by | Sep 13, 2017 | Uncategorized
By Lisa Lin, BA, RMT
As I sit here writing my article on organization I realize it is rather an inspired topic for me. I used to think in order to share or teach something I had to have it all figured out. Yet I have had a few teachers who reminded me that we often teach best that which we are learning. And if you saw my home office at the moment, you would say “I can’t wait to see how this goes!”
My article here is all about “Organization”! Guess what I am learning, grassroots, roll-up your sleeves kind of style? I do have a sense of humor over this, otherwise I would have a good cry over the state of my home office at the moment. I moved house about three weeks ago, minus a week on vacation, two busy kids starting school and digging through (on their own I might add) piles of boxes in the basement looking for things. Until I realize they are down there messing around and find them something less deranging to do. My home office is my inspiration though for purposes of this article (I will deal with the basement another day).
In my home, the office is the command ship for household organization, with the kitchen in second command. I have two girls, one in grade 5 and one in grade 1. They are bright, articulate, delightful and bring home pieces of paper whether it be forms, art or just plain stuff everyday. It usually lands on my desk. And they want to do everything instantaneously as soon as they get an idea, no matter how much of a mess it could make. Plus program registrations, playdates that didn’t happen in the summer, tracking the school calendar for the year, appointments, library book due dates, menu plans for lunches to name a few. Back to school honestly used to scare me! This year I decided it could make me crazy (as throw in the fact I just movedhouse on top of it all) or I could take a deep breath, give myself a boost and say “I can totally do this”. Here is my “how to manage it list”.
Top 6 Strategies I Use Personally to Get Organized
1. Remind myself it is ok to cry (seriously, but you can totally laugh!)
2. Start with a 10 minute tidy of ONE room (eg office). Whatever you can grab and put away, don’t get bogged down on details, don’t pause, go with momentum and set a timer. Pick the easy, obvious stuff that has a home and put it away. For me that looks like tidy office supplies, kids toys out, anything that does not belong in the office. Put paper in the printer.
3. Sort what is left. Lay out tidy piles – such as imminent must dos, receipts, mail, school paperwork, work paperwork, filing, etc.
4. Do you need organizing materials – make a shopping list – file trays, office supplies, filing cabinet, pin up board, file folders, etc.Part of being organized means having what you need on hand. Also look at your space – clearly define what areas in your space will be used for, same with file trays. If it is doubling as homework space, your kids each need their own basket/tray to put their things in. Cork pin up boards are very helpful above a desk as is a calendar.
5. Make a to do list and prioritize. Choose one project at a time. You might set up categories for separate to do lists – work, school, family social, kids registered activities, house, health/self-care. That is how you will deal with those piles you made so things do not get missed and you do not get overwhelmed or stuck.
6. Back to school specifics – print off the school calendar for the year and enter professional development days and holidays into YOUR calendar (include significant days such as Halloween, Christmas, Valentines, Easter that schools celebrate). Plan for a heap of school forms coming home in Sept. Check on your security clearance for volunteering. Make sure school, childcare and program registrations are paid. Bring up fall clothing from storage, go shoe and winter boot shopping this month of September (my favorite shoe store is Little Footprints in Aspen Landing, they take care of my kids’ footwear all year). Menu planning and having groceries on hand will make life a lot smoother, economical and healthier during the work and school week.
Massage Session Northwest Calgary
The Trick To Making It Work
It is always the hardest in the middle of a cleanup job as that is when you want to quit. Don’t – you will get to the end if you stick to it! If you leave it spread out in a bigger mess it will haunt you and your self-esteem will suffer. Yes, clutter and disorder have the power to do this to you. So take charge! Use a timer, take breaks outside of the room.=
Take care of yourself. Drink water, sleep, eat decently and regularly and have fun. Go for a massage on a Saturday afternoon followed by a walk through the neighborhood. It is beautiful outside in September and October as the leaves take on golden hues and crunch beneath your shoes, the fall winds blow through the grasses, singing songs of summer. Look up at the sky and feel blessed with gratitude for all that you have.
Best part of it all? We find ourselves teaching our children how to organize, be accepting of change and managing self-care amongst a big to do list. It is a great gift to bestow upon them.
Roll up your sleeves, join me on my trek of organizing for back to school and let me hear you cheer!
Treat yourself to a relaxing massage at Docere Wellness Centre today!
by | Aug 7, 2017 | Uncategorized
Recommended Book – “Excuses Begone” by Dr. Wayne Dyer
Article by Lisa Lin, BA, RMT
This book, “Excuses Begone” by Dr. Wayne Dyer is a favorite of mine. I first spent time reading it about eight years ago, while on vacation in New York City. As my oldest daughter was only two years old at the time, I didn’t have a lot of time to read, but got a few chapters in along the way and eventually finished the rest at home. This trip to New York was also one of two opportunities I have had to see Dr. Dyer present in person. Although he passed away a couple of years ago, I won’t forget his presence and charisma as he articulated a compelling argument for quitting with excuses. It really hit home for me. As I sifted through his insightful and sociable prose in the book, I took a good long look (sheepishly at times) as to where I was making excuses in my own life. After all, this man quit alcoholism, dealt with unhealthy relationship habits and took on a fitness program from scratch. I thought, really, I am inspired and my personal list of not dealing with some things was not that intense.
Back in Calgary after our trip, continuing with my sleep deprivation saga as a full-time stay at home parent (no my daughter still wasn’t sleeping through the night yet), I felt very justified by excuses of “I will deal with that later when I get some sleep”. The funny thing about life is, it will wait for you for a bit, but it builds like a teetering Lego tower when you put it off for too long. What could have been simple and short lived, I waited another few years before dealing with a few of my hang-ups.
This is the thing with me. I have a LOT of determination (yes, I have had to learn a lot of patience along the way as I know the world doesn’t always work on my schedule!). I can put things off for a bit, but my intuition pops little nuggets of info into my mind every once in a while that I cannot ignore. Then I realize, ugh. I know when I don’t listen and ignore this voice of wisdom inside of me, life will be much harder, there will be tears, grouchiness and flack that I could have mostly avoided had I stopped “MAKING EXCUSES” and got on with what I know I needed to do. Facing our excuses requires courage, even if it may seem simple on the surface. We face a part of ourselves whom we have neglected for whatever reason.
This can be scary. How do I face the tough stuff? Pure grit, faith, determination and believing in myself. That and I have a great support network in case I really make a mess of it!
Self Care Activities Calgary
The reason I chose this book to recommend to you is it provides us with the opportunity to examine what is getting in our way when we want to make changes in our lives to be healthier. We all have desires for personal growth inside of us. Many of us consciously want to grow and heal and feel better. All the resources you will need for your journey will find you when you are ready. Just like I came across Wayne Dyer’s book, “Excuses Begone”.
Need support and a few ideas to help you along your way? Come on over to Docere and get started!
by | Jul 31, 2017 | Uncategorized
My summer book recommendation: Eat fat, Get Thin Dr. Mark Hyman
By: Michelle Hagel
Dieting, majority of my patients wouldn’t mind losing a couple pounds, even if it is not the primary reason for coming into my office. Holding on to a few extra pounds can increase your risk of many serious diseases. With all of the dieting fads out there, how do you know which one to follow? I can tell you a diet low in fat, and high in carbohydrates(often refined) will not provide you with the results you want. This diet became popular in the 1960’swhen the American Heart Association linked saturated fat to coronary heart disease. As a result the no fat or reduced fat products poured onto the shelf. What people didn’t realize is that when you reduce/remove fat from foods it tastes bad so in order for it to taste better sugar must be added- so begins the sugar/carbohydrate addiction.
Unfortunately this addiction leads to many poor habits and health concerns. Another reason why fat was considered to be “bad for us” is because it contains more calories than other food sources. We were then taught calorie counting to lose weight. Each calorie is not created equally and the old saying calories in=calories out needs some revision, as each one is processed differently. Coconut oil is a great example, it is high in medium-chain fatty acids, these are not readily stored as fat but instead digested and used easily by the body.
To clarify, when I am raving about fat I do not mean deep fried fats, or hydrogenated fat. Avoid trans fats which are not good for us and contribute to heart disease, inflammation, cholesterol and other diseases. I am talking about healthy stable fats that are not heated above their smoke point, some of my favourites include omega 3’s (fish), avocados, coconut oil, olive oil, nuts and seeds. Fat helps bust our sugar cravings, keep us satisfied, balance hormones, improve mood, boost cognition and focus, anti-inflammatory anti-aging, can even help you loose weight.
The now popularized ketogenic diet which entails 60-75% of your daily calories coming from fat, have been shown to be beneficial for numerous neurological conditions, weight management and other inflammatory conditions. This can be a difficult and extreme diet to follow but demonstrates the many benefits of healthy fats. I encourage people to work with a professional or educate themselves prior to taking on the ketogenic diet.
Healthy Diet Calgary
If healthy fats aren’t a staple in each of your meals and snacks I would challenge you to bring them in and watch for the benefits! Please enjoy the Match Chia Pudding recipe I have attached, including 4 healthy fats it is sure to be a winner with everyone in the family.
Matcha Chia Pudding
•1 1/2 cups Organic Coconut Milk (canned, full fat, refrigerated overnight)
•1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
•2 tsps Green Tea Powder
•1/4 cup Chia Seeds
•1/2 Avocado
•3 tbsps Maple Syrup (can also substitute with 1tsp stevia)
1.Add coconut milk from the can into a blender with almond milk, green tea powder, chia, avocado and maple syrup (or stevia). Blend until smooth. Place in fridge to thicken about 10 to 15 minutes.
2.Once it has thickened up, layer chia pudding into mason jars or containers. Add toppings if you wish, and enjoy!
*Adapted from that clean life.
Eat Fat and Get Thin! Change your lifestyle with Docere Wellness Centre today!
by | Jul 25, 2017 | Uncategorized
Make 2017 the Best Year Ever! Make it intentional. Create space for and make time for those things that matter most, that fulfill you, that bring you joy.
Reflect on 2016. What did you love about the past year? What did you learn? What do you want to celebrate? What didn’t serve you? Where do you want to see change happen in your life?
Look forward and envision what you want 2017 to look and feel like. What brings you joy? What do you value? What do you long for in your life? What do you want more of in your life? Less of?
We can get really good at passing over accomplishments. Stop. Celebrate your accomplishments and your wins from the past year. We can also get really good and running away from those things that don’t make us feel “good”, hoping things will be different. Stop. Breathe. Let yourself feel what you are feeling about it. And get intentional about creating space for change if something is not serving you.Now that you have reflected on the year past, and looked to the year ahead, what do you want to create space for in your life – what do you want to get intentional about in 2017?
Setting an intention for the year can mean more:
Clarity – Setting an intention will help you gain clarity on what you value most, and those people, relationships, activities, etc. you want to make a priority in your life. As you begin and continue to make decisions and choices from a place of intention, you will find yourself becoming more and more self-aware.
Courage – Setting an intention will help you get better at saying yes and no. Saying no to those things that don’t fulfill you creates space for those things that do. If you find yourself not wanting to do something but a voice is saying you “should” it might be time to call upon courage to say no. If book club is no longer fulfilling you and is something you would rather not do, step back from book club. It will create space for something more fulfilling in your life. The more you do it, the easier it gets.
Fulfillment and Joy – When we set an intention we are making a declaration that something is important and meaningful to us, and we are making a commitment to self. Following through on that commitment, and making decisions based on what is important to us and in line with our values brings fulfillment and joy.
Holistic Life Coaching NW Calgary
Now that you’re ready to set an intention for the year, think about who in your life you can call on for support and get a support system in place – you don’t need to go it alone. Who in your life will champion you? Ask for help and assemble your crew. A coach will support you in getting intentional in your life and can be a wonderful addition to your crew!
Set your intention for 2017!! Don’t just hope 2017 will be different, be intentional and make it different.
Make 2017 an amazing year! WINTER/NEW YEAR PROMOTION – sign up for three months and receive 10% off! Sign up for six months and receive 25% off! BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY SAMPLE SESSION TODAY! Call 403.452.6262
Not sure what to expect, or want to try out coaching before you commit? Book your complimentary coaching sample session TODAY! Call 403.452.6262
Amanda is a self-awareness and fulfillment coach. Amanda coaches and supports people in living healthy, balanced and fulfilled lives. She coaches and honours the whole person – mind, body and spirit. Her clients experience fulfillment in all parts of their lives – health, family, relationships, career, etc. – and they value and appreciate that all parts of their lives are connected, and that we all have responsibility in and for the world around us. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with her loving husband and three inspiring children.
by | Jul 18, 2017 | Uncategorized
By Amanda Delamer, MSc, ACC, CPCC
This summer is going to be a time to relax and replenish – Really! You’ve got kids’ summer camps and activities lined up, vacations booked, and dates in the calendar for when guests will be visiting – all wonderful things to look forward to and you know that what starts out as “manageable” can sometimes end up feeling overwhelming and not so fun. Don’t forget about you and what you enjoy! Get intentional about what you want your summer to look and feel like, so you’re not exhausted and longing for September to come.
We spend much of the year getting our kids to gymnastics, dance, soccer and hockey. When we can, we fit in time for a yoga class and the gym. We end many of our days and begin many of our mornings preparing lunches and planning out our days ahead. Summer often brings a sense of relief, a time to let out a large exhale and slow down, a time to take it “easy”, and dream of all those things we have been saying we were going to do over the summer.
What would it feel like to end the summer on a high note? What would a “successful” summer look like for you? What are you dreaming about doing for yourself, for your family, for your home, for your community this summer? Get intentional, and make your summer amazing!
Make it a summer of self-care – consider what RnR looks like for you, what brings you joy, what you want more of, what you want less of, what you want to prioritize and how planning and intention can support you. Rest and relaxation looks different for each of us. At times a glass of wine and a long bath or curling up with a great book helps us rest and replenish, other times it might be going for a long run or yoga class. Honour and listen to your inner knowing – what helps us rest and replenish may look different from day to day.
What brings me joy? Alone time, connecting with your kids, date nights with your partner, long walks by the river?
Whatever it is, honour that it is important to you. You know what brings you joy, and you know what drains you. Make this summer the one where you get really good at saying “no” to those things that drain you, and “yes!” to those things that bring you joy. If you find yourself vacationing with extended family or friends, and it won’t bring you joy to go along with the group for a long hike, honour yourself and opt out – stay back and read a book on the patio, if that is what brings you joy.
What’s the priority? Being active, getting out every day with the kids, completing those photo books you have been putting off, cleaning out those two cupboards in the kitchen, organising the pantry, staining the fence – and the list goes on. At the end of the day, what is most important for you? You can’t do it all at once – stop beating yourself up when you don’t get to every “wish” on your list every day. Prioritize, and choose those activities or “to do’s” that feel most rewarding and fulfilling.
To schedule or not to schedule? The school year is full of routine and scheduled activities and events. What do you want your summer to feel like? The same? Different? I know I let out a huge exhale when all of the after school and weekend activities wrapped up. I know I want my summer to have less “have to be there by” and more “what do we feel like doing now?” I also know that one of my kids thrives on routine. I’m looking forward to creating a balance this summer that honours both myself and my children.
Self Awareness Coach NW Calgary
Coaching helps you get clear on and honour what you value, what is truly important for you, and it supports you in getting from where you are to where you want to be. It is a wonderful way to commit to making self-care and taking care of you a priority. And it keeps you accountable. Whether you’re looking for help to create the summer, fall or life you’ve always wanted, working with a Coach is such a fulfilling path to achieving your goals. Make coaching part of your regular self-care routine, and let it support you in getting intentional.
SUMMER PROMOTION – Sign up for 3 months of coaching and get a 4th month free! Book your complimentary sample session today – Call 403-452-6262!
Amanda is a self-awareness and fulfillment coach. Amanda coaches and supports people in living healthy, balanced and fulfilled lives. She coaches and honours the whole person – mind, body and spirit. Her clients experience fulfillment in all parts of their lives – health, family, relationships, career, and beyond – and they value and appreciate that all parts of their lives are connected, and that we all have responsibility in and for the world around us. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with her loving husband and three inspiring children.
