A few things in my life that I think everyone should make time for (and I should have made more time for lately):
1) Exercise. I cannot stress this enough (ha - stress... funny subject). I worked out with a trainer for 10 months and then took about a month off. After the month I've had I can tell you this: it will never happen again. Countless studies have documented the benefits of exercise and I'm no health nut or expert, but I am an expert on what makes me happy and exercise does the trick. We do 2-3 one hour sessions (30 mins strength/30 mins cardio) per week. I also love yoga, and need to make more time for it.
2) Indulge in your guilty pleasures. Once in a while you just have to zone out on mindless things that make you happy. Pinterest is one place where I go to look a beautiful images, inspire creativity, and refresh my imagination when I'm feeling stifled. I don't watch much TV anymore, but when I do - it's mostly reruns. I love putting in my old Friends DVDs just to laugh. I also LOVE The Rachel Zoe Project. I know, such a cliche for a fashion blogger to love RZ. But it's her unapologetic, unfailing love for all things fashion that gets me every time. Plus, you see THE MOST amazing clothes, shoes, and accessories on her show. The same type of inspiration I get from visiting other fashion blogs, I get from that show.
I also LOOOVE fashion books, magazines, and fashion photography. I could get lost for hours....
3) Relax and Recharge. Everyone knows what works for them to wind down, decompress, and recharge their batteries. The extrovert in me loves to go out for cocktails or dinner with friends and laugh and talk for hours. But if I'm in a really exhausted, run-down state, I go for some more serious down time. Getting a relaxing massage is a great way to detox... and I plan to do exactly that this weekend :)
4) Get your priorities straight. To get back on track, I try my very best to remember what's important after getting lost in the hustle of work/life for a while. I need to exercise and eat healthy food. I need to stress less. I need to CALM THE EFF down. I also need to be thankful for all of the gifts I have and the amazing people in my life. (all of this is much easier after the above massage, by the way)
Also, I could work harder on being nice to people :)
"Work hard and be nice to people." I literally just laughed out loud. So simple and yet . . . not. :) But I think it's something we could all work on a little. I hope you have half a dozen massages and about 18 naps this weekend. Maybe yoga too. Also, buy yourself something pretty. Or, better yet, have The Photog buy you something. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou make me happy! I agree with all of the things that we should make time for! And I can happily say that I do all of those things (now). Glad you are feeling better! Have a fabuolus weekend. XOXO
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think I forget sometimes that I need to just decompress and not worry so much....will definitely try to remember these tips!
ReplyDeleteLindsey Soup
Just loved your post because it is so damn TRUE and we all tend to get lost trying to make excuses for not letting go of the hectic life we all lead, so a big THANK YOU for reminding us...& a great relaxing weekend 2 u!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine that you need to work on that last one because you are seriously one of the nicest people I've ever met! So glad to hear that things are going better now - enjoy your weekend...let's G-chat soon. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pennypincherfashion.com
i couldn't agree more with this post! i also get wrapped up in work way to easily and forget about other important things in my life.... but i started going to pilates again (after a 2month break) ans spending more time with my loved ones ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Fashion Fractions
Maybe I need to exercise, because god knows I don't do that, ever...and we all know guilty pleasures are a must, I think I'll be using your list this weekend ;)
ReplyDeleteThis exactly the path I am on right now, great reminder.................xx
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Great tips on how to survive the work week! For the past couple of weeks, no. 4 is particularly important. I've been so busy at work and tired when I came home, and then it's sometimes difficult to get your priorities right. I've made time for exercise, but I've been way to lazy in the eating healty department, for instance. Actually I should just print our your list and pin it on my office wall:)
ReplyDeleteI love it! Like you, I'm obsessed with Fashion Books and magazines. My husband is horrified by the number of magazines that are delivered to our home each month! Great post!
ReplyDeleteI need to remember these over the next two weeks. We are getting ready to learn a new system and have to keep up with our regular work. Loads of fun but my paycheck will be nice before heading to Mardi Gras
ReplyDeleteOh I can totally relate. Work certainly gets to me sometimes especially when my (what I consider) manageable 11-12 hour days creep up to 13-14 hour days. That creep makes me neglect the gym which is bad for so many reasons. No matter what is on my mind, it usually melts away when I'm at the gym. I'm glad to hear that you're on the mend!
ReplyDeleteLove this, it is always great to be reminded how to RELAX every once in awhile! I tend to be a "perfectionist" in most areas of my life and find that although it is a strength and helps me push myself and worker harder, that it is also a weakness because I can become easily disappointed with myself. This is a great reminder to take those small things throughout the day or week and help clear your mind to refocus!
ReplyDeletewww.rachelslookbook.com
LOVELY post and so true... so true!
ReplyDeletehttp://theleatherskirt.blogspot.com/
Awesome. When you said - calm the eff down, I read it as: calm the ELF down. Which is also a good point. :)
ReplyDeletenice post
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