Tag: women's health

Checklists – The Ultimate Self Care Hack

1 Comment

#ChecklistDay #SelfCareTips

As the busiest season of the year approaches, there’s no shortage of things to do. Between Halloween costumes, candy, and makeup, Thanksgiving grocery runs and dinner prep, and Christmas gifts, cards, and decorations, it’s easy for even the best planner to feel overwhelmed.

That’s exactly why checklists are such powerful tools — and why Checklist Day (yes, it’s a real thing!) is officially celebrated every year on October 30th.

Sounds a bit surreal, doesn’t it? But the history is pretty fascinating — the concept of a checklist actually originated as a safety measure in aviation, designed to help pilots avoid overlooking critical steps before takeoff. Today, we may not be flying planes, but the same principle applies: checklists keep us grounded, focused, and on track — especially during the holiday rush.

Beyond practicality, checklists are also a form of self-care. Staying organized and efficient helps reduce stress, save time, and bring a little order to the chaos that often comes with the end of the year.

So, why not celebrate Checklist Day by creating a few of your own? Whether it’s for holiday shopping, meal prep, or simply managing your weekend chores, a good checklist can turn overwhelm into accomplishment.

Here are a few tips to make the end of the year a breeze and set the stage for a productive, peaceful season ahead:

Thinking of a Master Plan

Take some time to consider the task at hand. Start by clarifying what you need to accomplish. Is it decluttering your space, planning a holiday menu, or organizing your gift list? A clear focus makes your checklist more purposeful.

Seek and Find Results

Observe Yourself. What tasks do you usually miss or skip? Do you find yourself running back to the store for forgotten items or realizing you overlooked a spot while cleaning? Pay attention to these habits — they’ll show you where your checklists can help most.

In No Logical Order

Write a Random List — Then Sort and Categorize. Do a quick brain dump of everything on your mind, then group related tasks together (home, work, holiday, errands). This turns chaos into clarity.

Duly Noted

Create Notecards or Sticky Notes. If you’re visual, write tasks on sticky notes so you can rearrange and prioritize them easily. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to crumple or peel one off when you’re done.

Digitize the Day

Use Digital Devices. Apps like Google Keep, Notion, or Trello make it easy to track tasks and sync them across your phone or laptop. Perfect for busy days when you’re bouncing between errands.

Congrats to You

Reward Yourself for Completing Tasks. Celebrate your progress — big or small. Whether it’s enjoying a quiet coffee, watching your favorite show, or buying that seasonal candle, small rewards keep you motivated.

Final Thought:

Checklists aren’t just about marking off boxes — they’re about creating space for what really matters. This Checklist Day, take a few minutes to organize your thoughts, simplify your to-dos, and set yourself up for a calmer, more joyful end of the year. That’s what self care is all about. 

Spice Up Your Workout with the Megaformer

Leave a comment

This summer has been filled with lots of new and exciting health, wellness, and beauty related adventures. I’ve tried new makeup, added a few more weights to my fitness routine, and tried out a few new fitness classes to spice up my life. Over the past year I’ve worked out at a gym and taken a few dance and weight training classes to stay motivated. I started to feel a little stagnant and wanted to give myself a little boost in enthusiasm.

Then along came the Class Pass. This site has to be the most incredible thing a fitness person could ask for. You subscribe to a monthly package with points that allows you to try out different gyms and fitness classes. You can try as many new trendy classes as you want. There are tons of options. You can never get bored! From hot yoga and spinning to boot camp and boxing, you have a plethora of health and wellness fixings within a mileage radius at the touch of a button. You can learn more about that here.

The first-class thing that I tried was the Lagree Fitness Method. Quinlan of POPSUGAR says, “Lagree Fitness studios have infiltrated New York and Los Angeles and are now making their way to the rest of the country.” The Megaformer was created by Sebastien Lagree.  It is a machine that allows you to tone your muscles and strengthen your body.  I did myself the honor of not googling or researching anything and just jumping right in. I had no idea what to expect and I was alright with that.

I went to an hour-long class at PACE in Atlanta and was pleasantly surprised.  The Megaformer reminded of the table from the chiropractor’s office and quite honestly, I felt realigned after I left. During the class, the instructor guides you through various slow movements that sculpt you from head to toe. It is not easy, but it does let you work muscle groups that may be harder to get to with other methods.

This is definitely something that I’d like to add to my regiment. I was so excited to find a workout that helped me to build up my core! I’m not the most flexible person in the world but felt a bit nimbler. I’ve even heard that megastars like Meghan Markle are really into this workout.  

Next, I’ll be trying Zumba and Barry’s Boot Camp.