Barbara Schmidt's Blog, page 51

How to Lose the Fear of Missing Out Mentality

Summer time is great, there’s a lot going on, the weather is beautiful, and there is so much to enjoy. It’s also a time where the old fear of missing out mentality can creep in, set up shop, and camp in our minds, wreaking havoc and making us feel less than. Fear of missing out (or sometimes referred to FOMO) is when our minds think that because we are not partaking in a certain situation or event, we are losing out. In reality, fear of missing out is when you let the mind be in control, taking you out of the present moment. We’ve all experienced times where we wish we were somewhere else, or were with other people, doing different things; it’s normal. The key is to not let your mind dwell in these emotions and continue to live your life as it is now. If these feelings of fear or anxiety of missing out are in your life right now, don’t judge yourself or get down, take a deep breath and introduce some of these tips below.

Bring your mind back to the present. Like I said above, these fears really stem from when we let our minds wander out of the present moment. When you start to feel down or depressed about something, immediately bring your mind back to your current situation. Strengthen that mind muscle and work on always being present and aware to what is around you.
Become comfortable being alone. Many of us have fears and anxieties about being alone. Because of this we overcompensate and spend all of our time with other people. Being social and having loved ones is great, but it’s also wonderful to have that alone time. Get comfortable in it, so when you’re in a situation where FOMO creeps in, you won’t judge yourself for being by yourself. Everything you need is inside you; you just have to go inward.
Trust that you are in the right place at the right time. If your mind is taking you to thoughts that make you believe you should be somewhere that you’re not, don’t fret. This happens to everyone. Wherever you are right now, physically and mentally, is okay. If you are meant to be with a particular group of people in a particular setting, the Universe will conspire to get you there. Don’t over think it.
Make your own fun. Start incorporating really enjoyable activities into your life, on a daily basis. It doesn’t have to be big, but make sure it really brings you joy. Go out, explore, and put yourself out there; you’ll be guided to so many wonderful things.
Be grateful for what you have right now. Gratitude has the ability to make any situation positive. If you’re feeling upset or left out, flip the switch on yourself. What makes you feel included and loved? There are always things in our life to be grateful for, we just have to remember to look for them.

Do you get those feelings where you feel as though you’re missing out in life? What do you do to bring yourself back to the present? I’d love to hear your thoughts about this!

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My Thoughts on Depression and Mental Health

In the past month, we’ve been exposed to a lot of depressing news and situations. We’ve discussed dealing with negativity in life, but sometimes there’s more to it. Life is challenging, there’s no doubt about that. When it seems like nothing can go right and the world is set against you, mental health begins to suffer. Although the world is now a bit more open to it, free discussion of mental health has been somewhat taboo. In the past, you’d be considered weak if you need to see a therapist or something’s wrong with you if you have a chemical imbalance. In reality, mental health is something to be taken extremely seriously; in fact, I’ll go so far to say it’s on the top of the list in prioritizing your health. Being in the health and wellness field, I’ve read countless books, studies, and theories about mental health and I truly believe that your mind must be “right” to live a “healthy” and “happy” life. I put those words in quotes as you can define them in this instance as you see fit.

We’ve seen many beloved people in our culture succumb to their diseases concerning mental health, whether it’s depression or even addiction, and it’s always devastating. Sometimes the brightest outward souls are some of the most tortured inward souls. Those who give and give and give to the world sometimes don’t give back to themselves. What could have been done to prevent such loss? I go out on a limb when I say that I think we all, at some point in our lives, have experienced a sense of despair, uncertainty, loss, or even a desire to just call it quits. It is this fact that puts us all in the same boat, and allows us to have compassion for all people that truly go through real heartache in their lives.

Depression can place you in a hole so dark you feel that you will never see the light of day, and that is why I believe so many get buried under. It takes serious, extreme, work, diligence, and dedication to pull yourself out of it, but when you do, it’s oh so worth it. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

I think my blog this week can apply to anyone, even if you’re not diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or addiction. What can we do for ourselves when the outside world shuts us down? I’ve put together some thoughts that have always been helpful for me, but would love to have an open conversation about this in the comments below.

Find something to be grateful for every single day. When there’s a list a mile long of things that go wrong, find the tiniest thing in your life that is right. Own that positive part of your life, and have gratitude for it.
Make things happen for yourself. Is the Universe not giving you what you want right now? Act as if it is and make things happen! Create small, meaningful joys in your life, things that you can look forward to, that will help lift you up in times of struggle.
Find your own practice of physical and mental health. Get your body moving in a way that feels good to move. Let your mind be still so you can find clarity in your thoughts. Discover your practice, master it, and make it your new best friend.
Practice self-care daily. Honor yourself every single day. Get in touch with your needs and make it your priority to make sure those needs are met on a daily basis.
Cultivate meaningful, supportive, relationships. This is a piece I know is challenging for many, myself included. We are all on the quest for our “tribe”, those people that we can rely on, feel safe with, and trust unconditionally. If you don’t have that at the moment, set out an intention to bring that into your life. Be that best friend that you so desire, so that you can attract the like-minded people you crave.
Know that you are loved. The ego mind likes to tell us that we don’t matter, especially in a depressive state. Don’t allow those thoughts to come into your psyche. Even if it seems like the whole world hates you, I promise you, there is at least one person who absolutely needs you in this world…remember that.
Seek outside support whenever necessary. You can follow steps one through six and still feel totally blue, and in that case it’s necessary, acceptable, and vital to seek help. There is no weakness in asking for help. I am indebted to the people in my life who have helped me throughout the years, and so if you feel completely bogged down; find those resources that will be there for you unconditionally.

I hope these thoughts can shed a bit of light on a dark subject. Life is meant to be joyful, but we also need to recognize that there is work to be done to move past troubling times. I look forward to connecting with you in the comments below, I’m always here as a support or friend for all of you!

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK

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How to Cultivate Healthy Habits

For the past few months, I’ve been really focusing on self-exploration trying to figure out what it means to be healthy, happy, and whole, for myself. Being in the health and wellness field, I get asked all the time what I think people should do to feel great. While there are certain guidelines that are helpful for healthy living, I think as a society we’ve become too geared toward depending on what people tell us to do instead of figuring it out for ourselves! Before you get mad at me for saying that, I, of course, believe in getting an expert’s opinion, especially when it comes to health, but I also wholeheartedly think it’s time we start to take our health and our lives into our own hands. Sometimes you have to drop the “should’s” and the “must’s” and just do what feels good for you. So, how does one do that? Many of us are so out of touch with our bodies, our emotions, and our intuition, myself included at times! There’s no judgment, just awareness. I’m on a mission to feel good, so it only makes sense to do things that feel good, right? If you think this is great, here are some tips for you to cultivate healthy habits that feel good for you!

Make time every day to actually spend time with yourself. Whether it’s your morning meditation or an evening solo stroll, cherish the time you spend with you.
Be present and aware when consuming foods and drinks. We’re all told what diets are “the best”. What is best for you? When you eat foods, take time to notice how your body feels. Be mindful and aware, you may even want to take notes. Start to lean towards those foods that truly make your body feel satisfied and happy.
Exercise mindfully. It’s great to move your body; we all know that. There is a plethora of ways to get moving (see last month’s blog), but some ways may resonate more with you than others. Try them out and experiment! What makes you feel alive, confident, strong, and energized?
Give yourself the freedom to explore. We are so lucky to have the ability to explore in this life. We have free will and can choose to see, do, and feel anything we want. Start listening to what your body tells you; find activities that you truly enjoy, and that light you up inside.
Don’t make things so complicated. We like to over-complicate life, when really it’s pretty easy! Lean towards the healthy habits that make your mind, body, and spirit soar. Don’t worry about fitting in; we are all unique!

I’d love to hear from you on this topic! What have you created for yourself that makes you feel good and helps you live your most magnificent life! Let me know!

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Learning How to Trust

Do you truly believe and trust that in your life, things will work out exactly as they should? Do you have faith and confidence in your loved ones and peers that they will have your back when needed? Do you just know that in your life, everything is going to be ok?

All of these are really heady questions, and we all can answer them differently. Their main theme comes from the concept of trust. Trust is huge for me. In all that has gone on in my years on this earth, I think that one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of trust. I work very hard in living my best life, but in general, if I am really honest with myself, there has always been a part of me that just doesn’t trust and believe that things will work out. We all have so many life experiences that push us away from trust. We get our hearts broken, property is violated, safety is questioned, things just don’t unfold as we’d like for them to, and we come to think that this world is cruel, we shut ourselves down, and essentially don’t trust anything. Having a sense of trust means being okay with being vulnerable, which is hard for everyone. So as I re-teach myself to trust, I’ll pass along what I’ve learned in hopes of helping you find your own sense of trust in your life.

Get to really know yourself. So many of us go through life without really even knowing the person who is living this life. Who are you, really? Spend quality time with yourself. Learn what makes you, you. Identify who you are in this world of billions of people.
Be confident in the amazing person you are. We are all different, and that’s amazing. However, society likes to tell us that we need to fit into specific boxes. After going through step one of this blog, you’ll know who you are. Be completely okay with that! Don’t be afraid to stand out. A lot of the trusting component comes from having confidence in yourself.
Hop on a spiritual path, and keep yourself in check. Spirituality, life of purpose, wellness, all mean different things to different people. Find what path makes you happy, allow yourself to grow, choose your thoughts wisely, and learn to be happy with the life that you have. A great thing I learned from living a spiritual life is having the belief that everything that happens to me happens for a reason, for a lesson to be learned.
Have a reliable social circle to rely on when your trust begins to waiver. It’s great to be independent, but there are certainly times when it’s great to have outside support. Make sure the people you spend your time with have your best interest at heart, are there to support you, and will have your back when needed. Take time to find your tribe, and in the same token, be that great support for the people in your life as well.

How have you learned to be trusting in this world? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below!

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How to Deal with Negativity

Let’s face it, there is a lot going on in the world right now. It seems like every single day something traumatizing, terrorizing, or heartbreaking goes on, and we are all witnesses to it. While it’s normal and appropriate to feel the emotions that come with upsetting events, it’s also helpful to learn how to respond and cope in a positive, hopeful manner. Sometimes we can get into a place where we think that our own little lives don’t matter, in the grand scheme of the world, but especially in these darker moments, it’s so important to remember how important, valuable, and special that you are. Each and every one of us has the opportunity to make a difference in this world, we just have to be confident and step into our own magnificence. If you’re feeling a little bogged down with negativity in your life, in the world, or even on social media, this week’s blog is just for you. I’m here to help you shift your viewpoint, regroup, and be that beautiful light you’re meant to be.

Set boundaries and limits for negativity. While we can’t control what goes on in the world, we can control what we expose ourselves to. Limit the amount of time you spend watching or reading the news, being in negative situations, or even surfing the web. Give yourself something positive like going for a walk, taking a nap, or meditating to fill the time instead.
Be selective with who you surround yourself with (in person and online). We are incredibly social beings, and we pick up the energy and vibes from those we spend time with. Take a scan of your social circle and honestly answer if they are positive influences. It’s ok to cut ties, delete (online), and lovingly disconnect from people who bring you down. In fact, it’s a must.
Send your love and prayers to those who need it, but don’t let it consume your life. We see these terrible things that go on in the world and feel helpless. It’s so easy to get consumed by negativity. If something troubling has happened, say a prayer, dedicate a meditation, or pledge your support in any way you can. Then try your best to let it go.
Be a shining light in the world. While it’s easy to get into a dark hole in belief that the world is a bad place, it’s also so important to remember that each one of us has the ability to promote positive change. When you are a positive, shining influence in even your smallest community, you create a ripple of beaming positivity.

I hope these tips help in finding more positivity in your life. I’d love to hear how you deal with stressful situations in your lives, so please share in the comments below. I hope you all have a beautiful week, and remember your own magnificence!

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My Two Least Favorite Words & What I Learned from Them

Most of you probably came to this week’s blog to find out my two least favorite words, and how I could even have such a bold belief towards two words in our vocabulary. It hit me the other day, like an instant intuition download, that these two words, especially when used together, really rub me the wrong way. Now, in theory, these words are in no way offensive, hurtful, hateful, or mean, but in my humble opinion they are damaging in their own right. So, what are these words that I hear, probably on a daily basis, that cause me so much angst?

You should.

Sorry if this was a let down for you, and I’m even more sorry if you think that this answer makes me crazy. Allow me to explain why these two little words in the English vocabulary, when put together, send me into a tailspin, and why I believe it would be really great if we could start to eliminate them from our speech.

You hear sentences started with you should ALL the time. “You should go to the gym today.” “You should come with us to this party.” “You should be nicer.” “You should eat more vegetables,” and the list goes on. The same can even be said for it’s lovely opposite, you shouldn’t. While often times the advice for a you should statement can be helpful or even crucial, the energy of the words themselves, I believe are negative. Who are we to tell anyone what we they should or should not do? I really started to think about this, and why I think these words effect me in such a way, and this is what I came up with:

You Should: Takes Away Your Decision Making Power. When you don’t know what to do or are trying to make even the smallest decision in your life, if someone tells you you should do something, you’re more inclined to do what they say. Hey, if someone else tells me it’s the right thing to do, I’m more inclined to do it. We then bypass our own thoughts and intuition and give up that decision making power. It’s great to take in others’ opinions, but just remember; only you know whether you should or should not do something.
You Should: Creates the Ultimate Peer Pressure. Just like taking away your decision making power, it also compels you do go against your gut, pushing or pulling you in different directions based on someone’s belief system, other than your own. Even with experts or mentors, when someone tells you to do something, you often do it, and sometimes without even checking in with yourself. Don’t just follow the grain because everyone else says it’s the right thing to do. Honor where you are and where you stand in any given moment.
You Should: Makes You Question Your Own Judgment. You’re making great decisions for yourself, but when you come across some advice on life and it counteracts what you believe, suddenly the ego mind begins to tell you that your decisions aren’t good enough or smart enough. That tailspin that I was talking about comes into play and you start to place more value on the opinion of someone else, instead of trusting yourself. Cultivate that great relationship with yourself and trust your beliefs and values!
You Should: Gets You into a Funky Space If you Disagree with Someone Else. I’ve experienced this a lot, especially when it comes to health and wellness. I’ll read an article where I am told what I should and should not eat, or what I should or should not be doing for physical exercise. Sometimes, I disagree, but then I start to feel bad about it because, clearly, my opinion can’t be right in comparison to this published article. We get into that comparative space that then takes us into that really low, negative vibe. If you disagree with someone’s advice, don’t let it bring you down or question your own judgment!
You Should: Places the Belief That Where You Are Right Now Is Not Enough. You should be doing this or that to be the best that you can be. Well, what about all that you are doing right now, in this moment. We think that we always need to be doing more to be great, but it’s also so important to remember that we all are doing the best we can, in any given moment. Come back to this mentality instead of thinking that you have to do more and be perfect. You are amazing right now, in this moment!

In an effort to lead our very best lives, let’s work on eliminating these words. Step into your own power, make your own decisions, and allow your intuition to guide you. Because you have all the wisdom, knowledge, and intelligence that you need, there’s no room for all the you should’s in your life! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Have a great week!

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5 Inspiring Ways to Move This Summer

Summer is such a motivating time to get outside and move your body. There is so much to do and that Vitamin D sunshine is such a great motivator and mood booster. I always feel extra motivated to be in the best physical shape I can be in the summer. With that being said, I love finding alternative ways to get my body moving, rather than just going to the gym and lifting weights. I love workouts that work my mind, body and spirit—making me feel amazing overall after each session. I’ve come across some amazing ways to work up a sweat and calm the mind, so if you’re looking for some inspiring ways to get your move on this summer, check out these tips below:

Yoga. Yoga is my everything, so obviously is has to be top on this list! One of the beautiful aspects of yoga is there are SO many different kinds and styles. I love my home studio, but it can also be great to step outside your comfort zone and try a new style and meet some new people! For me, there is nothing greater than moving with ease, moving with breath in a nice yoga flow. A staple in my life, for sure.
Inspiring Aerobics. I’ve recently come across programs such as Shrink Session and intenSati that combine kickboxing, mantra, breath work, yoga, and aerobics. You basically get all your bases covered in one amazing workout. I really love them because it’s a great way to get my cardio in, and the time just flies by! What’s also great about these programs is you can also do them from the comfort of your own home, on your own time by checking out their websites.
Pilates. Incorporating my Pilates practice gave me an even greater awareness of my body (and definitely my core!). I am fortunate to know an amazing Pilates teacher who has totally enhanced the way I view the human body, and has helped me to feel strong and confident. Pilates workouts can be done in a class setting, private lessons, or even at home on DVD. Get ready for some major core work and some amazing stretches. So much fun!
Mantra Walks. In The Practice, we learn that silently repeating a Sacred Mantra is a great tool for calming the mind and relieving stress. Guess what, it’s even better when done on a nice, serene walk. Take some time in your day to clear your mind and get moving. Maybe find a beautiful park or trail, or if that’s not available, even a walk around your office building or parking lot. Get moving and repeat your mantra or affirmation. Your body and mind will thank you!
Use Your Natural Surroundings. We all live in amazing, diverse places. Use what you have around you and enjoy your beautiful surroundings! If you’re in a city, explore your concrete jungle! I get some of my best workouts by just walking around and exploring new places. In the mountains? Go for a hike and take in the breathtaking scenery. Near the water? The beach is an amazing place to have some fun, but also work up a sweat. Take advantage of these amazing summer months, step outside, get creative, and explore what your home has to offer for you!

What are your go-to inspiring workouts? What makes you feel best? Would love to hear your suggestions!

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What Social Media Has Taught Me About life

As most of you know, for the past of couple months I have been on the road on The Practice book tour. I’ve learned so much and it has been such an invaluable experience to me. Being on a book tour, and trying to “promote” a product and a person, I have found myself on social media, ALL the time. Whether I am posting about events or even just checking in with my world at home, I noticed myself habitually checking social media, even without truly realizing that I’m doing it. I also started to notice that I wasn’t feeling so great emotionally, and started to see a correlation with being online so often. This all made me think about the role social media has in my life, and what I’ve learned about it thus far. Social media is amazing, Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life would not be what it is today without it. We are able to reach millions of people all over the world to share the message of inner empowerment and peace. However on the flip side, social media can be a bit of a drag and energy vampire, if used too frequently and for the wrong reasons.

I know many people feel that they get sucked into social media and feel bad because of it. If you’re feeling like you’ve been on a social media binge and need a digital detox, check out these lessons below, and start to re-evaluate your online presence, come back to your true self in the physical world and rediscover your own peace-of-mind.

Be unapologetically yourself. Just like in day-to-day life, it’s so important to be you, and not worry about what others think about that! Don’t post or write something that isn’t completely true to who you are, and be confident in yourself, even on the internet.
Social media popularity does not equal self worth. We get into the idea that the more fans, followers, and friends we have, the more liked and even loved we are. It’s a bit of a popularity contest, when in reality; It can be a false facade. Feel confident in yourself regardless of your online presence. You are so much more than a number online!
Don’t try to please others. We (myself included) try to post things that we think people will “like” and feel inclined to share. From this mentality we get more into posting things just to do it rather then having a real purpose. Don’t post for likes, post when your soul feels urged to share something.
Quality not quantity. Sometimes we think we need to post as much as we can to maintain a certain presence or keep up a reputation online. Doing that just for that purpose can sometimes have the opposite effect. Whenever I go to post something online, I really stop and think about what the purpose of the post is, and if it is truly necessary, and even beneficial to those who will see it.
Moderation is key. Allow yourself a certain amount of time on social media and then give yourself a break. I’ve found that when I spend too much time online I feel disconnected and not present. It also shifts my thoughts into a more negative space and brings down my energy level.
Have an intention and purpose with your posts, and don’t get sucked in to mindless wandering. When venturing on to your social media profiles, have a purpose and set an intention. Even if it is just to check out what’s going on that day or what your favorite blogger has to say, know in your mind that you have a reason for being online, and then once that purpose is served, disconnect.
Drop the fear of missing out. We see people posting about amazing events or cool situations and we feel like we are left out of the fun. Just remember people will usually post the super exciting parts of their lives, not the mundane parts. Everyone has magnificent parts of their lives, and everyone has boring moments. Know that your life is amazing just as it is, and you don’t need to live vicariously through someone else.
Don’t compare! We all know that comparing brings heartache and unease, so just don’t do it! When we get into that number mentality of more is better we start to put a value on our lives based on our online presence. We are all different and all have strengths and weaknesses. Don’t allow your social media statistics to define who you really are; allow your real self to shine through.
Give purpose and use your presence to serve the world. Like I said before, social media gives great organizations, like Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, a platform to inspire and serve the world. Writing for such an organization makes me want to elevate all levels of my life, and give purpose to my own personal social media sites. With the Internet we all have the capability of reaching people throughout the world, and share the message we are meant to spread. Use this tool wisely and spread love and empowerment with your online presence.
Don’t take it too seriously! Social media, just like life, is meant to be fun and enjoyed. Don’t overthink it, don’t take it too seriously, and just enjoy the positive aspects that it brings to life!

What have you learned about yourself and your life from social media? What do you do to make sure you keep yourself in balance with your online time? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

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Inspirational Summer Reading

As a kid, we all had summer reading lists for school to keep our minds active during the down period of summer break. I used to look forward to these lists, as I love to read and be inspired by different authors with different stories. Now that I am an adult, I no longer am given a required list of books to read, but I still find the practice of reading for inspiration so important. There’s something about the energy of summer that encourages me to read more, to regroup and refresh for the second half of the year. I’ve put together this great Spiritual Summer Reading list for you, so that if you’re looking to recharge, motivate, and regroup through amazing books, you can find it all right here. I think there’s a little something for everyone, and I hope you have the opportunity to check out some of these great and inspiring reads throughout this summer season.

1. The Practice: Simple Tools for Managing Stress, Finding Inner Peace and Uncovering Happiness by Barb Schmidt. The perfect pocket handbook to leading a life with purpose and cultivating inner strength. I often find myself coming back to these simple tools to get me through challenging times in my life.

2. Miracles Now: 108 Life-Changing Tools for Less Stress, More Flow, and Finding Your True Purpose by Gabrielle Bernstein. Gabby is one of my favorite teachers because in every book she writes, she helps me to step into my own power, and gives me the tools to be my best self. This is a great book to use everyday; flipping to a page and seeing what tool the Universe wants to share with you so you can lead an amazing, miraculous life.

3. Mind Over Medicine by Lissa Rankin. Being in the wellness community I love learning people’s insights on ultimate health and vitality. In this book, I learned so much about how the mind has such an influence on our physical health and really helped me to reorganize my thoughts and beliefs on my health.

4. The Tapping Solution for Weight Loss and Body Confidence by Jessica Ortner. I mean, it’s bathing suit season, right? We all want to look, and most importantly feel good about our bodies. Jessica Ortner’s book helps you to get to the root of your beliefs on your body and helps build confidence. EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique, or Tapping) is a great tool to incorporate into your day to help process your beliefs and then let them go, to replace them with more positive thoughts. Tapping really works, guys, go for it!

5. The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz. This is one of the first spiritually aligned books I ever read, and it had such an amazing impact on my life. I carry the principles of this book with me always.

6. Return to Love by Marianne Williamson. One of my favorite books, ever, always a reminder of why we are here. We live in a fear-based world, but in reality, our most natural state is of love. Be inspired to choose love over fear with this amazing book by one of the most influential authors and spiritual teachers of our time.

7. Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck. If you’re feeling like you need to reorganize your life and follow your passions, this is a great book for you! This book really helped me to overcome my fears and find my true purpose in life.

8. Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr. Kris is an inspiration in her own, fending off cancer by changing her diet and her wellness routine. She is so relatable and gives such amazing advice on eating well and living in health.

9. Journey to the Heart by Melody Beattie. I always start my day by reading from this book. A different mediation for each day, it’s a great way to be inspired right off the bat and gives me something positive to contemplate throughout my day.

10. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. A wonderfully inspiring way to cultivate your creativity, no matter who you are! I credit this book to helping me with my creating and tapping into my truest self.

If you choose to read along, let me know! I’d love to hear how you like these reads, and if you have some suggestions for me as well! Happy reading and happy summer!

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8 Life Lessons from Life on the Road

As many of you may know, we have been on an amazing book tour to promote my mom’s book, The Practice. When given the opportunity to join and help support my mom on this tour, I truly felt that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. So far, we’ve been across the country together, hoping to spread the message of The Practice and also making friends along the way. I’ve found that this life on the road has taught and even reminded me of so many lessons for life in general. So, this week I thought I’d share with you the little reminders that have come up for me, and to share with you what I’ve learned (and maybe re-learned) along the way. If you’re about to embark on a summer vacation or even just need some gentle reminders for living a magnificent life, check out these eight life lessons from the road. I hope they help you as much as they’ve helped me.

1. Self-care is a real must. Especially when you’re on the road (or just super busy in your life), you have to remember to take care of yourself first.

2. Be ok with saying no. While in a go, go, go environment you get into a routine of saying yes to everything. It’s great to be involved and want to get the most out of everything, but be selective. Say no to places, situations, or events that really aren’t in your best interest. You can’t be everywhere all the time!

3. Remember the importance of sleep. Just like with self-care, sleep is crucial for your health and wellness. When we’re busy, the quality of our sleep seems to take a toll. Do your best, no matter what you’re doing or where you are, to get quality, rejuvenating sleep.

4. Take time for yourself. Truth talk: traveling from place to place with your mother for days on end can be tough. While we get along very well and are understanding of each other, sometimes you just need your alone time! And that’s totally okay. Find time for yourself throughout the day for you to just be alone, breathe and connect, even if for just a few minutes, it’s totally worth it (and it will also help keep you sane).

5. Be present and try not to multitask. Life sends you lessons when it really thinks you’re ignoring what you need to be doing. For weeks, I really wasn’t being present; doing many different things at once. And yes, I know this isn’t the best, but once you start it’s hard to stop! Life literally stopped me in my tracks and reminded me how important it is to pay attention. While hurrying and rushing and not being present, I slammed my foot into a corner of a wall, pulling the ligaments in my middle toe, and bruising the whole foot. I mean, how silly is that, but boy did I learn my lesson. I am still reminded of it now as I hobble along from place to place.

6. Be prepared and take your routines with you. Travel for long periods of time can wreak havoc on your health and wellness…if you let it. Just like in life, it’s so important to be prepared and continue with your regular routines. Even though it’s been a little challenging, I find time to do some yoga in the hotel, and scope out local markets and healthy restaurants to find good food and snacks to take on the way.

7. Be open to whatever shows up. While we are out in this world, we really never know what is going to pop up in our lives. Set an intention to be open and receptive to whatever may come, and get in touch with that sense of excitement that comes with this mentality.

8. Journal and reflect. While taking this time, I’ve really tried to remember that it is special and I may not have this opportunity to do this again. In that, I have been trying to journal everyday and remember the events, feelings, thoughts, and emotions that have come with it all. Life can move pretty fast, so it’s super important to take some time and just notice what all is happening around us.

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