diy mama

lifestyle blog sharing diy, family, travel, organization & disney tips

goals

by on Leave a Comment

Looking Ahead in 2020

Last week I wrote a reflection post on everything blogging as brought to our family in 2019. Obviously, blogging is not my whole life but it seemed like an interesting topic to write about. Today I’m sharing how I’m looking ahead in 2020 and what things I’m excited about. I listened to Miranda Anderson’s podcast Live Free Creative and she talked about writing down 4 wins from the previous year, writing down 4 areas of improvement for the year ahead and then brainstorming ways to make those improvements happen (she even has a download you can fill out.) I did the ‘4 wins’ part and my ‘4 improvements’ kind of came out as 4+ guidelines. Either way, I have a good idea of what I’d like my 2020 to look like.

There are affiliate links in this post. I only link products that I am 1000% behind and think will benefit you.

things to do with your 1-year-old activities
Hillshire and Tyson make for great salad toppings for kids to love

4+ Guidelines for 2020

Health

In 2019 I lost 30 lbs through diet and exercise. Unfortunately, I’d joined the medical weight loss program that was pushing weight loss pills (which I wasn’t comfortable doing) and highly restricting calories and carbs. It wasn’t a healthy way to lose weight or a good way to learn how to continue weight loss/maintaining weight.

FasterWaytoFatLoss. In 2020, I’ve started a new program that aligns with my values. I chose FasterWaytoFatLoss because it focuses on a whole foods diet (if it grows from the ground or has a mother it’s fine to eat). I’ve loved experimenting with new foods to see what my family likes. The program also cuts out gluten and dairy which I’m not completely sold on but I’ve noticed clearer skin, less rosacea and less bloating with these changes. I’ve only been on the program for a couple of weeks and am hopeful to see how it impacts my body.

10k. In 2019 I joined a Walk to 5k running group at my local Y and LOVED it! I really enjoyed the people in the group and was highly motivated to go three times/week. This year I’ve signed up for the next level up and registered Jeffrey and me for a 10k in May. I’m not doing the running program to lose weight but to keep my heart and endurance strong.

Meals with Sophia. Sophia really enjoys baking and making simple meals for herself. We’ve always tried to align with the Montessori method of making everything accessible to her. She finds great pride in making her own breakfasts, school lunch, and after school snacks. This year I wanted to get her in the kitchen a little bit more for dinner time meals. I’ll be doing a series on the blog with ways we’re sneaking veggies into dinners but making sure they’re 100% kid-approved!

Tips for taking your toddler to Disney world
one day at magic kingdom

Business

My passion is Disney. It’s my favorite thing to think about, talk to people about, and write about. I have a goal to write more about Disney on this blog with at least 1 Disney related post per month. Last year I was able to go to WDW for one day with Jeffrey and Soph as well as take a solo trip for a couple days. In 2020 we’re taking our first family trip over Sophia’s birthday in October and I couldn’t be more ecstatic. One way we’re able to have such a magical time in Disney is by avoiding lines.

Lines are the WORST, especially when you have kids. We skip the lines for food and rides constantly. This last visit I was able to get 14 FP+ and do every ride I wanted. I found this awesome site with videos and tutorials on how to do this as well as getting the hotel and dining reservations you want. Here’s a link to the Insider’s Guide I use. I promise you, the $15 you spend will save you so much time and frustration in Disney World.

looking ahead in 2020
camping at brown county

Fun

Camping. With Lilly being a walker, we’re excited to camp in 2020. We took a year off to avoid the headache but my sister and I were gifted a pop-up camper a few years ago and we’re excited to renovate it and take it on more trips this year. We’ll start with 1 summer trip and 1 fall trip this year but I can see us adding more as the girls are older!

Taking it slow. Last year I overbooked us. I’d much rather be out exploring a new place than being at home because I feel the pressure to be cleaning/working when I’m at home. This year I’m working on that feeling and trying to not fill our calendar. We’re cutting back on FAM trips (hosted blogging trips) and summer camps. Like I said, we’re doing two camping trips and we are visiting Florida twice. I will book two more FAM trips for this year and that is my limit. I have a vision of us traveling a lot as a family but while the girls are so young it’s important to enjoy the simple moments.

I’m not always excited when there’s a new year. I think the abundance of nice weather and sunshine has helped me this season. I’m looking forward to some simple changes to improve my health and happiness in 2020.

What are you looking forward to in 2020?

Related posts to Looking Ahead in 2020:

3 Ways to Get Out of a Funk

3 Ways to Get Out of a Funk

Pin it for later:

by on 1 Comment

Keys to Motivation

Keys to Motivation- The past month I have been extremely motivated and I owe it to these practices, books, people and apps. In the past I have relied heavily on the ‘monkey see, monkey do’ approach in regards to motivation. If the people around me were behaving a certain way, I was sure to fall in line. Realizing the benefits of being my own motivator has been life changing.

This post contains an affiliate link for At Home in the World and Minimalism but all opinions and achievements are my own.

Alison’s Gratitude Practice

Alison Faulkner of The Alison Show has been a favorite blog for several years. I have her cookie decorating course (obviously have not tried), follow her dance party photos and have been loving her podcast. She recently shared how using a gratitude practice can help you stay focused on what matters most in your life. It helps keep the blues away and keeps you energized for the day ahead. As she quotes, episode 24 is ‘a gratitude practice that you can implement every day to see real, amazing changes in your life and well-being.’

Have a listen and let me know if it was a helpful practice!

Mel Robbin’s 5 Second Rule

Shout out to Mel for being a genuine BA. I had the great pleasure of meeting her this week at a workshop for entrepreneurial women in business. If you have no idea who Mel Robbins is, go to Audible or your library to get her most recent book The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage.  After listening to her tell her story and how to implement the 5 second rule in my life, I signed up for her 31 Days of Mentoring which furthered my implementation of her practice. Honestly, it was life changing. I have now gotten up 30 minutes early without hitting the snooze and it has started my day off with excitement. I used the rule in several scenarios that I otherwise would have dismissed and have been a better person for it.

Mel Robbins 5 second rule

At Home in the World

I’m usually reading two books at once; one fiction and one non-fiction (often a memoir or self help book.) I am so happy Tsh wrote At Home in the World chronicling her family’s travels across the globe over 9 months. Knowing that it isn’t always picture perfect when traveling with your family but the end result is always worth the trip.

As Tsh Oxenreider, author of Notes From a Blue Bike, chronicles her family’s adventure around the world—seeing, smelling, and tasting the widely varying cultures along the way—she discovers what it truly means to be at home. -Google Books

At Home in the World

Mentors

Having good mentors in your corner to help you stay focused and be able to turn to for guidance is essential. Two of my biggest mentors are Misty Nelson of Frosted Moms and Michael Bauman of Thrive Culture. These two people are masters of their field. Misty is a brand influencer that has devoted countless hours to staying current with the ever changing algorithms of social media and Google. She somehow manages to squeeze 30 hours of work into her 24 hour days while being a great wife, Mom and friend. I think everyone needs a Misty by their side. Michael is helping entrepreneurs have the health they need to perform at their peak in business and in life. He is knowledgeable in both health and fitness and has been a great asset to my journey to becoming ‘fit mommy.’ The combination of Michael’s daily Precision Nutrition emails, one on one follow ups, work out plan and free guide has been vital towards my progress. Health should always come first in our lives but sometimes it’s hard making it priority. Michael helps keep it a priority.

Misty Nelson and Michael Bauman

Habatica

Habatica is an app for mobile or desktop that gamifies your habits, helping them to become your normal routine. You add habits, dailies and to-dos and record them throughout the day. This is a great tool if you’re a gamer and like leveling up. For me I like the process of checking something off my list. I add simple habits I want to improve upon (flossing twice/day) up to time consuming to-dos (organizing a closet). It’s fun because I’m teamed up with my husband to ‘fight bad guys’ so we’re both motivated to complete our tasks so we’re able to win!

habatica

The Minimalists Podcast

You may have seen The Minimalists documentary Minimalism: a Documentary About the Important Things that came out on Netflix a while back or you may have no idea what the idea of minimalism means. If you are new to the concept, you can start here. I’ve understood the concept since when I started my first blog ‘Materialistic Minimalist’ back in 2010 but never quite grasped the life changing impact until this past year. I’m discovering my purpose for ‘why’ rather than ‘what’ in regards to material things and how I want my life to look moving forward.

 

I’d love to know what podcasts, books, documentaries or people are motivating you to be your best self! Please, let me know what has helped you increase your progress.

You might also like:

Healthy Habits to Feeling Better

3 Ways to Keep Habits

Health + Minimal

Pin for later:

by on Leave a Comment

3 Ways to Keep Habits

Keeping track of new habits is difficult for most of us. Seemingly simple habits become hard if we’re not working on them gradually. I’ve been working with Michael, my Precision Nutrition coach since December on gradually building healthy habits for a more healthy life. The goal of Thrive Culture is to build on habits gradually over one year. My ultimate goal is to lose 30 lbs before having our second child. To keep on track, I receive a lesson via email every day giving me tools to help accomplish my goal through habits. I also have bi-weekly conversations with Michael to figure out what’s working well and how to better work on my habits. Here are 3 ways to keep habits.

3 ways to keep habits
3 Ways to Keep Habits:

  1. Make it visible. Keep notes around to help remember your habits. Paper irritates me to the point of anxiety so I try to keep a digital household EXCEPT when it comes to schedules and habits. I am working on a house cleaning challenge (deep cleaning, organizing and minimizing). Usually the only thing I keep on the fridge are three photos of my nieces and daughter but by keeping my House Challenge checklist front and center, it helps me keep it in the front of my mind. My weight loss chart is also prominent in my kitchen right next to my calendar. I weigh myself every friday as my goal is to lose one pound per week until my daughter’s Birthday.calendar and weight loss goal
  2. Find support. I have made it clear to my friends and family that I am working hard on my health. They understand and support my decision to skip out on certain treats and request certain foods at family gatherings. My sister is working on losing her baby weight so I am able to stay accountable on workouts and smart eating with her. Having Michael at Thrive Culture is the biggest support. I’m excited for my upcoming habits each time I speak with him.
  3. Keep it attainable. I’ve talked before about SMART goals. Habits are the same. You’ve got to make sure your habits are small, attainable steps to help you reach your goal. For example, one of my habits is to stop eating once I am 80% full. This was one of the first habits I received as a lesson at the beginning of my program, yet it is still one I struggle with. Michael has helped me realize that dinner is the meal that I struggle most with portion control. However, if I’m sure to have my afternoon snack, I’m not as hungry at dinner and am able to stop eating at 80% full.

While using these three ingredients, we still falter, and that’s ok. Just remember to give yourself grace and notice your weaknesses. In the past, writing down what I eat has not been successful. It doesn’t affect me to write all the bad foods. What does affect me is seeing that I am not lining up my food to my habits (eating until I’m 80% full, eating slowly, having smarter carbs etc.) When I notice that I’m failing at my small steps (habits) I see how that is going to stop me from reaching my goal. I notice when/why I’m failing with those habits and try again next time. It’s only a failure if you don’t learn something.

I’d love to know what tools you use to keep habits. Now that it’s March, look back at what resolutions you made for New Years. If you’ve fallen short of your goal, take a look at why and make a new plan! Remember, habits and goals take time.

mom daughter

by on 6 Comments

January Goals

Sound the trumpets, I’m back! Happiest of new years to you all. I am hoping you had a magical 2015 but fingers crossed that your 2016 is even better. I’ve been absent from this lovely blog and most of my social media for a few weeks because I needed to decompress from the internets and focus on my family, home and a bit of relaxation. It’s amazing how much I can accomplish (or not accomplish) if my nose isn’t in a laptop. While I’ve been away I’ve gotten mostly caught up on Game of Thrones, painted two rooms downstairs, had cousin sleepovers and family hot tub parties. Life has been good and I’m ready to see what changes 2016 brings.

January Goals 2016

A little recap of my December goals before I head into my January goals and 2016 goals. We did a great job on slowing down our speed on house projects as well as not watching as much TV during the week. I’ve also gotten much more patient with Sophie’s new found ‘nos’ and toddler independence. The things she gets upset about are so cute, unless we’re trying to get to school or leave the Conner Prairie that’s closing. We’ve learned to let her first try something by herself and wait for her to ask us for help, otherwise there will be tears when opening a door or string cheese. In the way of meeting people in our community, I joined a group called theCityMoms and met some new friends at their holiday party where we were pampered with manicures and crepes. I think I will get along just fine here in Indy with those kind of ‘girls nights’. We more than ‘partook’ in a few Christmas activities. There were few holiday-esque events we did not partake in. My favorite, by far, was experiencing the magic of  Christmas Lights at The Indianapolis Zoo. I was diligent about going to the gym three times per week and finished up my last PT meeting for my shoulder. I’m happy to announce that I’m able to lift my arm above my head now with minimal pain! I have faith I’ll get it back to a normal shoulder this year. Big goals people!

IMG_4070

Although I completed all of my blog goals, I was a bad Blog Mama. I had five posts total on this site (two of which were blurbs for features on other sites, so they don’t really count). Although I’ve not done my content calendar for this month, *slaps hand, I am out of my blog slump and ready to create some awesome content. One of my Christmas gifts was a new tripod which will be a huge advantage over my previous tripod that I’d borrowed, and broke, from my Dad. Sorry Dad. I completely accomplished my biggest goal for December, which was to live in the moment with my family, and I cherished every second of it.

IMG_4153

January Goals

Family

  • Set up Sophie’s easel and create a Mommy/Daughter masterpiece
  • Re-start up Monthly Date Night
  • Get caught up on GoT

Life

  • Host first neighborhood Girls Night In
  • Visit gym 4x/week and do shoulder exercises daily
  • Get office organized

Blog

  • Schedule content a month out
  • Plan at least one ‘power post’ a month for the year
  • Complete another PIN70 and 550 pins/week

Disney with a toddler

2016 Goals

My January goals are not extravagant but can be easily measured, which is exactly what my plan is for 2016. Having measurable small goals to achieve my overall larger goals. My fitness goal for 2016 is one pant size. I ultimately want to decrease by two pant sizes but know that I’m comfortable in a size 10 but will feel stunning in an 8. I want my body to be stronger so I’m able to last longer on fun adventures with my family. I want to work towards a strong body for our next child (whenever that may be). I want to be excited to buy clothes again because I enjoy fashion and the confidence I have when I’m loving my outfit. I haven’t LOVED an outfit in at least two years and that makes me really sad.

My career goal is to get a steady job. A job that has normal hours and people that I can talk to about my weekend. A job that I like but may not be obsessed with like I have been in the past. A job that will pay for Sophie’s school. A job that will hopefully allow me to have enough energy to continue writing about my DIY projects, Disney tips and our home improvements. A job that will allow us to not feel guilty to have a babysitter come once a month for date night. Fingers crossed that such a wonderful job exists and that we find each other soon!

I’m only making two big goals for 2016 but will continue to make small goals each month to assist in achieving those larger goals.  Will you be making a resolution this year or perhaps have a focus word for this year? Remember, that goals are just that. Goals. They can be changed or modified with what’s going on in your life, so never beat yourself up for not living up to your initial standards. You’ve probably over achieved in other areas of your life that you’re not even giving yourself credit for. Remember to pat yourself on the back this year and take care of yourself before others.

Follow along with my 2016 goals on Insta. If you comment on a photo to let me know you’re there, I’ll hop over to your feed. Let’s be friends! @shellybergman

by on 3 Comments

December Goals

It’s the last month of the year 2015 and I’ve had a wonderful year. I love doing these monthly goals because it’s sort of like a time capsule for how my year went. Not surprisingly, November shot by and left me spinning. I’m sure December will be no different. I’m trying to not plan a ton for the calendar because I know that I’ll hear or read about an event and have to go last minute. I’m currently torn between three places to take Sophie after school!

december

Before we look at how I did in November, I want to look back at my New Years Inspirational Word for 2015: Learn. I did a poor job at learning the specific things I mentioned in January’s post but I kept ‘Learn’ close to my heart though out the year and truly learned a lot. I learned about blogging, monetizing, montessori (not having Sophie at home with me), moving to a new state, taking a Disney trip with a toddler, organizing and much more. I have a month to decide my word for 2016 but I’m leaning towards ‘Embrace’, meaning ‘Embrace life’. I’m in an uneasy spot that I’ve been in before, not knowing what to do with my life. Do I pursue this blog, try writing for another publication, focus on marketing my organizing business, get a desk job…? It makes me a little exhausted thinking about it all. When I get anxious with too many choices, I tend to shut down and be unmotivated for work or play. That’s how my past month has gone, not fully committed to any one of those ventures but trying them all which results in being pulled too many directions. Time for some soul searching.

IMG_3478

I did fairly well on my November goals. We’ve gotten Sophie’s bedtime routine down better. She had been so sleepy/crabby in the mornings before school that we knew she needed a better routine at night. We now do bath every other night and bedtime got moved up a half hour to 8p. She started swim lessons and is loving it. I love watching Jeffrey be able to do the lessons with her since I am usually the one to do these kind of activities with her. I did not join a mom’s group, as planned, but I have applied to be a member of theCityMoms and will start writing for IndysChild next month!

IMG_3273

The personal organizing session I had scheduled fell through due to illness on my client’s behalf. I’m disappointed but learned a few things on how to handle my next client. I did not read 4 nights/week but did read much more than before. We decided to not build the shed because it was too big of a project before the ground froze. We replaced that project with a garage organizing job so we could still fit my car in the garage this winter. My blog goals were (as always) my lowest priority. I posted 3 times/week up until this past week and used hashtags more efficiently on Instagram but I have nothing on my content calendar (which was supposed to be scheduled a month out.) I feel like I’m being a slacker by making my goals more simple for certain months but I also realize that they need to be attainable goals. December is full of holiday dinners, Christmas light hunting, Christmas movies, family gatherings, playing in the snow and Christmas crafts. I want to take the month off from heavy goals and focus on the holiday season and my family.

IMG_3359

 

December Goals

Family

  • Practice patience with Sophie’s ‘nos’ and ‘baby cries’
  • Insist on a slower ‘house projects’ speed
  • Continue family time at night with no TV until the weekend

Life

  • Meet people in the community
  • Partake in a few Christmas events
  • Continue PT for my shoulder and workouts 3x/week

Blog

  • Complete sponsored post
  • Hit my Pinterest goal (at least 550 pins/week)
  • Stop comparing

This post was a bit heavier than my usual monthly goal posts. I wanted to be honest in what’s going on in my life and why my goals aren’t being reached. Hopefully at the end of December I can look back and be proud of the goals I accomplished and excited for the new year ahead. What does your December look like? Any specific tradition you’re looking forward to most?

Google+