​I’m not here to distract you with all the shiny things. I’m here to keep it real and if we’re being honest —> summer is HARD.

And it shouldn’t be.

Summers are supposed to be fun. School is out and it’s time to play. The pool and beach and vacations are beckoning us to unwind and get some much needed rest & relaxation, but that’s not reality, is it?

Any perimenopausal working mamas out there with children home for the summer? The stress is real and every day is a struggle to find balance.

When you’re working you feel guilty that you’re not with your children and when you’re with your kids, you feel guilty for not working. You’re getting up early and you’re going to bed late and there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day.

It’s stressful and exhausting and you are NOT alone.

All we can do is our best and then get up and do it all over again. I do know that being fully present with your kids is the most magical gift we could ever give to them AND to ourselves so let that be the goal. Every. Day.

Let the house go. Forgo makeup. Work in your gym clothes. Eat out for dinner. Set some house rules. Create a little structure. And let the rest go.

You might not be able to change your circumstances, but you can control your behavior. Focus on the good and practice gratitude. It’s a powerful tool my friends.

And give yourself some grace. Take a time out. Like literally … put yourself in time out. I do it all the time and it’s awesome. Sometimes mommy just needs a break. Do whatever it takes to stay healthy so you do not burn out. We all know we cannot give from an empty cup. Put your oxygen mask on and breathe slow and low.

And remember … you are a LIONESS. Today and every day!

The Lioness is a figure of strength, but her strength is rooted in her gentleness. While she is an expert hunter able to outsmart her prey and take down a target twice her size, she is also a devoted mother, protecting her cubs and teaching them the skills they need to survive.

Can I get an AMEN??

Have a beautiful weekend and take care of your cubs!! AND you.

I attended a beautiful wedding last weekend. The first one since my divorce. Gulp! I didn’t expect to be so vulnerable, but it hit me hard.

I remember getting married so vividly AND I remember signing the divorce papers even more clearly. One burst my heart wide open. The other, a large hole in the center of my chest (like a grenade).

Married life was not perfect, but the hard stuff was easier because having a best friend by your side provided comfort, support, stimulating conversations, laughter, intimacy, space to bounce around ideas, accountability, safety, shared responsibilities, and companionship.

I’m very aware of my “aloneness,” and it’s too easy to be the victim or wallow in the sorrow of my plight so I have to be mindful and NOT feel sorry for myself. There is a different way that I will boil down into 3 manageable steps for you to apply to your own version of hard.

Step #1: State the Facts + Name the Emotions ->> Do not Wallow in the “Story”

My facts: Being a single mom is hard. Having the emotional bandwidth and mental acuity required to manage the day-to-day is hard. The financial responsibility … HARD. The presence of mind. The physical exhaustion. Showing up (fully) for my child while working full time and managing the household responsibilities. Being flexible and patient. Getting up early. Staying up late. HARD!

To keep my head above water, I have to keep swimming. Feeling sorry for myself or being a victim = Drowning (not an option).

Step #2: Movement

My movement: The Gym. Breathwork. Yoga. Biking. Hiking.

Find something to do and DO it. Moving the body moves energy. It moves emotions. It moves tension. It’s healing and therapeutic and life-changing.

Step #3: Focus on the Good

My Good: I’m happy. I’m free. I have an amazing connection with my daughter. I have a safe place to live. I have an incredible job I love with the flexibility I need to be present, as a mom. I have the most genuine and loving friends, family, & colleagues. Like, the BEST!

These (3) steps work. Every. Time.

Try them out and see how things shift and move in your own life.

Cheering you on in your own version of hard.

Xx-
BeAnne

Easter showed up differently for a lot of people I know and love. For me, personally, I wanted to be at the beach celebrating with our friends, but I’m divorced and along with a bunch of other unfortunate contractural terms, holidays are shared with my daughter’s dad and it was “his” turn for spring break.
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For others, it was not having a loved one present because life took them too soon or because the kids were grown up doing their own thing or family members were too far. Regardless, they were all circumstances beyond our control.

There were countless posts on social media with images of friends and family gathering together on vacation or at the lake or family home. And EVERYone looked happy. It’s spring break, after all.

We wanted that too and those posts could have been debilitating … IF we allowed them.    

But here’s the thing …

People in my world showed up anyway. They created their own little memories and made the best of their situation.

​They made cookies or baked cakes or prepared extravagant meals (as if the whole neighborhood was coming). They found simple little meaningful ways to celebrate in their own way. And I did the same!

THAT’s resilience my friends.

It was glorious to witness people changing their state of being through positive mindset; through focusing on the things within their control.

Amen to not letting social media dictate our narrative. We have the opportunity to live our best lives, but we have to stay in our own lane and not compare ourselves to others.

Love yourself. Love your life. Do something different if something is not working. Embrace what you DO have and love those who are with you. The grass is not greener on the other side. It’s just different so wear your own shade of green and go make yourself a cake (if that’s what it takes).

Xx,  
BeAnne

I was scrolling through photos the other day with my girl and we came across this sweet photo and it got me thinking.
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​I mean … the sheer nature of a baby chick is gentle and kind; virtues that could easily be applied to humanity right now.

Both personally AND professionally.

The way we speak about someone. The way we communicate to others. The way we touch. The way we stand or fold our arms. The look in our eyes. Our body language.

All convey a message. 

I have to check myself often in the world of real estate, as it’s easy to be gentle with the ones I love, but professionally, it’s often a challenge when dealing with a difficult person. 

The question …

Can we still show up and be gentle and kind (anyway)?

There are so many opportunities in the world to be considerate and warmhearted toward others. Think about that the next time you engage with someone who's triggering.

Can you love them anyway?

I’m not saying it’s easy. In fact, it’s downright impossible sometimes, but I’ve learned that an entire transaction can be turned around simply by leaning in with more heart ... more gratitude ... more patience ... more understanding. 

Try it and see for yourself.
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Xx -
BeAnne