Spring Clean Your Life: How to Refresh Your Routine and Achieve Your Goals
Spring is more than just a season; it's a feeling. It's the gentle warmth of the sun, the vibrant burst of new blossoms, and the undeniable urge to shake off the winter blues.
This time of year, is a great time to refresh the energy in your home, but also in your life! Because spring cleaning is essential, but not exactly fun! I always try to extend that refreshing energy beyond my home, but to other aspects of my life – my daily routine, mindset, social calendar and health. Consider this your guide to spring cleaning your life, a holistic approach to resetting, reorganizing, and embracing the joy of the warmer months.
Spring Clean Your Life: How to Refresh Your Routine & Achieve Your Goals
The Mental Refresh: Clearing the Cobwebs of Winter
Winter can be a time of hibernation, both physically and mentally. As the days lengthen, it's crucial to shed those lingering shadows and cultivate a brighter outlook.
Digital Detox: Start by decluttering your digital space. Unsubscribe from unnecessary emails, unfollow accounts that don't inspire you, and set time limits for social media. This conscious pruning creates space for more meaningful online interactions and reduces mental clutter.
Mindful Movement: Trade in your winter sluggishness for energizing activities. Embrace outdoor walks, yoga in the park, or even a simple stretch in the morning sun. Movement fuels both body and mind, releasing endorphins and boosting your mood.
Journaling & Reflection: Take time to reflect on the past few months. What worked? What didn't? What are you grateful for? Journaling can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and setting intentions for the future.
Cultivate Gratitude: Make a conscious effort to appreciate the small things. Notice the budding flowers, the birdsong, and the longer daylight hours. Gratitude shifts your focus to the positive, creating a sense of contentment.
Reorganizing Your Routine: A Fresh Foundation
A well-organized routine provides structure and frees up mental energy, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.
Time Audit: Track how you spend your time for a week. Are there time-wasting habits you can eliminate? Can you delegate tasks or automate processes? Identifying time leaks allows you to reclaim valuable hours.
Prioritize & Plan: Define your goals for the spring and summer. Break them down into manageable steps and schedule them into your calendar. This proactive approach prevents overwhelm and ensures you're making progress.
Streamline Your Space: Apply the KonMari method to your physical environment. Declutter your closet, organize your workspace, and create a serene sanctuary in your bedroom. A tidy space fosters a calmer mind. Her style may have been a little extreme but modify the principles for what works for you.
Make Meal Prep Happen: As the weather warms, embrace lighter, healthier meals. Plan your weekly menu, shop strategically, and prep ingredients in advance. This saves time and ensures you're nourishing your body with fresh, seasonal produce. And if you are working on a fitness journey to shape up for summer, planning meals will help bring you closer to that goal.
Plan Your Summer Adventures
Spring and summer are synonymous with fun and adventure. Plan activities that bring you joy and create lasting memories.
Outdoor Escapes: Explore local parks, hiking trails, or beaches. Pack a picnic, rent a kayak, or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll. Immersing yourself in nature is a powerful way to recharge and reconnect with yourself.
Community Connection: Attend local festivals, farmers markets, or outdoor concerts. Connect with your community and discover hidden gems in your neighborhood.
Creative Pursuits: Try a new hobby, like painting, gardening, or photography. The longer days offer ample opportunity to explore your creative side.
Travel Booking: Now is the perfect time to plan a vacation! I just came back from an incredible adventure in Cambodia and am planning a summer trip to Indonesia. Think about some destinations that have been on your bucket list or plan a smaller mini adventure. Even if it's a weekend getaway, plan something small and affordable, but unique to look forward to.
Social Gatherings: Host a backyard barbecue, organize a picnic with friends, or plan a sunset hike. Spring and summer are perfect for creating shared experiences and strengthening bonds.
Seasonal Eating: Research what local produce is in season and plan meals around it. Farmers markets are a great place to begin.
Spring cleaning your life is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Embrace the journey, be patient with yourself, and celebrate the small victories along the way. As you shed the layers of winter and embrace the warmth of spring, you'll discover a brighter, more radiant you.
This spring let's not just clean our homes but cultivate a life that reflects the beauty and vitality of the season. Let's bloom brighter, together.
What are you looking forward to most about Spring?
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8 Pros and Cons You Need to Know About Life in LA
If you’re reading this I’ve left LA! I moved to Los Angeles from New York a few years ago and it was just incredible. But my husband and I are off to our next adventure.
There has been a lot of buzz and negativity about life in LA, but honestly I loved it! I wanted to take some time to share my thoughts on the pros and cons of living in Los Angeles and what you can expect from life in the city.
4 Pros & 4 Cons of Living in LA
Pro Number 1 - LA Has Incredible Weather
LA has amazing weather, pretty much year round. You will probably hear everyone raving about how great the weather in LA is, and that’s because it seriously is that damn good! It’s almost always sunny, rarely rains, and is a drier heat, which I find much more comfortable than humid weather.
Pro Number 2 -LA Has Gorgeous Scenery All Year Round
LA is downright gorgeous! There are palm trees everywhere, epic sunsets, and hills and mountains rising off in the distance. Even if you just drive around randomly it’s super pretty, not like other cities where everything is just flat and ugly. If you live in LA, you’ll want to spend as much time as possible outdoors, soaking up the gorgeous sun and views!
Con Number 1 - The Traffic in LA is Terrible
Speaking of driving around - the traffic in Los Angeles is THE WORST. A drive that is only a few miles away can easily take close to an hour because of how bad traffic gets on the freeways. And unlike NY or other cities that have rush hours or times you know the traffic will be bad - LA traffic is pretty much trash any time of day.
Con Number 2 - Cost of Living in LA is High
As much as I love LA, it’s definitely not as affordable as other parts of the country! Depending on where you are coming from, you definitely will experience some sticker shock! I moved to LA from NY, so I actually had the unusual perspective of finding LA cheaper than NY. But that was moving from one of the most expensive cities in the country! If you are moving to LA from probably almost anywhere else, you will have to keep the cost of living in mind. Everything - from rent to gas, to going out and socializing is pricey. And I’m not even going to get into the California state taxes!
Pro Number 3 - LA Is Amazing for Travel
I’m from the East Coast, but I had so much fun traveling around the West Coast when I lived in LA. You can do everything from road tripping up and down the Pacific Coast Highway to catching a quick flight to Hawaii. LA is a stone’s throw from some insane travel hubs, whether you want to fly, drive or catch a train.
Con Number 3 - LA Has a Lot of Environmental & Social Issues
Not gonna lie, LA has it’s fair share of environmental and social issues you’ll have to deal with if you live here. If you’ve never experienced an earthquake, you definitely will if you move to LA. The forest fires can shut down the city, and even if you don’t live in a part of town where you’ll be impacted by brush fires, the smoke spreads far enough to be hazardous. I lived in DTLA which never had fire exposure, but outdoor restaurants, venues and activities always shut down when there was a big brush fire because of the air quality and smoke related issues.
LA also has a major homeless problem that only seems to be getting worse. The biggest concentrations are near downtown in Skid Row and in Venice, but you’ll see smaller homeless encampments in almost every park and under every overpass. Hopefully one day the city will find a humanitarian solution to the homelessness crisis, but for now if you are thinking about a move to LA, you need to be aware of it and how it may impact you and which part of town you plan to live in.
Pro Number 4 - LA is Great for Healthy Living
I definitely got in great shape living in LA, just by nature of the lifestyle. There are great fitness studios with all kinds of dynamic, niche workouts, and plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities that will help keep you in shape. Not to mention the wellness centers, juice bars and healthy restaurants that just make it easier to stick to a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Con Number 4 - LA is a City with Lots of Competition
LA is a great city, but it’s definitely a competitive one! It was incredibly hard to find a job, and even harder to make new friends. I’m a pretty outgoing personality and before covid, I definitely tried to have a social life. But I found it so hard to make friends! I’ve had people ghost me, influencers I met at events smile in my face then block me the next day, and all kinds of drama trying to make new female friends. I eventually gave up, and then there was covid so I kind of stopped thinking about it, but it was definitely a drag not being able to make female friends the way I did in other cities I moved to.
If you are thinking about moving to LA or are new in town, let me know in the comments, especially if you have more questions you want me to answer.!
7 Things You Must Do to Start the New Year!
Hello 2021!! Who else is thrilled to be saying goodbye to 2020 and walking into a New Year? I’m sure we’re all feeling cautiously optimistic about what 2021 will bring. While there is new hope and a fresh energy, the coronavirus is still spreading like wildfire and the impact of the pandemic will be felt for years to come. Of course we all want to start 2021 on a high note, so keep reading for the 7 things you must do in January 2021. These are the ways I’ll be doing my best to have a strong, positive start to the New Year! Of course MANY things are out of our control and if I’ve learned anything from 2020 it’s that life can be completely unpredictable. However, you can still do what you can to kick off the year with a clear mind and some clear objectives.
7 Things You Must Do to Start the New Year!
1. Declutter and Organize Your Home
There is no better time to get your home in order then the start of a new year. Spend some time decluttering and organizing your home to breathe fresh life into your space. You don’t have to go as far as Marie Kondo or the organizers of The Home Edit, even though it’s fun to obsess over their Instagram feeds. But home organization and clearing out clutter is a great way to kick off the New Year. You can also tackle any pending home projects or DIY home projects you’ve been putting off
2. Get ready for the 2020 Tax Season
The tax filing deadline isn’t until April, but I start prepping for tax season months in advance. Update your records and make an appointment with your tax provider to make sure you can maximize deductions and get that tax refund popping! If this year was your first year working from home there are probably several new deductions you can take that you may not have qualified for in previous years. Just make sure you consult with a pro to ensure everything is legit and up to date with this year’s tax code.
3. Get Your Health Checked Out
It’s important to stay on top of your health, and if you haven’t been to the doctor in a while, now is the time. I make it a habit to do my doctor’s appointments in January just to have a regular schedule and keep on top of things. Make an appointment with your primary care doc and any specialists you see on a regular basis, and if you traveled around the holidays, get a Covid test!
4. Set Your Goals for the Year
I don’t usually make New Year’s Resolutions, but I do use this time of year to reflect on past accomplishments and what I hope to achieve. A new year gives you a fresh slate, so take advantage of the time to assess your goals.
5. Plan a 2021 Vacation
2020 was far from a good travel year! But looking on the bright side, there are more travel discounts than ever before! The tourism industry was essentially shut down for months and airlines and hotels are desperate for a rebound. Do some research into local guidelines and restrictions before booking, and make sure to respect the rules wherever you decide to go!
6. Sign Up for Some Virtual Networking Events
I have to admit, I got tapped out with Zoom events pretty much by April 2020! I missed in-person interaction and the hours spent in front of a computer screen just weren’t cutting it. However I’m feeling more inspired to get back to networking and refocus on my career ambitions in the New Year. If your career was impacted by covid, or if you’re just ready for a professional refresh, check out LinkedIn or various Facebook groups or websites focused on your industry. 2020 may have been devastating for your career and your network so 2021 is the perfect time to work towards getting back on track. `
7. Start a New Hobby or Passion Project
Is there a hobby you’ve been meaning to start? Or something you’re passionate about you want to get involved with? No time like now to get started! And I mean something that you enjoy or will do just for the fun of it, not necessarily a business or side hustle. Hustle culture has become prevalent in the past few years, and while it has merit, it comes at the expense of pursuing passions not tied to income. Not everything has to be a money making venture. Somethings can be in your life just to add depth, color, and enjoyment. Think about what you are passionate about that you would enjoy doing in your free time. It may be volunteering for a cause you love or a crafting project that keeps you engaged creatively.
What are you most excited about for 2021? Let me know how you plan to kick off the New Year and what you’ll be working towards!
Moving Hacks! How to Make Your Move Easy and Stress Free
If you missed the big reveal on Instagram, my husband and I are officially homeowners! I’m so proud and grateful of this accomplishment and the next chapter in our lives. I’m going to be sharing more about our journey to home ownership and what millennials need to know about purchasing their first home. But for now let’s talk about moving!
Packing, moving, and unpacking are total beasts! It can be super stressful and overwhelming, especially for a big move or a long distance move. It was really important for me to make our move as efficient as possible, especially since my husband and I are both working from home. The only way that was going to be possible was to get creative and enlist professional help. I partnered with TaskRabbit on my move to help make things as seamless as possible. If you haven’t heard of TaskRabbit, immediately check them out.
TaskRabbit is an online platform and app that saves you time by connecting you with skilled “Taskers” who can help with everyday to-dos, such as furniture assembly, handyman work, moving help, cleaning, and waiting in line. TaskRabbit is available in more than thousands of cities across the US, Canada and Europe. Keep reading for my moving hacks and how the TaskRabbit pros helped save the day!
Start Downsizing before a Move
My husband and I are fans of a seasonal purge, and I strongly suggest it a few weeks before a move. Donate any old clothes, throw away expired beauty products, and do a thorough audit of things around your home that you no longer need. We got rid of about 6 huge garbage bags of junk before we even started packing. That helped streamline the process and made prepping for the move so much easier. Make sure you do some pre-move organizing a few weeks before the move so you can take your time and not feel overwhelmed. You can hire a Tasker to pick-up and drop-off your donations at a local charity of your choice.
Order Your Packing Supplies in Advance
In the weeks leading up to our move, I ordered an assortment of shipping boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape and paper. I really had no idea how much we would actually need so took a guess for the first round. It’s important to get some supplies in early so you have time to get more if you run out as you start packing. Plus it gives you time to comparison shop and look for sales/coupons.
I also started keeping the packaging for anything we ordered online and saved a few boxes that I found in our apartment building. The cost of packing materials can add up fast so I wanted to save! I also ordered a few of the classic Ikea blue shopping bags. They are perfect for packing your groceries right before you leave and throwing in any miscellaneous items that you find at the last minute.
Pack all Your Non-Essentials a Week before You Move
This is probably the most important packing tip! Leaving everything to the last minute is a recipe for disaster. We packed up about 70% of our kitchen items and clothing a week before the move, then spent a little bit of time each day tackling a section of the house. It made things run a lot smoother. Plus when we started running out of our stash of packing supplies we had time to replenish before move out day.
Schedule a few Buffer Days In Between Moves
We were lucky enough to close on the new place about 4 days before we had to vacate our old apartment. That gave us a day to map out a layout in the new apartment and a day after the move to go back to the old apartment in case we forgot anything or needed to clean up. We got to spend time planning out exactly where we wanted the movers to place the furniture, where we wanted our art hung, and labeling cabinets to make unpacking easier. I also wanted to hand carry my wedding dress and make sure it was safely tucked away!
Hire Moving Help for More than Just Heavy Lifting
A lot more goes into moving than just hauling furniture in and out. We used TaskRabbit to help us with a few major steps in the process of moving and getting settled. Taskers can do everything from organizing and packing items; moving and loading boxes and heavy furniture; picking up and dropping off unwanted donation items; deep cleaning; and more. We found an expert handyman to help us mount our TV and hang up our art collection. We both wanted to see the visuals come together quickly and have our relaxation space set up before the end of the day. Our Ttasker helped make that possible! The next morning we had another Tasker come over to finish unpacking and organizing. She specialized in home organization and helped us get our kitchen, bathroom, and closets together in a single afternoon! It’s amazing to have our space feel so settled and lived in after just a day; that wouldn’t have been possible without TaskRabbit.
Hiring a Tasker on TaskRabbit just makes moving and tackling your to-do list easier. You can search for the best Tasker for the job based on cost, skillset, availability, location and past client reviews. It’s moving season, so if you have one coming up, definitely check out TaskRabbit for support.
Pack an Overnight Bag with Your Essentials
This is another super important and often overlooked packing hack. I always pack a duffel bag with a change of clothes, comfy loungewear, pajamas, toiletries, and all of my electronics and chargers. Having that ready makes it easy for me to unwind after a long, stressful day of moving and get ready the next morning. No need to dig through boxes looking for your PJs or face wash!
It’s been about a week since we moved and we are about 90% perfect. Follow me on Instagram and stay tuned to the blog for more updates on home ownership for millennials and home décor. And be sure to check out TaskRabbit at taskrabbit.com and @TaskRabbit on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.
