Author: elizabethshinkle

Laundry & Habits

I am breaking up with dryer sheets. Yes, I said it. No, I still can’t believe it. Let’s back up. Last month, I joined The Mighty Fix. It is a subscription box that delivers one thing every month to help you create a healthier home. I jumped at this opportunity especially when I saw that it was so affordable.

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This month, I received a 3 pack of Wool Dryer Balls. I added 2 drops of lavender essential oil to each ball and tossed them in the dryer. HEAVEN. Seriously, how have I lived my life without these?! My laundry smelled amazing, my clothes were soft, and no static! Not only are these incredibly functional, but you just keep reusing them for 1,000 loads! So, for the price of 1-2 boxes of fabric softener sheets, I have a new solution that will last me 10 times longer and is better for me, my family, and the environment. You’re sold, aren’t you. 🙂

I feel like I could keep talking about that, but let’s switch gears to habits. Everyone’s favorite topic! There is a reason these are so frequently discussed. Think about something. How hard is it to start something new? You have never done or you did it at one point, but you stopped for some reason and now you’re trying to get back into it. Is it harder than maintaining it after you have a rhythm going? Of course it is! The small things are going to get you where you need to be, but you HAVE to do the small things. You can’t wait for the motivation or inspiration. You will never get anything done.

You can’t slack because you don’t feel like doing it today. Even worse, you can’t slack because you have been doing so well. That’s when I fail most often. Oh, I’ve been successful with this for a little while, I don’t need these tools and strategies anymore. WRONG! If anything, you need them more than ever to make sure you don’t lose momentum on this thing you have wanted so badly and have been working toward.

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I have been reading Mange Your Day-to-Day by Jocelyn K Glei and just finished the “Frequency” chapter. In any personal development book, there are going to be sections that knock you on your ass and others that you gloss over. Depending on where you are in your life, some things will resonate while others will fall flat. This chapter hit me.

“Frequency makes starting easier.”

“Frequency keeps ideas fresh.”

“Frequency keeps the pressure off.”

“Frequency sparks creativity.”

“Frequency nurtures frequency.”

“Frequency fosters productivity.”

“Frequency is a realistic approach.”

So, I personally, am revisiting my habits. I started a new “Habit Tracker” page in my Bullet Journal and I’m focusing. Day-in and day-out, I’ll be focusing on these small things that I know can make an impact. I look forward to a month from now to see what I have accomplished (and to see if some of my habits really aren’t working for me or adding value).

Thanks for listening lovely friends!
Elizabeth

Gloomy Days and Gratitude

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For most, this gloomy picture elicits feelings of laziness, Netflix and chill, sleeping all day, and so on. For this runner, preparing for a long training run, I see complete happiness. You mean it’s going to be in the mid-60s with a misty rain during my long run? Sign me up! I found myself continuously saying, “Thank you Mother Nature! I love you Mother Nature!” Bliss.

I discovered how much I truly love to run today. Even when it got painful, I was smiling. I was so happy. There was nowhere else I wanted to be. Now long and slow are not two words I ever use or enjoy at any time in my life. I’m high strung, incredibly efficient and productive, and get shit done. In order to conquer this 50K in October and conquer I will, I have to embrace the long, slow distance. I can handle the physical part. The mental aspect needs work. This means I’ll be increasing my meditation sessions. Maybe I’ll actual find the consistency I’ve been craving! It will also involve more yoga, specifically yin yoga. I need to learn to slow down for so many reasons. This is where I will find the strength I need for this race.

I thought I would share some lovely strategies that helped me through today and other long training runs (or runs in general):

  1. Podcasts and Audiobooks: Find some good content to get through your runs. I don’t know about you, but 9 time out of 10 music just doesn’t do it for me. My favorite podcast to listen to is Tim Ferriss. They are longer so you can get longer runs in without having to worry about fumbling with your phone. My recent favorite is Audible. I can go on 2+ hour runs and have plenty of content. I just finished Rich Roll’s book which is AMAZING to run to and I just started on Kevin Hart’s new book. Of course, it’s fantastic so far.
  2. Fuel: Feeling hungry on a long run is not only annoying, it’s a good indication that fatigue is following closely behind. I’m not advising gummy bears here. You need to pack good quality fuel when you’re going on a long run. I found a delicious and nutritious option from Mung Pack recently and tried it out on my run today. I have a sensitive stomach but this didn’t bother me one bit. I liked it so much, I ordered more after my run.
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  3. Smile and Practice Gratitude. Seriously, be thankful that you can run. And for goodness sake, just shut up and do it. There’s a reason you went out for your run and there’s a reason you’re going out for another or registering for a race. Connect with that “why” and get it done. On my run, I thought many times, “I’m doing this for my family. I’m doing this to make my family proud and show my daughter that you can do anything you set your mind to.”

I’ll leave you with other lovely gems from my run today. It was a good one. I slowed for the occasional picture of a crane or waterfall and was endlessly thankful for the ability to run, nature, that I am blessed to live in the City of Portland, my family, and more.

Have a beautiful day friends!!