Taste Life Blog

Busy. Fun-filled. Blur. Welcome to the last 90 days of my life.

In June I popped into Phoenix and delivered a keynote for the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, tacked on a trip to Las Vegas with Gary, celebrated my Dad’s 86^th birthday in Milwaukee, and flew to Connecticut for my nephew Matthew and Janet’s wedding. The day of Matthew’s wedding we had to leave just hours after the ceremony to make it home for Gary’s retirement party the next day.

July was filled with the Timberman Triathlon and the Mullaney cabin, my sister Rachele and her family visiting, Danny Palmer’s wedding and my first Norwex convention.

August was the Bork family cabin weekend, my sister Michele and her family came to visit, and a trip to visit our dear friends Robin and Gary on Madeline Island. I was trying to create the best first retirement summer for Gary. The month of August I only worked 10 days but generated full-time income. I was trying to cram my full time practice into part-time hours. I asked myself “why is fun so stressful?” I used these tips to de-stress from this   fun “retirement” life and create time for self-care and for my business as well. But I must admit…bring on the fall with a less “fun” schedule and more time to savor.

1. Identify your top 5 values. What are your activities and behaviors that give you vibrant meaning to your life and help you with your decisions? Some examples could include: family, faith, beauty, creativity, financial security, recognition, or travel. Post them on the fridge.

The values I focused on were family and fun. When I was getting stressed out about packing to go out of town, I reminded myself this trip was aligned with our values of family and fun. My value of career took back seat this summer except for a coaching webinar I created for thousands and thousands of nurses, but that is another story for another day.

2. Define your standards of balance. Standards are the things you say yes to. Examples could include: family night one evening each week, no TV or emails after 7 pm, or bed by 10 pm. The more specific your standard the easier to create your boundary.

For Gary and me, our best version of ourselves starts the night before when we get to bed at 10:30, although I must admit it is pretty tempting to watch Jimmy Fallon. Another 30 year standard in this house is eating family dinner together, no matter what.

3. Analyze your to do list. Does your list align with your values? Does your list align with your standards?

I took cleaning off my to-do list for the summer, which included the annual window washing, the weekly cleaning of my car, dusting and vacuuming. (I know when Gary starts to vacuum the burgundy carpet in dining room it has “gotten to him.” But I ignored it.)

4. Dump perfection. Completion is always better than perfect!

This summer we watched water bottles multiply and the Tupperware cabinet get out of control. We let it go. Every time I got in my car I noticed the messy carpets but let it go. I dusted the house quickly but “not perfectly.”

5. Grocery shop on the weekend. Have the ingredients in the house on Sunday for three evening meals for your week.

Health is hope and hope is everything. If you don’t have food in the house, how are you going to nourish your body? Click here for some of my favorite 5 ingredient recipes.

I could not have created a truly memorable constant celebration summer without these tips. Remember these words – YOU can do anything not everything. So pick your “things” wisely that align with your heart and you will see your spirit soar your life feeling more balanced from the inside out. We would love to hear your tips for your life balancing act.