Moments of Musing

3 Mantras to Always Remember

Filed Under: perspective, positivity //

I recently saw a post prompting readers to share mantras we tell ourselves. It only took a few moments before I realized what my most common and favorite mantras are:

Today is a great day.

Life is beautiful.

I am loved.
Now, these things are all so easy to remember on good days. Good hair days. Good outfit days. Good commute days. Good work days. Days when I get to sleep in. Have time to work out. Save hundreds at a favorite store. Can find the remote, house keys AND car keys. And so on.
But on the hard days, or even just particularly eh days, it’s not as easy. When I’m running late. The baby has cried for what seems like hours. When there is a torrential downpour outside. Piles of laundry and dirty dishes strewn about. I’m sick. When nothing in my closet seems to fit anymore. Bad eating days. When I’m stressed. And so on.
On those days, I struggle with keeping things in perspective. I struggle with my usual optimism. It’s sometimes really difficult to remember that bad moments or days don’t mean a bad life. That the storm will pass. The stress will subside. I can and will do important things.  Things will become clearer. Everything will work out. I am important.
Because after all, today is a great day; life is beautiful; and I am loved.
Every single day. 

Not only on the good days. On the not-as-good ones, too… 


Good Mornings

Filed Under: mornings, perspective, positivity //

Hope you all had a Happy Easter!

Our mornings have recently been starting very early (5:30AM). I think it would be easier if we slept straight through the night but alas, that is not the case yet. So, despite my being a morning person, I have recently been having a tough time getting out of bed, especially today. It always seems to be a little harder to do so the day after a holiday.

Regardless, I think starting the day off right is key:

Coffee.
I’m not sure how I gave up coffee for my whole pregnancy. I guess I was sleeping a lot more then so I can’t imagine what I’ll feel like next pregnancy. Coffee is key to getting my energy up. Most days, I have at least one cup.
A positive attitude.
I could whine and complain about how tired I am. OR I could be happy we leave early enough to catch the sunrise (albeit from our car). The latter sets the stage for a much better day. After all, waking up means being alive and that’s a blessing.

Well-rested sleep.
Just because I don’t get eight straight hours of sleep doesn’t mean the sleep I do get is bad. I try to get at least six hours of good rest. I still aim for eight but it’s difficult. Nonetheless, good sleep is important.
A good breakfast.
I don’t only been healthy or nutritious, haha. I also mean pretty breakfast that makes you excited that it’s morning time. Pictured below is cream of wheat with sprinkles, a childhood favorite of mine that continues to be a favorite. It looks magical to me.
Be excited about the day(s) prior, or to come.
It’s always nice to acknowledge the good in life. The good times, good people and good food. This past Easter weekend was full of so much love and joy. I told my husband waking up on Easter Sunday almost felt like waking up on Christmas (my favorite holiday) morning. We even made it to mass early! Being excited about life has a way of making early mornings less sluggish. 
What’s something you to to get your morning going?

Ways to Beat the Post-Vacation Blues

Filed Under: perspective, positivity //

Vacation is over and we’re back home. Normally, I’d be pretty down about it, chalking it up to the post-vacation blues, but I’m trying my best not to be this time. It almost sounds silly but the vacation blues are real. In fact, over 30 percent of people say they’re sad upon returning home from a trip. (I have a feeling it might even be higher, though.)

I’m not going to talk about why I’d rather be at the beach instead of at my desk today. Instead, I’m choosing to be positive because I wholeheartedly believe my everyday life is just as good as, if not better than, vacation. Chances are yours is, too.

Here are ways you can join me in beating the blues after returning from your next vacation:

1. Celebrate your everyday. Life is a gift. You’re breathing. You’re alive. You have family and friends who love you. A source of income. A routine. Stability. Every day is different and challenges you to grow and develop and prosper. That’s pretty cool, if you ask me. 
2. Look on the bright side: You’re home. I don’t know about you but I miss my bed whenever I’m away. A plus side to vacation being over and going home is getting to sleep in your own bed again. When you wake up, go outside and explore where you are. Love where you live, learn to love it… or move. Life’s too short to be living a constant down in the dumps “what if” kind of life. 
3. Be in good spirits. Cherish your memories. Reflect on your fun trip. Look at, and maybe share, photos of your getaway. (If you didn’t take any, be sure to next time!) Be happy you were able to get away. Be grateful and appreciative. Vacation is a luxury. Period.  
4. Find joy and hold onto it. Maybe it’s your favorite cup of coffee every morning, your photography hobby, a good run, or volunteering for a cause that’s close to your heart. Whatever you find joy in, do that. Live a life you look forward to. Make every day a day to be happy about, to surround yourself with good, to do good and to be good. I have a feeling if you do, you won’t feel the need to escape as much. 
5. Plan your next vacation. It can be one night away to a city nearby or weeks to a city on a whole other continent. The point is we all need to rest and reset sometimes. Give yourself that break and chance to reset again and book that trip! I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it. 😉

The art of “Adulting”

Filed Under: life, perspective, positivity //

Some days I’m on my A-game. I make myself breakfast, eat it while reading the news or blogs, shower, and make it out the door on time.

Other days, I eat a boiled egg in the shower and rush around afterwards like a chicken with its head cut off to make it out the door.

Some days I beam at my baby’s progress. Other days I cry hysterically because it makes me both happy and sad.

Some days I do all the dishes–other days, I leave all the dishes for my husband to do.

Sometimes I’m compassionate and other times not so much. 

On all of the days, I am trying my best to be my best and do my best.

Basically, there are times I have it together — like super mom/human together — and I “adult” really well. I open all my mail. I fold the laundry and put it away. I stay off my cell phone.

And then there are times I can’t find two matching socks for the life of me. I press the snooze button again and again (like I did this morning). I want to cry when I miss my train home after a long day away from my baby. I forget my office phone number (#mombrain is real). The laundry is in piles. And brushing my teeth before bed feels more like a chore than it feels refreshing.

It sometimes feels like those not-so-together days are more common… but isn’t that just being a human? What really is “adulting”? Our bills are paid on time (thanks, Autopay), We’re all healthy and our son is well taken care of. At the core of it all, isn’t THAT the most important?

So if “adulting” is trying/ seeming to have it all “together” while really just living and figuring out life, then sign me up. Besides, who really has it all together, all of the time, anyway?

The bright side of snow

Filed Under: perspective, positivity //

It snowed here in New York City on Friday and there is a blizzard warning for tomorrow. I know, I know… Snow a couple of weeks before Spring is set to begin is far from ideal but look at the bright side (mostly for those lucky enough to stay home):


* You can finally catch up on that TV series or watch that new movie you’ve been wanting to see but have been putting off. 

* The snow falling is so pretty to look at. It’s rather calm, quiet and peaceful. In a way, it’s soothing. Snuggle up by a window with your coffee or hot cocoa and just watch it as it falls. For those who have to work: get yourself to a window and look outside for a few moments. 
* A snow day or two might give you just enough time to get through a book you’ve been interested in reading. So, grab a blanket and a book, and read your little heart out.
* For those lucky enough to stay home, you can stay in bed longer. That, my friends, is always coveted, especially after Daylight Savings, is it not?!
* For those who have a snow day, you’re home from work/school! Do an activity (baking, crafting, etc.) you enjoy. Spend time with your kids. Have a date night in with your partner or a friends night with your roommate and/or pals. There’s still fun to be had, people! 🙂
* Go outside. Play in it. Be a kid again. Let your guard down. Put your grumpiness away. Focus on the good and choose to be happy–it’ll make for a much better day, snow and all. 
Wishing you all a safe and warm few days ahead!