Simplify

I have a question for you all.

Last week I mentioned that 2017 was off to a slow start for me in regards to resolutions/goals, and basically any kind of productivity at all if we are being honest.  This week gave me a great kick in the butt, and I've spent some time with blank pages in front of me, scribbling down thoughts and ideas and dreams.

When I make goals I like to break them out into categories, otherwise I tend to be 'Physical Health' heavy and not set aspirations to expand my Mental Health/Capacity as well.  Goals tend to fall where passions are, yet I also believe that if I'm not challenging myself in new areas I may be missing potential passions altogether.

Anyways.

I feel there's a lot floating around out there on the topic of simplifying life, cutting down distractions, de-cluttering, etc.  Actually I know there's a lot on the topic, because the idea overwhelms me and even scares me a little. Yet I know it's a healthy idea to explore, so it's one of my vague goals that I would like to zone in on and set better parameters around.

So I'm asking for your guys help.

What kind of ideas have you implemented into your life - what books have you read, apps have you downloaded, small steps you have taken - that have helped you to simplify, and/or de-clutter your life? This can be things that help to reduce distractions, maximizing efficiency throughout your day.... really anything around that general concept. 

Because I'm curious, yet it's a topic that I believe if I simply 'Googled' I would be greatly overwhelmed with the thousands of suggestions.  So I'm turning to you all - my friends - for simple ideas or thoughts, that you believe to work.

Comment, message me, email me (Kcomiskey5@gmail.com), send a carrier pigeon.  Responses are greatly appreciated.

Cheers - 

Kait

2015

Gosh, it's been awhile hasn't it? Like, three months. I do miss free writing, I will admit that. Especially when I have a slow quiet morning, with a coffee beside me, like today.

And delicious pancakes, those help too

Not that I haven't been writing - I have been a lot, on my crossfit blog. Here is the post on my 2015 goals if you're interested.... I feel good about them. I feel good about a lot of things I have going on in life right now actually - my job, volleyball, crossfit, running.... wedding planning.

Wedding planning... man oh man. I honestly kind of wish someone would have sat me down post-engagement and been like, "Hey, I know you're really excited and all, but I would highly consider running away and eloping."

I'm kidding... kind of. I'm PUMPED to get married in May and it's going to be awesome, do not get me wrong. But if you ever feel like giving yourself a couple ulcers, plan a large wedding in a state that's halfway across the country from you.

Kidding again, I don't have ulcers. If anything , the experience so far has helped Andrew and me to stop frequently and refocus on what's actually important - the marriage part. SO MUCH PLANNING goes into the two-day affair of getting married that we keep losing sight of the fact that we are actually committing our lives to each other, I'm stealing his last name, we are going to share a bed forever and ever and ever and everrrrrrrrr, etc.

You know what I'm saying. It's been a good experience. An eye-opening one. Just felt the need to share.

ANOTHER thing that I've been meaning to share are these guys:

The holidays and seeing family and delicious food/drinks are wonderful and all, but following both Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years, I've gotten back into Baltimore feeling like a sluggish balloon.

What was cool was, when I got back to my house post-Thanksgiving, I was greeted by a box full of these:

Awhile ago, Allison over at Garden of Flavor juices reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to try out their juices. And I was like 'Duh I love juices.'  I opted for a box full of their green juices (Mean Greens and Green Harmony) - and she sent enough for me to drink two per day for over a week. Plus some extras - like the one pictured up there, Goji Pineapple.

Ingredients in Goji Pineapple:

-Organic Pineapple

-Organic Apple

-Organic Goji Berry Juice

-Organic Ginger Root

-Organic Lemon

-Organic Mint

Now, I wasn't paid to write this, I'm just writing it because they were so kind to let me try the awesomeness that they've got going on, and because I'm a believer in cold-pressed juices. They also have some information on their website if you're into juice cleanses and what not.

Read more about Garden of Flavor here

For about eight days I included two green juices per day into my daily meal regimen - I would drink one for breakfast with an egg or two, and then normally have another late afternoon prior to heading to the gym. Honestly, by mid-December, I felt great. I'm always hesitant with juices these days because 1. a lot of them are loaded with sugar 2. a lot of them are LOADED with sugar - but these aren't. You get what the bottle says you get - plus they've got probiotics in them which make your stomach happy!

Their website lists where you can buy them, or you can also order online if you're interested. You better believe I've got it down in my wedding planner to order some more of those green juices in early May, just so that I can make sure my stomach and body is extra happy come the big day.

Anyways, that's my pitch on juices if you're interested. I'm hoping to be back later this month - I've got a volleyball tournament in Richmond next weekend, so maybe we can chat again afterwards. I hope all of your 2015's are off to a magical start. Go do something awesome today.

Cheers - 

Kait

Keeping it Simple

Man, it’s been awhile eh? The holidays called for some time off in all areas of life, so I took the time to keep my laptop powered down and give my fingers a rest.

Let’s talk about this crazy cold weather everywhere, eh? I know Chicago has basically turned into a tundra, but Baltimore even got down into the single digits today -  my Civic wasn’t too eager to start up this morning.

But do you know who was eager to start up this morning? Beth.

My Christmas present from Andrew was a bike trainer, which was shipped in a large box from Amazon. It was a bitch blast to set up last night, but I’m in love. I plan to get a thorough sweat session on her tomorrow after work, and can’t wait until it gets a bit warmer to do run bike run type workouts.

To give a short and sweet summary of my holiday season – it was long, and wonderful. Much time was spent with family and friends; great food drink and conversation happened. And of course a few runs.

One of my other favorite gifts was this guy:

And my favorite blog shout out of the year was text to me from my sister’s boyfriend, who decorated a Christmas cookie for me...

RKR = Run Kait Run. Awww thanks Jase you're a gem.

And of course, once wheels were down in Colorado there were plenty of lights to fall in love under, trails to fall in love on, and mountains to take our breath away. 

Baltimore quickly swallowed us back up this past Sunday afternoon as we somehow navigated the absurd delays and cancellations at airports across the nation; we got away with just a one hour delay, landing at BWI right around 3 pm with eight bags in tow between the two of us.

New Years Resolution? Learn to travel lighter.

Kidding. Let’s get real for a minute. Last year I made a very elaborate New Year’s Resolution list. It included different categories, etc. Some things I achieved – I feel like I did a great job of being pretty proactive, all injury aside. Definitely have been flossing more too.

Others, like ‘stop chewing on my cuticles’… I once again failed. Maybe this year?

Anyways, listen up. This year I’m keeping it simple. Literally.

There were points during the past year that all of my resolutions, goals and what not literally stressed me out. I found myself having panic attacks over not becoming a taco connoisseur while I simultaneously tried to do a sugar cleanse for three weeks. I reprimanded myself when I couldn’t find the time to practice my violin, and cried when I realized I wouldn’t hit my goal time for my marathon… because my fifth metatarsal was once again cracked, and running was off the table.

My body is still healing. On my to-do list tonight is to create a viable fitness plan for myself these next few months so that I can get myself into true healthy running shape. Yes I’m running, yet not that much, and not pain-free.

My point is, as far as specific running/racing goals, body goals, health goals, life goals, here’s what I’ve basically wrapped into one for 2014:

Keep it Simple

Keep it Balanced

Do it Joyfully

I want to drink more lemon water. I think I’ll do that; at least I’ll try. One of my best friends reprimanded me for not doing sit-ups ‘the right way’ – this is coming from Mr. Crossfit himself.

that guy  ^^  (& my sis)

Ok, Ok, I’ll work on my sit-up form. I’ve been missing my abs these days anyways – the Christmas cookies buried them.

I want a stronger upper body. I can work on that. And eventually, when I sign up for some races, I will set some short term goals there. But I’m keeping it simple, I’m not stressing myself out, and I’m living 2014 as joyfully as I can. After all, I did tattoo the word on myself. 

Glad to be back my friends. Share some of your resolutions/goals with me, I’d love to hear them. Let’s make 2014 one to remember, what do you say?

Cheers –

K