Stay On Track in 2022: 3 Tips

Holy cow, friends!

Can you believe it’s already 2022? After all of the ups and downs that last year held, I am grateful that there were many lessons that I learned during it all. One of the things I learned is how important it is to stay on top of my schedule and keeping a happy flow with organization. As a full time student who works and has a decent amount on her plate, I learned last year that staying on top of my schedule and having everything I needed laid out is better for my mental health! When I have my month planned out and can see what I have to do during my day, I feel on top of it. I figured that now is a great time to put together a list of things that have helped me stay on track!

Step One: Utilize Google Calendar!

I think the majority of us have a Google account and a Gmail account! If you do, one of the fun tools that Google provides is the Google calendar. I use my calendar every day to see what I have going on and what’s coming up during my week. Another thing that I like about using Google calendar is that I can share my schedule with any organizations I am in that need it for planning, or I can share it with a family member.

I also love to color coordinate my events and tasks with the pastel color pallet and I’m obsessed! Look how cute it is!

The best part is that I have access to my calendar on my phone with the app and on my computer. I pretty much live off of my calendar!

Step Two: Try to Stick to Your Schedule!

One of the hardest parts of getting my schedule on track was actually sticking to it! I’m the champ of waking up to alarm and staring at it blurry-eyed, inching to hit snooze. But the thing I realized is that when I actually get out of bed and start my routine, I feel put together. If I wake up with enough time to put on a quick face of makeup, get my outfit together, and pack my lunch, I’m doing myself a service! I am a happier person when I am organized and it has helped me so much. Set your alarm, plan ahead, and try not to hit snooze! (But if you do, there’s zero judgement from me because I have some mornings where I do too because let’s face it, an extra 10 minutes of sleep and some dry shampoo are worth it!)

Step Three: The Final Piece

Step Three is the most important step by far! Take care of yourself!! Taking time for yourself to make a yummy meal, do a face mask, or drink a glass of wine while you watch Netflix is so good for your mental and spiritual health and no matter how much you schedule into your day, it’s important to make time for yourself! This year we are taking care of ourselves and making us a priority!

I hope these little tips help you get organized this year and find some peace! Stay groovy, friends!

How To Prep for a Good Night Sleep This Year

Hi babes!

Holy moly, 2021 is just a week in and things are already absolutely insane. I did not expect things to kick off like they have and I’m sure that everyone in the United States (and the world) is feeling the stress and hurt we are currently facing. Hopefully starting in the end of January things will get better and we can all begin to treat each other with respect and have people who help lead up toward unison.

When I get stressed, my sleep gets all out of whack and I don’t feel like myself. A good sleep every night is necessary for me to feel my best and feel rested and I have had to work on protecting my sleep schedule. After going through many nights without sleep due to anxiety and stress, here is my list of things to do to get a good night sleep this year!

Stop Drinking Caffeine Around 6 Hours Before Bed!

Caffeine stays in your system for a long time so starting to ween off of it six hours before you go to sleep will help your body wind down and prepare for sleep. I tend to drink a coffee (or two) in the afternoon and it contributes to my health when I do that. My tip: drink more water! I know you hear it everywhere but water is good for you!

Try a Caffeine Free Tea

Sleepy Time tea is amazing and I love having it in my cabinet! My current evening tea is a berry and açaí blend that is caffeine free and tastes great hot or iced. I prefer sweeter teas because I tend to add sweeteners to tea but if it’s naturally sweet then I have it on its own.

When Stressed Out, Put on a Facemask

I literally just did a peel off mask because my skin is going through it and I had a long day. If that’s not a reason to use a face mask, I don’t know what is! I like to stock up when there are sales so keep your eyes peeled when Ulta is having sales! Their masks tend to be pretty affordable anyway, but sales are a great way to save a little coin! Brightening and hydrating masks are go-tos for when I need a pick me up for my face!

Light a Candle or Turn on an Oil Diffuser

Your bedroom should be a space for relaxation and sleep, plus a little fun! If your space is stressing you out, clean it up, get some new decor, and find a candle/oil that you love! When I moved into our new house, I had to create a new space that fit my emotional needs and my style profile. I bought new essential oils, candles, some wall accessories, all the things! We spend a lot of time in our bedrooms and it’s one of the most important spaces in our homes, so it deserves some love and attention! I like to shop at TJ Maxx and Hobby Lobby for decor options and they always have really good deals! For candles, Target has good 3 wick ones for under $5 and so does Walmart! My favorites are from Bath and Body Works but I’m cheap and don’t want to pay $25 per candle, so do what works for you!

Invest In a Sleep Eye Mask!

Let me tell you about wearing an eye mask! If you have thin eyelids, this is going to help you out! I have problems keeping my eyes closed when I try to go to sleep and even though I really love having twinkle lights in my room, they don’t always help when it comes to getting sleep. I purchased an eye mask at Tj Maxx for around $3 and I love it. It’s soft, helps keep out the light, and having a small amount of pressure honestly helps me sleep better. I don’t know if there’s science behind it or not but it works for me! There are a bunch of cute styles to pick from at shops, so there’s one for you! These are a few of my favorites online: A personalized mask on Etsy for under $10, a cute stripe mask from Ulta for under $3, and finally a simple satin mask from Etsy for under $5.

Try Some Calming Sounds

One of the new things I have been doing to calm down before going to bed is finding sleep sounds that help add a peaceful energy in my bedroom. I really like fireplace and storm/rain sounds, as they are soothing and remind me of comfort. I know a lot of people don’t like thunderstorm sounds so try the fireplace sounds! Nature sounds such as the ocean and waves are also super popular!

Find What Calms YOU

The most important thing to remember on your journey to finding better sleep is that what works for someone you know may not work for you and that’s OK! A lot of people would probably disagree with the fact that the Simpsons often help me fall asleep and then I turn off my TV in the middle of the night, and that’s okay! If you like sleeping with an extra light on, do that! As long as you are getting plenty of rest, do what is best for you! It takes some time to experiment and find what helps you.

I hope some of these lil tips help you find rest this year! Feel free to leave your own tips in the comments! I love reading through everything y’all say!

Until next time, babes!

Featured Image by Taylor Simpson on Unsplash