2014 was an amazing year. It was a year with so many more ups than downs, so much family time, and settling down (somewhat) confidently into my job as a teacher and role as a mama! 2014 was a year of trying different things, working on myself, and making new discoveries.
I'll share five of the best things I discovered this year:
1. Coconut oil is for everything. I've used it to remove spray paint from my hands, get permanent marker off the wall, condition my hair, whiten my teeth, and treat Z-man's diaper rash. I credit coconut oil with my clearer skin (I use it as face wash, make-up remover, and moisturizer) and Z's still-baby-soft skin. I'm obsessed!
2. Consciously saving cash changed my spending. I started saving every $5 dollar bill I got as change. No matter what I wanted to spend it on, I refused to and instead put it in an envelope. I did this for about six months of the year and amassed a pretty decent amount. When I stopped intentionally saving cash, my spending in general increased. I'm going back to this in 2015.
3. Running is therapeutic. This has been my greatest self-discovery this year. I've always hated running and said I just couldn't do it. I ran for 13 minutes one day in May to see if I could and struggled through it. The other I day, I ran five miles! I find that when I run, I'm much more relaxed and less irritable (and healthier!). Life changing for sure.
4. I don't need rigid rules. Z-man has to brush his teeth twice a day, but he doesn't have to do it right after breakfast.. Some mornings he can finish getting ready at school--we get there early to get my room set--or before we go upstairs for breakfast. There are definitely some exceptions to this discovery, but realizing that rules can be much more fluid has led to greater cooperation and given Z more autonomy.
5. Inside jokes are my magic with Z. We have been cultivating all these little jokes and games since he was born. When I want to reconnect with him, zone out for a second, hear his awesome laugh, or get him onboard with something, whipping out one of these jokes is magic! Also, its really fun!
I'll share five of the best things I discovered this year:
1. Coconut oil is for everything. I've used it to remove spray paint from my hands, get permanent marker off the wall, condition my hair, whiten my teeth, and treat Z-man's diaper rash. I credit coconut oil with my clearer skin (I use it as face wash, make-up remover, and moisturizer) and Z's still-baby-soft skin. I'm obsessed!
2. Consciously saving cash changed my spending. I started saving every $5 dollar bill I got as change. No matter what I wanted to spend it on, I refused to and instead put it in an envelope. I did this for about six months of the year and amassed a pretty decent amount. When I stopped intentionally saving cash, my spending in general increased. I'm going back to this in 2015.
3. Running is therapeutic. This has been my greatest self-discovery this year. I've always hated running and said I just couldn't do it. I ran for 13 minutes one day in May to see if I could and struggled through it. The other I day, I ran five miles! I find that when I run, I'm much more relaxed and less irritable (and healthier!). Life changing for sure.
4. I don't need rigid rules. Z-man has to brush his teeth twice a day, but he doesn't have to do it right after breakfast.. Some mornings he can finish getting ready at school--we get there early to get my room set--or before we go upstairs for breakfast. There are definitely some exceptions to this discovery, but realizing that rules can be much more fluid has led to greater cooperation and given Z more autonomy.
5. Inside jokes are my magic with Z. We have been cultivating all these little jokes and games since he was born. When I want to reconnect with him, zone out for a second, hear his awesome laugh, or get him onboard with something, whipping out one of these jokes is magic! Also, its really fun!
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My guy trying to keep his eyes open three hours after bedtime! |
Here's to a 2015 filled with soft skin, saving, long runs, flexibility, and laughing--and more discoveries!
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