SH*T I'M OBSESSED WITH: RELAXING INTO 2018

Happy New Year to the Crohnically Blonde fam!

After the amazing year that 2017 was it is going to be hard to top in 2018 but I like to believe that things just keep getting better. I am starting the year off by refocusing my energy on myself, my family, and my passion (this blog!). I've been reading a ton of great material that has helped to get me back in gear and motivated because honestly I have been in SUCH a funk for the last few weeks of 2017. I always get super deep and into my feelings reflecting and critizising every little thing I could have done better which I know, is not cool, I'm trying to stop. I just have this perfectionist attitude that I can't quit!

I've done a lot of reflecting and I've decided to spend January filling my life with relaxation and self love. I know this sounds absolutely nuts because most people spend January kicking their asses into shape at the gym and picking their bodies apart to motivate them to get back in the game. I am not doing that. 

Yes, I have health and fitness goals that I am trying to reach, I always do in some way or another but I am including that as part of my self love. I'm not beating myself up to reach my goals, I'm teeing it up in my mind as "how can I love myself more?".

I am all about this.

So I don't know about you, but when I think of myself relaxing I get really stressed out. Weird. I know. I get stressed about all of the things that I could be doing that are productive and all of the successful people who are on the move 24/7 and here I am trying to just watch an hour of The Real Housewives without feeling guilty.

I literally have SUCH a problem with this so I have come up with some cool ways to relax while I am productive. Multitasking at its finest. Now, I know this isn't the best advice. Experts or whatever would probably say, you need to spend X amount of time relaxing per week or day or something but I am just doing what works for me so here we are.

I find the things that bring me joy and relaxation and I pair them with some type of productive activity so that I not only feel productive while relaxing but it also makes me like to do annoying productive tasks that I am trying to complete. (I promise I also do relax fully but that is usually in the form of a bubble bath where I am literally forced to not do anything else but sit in a bathtub).

Here are a few things I like:

• Listening to a podcast or book on Audible while:
  • routine cleaning of your house
  • driving to run errands
  • writing a blog post (I actually LIKE doing this so it just posts the relaxation, yay!)
  • grocery shopping- headphones for the win and it is a reason not to talk to random people
  • catching up on emails 
• Binge watch a good show while:
  • Cleaning out your house- I mean like that big clean where you get rid of things. This is seriously my favorite. You look forward to it because you are looking forward to the show and it honestly can take just as long as binge watching a season can (yikes...). This is also great because cleaning your house doesn't require a huge amount of mental energy, it is more focused on sorting and organizing so you can still pay attention to all of the drama on the show you are binging. 
• Use an accupressure mat while:  SIDE NOTE-- This has become my new absolute favorite thing. I can't explain it. It makes your body feel great, relieves stress, and has infinite benefits overall.
  • Catching up on emails
  • Completing writing assignments
  • Doing research for posts/ work assignments

These are just a few things that I like to do to relax while still handling the things I have to handle in life. My goal for January is to relax while cleaning my entire house and making a solid plan for the year. Obviously that includes a lot of those tasks above which I am not so thrilled about but I can look forward to it because of the fun/relaxing things I will pair with them. 

Below I have included links to a few of my favorite things that relate to this post so definitely take a look and let me know what else you do to relax while being productive AF.

Happy New Year y'all! Let's make it happen.
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What I'm Listening To...

On Audible: It's Not Okay

I'm trying to catch up before Andi Dorfman's new book release. This Bachelor Nation alum is spilling everything and as a reality TV lover this book is everything. So entertaining while still light enough to multitask while listening.

Via Podcast: And That's Why We Drink

Ghost stories mixed with true crime mixed with hilarious just about everything... sign me up. One of the hosts also has Crohn's Disease which automatically makes her one of the crew.
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What I'm Watching ...

I'm obsessed. It might be a problem. It is full of drama but if you miss 10 minutes it is easy to pick back up. You can binge watch on demand or via Hulu. It will keep you busy while you clean out your whole house, basement, attic, and garage. Promise.
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What I'm sitting on...

Accupressure Mat (in hot pink of course). Make sure to grab one of these from Amazon. They have the best selection for great prices. 

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