Tag: fun

what is self care anyway?

Posted on by jplatt27

flowers journal

I’m a huge advocate for showing up as your authentic self and pursuing your dreams big and small. A key ingredient for that is self care. But what does self care even mean?

Self care is going to vary from person to person. There is no one-size fits all self care practice.

To figure out what self care means for you, ask yourself this:

What do you need to maintain a relationship with yourself?

This can be quiet time at least once a week,
Time to dance,
Painting your nails,
Saying no to things you don’t want to do,
A morning run,
Speaking your mind,
Cuddling up with a good book,
A warm bath,
Journaling,
etc.

Please note: Self care is not a luxury. Self care is a necessity.

So tell me in the comments, what does self-care look like for you? What do you need to maintain a relationship with yourself?

P.S. My inspiration list.

a new kind of christmas list

Posted on by jplatt27

christmas mug

Every year, Mike’s mom asks us for Christmas lists. They’re due before we head back to DC after Thanksgiving weekend. I always struggle with this activity–feeling like it’s forced and I’m listing things that I’m lukewarm about.

I decided to make my Christmas list a little differently this year. I was going to make an intentional Christmas list. And I did. I took great care in making my Christmas list this year. And the whole process of making the list was very enjoyable.

I started by asking how I want to feel in 2014. I came up with three feelings:

cozy, pretty, and abundant

Then I thought of things that would support these feelings.

On my list:

Cozy
tea
throw blanket
Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes by Shauna Niequist (this could also go under abundant)

Pretty
1″ curling iron
sleeveless blouses to go under cardigans
Sephora Favorite Sampler (hoping Santa can find this…I saw it in store but can’t find it online)

Abundant
Kate Spade business card holder
Godiva chocolate bars (the small ones they have at Barnes and Noble)
Vase (fresh flowers always make me feel abunant…and pretty too)
Josie Maran Body Butter

I’m really happy with my list. But also, I think this process was really good for me. I’ve been working a lot on valuing and taking care of myself (more to come on that later) and I think this was a great exercise in learning how it feels to take good care and value yourself.

How do you want to feel in 2014? 

What’s on your Christmas list this year?

How would your list change if you first thought about how you want to feel in 2014 and only put things that supported that vision?

 

 

coffee date

Posted on by jplatt27

coffee edited

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you I’m pretty much a genius (or a magician). Our kitchen sink wasn’t draining (probably because of bacon grease) and I put baking soda in and the water immediately started going down. It was like magic. I read somewhere a while ago about using vinegar and baking soda to unclog drains–the combination bubbles up like a volcano–so I was going to do that but we didn’t even need the vinegar. The baking soda alone did the trick. I did pour a little vinegar and boiling water in for good measure though. Anyway, so cool!

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you I’ve been reading The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and it’s so good. Definitely a game-changer. He talks about resistance and how it comes up for all of us. Resistance especially comes up when you’re thinking about pursuing something that can have positive lasting effects for the long haul…

If we were having coffee today I’d probably rave about this kale salad. We made it for dinner on Friday and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. It was so delicious. So hearty and great flavors. We had some leftover and had it as a side with grilled cheese for lunch on Saturday. I keep asking myself when I can have it again. Mmm mmm mmmm.

If we were having coffee today I’d tell you about my birthday date. My birthday’s not til Wednesday but Mike and I celebrated yesterday. He bought me a beautiful dress that I’d marked in the Talbots catalog (you can see the top a bit in the picture above) and we got dressed up and went to brunch at the Tabard Inn.

And last but not least, if we were having coffee today, I’d probably tell you that Mike and I started watching The Killing this weekend and we’re hooked. I really enjoy having a series to watch like this, especially one that I can watch with Mike. It becomes our thing and we can spend quality time together watching. If you have suggestions for series we should put on our list for after this one, do tell!

What would you tell me?

P.S. Thanks to Emily for this post idea. I really love it!

under pressure

Posted on by jplatt27

I designated June as the “Month of Me” and spent the month relaxing, reading, cooking, having fun. I told myself I’d take June to relax and take a break from the go-go-go-go-go schedule that’s dominated my life since before high school and then hit July with gusto and dive head first into my business.

June was so great. I was really enjoying myself. And then July came along.

I’m not kidding, July 1 I started to feel sad. The sadness came up and up, just kind of lingering under the surface. I didn’t know where it was coming from. Things were and are good. But this underlying feeling of sadness was there and kept growing.

When we got back from vacation, the feelings of sadness got more intense and soon turned to overwhelming anxiety.

I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. Then I thought, hmm, this started around July right at the end of the Month of Me, I should start playing more and having more fun. So I did that. It worked a little bit but wasn’t a magic bullet.

This morning it hit me. The Month of Me was great not because of the play and the joy I felt. The reason the Month of Me was so wonderful was because of the lack of pressure.

That’s it. The lack of pressure.

Because I took the pressure off myself and allowed myself to oh, I don’t know, just live my life, I was able to ENJOY my life. To have fun. To do things I like.

I let myself relax in June and then slammed the pressure back on July 1. And it hit me like a ton of bricks.

The pressure I feel is 100% self inflicted. I am my own worst critic and put so much pressure on myself, beat myself up. And that sucks the joy out of things.

Knowing that my joy is tied to the amount of pressure I (and/or Janice) put on myself, I can start to examine the pressure and question it. Acknowledge it, think about it, and then allow myself to let it go and relax and enjoy my life.

Things always get done. Ideas always come. I don’t need to be thinking about my goals and my business success every. single. second. In fact, when I’m enjoying my life and doing things that make me feel like me, I’m more creative and motivated and things get done.

To relaxing and enjoying life! Cheers!

Do you put pressure on yourself? How do you let it go or could you let it go? 

 

 

 

coffee date

Posted on by jplatt27

Today I thought I’d take a page out of Emily‘s book and share the things I’d tell you if we were having coffee today.

Open City

If we were having a coffee date today, I’d tell you…

I had a huge epiphany this week. I don’t have to like everyone. I’ll say it again: I don’t have to like everyone. I know this is pretty much just a truth that most people know. Like duh, Jo, of course you don’t have to like everyone. You’re not going to like everyone. It just doesn’t make sense.

But this was BIG for me. Really big. I realized that I’d beat myself up if I didn’t like someone. I’d feel extremely guilty and really bad about myself if I didn’t like someone. That’s just not necessary. And giving myself permission to not like someone will really help these feelings subside.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you…

Mike offered to be my CFO. I’m really excited about it. It will be nice to have a partner, someone to watch over my business with me. It makes me feel like I’m not alone in this scary business building adventure. Mike’s been extremely supportive of my coaching business and this just takes it to the next level. I’m really grateful.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you…

We brought the SEGA game system back with us from Pennsylvania last weekend and have played Sonic a few times this week. It’s pretty fun. I get kind of bored after a few levels but we’ve been playing at night so maybe I’m just tired. We’ll see what this weekend brings–it’s going to rain all day tomorrow so we’ll have ample time to play and watch TV. I remember playing SEGA at our neighbors house as a kid. I’m pretty sure we’d play for a couple hours at a time.

What would you tell me if we were having coffee today? 

Have you had any epiphanies lately? Do you feel like you have to like everyone?

What game systems did you play as a kid?

just playing around

Posted on by jplatt27

Earlier this week I mentioned that I’ve been trying to play more. While it’s seemed a little scary at first, I’m getting into it! Here are some things I’ve done to play in the last two weeks.

I started doodling when I get home from work for a few minutes. Just sitting down at the kitchen table for 10 minutes or so. It’s been calming. Here’s my first doodle:

my first doodle--a sailboat on solid ground

It’s a boat on solid ground!

I didn’t set out to draw a boat. I actually started with the paper portrait orientation and drew a hang-man like upside-down L. Then I drew what became the sail and turned the paper sideways. Before I knew it there was a boat. And then there was a boat with grass underneath it.

Who knew there was going to be so much meaning/message to my first doodle.

One night last week, Mike and I played Scrabble.

Zen Scrabble

It’s not lost on me that the word “zen” was my highest scoring word in the game.

I also bought watercolors and some other paints. Here’s my first watercolor:

my first watercolor--a hot air balloon

Isn’t it so fun??

And lastly, Mike and I through the frisbee around at the Cathedral the other night before dinner. It was SO fun. I was running, running, running to get the frisbee, you know “going long.” I was smiling SO much. I kind of felt like a happy dog running to catch a ball in its mouth. It was so great.

Mike can catch the frisbee between his legs so I was trying to pick up that trick. No luck. (as you can imagine). Enjoy that visual, will ya?

I’m telling you, this play thing is no joke. It’s so good for the soul. So I challenge you, how will you play this weekend??

 

back from wine country

Posted on by jplatt27

Wine

I’m back from a week-long vacation in Sonoma, California, also known as wine country. We had a great time–good experiences, good wine, good food. I’m still trying to process it all but one thing I know I want to bring back/maintain in my “normal” life is the lack overwhelm. I really enjoyed just living in the moment and enjoying things one thing at a time. Check in with me in a few weeks and ask how it’s going. I really hope I can keep this up.

PS–Have you liked Love Always, Jo on Facebook yet? Only one like needed to get to 100!

link love

Posted on by jplatt27

I think there is nothing better than waking up on Saturday morning, getting coffee, and reading. Each Friday, I’ll share some links that I think are worthy of falling into that precious Saturday morning time.

Coffee cup

1. This beautifully written article about body image: A 5 year old called me fat and changed my perspective

2. I love flavored water and may make one of these three recipes for my next vision board party

3. Part of my dream job is helping other people find their dream job so I loved this article from Fast Company that confirmed what I already know to be true: in order to find your dream job, you have to know and be able to articulate exactly what you’re looking for (if you want me to help you find work you love, ask me about my what do you REALLY want to do session)

4. This video has been going around on Facebook this week but I just love it…kids are so sweet

5. Do you feel stressed? Try tapping. Short intro with demo. Longer video that explains tapping and has demo. 

What you may have missed on Love Always, Jo this week:

 

and it's november

Posted on by jplatt27

Hi friends!

Long time, no talk.  Apparently it’s November.  Wow.  I feel like it was August like 2 weeks ago. Though I think of a lot of things I want to share with you, I just do not have the same energy or attention span this time of year that I do in spring and summer. Sometimes I just want to put my hands up and just say I’m hibernating through winter, see you when it’s sunny, but I do like writing and I figure it’s better to write sporadically than not at all for 5 months.

Here’s what’s been going on…

  • Life is busy and I feel like I’m just plugging along one day at a time but days are passing like three at a time.  I’ve been working hard to manage my energy through this season and I had a good thing going for a while but this week just knocked me out.  Hopefully I can pick it up next week.  With daylight savings on Sunday, I think I’ll be much better at least through Thanksgiving so I may have to try too too hard.
  • Mike was away for two weekends in October and I felt kind of guilty but I really enjoyed the weekends to myself.
  • I had my second coach training module last weekend. Wow. A lot of realizations, a lot to process. Lots of coaching skills to practice. And now back to complete sentences… I am so lucky to be doing my coach training through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. The trainers and the other women in my cohort are amazing. The curriculum is transformational and fascinating. I am so excited to be starting a new career in coaching.  I originally wanted to be a teacher because I wanted to help people.  I’ve finally found the way I can and want to make a difference.
  • WE BOUGHT A CAR! Though this was one of our financial goals, this whole thing came up very quickly.  Like 10 days between when we started looking and when we bought.  Much more on this later.

This weekend we’re taking it easy. Mike has a fractured rib–ice hockey really welcomed him back–so we’re not doing too much.  Tomorrow we’re going to take a nice long drive in our new car to Magnolia’s at the Mill. Hopefully we’ll see some nice fall leaves on our drive.

I’ll be keeping myself busy with the following: writing and launching my business website, my first vision board party for potential clients on Sunday, and I ordered 4 books that came today. It’s going to be a good weekend!

Talk to you soon!

Question for you:

Naming cars–yes or no?  I say yes! My first car was Geoffrey, yes with a G. He was a junker but boy did I love him.  My next car was Chloe but that name never really caught on.  I’m ready to name our new car–I’m thinking Stella, Zoe, or Rhae–but Mike’s not feeling it. 

 

St. Lucia Recap

Posted on by jplatt27

I spent a fun-filled, sun-filled, week with my sisters and Sarah, Melissa’s girlfriend, in St. Lucia last month.

Now that we’re older and live kind of far from one another (me in DC, Melissa in Florida and Chrissy and Becca 3 hours apart in PA), it’s rare that we get to spend much time together.  Of course, now that we’re actually friends, we rarely see one another. So when Chrissy and Becca’s spring breaks fell on the same week this year, we took the opportunity to go on vacation together.

We had a really really good time.  We talked. We laughed. We laid on the beach and then by the pool.  We ate a lot.  Napped a lot.  Read a lot.  I emailed back and forth with Mike. I didn’t blow dry my hair or wear makeup the entire week. It was glorious.

Chrissy, Becca, and I shared a room for the week and it was kind of like a slumber party.  One night Chrissy plucked my eyebrows, making me bleed only once, and yanking a thick piece of skin one other time. I straightened Becca’s hair before dinner out one night. We talked about our relationships, watched the Bachelor finale. You know, girl stuff.

We went on two cool excursions off the resort. Mid-week we went SNUBA diving: a combination of scuba and snorkeling. It was amazing to see the schools of fish rushing by me…they swam so fast and so close to me.  Incredible.

On our last day we did a triple adventure: jeep ride, zip-lining, and hiking to a waterfall.

The triple adventure was awesome.  We rode in a jeep on the way there and the tour guide gave us some information about the island. He asked two questions and I answered them both right: 1) What is the best part about St. Lucia? The people! 2) Why are there so many bananas in St. Lucia? No monkeys!

The zipline was super fun.  There were 12 lines total, some higher, longer, faster than others.  It was so cool to be flying over the jungle. And it really wasn’t that scary.  Luckily we moved through the course pretty quickly.  I think if I had too much time to think about how high we were it would’ve been a lot scarier. But we were the first group on the course in the morning so we went right on each one.  After the zipline, we drove a short way and hiked down into the jungle to see a waterfall.  We brought our suits and climbed up onto the rocks in front of it for a photo shoot.  It felt very Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue like. Then we drove about an hour in the jeep back to the resort, caribbean music playing and the wind in our hair.  Good good times.

 

It was a good week.  A really good week. Did we get on each other’s nerves?  Of course we did.  We’re sisters. Would I vacation with all 3 of my sisters again? Definitely.