I’m a F*#@ing Self Love Rockstar!

Published on by kristalynnmeyersLeave a comment

OMG guys!! I DID it!!!! My first 35 day challenge has been completed, and I am feeling mighty fine about sticking to it! I don’t know about you, but I have never had a successful past with actually sticking to “30 day challenges”, let alone 35 days. I have been part of different challenge groups for working out or eating healthier, and I am really gung-ho for the first 10 days or so…but then I start falling off the bandwagon and I develop a condition known as “excusetitus”. This is when excuses start to muddy my vision for the end goal I originally had in mind. For my 35th spin around the sun, I wanted to give myself the gift of “35 day challenges” throughout the year. I wanted to challenge myself to CHANGE my previous not-so-great habit of falling off the bandwagon. This in itself is a huge challenge! I had to put some things into place in order to keep me on track. Here are the 5 things that I have done so far to support my journey.

  1. I created my “35 Day Challenge Tracker” and hung it up where I could see it multiple times per day (I can be a bit forgetful which is one of the reasons why I have previously fallen off the bandwagon)
  2. I had an inspirational quote that hung right next to it, which was always a very good reminder as to why I am even doing this. “What you do everyday matters more than what you do every once in a while” – Gretchen Rubin
  3. I shared my intentions with my followers, which makes me feel more accountable to push myself to succeed at this.
  4. I took it ONE DAY at a time. I didn’t keep the 35 days (and beyond) in the forefront of my mind…I just took it each day and completed my goals.
  5. I decided to be gentle with myself. . If I missed a day, or missed part of my daily goals for a day, I just made the conscious choice to not let that deter me. I did miss an entire day, and a few other days where I didn’t complete all of my little goals, but I focused on the positive and what I HAD accomplished.

For my first 35 day challenge I chose four little self love nuggets that I have been wanting to turn into daily habits, far beyond the 35 days. I am feeling SO GOOD with my new and improved, morning and evening, self love routine. I feel great about how solid these newly created habits are, and how likely they will stick around. I chose to include daily dry brushing, oil pulling, full body moisturizing, and flossing both morning and night. As a busy mama, these little shifts in routine have made a BIG difference. It serves as a great reminder that my needs matter just as much as the needs of my children.

This time I am going to choose 3 little self love nuggets that I want to create daily habits around, and they are:

  1. Drink half my body weight in ounces (water of course!)
  2. Stretch/Yoga for at least 10 minutes
  3. Complete a guided meditation everyday

I am looking forward to starting a new 35 day challenge, and will give a cyber high-five to anyone else who’s going to start their own 35 day challenge! Please do share in the comments so I can cheer you on! Here’s to happy, positive, self love routines! xo

Wait! Are We “Unschoolers”?

Published on by kristalynnmeyersLeave a comment

“If only adults would recognize how much children actually learn on their own. Maybe then we’d stay out of way more and observe the magnificence.”

Kelly Halldorson

January was an interesting month to say the least. Going into the new year, I felt like I was in a bit of a haze, and not entirely feeling like myself. I also stayed in “holiday mode” long after the holidays had past which meant my weekly homeschooling to-do list was non existent. It’s so easy to stay in that mode since I’m not forced back into a routine; something that school and jobs require us to do. On top of that, a couple weeks into January, my Dad had a motorcycle accident while on his dream trip through the America’s. To make a long story short, he was put into ICU at a hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina after undergoing surgery to repair his broken leg. During this time I was a complete mess, especially after hearing there were complications during the surgery. Thank the angels, he pulled through and is recovering remarkably well.

With all that being said, I felt as though I was really slacking in the homeschooling department. However, it was during this uneasy time that I truly observed the magic that was happening right before my eyes.

My children were teaching themselves.

Yes, you read that correctly! I could hardly believe it myself! Even though the homeschooling weeks weren’t planned out, the kids were still exploring, creating, and learning with little or no prompting. Like how cool is it that Gracie (6) came up to me and started rhyming off math equations and shouting out the answers? Or the day she started explaining and demonstrating what perpetual motion is? How awesome is it that she makes up her own songs about atoms and molecules (or molecubes, as she says)? It blows my mind when she shares her knowledge on the solar system and explains what gravity is. As for little Gavin (2), his uncanny ability to destroy the house in 2.7 seconds leads him to learn a lot through exploration and trial & error. This of course drives me bonkers, but when I step back and squint my eyes so I can hardly see the mess, I can appreciate that he is right on point from a developmental standpoint. By allowing him to do certain things all by himself, he’s gaining independence and confidence.

Their natural curiosity and innate yearning to learn more was organically unfolding and shaping their own educational experience.

Unintentionally letting go of structure has been such an eye-opening experience for me. I’ve heard of, and done some research on what “unschooling” is, but I never really fully understood what that physically looked like. I wondered if the children actually learned what they were “suppose” to learn. I wondered what exactly they did all day long, and if it was even an effective way to learn.

“Unschooling is a style of home education that allows the student’s interests and curiosities to drive the path of learning. Rather than using a defined curriculum, unschoolers trust children to gain knowledge organically.”

http://www.time4learning.com

But then I realized something…we have ALWAYS been an unschooling family. Ever since I became a mother, I have always followed the lead of my little ones. I credit their early independence to trusting their cues and allowing them to make messy mistakes. Throughout the years, Adam and I have created for them, an environment that inspires creativity, and experiences that broaden their understanding. We follow their lead by nurturing their interests, and supply tools and activities that support them.

From talking to other families, I am hearing the same philosophy over and over again….the homeschooling journey is an ever-evolving one. As the kiddos get older, perhaps they will need or want more structure. But as for now, the ease, flexibility and flow of our every day life is a dream. Witnessing Gracie and Gavin blossom in their own unique way is such a gift, and one that I am forever grateful for.

  • Making pancakes!
  • Gracie loves cracking eggs
  • Playing at the Audubon
  • Learning about owls
  • Counting & Matching game
  • Gavin practicing fine motor skills
  • Putting Gavin to work!
  • Snow tubing!
  • Learning about life as an astronaut
  • So many uses!
  • Gavin loves painting!
  • Drawing the solar system
  • Checking out different materials
  • “What’s bigger? A sequoia tree or a rocket ship?”
  • Mommy’s little helper
  • Creating & Painting
  • Voila!
  • Playing in the snow!
  • Gracie loves putting puzzles together!
  • Making cookies

Never in a Million Years…

Published on by kristalynnmeyersLeave a comment

Never in a million years would I have ever thought I’d be a homeschooling mama, but here I am doing and being just that…and yes, I love it (most of the time)!

My husband Adam, and I are learning just as much along the way as we navigate parenthood and homeschooling. I really love the fact that we are all learning together as a family, and that everything is a teachable moment for all of us. Don’t get me wrong…it’s certainly not all butterflies and rainbows. Teachable moments sometimes come in the form of struggling to negotiate with a screaming toddler, or figuring out how to respond to a strong-willed six year old. The point is, we are all learning together how to best navigate through this world as a supportive, loving, adventurous family…temper tantrums and all! (Just to clarify, when I say temper tantrums….I am not just talking about the kiddos. Damn! It’s tough being a parent sometimes, and I’d be lying if I said my husband and I don’t have our own outbursts of frustration sometimes!)

Our goal is to provide our children with the most life-enriching experiences (both big and small), and to nurture their interests, passions, & talents by presenting them with the resources they need. All I can say is….THANK GOODNESS for Pinterest, and the beautiful homeschooling communities (both local and online) that I am part of. I don’t think we could do this without them!

For those of you who don’t already know us, let me take a moment to introduce us.

My daughter Gracelyn (“Gracie”) is a six year old natural born leader and entertainer. She is sweet as pie and is my little social butterfly. She once told me that “the way you live a long life is to make lots of friends”. Wise soul she is. When she grows up, she wants to be a paramedic, veterinarian, and an astronaut. She is determined to be the first human on Saturn!

My son Gavin is two years old and is the most adorable little boy I have ever laid my eyes on (biased? nah!) He’s a boy of many words (even if you can’t understand them) and he’s already rockin’ at being a captivating story-teller. He’s obsessed with tractors and would like to be a tractor driver when he grows up. Like his sister, he is sweet as pie, and will be the first to get you an ice pack for any and all “boo-boo’s”.

My husband Adam is one of the most compassionate people I know. He wouldn’t think twice about lending a hand to a friend, neighbor, or someone in need. He’s a hard worker, yet he’s very present in our family life. He’s my best friend, travel buddy, & and co-creator of two amazingly awesome kids!

As for me, I am an inspired mama who has grown up traveling the world, dreaming big, and making friends all along the way. I love trying new things, eating chocolate, and reading or watching anything to do with personal development.

Wish us luck, energy and patience as we continue down this homeschooling path! I do hope my blog (a.k.a journal entries) brings a smile to your face, and inspires you in some way or another.

Many Blessings to YOU!

~Krista xo

My Birthday Gift to Myself

Published on by kristalynnmeyers4 Comments

I have always loved my birthday. I’m not the type of person who dreads getting older, even if the sight of grey hairs does shock me upon discovery! Birthdays are such a gift, and turning another year older is something that so many people don’t get the privilege of doing. I am always grateful for completing yet another spin around the sun!

As the new year turned over and the day of my birth approached, I thought long and hard what I wanted to do to honor it. I decided to do something fun…something that would make an impact on my life, and perhaps inspire others to get in on the fun as well. I thought about all of the little things I could do on a daily basis that would, over time, make a big difference.

There are so many things I could do every.single.day that would positively impact my physical, emotional, and spiritual self.

Drink half my body weight in ounces (water of course!)
Exercise for 20 minutes
Full body stretch
Incorporate oil pulling
Daily dry brushing
Go for a walk outside
Make my bed upon waking
Floss my teeth
Full body moisturizing
Meditate
Fill out a gratitude journal
Drink golden milk at night
No yelling at the kids! (Check out the Orange Rhino Book)
No cell phone upon waking or prior to bedtime
Organize & declutter “forgotten” areas of the house

I decided that starting on my birthday I would honor my 35th year by incorporating 35 day transformational challenges throughout the year. For each rotation I will include 3 or 4 *little* shifts in routine, and I will share my experience, both successes and struggles. If this is something that excites and inspires you, then I welcome you to come along with me on this transformational journey! What things do YOU want to add to your life?

“What you do everyday matters more than what you do every once in a while”

-Jeff Olson, The Slight Edge

Download My Free Customizable Tracker!

I like the idea of taking it one day at a time so my end goal doesn’t seem so overwhelming. I made a “one day at a time” cover sheet so I could easily move it down each day to focus on just that specific day. The quote also happily reminds me how powerful daily habits are, and will help inspire me to stay on track! I have laminated both of these so I can save the planet and reuse them a plethora of times!
35-day-challenge-trackerDownload
one-day-at-a-time_-cover-sheetDownload

My New Friends For (at least) The Next 35 Days! Wish Me Luck!

My daily activities will include flossing twice per day, oil pulling for 10 minutes, dry brushing, and full body moisturizing. Sounds like heaven, doesn’t it?!

The Blogging Journey Begins

Published on by kristalynnmeyersLeave a comment

Hey Friends!

Thanks for joining me as I make my way into the big world of blogging! Whether we joined forces through business or social media, we’re longtime friends or family; I am so grateful for our connection. Making the decision to remove myself from Facebook did not come very easily to me, and I am humbled by the amount of people who were sad to “see me go”.

“Sad to see you leave Facebook because your posts are inspiring”

“Will miss your presence and inspiration greatly but I understand.”

“Your facebook posts have always been a treat and will be missed!”

Your messages filled my heart with so much gratitude because it brings forth the simple fact that I am surrounded by SO many heart-centered people. I raise my glass to YOU; one heart-centered person to another. I made it a point to keep my posts uplifting and inspiring, and I am so glad to know that they were well received and loved.

I want to thank YOU for inspiring ME this time, because it was actually the out-pouring of messages that lead me to the creation of this blog. I of course want to keep a journal for myself as my family continues to dance (and sometimes stumble) through life, but I also know that others have really enjoyed watching our journey too.

Enjoy watching our crazy life unfold, and cheers to living an inspired life! XO

~ Krista

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