relax

Mind The Gap

“Mind the gap.” A sign you see in every train station across the world. Paying attention to this 1 foot gap keeps you from certain disaster in any subway station. If you cross it at the wrong time… you’re gone. It’s created and intentional margin.  It’s the margin that keeps you safe. Yet most of our lives have very little margin built in. We push things to the limit and that leads to disastrous situations. What is margin? 

MARGIN IS THE SPACE BETWEEN OUR LOADS AND OUR LIMITS. 

Recognizing that space and taking advantage of that space will keep you from certain burnout. Today… I recognize that I’m tired. Really tired. It’s been a very heavy season full of both heartbreaking and exciting things. Yet they are both equally heavy. 

In the past I would usually push through these moments. I’d tell myself I will be fine. In essence… I wouldn’t mind the gap. And I’ve been hit by many trains. 

Not any more. I’ve learned that no matter how strong I thought I was… if I crossed that line, I’m done. 

So today, I’m minding the gap. I’ve hit my limits and it’s time for a quick break. Me and the girls are heading to our absolute favorite place… the lake house. We will sleep, read, play games, talk, and sleep some more. 

Paying attention to yourself and knowing when you’ve hit your limit is key to longevity in life. 

So why about you? Are you minding the gap? Are you paying attention to yourself? Have you come to a place where you’re totally exhausted? What will you do about it?

And look… I know life is tough and we can’t always just throw our hands up and leave or take vacations. But you can find moments in your every day life. Little moments to step away and breath. Those moments will help you get through until you can retreat. 

I hope today you’ll find time to step away and refuel and recharge. 

Mind the gap!

3 Reasons Why Everyone Needs a Snow Day!

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We finally got our first big snow of the year. The girls have been begging for it, and to be honest… So have I!

Why… It’s not because I enjoy shoveling snow. It’s not even that I enjoy playing in snow.

It’s just a nice change of pace!

And sometimes that’s exactly what we need in life. A change of pace.

Here are 3 reasons why everyone needs a Snow Day.

1. It forces you to slow down!
We all live life at a break neck pace. Going from one appointment to the next. We try to figure out how to pick up kid #1 and get her to soccer practice and just 15 minutes before kid #2 had to be at band practice. We made it happen only to realize we forgot to feed them dinner!

Snow days force you to slow down! You can’t get out and go anywhere. Neither can anyone else for that matter. So it’s a really good change of pace for everyone!

2. It helps your body and mind recover!
Living at such a fast pace causes so much stress and anxiety on our bodies and minds. But who has time to stop and think about that. There are still so many things to do!

But just like anything else… It you don’t take the proper time to let your body rest and your mind to restore… It can break down.

Snow days force you to stop… It’s in those moments when you can truly rest. And rest is what most of our bodies and minds need.

3. It’s manufactured “you” time!
You spend so much of your time thinking about everyone else. You have abandoned you! You can’t remember the last time you had free time to just sit down and read a book. Take a nap. Go hiking…. Etc…

I don’t know what you like to do…
The only thing I know is you need to do more of it!

And that’s what snow days give you. Time for you to do things YOU enjoy!

Now… The flip side to this…

You can spend a snow day trying to work ahead. Get caught up on laundry. Clean out your closets. And if that’s what you truly enjoy… Go for it.

But working on other things besides work is hardly a break from anything!

So… Enjoy a day or two just being with family. Relaxing. Restoring your body and mind. And taking time out for yourself.

You deserve it!

What do you enjoy doing on snow days?