Research has been done about how trying or learning new things together strengthens a relationship. It's a new shared experience where you get to see each other in new ways. And for parents, where it's all too easy to just talk about your kids, you're forced to put your attention on the experience itself. On figuring out or learning this new activity and therefore you're not talking about the kids or the logistics of life. You get to just BE together.

The reality is that doing things that stretch you, rarely feels good at first. But that doesn't mean you stop. It means you sit with the discomfort knowing that this is exactly how it's supposed to feel. Nothing has gone wrong. It WORKING! So when I'm trying to help a client break a habit, make a change, and stretch themselves into a new self-concept, I assign small, but uncomfortable homework challenges.

A time audit is something I regularly do for myself and something that I ask my clients to do as well. It's data and information that we can use to either recommit to how we're spending our time or change it. When you have to track something, you pay more attention. And when you pay more attention, you start to notice all of the things that you're doing without even being aware of them. And from that awareness, you can start to make decisions:

Any relationship that you have or that you've seen that's deep, strong, and vibrant, is the result of a lot of work behind the scenes. Good work. Fun work. Fulfilling work. But work nonetheless. Are you doing enough to cultivate the friendships you want?

Do you make time for things you love that have nothing to do with work or being a mom? If you don't have a regular practice of doing this, why? Well, I want to tell you how I consistently make time to read so that you can take this lesson and apply it to the thing YOU want to go do.

Thinking about the moon and the sky reminds me, in a good way, how small I am in the grand scheme of things When it's all too easy to get caught up in the little things like work, schedules, family dynamics, my clothes, or what we're eating for dinner, I'm reminded that there's a much bigger picture outside of myself.

Instead of using your calendar or planner just to remember that tonight is swim lessons, or this weekend is that birthday party and you need to get a gift; why don't you use that space to remind yourself of the other things (dreams, goals, practices) that are equally as important?

You were a person before kids, you will be your own person when they're grown, but you're also you're own person now. What do you enjoy? What makes you smile, or sigh, or laugh, or relax? Not sure? Me either, some days.

There is no grade for "getting it right". There is no consequence for choosing incorrectly. There is no time wasted experimenting as you figure out what's important to you. If anything, it's the best way to spend your time.

Don't expect yourself to feel optimistic or capable or grateful if that's not true in this moment. Give your mind something to focus on, distract it if you must, and let your body process everything else.

If “the unknowns” have you worried, here's what I'm trying so that I can take care of myself and my family. Things that are helping me to manage things. Not to eliminate the stress, the anxiety, or the worry (I'll be honest, I don't know if that's possible), but to help me keep some perspective.

Let go of the idea that journaling is a beautifully perfect experience and write for the feeling you'll have after you've written.