Today we’re having some real talk about the 7 Key habits I’ve developed this year.

Why? You ask?

We are smack dab in the middle of August which means, YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO COMPLETE YOUR GOALS!

Yes hunny! There are still 4 1/2 months left in this year to make progress towards your goals and today, I’m going to share the 7 Key Habits that have helped me survive (because 2022 has been the MOST difficult and painful year of my life). I think it’s so important to be open and honest about this because the Key Habits truly have helped me live through unspeakable pain.

Ready?

Let’s GO!

Let’s get into these details, shall we?

1. Meditating

I use the Mindbliss App. I’ve found that in order to function AT ALL, Meditation is one of the Key Habits of my day. I actually started with just 5 minutes a couple of years ago and now I try to get in at least 30 minutes per day. Sometimes I use my Palo Santo and candles, sometimes I lay in bed and just close my eyes but every single time I finish, I’m so happy I did! You should definitely try it! It’s even affected how I respond to daily stressors.

2. Daily Devotional

Okay friend, this has helped change my perspective on so many struggles! I use ‘Find Rest‘ by Shaunti Feldhahn and while I don’t do this every single day, it’s a key habit that I turn to every 2-3 days and it has changed my perspective on this current chapter of my life. It really gives me a moment to consider these struggles as opportunities for self-improvement and growth.

3. Alone Time

THIS IS EVERYTHING! Yes, I have 4 kids, yes, I run a business, yes, I love being with friends and family, yes, I LOVE LOVE LOVE serving my amazing clients! But yes, quiet time to process and think, create and rest is crucial to my days. I actually have specific times that I’ve noticed over the years that I need to pause daily and it’s usually first thing in the morning, right after dinner, and right before bed. Those are my “decompression points” in the day and they make all the difference!

4. Exercise

I’ll be honest, this one was the most challenging of my key habits to develop and commit to. It’s so easy to push this to the side with a full schedule, injuries, and the        heat (let’s be honest shall we…South Carolina is HOTTTT!) but it’s also been the most gratifying thing to see all of the changes in my confidence, energy level, and mood.

I’ve become a runner again and have been using Anita Herbert Fitness Challenges to add strength training to my schedule! It’s the first time I’ve ever felt comfortable with weights in my life and the supportive community of women on Facebook has been such a wonderful experience! We encourage, ask questions, push, and motivate each other! It’s literally the best thing for someone who loves working out alone but also wants a community!

5. Blocking out my morning (gratitude and mental checklist) from Atomic Habits

These key habits are both done immediately upon waking up EVERY. SINGLE. MORNING. NO MATTER WHAT. I actually use the same exact template as James Clear in his book Atomic Habits. My morning starts like this: alarm goes off, I think of at least 3 things i’m grateful for, send love to 1 person, and then think of 3-5 things I need to accomplish that day. It sounds SO SIMPLE but it’s so impactful! I highly recommend you try it for a few weeks. I guarantee that you’ll be a different person by then! Full of gratitude, love, and purpose!

6. Working and being creative

Luckily these two work hand in hand for my career! These key habits however, have been cultivated through practice, writing down ideas, implementing what I can, and hard work. It’s also something that you can do regardless of your career. Being creative can look like baking bread, drawing with your kids, dancing freely in the living room, taking a pottery class, or something else that interests you. And, contrary to popular belief, you don’t actually have to be any good at your hobbies!

So, go do it!

7. Spending time with friends

This is actually harder than it sounds but so worth it! Find people, invite them to lunch, for a hike, to grab coffee, or sit in your living room and talk over dinner! Just find the time, even if it’s awkward at first because at the end of the day, all humans crave and need connection. It’s a fundamental need for all of us.

Ready to learn more?

To learn a bit more about me and inquire about your own photo session (because, yes, self-care is a beautiful thing), CLICK HERE 🙂