I don’t know if it is the non sense going on in the world, being a new mom, getting older, but journaling has started to become something I look forward to each day and helps me set the tone for the day. This along with working out has become a must for me in terms of self care. I never thought I was the journaling type, I mean I like to write my thoughts on this blog, but I never thought or knew how to write my feelings and honestly never thought that was a thing. But I will say, right before my mom passed away she gave me three journals that she wrote from the time her water broke when she was pregnant with me through my high school and early college years. She told me I couldn’t read them until I had a child of my own. I started reading them, but couldn’t. The emotions are still too raw and real right now, I am sure I will get to the point of being able to, but right now just isn’t the time. Anywho, sidetracked on that, but looking back maybe it is in my blood…right before we had Anchor I bought a book to write in for Anchor…not going to lie I haven’t been the greatest, but I did type out our birth story and have tried to be a little more diligent with writing. I don’t know how my mom did it! Maybe there are too many distractions? I will say ever since watching the Social Dilemma on Netflix thanks to one of my really good friends ❤ I limited my time on Facebook and Instagram and all social media platforms to 30 minutes a day. And honestly a majority of it is crafting and playing around with myoddinary Instagram. So I will say that had freed up a lot of my time which I have put to better use with journaling. 

Okay, back to journaling…can you tell pregnancy brain is kicking in? It is funny how quickly you forget all of these things that come with pregnancy including those round ligament pains…whew! After our miscarriage, moving, dealing with changes in friends, feeling alone, the whole nine yards, I was talking to another really good friend of mine who mentioned journaling, I told her I wasn’t sure how to do it. So she sent me a list of 10 things on how to essentially over come writers block and it worked! I used the prompt a few times and now it is like second nature. And it feels great. It’s great to just journal write it all out, get out all of your feelings and emotions that are built up or that you don’t know how to explain to someone in normal terms, but need to get it out. So with this standard journaling I also started to incorporate a religious journaling as well. Now let me say, I was not raised nor did I grow up in a religious household whatsoever. I went to church in high school due to someone I was dating (his parents made me go if we wanted to continue to date) ohhhhh high school….so I was familiar with it all, but not on this level. I think with all of the nonsense in the world I needed more of an uplifting, more positivity, something to help me know there is a greater plan, and to be reassured that even when we are given horrible things, they are lessons and we gain so much more wealth in terms of knowledge after we go through it. So as of last week I started journaling my feelings as well as journaling a daily devotional and really deep diving into it. It is totally out of my comfort zone, but truly the only way to grow is to be uncomfortable. I will link everything below, including my planner which I cannot live without! 

Make sure to put yourself first, because the best version of you comes when you self care. It only took me 15 plus years to figure that out, sorry Mom! You were always right! ❤

Planner

Daily Prayer Journal

Daily Devotionals 

Journals (since I bought mine from Hobby Lobby a few years back) 

x0_meagen lea

Change is good, change is okay. Yes, it is hard to swallow, grasp, wrap your head around, accept, and be okay with. In the moment it might feel like it is the hardest thing in the world to do, but after you process it all and look back you realize seasons change, and so do we as people. Sometimes people are put in your life for a season, a reason, or a lifetime and if it ends it is okay! And truly, when one friendship ends, it opens the doors for a new friendship whether seasonal, or forever, or maybe just for a specific reason. For me personally (being a Taurus) I would much rather put up with a bad/toxic friendship than hurt anyones’ feelings. Which hard and something I know about myself, but never makes it any easier! I am a people pleaser and it in the end the only one it negatively effects is myself. The best thing you can do is always be your true and authentic self and be real. Don’t let people try and compare things in your life with there’s, we are all different, we all have different journeys, we all have different paths we are being led down and different experiences that make up that journey. Be true with yourself, and don’t try and change yourself to fit in, because at the end of the day the only one hurting from this is yourself. 

Remember change is good. 

x0_meagen lea

Voluspa Spiced Pumpkin Latte Candle– Since it is officially September I couldn’t resist to start bringing out the fall stuff! I had been searching high and low for the perfect fall candle to start the season off right and let me tell you! This Voluspa Spiced Pumpkin Latte candle does the trick! I also bought the diffuser as well to put in our master bathroom, it is smelling like fall in here! 

Bevvy afternoon drinks- These are my new favorite go to afternoon drinks! I like to mix mine with sparkling water and take them with us on walks. They help curb that afternoon craving while giving you energy. (I don’t have a direct link for this one, so send me a DM on Instagram or comment below and I can send you an email)

MBF and MBFA- I have always loved working out, prior to having Anchor I would go to the gym on a regular basis. Since Covid and gyms closing and having him and not having childcare Beachbody On Demand programs have been a huge hit for me! I wish I had taken measurements prior to starting my endeavor after being pregnant,  but in 7 weeks I lost 17 inches…I didn’t even know I had that much to loose! MBF and MBFA have given me the best results and I am loving it! (I don’t have a direct link for this one either, so send me a DM on Instagram or comment below and I can send you an email)

FitTrack Scale-The number on the scale is truly just a number! It has taken me awhile to figure this out and now that I have…it is life changing to say the least. I was looking back through photos of me at 120 prior to getting pregnant and then looking at me now I am 134 and look the same, but a more muscle now and stronger than ever. FitTrack shows you all the details and breaks it all down for you. It shows your water weight, your muscle your BMI, all of the important information. 

Mommy’s Bliss Little Gums– We are teething over here and whew, it is rough! We have tried so many different teething supplements, oils, etc. and so far this one is working the best! They also have a nighttime version as well. 

Lavender DoTerra Essential Oil- Teething is tough work, so lots of lavender has been used to help calm the little one and me, let’s be real! (Another one I don’t have a direct link to since my Mother in Law sells it, but I can point you in the right direction!)

Daily Stoic – This…I bought back in November and haven’t been the greatest at staying on top of it daily, but it is slowing getting put back into my daily routine. It included 366 meditations to read on a daily basis. It is a good way to regroup and redirect.

x0_meagen lea