My daily intention

My days seem to go so quickly. There are always things that need to get done and items added to the list constantly throughout the day. Then, finally, when I get to the end of the day, and even though I may have accomplished a dozen tasks, I feel like I haven't accomplished what I wanted to in the day. I am taking care of and supporting three other humans, two of which are teenagers, so everything they need seems to be a last-minute emergency. As a result, my needs and wants are often shelved on the priority list.

My happiness and well-being are essential to me, and I know that meeting them makes me a better person and parent to my kiddos. I also love problem-solving and looking at different approaches when something's not working. As I've written before, when the days get hectic, I often turn to meditation to help regain my focus. Meditation does help, but I needed something more.

Something new I found was writing down my intention for the day every morning before the kids wake up helps prioritize my day. I am not talking about making a to-do list. This intention is more of how I want to approach the entire day.

I get out of bed, get my coffee, sit down in my quiet living room, open my journal and write my intention, along with some things I can do to make that intention a reality. I also write a short gratitude list to put me in a positive mind frame to start my day. Then, I usually have a few minutes to meditate before the first kid wakes up and my to-do list starts growing for the day.

Writing down my intentions and gratitude list only takes me a couple of minutes. I find that I remember what my intention was and make that a priority throughout my day. Then, when I end my day, there is a feeling of satisfaction that I am in control and accomplished what I set out to, of course, with all the other tasks that needed to get done. Those don't disappear; I have a primary focus to ground me for the day. So I challenge you to try it for a week and see how it feels.

Finding the perfect gym

I was recently asked, what I look for in a gym. I get it, there are several options and it can be confusing and overwhelming to the point that it is easier to put on your workout gear and flip through Netflix on your couch. You can totally do it and find a fantastic place you are excited about and love. I have tried several gyms out in my years. Here are my thoughts.

1. A welcoming place where you feel comfortable. This tip seems obvious; however, I have been at gyms where the staff are not so friendly and sit on their phones, seeming unapproachable, like they would rather be anyplace else. Overall, if the staff are friendly, happy, and busy, that's a sign it's an excellent place to be and work. Staff and members should be kind enough to greet you and say hello.

2. A serious place about fitness. I only have so much time to get a workout in, and I want the most of that time. For me, I'm not too fond of a chatty gym. I want it to be a friendly environment where all fitness levels are supported and encouraged, but it is where you work out. We've all seen people dressed in their workout gear, but instead of breaking a sweat, they chat the entire time, or worst yet, they are on the phone. If you want to join a gym to socialize, that may be your scene, but I need a workout. It's my sanity in life.

3. It must be clean and well kept. I quit a gym where the equipment was constantly in need of repair with no rush to fix it, and it just had a level of grime throughout the entire building. Gyms have the most germs of any place! Especially now that Covid has hit, this point is even more vital. I like to foam roll on the floor after my workouts. If pieces of dirt and junk are sticking to me, it's a no.

4. No sales gimmicks. I already paid a membership fee and any personal training I elected to do. I don't need to be bothered to sign up for extra programs, benefits, snacks or smoothies, etc. This was the gym I belonged to in my college years. I had to say no to multiple sales tactics every time I went. My workouts are my sanity. They calm and center me for the rest of what I deal with in life. I can't focus on getting the most from my hour's workout if someone constantly invades my space to sell to me.

There are many other things to consider when joining a gym, such as proximity to your community/home/work and budget. I love being part of a gym community. I recommend exploring a few gyms and asking for a free pass for a couple of workout sessions so you can get a sense of whether it's the right place for you. If they refuse to let you try it before committing to a membership, I consider that a red flag. One last tip, the best gyms I've been to also don't require a contract. They have enough memberships to sustain them without trapping you into a commitment.

Mother/Daughter Beauty Tips for Brows and Lashes

I am not a teenager, nor do I wish I were one ever again. I don't have a desire to keep up with teen fashion and trends; however, on a recent trip, my teenage daughter shared some valuable makeup tips I find helpful. Here are some to enhance your eyes at any age.

I was introduced to eyebrow gel. My daughter has fantastic eyebrows, as do most women in my family. Having full brows is a blessing if you know how to shape and control them. Apply the gel in an upward sweeping motion over all of your brows. My daughter uses a tinted gel by Tarte. I found the tint didn't look as natural on my brows, especially for everyday wear. Instead, I use NYX Control Freak in clear. You want to use this sparingly. Otherwise, it will dry flaking and make your brows feel crunchy.

I was purchasing higher-end mascara and was never really happy with the results. My daughter uses drug store mascara and layers two different ones, which creates a more defined look in her lashes. I found this trick works better than using one of the high-end mascaras. At my daughter's suggestion, I tried Maybelline's Lash Sensational, applying it at my lashes' base and sweeping up to the tips. After giving that a minute to dry, apply Maybelline's waterproof Sky High to just the ends. I certainly don't do this every day, but I love the look it creates. Eyelashes get clumpy. Use a disposable eyelash brush to smooth and separate them. I now keep a stash of these in my bathroom.