Karissa Tunis

Jewel of Change

This article is written by Tyler E. Johnson
For more on this topic, check out the full Pregnancy Through Postpartum collection

Cutting my hair was somewhat of an impulsive change I made one day when I was secretly having a melt down. An action that was birthed from a moment of despair has blossomed into something so liberating. I feel empowered, confident, and nothing short of boss. My creative mind is running wild and everyday I become more comfortable with myself and trying new things. The power of change, the different aspects of change, and how amazing continuous elevation feels is very real. …

Dear First Time Breastfeeding Mother

As a first time mother of a 4 month old, I have found breastfeeding to be one of the most wonderful experiences of motherhood. When my son was 2 months old, I finally let go of the way I thought breastfeeding was supposed to be and embraced the reality of what it actually was. Mothers, here is my advice (based on personal experience) if you are planning to breastfeed.

This article is written by Sandra Noojin
For more on this topic, check out the full Pregnancy Through Postpartum collection

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Some folks say that routines and predictability are boring. That may be true, but boring can be a good thing. In today’s article, we’re going to explore the benefits of having family routines for everyone, from toddlers to adults. I’ll reveal a few of my challenges in this area as well.

Without routines and structure, life is chaotic. From infancy to old age, we all feel better and function better when there are consistency and predictability in our day….

20 Quick Tips to Simplify Life

After polling a few friends on their favorite tips for simplifying their lives, I compiled this list to share with you. Here are 20 quick and easy tips to simplify life.

While all of these may not work for your phase of life, hopefully they can spark some ideas that you can begin to implement and try today 🙂

This article is written by Karissa Tunis

For more on this topic, check out the full Simplify collection

20 Quick Tips to Simplify Life

1. Learn to say “No” more often

Also, learn that not every “No” needs an explanation.

Discover how to say No to your kids without losing your mind

2. Look long-term at your calendar

Try this as opposed to just day/hour, when making commitments.

Discover how to better organize and enjoy calmer days

3. Keep organized chore lists to simplify life

This is great for your kids and even for yourself!

Discover and take advantage of these free printable sticker charts

4. Schedule cleaning and housework days

Everyone thinks to schedule doctor appointments and work meeting, but what about your days at home? By giving yourself a block of time to get things done at home, you will feel much more accomplished and better balanced!

Discover how to pick your days and organize your focus

5. Turn off notifications and simplify your life

Turn off notifications for all of the apps on your phone, and then only turn back on the ones that you truly need. It is amazing how freeing it can be when your phone isn’t dinging all day long!

6. Try doing the bare minimum for a week

There will still clearly be things that you have to do, but you will realize where your priorities lie. Then you can work on letting those smaller busy-making items go.

Discover how to find the balance between work, home and play

7. Delegate responsibilities to simplify life

This can be much easier said than done, but you don’t have to handle everything on your own!

Discover how to make your life (with tweens/teens) easier

8. Surround yourself with others that have a similar mindset

People who tend to over-schedule will make you feel like you should be scheduling more too.

Discover what you should look for in a friend

9. Don’t do things just because you think you are supposed to

Take the step back and truly think about your reasons for participating in certain activities, events, and other stressors.

Discover why/how one family dialed their life back to the basics

10. Make crockpot meals as much as possible

There are many wonderful, healthy, and delicious recipes out there that will not require all day in the kitchen.

Discover family meal recipes, print out free recipe cards, and try the delicious crockpot recipe below

Katerina's Finest

Chicken Cacciatore in a Crock Pot

Try this simple yet delicious crock pot chicken recipe!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

8 Chicken Thighs with the bone, skin removed
28 oz Tomatoes crushed or diced, from a can or fresh
1/2 Red Bell Pepper sliced into strips
1/2 Onion large, sliced
1 tsp Dried Oregano
1 Bay Leaf
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1/4 cup Fresh Herbs such as basil or parsley for topping

Equipment

crock pot

Method

Season chicken with salt and black pepper and cook it in a pan for a few minutes.
Place the cooked chicken in the slow cooker.
In the same pan, sauté with Extra Virgin Olive Oil the red and green bell peppers (season with salt and pepper) and onion until golden brown. Add to the slow cooker.
Add all the rest of the ingredients listed above. Give it a quick stir and cover.
You can either set your crock pot to LOW 8 hours or HIGH 4 hours.
When the timer beeps, remove lid and keep the crock pot on HIGH one hour to help the sauce thicken if it is watery.
Serve with rice or pasta.

11. Limit activities and family outings to only a few days a week

Activities and experiences are important for children. However, so is that genuine, innocent, imaginary play that is unprompted by others! Our kids are only young once, and they only have one childhood – so give them a good one!

Discover the importance of play, and how trading activities for more play time can be beneficial for the entire family

12. Screen time has to be earned

Screen time should be earned through chores and/or quiet time spent reading or coloring. Note – Quiet time helps the day to feel simpler

Discover the importance of a home library

13. Laundry Strategy

Come up with a laundry routine and strategy that works for you!

Discover and try this simple laundry system

14. Declutter and simplify your life instantly

Physically touch every object in your house and ask yourself “Does this serve a purpose or bring me sentimental joy?” If not, get rid of it. Note – Having Less makes chores go by faster, reduces cleaning time, and is less for you to pick up and organize at the end of the day

Discover tips to get organized for every area of your home

15. Allow kids to help you with daily chores

It doesn’t always have to be for money, and it will give you more quality time together, examples – setting table, putting away laundry, etc.

Discover age appropriate chores, the benefits of teaching responsibility, and download free sticker charts below

16. Plan meals by the month

Finding a few key recipes that you can make on rotation, or picking a day to prep a bunch of food for the weeks ahead, can be extremely helpful!

Discover new recipes here, or try these tips and strategies for stress management

17. Stay out of stores

Not only does buying less help you to save more money, but it also saves on clutter.

Discover what questions you should ask before making a purchase in order to shop smart and shop simply

18. Toys!

Often times little toys and accessories for our children just equals more little toys and accessories for us to clean up. Consider instead saving money longer to buy a larger toy, or plan for a special treat/event, instead of so many little items/things.

Discover how to organize the toy room

19. Set up a Google Calendar

Or use an app that allows your whole family to work off of the same schedule.

Discover options for setting up a family calendar

20. Seek Advice

Listen to podcasts, watch YouTube videos, and read books that encourage minimalism and organization for additional tips.

Discover books on minimalism via our affiliate links below

For more on this topic, check out the full Simplify collection

My Simple Laundry System – A family laundry method that works!

Laundry used to stress me out and I felt like I was trying one laundry system after another. Since it stressed me out, I would avoid doing laundry for as long as possible. I would let the piles grow and grow until we were all out of clothes. Then I’d finally have to tackle this now daunting task. It was nearly impossible to get things under control, and it was something that weighed on me day in and day out.

Something as simple and mundane as laundry shouldn’t be the bane of your existence! So I knew that I needed to find a better way of doing things……

Dialing It Back To Basics

If you are like me, then you might be guilty of occasionally (or often) binge watching Tiny House Hunters, or Tiny House Builders, or honestly – any of the tiny house shows! They are incredibly fascinating, and I am so intrigued with watching other people pair down their lifestyles. Their simplicity is so appealing, and it has totally inspired me to dial my family’s life back to basics.

To watch these people sell, purge, and pair down their belongings into under a thousand square feet of cozy living definitely has its appeal! And if I wasn’t married with 3 growing children and a house full of fluffy pets, I may even consider joining the movement!

But what I have realized over the years is that you don’t have to move into a legit tiny house to pair down your life. In fact, you can dial your life back to basics in a way that totally fits you and your family. It is a little scary at first, but it can quickly turn into an exciting adventure that encourages you to embrace more simplicity in all areas of your life!

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Weekly Time Blocking (Free Printable)

When you have kids, every day can look a little different, which can make scheduling very frustrating! Trying to plan for the day, and stick to exact times, can feel daunting. But, I love this alternative plan! Time blocking allows you to schedule for the day with some built-in flexibility! This way, each day feels a bit more manageable.

For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection

WORK LIFE BALANCE

Life can get crazy, and it can be challenging to find that balance in life! Sometimes we may need to focus more on work, and other phases require more attention at home. And what about your social life? Sometimes that can become a priority for a period of time. It can be hard to juggle it all – especially at the same time! But we’ve got great news! ……

Adore Them has articles that explore all of this and more! We have content that touches on career success, the importance of routines, and the joys of being home and raising your family. Best of all, these resources are all free! Take advantage of these insightful articles, inspirational quotes, printables, videos, recipe, conversation starters, and more! Find fresh motivation, and start figuring out new ways to incorporate a better life balance today!

Also, learn how to find balance between work, home and play; or discover 5 (nice) ways to get ahead

For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection

Maintaining Your Business Relationship as Owners

There’s a beast in the entrepreneurial world that a lot of people don’t talk about. And that’s the relationship aspect. When you’re in a relationship as an entrepreneur, it can sometimes get downright tense. Which is why this week, we’re exploring what a business relationship looks like. And talking all about how to make sure you’re tending to your relationships, while chasing your dreams.

This article is written by Erin Shebish
For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection

Business Relationship Show Highlights:

Yeah, I know. I said I was on a content break but I couldn’t resist this opportunity to talk about relationships.

I can’t talk about relationships on my own! That’s not fair. So this week you get to sit with me AND my husband while we dig deep into our own relationship road bumps.

Time & Communication

Jon and I began our relationship while I was already immersed in the entrepreneurial world. He thought he got it. I thought he got it. He didn’t. And that wasn’t because of just him. It wasn’t because of just me. It was lack of communication.

Communication is at the heart of so many relationship issues. We often expect our partners to be mind readers and know exactly what is going on all the time. But the truth is that they aren’t.

Encourage your partner to sit down with you and have real discussions about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Share with them those big dreams and let them know that they’re important to your big dreams.

Don’t forget to make time for the ones that you love. There is a lot of buzz about hustling round the clock to make things happen but if you’re not spending time with the ones that you love, success won’t amount to much.

Counseling isn’t a dirty word. If you’re struggling with communication or even if you’re feeling disconnected, go talk to a professional. Your relationship is important. Make sure you treat it with care.

For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection

Featured Contributor: Erin Shebish

Erin Shebish is a Certified Success Mindset Coach for Solopreneurs. Her passion is helping women find their version of success by gaining clarity, direction, and confidence while eliminating the doubt that may surround pursuing their dreams. Erin is also the host of the Life Made Lovely Podcast and co-hosts the Blog Fuel Podcast. When she‘s not working, you can find Erin at home, with a sweet tea in hand. More often than not, she‘s chasing 3 boys around, with her husband right beside her.

Website: ErinShebish.com
Facebook: @ErinShebish
Instagram: @ErinShebish

How to Set Business Boundaries (& Why You Need To)

So what are business boundaries? And why do I need them? Let me tell you…. How many times have you slumped down in your seat only to realize how completely and utterly spent you are?! You’re tired, the list of things to do is never ending, and you can’t seem to get your head above water.

Friend, I get it. I’ve been there.

Being a business owner is tough, regardless of the type of business you’re running. Blogger, handmade business, client based business… It doesn’t even matter. It’s not a frolic through the flowers.

Add to that list being a mother and well… it can be totally overwhelming.

But here’s the thing. You can change your life right now. Because chances are that if you’re feeling the overwhelm, you’ve been neglecting one important thing.

Boundaries….

Paying for your kids’ adventures can be very pricey! Here are a few tips and suggestions to think about on how to save money on your kid’s extracurricular activities.

This article is written by Fern Weis
For more on this topic, check out the full Saving Money collection

How to Save Money on Extracurriculars?

Ask yourself these 3 money saving questions:

Is it necessary?

Is it worth it?

And, is it breaking the bank?

Some of us remember that as children we created our own adventures: pretend play, climbing trees, riding bikes around the neighborhood, popping into our friends’ houses or apartments. We spoke to people face-to-face, used our imagination, and weren’t over-scheduled as we often traded activities for more play time.

Many kids have flown (or sailed) to vacation destinations, multiple times, by the age of 10. Some are scheduled down to the minute with activities or sports. They have a collection of electronic and computer devices. And you are paying for all of it! Maybe one parent works 12-hour days. Maybe both of you work.

Consider the following:

Are you working harder than you’d like, just to keep up?

What are you compromising to do it?

List the benefits of providing all of this for your children.

What are the children missing out on?

What would you like more of for your family?

And, what are your children learning about money, relationships and family?

You might not be comfortable with the answers, but maybe it’s time to shake things up and get back to basics. As always, the choice is yours.

For more on this topic, check out the full Saving Money collection

Featured Contributor: Fern Weis

Fern Weis is a Parent Coach and Family Recovery Coach. She helps parents of tweens, teens, and young adults who are going through difficult situations – from homework battles to addiction recovery – and all points in between. Fern works with parents to nurture the parent-child relationship, improve communication, and set firm and loving boundaries. Parents learn to confidently prepare their children to reach their potential and be successful through life’s challenges. Fern is regularly interviewed on Change Your Attitude…Change Your Life (WOR710 NYC), and is a contributor to Huffington Post and Ridgewood Moms.

Website: fernweis.com
Facebook: @YourFamilyMattersCoach
Instagram: @Fern.Weis