Author Archives: A Strategies

2020’s Hottest Gift Guide

I’m sharing my favorite items of 2020 so you can bless someone this holiday season.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Thanks

Here we go!

(Have your card ready)

1. All Season White Comforter

2. Crossbody Bag

Yes, you need another one.

3. Blue Light Blocking Glasses

4. Waterproof Rain Hat

5. Scalp Shampoo Brush

6. Hair Drain Catcher

7. Touchup Multipurpose Razor

8. Princess False Lash Mascara

9. Spa Bath Pillow

10. Wearable Plush Blanket

11. Heated Foot Massager

Because why not?

12. CeraVe Hydrating Daily Skin Bundle

Your skin will thank you during the Winter season.

13. iRobot Roomba

14. A Promised Land

15. Cooling Wine Tumblers

16. Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

17. Bio-Oil for Scars and Stretch Marks

18. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Mini Gloss Set

19. Lounge Set for Women

Work from home fashiiioonn

20. Holiday Candle Set

Perfect for a gift exchange.

I’m curious. Were these items on your list? Am I missing anything?

My Favorite Resources to Help with Anxiety & Stress

Have you been feeling on edge this week? For me, it has been a high-strung week which makes it hard to focus on daily tasks. I’ve dealt with my fair share of anxiety on and off throughout my adult life and have managed to find ways to help me cope. First and foremost, if you feel like you need to talk to a professional or just someone in general, please contact your local hotline. Examples of things that make me feel anxious are life/goal planning, feelings of not doing enough in a day, making a big decision , and the 2020 election. I’m SUCH an over-thinker so, that results in plenty of unnecessary thoughts in my head. Whenever I have a jammed packed day or my to-do list begins to be two full pages, I usually like to try these methods.

No. 1: Music

Who else finds music therapeutic? There is a song out there for every emotion. When I’m in an anxious mood and need to power through difficult tasks, I like to listen to focus or calming music. If you want to try this method, I would suggest playing the music you prefer. Research demonstrates that listening to music you like improves mood and productivity.

No. 2: Deep Breathing

When my thoughts seem all over the place, I turn to deep breathing. I do this in the morning after reviewing my to-do list. After ten deep breaths, I’m ready to go! I think the key to using this practice is letting your mind free of thoughts and to focus on your breathing. Here are a couple of breathing exercises to try. One of them is the 4-7-8 practice. Try one and let me know which is your fav.

No. 3: Nothing

Sometimes stress or anxiety results from energy from T.V., social media, work, family, friends, or in my case, the election. After a long day or week, I like to do nothing, be unreachable, and plan some self-care time. I like anything as self-care that doesn’t require me to think or use my energy too much. Two of my favorite self-care activities are: taking a break from things to get a pedicure or just chilling on my sofa in silence.

How do you unwind and cope with stress or anxiety?

[Reblog] Navigating Postpartum During a Pandemic: Staff Shares Her Story

Originally posted here.

Written By: The Extraordinary Adrianne Robertson

As with most of us, 2020 has been a year of major transition for Any’e Carson, ECHO Program Coordinator within the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health ECHO Center. Late last year, life changed for Carson when she found out she was expecting a baby girl who would arrive in May 2020.

While navigating pregnancy and mom life for the first time has been a challenge, Carson has found ways to thrive in her new normal. When she returned to work following her maternity leave, she helped her team launch a new virtual program that provides training to health professionals treating COVID-19, all while learning the ins and outs of motherhood and adjusting to life during a pandemic.

We sat down with Carson to hear her story and learn just how she’s managing it all.

Pregnant During a Pandemic

“Once the first case was confirmed in Marion County, I began to worry about what would happen to my baby if I contracted COVID-19,” Carson said. “There wasn’t much information out about [its impact on] pregnant women at the time.”

Fortunately, soon after the first coronavirus case was reported in Indiana, Carson would have the opportunity to work from home.

“By the first or second week in March, IU campuses closed and we were advised to work remotely. I was happy to be at home. I knew I could continue all of my responsibilities, so I didn’t have an issue with it.”

While the pandemic didn’t severely alter Carson’s work life, it did affect her pregnancy plans quite a bit.

“I didn’t have a baby shower, and with it being my first pregnancy, not having a baby shower was disappointing,” Carson said. “I also didn’t do professional pregnancy photos or have newborn photos.”

With the challenges, however, Carson said her mom has been such a big support. She helped Carson take maternity photos, as well as organize her registry and electronic thank you notes.

“My baby ended up very blessed and I’m grateful for the gifts she received.”

Postpartum During a Pandemic

The ECHO Center was still operating remotely when Carson’s maternity leave ended, allowing her to stay home longer with her daughter and transition at her own pace.

“I did not want to put my daughter in child care, and at the time I was returning to work, many daycares were still closed or had an even longer waitlist,” Carson said. “The transition back to work was a little rough…like I would mess up something or forget systems I had in place to do my job, but after the second full week back, I felt more in a groove.”

Today, Carson is still working from home while caring for her daughter, Avianna, who is now five months old. And she believes her new-mom schedule pairs well with her work schedule.

“I’m an early bird, so it’s easier for me to get to work around 7am because all I have to do is get out of the bed. I try to keep the same routines and deadlines as I had in the office.”

In response to the pandemic, Carson helped her team launch a new ECHO dedicated to COVID-19, an effort that required longer hours than usual.

“I did find work hours longer when I was helping to launch the COVID-19 ECHO. Now that the program is on a regular schedule, I work behind the scenes organizing content speakers and recruiting patient cases for the group to discuss.”

In her role, Carson executes multiple initiatives for the ECHO Center’s teleECHO programs, which offer virtual collaborative learning for primary care providers treating patients who identify as LGBTQ+, as well as those with conditions such as Hepatitis C (HCV), HIV, cancer, pain management, and COVID-19.

“In any given week, I’m building relationships among our participants, arranging content for upcoming sessions, and reporting program metrics. Other ECHOs I coordinate are the HIV ECHO and Cancer ECHO program, which launches year two in October.”

Peace During a Pandemic

How she manages it all? Carson credits her support system, and encourages other new moms to not only do the same, but also figure out ways to maintain that system.

“I have such a strong support system and am grateful to talk with my mom and friends about challenges,” she said. “I downloaded an app called Peanut where I could connect with women at different stages in life, and that helped me see that I wasn’t the only one anxious about the pandemic. There’s also Facebook groups where moms have a space to vent to one another.”

Carson makes an effort to prioritize self-care, another practice she strongly suggests for new moms. She enjoys exercising, cooking new foods, watching her favorite shows, and having DIY spa days.

“I recently launched a blog and am working on a podcast ­– so that has been my recent hobby. I also enjoy date nights like game night, painting, and movie night with my husband.”

Above all, Carson believes it is most important for new moms to follow the public health precautions that have been given.

“Ultimately, follow precautions and take care of your health. I still avoid crowds and still do grocery-pickup. And when your baby is born, stand your ground about people following precautions that would like to see the baby.”

Carson said there are still family members who have not seen her daughter because of COVID-19.

“For women who are pregnant or trying to conceive, always remember to take your prenatal vitamins. Particularly for Black women, please seek prenatal care as soon as you can and with a medical team you are comfortable with.”

Carson is settling in to her new normal and finding ways to enjoy the changes along the way, like her daughter’s budding personality.

“She’s entering a phase where she is expressive and silly. I love how happy she gets when she sees me after waking up.”

To learn more about programs offered by the ECHO Center at Fairbanks, visit our website.

Working From Home With a Kid During a Pandemic

Working from Home Diagram

Working from home with an infant feels like a race every day. You wake up early and race to get through emails before your child wakes up. You race to get your little one settled and fed before a meeting. You race through the meeting because your little one is getting fussy. I mean, come on, it’s a marathon.

So you ask, how can I continue to do this? Do I put my child in daycare? Do I quit my job? Do I change my work responsibilities? All of these questions begin to create feelings of self-doubt and mom guilt (at least for me).

So…what do YOU do…

Here’s how I manage working from home and being a mama like a bada**.

Back at Work

No. 1: Feel your feelings.
Suppressing your energy and thoughts only makes you feel worse and filled with anxiety. Vent to another mom in a similar situation. I tend to be expressive and find it helpful to type or write out my feelings and then throw it away. It also never hurts to talk to a professional either. At your next pediatrician visit, mention it for recommendations or research a free consultation in your area with a counselor.

No. 2: Shift those general home responsibilities
Moms, read this aloud! Ask for help if you live with your significant other or other adults. It’s easy as a mom to shift all responsibilities to your plate however, you will quickly become exhausted after cooking, cleaning, paying bills, scheduling appointments ,etc everyyyy dayyy. Don’t know where to start. Well, if you are cooking often, stop that. Pick a couple of days to order out or easy meals that are already prepped. My favorites are Bertolli Italian dishes, P.F Chang’s fried rice, and a rotisserie chicken and steamed vegetables ALWAYS comes in handy.

No. 3: Space out your meetings
Am I the only one who feels like Zoom has taken over our lives? Pre-covid, I didn’t like meetings all day back-to-back and now, I dread having more than 3 Zoom meetings per day. There’s a such thing as Zoom/meeting fatigue. Read this article about how to combat it. My favorite coping methods are to build-in breaks. This could mean ending the meeting 10-15 minutes early to walk around or drink water. Another one of my favorite coping methods is to reduce stimuli and this means turning off the camera or calling from your phone.

No. 4: Work when your little one is sleeping Okay, this one sucks because it may mess with your sleep schedule however, it does help to work those odd hours when your little one is sleeping. For me, this means writing this blog at 5a, answering emails, and completing other work tasks from 6a-9a. Doing this also makes it easier for my baby to have my full attention when she opens her eyes.

No. 5: Take a break Find someone to help you or work remotely with someone where you can rotate your baby. Care.com has a directory so you can search for someone to come to your house and help watch your child a couple of days out of the week or a couple of hours during the day. If this isn’t feasible, take a few extra minutes in the shower. One of my favorite rooting and meditation exercises is waking up and taking 10 deep breaths. 🧘🏾‍♀️

Okay, mamas. How are you feeling after reading this? Let me know if this is helpful or if you’d tried something that isn’t on the list. I’m always looking for tips.

D.I.Y Breastmilk Soap

breastmilk homemade soap
Breastmilk

I recently found some neat ways to utilize my leftover breast milk. I breastfed for about three months and began to supplement and transition to formula. I have lots of leftover milk and, I don’t want to throw it away after I pumped so hard for it.

I started researching different uses (see below for my favorite reads &
videos). Breast milk has a few other uses other than drinking. For example, you can use it as a topical solution for treating acne, eczema, and diaper rash. My LO had moderate acne for a couple of months and within a week of using some breastmilk on her face, it cleared up. I even read that breastmilk can be used as a plant fertilizer and am tempted to try it.

I chose to create some breast milk soap. Here’s how…

Supplies 

 I found a couple of recipes via Pinterest. You can find it here. I chose to make a soap that helped with hydration, healing, and relaxation by adding eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree & rose petals for decoration. 

I used the soap that evening and was concerned about a strong smell, however it ended up being a mild scent. I found the soap to be moisturizing and pleasant overall. With the weather changing, I have a few dry spots and I have already noticed an improvement after one use. There are articles as well that say breastmilk helps reduce stretch marks so I am looking forward to seeing progress there. 

For my mommys breastfeeding, tell me. What are some ways you used leftover breast milk? 

Resources

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Thanks

The Fourth Trimester

Congratulations! Your bundle of joy is here! You can see your toes again and, you can sleep on your stomach. YAY!

Let’s be honest. You won’t be able to sleep through the night (especially if you breastfeed), if you have a vaginal birth, you’re constantly bleeding, and taking a shower is like winning the lottery.

Photo by TUBARONES PHOTOGRAPHY on Pexels.com

I felt so relieved after giving birth only to discover the fourth trimester. This is the 12-week period after you have your baby. For me, it was physically strenuous and mentally a war zone.

For those of you preparing to give birth and wondering what it is like those first three months afterward, here is what to might* expect:

  • You will have to go to the doctor every day for the next 2-5 days to make sure your baby is getting enough to eat. It most likely your baby will lose a couple of pounds if you’re breastfeeding and your milk hasn’t started producing.
  • If you had a vaginal birth, you will have heavy bleeding for a couple of weeks. I bled for at least 3 weeks but toward the end, it was light spotting. I recommend these products to support healing.
  • Your baby will crrrryyyyyyyyy (especially if it’s your first baby). Your baby is learning you and you are learning the baby. You’re not going to know their hungry cry vs their sleepy cry. I had a tough time soothing my LO at first. I tried a sound machine, pacifiers, music, and swaddling. All my baby wanted was skin-to-skin and cuddles. I’ll write a post about mom guilt later but ALWAYS ask for help. I found myself connecting with my friends & family to help me just so I could shower or make an important phone call (I had my baby amid COVID so anyone who came over had their mask and didn’t have any symptoms of illness).
  • Your LO will eat a lot for the first 2-3 months, the baby is eating every 2 hours if you’re lucky. If you’re breastfeeding, your nipples will hurt so bad you will want to cry ( I cried the second night I latched my baby) and when you’re not feeding, you are pumping. It is VERY important to keep your nipples and pumping equipment clean, and pump regularly. I remember finally being able to nap but it costs me to skip two pumping sessions. I was engorged and developed mastitis.
  • Having a bowel movement is the worst!! I hated having the urge because I knew it was going to be a pain in the ass (literally!!). Stool softener will be your best friend and drink a sh*t ton of water!!
  • You’ll be on an emotional rollercoaster. Your hormones are leveling out so, it is normal to want to cry one minute and be cranky the next. Find some mommy friends to talk to, watch a movie, and eat ice cream, go for a walk. Do the things that make you feel good. If that’s snuggle with your baby then so be it. I found this incredible app called Peanut that is a social media for women at all stages (new mom, expecting mom, women trying to conceive). I encourage you to download it. I have met a couple of moms off of the app and still communicate with them till this day.

With that being said, if any new mommies would like to chat, please connect with me on my socials (found in the top right corner). I’d love for you to share your fourth trimester experience and any advice.

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow for more content.

How to Flourish During The Rest Of 2020

Happy October!

I’m basing this post off of recent conversations I’ve had with my friends. I’m that friend that loves to discuss leveling up and growth opportunities #chasethebag. I’m always optimistic about my friends but am especially proud right now because they are manifesting their dreams and crushing their goals. It’s inspiring and motivating when witnessing others achieve their goals. This year has thrown us a curveball however, we are in the last quarter of the year and, there is still time to plan goals to achieve before the year is complete.

I love to visualize and write things down. One of my favorite habits is goal-setting. I recommend that everyone reading this post write three goals to attain before the year ends and I promise you will be a step ahead for 2021. When personal goal-setting, it’s VITAL that these goals are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound). From personal experience, when goals are SMART oriented, it’s more achievable. One thing I’d like to see happen before the year is over is the launch of my podcast so, I’ll use my scenario as an example to show the difference between a non-SMART goal and a SMART goal. You will notice that the second goal seems more attainable and provides a deadline.


Here’s a non-SMART goal:
I will launch my podcast.

Here’s a SMART goal:
By the third week of October, I will publish my first podcast episode.

Aside from creating your goals, surround yourself with a positive environment. It’s important to be around people who are focused on leveling up too. Negative support circles have negative impacts. It may not be obvious impacts but it could be what’s delaying you from reaching the next best version of yourself. Encourage good vibes in your support circle too. Regularly, say “I’m happy for you” or ” I’m rooting for you, you got this”. Even asking how you can support is encouraging.

I’m going to wrap up on my soapbox now and say lastly, for anyone reading, write three goals down to accomplish before the end of the year, and don’t give up, you can do it!

If you’re comfortable sharing, please comment on what you plan to accomplish before the year finishes or what keeps you motivated.

Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

Let’s Chat: The First 2020 Presidential Debate

trump, biden
Via Google

“Everybody knows he’s a liar.” Joe Biden

“Don’t ever use smart with me” – Donald Trump

If you tuned into the debate last night, I’m sure you would agree that it was equivalent to a real housewives reunion. I mean, I haven’t been on edge watching something since the finale of How to Get Away with Murder. Trump and Biden went head to head discussing America’s most pressing issues including, Breonna Taylor & defunding the police, COVID-19, healthcare, economy, climate change, and racism.

If you missed watching the debate, here is the full video.

For highlights and analysis of the debate, here are a few links:

“Will you shut up, man” Joe Biden

Trump interrupted his way through the entire debate, trying to force Biden into frustration and defeat. Biden at moments, let Trump’s manner get to him but managed to let us know he would raise the minimum wage to $15, create more jobs, join the global climate agreement and encourage net-zero emissions.

It is apparent that these two stand opposite on subject matters. Here are some examples.

Student Debt
Trump: Proposes to remove loan subsidies and forgiveness for public service and create one income-driven plan
Biden: Proposes to forgive student debt for low-income graduates

Climate Change

Trump:???
Biden: Understands the science and proposes to join the global climate agreement and encourage net-zero emissions

Healthcare
Trump: Proposes to cut spending for Medicaid & Medicare
Biden: Proposes that he wants to create a public option

Let’s discuss this.
Did it go how you expected? Who was more prepared?
What was the most memorable moment?
And lastly, are you registered to vote??? Here is the link to register to vote.

The next 2020 presidential debates are scheduled from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm Eastern time on, October 15th, and October 22nd.

The vice presidential debate is scheduled from 9 pm to 10:30 pm Eastern time on October 7th. Please watch so we can discuss it.

Achieving Productivity While Working From Home

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

How many of us feel like it’s hard to stay motivated or productive while working from home?

I don’t know about you but emails and Zoom meetings have doubled for me since we haven’t been able to interact in-person. I’ve been working from home full-time since March but am not new to remote work. I previously had a remote part-time job and had flexibility with my another previous job where I could work from home. My situation now is a bit different because I have an infant at home as well but, I want to emphasize that my productivity has not decreased one bit. In a separate post, I will focus on my routine working from home with my little one but today, I’ll stick to habits that help me stay productive and motivated while working from home.

WFH can be the tough for extroverts. I recently did a personality test and I’m almost split 50/50 extrovert/introvert. Although I can’t be in-person with my team, we video meet often and that helps fulfill my extrovert side. Overall, I love working from home and find that I actually get more work done in my home. I try my best to establish an environment that makes it easier to focus and power through work.

Here are my suggestions for people who want to be productive and more motivated while working from home.

Photo by Breakingpic on Pexels.com
  1. If you don’t have a to-do list, create one and refer to this as your work bible. I like to use Asana, I can set-due dates and reminders. It also has a team function for multiple people who are working on a project, you can divide tasks and update progress as well. I love task managers so if anyone is using something else, please share in the comments.
  2. Working from home seems doable until every five minutes you’re going to the fridge, eyeing your bed, or flipping through the TV for a show. You MUST control these distractions. Which brings me to my next suggestion.
  3. Create a routine and commit to it. Plan your lunch and breaks. I wake up around 5:45a in the morning, and am working by 6:45a. Depending on my meetings for the day, I eat breakfast around 10a, lunch around 1p, and wrap up work around 4p. During my breaks, I can/text a friend, do laundry, water plants, etc. I’m happy to help create a routine for anyone interested.
  4. I know for us overachievers working from home it can be hard to turn off work but, I promise you that your mental health will thank you. If your 8 hours end at 5p, turn off your laptop and don’t look at it until the next day. Creating this boundary has helped me also stay motivated. If I know I only have 2 hours left of work time, I’m going to make the best of those two hours.
  5. Lastly, you can help stay motivated by working in a space with sunlight or a plant. I have also found it helpful to change your computer wallpaper to include a quote or someone inspires you. Additionally, there are a ton of great music playlist to get you in the work groove.
Photo by Prateek Katyal on Pexels.com

Share in the comments your experience working from home, tips for staying motivated and productive, and if you’d like to go back to working in the office.

My Top 3 Fall Home Essentials

Happy First Day of Fall!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Thanks

Since we’ll be hanging around the house a bit more, I thought I’d share my favorite fall essentials to make your home feel more in season.

fall candle

1.Fall Scented Candle

Nothing says, “fall” like coming home and smelling fall. Research studies have shown that a smell good scent that you love, improves your mood. If you’re looking for something that counteracts mental fatigue, improves focus, and is fall-inspired, a candle that smells like apples & cinnamon is your best bet.

Apples & Cinnamon scent not your thing, I get it.

Here is a list of my other favorite fall smells.

Yankee Candle Harvest: https://amzn.to/35X7X2r
Yankee Candle French Vanilla:https://amzn.to/3iSaE9p
Yankee Candle Apple Pumpkin: https://amzn.to/3kzYySH

fall cozy blanket

2. A Fleece Blanket

My fall blanket is a statement. It’s perfect for Being cozy contributes to your happiness and relaxed feeling. Have you ever heard of the Danish concept, “Hygge”? If not, do a quick google search and find that the Hygge practices include creating a cozy environment. What better way to enjoy chilly weather than to snuggle in a soft blanket? Here is where you can read more about this concept: https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/being-cozy-is-good-for-your-health.

Here’s a fluffy plush throw: https://amzn.to/32S7e0x.

fall decor table runner

3. Table Decor

My favorite fall-inspired accessory is a table runner. Paired with a candle or pumpkin centerpiece, it adds a nice touch. Depending on what you want to spend, there are plenty of places to go that range from the dollar store to HomeGoods.

.

.

.

What are your fall home essentials?? Please share.