My Inner Shakti

finding strength in everyday things

Five on a Friday

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It’s been a week, y’all! A good week but a tiring one. That’s mostly due to the fact that I got the latest Covid vaccine and the flu shot on Monday. I didn’t end up feeling horrible or anything like that…just worn out. Butttt…glad to be protected!

In other news, Kaiden’s going on his very first field trip today! I’m so excited for him to have all of the experiences I loved as a kid. I can’t wait to see him after school and hear all about it, or whatever I can get out of him at least!

Now, on to my five on a Friday…

ONE – The Book of Joy

I LOVE this book so much! It’s a simple read in many ways, but it’s also so profound. The way the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu break down the concept of joy is honestly…fun to read. If you’re looking for a non-fiction book that makes you think, feel, laugh, all while making you feel more connected to your fellow human beings, this one is for you.

TWO – The One You’re With

In terms of fiction books, this one was a favorite of mine. I honestly can’t pinpoint exactly why, but it just sat well with me if you know what I mean. The characters, the plot, the twists…all of it came together in a way that just made sense. Again, highly recommend this one too!

THREE – Charades for Kid

Kaiden got this game for his birthday, and he played for the first time when my BIL/SIL visited a few weeks ago. EVERYONE, Kaiden + adults in the house, LOVED it. It made us laugh, forced us to be silly and creative, and made time fly! This is also a great game for kids who need to move. Sometimes, I find that the games/activities where K has to sit for a while don’t capture his attention as much. In that sense, this game is perfect for him. Get it, have fun with your family, and thank me later.

FOUR – 100 piece puzzles

Kaiden got a really cool 64 piece puzzle for his birthday that he completed recently. After seeing him working on it, I bought this 3 pack of 100 piece puzzles for an added challenge. It’s also true that I love puzzles, so this is a fun activity for us to do together. For us, puzzles are challenging and engage our problem solving, and they’re also calming and fun.

FIVE – Kaiden’s profound thought

The other morning, Kaiden and I were brushing his teeth, and I said, “Ok K, after we’re done here, let’s head downstairs to eat breakfast and do your homework (he didn’t finish it the night before).” In retort, he said, “Mommy, I can’t do both at once. I need to do one at a time.”

That hit me hard because, even though I know I shouldn’t, I’m a big multitasker. Kaiden is a lot like me in some ways, but this is one way he definitely isn’t. He’s more intentional and slower. And while he’s still working on his ability to focus (especially on homework), he is able to focus on one thing at a time. It’s annoying sometimes when you want him to move along, but it’s something I deeply admire about him.

So profound and he doesn’t even know it!

That’s all I’ve got today! I hope you have a great Friday and weekend.

Friday Stuff [#9]

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The weeks are really flying by around here. I can’t believe we only have two full weekends left in Chicago…and just as the weather is getting better too!

I had a master list of places I wanted to visit, people I wanted to see, restaurants I wanted to eat at, etc. all before we move, and I’m pretty sure I lost that list a while a go. Instead of fretting about all of that, I’m just going to try and enjoy the moments as they come. We’ll be back here in no time to visit is what I keep telling myself.

We do have a couple of fun dinners/events over the next two weeks – Gaijin with my sister, Ever with Vishnu, my sister, and my BIL, and Vishnu’s fellowship graduation dinner. Looking forward to each and every one!

Anyways, enough about the move. Let’s talk about some super random Friday stuff…

Morning routines

We used to have a pretty solid morning routine and were able to to get out the door in under an hour from the time K woke up to the time he walked into school. But now? Now it’s kind of messy. We get through most of what we need to – changing clothes, breakfast…and then everything breaks apart. He wants to stay and play, he doesn’t want to brush his teeth, he wants to draw his teacher a picture, etc. I’m not sure what happened but I’m sure my stress of meetings, calls, and work doesn’t help.

I’m telling myself it’s a phase because most things seem to be with kids, so hopefully he stops with the full on tears at some point.

I swear…it’s the minute he hears ‘no’ and his world falls apart. It’s all age appropriate, I get that, but man…it’s hard to communicate with an emotional child, especially once the tears start.

I do think that by working on my emotions during his emotional moments will help. Vishnu and I talked about a few things earlier this week that I need to just put in place and try. Wish me luck!

Meditation

I’ve written about meditation a few times before, and to be honest, my ‘practice,’ if we can call it that, has never stuck. I think I put too much pressure on myself, and I put it off until the end of the day when I’m super tired and just want to go to bed.

This time around, there’s no pressure, but a real desire to give it a try. I’m trying to get 10 minutes in for the next 30 days in a row. Just me, my timer, and my deep breaths (and a lot of unwanted thoughts as of right now!). We’ll see, I’ll share more later because I do seem to be more motivated this time around…let’s see if that sticks!

Pregnancy wardrobe

When I was pregnant with K, I was going into the office quite a bit. So I decided to buy a few neutral pieces (pregnancy jeans, black pants, and a few tops) and rent everything else from Le Tote. Great choice for that time!

This time around, I’m working from home 100% of the time, so I don’t feel justified in renting clothes. BUT, at the same time, I’m going to be super pregnant while living through the Georgia heat, so my current winter wardrobe won’t suffice the way it has in Chicago (so far!).

I’m trying not to go overboard because…two and through if you know what I mean! Essentially I’ve invested in a couple of more tops, 4-5 dresses and a pair of jean shorts. I figure if I need more, it’s all within a fingers tap…hopefully it’s enough to get me to the finish line.

What are your pregnancy wardrobe must haves? Any favorite places to shop?

Good reads

The Best Beach Reads for Summer – So many are headed to the beach this summer, and you can’t go without a book in hand. This is a great list for anyone who’s looking for a good book or two!

3 Lies They Tell You in School That Hurt You in Business – LOVED this!

Naomi Osaka Shows That Prioritizing Yourself Over A Job Is Still A Radical Act – Didn’t think about Naomi Osaka’s decision in this way, but it’s so true. Nothing is worth our health and sanity! Great read.

Happy Friday! I’m solo parenting most of the weekend since Vishnu’s on call Friday-Monday (last shifts!). We have a few playdates/meet ups and a birthday party on the agenda. Wish me luck!

Friday Stuff [#8]

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What a week! I thought all the snow we were/are getting in Chicago was/is bad, but then Texas got hit with some crazy (to say the least) weather. I’m so thankful we live in a city that’s prepped for what it faces. I can’t imagine what people in Texas are going through right now. As if Covid wasn’t enough…

Other than that, I’m really looking forward to the weekend because Vishnu and I are going on a little staycation at a local hotel in the city, and my sister and BIL are going to stay with K at our place. Vishnu’s had some crazy days lately, so at my sister’s insistence, we decided to take some time for us. It’ll be my first time leaving K in well over a year, and our first solo vacation in longer than that. Although, 2 nights away barely counts as a vacation, but it’ll be a nice short getaway nonetheless.

We’re not planning on doing much. Prob just order room service in, and if the weather cooperates, maybe go grab some coffee and go for a couple of short walks. Vishnu wants to sleep. I want to do that + read + cuddle and watch TV. Can’t wait!

Oh and we want to use the Peloton bikes at this hotel. Apparently I called to ask a few questions today, and the person I spoke with said they would bring us bikes to our room! WHAT?! I’ve never heard of that! I’ll report back on what that’s like!

Oh in other non-important news. Vishnu and I watched To All the Boys: Always and Forever last weekend. To be honest, I liked it but didn’t love it! The first one was definitely my favorite.

Also, does anyone else watch HS rom-coms and feel like their HS experience was nothing like that? I mean, I know it’s a movie, but still… They’re so mature with their feelings/language/etc. Funny!

Oh, I also finished The Nightingale this weekend. Such a beautiful, heartbreaking story…definitely keep the tissues handy. I ugly cried my way through this one!

And I’m not sure if I shared this yet, but Vishnu and I finished Schitt’s Creek a few weeks ago. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this show if you’re looking for a series to start. It took us like 8 episodes to really get into it, but once you start, you can’t stop! Definitely cried my way through the end of the last season.

That’s all I have for now! Just wanted to check-in and say hi. Hope y’all have a safe weekend. Sending all the warm vibes and prayers I can.

Friday Stuff [#7]

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It’s been a while since I’ve come on here and just shared…stuff. Like all the stuff – thoughts, plans, things, etc. That’s what this post is all about. Get excited!

So first and foremost, we’re doing well. Chicago and the state of Illinois are a bit of a Covid mess, but we’re doing ok. We don’t go anywhere, except the grocery store and to school (and Vishnu goes to the hospital), and we have no plans other than staying home for Thanksgiving. We’re ok. Not great, not completely down…just ok.

I say this because I feel like a lot of people are probably where we are right now. Usually around this time of year, we’d be going home to Atlanta or having family fly up to see us. None of that. But we’re still blessed with all that we have so trying to keep the focus on that this year.

I do have this heightened anxiety that K’s school and/or classroom is going to shut down because of Covid. Every time I get an email from his school, I go into panic mode. I’m not nervous about having him home with me (ok, maybe a little) but more so about him not being in the school environment. He loves it and thrives in it. Being at home with your working mom isn’t quite the same thing. But we’ll deal with that if/when we get there. Deep breaths!

And while I don’t have super high hopes for 2021, we do have some exciting things happening that I’ll share about soon. I also can’t wait to sit down with my new planner and fill in some key dates – birthdays, anniversaries, coaching stuff. I’m taking M-W off next week, and I plan to use some of that time to do some planning and strategizing for next year. Can’t wait!

Other than that, things are pretty much the same old.

OH! If you’re a working mom (however you define working), check out the workshop my friend Amy and I are hosting on December 4 from 12-1:30 pm CST. It’s going to be amazing. AND…we’re throwing in a FREE 1:1 coaching session with either Amy or myself for each participant.

A few books to share…

For toddlers:

Be Kind – a super cute story about the importance and impact of kindness.

Twas The Night Before Diwali – a super cute Diwali story about a little monster who visits your home to eat your mithai. We’ll definitely be reading this all year as K really loves this one!

The Celebration of Diwali – another Diwali favorite. This one is centered more around the story of Diwali and why we celebrate it. Kaiden LOVES this one!

Mama’s reads:

The Henna Artist – I’m not quite done with this one but can’t wait to sit down with it over the next few days! It’s a really captivating story!

Majesty – This is the sequel to American Royals, and I can’t wait to read this! AR had a real cliffhanger of an ending, and I can’t wait to see where this book takes us!

Well, that’s all for this Friday, folks! Have a wonderful weekend. Be safe and WEAR A MASK! 🙂

No portion of this post is sponsored.  However, affiliate links are included. There is no extra cost to you, but I do receive a small commission on anything you buy through my links.  Thank you for reading and supporting My Inner Shakti!

Friday Stuff [#6]

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Leave it to me to share a post about not blogging frequently only to blog again a couple of days later! I just can’t stay away. 🙂

With that, I thought I would share a few things that have either been on my mind or are good finds that we’re loving.

Here we go…

Parks and Recreation

I finished all seven seasons of Parks and Rec, and I LOVED every minute of it! If you’re looking for an awesome comedy series to watch (binge!), this one should be on your list. Leslie Knope for President!!

Kids Knives

I got K these Tovla knives a while ago, and the first time we tried to used them, he kept waving one of the knives in the air. A no go for a while! Then, last weekend, I let him use one to cut up some strawberries, and I think he actually enjoyed it. The look of pride on his face was priceless!

Toddler Masks

We’ve tried quite a few masks for Kaiden, and the ones that fit him the best came from…Old Navy! They aren’t super thick (but none of them are really!), but they don’t slide down his face, which is key.

Little Passports Subscription

My sister and BIL got K a Little Passports subscription for his 3rd birthday, and I must say, it’s pretty awesome. Every month, we get a new activity, along with stickers, a ‘toy,’ and an activity booklet. All catered to his age group. Kaiden loves opening his box every month, and I love how his creativity sparks every time. A great gift option!

Toddler Sunglasses

Kaiden hates anything that touches his face/head – sunglasses, hats, helmets, etc. BUT, when I realized it was ‘sunglasses day’ at school a few weeks ago, I bought these sunnies on Amazon because I didn’t want K to be the only one without a pair. 🙂 He’s worn them a few times afterwards but not quite a sunglasses lover yet.

Friends Reruns

Nothing better, am I right?! I wonder when I’ll be done with this show. Likely never! What’s a show that you never tire of?

Energy Leadership

I have to read the book, Energy Leadership, for my coaching program, and to be completely honest…I LOVE IT! It’s a really interesting read, and I think it’d be helpful for anyone responsible for leading teams, coaching people, leading a team (personally or professionally). Such powerful takeaways on every single page! Highly recommend this one!

Weekend Plans

We don’t have too much going on, except a play date with a good friend and her son, an ice cream party, and a visit to my sister’s place.

Hoping Vishnu doesn’t have to stay too late at the hospital. I want to have a wine and cheese night with him again!

Ok peeps, that’s all I have for today! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

No portion of this post is sponsored.  However, affiliate links are included. There is no extra cost to you, but I do receive a small commission on anything you buy through my links.  Thank you for reading and supporting My Inner Shakti!

Friday Stuff

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Actually got around to sharing a Friday post today! Woo hoo! It’s the little things.

I hope y’all had a good week. It’s been a good one around here…just super tiring, but I’ll get into that below.

With that, let’s get started with some Friday stuff (liking this format the most out of all the ones I’ve tried, so going to try and stick with it…feels more organized)…

Book stuff

You guys, The Silent Patient is such an engrossing book. I can’t put it down. The only issue is that I always start reading at like 9 pm when I’m already super tired. I want to keep going but literally can’t. Hopefully, I can find a good chunk of time this weekend to get through this. It’s a good one (and my IG peeps agree – got so many messages about how great of a book this is).

Speaking of books…Kaiden picked out a new to him book from his school library the other day – a Dr. Seuss book nonetheless. It looked cute, and so I started reading it. We got to the end and it took a turn for the dark side. There were hunters and guns and stuffing of animals. I stopped reading aloud at this point and silently finished the book. WHAT THE HECK!? Vishnu saw the look on my face and asked what was wrong. I told him and he confirmed that Dr. Seuss is known for dark undertones. I get that or whatever, but this was a bit much. Linking the book…just so y’all know which one to possibly avoid.

TV stuff

So after Vishnu and I finished The Americans, I didn’t pick up any new shows because I wanted to make more room for reading. However, I’m still watching This is Us and A Million Little Pieces. SO SO SO GOOD! This is Us has some off weeks, but AMLP is super on point right now. If you’re looking for shows to watch (although you’ll have to play a bit of catch-up), these are two very good ones.

Food stuff

Do you guys follow Skinnytaste? I’ve been following her for years but have only made a handful of her recipes. I decided to change that this week when I made her Kung Pao Tofu. It was so super easy to pull together (literally under 40 minutes) and delicious! I can’t say it was toddler approved because my guy only ate a couple of pieces of tofu and all the rice, but I think he’d give it another change. Me on the other hand? I sprinkled some peanuts on top and went to town! SO GOOD! Definitely a must try.

Coronavirus stuff

Ok, so I’ll admit that I was in camp ‘this will fizzle out quickly’ with everything related to the Coronavirus. Well, it turns out I was likely wrong. Listening to/reading the news this week has been a bit stress. But on the other hand, you can’t do anything but prepare. It’s not like we can live in isolation now.

BUT…this virus has made us rethink some travel we had planned this summer. Instead of going international, we’ll likely stay domestic. Sucks but beats getting quarantined and not getting home to K.

Also, on a work front, our company is relooking at ALL of the global travel on the calendar for this year. It’s all still up in the air, but some of my work travel may get impacted. We shall see!

Birthday stuff

I booked K’s birthday party a couple of weeks ago. His birthday’s at the end of June! We wanted to hold it at the place he goes for soccer and they do birthday packages. I knew if I waited, they would be booked for the weekend we want. So I went for it…5 months in advance! Craziness. But I’m so happy because I know K’s going to have a blast! Can’t wait.

Also, how is it that we’re going to have a THREE year old in a few months!?!? Again…craziness!

Skincare stuff

Ok, so y’all know I’m a HUGGGGEEE Drunk Elephant fan. Like every product I use is by them.

I still very much love them, BUT I will say that the Vitamin C serum isn’t doing anything for me anymore. I confirmed my feelings with my friend Thea (the person who got me hooked), and she agreed that with the formulation change, the effects have changed.

With that being said, I’m on the market for a new (clean) vitamin C serum. I have a few that I’m eyeing but need to get samples at Sephora first.

If you have any recs, send them my way!

Costco stuff

You need these joggers in your life! They are so comfy and soft and cute!

The best part is they ONLY $9.99 at Costco!!! A STEAL, PEOPLE!

If you’re a member, get on their website and buy now. If you’re not a member, find someone who is and get them to buy for you!

Ok, that’s it.

Getting older stuff

Old is a relative term (I’m 36) and I get that, but I’ve been noticing that physically things are just different now than they were just a few years ago.

For example, around that time of the month, I’m just so super tired. Everything is sore (even if I don’t work out too hard) and I’m just so tired I could fall asleep at like 7 pm every day.

This was never the case before. Anyone else?

Instagram stuff

This week on Instagram, I shared…

Well, that’s all from me! I hope you have a great weekend.

No portion of this post is sponsored.  However, affiliate links are included. There is no extra cost to you, but I do receive a small commission on anything you buy through my links.  Thank you for reading and supporting My Inner Shakti!

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