{This is life} Radio Silence

Posted in This is life by centralwestnest

So, the battery in my car died this week. I don’t know how it happened as I refuse to admit loudly to the hubs that he was correct in assuming that I left the lights on AGAIN.

So I am awaiting the installation of a new car battery in the next few days, it has been a frustrating experience, from making sure each time I park my car the nose is pointing in the right direction in case I need a jump start through to the petrol I am using by leaving my car running for fear of it dying again! The most infuriating problem however has been the fact that the auto security on my radio has kicked in and I need a code to restart it. So, because I told the hubs I knew EXACTLY where the car book was and refuse again to admit my failings in all things car-manual-organisation I have been living in silence. Radio silence. headphones

These are the things I have learnt in a week of radio silence.

I can hear fights before they happen.

This one surprised me. Seriously. All of a sudden because I am not distracted in co-song harmony with my gal pal Taylor Swift I can hear the nigglings of a fight between the natives before it even happens. An example was the one time I heard this “Nope, nope, nope. Tis mines piglet”. This was the undeniable rumbling of fisty-cuffs in the back seat. Due to my lack of audio interference I bounced my voice through the cabin and told the kid to return the piglet to the toddler. Problem solved even before it really began.

List it.

On my morning drive to work I have been making lists in my head of all the things and jobs and stuff that I have to get done. Due to the quiet inside the car I have had time to think about paying the phone bill, cancelling the kid’s doctor’s appointment and planning what we will have for dinner. It’s funny how the background radio sound cancels out the ability to think clearly about the mundane.

Grateful.

In the silence I have been compiling a list of things I am grateful for. The silence has given me the ability for mindfulness. Good health, a hard working and loving husband, kids that aren’t arseholes all of the time.

Pelvic time.

When I stop at the red lights or roundabouts I now have nothing better to do than my pelvic floor exercises. I mean 3.5 kids did exactly nothing good for that situation that I look for opportunities when I can.

Call.

I call all those people I haven’t had a chance to speak with lately. For some reason my radio won’t play music but will let me utilise the Bluetooth to call. So hello grandparents, long lost friends and doctor appointments. It’s totes multitasking.

So, while it may not be ideal it certainly has made me aware that sometimes radio silence is exactly what the doctor ordered.

16Mar2017

{The Nest Resolutions} The things that make me better

Posted in This is life by centralwestnest

Having three little people under 7 and another on the way means life can be super busy for me and easily becomes overwhelming. So, in an effort to stay on pointe this year I have made several resolutions that I refuse to break.

LIST LIFE

I make lists. Like loads and loads of lists.

Lists on jobs to do around the house. Lists of items to write about on the blog for you lovely people. Lists reminding me when the girls have swimming lessons and doctor’s appointments, school events and sports day at school. Lists to remind me about all the little things that it takes to keep our little nest turning over day after day.

I write lists not only to remember to do things but to feel good when I tick off the box next to it acknowledging that’s another job done. I find it really helps when I am feeling overwhelmed or like even though I am doing a bazillion things nothing is really getting done.

MEAL PLANNING

I cannot even tell you how much difference this will make to your life if you haven’t already tried this. Not only is that horrid decision of what to eat today already made for you, it means you save a whole tonne of casholi as well. No longer do you walk around aimlessly at the supermarket buying bits and pieces of meals to realise when you get home you have missed a crucial ingredient.

I write mine up on the menu board (from KMART) on the pantry each week so everyone in the house knows what we are having that day.

You will also notice a massive reduction in wastage (especially fruit and veg)

MAKE THE BED

This is an easy one. I make my bed every morning so that each time I enter my room throughout that day it feels clean and organised. A messy space leads to a messy mind. I dare you try it for one week and see if your mood improves.

DON’T SWEAT IT

I resolve to not sweat all this little stuff. I have always been quite organised and strive for near perfection in everything I do, but following the birth of my third child, Coco I was diagnosed with post-natal depression and the world around me collapsed. I was so focused on making sure everything was perfect that I ended up doing 100 jobs but none of them well. As much as it is hard to remind myself some days, not everything can be perfect all of the time. When I am feeling overwhelmed I take a step back and pick out what really matters.

DISH LIFE

I clean the dinner dishes EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. If you wake up to a clean kitchen to make a pot of coffee in the morning it makes everything smoother. This really makes a crucial difference to me but it took a long time to get in the habit of not just sitting on the lounge absorbed into primetime television after dinner. If you form the habit then you reap the rewards. Trust me!

So nesters, what makes your days easily?

23Jan2017

{The Nest Loves} 10 (unexpected) Tips for Staying in the Christmas Mood

Posted in This is life by centralwestnest

Do you remember how magic of Christmas never failed to show when we were kids? As soon as the weather got hotter and the holiday season grew near, we were already in a jolly spirit. As kids, we had full attention of our parents and all the free time in the world to enjoy ourselves – everything that we gradually lost with growing up. Daily stress, worries, responsibilities and fast pace of life all contribute to forgetting that holiday spirit and joy. Still, you should never forget how much getting into the holiday spirit can actually feel relaxing and therapeutic. Check out the following tips that could help you stay in the Christmas mood even after the Christmas, and you may be able to rediscover the magic and wonders of Christmas again!

Dress for the occasion

It might seem silly, but the way you dress as well as wearing seasonal colors can really help with getting you into the Christmas mood. So, don’t be afraid to rock some sequin tops as well as a lot of reds and greens. If you like to stick to plain colors, an effective detail such as a long, fluffy red scarf can really do the trick. red

Holiday makeup

Holidays make for the perfect opportunity to try out a bit bolder makeup looks. This doesn’t mean that you necessarily have to go all out with full face of makeup every day, but feel free to step out of your comfort zone as well. Glitter on the eyes and bolder shades of lipsticks are perfectly acceptable during this time of year and they can assist in getting you all jolly as well.

Holiday scents

Other great way to relax and enjoy the holiday season is by filling your home with holiday scents. Make sure to prep your home and keep it clean by using air purifiers for allergies and then light up some scented Christmas candles.

Play some Christmas movies

movie

Most people can afford lazy evenings in. So, if you’re used to relaxing after a busy day at home, why not play some Christmas movies, too? Pick the ones that you loved the most and allow yourself to reminiscent about the past. That way, you might even retrace your steps back to that fulfilling holiday joy.

Casual night

If you don’t really enjoy watching movies, you can still organize yourself a casual and relaxing night in with a cup of mulled wine and your favorite Christmas music. And if you don’t like wine, you can always make hot cocoa. So festive and cozy.

Hit the kitchen

Making Christmas cookies isn’t difficult by any means, but it is definitely worth it for getting you into that much desired Christmas mood. Just try it and you’ll have a blast with both making and eating gingerbread men.

The above-mentioned tips are simple and low-effort things that anyone can find the time for. But it’s the little things that actually mean a lot. Make sure to try some of them yourself and jump into that Christmas mood which was so natural and fulfilling when you were a child.

This article was contributed by Claire Hastings.