However, now that it’s 2020, I’m not going to make the same mistakes as before and try to work on a multitude of life-changing resolutions at once. Instead, I’m planning on introducing small goals at various points throughout the year. Though, to begin the year, I decided on a word that captures the essence of all my resolutions: BALANCE.

I’m going to try a balanced approach to New Year’s “resolutions.” I know the things in my life that I want to change, but I don’t feel a need to put myself on a timeline. Taking my time to make gradual steps towards self-growth, rather than cramming a year’s worth of personal development into January, will ultimately serve me better than a set of hard resolutions ever can.

If like me you’re a serial New Year’s resolution failure, I encourage you to join me on this new approach. Take on challenges as you’re ready for them. Find comfort in the fact that long term, sustainable growth never came overnight.  The goal is to just keep growing, learning, changing and evolving.   
​
Happy New Year!
Cher ​

Can you relate?  It’s that holly, jolly time of year filled with holiday parties, holiday gift shopping along with life’s everyday challenges.

This morning, I glanced at my fuel gauge as I drove my daughter to school.  It was on empty.  I thought, “Holy c---. How did I let it get so low?  Can I even make it to the gas station?!"

I had this vision of myself running out of gas just in front of the high school in my brand new car (less than 2 weeks old), embarrassing myself and mortifying my teen.  Thankfully, my vision did not come to fruition and I made it to a service station.

It got me thinking though.  I love my new car with its still new car smell.  I want it to last and I want it to GO when I want it too.  That means I need to care for it mindfully and not take it for granted. The same can be said for ME and YOU.

It’s so easy to put self-care aside during this time of year, especially if you are a mom. But it’s actually a time when we need it most. Here are some tips so you don’t run out of fuel:

Ditch the perfectionist – I recently went on a girls weekend, followed by a baby shower and the first of several holiday parties.  The old me would have made sure I had a manicure, cute holiday outfit, etc.  None of the above happened!  I went as is, bare nails, and had a great time.  I even got to meet Harry Connick, Jr!  And I’m pretty sure he didn’t notice or care about my bare nails.

Say no to obligation – You don’t have to attend every single party.  Truly, you don’t.  You also don’t have to send the perfect family holiday card every year.  Seriously.

Say yes to joy – what gives you joy during the holidays?  Make sure you carve out time for those things.  Joy is important.  It’s like getting bonus fuel or an unexpected extra hour of sleep.  Joy keeps us going.

For example, my daughter and I love The Nutcracker and it’s been years since we’ve gone.  This year, I carved out the day and we attended.  The icing on top is we got to see Cher’s uber-talented daughter perform in it!

Keep it simple.  Traditions are guidelines – not laws set in stone.  Make them work for you and your schedule.  For example, Christmas Eve is my holiday typically spent entertaining at home.  This year, we are celebrating Christmas Eve with friends on December 23rd because we are leaving to go away Christmas morning.  We are eating at a casual restaurant and decided to make the holiday meal more of a late lunch than a dinner.  Why make Christmas Eve stressful?  Now we get to spend that day at home, packing, baking and binge-watching holiday movies.

How about you?  How are you keeping your energy going?  Are you saying yes to joy and no to obligation?  Please let us know in the comments below!

Holiday XOs,
Carolyn

It has become increasingly difficult to pay attention to what's really important to us in the crazed, buzzing confusion of the modern world. It’s time to fight back and create a distraction-free ritual that helps us live a life with mindful intentions. With so many distractions competing for our attention, we need to tame the madness before it owns us.

That is why we recommend implementing a daily distraction-free mode — a time to hunker down and focus on your most important, complex tasks/needs.

How do we implement a distraction-free mode? Here's one approach... enable a distraction blocker on your computer, put on noise-canceling headphones, leave your phone and tablet in another room, and set an intention for what you want to accomplish. After focusing for 45 minutes, treat yourself to a 10-minute all-you-can-eat distraction buffet. Now, repeat and repeat!

​Over time we will become much better at focusing on our greater goals instead of frivolous distractions.

​Do you have any go-to techniques for creating a distraction free-mode? 

As simple as it may seem, it is one of the most powerful tools for manifesting the life or business you truly want.  It can help you realize dreams you’ve abandoned or never started working on. It can also help you stay focused and motivated once you start to move toward your goal. It’s a visual reminder of where you want to be.  Because visualization is a powerful tool that can catapult you to the next level in all areas of your life.

Why would you want to create a vision board?
To help make your dreams come true. You can use a vision board to achieve success in as many ways as you define that word: Success in your health, wealth, relationships, career goals — in all aspects of your life.

Why join IE to create your Vision Board?
Because we do all the heavy lifting. We provide all the supplies, the inspiration, yummy treats, the clean-up, and the accountability to make those visions come to life.   And, by the end of an IE workshop you’ll have an actual framed board that you can take home with you to display to keep you motivated.  We will also arm you with tips and tricks to bring that vision to reality. 

Do Vision Boards work?
We are firm believers that vision is everything!!  A clear vision board will serve various purposes, some of which also include - identifying & clarifying of your goals, keeping attention on your intentions, and reinforcing daily affirmations.  A previous participant of our Vision Board session sums it up perfectly for us: 

“When I signed up to do the Inspired Elephant's Vision Board Workshop my expectations were for a fun, ladies afternoon event. I was relaxed, sipping a mimosa and chatting with a friend as I stared to put together my board. What I realized at the end was that, to my surprise, I had created a meaningful collection of feelings, hopes and dreams. And the even better surprise is that a year later many of those subconscious "goals" have become a reality! Kudos to Cher and Carolyn for helping me tap into and clarify my goals in a fun, current and meaningful way! If you haven't already signed up, do it! You won't be disappointed! ”  ​~ P. Kirin​

Where do I sign up? 
Our next vision board session will be help this ​Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM EST 
at Creative Twist Events (10 Pearl Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840). 

Recently, my son and I tackled his disaster zone of a room. I kid you not, this day-long task produced: two garbage bags-full for goodwill, a box of books and games to donate, 2 bins of hand-me-downs for friends and not to mention, a sore back for me!

What really amazed me, aside from the mess this pint-sized kid can generate, was that he packed up his trophies and stuffed animals and announced that it was time for them to leave his room. This declaration came toward the end of our clean up.

I was surprised, a little saddened (as he is my baby), and also HUGELY ELATED because I love to purge and #konmari my home. "Are you sure?" I repeatedly asked him. "Yea," he replied matter-of-factly.

The trophies and stuffed animals were a part of his past, attachments that had made him feel safe, happy, and somewhat validated or revered. They represented a part of his past self, the child he was growing out of. By taking them out of his room, my son created space so he can grow into his new, preteen self and fill it with things that represent who he is now or at least, who he wants to be.

During our clean up, he showed me posters he wanted to hang up, mentioned books he wanted to add to his library and vinyls for his record collection. He was changing and wanted his environment to reflect that.

Inspired by my son, I found I had an urge to do some cleaning of my own: I decided to clean up my name.

While I had casually reverted back to my maiden name following my divorce in 2013, it wasn't until this year that I made it official by changing it on my passport, driver's license, bank accounts and credit cards. I even requested they change it at my local dry cleaners.

I can't explain it other than there was this insistent force inside me urging me to do this. And I have to tell you, with each instance of losing the last name I no longer felt attached to, I felt positively elated about having taken care of it. I felt FREE. I, too, was cleaning out remnants of my past self to make space for the new.

Growth and change can only happen when it is given the space to do so. 

So growth inevitably involves letting go of something…tangible or not. And, it may even surprise you that you no longer need or want it. This could be true for a comfort item that reminds you of the person you no longer are, or an identity that represents a closed chapter in your life.

Is your soul sending you gentle nudges to make some changes? To let go of the past? We are now officially in autumn, where nature literally shows us how to let go and change, resplendently, and with
ease. With nature as your guide, what can you release to create space? And what would that space invite into your life?

Please share your comments below. We really want to know, and so do our readers!

XO,
​Carolyn

2. TAKE A TRIP TO THE BEACH
Real, or man made, get yourself to a beach one of these fine days while you still can, before the air gets crisp.  Your feet in the sand, a book on your lap and few hours to unplug and recharge.

3. PLAN A ROAD TRIP
You don't have to go far, but maybe try dinner in a town you've never been to before or check out a sunset from a new location. The thrill of the unknown is always a great way to may memories and add excitement to these longer days.

4. ENJOY THE OUTDOORS
Once kids go back in school and daylight starts to wane, we have neither the time nor the energy for outdoor adventures. So the time is now, just step outside. Sit on the deck or walk around the block. Heck, grab a glass of your favorite wine and appreciate this life you’ve built. Raise your glass to your family, your friends and another beautiful summer. Cheers… to the good life!

5. ICE CREAM ADVENTURES
When was the last time you had an honest-to-goodness ice cream cone? Before summer is over, make a date of it and go out for a treat.  Find a new local ice cream store or drive those extra miles for your must have favorite.  Sure it’s not the healthiest, but a little indulgence every now and then is good for the soul. Plus sweater season is just around the corner ;-)

This is no time to sulk… We’ve got to get inspired and make the most of our last few weeks of the season. Let us know some of your end of summer fun ideas in the comments.  We're always looking for some inspiration. 

xo,
C&C 

​Happy Wednesday, Herd. Get inspired for the rest of your week with these wonderful ‘hump’ day quotes to push you far past the midweek slump. #Inspired #wednesdaymotivation