Tips On How To Look Like You're Winning In Life

The date: January 2019, day 135.
Is it me or does January always feel longer than other months? Why is this?  It's my birthday month, so I don't hate it, but it seems to go on longer than other months, yes?  😊 Anyways...

If you're like me, you tend to have a nonstop day filled with a long list of "to-dos" and what not.  Balancing all the daily chores, kids, husbands, and any other obligations can become a full-time job! Not to mention, if you also have a full time job!

There are moments in life when you feel like you're really on top of things! Like you're really just winning at life! There are other moments when you put the chips in the freezer and the raw meat in the pantry, forget to attend an event you were technically in charge of, miss kids' projects etc...we've all had those moments.

My husband has always said to me, "work smarter, not harder" and I love LOVE this phrase!  In the chaos of life, I often find myself running in circles trying to get the house clean, the kids fed, run a business and maintain a sense of my sanity!  In these moments, I can sometimes see that I am not working smarter.

Here are some of the things I do that either help me stay on top of things, or just make me feel like I'm doing a darn good job adulting!!

Clean As You Go

I can see the debate on this one.  Is it smarter or harder to do this? Is it 6 or a 1/2 dozen? I don't know.   

Is it more work to do it in small doses or more to do one big haul at the end of the day?  It's kind of like sitting in traffic...is it less time to take a detour r or just sit and wait?  In the end if you're in the car the same amount of time it doesn't really matter!

It's more of a put-things-away-once-you-have-used-them mentality. 

Here's how it helps me: I never have unwashed dishes sitting in the sink (MAJOR PET PEEVE), the floors and counters are relatively clutter free.  Obviously, there are items on the counters and floors because we live here, but its manageable.  

Pro Tip: You still have to be smart about this so you're not cleaning constantly.  For instance, you don't need to wash each dish as they are used, but after breakfast, wash all the breakfast dishes.  

Reduce Clutter

I know what you make be thinking, " no s&*t Sherlock!"  **Images of the kids dropping their backpacks, unloading their folders full of artwork, flyers and papers to read and often respond to!  Then, the mail comes, more flyers, spam and bills! Oh MY! (are you feeling anxious just from thinking about it? This is our reality.  And the ultra adult thing to do is obvious: address each item as received.  Dispose of them and/or organize them into your filing system immediately.  OOOkkkk, I love organization just as much as the next mom (ok, maybe slightly more than some people), but if that's your reality, you probably don't need to read any further.  I solute you though in having your life together!

Reality check: dinner to make, kids to listen to, sports and extracurriculars to attend, paper sorting will have to wait.

Solution: bins and baskets!  (Yay an excuse to buy office supplies!!)
You can find cute, decorative bins everywhere!  I found this one at Walmart.  It lives on my counter to hold misc. papers and my planner.  I only put items in here that I tend to use on a regular basis (e.g. my planner).   When I'm not using them, and/or at the end of the day, I simply put them all in the bin! Viola! Clean counters and easily accessible for me the next day.

 

I also noticed that my dresser was collecting random items so...I got a cute decorative storage box!

(original picture I was going to post)

(reality: it usually has these bags on top, so lets keep it real y'all)

Pro tip: Keep the floors clean.  Hanging items that can be hung and placing misc. items in bins/baskets will really help.  Think of a space you admire for being tidy, there is probably very little on the floor.  

Messy Bun

The beautiful truth is athleisure wear is now a category of fashion.  Celebrate this! This means wearing leggings is no longer taboo, but rather expected and praised! Huge step for womankind!  Along with this, is the messy bun.  Learn it. Practice it. Master it.  Learning to master the perfect messy bun will save you so much time on hair!! Not only will you be accepted in society with this look, you may even be complimented!

Here's a couple examples if you're still searching for your perfect messy bun:

Messy Bun Updo

Top Knot Messy Bun

Cheat

Ok, allow me to elaborate on this.  Yes, I am encouraging you to take moments in your life to cheat, to do a less that superb job!  Here's the thing, I fully believe doing a job well, the first time is the best way....but it's not the only way!  Sometimes we need to cut corners to work a little smarter.

For instance...

-the mopping cheat: don't move the furniture (we all do it, or we lie that we don't)

-wash the pillow cases and favorite blankets: obviously, you cannot survive on this method, but washing my kids sheets once a week was tricky!  With kiddos napping there was only a short window of time to get it done and remake the beds in time for them to use them.  Thus, washing the basics is ok!  As my kids grow, working around nap time is less of a problem, but this is a quick tip when you're in a pinch!

-curbside or delivery: This isn't something I do on a regular basis (unless it's a free service, in which case THIS METHOD should become your method, not the cheating version!), but there are those moments when you must decide if not spending $5 to have some college kid pick up your food is worth you trying to "squeeze in a quick run to the store" with your kids in tow.  Let's just all agree, it's worth the $5.  It's probably worth a lot more, honestly!

-online shopping: I mean really, this goes without saying. This is where it's at y'all! If you can order it rather than go to a store DO IT! ...unless you're kidless and have an hour + to wander, then by all means, enjoy!
-Clorox wipes...just wipe it, everything, counters, floor...Clorox wipes!

Meal Prep

I know, I know, so many people cringe at the idea of planning and preparing your meals in advance, but hear me out!  This is a game changer! From a fitness perspective, being prepared with what I was going to eat each day is the ONLY reason I was successful!  

Set aside a day (or couple of days) to cook and store food for the week.  Depending on your schedule this can be a lot or a little.  You can prep all your dinners in advance or just your snacks for the daily usage all depending on your life, and maybe it changes week to week for you. 

Some easy snacks to grab and go: 

-premade protein

-powder protein and shaker bottle

-granola bars (bought or homemade)

-fruit

-peanut butter cups

-nuts

-jerky

Pro Tip: Always have the ingredients on hand for a fail proof go-to meal!  Doesn't matter what it is, something that your family enjoys.  This way if you are in need of an idea for dinner or need to take a meal to someone, you have what you need!  I always stock up on tomato sauce and pasta, because that is an easy go to!  Another one is pancakes and breakfast foods!

Set it and Forget it

If you do your makeup early in the am and then run around all day (maybe with little time to check it in between) this has to become apart of your routine.   You need to set any product you put on your face so you can keep that flawless look all day!  

Find a setting powder and/or spray that you love! It also really helps to prime your face as well.  Trust me on this one y'all, trust me!

Here's my current favorites:

This is a translucent powder.  It will set the liquid without changing the color! 

Setting spray.  I use it to set everything once I'm finished. 

This also applies to an alarm.  Set a reminder for EV-ER-Y-THING! Seriously! Don't try to be the hero who just remembers it all (does anyone actually try to do that?).  I make notes in my phone, on my calendar and in my planner...write it down then you can move on to the current situation!

Mary Poppins Bag

One way that really makes me feel like I have it together is when a situation arises and I actually have what I need--with me!  Make yourself your own "Mary Poppins Bag" of goodies!  For me, with younger kids, mine is a little something like this: 

-under wear and change of clothes for each kid

-deodorant

-wipes

-individual snacks (mostly fruit snacks or dumdums😆)

-socks (I have a lot of socks...especially the ones from the trampoline park, just in case!)

-sunscreen 

-cash (like $20-$30)
-we keep a first aid kit in the car as well as some blankets
-other suggestion: shoes, like flip flops, just in case! 

Hopefully some of these will help make your life a little easier!

💗
Tamara