simplify

why I deleted facebook {and some thoughts to chew on}

May 6, 2013 | posted by Jaima @ Ring Around the Rosies | 7 Comments

I have two posts on my heart that need to be written, and they kind of go hand-in-hand, but I think I’ll start with this one…

On why I’m choosing to disconnect, so to speak, from the world. Why I deleted the facebook app from my phone this weekend.

You see, I’ve been on facebook since the end of 2004, when only certain universities had it, and all the class electives made ensuring we got it part of their campaign. Seriously. That’s almost 9 years. It has changed drastically over the past decade, but it has also started to change me. And that is precisely why I decided to delete.

You may remember, that my word for the year is “intentional” meaning, I wanted to focus on being intentional on every aspect of my life this year. Intentional with how I spend my time is a big part of this… I want to be PRESENT! To truly take in and taste life, not just watch it pass by and see pictures of it on facebook – I want to taste it! Touch it! LIVE it!

Sure, it has many many positive features. It allows me to still shine my light in hopes of uplifting others. It allows me to know and stay in contact with family and friends all over the country. I am able to share pictures and stories of Elizabeth for aunts and cousins to see and enjoy. I utilize it very heavily in my business, and it is the meeting place and filing cabinet for all of our information…

But to me, it became an addiction. A time-sucking, mind-wasting addiction.

I don’t know a single person that doesn’t wish for more hours in the day.Yet, how many hours do we honestly waste away on facebook every single day|week|month|year?!? We have the same amount of hours in our day that the greatest people and accomplishers had/have in theirs!

This, is somewhat relevant, and a whole lot of convicting, but this speaks measures to me! And let’s be honest, how many people sleep a solid eight hours at night?

[This is where I air my dirty laundry]

You see, over the past year, maybe two, I find myself spending so much of my precious time there during the day. My phone is on my bed at night, tucked under my pillow. The phone isn’t the problem – it’s facebook. It is the very last thing I check before bed, and it is the very first thing I check when I wake up. And I’ll be honest, if I wake up during the night, I click that little “f” on my home screen. If I’m driving down the road and a notification pops up, I check it. If I’m at the grocery store and someone sends me a message, I stop in the aisle to check it. If Elizabeth is playing quietly (and even when she isn’t), I find myself scrolling through the pages. Almost as soon as Andrew gets home from work, I escape to the bedroom for just a “few minutes” which essentially turns into 10-20 while I zone out and like, share, and comment on almost meaningless things. Meaningless, because they truly have NO effect on my life.

This weekend I just got SICK of it. Physically, threw my phone across the floor and said, “I’m done… I can’t do this anymore”.

Elizabeth is growing before my very eyes, except my eyes are too stuck on that stupid app to see it happening. I could (should) be spending that 20 minutes of escape time that I need in the evenings reading His word, or praying for my family. It would still provide the quiet, me time that I crave. I should be thanking God for a new morning instead of checking the latest gossip on facebook as soon as I wake up. I should be snuggled up, nurturing my marriage at night instead of replying to comments and just totally stupid stuff!

The comments and posts I see in the morning set the tone for my entire day. I am just not productive.

Above, I stated that it is an addiction to me, and from the thread I created on our RATR Community Page, and from talking to many of my business partners, I understand that it is for many of you as well! It may not be the kind of addiction that can physically threaten your life. But I assure you – it can be the type that can threaten your most precious relationships! And rid you of time you will never have again with your children!

I get it, I really do… It is my basic means of communication throughout the day. It is how I keep up with my fast growing team. It is the most utilized tool for growing my business and blog, and essentially earning an income. HOWEVER, social media should work for US! We should not work for it!

Don’t get me wrong, I am not stepping away all together. I still have my account active. But, I am choosing to be much more cautious of my time there. The app is no longer on my phone. If I want to check messages, communicate with my friends/family/team members, or share what’s on my heart, then I will do that on my computer during “work” hours (meaning before Bean wakes up, which I use to check emails, and also during her nap/quiet time) and during my rare free time in the evening (but only, if it isn’t taking away time from my husband). Also, this will not change what you see posted on the Ring Around the Rosies page. I will still be posting there (again, during certain hours), and pushing pictures over from instagram.

I posted on my facebook last night after I deleted it, and I shared an abbreviated version of this post… You can see that I created quite a small revolution…

And just like I said in that last comment, so far, I do not miss it at all!!! IT IS SO FREEING to me! I don’t feel like a slave to my phone anymore. I am no longer checking my facebook all day to see what people are talking about. To see if anyone has commented on a picture. To see how many “likes” something has. This morning, instead of spending those 10-15 minutes of facebook before getting up, I read the Bible! Started my day and my mood so perfectly! I have already been so much more productive. I don’t have that “stuck” feeling like I normally had…

This is essentially a brand new era. The technology age. We have NO idea what the effects will be on us, on our children, on our grandchildren, and that scares the crap out of me. I will be a slave no more!

Positive thoughts and comments are encouraged…

Filed Under: balance, Faith, on my heart, simplify

the most depressed week of the year

January 21, 2013 | posted by Jaima @ Ring Around the Rosies | 3 Comments

Did you know this is the most depressing week of the year?

It’s true.

The holidays are over.

The bills are likely rolling in.

You’ve possibly already failed or given up on your “resolutions”.

It’s cold and the days are long and dark.

You probably don’t have any fun vacations you’re counting down for yet.

There seems to be an overall uncertainty in our country right now.

You feeling it?! I think we all are in our own little ways.

So what can you do!?!

Figure out what it is you really want this year. How do you want to feel? Then, break it down and set small quarterly goals instead of an entire year’s resolutions. But in order to be successful, you HAVE to put it on the calendar! And you also HAVE to write down actions you are willing to do to meet those goals – and put them on your calendar too! And seriously commit to doing them in order to achieve what you really want.

Andrew and I often sit down just to talk about the above. We keep each other in check and help each other reach our individual goals and overall goals for our family. We create plans of action together. Whether it’s financially or whatever. We talk about our priorities and correct each other when we are distracted. Defining your priorities together is huge. It allows you to have intention and boundaries. (we’ll be talking about those holiday bills and debts in a later post).

Make sure you are taking a great Vitamin D supplement. I cannot tell you the difference it will make, after all – you’re probably not soaking up too much sun during the day right now. Also, if you are a woman, chances are you need additional Vitamin B during the winter.

Schedule fun little things throughout the week that you can look forward to. Maybe a family movie night, a date night with your spouse, a trip to an indoor park or museum.

Take time just for you! I know you don’t think you have time, but if you don’t take time to rest for yourself, you cannot give your best to everyone else. That may mean a soak in the bath tub, going to bed early to read or watch your favorite show, getting your hair or nails done, or going for a long walk. You deserve it, girl!

Pray. Even if you’re angry, or don’t necessarily believe in prayer. Trust me, just saying it, or screaming your thoughts and hopes can make you feel better. I use to pray out loud on my drive to work, and now I do it when I run by myself. Even if you don’t “know how” to pray, just saying your thoughts and feeling out load can help!

Don’t let your to-do list bog you down! You are human, and there are only so many things you can physically get done. Pick just three tasks that HAVE to get done each day, and focus on them. Anything else, is extra.

Choose to have fun! Choose to be optimistic! Choose joy! This is your own life. Make the most of it. Live the life YOU want, not the life you think others want you to live. The choice is all yours.

Filed Under: balance, health, simplify

Creating Balance

June 13, 2012 | posted by Jaima @ Ring Around the Rosies | 5 Comments

Today I want to share with you a few of my favorite tips on simplifying life in your home! Something I will begin sharing more about! And, if you’d like more tips, or just some great daily conversation then join my facebook community!

I have found that when I get up just 15 minutes before I know my daughter will wake up the day goes much smoother. Maybe it’s because I have a few moments to gather myself instead of being woken up by crying. Maybe it’s because I go ahead and dress myself and get her a cup a milk for I know their will be limited chances to do it throughout the day. And I know she’ll be demanding it as soon as I go get her. Regardless, those few minutes set the tone for my day.

I also find it much easier to prepare her meals when she’s not demanding them. It is hard to think and get a good meal together when there’s a toddler whining as she begs for you to pick her up. Whether I do it ahead of time like these smoothies, or while she’s playing quietly or napping, it saves me the whiny headache.

Something else I like to do before she wakes up, or while she’s quietly eating breakfast is throw a load of laundry in the wash, or fold a load I washed the night before. If I can do 1 small load a day, it is much more likely that I won’t let it get out of control (like I’m known to do). I’d rather wash, dry, fold and put away a small load than save it all for 1 day a week and have a mountain (or two).

Once a month, I have all of the essentials delivered to my house. I never have to run out of laundry soap or vitamins, and it’s a few less things I have to put on my Target list (that I often forget) and carry in the house. With Shaklee, I save 25% off my purchases on autoship! Double Win if you ask me.

Either once a month, or once a week I try to menu plan! It saves me so much money and the thought of “let’s just go out”. I try to keep some things in the pantry at all times, but others, I buy twice a month depending on what’s on my list! Here’s a sample of the sheet I created to put in a page protector on my fridge! (subscribe to my newsletter for this and other free printables).

I no longer sweat the toys strewn all over the house during the day anymore. Now, we pick them up together before naptime and before bedtime. Any that we miss, I can throw in this basket outside of her door until she wakes up. I seriously LOVE this table and basket.

One of the biggest (if not THE biggest) thing I try to do to keep our 980 sq foot home balanced and flowing well is staying organized! Every thing has to have a place, and we have to be able to easily locate it and see what we have. I am also constantly purging things that doesn’t serve a purpose or have a special meaning. It is sooo freeing to let go of stuff. Try it!

Do you ever get tired of saying the same thing over and over? I did. I often have a house full of 20 year old boys (my brother’s friends whom I’m thankful still come around). They’ve never had to clean up after themselves before and leave messes for me… What did I do?

I made a permanent reminder for them on the inside of the microwave door! Now I don’t have to clean up their midnight messes!

Another mess boys make? The toilet. Yes. I have no idea how they do it. My solution:

I hung a toilet brush with a 3M hook on the side of the toilet. This is also good for guests who may make an embarrassing mess. And, I also did it in our master bathroom too. It’s so easy for me to walk by and clean it really quick! I very rarely use anything to clean the bowl itself (because it just doesn’t get THAT dirty). Weekly, I wipe the handles and under the cover with Shaklee’s Basic G!
And there you have a few of my favorite tips to save your sanity and establish control and create balance in your home. What are your favorite solutions? Please leave them in the comments below!

Filed Under: health, Home Making, simplify, This is Us, wahm

5 steps to taking control {your super power}

May 29, 2012 | posted by Jaima @ Ring Around the Rosies | 5 Comments

I get asked all the time, “How do you do it all”?

How do you keep a clean house, run a business, blog, and have dinner on the table every night? What’s your secret? Do you really have a Nanny?

Well, I’ve touched on all of this a little bit before, but to answer your questions again: NO, I do not have a Nanny, and although I do stay really busy, I do not “do it all”. At least not my definition of all.

But I do have a few secrets when it comes to taking control of your home and life. We’ve all heard people joke about having secret powers and what we would all love to have. Well, what if I told you that you do have a secret power inside you?

That’s right: initiative. YOU have the choice and power to create the life you long for. It starts with you and one simple choice to make a change!

This is how I get through my days. No secrets, no Nanny that I’m hiding in the closet.

1) You must take care of yourself. In order to be the best mom/wife you can be, you must be healthy. I know it’s sooo easy to put yourself on the back burner. Trust me, after Elizabeth was born I stayed on the back burner. In fact, I probably wasn’t even on the back one.

But for the past year, my days start with a glass of filtered water and my vitamins! They truly keep my immune system strong and give me the energy I need to accomplish my day to day things while chasing around a busy toddler!

2) Get up early. Even just 10 minutes before the baby wakes up. This sets the tone for my days. And I admit, I am the worst morning person ever. I hate getting out of bed in the morning, but the rewards are so worth it. I’d rather have those 10 minutes to myself than to wake up at the sound of Elizabeth crying. If I can just get dressed and get her a cup of milk before she wakes up the day goes so much smoother than me being fussy because she woke me up and now she’s demanding and I need to get dressed and her diaper needs to be changed, and the dog needs to go out… you get the picture. Ideally, I love to have enough time to get in a quick 30 minute workout, read a few scriptures, feed the dog, and get her a cup of milk and make my protein shake. But just 10 minutes makes a difference.

3) Tame your list. Do you feel overwhelmed by your to-do list? Let it go! This was sooo hard for me. I am ocd. I write lists for every thing, but they were making me nuts. So, I made a schedule of everything I would like to accomplish in a day, assigned times to them and I try to stick to it. Mine hangs on my fridge as a reminder. Anything else that gets done is just “extra”. Every day on my list is laundry, sweep, and dishes. If I can get these 3 things done, my home stays manageable. I try to toss in a load of clothes before bed and then I fold them while Bean eats breakfast. They don’t always get put away until bedtime, but at least I don’t have 4 mountains of dirty clothes scattered about my bedroom anymore.

4) Schedule work hours. If you have a home business, this is key to your success. If you want to be seriously successful like a real business, you need to act like a real business and set office/workshop hours. Up until about 2 months ago I felt like I worked all day and accomplished nothing. I was constantly checking emails, calling clients, facebooking, etc… My laptop or phone was always on the couch or the kitchen counter where I could “work from home”. But finally I decided I needed to change. The reason I work from home is so I can be at home with Elizabeth. To teach her and play with her. Not so I can sit on my laptop all day waiting for something to happen. So, I decided I would actually go to my office during naptime. And for the most part, that is the only time I make calls, reply to emails, and work. And you know what? Within 1 month, I made Director with Shaklee. I had a conscience vision and work hours and I know what I have to get done in those short hours, there are no distractions and I am much more productive! No more feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

5) Learn to say no. You cannot always pick up the phone when it rings. And you most certainly cannot always cook dinner for your husband’s family every weekend. We are not The Beavers, this is 2012 and we are busy. Take care of YOUR own family before trying to take care of everyone else’s. That sounds sooo selfish, and while it is rewarding to help others out, you can’t say yes every single time. Especially if you’re subject to being taken advantage of. This, I learned the hard way too, but you just can’t always be the one doing for others if you have a family who needs you. And you can’t reply to every single email or every comment. You will kill yourself trying. Let it go. Be present for your family. Peace of mind has a price.

I will be sharing more in-depth about these and others soon.

If you’d like more tips, be sure to join our facebook community and let us know how YOU do it all for your family.

Filed Under: health, Home Making, simplify, wahm

living simply

April 12, 2012 | posted by Jaima @ Ring Around the Rosies | Leave a Comment

Part of the reason I started this blog was to share with other mom’s ways in which I have found to simplify our busy, modern lives.

If you’ve been reading for a long time, you know that my word for 2011 was simplify. After having my entire world turned upside down and moving 1,000 miles away and having a baby all within a few month span, I needed to create a new normal. I was tired of the chaos that was my life and home. I craved a simple, free-flowing, balanced life.

And now, in 2012, my word has been CONTROL! Not in the bad way, but in the way that I need to gain self-control and take the reigns back in my life and become the woman I’ve always wanted to be! . You can see more about that on my 2012 pinboard.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before, but the home we are currently renting in Tennessee (until we can sell our house in Connecticut) is barely 1,000 sq ft. And it had the original wood paneling and green carpet until we moved in. It still needs a lot of tlc, but I think we are done renovating for now. But I am not done finding solutions that create balance and rhythm in our tiny space.

I have shared with you some of my tips for balancing being a busy work at home mom and wife, but I want to begin sharing with you more tips on simplifying and balancing your life. And more than just with freezer cooking! I recently read a statistic that Americans work something like 20 more hours per month than we did in the 50s (don’t quote me on that statistic, because I can’t remember the source), and it didn’t really surprise me, but it frightened me. All this to say, I know you’re busy. And chances are you need ideas to create a more simple life for yourself.

If you haven’t already noticed, I created a new page at the top. I will be working on linking up all of my old posts up there so they are organized and easily accessible for you. I will also be adding more content every week.

Additionally, I am looking for contributors who may be interested in sharing tips that create balance and establish sanity for other moms! Email me for more details.