Go on a social media fast. I mean seriously–who needs to read one more angry political rant?
• Get outside into nature. Look up at the stars, take a walk through a park, breathe in some fresh air and feel your connection to all of nature.
• Practice an attitude of gratitude. Click here for practical suggestions on how to do this.
• Smile. Just the act of smiling (whether you feel like it or not) has been scientifically shown to increase one’s level of happiness. 
• Use aromatherapy to elevate your vibes. I love essential oils for this purpose. Some of my favorites include Rose, Jasmine, Lavender, Frankincense, Peppermint, Sandalwood and Juniper Berry. If you’d like to learn more about essential oils and how to use them, click here.
• Be generous, kind and compassionate with others. Putting these vibes out into the Universe will bring those vibes back into your own experience.
• Listen to high-vibe music. While I’ll confess that I do love death metal (don’t judge), my music of choice when I need to raise my vibration is a special kind of music called wholetones This music is recorded at various frequencies that have been shown to promote healing, feelings of well being and joy.
• Get your blood flowing with some exercise. Even going for a simple walk around your block can do wonders for your emotional state. Click here for simple suggestions on how to rock your walk.  
• Reduce the toxic load on your system. Click here for practical suggestions on how to do this.
• Shake up your chakras. If you have no idea what this means or how to do it, click here.
• Learn mindfulness through meditation. It’s not as complicated as you may think–click here for a guide to meditation that is written specifically for those who think that they can’t meditate (you can–I promise).
• Get enough sleep. No one can sustain a high vibrational level when exhausted. Click here for simple suggestions on improving your slumber.
• Forgive past hurts. You don’t have to lose the lesson, but you also don’t have to hold onto the pain. Let it go.
• Surround yourself with positive, upbeat people who model for you the kind of life that you want to live. For a closer look at the power of your posse, click here.
• Utilize the power of crystal energy. I am still a novice when it comes to using crystals, but I do believe that they can be powerful tools for increasing one’s vibrational frequency. Some top crystals for this purpose are Bloodstone, Smokey Quartz, Rose Quartz, Carnelian, Aventurine, Citrine, Celestine and turquoise. If you’d like to research the power of crystals further, check out my favorite book on the subject here.
• Focus upon the positive aspects in life because what you focus on, expands
• Spend time with a favorite animal. This is good on so many levels–click here to learn more. 
• Drink plenty of water (not coffee, not soda, not even wine!)
• Own plants. They improve the flow of good energy in your home/room/office
• Find ways to express your creativity. Write, dance, sing, paint, craft…whatever delights your inner muse.
• Love. Love your spouse, love your kids, love your friends, but most importantly…love yourself.
• Connect to your higher power–whatever that means for you. For guidance on deepening your own spiritual connection, click here.
• Protect your own physical, emotional and spiritual energy by having solid personal boundaries. Admittedly, this one can be hard. For some advice on how to erect these boundaries, click here.

If some of this talk of vibrational energy sounds a little woo-woo for you, I get it. I was skeptical of the Law of Vibration too when I first heard of it, but then I experimented and the more I experimented, the more I became a believer. If you are interested in dipping your toe a bit more into this topic, check out this post that summarizes the 12 Spiritual Laws of the Universe and then download this powerful list of 50 FabYOUlous Resources for the Spiritually Curious. 

Finally, don’t forget to grab our two FabYOUlous Freebies by clicking the image below…

I always feel a tinge of trepidation when I start to write a fitness post–especially one that happens to be scheduled for the very beginning of swimsuit season. I mean, I am all for loving your body no matter what shape/size/color it is, and I truly believe that we ALL have bikini bodies if we simply find a bikini and put it on our body. So, please, please know that this post is not here to shame anyone into feelings of insecurity when it comes to body image. Instead, I write this post in an effort to help each one of us to feel better physically, because there is plenty of science to show that feeling physically strong and healthy carries over into our emotional well-being as well.

One physical change that I have noticed (especially after I entered my 40’s) is the slowing down of my metabolism. I used to enjoy (thanks to good genetics from my “Energizer Bunny” father), a high metabolism rate that helped to keep me fit without a lot of extra effort on my part. Well, things have changed and my metabolism has slowed waaaaaayyyy down. This stinks because not only does a strong metabolism help when it comes to maintaining a fit physique, it also helps to strengthen the immune system and contributes to a long, healthy life.

Fortunately, there are some easy (and completely natural) ways that we can rev up our metabolism, simply by making a few lifestyle adjustments

“ Rev up your metabolism with these simple and natural lifestyle adjustments…

FabYOUlous Ways to Fire Up Your Metabolism

• Don’t skip breakfast! A healthy breakfast is a simple way to rev your metabolism right out of the gate. Make sure that your breakfast is a good mix of healthy fats and protein (perhaps an egg omelette, some fresh fruit and a sliced avocado). Having a healthy breakfast, every single day will fire up your metabolism and help to boost your energy all day long.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. There are so many health benefits associated with drinking plenty of water and it is SUCH an easy thing to do. Upping your water intake not only boosts your metabolism, it also helps to fill you up before a meal (so you are less likely to overeat) and does wonders for your skin. To add a little flavor (and extra health benefit) to your water intake, click here for some delicious infused water recipes.
• Take a stand. Did you know that many health experts have dubbed prolonged sitting as the “new smoking” because it has such detrimental effects on physical health? Yikes! Still, many of us have jobs where we spend our days sitting on our duffs in front of a computer–all. day. long. Fortunately, this is a simple lifestyle hack to incorporate because all we have to do is stand up. In fact, compared with sitting, an afternoon of standing can fire up your metabolism and burn an extra 175 calories. If possible, look into investing in a standing desk, but if that isn’t feasible, simply make the effort to spend more time standing every day.
• Eat regularly. By eating at regular times throughout the day, every day you will help to keep your metabolism level steady rather than having it spike and dip.
• Spice things up. Add a little zing to your meals by adding some spicy pepper. Peppers contain capsaicin, a chemical compound that stimulates thermogenesis and fires up metabolism.
• Sleep on it. Good sleep is essential in order for all bodily functions to operate effectively–this includes metabolism. If you are like me and struggle to get a full eight hours of sleep, click here for some tips on how to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep.
• Fill up on protein and healthy fats. Protein will keep you feeling fuller, longer and it takes longer to digest, therefore revving your metabolism. Healthy fats that contain Omega 3s (tuna, salmon etc.) help to reduce inflammation in the body while also reducing stress hormones.
• Flex some muscle. Exercising and building up muscle is one of the quickest ways to fire up metabolism because muscle weighs more than fat and burns more energy. 
• Add essential oils to your health regimen. One to two drops of grapefruit oil added to your water can help stimulate metabolism. Ginger is another oil with fantastic metabolism revving properties. As with anything you ingest, you’ll want to make sure that you are using only the highest quality oils. Click here to learn more about the many benefits of essential oils.

While none of these suggestions are overly complex or complicated, they can all help to increase your metabolism. Start by adding just one of these simple lifestyle changes and then gradually begin adding in others.  As you start to see and (more importantly) feel the difference that these small tweaks can make in your life, you’ll build momentum and want to maintain your healthier, more energetic lifestyle.

For even more ways to energize your life–click the image to receive our popular ebook, “50 FabYOUlous Ways to Energize Your Life“

Mindfulness is such a popular buzzword these days, but what exactly does it mean, and more importantly–how do we obtain it?

I’ll be the first to confess-the whole concept of mindfulness, is one that intimidated me for a long time. In my mind, I equated mindfulness with hours spent on a meditation pillow, doing nothing but breathing; and frankly, that sounded really, really boring to me. Thankfully, after studying the topic a bit more, I’ve come to a much clearer understanding of what mindfulness really is and how to incorporate it into my life in small, intentional doses throughout the day. These simple tweaks have allowed me to seamlessly integrate mindful moments into my schedule and reap the benefits of a clearer, more aligned, mind, body and spirit.

If you, (like me), have a non-stop life, but still long for a more mindful existence, try incorporating a few of these simple techniques into your day.

Simple Steps to Daily Mindfulness

• 6:30 A.M.–Start your day in a mindful way. Rather than hitting the snooze button four times before rising, get up immediately and open your window blinds. The sunlight will help to wake up your senses. Next, make your bed mindfully by setting your intentions for the day as you smooth your sheets and plump your pillows. Finally, as your going through your normal morning routine, use the time to mentally set the tone for the coming day. I like to think of things that make me smile while I’m brushing my teeth and recite my daily affirmations while putting on my makeup.
• 7:00 A.M.–Take your joe outside. Summer mornings are the perfect time to slow down a bit and savor the flavor of your morning cup of coffee. Feel the warmth of the mug in your hands and the warmth of the sun on your face as you step out onto your porch (balcony, back yard…whatever) and sip your favorite brew. If you live somewhere that makes this difficult (a high-rise apartment building for example), you can still mindfully enjoy your coffee by sipping it near an open window with fresh air wafting in. Be sure to take a few moments to enjoy the aroma of your coffee before taking a sip and then, truly savor your first few swallows.
• 7:30 A.M.–Don’t inhale your breakfast. Again, slow down. Instead of shoving a stale bagel in your mouth as you head out the door in the morning; make the effort to actually enjoy your breakfast. If this seems impossible to you, start your planning the night before by setting out your plate and utensils and having your food ready for preparation. Not only will this allow you to truly enjoy your food, research has shown that eating mindfully also helps to improve digestion and regulate appetite.
• 10:30 A.M.–Mid morning moment of awe. While it might be difficult to step outside and marvel at the beauty of nature if you work in a cubicle in a big city office, you can still sneak in a moment or two of awe. Simply click here to view tons of gorgeous scenery photos that will allow your mind to relax while you take a few moments to re-center yourself and slow your breathing a bit.
• 12:00 P.M.–Enjoy a quiet lunch by yourself. Sure, it’s fun to grab lunch with your besties, and occasionally, it is important to have a working lunch with a client. When possible however; try to enjoy your lunch with a side order of peace and quiet. Take a good book with you (might we suggest this one?) and find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Drink some cold water (or hot tea if it is winter time) and just enjoy your own company as you enjoy your meal.
• 3:00 P.M.–Mid afternoon appreciation. Mid afternoon is the hardest time of the day for me. In order to bring a little mindfulness to my mid-afternoon slump, I’ve set a reminder on my phone to beep (or vibrate) every day at 3:00. When my reminder goes off, it is my trigger to take a look around me and think of something that I’m thankful for. Yesterday, it was the space heater under my desk (the air conditioner in our office is RIDICULOUS) that I was most thankful for, but other days it might be the fact that the weather outside is beautiful or that the copier didn’t jam on me as I was printing my workshop handouts. Just taking a moment to be still and give silent gratitude is often enough to re-align my heart and mind in a mindful manner.
• 5:00 P.M.–Create a calm commute. I’ll confess, my commute home in the evenings after work had become so routine that I sometimes barely remembered the drive. I mean, I’m sure that I used my turn signals appropriately and obeyed the traffic laws, but honestly; everything had become so rote that I could seriously drive for miles without even thinking about what I was doing. In order to take back my drive time in a meaningful way, I’ve created mindfulness “anchors” that serve as reminders to come back to the present, take a deep breath and fully re-engage with my mind and body. For me, these anchors are red lights. Whenever I come to a red traffic light, I tell my mind to stop and come back to itself. If your commute is on a bus or subway, you can use the dings at stops as your anchor or perhaps, a certain stop along your way can serve as your anchor. No one needs to know about your mindfulness practice since it is something that takes place internally–so don’t worry about what other commuters are thinking of you.
• 10:00 P.M.–Wind down with intention. As you start to prepare for bed, spend some time connecting with your spirit. Do five minutes of meditation (for some of my favorite guided meditations, check out fragrantheart.com) and maybe some light stretching. If you feel as though you need more help with unwinding, take a warm bubble bath with some lavender essential oil and allow your body to relax and your mind to release the tensions of the day. Once you’ve relaxed a bit, allow yourself to mindfully observe the shimmer of the bubbles and inhale the fragrance of the lavender; bringing your attention fully to the present moment.
• 10:30 P.M.–Lights out. As you lay your head on your pillow, allow yourself a few final moments of mindfulness before you drift off to sleep. Notice how comfortable your bed feels and how soothing the dark is. Stay in the present moment without worrying about tomorrow’s to-do list or the things that went wrong earlier in the day. Just allow your spirit to enjoy the calm as your body slips into slumber.

While getting into the groove when it comes to practicing mindfulness might take a little time (hence the reason it’s called a practice), mindfulness is a skill that can be learned, and therefore, the more you practice it, the more you will naturally begin to develop the ability. Really, it’s not the being mindful that is difficult–it’s the remembering to be mindful that’s the challenge. By implementing these mini mindfulness moments into your normal routine, you’ll begin programming your mind to remember them automatically, making you naturally more mindful of mindfulness.

Time. It is one of our most precious commodities, and yet, it is something that so many of us squander without giving a second thought as to how it might be better spent. One thing that never ceases to bewilder me, is how often people will say to me that they don’t have time to go out and pursue their dreams–and yet, those same people can tell you everything that happened during the last season of Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead or The Bachelor.

Now, please, please don’t take this wrong. I am not saying any of this in judgement, since I too, enjoy watching TV on occasion and understand that there is a time and a place in life for guilty pleasure. However; I do know (from personal experience) how much more fulfilling, enjoyable and rewarding life can be when we make the effort to regain control of our time and pull ourselves away from the television. I mean think about it…we all trade the minutes of our lives for something; do you really want that thing to be hours of zoned out disconnection in front of a glowing box?

If you are ready to start taking back control of your time (and ultimately, your life) and weaning yourself from hours spent in front of the television, here are 50 suggestions of things that you can do instead of watch TV.

50 FabYOUlous Things to Do Instead of Watching TV

1. Read a book. Television watching is meant to be passive (thus reducing cognitive development) while reading is an active mental pursuit (thus developing greater cognition). If you are looking for some suggestions on what read, click here for a few of my faves. Plus, as an added bonus, reading can make you sexier. It’s true! You can get the details here. 
2. Create a tabletop succulent garden. Not only will this simple project result in a beautiful centerpiece, it will bring a little bit of nature into your indoor environment which will help to purify the air and soothe your spirits. For a tutorial on how to create your own indoor succulent garden, click here.
3. Sign up for an online class in a subject that interests you. I just love the platform Udemy because it offers such a wide variety of classes on so many interesting subjects. I’ve used Udemy to learn everything from how to self publish a book to how to make a macrame plant hanger. If there is something that you’d like to learn, there’s a good chance that Udemy has a class for you.
4. Start a side-hustle–or at least start brainstorming side-hustle ideas. Is there a business idea that you’ve been noodling on for a while? Do you long to escape your day job for something that’s more fulfilling? Maybe now is the time for you to start thinking about starting a business of your own. You don’t have to have everything figured out right now, but maybe you can start jotting down some ideas and get the creative juices flowing. Who knows where this first step might lead.
5. Gather your family (or friends) for a rousing game of Jenga with a Twist. Seriously–it is SO fun. Or…if all players are over the age of 21, you might want to check out Drunken Jenga Directions (and a printable) for each game can be downloaded here.
6. Organize one messy drawer/cabinet. Throw away anything that you no longer need or want. Just think how much more organized your house would be if you did this every day for a month…
7. Plan a week’s worth of outfits. Not only will this snag you a few more minutes of sanity in the morning, it will give you an opportunity to asses if anything needs mending, washing, ironing etc.
8. Plan a week’s worth of meals. This one will add more sanity to your evenings by eliminating the hassle of trying to decide what to fix.
9. Download the ibotta app to your smart phone. This app lets you earn money on items that you buy all the time anyhow. Plus–you’ll get $10 free for signing up with this referral code link (while the promotion lasts). Last year, I banked all of my reward money and cashed it out to use for Christmas shopping. It gave me an extra $120 to put towards my holiday budget.
10. Go for a walk. Walking is so, so good for you. Click here for seven tips on how to rock your walk and make it even more productive. 
11. Sort your social media. Do you have friends on Facebook who aren’t really friends but you added them because you kinda knew them and felt guilty when they sent you a friend request, but now that you’ve accepted, all they do is pitch their new business 24/7 and try to get you to join their “once in a lifetime” opportunity? Or…do you have “friends” who are so wrapped up in drama, judgement and competition, that reading their posts literally makes you feel like you need to go take a shower afterwards? Yeah–we all have people like that in our social media feeds. Instead of letting these “friends” bring down your vibe or make you feel inferior, spend your normal TV viewing time going through your social media feeds and getting rid of anyone who doesn’t add genuine value to your life.
12. Clean out your purse. Not only will getting rid of the gum wrappers, old tissues and ancient receipts feel good, it will also make more room in your purse for important things, like, you know…money.
13. Go outside and get some fresh air. Bonus points if you allow yourself to walk barefoot in some grass, or (if it’s too cold) take some big deep breaths of fresh, energizing air.
14. Start planning a garage sale–a great way to get rid of some clutter and make a little bank at the same time.
15. Call your mom. You know that she misses you…and worries.
16. Go through your calendar and schedule some time for self-care. Make time for a massage, haircut or manicure. Pencil in some time to go to yoga class or to do some journaling. Get these me-time moments blocked out on your calendar for the next month and then stick to them.
17. Meditate. Unless you have been hiding out under a rock, you’ve no doubt heard about the many, many physical and emotional health benefits of meditation  (if you have been living under a rock, you can read more about those benefits here). So…instead of watching TV tonight, why don’t you give this incredible practice a try. Don’t worry–if you have no idea how to get started with meditation, you can check out this post for a full run-down on everything you need to know about beginning a sustainable meditation practice.  
18. Tune into some inspiring podcasts. I love podcasts. I listen to them while I’m working out, driving, doing laundry–you get the picture. No matter what you are interested in, there is sure to be a podcast on the subject. A few of my faves include Style Your Mind, She Means Business and Goal Digger.
19. Build some muscle. As a “sort of” runner, I am someone who does a decent job when it comes to building my cardio fitness. What I’m not great at though is strength training. If (like me), your muscles could use a little toning, use your TV time to do some push-ups, squats or planking. For my super-simple routine, click here.
20. Start planning your next vacation. Google things to do, activities in the area etc.
21. Start a savings plan for your next vacation. After you plan your trip, it’s time to create a budget to start saving for it.
22. Make a vision board. If you’ve followed FabYOUlous Life for any length of time, you know that I am a huge proponent of vision boards. Not only are they fun to make, they (when used correctly) are incredibly effective at helping to manifest incredible things, experiences, relationships etc. into life. For more info. on how to create and harness the magic of a vision board, click here. Here’s a shot of my vision board to give you a little inspiration…
23. Phone a friend. Remember the days when people used phones to actually call other people and talk? Call up a friend and have a nice chat. Sometimes it can be therapeutic just to hear the voice of someone you genuinely care about.
24. Learn to knit (or sketch, or paint, or write haiku…you get the picture). Find an activity that allows you to tap into your creative side (yes, you have one). If knitting ends up being your thing, check out this quick tutorial for my favorite (and easy to make) knit slippers.
25. Bake some cookies. I mean, what could be better than cookies? Earn some brownie points by taking the cookies to your office to share.
26. Give some extra attention to your four legged bestie. Pets do so much for us (click here to learn just how beneficial our pets are to our physical and emotional health) so why not spend a little extra time with your fur baby instead of zoning out with the TV.
27. Do some stretching. Not only does stretching out those muscles feel good, it also helps to keep you limber and less prone to injury.
28. Clean out your inbox. While “inbox zero” might be a pipe dream for many of us, there’s no reason for 4,352 old emails to be languishing in your inbox for months on end. Take some time to start sorting out those messages that truly are important from those that need to be deleted.
29. Watch a make-up tutorial on YouTube and then give yourself a mini-makeover. Who knows–maybe you’ll finally master the “smokey eye” without looking like Alice Cooper (no offense Alice–you totally pull it off)
30. Organize your computer desktop and files. No more wondering where on earth you saved that file to.
31. Get it on. This is my hubby’s favorite suggestion on this list–just sayin’. Seriously though–what can be better than a little nooky? It burns calories, strengthens your bond with your partner and releases stress. Oh yeah–there’s also the fact that it feels awesome
32. Listen to your favorite music. Jazz, country, death metal–if it’s your jam, crank it up.
33. Join or start a MeetUp group. If there is a subject that you’re interested in, there’s a good chance that someone else is interested in it too. Check out Meetup.com to see if an interest group already exists in your area, but if not–start one.
34. Take a nice, warm bubble bath. Make your bath extra decadent with these simple DIY bath bombs.
35. Start a gratitude journal. Nothing can shift one’s perspective and raise one’s spirits faster than expressing gratitude. Click here for seven simple ways to put the power of gratitude to work in your life.
36. Get crafty. Make something with your own two hands. For starters, you can make this fun vacation memories photo frame. 
37. Give yourself a mani/pedi. Studies have actually shown that having well kept nails is a confidence booster for both women and men. For tips on how to give yourself the perfect pedi, click here.
38. Take a nap. Sure–we might have fought nap time when we were four years old, but now that we are adults–NAPS ARE AWESOME. The key to feeling refreshed after a nap is to only nap for 20 minutes or so. If you nap longer than that, your body will slip into a deeper sleep cycle and you will feel groggy upon waking. 
39. Research volunteer opportunities. There are so many worthy organizations out there that are looking for committed volunteers. If you have time and talent that you’d like to offer, check out the Volunteer Match website to get information about volunteer opportunities in your area.
40. Do a crossword puzzle or solve a Sudoku. Not only are puzzles fun–they help prevent premature brain aging.
41. Clean out your fridge. You can pitch anything that is past its “use by” date and use the good stuff to plan your weekly menu (see item #8).
42. Sweat it out. Break a sweat by doing 100 jumping jacks, going for a jog around your neighborhood or simply going up and down your stairs until you start to feel the burn.
43. Do the laundry. Especially since your clothes are now sweaty (see above entry).
44. Write down your personal and professional goals for the next six months, year, three years. Then, follow up by making a plan to start working towards them.
45. Give your honey a massage and then have them give you one in return. Not only does this one feel so good, it might also lead to item #31 on the list–wink.
46. Make a plan to create your own “sacred space” in your home. Click here for some great suggestions on how to go about doing this.
47. Write a letter. This letter can be a love letter to your partner, an appreciation note to a friend, or even a wisdom letter to your younger self. You don’t even have to send the letter if you don’t feel like it–just the act of writing can be therapeutic on its own. 
48. Play. Whether it’s riding a bike, jumping rope, rollerskating or shooting hoops–choose an activity that brought you joy as a kid and spend some time indulging in it as an adult.
49. Have a conversation with someone you care about. If you can’t think of anything to discuss, you can start by downloading the free ebook, “365 Questions to Help You Find Your Answers” and picking out a few questions to use as conversation starters.
50. Start a Pinterest board on a subject that you love. Be warned though–Pinterest is SO addictive. Seriously–my family is threatening to stage an intervention for me based upon my Pinterest addiction. This would of course be called a “pintervention”–HA!

While it certainly isn’t expected that all of these suggestions will be appealing to you, there are sure to be a few on this list that you can easily implement the next time the urge to spend an entire evening vegged out on the couch, watching TV hits. I truly believe that the quality of one’s life is determined by the choices one makes. Make the commitment today to take back your power from the television and reinvest your time in personally meaningful activities–your future self will thank you.

Don’t forget to click the image below to download your TWO free ebooks: “365 Questions to Help You Find Your Answers” and “50 FabYOUlous Ways to Energize Your Life”

What is it about Scandinavians? They consistently rank as among the happiest people on the planet and they have some of the funniest sounding words (remember my recent post on Hygge, yep that’s a Scandinavian word too). Still…funny vocabulary aside–the rest of us on planet earth could certainly benefit by taking note of some of these Scandinavian words, and incorporating into our routines, the concept that the words define–like for instance, the word sisu.

Sisu (pronounced see-soo) is a life philosophy that is a central part of the collective discourse of the small country of Finland. While some equate sisu with stamina, perseverance or grit, it’s really more than that. In fact, sisu can be thought of as the psychological gear that kicks in where perseverance leaves off. It is essentially, the process of positive adaptation to stress or a tragedy. It is a reserve of emotional/physical power that enables extraordinary action to overcome mentally or physically challenging situations. It’s what kicks in when you pull a quad in mile nine but still make it to the finish line of your half-marathon, or you make the decision to leave a dangerously toxic marriage even  though you’re not sure where you’ll go or how you’ll support yourself. Basically it’s what happens when you feel like you just can’t go on, and yet…you do.

Nurturing and strengthening our sisu “muscles” before we need them will help to ensure that when the unthinkable happens (because at one time or another–it will happen…for all of us), we are more prepared to dig deep and deal with it. The Finns believe that one of the best ways to build up our sisu is to engage in activities that take us outside of our comfort zones–because let’s face it, we won’t need our sisu when we are tucked safely within our cozy little worlds where everything is predictable and easily managed. In fact, there is a Finnish proverb that speaks directly to this willingness to push past our normal limits…

“ You can never cross the ocean until you can find the courage to lose sight of the shore —FINNISH PROVERB

Don’t worry though–stepping out of your comfort zone is something that you can learn to do gradually. For example, if you tend to be a bit shy, you don’t necessarily have to walk up to your crush and immediately ask for a date; you can just start out by smiling and saying hello. You can also expand your comfort zone by simply doing everyday things in different ways. Try taking a different route to work in the morning, listen to music that is outside of your norm or try a new dish at your favorite restaurant instead of your usual.

In addition to taking practice steps outside of our comfort zones as a way of building our sisu reserves; we can also better prepare ourselves for challenging moments by doing everything in our power now to make sure that we are as mentally, physically and emotionally stable as possible. Tending to our own well being, truly is the best defense that any one of us has against those curve balls that life sometimes throws. This means, making sure that we are getting adequate amounts of sleep, watching what we eat, getting enough exercise/movement, allowing for moments of rest and relaxation, nurturing our relationships and tending to our spirits. Self care also means that we make an effort to get centered and silence all of the “noise” going on inside our mind. This can be done through meditation, prayer or deep breathing exercises. By practicing mindfulness in this way, we will be better able to clear our mind and calm our thinking when faced with moments of stress or turmoil. 

The bottom line is this…none of us wants to reach the point in life where something is so physically or emotionally overwhelming that we feel like we can’t go on. However; like it or not, very few of us make it through life without experiencing those feelings at least once. If we work now to keep ourselves emotionally and physically strong while also taking steps to bolster our internal strength and clarity of mind, we give ourselves every opportunity to not just make it through those moments, but to thrive in spite of them. Nurturing your sisu now will ensure that you have it when you need it.

An important aspect of building up your sisu is to ensure that your body is properly energized. Click the image below to receive our free ebook, “50 FabYOUlous Ways to Energize Your Life”. As a bonus, you’ll also receive our uber-popular ebook, “365 Questions to Help You Find Your Answers” for free.