5 Strategies to Ease the Mental Load 🙄

Tamara, I have a topic for your newsletter: How can I help ease the mental load? 🤷‍♀️

Easing the mental load is vital for your well-being, aka YOUR FREAKING SANITY. Here are some strategies to reduce the burden & find inner peace. YES, IT IS POSSIBLE & HERE’S HOW:

1️⃣ Prioritize: Identify what truly matters and focus on those tasks. THIS IS MY JAM. When I drop the kids off at school or camp, it's MY TIME. I don't immediately start cleaning. I DO ME. I'm posting to IG or writing this newsletter. 👩🏼‍💻 I'm working on the stuff that needs my full attention. My business is my priority, and I focus on that and screw the laundry. It's not that I don't do the laundry. It's just that I feel so much better about myself doing the laundry later when the kids are home, and it's loud, knowing I got my stuff done when I could. Heard of time blocking? It's so you maximize your productivity during specific time slots. Set aside dedicated periods for tasks that require your full attention. During these focused sessions, avoid distractions and give your undivided attention to the task. Take a pause and reflect. How have you spent your day so far? What did you accomplish? 🤷‍♀️ If you're proud of your time spent, then great. If not, make a priorities list (like 1 thing) for you to get done in a specific amount of time and make it happen. No excuses.

2️⃣ Simplify & organize: Streamline your routines and declutter your space. Embrace efficiency and create systems for a serene environment (is that possible??). Bc I care so much about my routines, I have my running sneakers by the front door, right next to my socks and hair elastic. I have everything organized for me to go on my sunrise beach run, my favorite time of the day. It means so much to me that I make it simple and organized. Apply that strategy to the stuff you don't like to do. Let's go back to the laundry. 🧺What if we made it super simple and organized? Can you streamline the process? What if you hang a cute print in the laundry room? (just putting that seed in your mind so that when my prints are ready, you’ll be first to know!) Why not listen to a fun playlist? (and yes, I’m working on one for you!) How can you make the stuff you don't like to do more likable? Analyzing the crap that stresses you out and makes it easier and more organized would ease your mind. Try it, and if it doesn't work, I'll give you your money back. 😉

3️⃣ Practice self-care: Dedicate time to rejuvenating activities like exercise, meditation, or hobbies. Nurture yourself to replenish mental resources and embrace serenity (a word we don't hear too often). Every single gosh darn day, I exercise. Bc no one likes you when you don't practice self-care, esp yourself. Even 5 freaking min a day helps a lot. YOU HAVE 5 MIN, DON'T LIE TO ME. ⏰ When I coached 1:1, we'd get on the first call, and I'd be like so tell me your typical daily schedule. And then we'd talk a little about who they are, what they love to do. And then I'd go back to their schedule and be like, WTF. 🤦‍♀️ You don't make any time for the stuff you just told me you like to do. Go back and make a new schedule. Karen. Don't play games with me. If you don't make time for the stuff you like, are you even L I V I N???

4️⃣ Set boundaries: Protect your time and energy by learning to say NO to unnecessary stuff that stresses you out (and you KNOW what I’m talking about). Boundaries create space for your well-being. Refer back to #3. If it screws up MY TIME (like my morning run), it's a hard NO. And I don't feel guilty about it. If you sleep over, just know you will go to the beach with me at 5 AM, OR you can sleep in, and I'll catch up with you afterward. But I will protect my peace and ease my mind knowing that if I don't get in what I need, I will be a hot mess, guaranteed. So for all of us to be happy around me, my boundaries need to be set in stone, and they need to be respected. And if I want you to respect my boundaries, I must respect them first. So don't just give in and be weak about stuff. STAY THE COURSE. Believe me, it gets easier with practice. DO IT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. 🧠

5️⃣ Stop being a martyr: yes, you heard me. You're trying to do it all and do it all by your little cute self. STOP IT RIGHT NOW. Don't hesitate to ask for help from friends, family, or professionals (I do miss my cleaning guy). If you know me, you bet I'm asking you for stuff. For your advice on the merch, I'm making. For bringing over a side dish. For watching my kids so I can go somewhere. THAT IS WHAT FRIENDS ARE FREAKING FOR. Why else were they invented if it wasn't for helping each other? Supporting one another? For keeping each other sane?! I ask my friends for help, just as I want them to ask me for help. It's what we DO! And there's no guilt in this game. I would be MORE upset with you if you needed help and didn't ask me! Your friends WANT to know what they can do, so tell them! 🗣

I can’t end this email if I don’t point this out:

🏃‍♀️🌅 The Power of Morning Routines: I run every morning to clear my head and own the day. Then I make my breakfast (eggs & veggies). I edit my photos and post them. And THEN take care of the kids. (mine are getting older, so this is easier - let me know if you have little ones, and I have tips for you - and if you have older ones - IT’S TIME THEY LEARNED HOW TO POUR THEIR OWN BOWL OF CEREAL 🥣 AND YES I’M YELLING AT MYSELF). This non-negotiable time sets the tone for my mindset and well-being. Find what works for you and prioritize it!

🙅‍♀️🚫 Zero Guilt Zone: I set boundaries and say no to things that don't align with my priorities. Respecting myself and my needs is crucial. Remember, saying yes to others might mean saying no to yourself, and you don't want to disrespect yourself. IN FACT, my gf didn't come to my birthday party because SHE HAD TO STUDY. She put her needs first, even though she didn't want to miss out. Her goal of passing her exam outweighed hanging out, and GOOD FOR HER. I have more respect for her, and so does she. 👏

FINE PRINT: GIVE YOURSELF SOME FREAKING GRACE, GF. THIS IS A DAILY JOURNEY, AND EACH ONE IS DIFFERENT. IF IT DIDN'T WORK OUT TODAY, THERE'S ANOTHER TODAY COMING.

Remember, YOU'RE in control of YOUR mental load. NO ONE ELSE IS. Embrace these strategies to foster a healthier, more balanced mindset. 💆‍♀️✨ 

Love you. Gotta go. Byeeeeee. Put these into action starting today (you knew I would say that), and tell me what works for you!

xoxo

Tamara

I wrapped my sun with the phrase, "What if you start today?" as a reminder that you can do it. To try again today. Treat yourself with respect. Dignity. Love. Compassion. To start today. To start again today.

Feel free to copy and paste this icon and use it as your cell phone screen saver like I did. Or email me, and I'll send you the sticker sheet.

Take a pic, and please share it with me so I can see how you use it! 📸

Take a DEEP breath. And goooooooo. I love you so much. 😄

Art by: Jessica Ruby Designs