Healthy Mom Life

Tag: Fall

  • Golf Update #2

    Golf Update #2

    Golf is hard.

    As the end of the golf season approaches, I thought I’d do another golf update. First off, I know I’ve improved so much. Not just in my game, but my confidence. I’m no longer as nervous to play with other people, and I just have the attitude of going out there and having fun! I’ve learned a lot, and it’s been fun having a completely new hobby for me.

    What I’ve done since my last update:

    I’ve finished up my fall golf ladies league with Iron Ladies golf, and I had such a positive experience. Not only did I get to know some great women, but I also got out of the house and was able to enjoy the last remaining beautifully warm days of September. We had a games night, and I won the closest to the pin on a par 3. To me, that’s absolutely unreal and I never would have guessed I could do that if you had asked me at the start of my playing (just over 3 months ago).

    I did have such a great experience that I will be joining their fall indoor league. Mostly, to keep up what I’ve learned and to have something to look forward to as the days get colder and darker.

    I’ve also continued to golf a bit here and there with my husband when we have the childcare available. We just golfed the Homestead at Wolf Ridge Golf Course in Killaloe when we were visiting my parents for Thanksgiving and the colours of the leaves were breath taking.

    Not my best photo – I was just too dialed in to take anything. Also, my fingers were cold. But Wolf Ridge is one of my favourite courses!

    What I’m working on:

    My driver is my biggest work-in-progress. I’m slicing right almost every time. I’ve recently adjusted my grip (i.e. my husband suggested the grip change last week), and if that’s the magic key I’ll be a happy girl.

    I’m feeling good with my pitching and sand wedge. But me and my irons are not friends.

    So overall, I’ve got a bunch of things to work on over the indoor league and I’m feeling stoked for that opportunity.

    What I’ve learned over the last few months:

    I did want to put together a list of things I wish I had the opportunity to tell myself when I first started playing. Hopefully, they might help someone else who is starting out!

    1. Golf is hard. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can be as good as some people who have played for years. But the learning and the growing are the fun parts. You’ll make an amazing putt, drive or chip and that will keep you coming back.
    2. There is no one way to swing a golf club. There are obviously better ways, but often you have to be the one to find them for yourself. What works for the pro at the course might not work for you.
    3. Use each hole as a blank slate. The terrible putting you did on the last hole doesn’t have to follow you the whole game.
    4. Cute clothes make the biggest difference. If you feel cute, you’ll play better. It’s science.
    5. Practice. No explanation needed.

    I hope you all had a great golf season! See you on my next golf update!

  • How to Fight the Monday Blues

    How to Fight the Monday Blues

    I’ve taken a little bit of break since my last post just to soak up the last few days of summer before fall hits us full force. I’ve been busy with seeing family, feeling swamped at work, daycare transitions, and with trying to enjoy my own birthday.

    My daughter just transitioned from a home daycare to starting at the same care centre as my son. While my mom heart melts when I see them playing when I pick them up, and my husband reports that they hold hands when he drops them off, it’s still been a change for my little girl and something we’ve all had to adjust to. Small shout out to the runny nose and cough she’s had since the third day she started….

    Recently, I’ve been finding that I look so forward to the weekends, only to have those two precious days fly by in a blink. Then, on Monday morning I’m right back to counting down the days until the weekend and feeling a little blah. The weather getting colder and the sun rising later is also not helping.

    For this reason, I’ve decided to put together a little list on how to conquer the Monday blues and get yourself excited for the week!

    1) Designate Sunday as a “Prep” or “Reset” Day

    I like using Sundays as a planned “slower” day, and as a day to prep for the rest of the week. Some prep I like to do is:

    • Setting out clothes (the kids and my work clothes) for the week
    • Finally getting around to folding the mountains of laundry that have accumulated over the week
    • Do a light clean of the house, such as a general tidy. I like to focus on cleaning the toy room.
    • Write out a grocery list and plan some meals for the week
    • Brainstorm some activities or fun things to do with the kids

    For your Sunday, try to focus on having a calmer day. Maybe, end your Sunday night with some self-care or something relaxing before bed. My favourites are some light stretching, reading, journaling, or a lovely full body shower where you shave your legs.

    2) Allow Yourself a Reward

    I’m going to start practising “mini reward Monday”. I’ve decided that I’ll give myself permission to get that pumpkin spice latte or cold brew with pumpkin spice cold foam at Starbucks. Both absolutely awesome, especially if you get sugar-free syrup. For now, I’m just going to plan something small that gives me a little pick-me-up (or when it comes to coffee a little pep-in-my-step) to make the Monday a little brighter.

    You can also totally DIY your own versions of the Starbucks drinks pretty easily. I’ll post my own recipes later!

    3) Start with Easy Wins

    I love a slow Monday, and jumping into the hardest task on my to-do list is really hard to muster up the motivation for. I suggest tackling your easier tasks and then building up to your more involved tasks as you build momentum. Crossing easy things off your to-do list also provides such a dopamine boost that will not only lift your mood, but make you feel like you can accomplish anything.

    4) Move Your Body

    Getting up and moving is such a hack for resetting your mood and getting out of your head. You can either prioritize a work-out, stretch, or go for a walk. Since I’m lucky enough to be at home on Mondays for my job, my goal is to walk my beautiful cockapoo Abby at least twice during the day. It’s good for her and it’s good for me.

    Right now, the crispy fall weather is just starting, and it feels so cozy to go for a walk outside. I love a light jacket or sweater on my walks and it’s going to get even better when the leaves start to change.

    5) Mindset Reframes

    I love mindset reframing. It’s so helpful for your mood and your motivation. For your Monday, instead of focusing on the countdown to the weekend, or dreading the week-long slog, choose activities during the week that you’re excited for. Right now, I’m looking forward to my ladies’ golf night on Mondays and taking my kids to the library on Thursday for some new bedtime books.

    6) Reduce the Rush

    Weekends are the perfect environment to become a little lax with your routine. It can be so easy to sleep in or go to bed later when you don’t have a workday to plan around. It can be hard but try to keep your routine as consistent as possible during the weekends, though obviously an hour here or there won’t ruin things. Your Monday self will thank you when waking up for work on Monday is that much easier. No one likes a manic Monday, where you’re snoozing your alarm and rushing into work.

    Aim to give yourself at least 10 minutes in the morning to slowly start ease into your day and to get in the right headspace. Check out this post on my 10-minute morning routine for a slower, less-stressful start to your day!

    Make Monday Your Best Day of the Week

    Monday gets such a bad rap, but if you use it as a reset/mindset shift day, it can easily become your favourite day of the week. It’s an opportunity to set the tone for the week to come and to prioritize yourself.

    Let me know if you have any suggestions to help battle those pesky Monday Blues!

    Abby says “you can do it!”