life | The Blonde Lab

June 23, 2014

How Yoga Changed my Life

I’m not a gym going kind of girl. Besides hearing the phrase “it goes by so fast”, one of the phrases I hear quite often as a Mom is “how do you stay so fit”. I always smile graciously and credit it to living a healthy lifestyle, but for me personally I think it comes down to genes. Thanks Mom and Dad. I enjoy my sweets and I drink entirely too much Diet Pepsi. Hey, I’m working on it.

With that being said, I am not out trying to loose weight. Sure I’d love to tone and there is ALWAYS room for improvement, but the gym is practically torture for me. I’ve learned over the past few months though, that breathing and exercise are two of the best ways to combat anxiety. I remembering rolling my eyes and expecting some sort of quick fix when my therapist told me that for the first time. I wondered why I came into her office each week not seeing improvement… I wasn’t doing my part.

top c/o Albion Fit // capris: Fabletics // tennis shoes: Nike (similar here) // watch: Michael Kors

I noticed a friend of mine going to YogaWorks near my house, so I started to do some research. The more I investigated, the more I realized that Yoga was EXACTLY what I needed. Meditation, relaxation, getting in touch with your inner self, working on strength and balance, staying committed to myself, and most importantly, breathing.

I went down to the studio and signed up immediately. It’s been a game changer you guys. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, taking time out of my day to meditate and do some deep breathing was just not in my cards. I needed to be put in that zen like atmosphere where it was practically forced for me to get to that place. When I walk in that studio, I am able to close the door on the stresses of the outside world and just focus on me. It’s therapy.

The world isn’t easy. We are all fighting a hard battle. No matter where your struggles lie, know that there is something out there to help combat it. I have felt so alone in my anxiety for YEARS, but the more I find ways to work through it, the more I learn about myself in the process. I know what works for me and what doesn’t. I know the big things to avoid and the little ones too. I am more opt to speak my mind and deal with problems as they arise which has been huge for me. I started making a gratitude journal that I write in daily of all the things I am thankful for. Positive self thoughts make all the difference. I even got Landyn involved in yoga. My yoga studio has family yoga where your kids come and learn the fundamentals. Landyn busts out the downward dog position like its her job. Had I known at a young age how to really BREATHE, a lot of my anxiety would have been alleviated. A calm mommy is a calm child. It’s SO important. If you can’t get into a Yoga studio, do breathing exercises at home. Watch uTube videos, get a group of friends together and form your own group at the park. Work with what you have.

I tell you this because I believe there needs to be more knowledge on natural ways to combat anxious feelings. I am a work in progress and still have anxious days, but I take them as they come. It’s a one day at a time deal. Take them as they come.

Are there any other Yogi’s out there? I would love to hear from you.

June 15, 2014

For you Dad…

As a child, I was a total mommy’s girl. I never wanted to leave my mom’s side. My parents split when I was in the second grade, and I remember the attachment to my mom only intensifying. Ironically enough, some of my favorite childhood memories were spent at my Dad’s house. I remember trips to Sea World, camping, Big Bear, lake trips, days at my Dad’s movie set, mornings spent at Paint Pals and Discovery Zone, pool parties, and Eggo waffles for breakfast… all happy things. So I look back and wonder why I had such bad separation anxiety from my Mom. You look back on pictures of me from age 7-12 and I was likely crying or had red eyes. It’s something now, that my Dad and I laugh about.

Somewhere during my high school years, my Dad became my hero. The guy that saved me from my crazy, lost self. The one that took me (and my best friend) in when we had no place to go, no questions asked. The guy that funded my many privileges, even when I was less than deserving. The guy that loved me when I was not very lovable. The one that cried happy tears when I told him he was going to be a Grandpa and watched me get married all in the same month. The guy at my bedside minutes after delivering Landyn with flowers in hand. The one that spoils my sister and I with an all expenses paid trip to Hawaii for a week. The one that saved me from an unhealthy marriage and helped Landyn and I get on our feet. The guy that has a soft side and has cried with me before. The one that makes me laugh harder than anyone can. The guy that is a “guy’s guy” yet ended up with 2 daughters and a grand daughter.

I love you Dad. You are my hero, and I owe it all to you.

And to all those who have lost their Dad, who don’t have a father figure in their lives, and too all the single mom’s that play both roles, you are in my thoughts today. For me, I am counting my blessings.

Lindsay

June 10, 2014

A Letter to My Preschool Graduate

To my preschool graduate,

You did it. You made it through the first part of your education. The part where you learn some of lives most valuable lessons. To follow direction, share with others, colors and numbers, creative play, how to make friends, compromise, to be kind, how to stand up for yourself, how to clean up your own mess, say sorry. All things some adults still struggle with.

You’ve blossomed so much this year. I loved waiting for you in the pick up line and seeing your class file into the classroom in a double file line, each of you hand in hand with a special buddy. Without fail, you’d shout “MOMMA”, and it instantly put a smile on my face. I knew you were happy at school, and equally happy to come home. We really worked on “using kind words” and that good ol’ golden rule. We had a bout with bullying and many nights we would role play on how to stand up for yourself. You learned that friends don’t always want to do what you are doing and there is a fine line between individuality and compromise. You thrived in all things artistic and would be over the moon on days you received the class favorite, “share can”. You learned how to write your name and had the most loving teachers that spoke right to your heart.

Our little preschool has been your little safety net. With all the changes you’ve gone through in the past two years, your school always remained the same. That alone leaves your momma with bittersweet emotions as we venture off to kindergarden.

The one phrase you are guaranteed to hear as a parent is “it goes so fast”, and boy is it true. In today’s society, kids are forced to grow up so fast, so my hope for you is you remain little. Pick flowers for your momma because they are pretty, eat dessert after every meal, wear bows the size of your head because you can, put bandaids on boo boos that don’t even exist, and let your biggest worry be how many bites you have to take to be finished with your dinner.

You will forever be my special girl. You made me a momma and have a place in my heart no other could replace. You remind me so much of myself, yet have so many of your Dad’s characteristics. I love you for that. I love that I will never have another just like you.