TheSanityPlan

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Setting Up My Exercise Routine

October 27, 2016 By Sara M. 9 Comments

I haven’t gotten to the goal setting part of the Sanity Plan, but I just wanted to write a quick note about one of my goals. If you’ve been reading, you may have heard me say how much I hate exercise. In fact, I often refer to exercise as an allergy of mine (along with cleaning).

But recently, it has come to a point where I simply have to address my sedentary nature. For my health, both physical and mental.

Ever since my son was born almost two years ago, I have been in significant back pain. I had a strange stabbing pain in my hip for the better part of a year from misalignment. And my upper neck and shoulders are rock hard from stress, on top of a long term injury.

I’ve done all the passive treatments I can do including chiropractic and massage, both with a therapeutic bent. This works for a short period, a couple weeks at best, before the symptoms recur.

The truth is that I am not doing any of the work needed to physical maintain any of the repairs they make.

As for my sanity, I am being constantly reminded by my reading or my therapist about the benefits of physical activity. How good it is for your brain. How good it is for being present. How good it is for balancing your hormones. Add those benefits to the fact that if regular exercise keeps me out of physical pain, it will be a winning combination.

450x680-yoga2I am not getting any younger, and I am finally ready to make a commitment to exercise. This was partially prompted by my brilliant therapist who suggested that I not enroll in a coveted writing class until I had accomplished this.

So, I’ve laid some groundwork. I have chosen two low impact activities based on what I’ve described above: yoga and swimming. I’ve decided to take classes because, knowing myself, I will be much more likely to stay committed if there is accountability.

I picked out a yoga studio very close by, reviewed the schedule, and spoke with a manager about my skill level and potential classes to take. As for swimming, my timing couldn’t be better as registration is open this week for a series that begins next week.

So there it is, my goal is out there in the world. I am going to exercise two times per week. Monday mornings for swim, and Tuesday nights for yoga.

Now I can go sign up for that writing class.

Do you incorporate exercise into your Sanity Plan? What is the biggest benefit you see?

Filed Under: Wellbeing Tagged With: back pain, exercise, goals, healthy, mental health, mindfulness, mindset, swimming, yoga

How to Balance Competing Familial Obligations

October 25, 2016 By Sara M. 4 Comments

I frequently encounter competing familial obligations. And when it comes to family, I feel a much stronger urge to oblige, often sacrificing my sanity in the process. The trick is to balance these commitments based on their priority, and be proactive in finding solutions or alternatives if you can’t meet them all.

450x680-carefreeThe Scenario

This past weekend we had earmarked for a Halloween tradition of pumpkin picking and carving at Grandma’s country house. About a week in advance, my single and carefree sister, told me she would be flying into a nearby city. She invited me to spend Saturday night and all of Sunday in the city, just the two of us.

This presented me with a very “tricky” situation as we have a young family that we are trying to establish traditions with. It was further complicated by the fact that I do want to work on having a better relationship with my sister now that my children are getting older (not breastfeeding, etc.).

The Decision Making Process

I was racking my brain for a way to try to make it work. I could take a separate car up to the country house, we could carve pumpkins on Saturday, and I could still make it into the city for a late dinner.

But I was dreading cutting into our weekend at the country and aware of how the kids would feel if I wasn’t there for the whole time. And the teen would be especially aware as she was really the driver in expressing how much this family tradition means to her. Not to mention the additional 5.5 hours that I would have to drive to make it work.

Part of this is a consequence outside of my control. My sister lives very far away, and gave me incredibly short notice to make these plans. Had we known earlier we could have potentially switched our plans given they were not time dependent.

Furthermore, I tend to think of my familial obligations in concentric circles surrounding me. So, the first layer would be our nuclear family (husband & kids), second layer would be our parents and siblings, and the third layer including everyone else.

Having this preset idea helps to stay firm in my prioritization of these commitments. No matter how I looked at it, I just couldn’t see how driving into the city would fit into our Sanity Plan.

The Solution

I talked it over with my husband as well to make sure we were in line. Once we were, I had to approach my sister to let her know the bad news. I was dreading it because I just knew she’d be upset. She has been consistently trying to get time to spend with me alone and I’ve been very slow to accommodate. I accept that this is a normal part of raising babies, but she doesn’t really understand that yet. And she has been really good about putting it aside by spending time with all of us, and being an especially good aunt to our children.

680x450-conversationI was armed with two alternatives to visiting her in the city:

  1. She was welcome to join us for our pumpkin tradition.
  2. I would be willing to fly to her for a long weekend within the next month.

My heart was incredibly relieved to hear that it was no big deal that I wouldn’t be meeting up with her. She knew it was a stretch, but really had just wanted to throw it out there in case it would work. And she was thrilled with my offer to come visit her instead.

This situation had a great outcome (DISCAIMER: it does not always work out that well). My flight is booked and I am excited for a weekend where I can focus on reconnecting with my sister after being incredibly child and family focused for the past 4 years. And we were able to spend an entire weekend, uninterrupted, enriching a family tradition that I hope our children remember with affection for many years to come.

Have you encountered a situation like this recently? How do you balance your familial obligations?

Filed Under: Relationships, Wellbeing Tagged With: family, obligations, priorities, sisters

THE SANITY PLAN PRINCIPLES PART 2– Discover Yourself

October 24, 2016 By Sara M. Leave a Comment

Welcome to the part two of The Sanity Plan Principles series. The second principle is:

discoveryourself

What is “Discovering Yourself?”

When you turn your attention inward to study your own thoughts, feelings, motivations, and preferences, you are “discovering yourself.”

Figuring out who we are is a lifelong journey. Partly because the introspection and self-knowledge takes time, and partly because we change so much throughout the course of our lives.

 

How do you “Discover yourself?”

This brings us back to the first principle, Being Present. In order to learn more about ourselves, we must be willing to slow down and listen.
Listen to and acknowledge our own thoughts and feelings.

680x450-blankcanvasAsk yourself questions. Did you notice a particular reaction you had? Ask yourself, “Why did I react that way?”

Pay attention to your habits and preferences. Do you like to do things in a particular order? Why is that?

Do you prefer to do certain things at certain times of day? Why is that?

 

How does “Discovering Ourselves” help us?

Self-knowledge is a powerful tool. Armed with an understanding of yourself, you can make better decisions that more closely align with your needs.

Knowing who you are helps you communicate more clearly in existing relationships. It is also important when developing new relationships in terms of the people you choose and the way you engage them.

Understanding your unique preferences helps you organize your day and your life in a way that best suits you – whether it is the type of work you do, when and how you complete certain tasks, how you orchestrate family/social time, etc.

 

680x450-relax4My experience

As my mother often reminds me, I am on a journey of “self-discovery.” I tend to have a natural tendency towards this as I am very introspective. I am fascinated to learn about my inner workings, and I also enjoy learning about what makes other people tick. It was part of my drive in pursuing a BA in Psychology.

The more I know about myself, the better equipped I am to handle whatever life throws my way. I have identified certain buttons I struggle with, which makes it easier to realize when I am falling back on an old habit or way of thinking. The ability to recognize a self-characteristic is the first step in being able to use tactics to change it or find a creative solution around it.

Not all characteristics are “bad” per se. I have recently discovered that I am a highly sensitive person. While I love to feel and experience, sometimes it can be overwhelming to others. Because I am aware of this in myself and its effect on others, I can control how much of that sensitivity I reveal.

Or, I am very aware of the fact that I do my best work in the morning when I am fresh and my mind is clear. So, I orchestrate my day in a way that I can dedicate that highly focused time to work or creativity.

 

What methods do you use in order to learn more about yourself? How does it help you to restore Sanity in your life?

 

Next principle: Build Your Network

Sign up below to be notified of all new posts & get inspired to build your own Sanity Plan!

 

TheSanityPlan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. All products recommended are used personally by us and opinions about them are our own.

Filed Under: Self Discovery, Wellbeing Tagged With: basics, mindfulness, mindset, principles, sanity plan, self-discovery

The Sanity Plan Principles Part 1– Being Present

October 19, 2016 By Sara M. 7 Comments

Welcome to the part one of The Sanity Plan Principles series. The first principle is:

 

text-beingpresent

 

What is Being Present?

Being present, often referred to as mindfulness, is the act of focusing your thoughts on the here and now. To do so is to cultivate a deep, nonjudgmental awareness of your thoughts, external objects/people, or your position in space.

I believe that presence of mind is the fundamental principle before all of the other principles. It is the groundwork that one must do in order to live your life with purpose.

 

How do you become aware?

Presence of mind is a skill that must be learned. And practiced. In this modern life there are endless distractions that pull us away from true experience. We must work diligently to keep them at bay.

There are tons of good resources on how to become more mindful, here are a couple of my favorites:

Deepak Chopra

Leo Babauta

 

How does being present help us?

Being present enhances our internal and external viewpoints. Becoming conscious of your thoughts as you have them sets you on a path of self-discovery. Collecting data from what other people say and the facial expressions they make allows us to better understand their actions and needs. Becoming aware of our place in society and this world helps us to navigate in this world and push for changes wherever needed.

Without awareness, we cannot see what needs to change.

 

My experience

680x450-feetBeing present is equally hard to maintain and important to do. As you may have read in some of my essays, I have been through quite a bit between my parent’s divorce, my mother’s mental illness, my relationship with my stepmom, my special needs kids, etc.

I have to fight really hard to remain present. And when I’m not, the lack of mindfulness definitely takes a toll on my life. I feel very alone, cut off from the people I love and the experiences we are sharing.

The most helpful tactic for me is to feel my surroundings. Feel the steadiness of the ground beneath my feet. Feel the surfaces of tables, walls, or whatever is in my environment. Next, I focus my mind on what other people are saying. I ignore my own inner thoughts, which tend to be loud. It takes a lot of practice, but is easy to maintain once you get rolling.

 

What methods do you use in order to achieve presence of mind? How does it help you to restore Sanity in your life?

 

Next principle: Discover Yourself

Sign up below to be notified of all new posts & get inspired to build your own Sanity Plan!

 

Filed Under: Wellbeing Tagged With: awareness, basics, being present, meditation, mindfulness, principles, sanity plan

When PPD Doesn’t “Look” Like Depression

October 17, 2016 By Sara M. 11 Comments

The tail end of my pregnancy with my son was a whirlwind. When a preterm labor scare had my doctor predicting he’d be early, I was ready to deliver him as soon as he would be healthy. I was so tired of being pregnant and sick (for years); this little man had sapped whatever energy remained. My exhaustion was so intense that I could barely manage my almost two-year-old daughter. I was certain that I never wanted to be pregnant again.

When he finally arrived one week late (so much for being early or even on time), everything changed. His birth was easier than my first: I felt more comfortable, I was less scared, I even kind of knew what to do and expect.

680x450-newbornv2His sweet smell, his littleness: here again was another amazing creature my husband and I had created.

All of the sudden I didn’t want him to be my last. I was devastated to think this would be my last birth experience. All those months of wanting him out were erased. The feeling overwhelmed me. It consumed me.

I felt as though the story were ending. As if I was closing the door on a beautiful era of my life, the part where you make and deliver beautiful babies. When my doctor came to do his circumcision, I could barely handle the sadness of feeling like we were saying goodbye. That I would no longer need his loving council as I nurture my young. That I would never come to this hospital again to have my babies and be supported by amazing nurses. Because there would be no more.

I knew this intense response could be birth hormones. I would give it time. It wasn’t as if I wanted to take any action on those thoughts just yet.

But it never faded. It went on strong for more than a year.

It grew and morphed and changed over that time.

But I never knew it was post-partum depression. You see, for me, it always felt like an overpowering sort of love. That the bad feelings were a byproduct of the intense joy of being a mother of another brand new baby.

There was definitely sadness. I was desperate to consume each moment with my son because it would be the last time I went through “x.” The last first smiles, the last falling asleep in your arms, the last first crawl or walk. I could never really acknowledge the depth of the pain I was feeling because it was masked by this disproportionate feeling of happiness. It was as though the two feelings were so deeply intertwined that I could not tell them apart. The pain and sadness mixed with joy and love. I could literally feel the time slipping away; I could not will it to slow down.

The other feeling I knew I felt, was anger. I was angry at my husband. I was angry at life. These were the things that we going to keep me from being able to have another baby.

pinterest-lookingwavesOur daughter became even more challenging when our son was born. She hated him for taking me away from her. And our son was an extremely difficult baby. He pretty much screamed for the first year. Blood curdling, cover your ears kind of screaming. I was barely able to handle the two of them together because they mostly had to be separated. Our families pulled away. It nearly broke us.

I was angry because the kids were difficult. I was angry because my husband couldn’t handle them and because he withdrew. I was angry that we had no family or support network. If our situation had been even slightly better, maybe it would have been an option for us to have another baby.

I was fixated. Everything hinged on whether I could have another baby. I worked tirelessly to improve our daily routines to try to prove that we could do it. I tried everything in my power to get the kids under control. Nothing worked. And the harder I tried, the more I clamped down on them, the worse everyone got. One day I would be in the depths of despair feeling like I just couldn’t handle parenting, and the next morning would go smoothly and I’d want to get pregnant.

I was so confused. It never “felt like” depression. In fact, it felt like almost every other feeling combined, but no depression. I just got up every day and did what needed to be done. Who else was going to do it?

After a year, it started to fade. The drive for another child became less intense and I felt better. It coincided with my daughter being diagnosed with sensory processing disorder, and then we came to understand that my son had it as well. It explained so much. He began to scream a little less. We all started to get better.

We went to therapy, started talking about our true feelings again. That is when I realized I probably had experienced post-partum depression. My therapist agreed. I hadn’t even considered it a possibility since I didn’t have it with my daughter. It was already gone by the time I realized.

I wish I had known. And that is why I am telling you.

It can take so many different shapes. It can be any birth, no matter the order. It can be disguised by good feelings. It can be intermittent. Reach out. Get help. Motherhood is hard.

Filed Under: Parenting, Wellbeing Tagged With: depression, motherhood, PPD

Loving Lazy Days

October 16, 2016 By Sara M. Leave a Comment

I love lazy days. I think it’s a mixture for me. Part of it is my sedentary nature, and my love of homebody habits like reading and writing and relaxing. The other part is that our lives are so busy, that a break from the go-go-go, rush-rush-rush is such a relief.

The best are the days where you have zero obligations. We try to schedule at least one weekend day like this. Where you can sit around in your pajamas all day if you wish. No rushing to get ready, get the kids ready, get out of the house, and be to a certain place by a certain time.

It’s a day where you can put your to-do list aside. Follow your inspiration to do whatever feels right, and spare yourself the guilt trip if you don’t get anything done at all. Give yourself a break from that constant drive of productivity and accomplishment.

680x450-relaxThis is “living” too. Breathing, relaxing, letting your shoulders down, and your stress drip away. This is here. This is now. We are not machines.

I love enjoying free time to play with the kids, with no urge to do anything else at the same time. Or feeling pulled to wrap it up so I can go get something done.

I love giving my brain a rest. Slowing my thoughts down, not thinking about anything important at all. Getting a reprieve from being “on” all the time.

This is so good for the kids as well. You can tell they are weary from the week. The constant movement and timelines. School and daycare and errands to run.

“Hurry up, we’re going to be late…”

“Hustle, hustle.”

“Let’s get moving…”

Not today. Today is sacred. Today we will do nothing. Eat when we are hungry. Sleep if we are tired. Slow down. Read. Relax. Recharge.

Filed Under: Wellbeing Tagged With: balance, lazy, mindfulness, recharge, rest

5 Sweet Treats for Grown Up Cravings

October 10, 2016 By Sara M. Leave a Comment

This post is inspired by the lovely twin mamas over at KLINWIN.

When I am on the healthy lifestyle bandwagon (ahem, trying to slim down wagon), I need every trick I can to satisfy those cravings for sweets and junky foods. Here are my current go to snacks:

 

  1. 680-kitsorganicKit’s Organic Fruit & Nut Bar (180 calories)

This is my number one favorite thing to snack on. Why? It has zero sugar added. The bar is date based so it is plenty sweet without adding any sugar. In my opinion, the unsweetened chocolate is actually the strongest flavor and you might not even realize there are dates in it. And, it has nuts for protein.

  1. Santa Cruz Cinnamon Apple Sauce Cups (60 calories)

I love to eat one of these after dinner when I am craving a desert. Again, no added sugar and the cinnamon adds a little extra flavor. I alternate this version with the apricot version if I need something to help me stay regular (if you know what I mean). I buy these on Amazon subscribe & save to get 15% off.

  1. raspberry-fig-bars-6pk-1Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars (220 calories)

A healthy version “Fig Newton.” There are tons of different flavors available. They are Vegan, Kosher, and Non-GMO verified. They are nut free for the school snack that can’t have nuts. They also have a gluten-free version (although we prefer the original).

  1. Siggi’s 4% Milkfat Yogurt (120 calories)

This yogurt is low in sugar so if you are used to sweet yogurts, you will likely need to add fresh fruit or a small amount of sugar to sweeten until you get used to it. Great dessert alternative.

  1. Chocolove Peppermint Dark Chocolate (27 calories per square)

Who doesn’t like chocolate? This version is great because it is dark, and contains essential peppermint oils which are very calming for me at the end of the night. I can eat no less than 3, so I have to take that into consideration! They do also have mini bars which would help for those days when self-control is low.

 

Do you have snacks that help satisfy your sweet tooth? I’d love to hear what works for you!

 

TheSanityPlan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. All products recommended are used personally by us and opinions about them are our own.

Filed Under: Wellbeing Tagged With: diet, healthy, snacks

Are You Ready to Dig Deep?

October 5, 2016 By Sara M. 4 Comments

I had a great meeting with my therapist a few weeks ago. I am a huge believer in therapy (it’s a part of my Sanity Plan), and I have been through many different series and styles in my life.

680x450-pensivewomanThe Story

Reflecting on my history of therapy, I have been feeling as though I’ve always addressed my life in fragments. There was typically one triggering event, so I would seek help, and deal with that particular event.

But now that having young children has triggered both old and new issues (don’t all mothers of young children lose their minds?), I decided to sit down and do some work with a counselor on my whole life. I wanted a holistic view of my characteristics, struggles, pain points, and scars. The idea was that this evaluation will better prepare me for the next situation that I encounter, even if it is something I have never navigated.

So, she asked for the list. And boy, there was a list.

I filled up the whole session just rambling off the “stories” of my life. And I could have gone on for hours. A mixture of childhood hurts, abandonment issues, unstable family life, extreme loneliness, betrayal, teen rebellion, bad influences, bad relationships, mental illness, you name it, it’s in there.

I had surprisingly few feelings when rattling off that way in list format. As if all of those things had happened to someone else, instead of me.

The Question

And when I was done, she looked at me very seriously and said,

“What I tell all my patients before embarking on a journey of this kind, is that you need to decide if you are really ready. I mean, really ready.

Because this is going to be hard work.”

She scheduled me for two weeks, and sent me home to think about it.

In all my years of therapy, this was the first time anyone had ever put it to me that way. I mean, it made immediate sense. In the past, it had always been triggered by necessity. But now it was up to me to make a choice to dig down really deep, and come to understand myself in a new way. A holistic way.

So, I pondered it. A lot.

The Answer

450x680-sadbabySurprisingly. My answer was actually “no.” No, I am not ready to tear myself apart and rebuild right now. The biggest reason is the kids. They need me right now, they need me to help them learn how to communicate and regulate the overwhelming emotions of toddlerhood.

I just can’t fall apart right now. I don’t have the luxury of being able to stay in bed all day to nurse a broken heart. I have people that rely on me and a limited support network.

So, the big picture will be tabled for now. And we’ve agreed to deal with things as they come up. I will focus primarily on being the best mom I can to my toddlers and stepdaughter and the best wife I can be to my hardworking husband.

And it’s okay. If there is anything I know about myself, it’s that my past will be there when I choose to visit it again. Unless it visits me first.

Who can you rely on to help keep you sane?

Filed Under: Self Discovery, Wellbeing Tagged With: counseling, honesty, self-discovery, therapy

The Sanity Plan – 10 Principles to Live By

October 4, 2016 By Sara M. 14 Comments

680x450-writingOne of the best ways to stay focused on improving your life is to define a set of principles to live by. These principles then become the default for when you are not sure on a decision or path to take.

Here are the principles we use to guide us along our Sanity Plan (not sure what a Sanity Plan is? Click here). Each highlighted principle has a linked post explaining it in further detail.

  1. Be present – This above all else. Presence of mind is the key to all the remaining principles; without awareness, one is perpetually stuck in a reactive state of being.
  2. Discover yourself – Be on a “journey of self-discovery.” Self-knowledge will aid in making better decisions based on your unique needs.
  3. Build your network – We cannot do this alone. If you don’t have a built in support network of family and friends, build your own.
  4. Forge close relationships – Worthwhile relationships are as important as food and water. Get past the surface and give more of yourself.
  5. Be solution oriented – Become aware of the problems you face, and take steps to find a better way to tackle each one. Implement on the spot, if possible.
  6. Control your inputs – We are a living in a sea of information and stimulation. Be conscious of creating a filter based on your values.
  7. Create systems – Recurring tasks should be automated to reduce workload.
  8. Reduce obligations/Simplify – Obligations eat away at the balance you are trying to create in your life. Accommodate them sparingly.
  9. Honor your body – Your body is going to carry you through this life. Nourish it with real food, good sleep, and exercise.
  10. Give back – Complete the cycle. As you receive the fruits of your journey, share them with someone else who needs a hand.

I will be covering each of these principles in a separate post, and use them as recurring themes as well. Be sure to follow to join in the conversation!

Would you add anything to this list? What principles do you live by that help keep your life sane?

Filed Under: Self Discovery, Wellbeing Tagged With: mindset, principles, sanity plan, values

Amazing Perspectives on Womanhood I Learned from My Husband

September 27, 2016 By Sara M. 5 Comments

Some of the most beautiful ideas about my womanhood came from an unexpected source: my husband.

Mr. Sanity didn’t have the best life teachers, but for some reason he came up with some incredible ways to look at life all on his own. He’s just “made of the right stuff.” And I’m the lucky girl he chose to share those perspectives with every day.

680x450-natural-woman

Now I’ve put my favorite ones together to share with you:

My perspective: Periods are GROSS

His perspective: Your body is doing what it is supposed to do. He will actually get into the whole process of how I’m shedding the lining that would have supported a new life but wasn’t needed this time around. He reminds me of the core purpose of the process, that it is a beautiful thing that only a woman’s body can do.

 

My perspective: PMS turns me into a crazy person

His perspective: He doesn’t particularly enjoy my increased emotionality and irrationality just before I get my period. However, he has given me the biggest pass of all. What he pointed out was that just because the emotions were heightened in my premenstrual state, doesn’t mean that the underlying issue that was bothering me wasn’t real. And hey, men have fluctuations in moods and emotions as well, the cycles are just shorter (daily).

 

My perspective: I have WAY too much hair on my body

His perspective: Some hair is sexy. Wait, what? He actually finds the super light peach fuzz on my cheeks/jawline/cleavage/butt to be incredibly sexy. I never would have considered this, and have spent many years like most women, fretting about and removing unwanted hair.

 

680x450-naturalwoman3

My perspective: My body is too squishy; my thighs are too big

His perspective: (caution: he’s biased) I am the most beautiful woman alive. He thinks my curves are my best feature and women with less meat on their bones look too thin to him. He also helps me put my own body image issues into perspective. I will often point out to him that I’m so much larger than so-and-so and he helps me see reality.

 

My perspective: I have to get made up to be beautiful

His perspective: I look sexy in anything, including sweatpants. (Although I have yet to test just how far down into disheveled I can go before it’s too far!) I am his wife and he sees my beauty regardless of what I wear. I tend to feel a bit frumpy because I so often don’t wear makeup and other women put a bit more effort into being put together.

He always reminds me that I don’t need makeup to be beautiful.

 

680x450-bathingsuit

My perspective: Thongs are sexy (less is more)

His perspective: He actually prefers full coverage underwear. No, not granny panties, but just normal full bottomed undies. He actually finds them sexier, in addition to the fact that he thinks thongs look uncomfortable to wear all wedged up there.

 

My perspective: My body could use a few upgrades

His perspective: Women look best with their original equipment. He always points out how natural hair color is the best complement to natural skin color. He insists that breast size never mattered to him, and that most men he’s known feel the same way. (So much for that post breast feeding lift I’ve been considering.)

Sorry ladies, you can’t have him. But I hope his perspectives have given you a boost – because you are all wonderful, just the way you are.

680x450-peacefulwoman

Filed Under: Relationships, Wellbeing Tagged With: body image, love, marriage, mindset, reflections, wellbeing, womanhood

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Welcome to THE SANITY PLAN! Here you will find my attempts to restore order in my crazy life post kids. I'm just getting started & I have a lot to say. So far I've written a lot about my perspectives on parenting (sorry, it's where I am at), but I'd love it if you followed my journey to improve my habits, get more organized, redefine my career, and generally live a good life. Or, you can follow just for the entertainment, I promise there will be lots of that. Do you want to learn more about building A Sanity Plan?

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