Social Distancing

Love languages, personality types and multiple intelligences

Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone & Try Something New!

Today we chat about the benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone!

Routines build habits and habits can be extremely helpful when trying to introduce new behaviors into your daily life.  However, as with most things, the magic lies somewhere in the middle. Too rigid...you miss out on all the potential that spontaneity or trying something new can bring.  Too "loosey goosey", with no self-discipline and you’ll never get anything accomplished. You may be the life of the party, up for anything, all the time but your life may also get a bit out of control.

Trying new things is really scary for a lot of people.  Why?

FEAR or fear of failure - humans actually fear an unknown outcome more than they do a negative or bad one.  That helps explain why it’s so daunting for so many of us to try new things.  To just let go and try.  One of the best ways to combat the fear is to ask yourself, “What is the worst that could happen?”  Is the worst really that bad?  Bad enough to stop you from trying?

Let’s look at the benefits of trying new things!

1. You may discover new passions, interests or activities that you enjoy
2. It challenges you - keeps you sharp and you continue to learn
3. It feels good/ builds confidenceI
4. It gives you an new sense of appreciation and respect for other people that do or excel at that particular activity or thing
5. It keeps you flexible (not rigid) - (Definition: A person with a rigid personality is, as the word describes, inflexible. They find it very hard to understand and sometimes even acknowledge the perspectives, feelings, and ideas of other people)

A really fun way to help make these new things come to life is to...CREATE A VISUAL BUCKET LIST! (combination of vision board and a bucket list)

Step 1 - Decide the time frame for your bucket list. Is it for the spring? Is it

for the year? 

Step 2 - Decide what items will be on your bucket list. I like adding both

big and small adventures. That way, when I’m looking for something

to do, I have a lot of options. These can be anything you want, from big

trips to simple things you want to do with your family and friends, or for

yourself. For example, for my summer bucket list, I want to go kayaking,

participate in a color run, take a fishing trip, and even try out a sensory

deprivation float tank. (That last one honestly has me a little freaked out,

but I want to give it a try!)

Step 3 - Create a way to track your bucket list. I like to use the Happy Planner

Page Protectors for this (the ones for 2x2 cards), but you can use whatever

works for you. I write out each item on my list on a 2x2 piece of

cardstock and slide them into the pockets.

Step 4 - Find an image that represents that item. You can use a picture, magazine

clippings, or an image from Pinterest or a Google search. I just took

screenshots and that worked perfectly. Size your images to 2x2 (or whatever

size you need) and trim. 

Step 5 - Put the list where you will see it and be inspired by it. That could be

on your refrigerator, on your mirror, or on your desk. I keep mine in my

planner so I see it every day.

Step 6 - When you check an item off your list, be sure to capture the moment

with a photo or selfie. You’ll be so glad you did. Add your photo to your

bucket list as a lovely reminder of dreams come true.

We want to see your visual bucket lists! Follow and tag us on Instagram @planahappyplifepod

Can't wait to see the new things you try!

xo Steph & Kayla

Don't Take Yourself So Seriously

Today, we’re going to help you learn how to laugh at yourself by laughing at us…with us.  We share some of our most embarrassing moments, have a good laugh and then figure out if there is anything we can or should learn from our blooper reel.

We talk about falling down, peeing our pants, getting turned down by Justin Bieber and embarrassing old videos.

Remember you don’t always have to be/look “cool”! So take those cringey moments and turn them into memories that you can look back and laugh at.

Why do we get embarrassed?

According to researchers, most of the embarrassments that are encountered by people include instances of tripping and falling, spilling drinks, ripping pants, stalling cars, having one's private thoughts or feelings disclosed, accidental flatulence or belching, receiving undesired attention, and forgetting the names of others.

Fear of judgement  - We oftentimes feel that people are walking around judging our every move and that can be really paralyzing. 

“Embarrassment is considered one of the self-conscious emotions, quite at ease in the company of guilt, shame, and pride.” – Dr. Mary Lamia – Psychology Today article

We hope that we made you laugh!

xo Steph & Kayla

12 Ways To Be Kinder To Yourself & Others

Kindness is the way we show empathy for other people.

Try to implement some of our kindness tips into your daily routine.

1. Speak Kindly to yourself - Practice that positive self talk.
2. Share an act of kindness - Do something for someone else.
3. Forgive yourself or someone else.
4. Give people the benefit of the doubt- Show compassion when there is a grey area.
5. Say thank you! - Show appreciation!
6. Compliment Someone.
7. Smile & Say hi - It can make someone’s day.
8. Pay it forward - Be a part of the kindness domino effect.
9. Judge Less - Others & YOURSELF
10. Be an encourager - Be someone’s cheerleader.
11. Take the high road! “When they go low, we go high.” - Michelle Obama (YES!!!)
12. No Gossiping - Don’t add to the drama.
     

We are not perfect but by putting even just a few of these tips into practice we can make the world a better place! Let’s do it!

xo Steph & Kayla

Steph's BIG News: "I wrote a book!"

**Cue the confetti and the happy music**

We finally get to announce that Stephanie wrote a book! YAY! And of course... it's called Plan a Happy Life™: Define your passion, nurture your creativity and take hold of your dreams.

Plan a Happy Life includes strategies, systems, and methods for getting organized, prioritizing what's most important to you, and living intentionally. Here you'll find great ideas for:

• Celebrating the ordinary (dance party in the kitchen, anyone?)
• Discovering new ways to serve others (that will fit into a busy schedule)
• Finding your happy even on the tougher days
• Making the most effective lists (hint: it involves stickers)
• Filling your life with gratitude
• Controlling your calendar so you can live each day fully--and colorfully! (a step-by-step guide)
• And much more happy planning (seriously, you have to plan fun in your life!)

Make the most of your most valuable resource--time--and have a blast doing it with Plan a Happy Life.

It's officially releasing on August 25th and is available for pre-order NOW! Find out where you can buy it now below.

AMAZON

BOOKS A MILLION

BARNES & NOBLE

CHRISTIANBOOK.COM

APPLE BOOKS

We hope you add this book to your collection and are able to use it as a tool to help Plan a Happy Life!

xo Stephanie & Kayla