Lifestyle Enchantments

I have seen my writing take a turn over the past few years. I love it so much and this blog was meant to be a place I could openly express my unexplained mentalities while being able to hold on to my own reality. I keep finding myself in a place where I have been filtering myself for the sake of reputation and my children, but... they are a part of my story I will undoubtedly be in theirs. I am back to share the things I see, do and personally experience. I am not writing for anyone to understand, but to collect and organize all the components of my manic existence.  I love who I am, accept who I was, and want to remember myself along the way to who I am becoming. You are welcome to witness, learn or grow with me, but the journey is mine, and I hope others feel a love to express their true selves as well. XoXo Elizabeth

When everything has its own place, it belongs somewhere and can be quickly returned home. Clutter accumulates from putting things in random places, because they do not have a specific location to call their own. If something doesn’t belong anywhere, how can you put it away? Purging your home of unnecessary, unused, or broken items keeps your spaces free to house the things you love and need. There came a point in time where I had to tell my grandmother that although I loved the cute thrift finds she enjoyed buying the girls, that eventually I just had too much stuff. The girls would dump their clothing bins to find their go-to favorites, leaving things out to get dirty and needing washed without having been worn. They would spend too too much time admiring their options, then end up not choosing anything. I can’t explain the feeling that would come over me as they’d sit naked, eating breakfast after I just washed and folded laundry for 24hrs, plus prepared options for them that morning...

I believe the energy in your home is affected not just by the people who live there, but also through the possessions kept and how. As in Feng Shui , energy can become blocked or drained from your home and you by the things you surround yourself with. I can become immediately overwhelmed the second I wake, just seeing a dish pile in the sink or a laundry mountain on the couch. Responsibilities I left myself the day before, knowing I would regret it and probably feel defeated before the day would begin. If I’m always cleaning, but my house is never clean, I can conclude that we have too much stuff.  We all know how severe hoarding affects people who struggle with an obsessive attachment to possessions. Yet, even on a smaller scale, too much of anything can become difficult to maintain and keep orderly. Growing up in an “over-crowded” environment made me predisposed to being extremely uncomfortable and burdened by clutter. I try my best to stay on track with routine chore...

Parenting is the greatest challenge one can experience in their lifetime, and the degree of difficulty varies for everyone. No two people are alike, but despite this, we pair up and create more unique strangers. We then have to set our priorities aside, and help these little beings learn all about the world and themselves, while most likely not knowing much about life ourselves. If all goes well, an unconditionally loving relationship will have formed between two random personalities. In that instant a family is formed and society places standards and obligations on parents to be deemed eligible guardians to their own offspring. The vagueness of family medical history available to me, has prevented any attempts to determine if my afflictions stem from genetics or upbringing. This question of nature versus nurture that so many of us try to decipher is, in my opinion, a senseless endeavor. If one does not find the answer they are wanting to receive, they will then proceed to ...

I am inviting everyone who may struggle like I do with mental health and/ or addiction to join me as I share my journey and what I do to maintain a stable home with my family and how I take responsibility for my personal wellness as a mother of three. I released a memoire of sorts last year and have decided to revise it and create a workbook to easily share he process I have come to rely on to keep me healthy and productive. I'm not sure to label this as some sort of free workshop, cause I'm not really trying to teach anyone , just offer the tools and mindset I use in my own life. No matter, I will be doing my best to host this wellness journey for whom ever is willing and wanting to participate. I hope you will join me by subscribing to Lifestyle Enchantments for the newest posts and free printables I will be providing for you to plan, organize, or journal along with me. Here's a cute autumn mood tracker to color! A freebie I just created for myself.  October M...

When Autumn rolls around I tend to get nostalgic for all the cozy aesthetics and comfort of the season, eager to jump straight into my favorite lounge set and start writing out my ' Fall Food Favorites' shopping list!  But then, I catch a glimpse of the reality around me... unsigned school papers and musty laundry mountains, unwashed cookware and an over-worked sponge... this IRS notice of from my boutique flop two years ago. I can easily become lost and overwhelmed by the chaos summer fun and new school excitement left behind. Having three young children, the pressure is on. I am fully aware I will be taking on this battle alone. It's the perfect time to get my household back in order and  prepare our space to be enjoyed as we spend more chilly days inside, with each other. I'm getting into the season with a deep clean of our home and work spaces, a well as our energetic environment. 1. PLAN For me, it must ALL start with planning! I first start out  by printing...

The Dark Moon & New Moon are not the same and can be explained differently through astronomy and astrology. During this phase in which the moon is closest to the sun and unable to reflect the light in our direction. Oftentimes, the sun and moon, being located on the same side of the Earth, may be seen setting together in the evening sky before going completely dark. They can also conjunct in the same zodiac sign and/or astrological house. Description & Definitions Dark Moon - The sun and moon are conjunct, meaning the moon is directly between the Sun and Earth. This gives us complete darkness on our visible side of the Moon. (Not observed by all as a phase; combined with New Moon) 1-3 days prior to the lunar cycle Sun & Moon precisely conjunct Introspection Shadow work Divination Meditation End/ Rid/ Detox/Heal/ Rest New Moon - The first glimpse of a waxing crescent moon can be sighted. A slight sliver bringing on the new cycle of the moon. Believe in new po...

As cooler winds blow in and the daylight lessens, we can see the end of summer upon us. It is time to say goodbye to the solar energy that radiates over the Earth during the light half of the year. The same should be done for the energy in your home and personal spaces. The foggy and crisp part of the year brings a calmness still enough to make you confront the skeletons in your closet. Clean & Declutter Smoke cleansing and smudging are my top choice for natural cleaning. I also like to use a sage or rosemary essential oil with a simple vinegar/water solution to cleanse my surfaces and things around my home, work, and spiritual spaces. Ritual Detox Bath A deep physical cleanse of the body through a rich bath of salts and bentonite clay can pull out toxins and stagnant energy. In preparation of this introspective season exfoliate with intent to remove the dirty parts of yourself you no longer wish to carry. Purge Negative Influence If ...

          A child's emotional responses are almost always genuine based on the fact that they cannot yet fully comprehend the exact nature of what they are feeling. Whenever discipline is being enforced in our household, the oldest girls often respond with outlandish claims against their father and me. For example, I don't love them if I don't let them watch YouTube.            When my oldest throws a temper tantrum, our home can become a war zone. Toys are tossed across the room, craft projects are hastily shredded into confetti, and she makes sure the whole neighborhood knows how much disdain she has for her parents. It takes a lot for me not to stir up a spat with my toddler.           Being the only adult in the situation, it is my responsibility to keep myself under control. I have to step back, take a deep breath, put my emotions to the side and talk myself through the situat...

We all know the old playground rhymes, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” How about, “I’m rubber and you’re glue. Whatever you say to me, bounces off and sticks to you.” These were defense mechanisms against teasing when I was little. I’m sure they still are. I am very sensitive to how much input my brain is getting at one time. Noise is my biggest trigger. “I can’t hear myself think!” is a common declaration I make on a regular basis. Even a happy atmosphere can become overwhelming; joyful children’s music alongside their screams of excitement and giggles of delight, can quickly turn into chaotic desire to scream “SHUT UP!” to the world. But the only ones to hear this cry of anger are the children. They will process it as them being the reason for your misery, since they cannot see inside your mind and wouldn’t understand it anyway if they could. It pains me to admit, being verbally cruel to my children, even unintentionally, has been an ...

              Correcting bad behavior, however you have decided discipline takes form in your home, must be consistent. Administering empty threats and endless ultimatums to our children will lead them to believe we’re lying about the consequences of their actions. For it is the parent’s behavior which is unstable and unpredictable. Especially if you lose your cool frequently. Towering over your toddler yelling is only going to make him/her zone out wondering what's wrong with you or frighten them to tears. Either way, they're not learning anything from the hysterical rantings of your meltdown.                 Always get yourself calm back down first. Take a minute before you react to catch yourself: count to 10, drink some water, walk around the house, take deep breaths. Whatever you need to do for emotional preservation, do it. When you are able to peacefully interact with your child, go to them to i...

              At times when I have lost my temper, the shame and guilt prevent me from taking responsibility and discussing the situation with the girls. I convince myself that they hate me, and I have failed them as a mother. By the time I get out of self-loathing, I lie to myself that the time has passed to make amends and I should just ignore it. But know this... It's never too late to apologize to your child.  Admitting when you were wrong in your actions and behaviors teaches your child that it is okay to have intense feelings, but to also take responsibility for those feelings when they affect others. The mother and child gain some experience in humility and a greater understanding of each other that can help straighten out future entanglements. It is of utmost importance that we remember to take care to show and remind our little ones how much we love them. This love should be unconditional and infinite, extending beyond their lif...

               Just one or two days of dragging behind the daily grind, can create a week's worth of catching up on everything from bills to laundry. Prepping and planning routines for my family is a major life saver for us. I prepare meals, clothes, and activities. If I don’t simplify the number of things I need to accomplish, I usually become very overwhelmed and fail to get through the tasks at hand.  The mornings are the toughest for me, especially now that my oldest is needing to catch the bus.  I like to do a late-night sweep around the house for everyone’s necessities and pick out school clothes she needs for the following day. That way, I’m not thrown off schedule, digging in the laundry for that must-have shirt my daughter refuses to leave the hose without.  Mindful Minute: Do you experience obstacles and delays in your routine on a regular basis? Does this occur due to organization or something else?  What are so...

            Growing up, I know my family did their best to understand and be of any assistance to me and my unstable emotions, but at some point, all options run dry.                Today, my partner is willing, understanding, compassionate, and always wants to know how I’m feeling. If he observes me getting distracted in a new project, he supports me by keeping the kids busy, freeing me to indulge in a craft or project. If depression is creeping up, and I've become distant with the girls and lame in my housekeeping, he’ll wash some dishes and laundry then ask if I want help with the rest of our home. I’m blessed that this is who he is. But sometimes it may be necessary to let your family know what kind of support you need. Many of us have probably reached the point where family and friends no longer know how to help us even if we were to reach out. The help may be simply unavailable, people have t...