Lifestyle – Page 4 – Tyler V Layne

10 easy ways to practice self-care this summer

June 15, 2021 No Comments

Note: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product after clicking a link, I may earn a commission off of that purchase.

Note: Read all the way to the end of this article for a special summer giveaway opportunity!

Summer is finally here, which means it’s the perfect time to get some sunlight, relax & recharge. And especially after the year we all had, I think it’s time for a little extra self-care time.

Self-care is a very personal experience, & it should always be spent doing things that specifically bring you joy & comfort. But, there’s nothing wrong with switching up your self-care activities to reflect the unique joys that each season brings. Summer is full of fun ways to show yourself some love.

Read on for 10 easy ways to practice self-care this season.

1. Soak up some sunshine

This is by far the simplest way to practice self-care this season, but it’s still super important. When we are exposed to sunlight, our brains release serotonin, otherwise known as the “happy hormone.” Serotonin not only boosts our mood; it also helps us to feel calm & focused, which means more productive lives. In addition to this, the sun gives us Vitamin D, which is linked to better bone health, & it can actually help promote healthy skin! That glowing look you want can be achieved by spending time in the sun’s rays! Just make sure you show your skin a little extra self-care & wear lots of sunscreen.

2. Go off the grid

Physically & socially, spend some time off the grid this summer. Get out of town. Plan a vacation & treat yourself. And when you do, consider staying unplugged from your phone. I know, there are tons of Instagrammable photos to share on vacation, but you can always share them later. Give yourself a little time to be present with those around you, or just to yourself, because you deserve your undivided attention as well.

3. Spend time with people who make you feel good

Distance yourself from negativity & spend time with people who make you feel good. Now that COVID-19 restrictions are lifting, you can finally go out to brunch, swim in the pool, or go to a concert with the people that matter most to you. Plan a picnic, go on a walk, or just give someone you love a phone call. Studies show that spending time with people helps reduce the symptoms of many mental health conditions, including anxiety & depression, & building strong relationships helps provide support when you are experiencing challenging situations.

4. Wear what makes you feel confident

Me on the beach in South Carolina the week of the Solar Eclipse, 2017

Every body is a beach body. Whether it’s a bikini, a sundress, a one-piece, or a sarong, wear what makes you feel most beautiful & confident to the beach, & don’t give one thought to what other people think. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who dresses with dignity & carries herself with confidence.

5. Drink more water

My Fill It Forward water bottle that I received in my Be Kind by Ellen subscription box

This is important all year long, but it’s especially important in summer. When we sweat, we lose water, & when our bodies are dehydrated, they don’t function properly. Signs of dehydration include fatigue, constipation, dry skin, & headaches, & severe dehydration can cause low blood pressure, heat exhaustion, seizures, heat stroke, kidney failure, & coma. Keep your body hydrated by drinking water throughout your day. You can add more flavor to your water by adding fresh fruits, herbs, or vegetables. One refreshing combination I love is cucumber, mint & lime. Or, if I’m in the mood for something sweet, I love adding freshly chopped berries. If you’re doing activities outdoors, consider adding electrolytes to your water – choose low-sugar brands that will replenish the sodium, magnesium, & potassium you are losing through your sweat without loading up on sugar. When you keep your body hydrated, it gives you more energy & helps you to feel your best.

6. Visit a farmer’s market

Joseph & me at the farmer’s market picking out fresh produce for a picnic dinner

With spring & early summer gardens finally in full bloom, this is the perfect opportunity to visit your local farmer’s market & pick out fresh produce to cook with. It supports a local business, & it also a fun way to eat healthy. Look for recipe inspiration on Pinterest, or just start experimenting in the kitchen!

7. Get active outdoors

Joseph & me on a hike near Loch Raven Reservoir

Get outside & enjoy the warm weather while exercising. There are lots of fun summer activities that are also great forms of exercise, including kayaking, swimming, & hiking. Try to go out early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the hottest parts of the day, & make sure to wear sunscreen while you’re outdoors.

8. Wake up with the sun

Enjoy your summer days to the fullest by waking up with the sun. Bringing natural light into your room & waking up with the sunrise is a much more gentle way to wake up, as opposed to a blaring alarm clock. This means you wake up more refreshed & ready to tackle your day! And, if you do this consistently, your circadian rhythm will adjust, which means deeper sleep & more productive days.

9. Start a garden

Gardening can be a great way to get active outdoors & bring yourself some joy. The routine tasks can be calming, & you can find great joy in cultivating a plant & helping it to grow. Plant flowers to brighten up your space, or try planting a vegetable garden & use the fresh produce to cook healthy meals.

10. Read an inspirational book

One of my favorite inspirational reads, You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

Whether you’re relaxing on the beach or spending a day indoors away from the heat, summer is the perfect time to start a new book. Why not find something inspirational? Pick a topic you are interested in, or simply search for inspirational books online or at your local library to find your new uplifting read.

Alright, as promised, it is giveaway time!

Much of my blog is dedicated to helping my readers find more self-care in their lives. To help inspire you to take better care of yourself this summer, I have a challenge that could help you win some special prizes!

The Summer Self-Care Bingo Challenge includes all the self-care activities listed above, plus 14 more ways to show yourself some extra love this summer. Complete 5 activities in a row, column, or diagonally to win a month-long subscription to Sticker of the Month & the weekly newsletter. Complete the entire board, & you will a FREE Sunshine Box! That’s right – spend more time this summer dedicated to self-care, & you can get more self-care delivered right to your doorstep!

To complete a bingo square, post a selfie of you completing the activity on Instagram & tag me @TylerVLayne with the hashtag #SummerSelfCareBingo, & I will do the rest of the work for you. The Summer Self-Care Bingo Challenge will start June 15 & will end August 30.

Let the challenge begin!

Lifestyle, My Life, Relationship

Surprise at High Meadow

June 14, 2021 No Comments

By Joseph Mauler

“Joseph, we can’t plan our first dance. One of us has to surprise the other.”

The night sky was clear, stars littering the air all above us. The hood of my car kept bending under the weight of our bodies. Maybe laying on the hood of my car would damage it, but I’ve waited for a moment like this for too long. I didn’t give it a second thought.

I don’t know how many nights I laid on the ground, looking into this sprinkled sky. Even though the view was always breathtaking, I couldn’t escape the gaping hole of loneliness I felt every night prior to this one.

I turned away from the beautiful stars to something way more beautiful.

“I guess you’re right,” I laughed. “I always try to plan everything in my life. Even the special things.”

“Well, Joseph…” She was able to look into my eyes because the stars lit up our faces. “Thank you for this tonight. This is special and you surprised me.”

“Would you like to go for a hike today? I know this one trail that leads to a pavilion and it is really pretty.” She nodded her head, fresh in love after just two months of dating me.

Getting out of my car, I slipped my small Bose MicroLink speaker into my pocket without her seeing.

The hike was a quarter-mile up a steep hill to a pavilion surrounded by a field of tall grass in the middle of the woods. The pavilion was called “High Meadow.”

“This is so pretty!” She looked into my eyes again with that look.

I slipped out my speaker and said, “Well, you said we had to surprise each other for that first dance.” Her face brightened even more.

I put on “Could I Love You Any More?” by Reneé Dominique and Jason Mraz, which had just recently released three days prior. We had listened to it way more than three times already. I think it was a pretty good song pick for our first dance.

She took hold of me and we had our first dance, underneath that pavilion on that June day, with the smell of summer fresh in our noses. I don’t remember the last time I was happy like this before I started dating her, but I’ll never forget how she took hold of my heart forever.

I already knew from the moment I fell in love with her that I was going to marry her, but now I also already knew how I was going to propose.

After the novel coronavirus in 2020, I don’t think anybody had a normal vacation. After not seeing each other for most of March and April, Tyler and I had not had a lot of time to enjoy our relationship. Finally, in June, Tyler had a great idea.

“What if I take off work next week and we have a ‘staycation?’” Tyler asked.

“What is a ‘staycation?’” I laughed.

“You act as if you are on vacation at your house. You do things you don’t ordinarily do during your normal week around your state. I don’t have to work on my business this week and it would be fun,” she explained.

“Well, you taking off work sounds fantastic,” I said through a smile because Tyler is most certainly a workaholic. “Let’s do it.”

I planned on asking her to marry me later in the summer, but the timing felt too right. I had already bought the ring three weeks ago and asked her father for permission to marry her. I decided I was going to ask her the big question by the end of the week. It was going to be in that pavilion we had our first dance like I had planned all along.

We started off our week to a rainy and lazy Tuesday, watching our favorite TV shows and cooking. But to make this proposal one that would surprise her, I had to throw her off the scent.

“Hey Ty, we should browse more for rings. Want to go to that ring shop near my house this week?” I mean, what better way to throw her off the scent?

“Sure, we can go tomorrow,” she said.

When we were at the ring shop on Wednesday, my stomach dropped because I didn’t consider the fact she could change her mind on the ring she wanted. As we entered the store, I tried to play it cool.

After browsing some rings, Tyler asked the clerk, “Can you size me? I haven’t gotten officially sized.” The man nodded and quickly grabbed the box full of every size ring.

Pick size six. Pick size six. Pick size six.

“Well, size six is way too big for you,” the clerk said, taking off the size 6 ring and reaching back into his box. “Let’s try something smaller.”

As we jumped backed into my Mazda 30 minutes later, Tyler turned from the passenger seat.

“I want the ring we picked out a couple months ago. It’s the ring. But now we know I’m a size five.” A wave of relief washed over me knowing I did purchase the ring she wanted, as well as another wave of anxiety over the fact I bought the wrong size. I figured it was good I was asking this week because I had only bought the ring three weeks ago, so I was still eligible to return it if needed.

With full confidence that I was going to ask her in a couple of days, I texted my brother Jon, who is a professional photographer. “You free this weekend? I may want you for pictures if you know what I mean.” Because I had told him only two weeks ago I had Tyler’s ring, he responded with several exclamation marks.

Now that Jon was in to take our pictures as well as decorate the pavilion, I needed to find a way to get Tyler there without her suspecting a proposal.

On Friday, Tyler and I went to Western Maryland for our first of many road trips. Once we were comfortable in our seats for our three hour drive, I turned down the music.

“What if we had a fancy picnic this week?” I asked.

“Well, sure. I mean, where would you want to have a picnic?” she responded. “I don’t really have any dresses with me either.” She did not seem to be very enthusiastic about the idea.

“Well, I was thinking we could hike to that pavilion where we had our first dance. Actually, I looked at the calendar this morning and it has been one year since our first dance. It’s almost poetic, you know?”

“Oh! And then we can go to the farmers market and buy fresh ingredients! We should buy wine, too!” Tyler changed from indifference to eagerness. This was too perfect.

“We are about to pass the exit for your apartment, should we stop by there to pick up some dresses for you?” I asked quickly, as I saw her exit approaching on Route 695.

“Yes, it’s right here, get off!” she shouted.

With a quick check to my right, I crossed over five lanes of traffic and barely made it.

When we were browsing her closet for dresses, she pulled out an orange sundress. When I saw it, I knew that was the dress.

“I bought this just for you,” Tyler said. “I actually haven’t worn it yet.” She showed me the price tag still attached.

Everything was falling into place. The plan was that Jon and his wife, Becca, would go to High Meadow on Saturday, which was the day before I planned to propose, to set up the pavilion with sunflowers (her favorite flower). They surprised me by decorating the whole pavilion with more than I expected, including a blanket they bought that said, “Of all the walks we have taken, this one is my favorite.” That was perfect for avid hikers like Tyler and me.

On Sunday, all that was left was getting there without her suspecting anything. After we had picked up our ingredients from a local farmer’s market along with some wine, we got ready. When I walked into the bathroom, Tyler turned and looked at me.

“Wow! You are really dressed up!” she said.

“Yup,” I responded with pride.

“Do you like what I am wearing?” She looked at me expectantly wearing a casual blue dress, not the orange sundress she told me she was going to wear.

Even though Tyler looks amazing in sweatpants, I knew it was not the dress she would want to wear for her engagement photos. So, with a gulp, I said, “Well…it’s okay…”

“Do you want me to change?” Tyler asked with a surprised tone, since this was the first time I had ever said anything like this.

“Yes.” I said. “Actually yes, I do.” I had to get her into that orange sundress.

When we pulled the dress out of her bag, she exclaimed, “Joseph, it’s all wrinkly!”

“I will iron it!” I announced as I pulled out my iron in the closet and began to straighten it.

As she was getting dressed, I slid silently into the other room to grab the ring. I hid it in a drawer right beside the bed she had been sleeping in for the last couple weeks. Along with most things with this proposal, I had taken a risk.

I ran downstairs and shoved the box into the pile of blankets we were going to take.

When we hopped in the car, I noticed she was wearing her normal, sporty flip flops.

“Hey, where are your nice flip flops?” I asked.

“They are in the house,” she explained with annoyance.

“I will go get them!” I shouted as I ran inside.

Because I had been acting so strange about the clothes Tyler was supposed to wear, the 30-minute drive to the trailhead was silent and extremely awkward. I kept trying to make small talk, but I knew Tyler was analyzing why I was acting so weird.

When we were exiting the car, I realized I had made a humongous mistake. I forgot I hid the ring box in the blankets, not the picnic basket. I couldn’t carry both the blankets and the picnic basket, but I couldn’t ask her to carry the heavy picnic basket while I carried the light blankets.

I turned to Tyler with the pile of blankets, her engagement ring stuffed inside. “Here, you can carry this.”

As the realization hit me that the ring box could fall out at any moment, my heart beat faster than ever before in my life.

“You can walk ahead of me.” I said, knowing that if it did fall out, I had to be ready. I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. Just get there. Don’t fall out. Just get there. Don’t fall out.

After seemingly four years of walking up the steep trail we hiked up one year ago, we finally reached the pavilion a quarter-mile from the trailhead. As we approached the pavilion, Tyler looked confused.

“It looks like someone is having an event here. Do you know what’s going on?”

“No,” I responded. “Maybe someone is having a wedding here or something. It doesn’t look like anyone is here.”

“Look, there’s sunflowers!” Tyler exclaimed with a smile as we walked into the pavilion.

“Yeah, someone really set this up,” I responded, trying to hide any sign I was behind all of this. “Look, Tyler, I know someone else is using this pavilion. But it’s too perfect. We have to dance to our song. Then, we can leave and picnic somewhere else.”

I quickly turned on “Could I Love You Any More?” on the same speaker I surprised her with last year. With my adrenaline pumping, I grabbed her hand and danced with her to a song we have listened to so many times together.

“Oh, Tyler, there’s people coming, let’s go!” I said in the middle of the song to confuse her even more. Then, I quickly said, “Oh, never mind, there’s no one there.” Even until the last minute, I was acting to make this one hell of a surprise.

As the song came to a close, I gave a very deep sigh and turned off the speaker.

“Tyler I have a demand, a confession, and a question,” I said looking into her now very confused face. “The demand is that you stand right here.” I positioned her in the middle of the pavilion. “My confession is that I did this,” I said with a smirk.

“When did you do this?!” Tyler blurted out.

“And my question is…” I grabbed the ring from the blankets and knelt in front of her, “Will you marry me?”

I always try to plan everything in my life. Even the special things.

Lifestyle, My Life

10 sensational songs I listened to on repeat this spring

June 7, 2021 No Comments

This spring had a lot of hits, from Demi Lovato’s “Dancing with the Devil” to Taylor Swift’s Fearless (Taylor’s Version) album drop to a number of hit singles from Justin Bieber & Cardi B. But, if you know anything about me, you know the songs that make my playlist are rarely the ones charting on Billboard.

It’s not that I don’t like these songs or artists – a few of them did pop up on this season’s playlist – but my absolute favorites tend to have lyrics that touch my heart & instrumentation that embraces my soul. And this past spring, I found songs from all different genres that did just that.

If you’re ready for an eclectic music experience, read on for my top picks this past spring from all different genres. And if you’re more of a listening than a reading type, skip to the bottom for my full spring playlist – a 3 hour 34 minute playlist that includes all these songs, some top hits I couldn’t help myself from jamming to, & a few more finds from my Spotify Discover Weekly.

1. A cinematic choice: Flying by Cody Fry

This was the first song on my spring playlist this past season. Flying by Cody Fry takes you on a cinematic experience, with large instrumental swells & beautiful lyrics that describe a soul that has lost hope in a savior. It’s one I can’t help turning the volume up on my headphones for every time.

2. A romantic tune: 1953 by The National Parks

You can’t have a proper playlist without a love song. This past spring, I fell in love with the song 1953 by The National Parks. The song was written by lead singer Brady Parks about his grandparents. Their true love story brought me to tears with its beauty, especially at the bridge that features spoken interviews from the two lovebirds themselves. It is heartwarming & will renew your faith in true love.

3. The fun alt rock one: Follow You by Imagine Dragons

My high school favorite still holds strong. Imagine Dragons always has a feature on my playlists. Many of their tunes are rather dark, often inspired by lead singer Dan Reynold’s personal life struggles with depression, but this rare love song is a fun tune to dance & lightly head-bang to.

4. My worship highlight: Strong in You by Allison Clarke

Allison Clarke, an artist based out of Nashville, released Strong in You in 2017, but somehow I am just now hearing it. It’s jazzy, acoustic feel is one you can move to, while the lyrics help me to remember where to center myself when things in life get tough.

5. Back-road driving hit: Feels Like Home by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors & Ellie Holcomb

This song took me back to my childhood, summer nights spent in my grandmother’s campground after a long day on the boat fishing, singing songs in harmony with my family. It’s lyrical imagery took me down country roads & back to my roots, while the sweet, soft acoustic sound brought tears to my eyes. It’s an easy listening song perfect for a long drive down a back road with the windows down.

6. The angsty rap song: TRUST by NF ft. Tech N9ne

The talent of these two rap artists is incredibly impressive as they spit bars faster than I can comprehend the words they are saying. Despite the title, this song talks more about a lack of trust in these artists’ lives, while the music, instead of being a repetitive beat in the background, moves with lyrics, placing emphasis where needed & pulling you in deeper.

7. A relaxed indie choice: The Future (Tell Me Love Remains) by Brooke Fraser ft. The Real Efforts of Real People

What does the future hold? Nothing good, if we don’t fill it with love ourselves. The Future (Tell Me Love Remains) talks about what the future may hold with a hopeful but concerned outlook. It’s slow instrumental build grows as the artists’ hope grows, taking you on a small, musical journey that helps you feel a little more optimistic by the end, too.

8. A thoughtful piece: Until It Happens to You by Sasha Sloan

A small warning: This song depresses me every single time I listen to it. It’s the hard truth of life – we don’t know how hard it is to lose someone until we lose someone close to us. This song tackles grief in its raw, pure form, & despite the gentle instrumentation, it’s gut-wrenching. It is truly a lyrical masterpiece.

9. A beautiful instrumental: Overture II by Sleeping At Last

The concert pianist version of me from another life just can’t help adding instrumental beauties like this to my playlist. Sleeping At Last composes songs based around a different theme for each album, & they are always incredibly creative & soulful. I first discovered this artist when listening to their album Atlas: Enneagram – each of the nine songs described the human experience of different enneagram number personalities, & every song featured musical artists who identify as that number. It is a musical masterpiece that I highly recommend to anyone. Overture II is a short piece that opens the album Atlas: Year Two. It is meant to represent the forming of life, which is captured perfectly by the musical swells of the violins & the rich sound of the cello. If you don’t normally listen to instrumental music, this short & sweet 1 1/2-minute piece is worth a listen.

10. And, last but not least, a jazzy throwback: Many Ways to Say I Love You performed by Holly Yarbrough

Holly Yarbrough’s album Mister Rogers Swings! features multiple songs from Mr. Rogers’ show, reinterpreted in a new, jazzy style. They are fun to listen to, & they fill your heart with positivity as you walk out the door in the morning or get home from a long day at night.

Listen to my full spring playlist on Spotify! Along with these songs, it features hit artists like Taylor Swift & Demi Lovato, indie stars like The Lumineers, & lesser known but talented artists like Próxima Parada.

What were your favorite songs this past spring? Leave me a comment below!

Health, Lifestyle, My Life

Grove Collaborative review: The easiest way to live an eco-friendly life

April 22, 2021 4 Comments

Grove Collaborative Unboxing Video

Read to the bottom of this article to learn about a special FREE gift just for you!

Happy Earth Day!

For some time, I have wanted to switch to more natural products & sustainable living practices. I made a few changes here & there, but I struggled with finding ways to reduce my waste or carbon footprint that weren’t unbelievably inconvenient. And many of the natural products that I encountered were far too pricey for my young adult budget. I knew switching to natural products was good for the environment & myself, but I thought it would have to be something that I did when I was more established with a full-time job & benefits.

Grove Collaborative changed everything. Grove is a natural home & personal care brand that delivers everything you need for a sustainable, healthy home right to your door. All of the products are made with natural ingredients that are healthy for you & the environment, & they all help reduce household waste. Additionally, Grove carbon offsets every delivery, & every purchase benefits the Arbor Day Foundation, which plants trees to help solve a number of the world’s problems today, including air & water quality, climate change, deforestation, & hunger.

Grove is a monthly subscription, but you can skip months & edit your cart to include the products you want, so it’s honestly a great way to get the products you want, when you want or need them. You can customize the process every step of the way.

My future sister-in-law (but already sister-at-heart) Joanna introduced me to Grove just after I moved into my new house. She was already a subscriber, & she recommended it to me when I mentioned that I wanted to switch to more sustainable products. After checking out the app, I knew immediately that it was something I was interested in, & I purchased my first box the same day.

Get your first box FREE by clicking here

I could not be more pleased with my first Grove delivery. My box contained silicone straws, reusable bags, walnut & cellulose sponges, bamboo tissues, a glass spray bottle, a glass soap dispenser, toilet bowl cleaner, moisturizing hand sanitizer, dishwasher detergent packs, gel hand soap, glass cleaner concentrate, toilet spray, three reusable cotton face masks, compostable cleaning wipes, & bamboo toilet paper. Now that I have had the chance to try out all of these products, I am happy to report they are all up to my cleanliness standards, & I am quite sure I am going to be a Grove subscriber for life.

The silicone straws are a cute, turquoise blue color, so now I can sip my summer drinks in style. They are durable, & the pack of four straws comes with a bottle brush to help keep them clean.

The reusable bags are adorable. I purchased a set of two, one large & one small, that had a lemon design to match my kitchen (which is tones of blue & green with lemon yellow accents). The bags are air-tight & keep my snacks fresh, & they are easy to clean as well. All you have to do is rinse them out with soap & water & let them dry.

Seedling Tissues by Grove on my coffee table

The walnut & cellulose sponge is another great product. The sponge scrubs as hard as I want it to, but it’s still gentle on my pots & pans & it’s durable, too. It’s made from plant cellulose & walnuts, so when the time does come to throw it away, it will naturally break down (no more plastic sponges sitting in landfills).

The bamboo tissues are one of my favorite products in this box. The tissues are thick & soft, which feels great on my irritated nose during allergy season. They are made from sustainable bamboo instead of trees, so there’s less deforestation. The bamboo toilet paper is made the same way, and, this may be too much information but to be perfectly honest, my butt has never felt more pampered. The toilet paper is three-ply, which I wasn’t aware that I needed but now that I’ve had it, I don’t think I can ever go back. It’s soft & thick, which means it feels good & I need less toilet paper per toilet visit. This means that, despite it maybe being a little more expensive than your average roll, it lasts longer, which I think makes up for the price.

I wish I had been using the moisturizing hand sanitizer all winter. It has a lovely scent, & it feels so good on my dry hands. After lathering up with hand sanitizer regularly for over a year now, I needed this product. It is my new best friend whenever I leave the house.

And speaking of COVID-19, the three reusable, cotton face masks I received are some of the most comfortable face masks I have ever had! They fit perfectly, which is something no face mask has done yet, & they are super cute. I love the striped yellow & white one – it perfectly fits my vibe. And the two green & blue toned masks match so many outfits. And they aren’t just fashionable! The masks have three layers, and the inner layer is anti-microbial, making it a great choice to stay safe during this pandemic.

Me & my new reusable face masks from Grove

One thing I often hear about natural cleaning products is that they aren’t as effective as the ones made with harsh chemicals. Until trying Grove, I actually believed this, but I am happy to report that this is a myth. The dishwasher detergent packs gave me sparkling clean dishes – I honestly think they look better than when I use my normal dish detergent. The glass cleaner concentrate worked wonders on my smudgy windows, & the toilet bowl cleaner got everything clean with minimal effort. And the compostable cleaning wipes are the first product yet that has gotten my counters as clean as I want them. I cannot wait to try more cleaning products from Grove.

Speaking of toilets, the toilet spray was also quite pleasant. I have used Poo-Pourri before, & I thought this had just as nice of a scent, albeit not as strong. So, if you’re looking for a more mild scent (Poo-Pourri has a very strong scent – it’s for the bigger poos), this toilet spray is a great choice.

The lavender & thyme hand soap smells so lovely, but it’s not over-powering or super feminine like a lot of nice smelling soaps are. Even Joseph liked it, & we almost never agree on a soap scent (he even put up his own soap dispenser in the bathroom because he can’t stand the lemon soap I have in there). My hands also feel squeaky clean after using this soap, which means it gets an A+ grade from me. The glass soap dispenser & spray bottle are both a simple but fashionable design that will match any decor, & they both have a durability to them that makes me believe they are going to last for a while.

Me & my new lavender & thyme hand soap from Grove

If you’ve been looking for a way to switch to natural cleaning products, reduce waste, live in a healthier environment, or just to live a little more sustainably, Grove is a great choice. The chemicals that are harsh for the environment are bad for our bodies as well. Grove makes it easy to make your home a healthy environment, for you & the earth.

Do you want to try Grove without the commitment? I have a great surprise for you. Use this link to try your first Grove box for FREE! If you don’t like it, you can cancel your subscription at any time (but if you enjoy lovely smelling cleaning & beauty products that are good for you & the environment, you’re going to love it).

Switching to sustainable living can seem overwhelming, but small changes, like using natural cleaning products or drinking from reusable water bottles, make an impact. It might not seem like much, but if we all do it, those small changes add up to having a big impact on our earth’s health.

We only have two places to live: Our bodies & our world. Appreciate them, love them, & take care of them.

Lifestyle

10 easy ways to live life more sustainably

April 20, 2021 5 Comments

You only have two places to live: Your body & the earth. Take care of both.

The idea of switching to sustainable living can sound overwhelming. Entirely eliminating waste from a house seems impossible, & I can’t even imagine how long an hour-long commute would take when ridden on a bicycle. But there are some small changes we can all make to help save our planet, & many of them won’t even affect the flow of your daily life.

Read on for 10 easy changes you can make in your life today to start living more sustainably.

1. Switch to Alt Linen

My new Alt Linen towels from my Be Kind by Ellen box

I know there are some spills that you just want to mop up with a paper towel & throw away, so the idea of switching to a cloth towel can be unappealing. But Alt Linen makes it worth it. When your towel gets too dirty to clean, you can send it back to the company, & they will send you a new one free of charge! Not only is it good for the earth, but I guarantee you will save money that would have been spent on endless rolls of paper towels that would have just been thrown away. Learn more about Alt Linen here.

2. Use reusable lunch bags & containers instead of plastic throw-aways

My new reusable bags from Grove Co. – stay tuned for the full review of my Grove subscription later this week!

I know it’s more cleaning, but it’s worth it. There is so much plastic waste on our earth, & using reusable containers & bags is an easy way to limit your own waste contribution. Plus, there are super cute containers out there that honestly make me happy when I eat out of them. Lunchtime just got a lot more fun & eco-friendly.

3. Use a reusable water bottle

My new Fill it Forward reusable water bottle from my Be Kind by Ellen box

To me, this one is a no-brainer. No matter what I am drinking, I can use a reusable bottle. And I can’t even tell you how much money I save by just filling up my water bottle at the sink instead of buying countless plastic bottles that are going to litter the earth. You can get a super cute water bottle, too, with little reminders to help you stay hydrated, so it’s good for your health, too.

4. Turn off lights when you leave the room

And while you’re at it, unplug appliances that you aren’t currently using. Of course, the refrigerator & stove should stay plugged in, but the blender sitting on the counter? It’s not doing you any good to keep that outlet in use. Save some energy & lower your monthly bill by turning off the lights & unplugging the electronics & appliances you aren’t currently using.

5. Eat less meat

Meat production is a contributor of climate change. You don’t have to go entirely vegan, vegetarian or plant-based, but consider eating less meat & subbing in plant-based sources of protein, such as beans, that contribute to the earth’s health. Or, if you think you will miss the meat too much, buy from local farmer’s who use sustainable growing practices. And make sure that food doesn’t go to waste! Eat your leftovers for lunch, or store them in the freezer for another day.

6. Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products

My new Grove Co. glass cleaner & reusable spray bottle – stay tuned to my blog for a full review of the Grove subscription later this week!

This is an easy one to implement. Instead of using products loaded with chemicals that are bad for your health & the environment, try products made with all-natural ingredients. Brands like The Honest Company, Mrs. Meyer’s, & Ecos create safe, plant-based cleaners that use bio-degradable ingredients.

7. Use LED lights instead of incandescent

LED lights last longer than incandescent, which means less wasted light bulbs. Additionally, they are more energy-efficient, which means they are better for the earth & your electric bill.

8. Put a “No Junk Mail” sign on your mailbox

To be completely honest, I just learned about this, so I haven’t tried it yet, but I am excited to give it a shot! Junk mail is annoying, & it’s a waste of paper. Save the earth & avoid having to sift through junk mail by putting a “No Junk Mail” sign on your mailbox.

9. Buy a water-saving shower head

It’s so easy to waste water without thinking about it. A water-saving shower head will help you save water by giving you the option to adjust the water pressure. If you don’t want to invest in a shower head, set a timer before you take a shower & challenge yourself to finish the shower before the timer goes off.

10. Use reusable grocery bags

Reusable grocery bags from WISELIFE Store

Reduce plastic waste by using reusable cloth grocery bags. They also hold a lot more food, which means less trips back & forth between the house & the car carrying in groceries.

Living sustainably is good for you & the earth! And as my dad always told me, “The best day to implement change is yesterday. The second best day is today.”

Health, Lifestyle, My Life

It’s about to get awkward: Let’s talk about pain

April 19, 2021 No Comments

Can I be real with you all for a minute? It’s been a tough week.

I recently started listening to a podcast called Deeply Human that I highly recommend. It’s about why we do the things that we do, like get angry when we stand in lines or why it seems to get harder to find the perfect match the more we date, even though it seems like it should be the other way around. This past week, I listened to an episode on pain that hit deep. Pain is something I am no stranger to. I have dealt with chronic illness since I was 10 years old – there has not been a day in the last decade of my life that I have not experienced pain.

This may come as a surprise to some people. I am very active, & I normally consider myself to be a rather optimistic person as well. And, just to be clear, this illness has not made me feel any less grateful in my life. In fact, I think it’s helped me to realize just how blessed I am. I love my life. But, as much as I don’t want my illness to define my life, it is a part of it, just as much as my job, my relationship, or my cultural background. So, why am I comfortable talking about those things, but not about the pain I experience?

This podcast had a really good answer. Pain is something we all struggle to talk about first & foremost because it’s a private feeling. I can’t explain in words what it feels like to experience chronic pain. You can only kind of understand if you have chronic pain as well, but then, we still don’t quite have an understanding because everyone’s experience of pain is different. We all have different levels of tolerance. For example, if I burn my hand on a stove, & you burn your hand on the same stove, we could feel completely different levels of pain. So, even though we both are experiencing the same burn, we don’t truly have an understanding of what the other person is experiencing.

Secondly, there is a bit of a taboo associated with pain. When we express the pain we are going through, we try to make light of it – we diminish our experience because we don’t want people to feel sorry for us or make things awkward. To the same respect, the people we are telling about our pain feel pressured to keep things light as well. The topic moves on quickly. The trouble with this is that pain, whatever type it may be (mental, physical, acute, chronic) can seem very isolating.

Pain is interesting because it is simultaneously a universal & very personal experience. We all experience pain, yet we can’t ever truly understand anyone’s pain but our own.

So, let me tell you about my week. It was an awesome week. I spent time with family & friends; I finished all of my work during the week (something that rarely happens), so I had the opportunity to have a lovely, relaxing weekend; I received my second vaccine shot; and my dad, brother & future sister-in-law came to visit me at my new house with a surprise gift: a new grill! It was a fun & exciting week, & yet, I spent quite a few days of it breaking down in tears because I received a disappointing letter. After years of fighting chronic illness, a trial program at Johns Hopkins was finally created to help bring relief to patients like me, but I didn’t get in.

You know what’s interesting though? My pain level hasn’t changed in the last week. I feel the same as I always do. Despite the disappointment, the most painful thing about receiving this letter is that I felt like I couldn’t talk about it. I succumbed to the social pressures that said talking about pain was taboo & thought that expressing my feelings about this experience would bring other people down, so I tried not to talk about it at all. I shared about my job, had a date night with my fiancé, & posted pictures on Instagram about what was happening during my day, never even mentioning the biggest thing that had happened in my life because it would make things “awkward.”

The most painful thing about this past week is that I felt alone. While gathering documents to re-apply to the program & shuffling through lab report after lab report, I felt like I was the only one who could possibly understand what I was going through. It made my pain feel isolating.

But, I’m not alone. Whether you have experienced something like this or not, you have experienced pain. We all have. And, I think it might be time to start talking about it.

When I finally broke down this past week & shared my feelings, I felt a weight lift off of my shoulders. For days, despite all of the good happening around me, it felt like this was all I could think about. That letter had me shackled in silent suffering. Now, despite the fact that I am still experiencing pain & I still haven’t been accepted into the program, I feel free.

No matter what pain you are experiencing in your life, I want you to know that you’re not alone, & I encourage you, as awkward as it may be, to talk to someone about it. And if someone comes to you expressing a pain they have been experiencing, I encourage you not to change the topic because it’s “uncomfortable.” Lean into the discomfort. Get to know someone at that deep & personal level. And if you can, try practicing vulnerability & sharing some of your pain as well. I truly believe that if we start doing this, despite the different experiences of pain that we have, we will all realize once again the universal aspect of pain, & therefore, we will feel less alone & more connected than ever before. And that’s important, because connection – true human love & empathy – can be healing. Human connection has been proven to strengthen our immune systems, reduce stress, & help patients heal from trauma. Pain, in & of itself, can be traumatic. It wreaks havoc on our immune systems, & it can be the source of or a symptom of stress.

I know it’s not a magic pill. It won’t heal any pain you are experiencing, whether it be mental or physical. But speaking up & connecting with others will bring you comfort & support during your journey, & for a lot of us, I think that’s all we really want from our community.

Speaking up isn’t easy. This blog post is a start. If you need someone to talk to, please reach out to me. I would love to listen to your story.

Lifestyle

Need a gift for Mother’s Day? Here are 12 self-care gifts she’ll love

April 12, 2021 2 Comments

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy a product after clicking a link, I may earn a commission off of that purchase.

Moms are the best. No matter what, they are always there to support us. For her child, a mother’s love is unconditional. But for herself – well, Moms tend to be a little hard on themselves.

Just like the rest of us, Moms need some rest & love. This Mother’s Day, give your Mom the gift she really needs: The gift of self-care. Check out the list below for gifts that will not just show how much you love your mom, but also will help her love herself better.

For the mom who loves bubble baths, this spa gift set

Bring the spa home to your mom with this delightful, citrus-scented care package from Lizush. Made with all-natural ingredients, all of the products are scented with essential oils & colored with spices & herbs – there are no artificial dyes or colors! The gift set includes everything your mom would need for a full day of pampering: a citrus soap bar, grapefruit body oil, a facial clay mask, a shower steamer, lip balm, a soy candle, a grapefruit bath bomb, & a facial towel & sponge. Check it out on Amazon.

For the mom who needs time to de-stress, this gratitude journal boxed set

Gratitude has a way of changing our entire outlook on life. It helps us to appreciate more of what we have, & it can make things that once seemed ordinary much more extraordinary. If your mom is in need of some de-stressing & mindset shifting, this Gratitude Boxed Gift Set from Inner World is a great choice. It comes with a 90-day morning- & night-reflection journal to help mom cultivate a daily gratitude practice, as well as mini book full of quotes, meditations, & more gratitude inspirations, & a little candle to help her get into the right mindset when she sits down to reflect. You can buy it on Amazon here.

For the mom who likes to sit with a warm cup of tea, this organic tea gift set

There’s nothing like curling up with a warm blanket & a hot cup of tea. If your mom likes to start her day with a hot mug between her hands, or if it’s how she winds down at night, she will love this Numi organic tea gift set. It comes with 4 different types of organic tea & a glass infusion bottle with a strainer. It’s the perfect way to enjoy tea at home or on-the-go! You can buy it from Amazon here.

For the mom who loves a relaxed ambience, this candle-making set

If your mom loves candles, this is the perfect gift for her. Now she can make her own with this premium soy candle kit from DIY Gift Kits. It comes with therapeutic grade essential oils rather than fragrance oils for adding scents to the candles, so she won’t be inhaling any chemicals from her finished candle product. You can buy the gift set on Amazon here.

For the fitness-focused mom, this restore self-guided kit

If mom likes to spend her time pounding the pavement or lifting weights at the gym, chances are, she’s feeling a little sore. Give her muscles a good stretch with this restore self-guided kit from Gaiam. The 10-mm thick, cushioned mat; 65cm stability ball; 18″x6″ foam roller; & resistance bands all come with illustrated, printed instructions on the products for ways to use them. Now, Mom doesn’t have to search through Pinterest to find the correct stretches to relax her sore muscles. You can find the full kit here.

For the mom who needs a cup of coffee to get her day started, this healthy flavored coffee set

Coffee Over Cardio Flavored Barista Bundl e

Coffee Over Cardio makes flavored coffee that’s both healthy & delicious! With no added sweeteners, this Keto-friendly coffee brand makes drinking coffee shop-quality coffee every day both possible & affordable. You can get 10% off the Flavored Barista Bundle, which includes ground or K-pod coffee, energizing coffee creamer, hydrating electrolytes, a FREE T-shirt, & a reusable K-pod, with the promo code 10TYLERVLAYNE (or use this code for any product you like on the website!). You can find the Flavored Barista Bundle here.

For the yogi mom, this yoga mat, strap & block kit

Give mom the tools she needs for a relaxing yoga session at home with this Yoga Kit from Gaiam. There are three different color options to choose from, & if Mom is just beginning her yoga practice, two of the colors (the purple & blue) come with indicators on the mat of where to place her hands & feet. Each set comes with a 4mm yoga mat & a yoga block & strap to help improve mobility & flexibility. You can find the yoga kits here.

For the zen mom, this meditation cushion kit

Zafu & Zabuton Meditation Kit from Gaiam

The last thing you want to be distracted by during your meditation is body aches & pains. Bring some comfort to Mom’s meditation session with this Zafu & Zabuton meditation kit from Gaiam. They are soft & comfortable, with body conforming cotton & a removable, machine-washable, microfiber cover. It will help Mom get into the zone, as well as improve her posture & relieve any pressure on her joints & spine. You can find the meditation kit here.

For the mom who enjoys a little indulgence, this gourmet bonbons & macarons gift set

MAE Fine Foods Gourmet Chocolate Bonbons & French Macarons Set

As Charles M. Schulz so wisely said, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now & then doesn’t hurt.” If Mom enjoys a little indulgent treat at the end of the day, give her this lovely, gourmet chocolate bonbons & French macarons set from MAE Fine Foods. It’s made with all-natural ingredients, including fruit purees by Les vergers Boiron imported from France & gourmet chocolate imported from Belgium. It’s a delicious gift Mom is going to love. You can find it here.

For the mom who is trying to eat healthy, this box full of tasty snacks

Have you heard of CraveBox? It’s a subscription box that delivers fun snacks right to your door! This healthy care package has a mix of 30 different sweet & savory snacks to satisfy any craving. It’s the perfect yummy treat that won’t ruin her diet. Check it out on Amazon.

For the mom who enjoys a glass of vino at the end of the day, this wine-making kit

If your mom is a wine enthusiast, she is going to love this wine-making kit from Fontana. This award-winning kit uses high-quality ingredients from California, so Mom can make the best tasting glass of wine she has ever had, right in the comfort of her home! You can choose the wine flavor & buy the kit here.

And no matter what your mom enjoys, she is going to love the Sunshine Box

The Sunshine Box is a personalized, self-care kit made just for Mom. You can fill out the form below with all of your mom’s likes & dislikes, & I will personally create a box specially made just for her! You can choose a one-month subscription for just $30 + shipping, or get FREE SHIPPING when you buy a 6-month subscription (a PayPal link is sent to your email after purchasing for payment). It’s the perfect way to show Mom how well you know & how much you love her.

Lifestyle

10 meaningful activities for adults to celebrate Holy Week

March 29, 2021 3 Comments

Note: This post does contain affiliate links. If you buy a product after clicking a link, I may earn a commission off of that purchase.

Holy Week is a time for remembrance, devotion, & joy. It is a time to remember the sacrifice that was made for us by Jesus, & to spend time meditating prayerfully on that fact. It is supposed to be a special, sacred time, but in all the business of life, it’s easy to become distracted & forgetful. It’s easy to treat this time like it’s just any other week.

I am definitely guilty of forgetting the meaning of Holy Week. With work, tasks to be done, & a never-ending to-do list, my mind is always focused on other things. It can be difficult to find just a few minutes to just sit & spend time with God. Unfortunately, what should be my priority often feels like something I squeeze into whatever little time I have left.

I wanted this Holy Week to be different. Since January, with United Church, I have been participating in our church-wide challenge of reading the Bible in a year. It is something I have done in the past, but it was always by myself. I am finding such profound joy & value in doing this with other people, & I suppose it was this that pressed on my heart to become more mindful about this year’s Holy Week. Spending so much time in God’s word has reminded me just how much rest I find in it, & how much good it does in my life.

So, if you’re looking for just a couple of ways to incorporate more time with God into the busyness of your everyday life during Holy Week (because, let’s be honest – the world, unfortunately, does not pause for us to celebrate this sacred time), check out the activities below!

1. Walk with Jesus Daily Easter Text

This is such an easy way to stay in the mindset of Holy Week, & you don’t even have to do anything! Every year, I sign up for 95.1 Shine FM’s Walk with Jesus. Throughout the week, the radio station sends me texts about what was happening in the Easter story at the day & time it happened. Every time I get a text message, I prayerfully remember the season we are in. It always hits me like a gut punch when I get the text that Jesus just died in the middle of my Friday afternoon. It really helps to keep me in the right mindset while I am going about my daily life.

To sign up, text the word “EASTER” to 88474. You can learn more about the Walk with Jesus & 95.1 Shine FM here.

2. Do a daily devotional

There are tons of Holy Week devotionals on The Bible App that have quick readings for every day of the week. Read it first thing when you wake up in the morning, during your lunch break, or right before you go to sleep at night. The app even has an audio option, so you can listen to the devotional & Bible verses like a podcast during your commute or workout.

3. Wash each other’s feet on Holy Thursday

This one may sound a little strange at first, but this a great way to show humility & God’s love to one another. Washing your family member’s feet can be a way to remember what Jesus did for His disciples during their last meal together, & to remind ourselves that we are supposed to be servants of God & to each other.

4. Eat a Passover meal

If the foot washing isn’t quite what you are looking for, why not make a traditional Jewish passover meal on Holy Thursday. Make lamb & unleavened bread, & serve it with wine or grape juice for a kid-friendly option. You can find lots of recipes for a Seder meal online. And, you can even read about The Last Supper with your family during dinner to remember why we celebrate this day.

5. Fast on Good Friday

On the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, you can prayerfully remember his death on the cross by fasting for a day. Remember, fasting doesn’t necessarily mean you have to skip eating altogether. You can eat just light foods, or try fasting from something other than food, such as social media or another worldly distraction so you can spend more time focusing on prayer.

6. Listen exclusively to Christian music

Me listening to music. Have you ever made a soundtrack for your life? Check out how to make one & the one that I made here.

I listen to music throughout my day just for a little background ambience. If you do this, too, why not switch it up this week & listen exclusively to Christian music? It’s a great way to help you stay in the right mindset without having to add anything to your daily routine.

7. Spring cleaning

Hear me out on this one. Jesus came & cleansed us of our sins. Why not cleanse your environment for spring to welcome this new beginning? You can also spend some time going through your belongings to donate anything you no longer need.

8. Volunteer

If you have some time on Saturday, why not spend it volunteering somewhere? Just as Jesus served & sacrificed of himself for us, we are called to do the same for others. If you aren’t able to get out because of COVID-19, there are plenty of ways to volunteer virtually as well. Check out VolunteerMatch.org for lots of ways to volunteer, in-person & virtually, in your area.

9. Give away Easter goodies

Fill Easter eggs with candy & leave them in a basket on a neighbor’s doorstep, or make fresh baked goodies to share. This can be a great way to share a “meal” with others in a COVID-19 friendly way.

10. Celebrate Easter

Whatever your favorite Easter tradition is, make time for it & a little extra time for God this Easter holiday. Remember the meaning of the day, spend it with loved ones if you can, & remember just how profoundly loved you are.

Happy Easter everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful Holy Week & a fantastic holiday.

What’s your favorite way to celebrate Holy Week? Tell me about it in the comments below!

Health, Lifestyle

10 seasonal ways to practice self-care this spring

March 26, 2021 4 Comments

Note: This post does contain affiliate links. If you buy a product after clicking a link, I may earn a commission off of that purchase.

Self-care is important any time of year, but spring is the perfect season to take a little extra time for yourself. While the world is waking from its slumber & committing itself to new growth once again, you can do the same.

Spending some time to engage in self-care looks different for everyone. It’s important to match the type of self-care you use with what is actually beneficial & meaningful to you. A bubble bath can be a great way to relax, but if you don’t have a comfortable place to soak, your muscles don’t need to relax, or, even worse, if you don’t even like soaking in baths, this may not be the best way to engage in self-care for you. I find it interesting when people force themselves to do self-care, & they choose an activity that they don’t enjoy & get it done like just any other task on their to-do list. Self-care should be something that you need & that brings relief & relaxation to your life in some way. This means that sometimes it is indulgent, like eating chocolate or bingeing on your favorite Netflix show, but sometimes its actually less glamorous, like cleaning out your closet or spending a day getting all the things done that never make it onto your to-do list. No matter what, at the end of your activity, you should feel some sort of relief & feel better about your current state in life.

With that being said, I love to theme my activities to the season I am in, personally & in the world. Spring is a perfect time for self-care because there are so many things you can do! Listed below are 10 ways you can engage in self-care this spring. As stated above, make sure you choose one that is meaningful to you, & enjoy your self-care time! You deserve it.

1. Go for a walk

Me walking on some railroad tracks in Missouri

The weather has finally gotten warmer, which means it is the perfect time to go for a relaxed walk outdoors & enjoy some fresh air. If you are looking to get your heart & adrenaline pumping a little more, go for a run or bike ride. The clean air & physical activity are good for your mental & physical health.

2. Do some spring cleaning

The time for spring cleaning is here, but this doesn’t have to be treated like just another annoying task you have to complete. Making your environment clean & orderly is beneficial for your mental health. A cluttered space encourages a cluttered mind. Take some time to purge your house of things you no longer need, & then take some time to clean up & maybe even decorate your environment in a new way that brings you joy, not just for the day, but for months to come.

3. Make a healthy meal with ingredients from the farmer’s market

Me & Joseph buying ingredients from the farmer’s market the day he proposed

Healthy food nourishes our body & helps us feel our best. Why not support a local farmer’s market & take some time for yourself by making a gourmet meal with all fresh ingredients? It’s a fun activity, & a healthy way to take to nourish your body.

4. Plan a day-trip

Joseph & me on Strasburg Rail Road in Pennsylvania during our day trip – watch Joseph’s vlog about the trip here

Now that the weather is warmer, it is the perfect time to go for a trip. Plan your itinerary for little getaway in your local tourist spot, or make it more spontaneous & just walk around the area to see what attracts you most. You can do it alone for some quality time with you, or go with your family or a friend for some much-needed social time.

5. Start a new skincare routine

Me using my new Aceology ice globe facial massagers from my Be Kind by Ellen spring subscription box

If you’re anything like me, your skin is feeling a little dry & pale after a long, cold winter. Try out a new skincare routine to help moisturize your cracked skin & give it a fresh glow for the new season.

6. Plant a garden

My brother, Jake, & me collecting the produce from our garden my junior year of high school

It’s good for you, & its good for the environment, too. Spend some time getting in some physical activity by planting a garden, & then reap the benefits for months to come with the fresh, healthy & delicious produce you harvest. Or, plant a flower garden & let the bright colors & lovely scents bring you joy every day.

7. Buy yourself flowers

The beautiful yellow roses Joseph gave me for Valentine’s Day

If you aren’t into gardening, bring spring into your home by buying yourself some fresh flowers. Put them in a lovely vase on your table or wherever you will see them to brighten your space. A little touch of spring indoors is a great way to celebrate the season & show yourself some love.

8. Diffuse spring-themed essential oils

Bring the lovely smells of spring into your home by diffusing spring-themed essential oils, such as lemongrass, lavender, eucalyptus, & citrus scents like lemon & tangerine. Diffusing essential oils can help reduce stress, & different essential oils have additional benefits, such as using lavender to help reduce insomnia or peppermint to relieve headaches.

9. Make a batch of fruit-infused water

Fresh fruits are in abundance, which means it’s the perfect time to make fruit-infused water. If you are terrible at drinking your daily intake of water, or if you just want to switch up the flavor a little bit, try chopping up fresh fruit & putting it in a pitcher of water to infuse. It is a delicious way to hydrate our bodies, which helps our body systems to work as they are supposed to, as well as brightens our skin, gives us more energy, & improves our mood.

10. Start a new hobby

My new favorite crafting hobby is paper crafts with Washi Tape! This is the valentine I made Joseph this year

Spring is the time of new beginnings, so why not try something new? If you want to do something healthy for your body, try a new exercise routine or start cooking more healthy meals at home. If you’re just looking to engage your mind in a new way, why not try a new craft or start doing crossword puzzles. Whatever appeals to you or whatever you have been wanting to try, this is the perfect time to start doing it.

I hope you found a new self-care activity that excites you. Try to give yourself a little time each day, even if it’s just a few minutes, to give yourself a little extra love & care. Your body, mind & soul will thank you.

What’s your favorite way to engage in self-care? Leave me a comment below!

Do you need a little more inspiration? Download my free printable self-care calendar for April! It has a different activity idea for every day, making it the perfect way to remind you to spend some time for yourself daily, as well as try out different self-care activities if you’re not sure what you like best. It helps when we support each other, even with self-care, so stay tuned to my social media next month for my own journey with self-care, using this calendar & article for inspiration.

Free Printable April Self-Care Calendar Download

P.S. Self-care shouldn’t feel like work. Why not get it delivered to your doorstep every month? The Sunshine Box is a personalized self-care subscription box that is filled with items picked out just for you! It’s the perfect way to show yourself a little extra love each month. Learn more & subscribe here.

Lifestyle

10 fun socially distanced activities to do this spring

March 24, 2021 3 Comments

Joseph’s & my first spring run this year – it was a beautiful, sunny run after a long winter training

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy a product after clicking a link, I may earn a commission off of that purchase.

Springtime is finally here! The warm weather has arrived, & I am ready to get outside & enjoy it.

While COVID-19 regulations are lifting in a lot of states, there are still plenty of states with restrictions on people we can see & where we can go. However, there are still plenty of fun things to do, even if you can’t go to see your favorite ballgame or have a backyard BBQ. Check out the list below for 10 socially-distanced but still enjoyable activities to celebrate this beautiful season.

1. Have a picnic in a park

Me sitting with Joseph’s & my picnic dinner the night he proposed

Go alone with a book, or bring your family along for a lovely picnic in the park, complete with a basket & blanket. Pack sandwiches & yummy, portable snacks like trail mix & baby carrots. It’s a relaxing & fun way to enjoy a beautiful, sunny day. And if you go to a nature park, you can also go for a hike before or after eating.

2. Plant a garden

My brother, Jake, & me gathering the produce from our garden my junior year in high school

Spring is the time to plant gardens so you can enjoy the beautiful flowers all season, or get some fresh produce in the summer. Spend some time out in the sun tending to your garden. It can be good for your mental health, as well as your physical health, to get your hands a little dirty outside.

3. Go for a bike ride

This is another activity that’s good for your mental as well as your physical health. Winter can be a tough time to go bike riding: Your legs will be warm, but your stationary upper body only heats up so much, & the breeze from the ride can cause an unbearable chill on your fingers. But spring is the perfect time to go out & enjoy the beautiful scenery from the perch on your bicycle. Go for a ride in a park, or, if you live close by, ride your bike to work. That way, you can do some good for the environment, too.

4. Go kayaking

This is another easily socially distanced activity that’s good for your mental & physical health. Spending some time floating downstream, enjoying nature, can be very relaxing, & believe me, your arm muscles are going to feel it later after you try to fight against that current for a few hours.

5. Visit a farmer’s market

Joseph & me buying ingredients from the farmer’s market for our picnic dinner the night he proposed

Delicious spring produce is in abundance at farmer’s markets this time of year. Why not get some fresh ingredients & make a challenging, fancy recipe at home? Or, go to the market for inspiration & challenge someone in your house to a cook-off. The chef of the best dish gets to pick what’s for dessert!

6. Do some yoga outside

Me doing yoga on a pier in Solomons Island, MD

If you’ve never taken your mat out of your living room, now is the time to do it. It’s not so hot that it makes your yoga mat feel rubbery, but it’s also not so cold that you need to try to do Downward Dog bundled up in an oversized coat. Enjoy the feeling of doing a Sun Salutation with the warm sun on your skin, & look up at the fluffy clouds while you lie back during Savasana. It’s a relaxing, rejuvenating experience that just can’t compare to a traditional, indoor yoga class.

7. Make a spring-themed playlist

Have you ever created a soundtrack for you life? Find out how & check out my soundtrack here

I have already started my playlist, & I can’t wait to share it at the end of the season. If you’re a music lover like me, save all the songs that remind you of spring to a Spotify playlist, or just save all the new releases songs you can’t stop listening to this season. It will be a fun way to look back in the future & remember all of your lovely, springtime memories. There’s nothing like a special song that takes us back in time to a moment we always want to remember.

8. Make a bird feeder

I love hearing birds twittering in the trees. Why not bring that lovely sound to your yard every morning by hanging up a bird feeder? You can make it even more fun by making your own. There is a lot of inspiration on Pinterest. It feels even more rewarding to make something with your own hands (even if you’re as inept at handiwork as me & you make bird feeders out of pinecones & peanut butter), & it is so pleasant to listen to & watch the birds while you sip your morning coffee on your porch.

9. Have a bonfire

Get some marshmallows, graham crackers & chocolate because it’s s’more time! Have a small cookout with your family, or just make some delicious treats for yourself & watch the flames dance beneath the stars. It’s a relaxing way to enjoy an evening, or a fun way to spend time with your family & tell ghost stories.

10. Have an outdoor movie night

If bonfires aren’t your thing, how about an outdoor movie night? You don’t need a movie theater for an immersive, film-screening experience. Set up a projector & sheet, pop some popcorn & grab your favorite snacks, & gather with your family outside with some warm blankets to enjoy your favorite movie.

I hope you found an activity that inspired you to have some fun this spring! The coronavirus pandemic may have made some activities less accessible, but there’s no reason why we still can’t enjoy this lovely season.

What is your favorite spring activity? Leave me a comment below!

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