Stop: Make Time for Yourself

Hello everyone Happy, Happy Wednesday I hope everyone is fine and in good health. Today o want to touch a bit on self-care, you cannot pour from an empty cup if we aren’t good for ourselves we can’t be our best selves for anyone else.

We all KNOW as parents how important it is to take care of ourselves. When we can stay connected to our own well-being, it overflows onto our children and we’re more patient, loving, joyful parents.

The reality is that the struggle is real. It’s hard. But, at the end of the day you are better for it, and your kids and spouses will be better for it too.

Until next time; be kind to yourself always

Lesile

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Life can be Though: Stay Motivated

1. Take it one day at a time. Demotivation surfaces when we feel immensely overwhelmed by the many things to do. Do one thing at a time in dedicated time slots.

2. Create a to-do list and a reasonable one at that! we recommend 5-8 items per day. And please… don’t write your to do list on the bill you got from the grocery. Make an investment in a dedicated diary or day planner!

3. Make time your best friend. Listen, you don’t control time but you can manage your activities. We highly suggest meeting 25 minutes to get things done. The more you work with time the more you will realise how fast it passes and how much respect it truly deserves.

4. Reward those small wins! Rome was not built in a day and neither those dreams. The little progress you make celebrate it! Buy your favorite ice cream, go purchase those earrings you’ve wanted or book that flight you’ve been dying to book. You deserve it, you’re doing the best you can.

5. Surround yourself with positive people! Positivity can be contagious! Hang out with people that inspire and encourage you. Feed your mind positive affirmations and self beliefs daily either via a book or your favourite Instagram page. Until next time; be kind to yourself always Lesile

The Power of Gratitude

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” ~ Melody Beattie

Often times we get so busy with chasing after the things we want that we forget to enjoy the present moment, we forget to be happy. You hear people all the time saying: Oh, I will be happy when I will get this and that, when I will get there, when I will do this and that… and when those things do happen, they go on to planning the next thing and the next thing and forget to enjoy the things they achieved so far, the things they longed for. By doing so people also forget to enjoy what they already have, they forget to be happy. Don’t let that be you.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” ~Oprah Winfrey

One Year Blogging Anniversary

Hello friends happy, happy Friday…….. oh how time flies I can’t believe it’s one year already. So much has happened and I have so many stories to share.

I started mamma to mamma to connect with mothers and to share my motherhood journey. Apart from motherhood related content I also share lifestyle and health related content. I firmly believe that sharing stories and experiences we are able to impact the lives of others in a positive way.

My blogging journey is far from over ; this is just the beginning. I look forward to many more years of blogging and sharing my content. I thank all those who have supported my blog and those who may have benefited from the content I’ve shared. Keep looking out for more content I have lots to share.

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence – Helen Keller

Be kind to yourself always…………………………….. until next time.

Lesile

Financial Freedom: Is it Possible?

Hello friends happy, happy Friday I hope everyone is fine and in good health.
Financial freedom. It sounds good. But what is it really? Is it freedom to buy new shoes on a whim? Splurge on extravagant vacations? Buy that expensive handbag you’ve always wanted? Freedom to never ever work again? Freedom to never worry about money again?

Who wouldn’t wish to be free of money worries? There’s an old saying that money can’t buy happiness. Possibly so, but irrespective of how true that is, it’s equally evident that most else being equal having money can get rid of lots of problems as well as make life a whole lot easier.

We all fancy nice things and making more money. On the other hand, just a tiny percentage of us in reality, realize the financial freedom we long for. All of us wish to have enough money so that we do not have to bother about money again. The real question is, “Have you been ready to accomplish it or not?” What’s promising is that there are more individuals achieving financial freedom quicker now than ever before. And the and the question is- How can this be achieved ?  Everyone’s end financial goal should be to have a retirement that they can look forward instead of dreading those years because of the lack of money saved for it.

True financial freedom is the feeling of being without financial stress.With financial freedom, you have the independence to live stress-free. If an issue comes up, you don’t even bat an eye because you are secure in your finances to pay for the fix. Nothing impacts your finances. You know exactly what you can spend, are free to do what you want (within your budget), when you want and without worrying about financial consequences

We live in a world of mortgages, car payments, student loans and credit card balances so it’s not surprising that we have surrendered to the fact that debt is just part of our lives. But does it have to be? It is possible to be debt free and to spend your money on things that matter to you. Things that help you and your family feel good and create memories that will last a lifetime. Imagine a time when you are mortgage-free and you could take trips around the world whenever you wanted.

You can achieve financial freedom and here’s how…

COMMIT

Just like losing weight, breaking free from debt is not something that will not happen overnight. It will require resolve so the first step you need to take is to commit to achieving financial freedom.

CREATE A BUDGET

The next step is probably the most painful. You need to take a hard look at your finances and create a budget. This is often tough because many of us are in complete denial or even totally clueless as to the real state of our finances. This is what lands us in financial difficulty in the first place.

Gather all of your bills. Now, write down exactly what your expenses are each month plus what you usually spend on variables like groceries and entertainment—expenses that you won’t necessarily have a bill for. I highly recommend tracking your spending for at least a month to get a good idea of how much you spend and on what. This way you can be realistic when you go to write your expenses.

SAVE FOR EMERGENCIES

If you spend all of your money on bills and paying off your loans, what will you do if something goes wrong and you have no money saved? Inevitably, you’ll have to borrow the money or use a credit card and doing either of those things will dig you deeper into debt. So, while it may seem counter-productive, saving an emergency fund is necessary to achieve financial freedom.

CUT BACK

Sometimes we spend money on occasionally, we mindlessly do things that cost us money like leaving the lights or fan on after we’ve left the room. Be aware of your habits because they could blow your budget items and services that we can do without. Occasionally, we mindlessly do things that cost us money like leaving the lights or fan on after we’ve left the room. Be aware of your habits because they could blow your budget.

Adopting smart personal finance habits can make a significant difference in the future because it’ll help us save money, pay off debt, and manage our money, which in turn will allow us to enjoy the rewards of a financially free future.

If you’re struggling financially and have dreams of becoming financially secure, rest assured that such dreams are possible. Give yourself some time, patience and the discipline to incorporate some of the financial freedom tips I’ve outline above, and you’ll be able to achieve financial freedom in the future.

Be kind to yourself always, until next time…………………………

Lesile

Another Year Another Resolution: Make 2019 Your Year

Hello friends Happy, Happy Wednesday and a very Happy New Year to you. This post is a bit late but nevertheless the message is worth the wait.

Lets get right to the the meat of the matter. Forget making resolutions this year. If you want to set yourself some serious life goals and achieve them, you need a strategy. But first let’s start by looking at 2018. How do you feel when you look back at this past year? What were your highlights? What made you feel the most happy and fulfilled? Were any goals that you set up not met? Is there anything that you are afraid to admit?

Deciding to do something every day for 365 days no matter what can feel a little overwhelming for some , so it’s always good to learn to live life just one day at a time. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to smash your goals and change old habits however with the right mindset and strategy you can attain any goal you set your mind to.

Strategies are important for achieving what you want, feeling how you want to feel and living the life you lover. So I want to share the three tips to help make 2019 your year.

Get focused

Whether it’s procrastination, fatigue, distractions or lack of motivation our inability to focus at times feeds on our productivity and therefore can jeopardize our chances of success. Becoming focused and being focused is the key to unlocking your full potential.

Get empowered

The truth about empowerment is that it doesn’t come from anywhere other than you and your mind. It comes from thinking right, having the right mindset and the ability to make your brain work for you, not against you.

Get yourself together

Getting yourself together means getting rid of any toxicity in your life, having an open mind and an open heart. It means choosing to live for you, the real you and to take care of you. Whatever happened in 2018 please leave it in 2018. It’s 2019 and you have a brand new opportunity to make things right for yourself. Taking a moment to decide how you want to live in 2019 is all that should matter to you. Also, taking a moment to decide who you want to be, how you want to feel and act is imperative if you want to 2019 to be your year.

Be kind to yourself always; until next time……………………………..

Lesile

Surviving Christmas On A Budget

Hello friends happy, happy Friday I hope everyone is fine and in good health. We are 11 days away from Christmas; by now most of you are getting everything ready for Christmas day. Some of you may be buying gifts, decorating your homes or even deciding how to enjoy the holidays on a budget.

Christmas is an expensive time of year. Between gifts, decorations, parties, food, travel and other costs, your budget can take a real beating. 
There’s no need to spend a fortune on the festivities. Avoid the January bank-balance blues. Knowing how to plan a Christmas on a budget may help ease some of the concerns you have. Here some tips that you may find helpful.  

Food and drink

• Try to plan ahead and buy only what will realistically be eaten. Think about what normally gets thrown away, make a plan, and stick to it when you go shopping.
• Shop around and use local markets to find the best value products. 
• Check out affordable supermarket offers and shop in advance where possible. 
  
• Remember that the shops are only closed for one day. You don’t have to fill every available space in your cupboards and fridge, and can always top up on Boxing Day if you run out of anything.

Presents 

• Make a list of all the people you need to buy gifts for, to help you budget in advance.
• Set a spending limit for gifts and stick to it .
• There is nothing wrong with searching for budget gifts; remember it’s the thought that counts.

Decorations

• Wreaths can be fun to make – all you need is a wire coat hanger, a bit of ivy or holly, and some ribbon to decorate it.
• If you want to send Christmas cards, have a look in local discount stores for good value. Make a list in advance so you know how many you want to send

It is important to note that Christmas is not really about who got what and how much it cost, it is about spending time with loved ones and appreciating family life. I hope these holiday budget saving tips were helpful. And please remember the real reason for the season

Be kind to yourself always, until next time…………………………..

Lesile 

Managing Finances After Baby

Hi friends happy, happy Thursday the weekend is almost here some of you may opt to relax or even catch up on some errands.

Today I would like to share some tips on how to manage your finances after a baby is born.  With a baby comes great joy and happiness but also a baby is can be quite costly if finances are not managed well. Therefore budgeting is essential; budgeting can help you and your family take the first step towards control of your money. It can also help you avoid debt. And it lets you get on with being a family, rather than spending too much time worrying about your finances.

The key to budgeting is sticking to a basic rule – spend less than you earn.

• One way to start budgeting is to list what you earn, spend money on and owe.
• After you’ve accounted for essentials and emergencies, your aim is to have money left over to spend on things you want.
• If you can, it’s also good to put a set amount towards savings each week or month. This way you’ll have money for unexpected expenses, emergencies and long-term goals, like house repairs or renovations, family illnesses or family holidays.
• You and your spouse can discuss splitting the bills; each partner pays for certain bills. One partner pays the mortgage, while the other partner pays for groceries and car insurance
• Each week or month, try to budget a specific amount for expenses, fun, leisure and savings – and then stick to it. This is usually the hard part!

Different families handle budgeting and money management in different ways. But the general goal of  budgeting to gain a greater understanding of your  yearly, monthly or weekly expenses. By doing this you will have a clear idea of what you have left over; in that way you will be able to manage your wants and needs so that bad financial management is minimized and you will be on the road to making smarter  financial choices.

Gratitude

Hello everyone Happy, Happy Tuesday, I trust everyone is fine and in good health. Today I woke up immensely grateful for everything.  Some days are tough, some days are crazy and then there are some days where you are trying to find that little ounce of motivation to carry you through; but despite it all I am grateful.

At times life doesn’t go as planned but what I do know- everything ALWAYS WORKS OUT .

Today I am Grateful because:

• I am grateful that I woke up this morning.
• I am grateful for health.
• I am grateful for my family and my support system.
• I am grateful because I can go to work this morning to be able to provide for my family.

“Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirit, and the voice of hope that says all things are possible.” –  Anonymous

Be kind to yourself always, until next time.

Lesile

Dear Mamma: You are Worthy

Dear mamma,

I know it’s though some days are just overwhelming but everything is going to be fine. To the mamma who feels like she’s drowning I urge you not to worry, it’s all part of motherhood, it’s all part of  the journey.

To the mamma who doesn’t feel beautiful; you are amazing you created life, you the backbone of your household, you are strong, you are beautiful.

To the mamma who wants her body back I know it’s hard looking back at those pre-baby photos. You are allowed all the time necessary to get back into shape; do not rush the process every woman is different. Trust the process everything will be fine

To the mamma who is depressed and angry there is no harm in talking to someone about your problems; seek help tell someone how you feel.

To the stay at home mom who doesn’t feel worthy, mamma you are doing a priceless job of raising your children. Nothing can replace those memories.

Motherhood is tough, it’s challenging everyday there is a new experience. Some days are frustrating, some days are emotional, some days are crazy, some days you want to give up. A mother’s job is never done. But in the end its the smile on our little ones’ face that makes everything worthwhile and makes our heart throb.

Mothers leave all their personal needs behind so their children can have everything they need. They will not sleep or eat until you come home and they know you’re safe and sound. Mothers will protect their children with the price of their own lives – Unknown 

Be kind to yourself always, until next time…………………………….

Lesile