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Me Dates

Happy March! 

Although we are getting closer and closer to spring it still feels very much like winter with cold temperatures and snow and rain and sleet. But fingers crossed we see more sunshine and temperatures above 50 in our near future.

At least the snow is pretty.

One of my resolutions for 2022 was to have monthly “Me Dates”. My friend Sydney gave me the idea of carving out special time for yourself every month to do something fun or pamper yourself, outside of our daily routines. You donā€™t have to spend a ton of money to enjoy some time for yourself, but thereā€™s nothing wrong with a little splurge every once in a while.Ā Ā No matter if you are college student, working professional or stressed out mom or dad, we all could you use some extra time for ourselves outside of work and household responsibilities.

The year is still early so I havenā€™t had too many ā€œMe Datesā€ yet, but my goal is to have them once a month. In February, I had a spa night at home with a facial and watching my favorite show and doing my nails. It was only 45 minutes but so worth it and something different in my daily routine.

If you want to try this for yourself, hereā€™s a few ideas of ā€œMe Datesā€, some are inexpensive, others are a special treat.

  • A Book DateĀ 
    • Grab a book, whether itā€™s one youā€™ve had on your shelf for months, one from the library or browse your favorite local book shop for a new read. Then head to a coffee shop and enjoy your read with a warm drink. It doesnā€™t have to be a pricey date, but itā€™s a good way to get out of the house and change up your scenery and get lost in a different world.
  • A Pampering DayĀ 
    • This one can be completely free or something you spend some extra money on. You can have a quiet night in with a bath, face mask, and doing your nails for a stay-at-home self-care night. This is a nice way to relax and unwind at home without spending money. If you are looking to splurge or have a big event coming up, getting your nails done at a nail salon would be a fun way to pamper yourself and while getting ready for something fun.
  • Movie dateĀ 
    • This is a very easy me-date that gets you out of the house and allows you to escape the stressors of the world and dive into a new one, even if itā€™s only for a few hours. Plus, if you are nervous about being out and about by yourself, itā€™s a lot less nerve racking when you head to a movie and it doesnā€™t matter if you are with a group of ten or by yourself.Ā 
  • Spending time on a hobby
    • During the pandemic, a lot of people picked up on new hobbies and activities while being quarantined, once things got back to normal, our lives got busy, and we may have let them fall to the wayside. By giving yourself permission to enjoy that hobby, even if its for 30 minutes every week or month, it lets you get in touch with your creative side.
  • Getting Outside for a Walk
    • Even with the cold weather, getting some exercise and fresh air are huge game changers. Whether itā€™s for a walk while you listen to some music or a podcast or you head out for a long run, getting out allows you to clear your mind and gets your endorphins flowing too.
  • Table for One
    • If you really want to be bold and step out of your comfort zone, head out to get a meal by yourself. You can head to your go-to restaurant or try a new place in town. Ask for a table for one and bring a book to read or just enjoy some quite time savoring a tasty meal.

These are just a few ideas of ways to put yourself first and enjoy a date with yourself. It can be intimidating to go out and have solo dates, but whatā€™s important is that you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and some taking advantage of some extra time for yourself. While itā€™s always fun to plan things with family or do things with friends, thereā€™s nothing like taking some time for yourself. It may sound clichĆ©, but you truly canā€™t pour from an empty cup. We all need to take time for ourselves so we do our best for our families and in our jobs. What are some ways you like to put yourself first?

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Hey guys!

Happy Wednesday. We are at the end of another month, I donā€™t know about you, but February has flown by for me. The good news is that we are slowly but surely, making our way through winter and springtime is getting closer too. Hereā€™s a look at what Iā€™ve been up to this past month. 

What Iā€™m up to: Outside of work, Iā€™ve been enjoying time at home, staying cozy and doing lots of cooking, from soups, and baking cookies for Valentineā€™s Day. I enjoyed watching the Super Bowl with family and celebrating Valentineā€™s Day. This past month has been a mix of a little bit of everything.

I made homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.
I also made homemade Margarita Chicken Soup from one of my favorite bloggers, Mix and Match Mama!

What Iā€™m wearing:  All. The. Layers. It has been cold, so I have been wearing lots of long sleeve dresses for work or blazers with pants. On days off, Iā€™ve been going for more of the comfortable route with leggings or jeans and then sweaters. Hereā€™s a simple look I wore around Valentineā€™s Day, I kept it simple with black leggings and a baggy sweater, both from Aerie. I kept my jewelry also simple, wearing pink earrings and delicate necklace and pink bow to tie it all together. 

Staying cozy and inside most of the month of February.

What Iā€™m reading:  I finished Beach Read by Emily Henry at the end of January, it was a fun read to take my mind off of snow and onto summery days. Iā€™m currently re-reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and I love reading it again. I am always finding new things that I missed when Iā€™ve read it in the past.

What Iā€™m Watching: All of the Olympics. I love that thereā€™s something always on to watch. Even if itā€™s for a few minutes, you can find a new sport to get excited about. Iā€™ve also been watching Downton Abbey and Iā€™ve been loving it. Itā€™s so easy to get lost in the show and watch episode to episode. I just started season 2 and Iā€™m obsessed. 

What Iā€™m Loving:Ā Iā€™ve been loving all the heart shaped and Valentineā€™s Day dĆ©cor for the past month. Iā€™m also loving the fact of hibernating, if you will. Itā€™s nice to have a lighter calendar with not as much things going on during the winter. Itā€™s been good to give myself extra breathing room by not having a jam packed schedule.

Valentine’s Day spread at home.
There’s nothing like celebrating love.

What Inspires Me: Iā€™ve been inspired by doing my baking and cooking at home. I did a lot of cooking at the start of 2021 and I want to get back into more cooking and trying new recipes this year.

Baking cookies for the holidays was a bright spot this past month.

What I accomplished: Iā€™ve really enjoying the slow and steady month. Itā€™s been nice to hang out at home more and have a more low-key month. There are times when Iā€™m super busy and slammed so itā€™s nice to have some calmer months thrown in there. 

My pup Milton and I staying warm and inside this past month.

Goals Accomplished from Last Month I enjoyed a ā€œMe Dateā€! I took some time for a self-care spa night at home and it was just what I needed before the start of a busy week. Iā€™m always looking for ways to carve even a few minutes of downtime for myself outside of the busy day to day lives. It doesnā€™t have to be a big event, but just making some extra time for yourself once a month or week by doing something small will make a big difference.

Goals for the New Month:  I want to get outside more and get some fresh air and exercise as hopefully the weather gets warmer. Iā€™ve tried to get outside this past month but the bitter cold temperatures makes it a bit tricky to enjoy a walk in single digits. I got out ice skating a few times and I’m hoping to do it more in the next month.

I got to ice skate for a story for work and loved every moment.

Thatā€™s a look into my life this past month. Thereā€™s nothing too exciting, lots of time at home with family. Iā€™ve been reading and watching shows and cooking on days off. Iā€™m really loving where Iā€™m at right now in life. Now that Iā€™ve shared about my past month, tell me about yours! Howā€™s your month been?