Tips for Slowing Down Summer

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It’s easy to feel like summer is slipping by, but being intentional, mindful, and proactive about how you spend your time can help slow it down.

I hopped on PIX11 News in New York City to chat about my strategies — you can check out the full video here.

1) Spend time outdoors.

Connecting with the natural world is one of the best ways to slow down and enjoy the season. Take a walk in the evening if the day is too hot. Go to the beach for a day. You can even pick a topic to help you lean in — maybe it’s plant identification or bird watching. 

I love the Merlin Bird ID app! If you’re into hikes you can check out the AllTrails app — it’s really useful and lets you filter so you can find a doable hike, no matter your experience level. 

 Or just grab a book and a cold beverage and head to your local park. 

2) Unplug.

Cutting down on your screen time can help you focus on the present moment. As the saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy. Seeing someone else’s vacation won’t help you enjoy yours. 

The more time you spend scrolling social media, the less aware you are of what’s actually happening in your life, right now. 

Set a time limit for yourself or even pick a day when you’re going to log off. It makes a big difference in your perception of the world when you’re only looking at what’s right in front of you.

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3) Prioritize hobbies.

Now is the time to pick up a new hobby or get back into something you used to love. Think back to what made you happy as a kid. Was your nose always buried in a book? Did you bring your paint set outside to make watercolors? Or were you a water bug? 

Trying new things is especially helpful when it comes to savoring the season. Learn a new card game or take a class that you wouldn’t have time for in another season. I’ve been obsessed with learning all about Tarot Cards. You’ll be glad you took the time now to dig into a new hobby. 

4) Make time for family and friends.

Summer is time for connecting. Don’t push off that girls’ trip or family reunion. Now is the time. I’ve been hearing great things about the app Troupe — it’s an all-in-one group trip planning app that lets you collaborate with friends and family to pick dates, find hotels, and choose activities. Also check out all my tips here for planning a less stressful trip. 

When you do get together, you can even combine my other tips — head outside with your loved ones, try a new activity together, and leave your phone in your bag. 

For more tips, you can check out my PIX11 News interview.

How are you going to savor the summer?

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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Four Strategies to Prioritize Your Friendships

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It happens to everyone — we get so caught up in the daily grind that our social lives often take a back seat. But making time for friends is essential to a healthy and joyful life.  

Time with friends can contribute to a laundry list of health benefits. Friends improve your mood, lower the risk of depression and anxiety, and contribute to a longer, less stressful life. Collaborative friendships can even lead to a more productive day.

But adult life can make it so difficult to prioritize your friendships. Many factors, from family schedules to work commitments to geographical distance, put a wrench in sustaining these relationships. Time is a major factor — people just don’t seem to have enough of it!

However, that doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel and give up on your friends. Absolutely not! As a productivity expert, I know from experience that small changes and tweaks can have big impacts. And friendship is no exception. I appeared on PIX11 in New York City to talk about some unique ways to catch up with friends and invest in those relationships. 

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My Favorite Books of 2022

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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In 2023, I want to read more. But “more” isn’t very specific. So I looked up how much I read this year to set a specific goal for myself.

Looking back on your habits and setting new goals in relation to what you’re already doing will help you set realistic goals for yourself. And stick to them throughout the year.

If you’ve never gone rock climbing, you probably won’t climb Mt. Everest in 2023. But you might start going to the rock climbing gym by your house twice a month.

In 2022 I read 22 books! And I’ve compiled my favorites in this list in case your goal is to read more books this year. (Or if you’re just looking for some good recommendations.)

Here are my favorite fiction and nonfiction books I read this year.

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My Favorite Books of 2022

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

___

In 2023, I want to read more. But “more” isn’t very specific. So I looked up how much I read this year to set a specific goal for myself.

Looking back on your habits and setting new goals in relation to what you’re already doing will help you set realistic goals for yourself. And stick to them throughout the year.

If you’ve never gone rock climbing, you probably won’t climb Mt. Everest in 2023. But you might start going to the rock climbing gym by your house twice a month.

Last year I read 22 books! And I’ve compiled my favorites in this list in case your goal is to read more books this year. (Or if you’re just looking for some good recommendations.)

Here are my favorite fiction and nonfiction books I read this year.

Read more

How to Travel Productively

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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Spontaneous trips are fun but productive trips are better!

Having a plan allows you to save money, travel safely, and enjoy a stress-free trip to a beautiful destination! And there’s a perfect amount of planning to prepare for your vacation.

Founder & CEO of Tripscout, Konrad Waliszewski joined me on Inside Scoop to teach how to travel productively.

Here are his top tips for an organized (but not too organized trip)!

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