Mama Says Namaste Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Your Happiness Depends on You (Season 4, Episode 28) Nov 28, 2017

Show notes

Summary: In this new season, we address the 10 Essential Lessons for Life. The first one here is on attitude - that powerful thing only we can control. There are four critical components philosopher William James lays out, and we tackle them on this episode. Check out the full show notes with links at www.MamaSaysNamaste.com/podcast-attitude

Podcast Notes - It's About That…Attitude

Links Referenced in the Podcast:

Digital Nomad Summit: Juggling business and family while on the road: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B-TAj_uvOw&feature=youtu.be

William James: The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by changing his attitude. http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/william-james/

My Previous Blog Post: https://www.mamasaysnamaste.com/life-lessons-attitude/

Book Recommendations:

Wisdom Meets Passion: This was written by my father and brother and it's pretty incredible if I do say so myself! Think beyond what you know and challenge the norms - be educated in what you are going to do to make an impact on the world! http://amzn.to/2fV1UR6

37 Days of Different: If you're stuck in sameness and don't know how to get it, this sweet and easy little read is a perfect first step. Pick one and do it daily! http://amzn.to/2xqKsz5

Man's Search for Meaning: This is one of those heavy, pivotal books that shapes the way you perceive the world. Written by a holocaust survivor, Victor Frankl explores how his attitude got him through the concentration camps, and what really kept survivors alive through the darkness. http://amzn.to/2BtYhuD

Four Main Ingredients for a Happy Life:

From what has been said, we can abstract four main ingredients for a happy life, according to James:

Happiness requires Choice: the world in itself is a neutral flux of "booming blooming confusion," hence it is entirely up to us whether to view it as positive, negative, or as absent of all meaning.

Happiness requires Active Risk-taking: happiness is not produced merely by thinking or by resigning oneself to life's circumstances, but rather by taking bold risks and acting on possibilities that come from the "heart's center," the Real Self within.

Happiness involves "As-if" thinking: while we cannot prove rationally that freewill exists or that life is meaningful, acting "as if" we are free or "as if" there is an ultimate meaning in life will through that very activity produce a free and meaningful life.

Happiness often comes after a Crisis of Meaning: throughout history, the happiest people often record going through a deep depression caused by a sense of the loss of meaning…these events should not be repudiated but welcomed since only through them is the "Twice-born" sense of renewal possible.

Your challenge this week:

Own your emotions - let them roll through you. But don't become a victim. Choose happiness. Choose to move forward. Ask yourself what you can learn from this, and be the example for your children. Have them watch you do an "attitude adjustment".

Care for some Q&A? Hit us with any questions you have, and we'll send you a personal email response back and may address it on a future podcast! Simply email Ashley directly at Ashley@MamaSaysNamaste.com

And remember, if you're liking what you hear, we want to hear from you!

Subscribe, rate and review on iTunes
Post your comments/questions in the Mama Says Namaste Facebook Community
Email Ashley directly at ashley@MamaSaysNamaste.com

*Podcast music by the awesome Renee & Jeremy who cover "Put a Little Love In Your Heart" by Jackie DeShannon. Props to both of them for this beautiful rendition that epitomizes what I want for families!

Here come the Holidays…and Relationship Drama (Season 3, Episode 27) Nov 21, 2017

Show notes

Season 3, Episode 27

Here come the Holidays…and Relationship Drama

Do you feel the relationships in your life are what makes it all worthwhile, or are you stuck in the feeling of dread and obligation dealing with toxicity and resentment?

This is the final wrap-up for Season Three on the Mama Says Namaste Podcast. In this series, my husband Nathan and I focused on how to clear the clutter not just from your home, but also your head and your heart to create that space for clarity and connection.

Join us and dive in to "The Minimalist To-Do List!"

Let's talk about family time. We're headed into the holidays, and this oftentimes means you're surrounded by family… Are you excited about that, or dreading it?

It's okay to not be in love with your family all the time.

First, let's get one thing clear - no family is perfect. Even for us, as we speak to and coach families on living with intention, love and connection, it doesn't mean every aspect of our family life is perfect. And, like everyone else out there listening, we have family we don't quite jive with. They aren't RVing the states with us full-time, either!

Holly said: And as far as crazy families go, I think it's an important thing to acknowledge. So many people go around trying to build this perfect persona and it's alienating. Part of connecting is sharing our imperfections. We make the best of what we have. We learn the lessons that are given to us. And we use that to help others work through their own struggles. It just takes one interaction to change someone's life.

We aren't all perfect. And sometimes it doesn't even have anything to do with someone being toxic…it's just not someone you can relate to for any other reason than simply a blood relation.

So in this podcast, we're going to discuss those three types of people you may not be the most excited about through the holidays.

Uncle Vibe - and it's not your vibe
Grandma Nancy - negative Nancy/Debbie downer
The Storm - Toxicity at it's best

Here are some solutions for navigating the holidays:

How to navigate your passive aggressive relatives:

https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/how-to-navigate-your-passive-aggressive-relatives/?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3636&recip_id=51812

Be proactive in your conversations - you lead the way

Be careful of your surroundings

Don't engage in the negativity

Treat them like they are your kids

Check out the header at www.MamaSaysNamaste.com

Set the expectation - with your partner and with your children - what is your exit strategy? What is expected of your kids to take personal responsibility?

On that note, this isn't a time to micromanage your children: https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/how-to-deal-with-those-inevitable-parenting-power-struggles-this-holiday-season/

Defrag after the event - talk about what worked, what didn't, and what you learned for next time. Do this with the whole family.

Don't try to change them, enlighten them, or move mountains. It's their journey.

Let it go. Don't internalize.

These are the people you weather the seasons with, and although you don't choose to spend a lifetime by their side, they come in and out of your life, and you get to determine how much they affect you and your family.

Then, there is the storm - these are the extremely toxic people who, for some reason or other, are still present in your life.

The Storm - Toxicity at it's best

What does toxic behavior really look like?

But what good does a toxic relationship do – in this life or beyond? Do we take it with us? Do we take any of this stuff on Earth with us?

There are people we all know that we hold on to, and my challenge to you is to look at what it is doing for your own organic growth.

Do they lift you up?

Do they motivate and inspire you?

Are they creating a positive energy for mutual growth, or do they bring you down?

Are they simply blood-related so you force a relationship because they have a specific title, like mother or brother?

Look at the relationship free from all titles, agendas, expectations and obligations. Look at what you provide for each other. If there is good you have to offer one another, let it thrive. Don't force it. Don't push an agenda.

Organic growth: Allow the seeds to grow and provide the environment to foster a beautiful human being, made better because of your positive relationship. But if it is pulling you down, creating shadows over your light, robbing you of nutrients in the soil, or taking you out of your own present moment, step back a bit. Let it go.

That doesn't mean you shun and cut off all ties with people who are a negative drain or energy zapper. It simply means you create clear boundaries – you separate yourself and spend your focused time in the light, growing and thriving so that you can spread the love while not being in the shadows.

Don't run from negative relationships. I'm not telling you that every bad seed dies off or every negative connection is one to avoid. Author Jim Rohn says "you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." I'm simply saying to use your time wisely. To grow organically you need to protect yourself from that which zaps your own growth. So don't allow toxic relationships to creep in. Don't stew on an agenda for what this relationship should look like. Love. Live. Let go.

Want to ensure YOU are not the toxic person? If you'd like to learn more about your beautiful strengths and potential weaknesses and triggers for toxicity, read more about the Namaste Personality Snapshots here.

Season 4 - what to expect: coming up…the 10 Essential Lessons for Life!

And remember, if you're liking what you hear, we want to hear from you!

Subscribe, rate and review on iTunes
Post your comments/questions in the Mama Says Namaste Facebook Community
Email Ashley directly at ashley@MamaSaysNamaste.com

Does It Drain You Or Sustain You (Season 3, Episode 26) Nov 14, 2017

Show notes

Are your life tasks completely dragging you down, where you feel like your life is more running errands and admin tasks instead of really enjoying your family or having a social life? Life tasks can engulf your life. Yet, our perspective and what we prioritize can make a dramatic shift in how those tasks are incorporated into the life we want to live.

Welcome to Season Three on the Mama Says Namaste Podcast. In this series, my husband Nathan and I focus on how to clear the clutter not just from your home, but also your head and your heart to create that space for clarity and connection.

Join us and dive in to "The Minimalist To-Do List!"

Life Tasks

Do your tasks drain you or sustain you?

Here is the curve ball. With everything else – career, finances, family, personal development, etc, you can see how this is a compartment of your life. Then we get to this one – life tasks? What is this, you ask? This is everything. Updating your website, cleaning your house, taking your child to the dentist, fixing dinner, budgeting and planning, wiping butts and noses, checking in on grandma, and putting gas in the car.

These are the essentials – the daily living tasks that take up time and may be tedious. However, they are necessary parts of your life. Tasks are the never-ending to-do lists that come from living, and they are required to maintain your lifestyle. You can't ignore paying the mortgage or getting groceries, yet we don't really set aside one area of our lives to devote to these crazy "honey-do" lists. This is the epitome of where life bleeds into every compartment and shows that we can't just box up each area of our lives and keep them perfectly separated. We run errands and everything happens at once.

No compartments; tasks make it flow!

• Make time for space in your schedule

Allow for a reboot - create a blank slate in your life

schedule rest time for everyone in your family - not just the kids

Add in aspects of your life on your errands - park the furthest from the store and walk the parking lot. Lug all the groceries as your "weight-lifting". Find your zen as you take a deep breath with your kid who's having a meltdown. Look up from your phone. Look people in the eyes and acknowledge them as an interesting human being.

You have the power of choice on how you perceive every aspect of your life.

Clearly communicate those necessary things that stress you out - it may be that your partner is more than happy to take it over (ie grocery shopping).

"How Confirmation Bias Kills Marriages": https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/how-confirmation-bias-marriage-fights-arguments/

The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live. Flora Whittemore

Life Tasks Bring It All Together

Those little tasks can drain us…or sustain us. Our to-dos can be something we dread, or a necessary part of life that allows us to incorporate all the areas that really are essential. Instead of muscling through tasks, change your perspective on them. Remember how to let go of the overwhelming feeling of having too much on your plate. Break it down. Remember, then, that as you go about the necessary to-dos, you have the opportunity to incorporate so much of your life to them. Be aware of the moment and what you can capture. You can grow emotionally, mentally, socially, physically – all through embracing the moment – and the task – as it comes.

Enjoy this life. Don't let it be a chore or always a challenge. Make space for fun in your life. Play and connect with others, and focus on truly living.

The love, joy, kindness and peace in my soul sees, honors, respects and adores the love, joy, kindness and peace in yours. Namaste.

Care for some Q&A? Hit us with any questions you have, and we'll send you a personal email response back and may address it on a future podcast! Simply email Ashley directly at Ashley@MamaSaysNamaste.com

And remember, if you're liking what you hear, we want to hear from you!

Subscribe, rate and review on iTunes
Post your comments/questions in the Mama Says Namaste Facebook Community
Email Ashley directly at ashley@MamaSaysNamaste.com

It's not a habit - it's intimacy (Season 3, Episode 25) Nov 07, 2017

Show notes

Season 3, Episode 25

It's not a habit - it's intimacy

Don't create habits. Create something positive that is missed in your routine when it's absent. Get intimate - with your connection to your own body, with your partner, and making connections with friends that feed your soul.

Welcome to Season Three on the Mama Says Namaste Podcast. In this series, we will focus on how to clear the clutter not just from your home, but also your head and your heart to create that space for clarity and connection.

Join me and dive in to "The Minimalist To-Do List!"

Tasks: They Are Taking Over My Life!

Life Is Messy, and Tasks are Always Present

Just to reiterate, if I were to break life up into different components, it would go something like what follows. Yet even in separating this out, you will see that life simply is. In our unschooling world, we don't split subjects up into math, English and science; we incorporate it all into life skills that blend them together.

Think of this concept as we dive in – here are the areas of our lives again that I brought up last week:

• Work

• Finances

• Family

• Spiritual/Emotional

• Personal Development

• Physical

• Social

• Life Tasks

Picking up where we left off…

Physical

So…in the midst of wrangling children, getting work done, and the endless to-do list, let me guess: working out is pushed to the back burner. I completely feel you. I have been there, and with my workaholic tendencies, I am guilty of sitting in one spot and realizing I haven't eaten, much less worked out, all day.

What does exercise give us? Many of us completely dread it. But guess what – there are a gazillion and one ways to be physically active, and many have nothing to do with hitting the gym. It's not about doing a traditional workout. When I say "physical" is important, it's the fact that with TVs, computers, cars and more, we have the ability to set on our butts day in and day out – and what does it give us?

• Weight Gain

• Fatigue

• Depression/Moodiness

• Low Self-Esteem

• Higher likelihood of injuries (unused muscles/bones mean more likely to get hurt)

• I could go on and on with a list of negatives, but that's not my style

Instead, let's get to the why and the how. You know all the perks of being physical – getting more energy, feeling great about yourself, being healthier because you are aware of and taking care of your body, etc.

Own this and make it fun

This is not drudgery. It isn't something that you have to have animosity toward. This is your body; your beautiful shell that holds all the magnificence inside. It's your piece of art that you can decorate any way you want. Getting out and getting physical does so much for your own confidence and energy, plus it's an excellent way to connect with others. Here are some ideas on how to get physical outside of the traditional gym model. Add these in to life. You don't have to carve out two hours for the gym. Set a timer on your phone or calendar alerts to go off every hour or two, and add in the little energy boosts to get your heart rate up. Do squats while you brush your teeth. Pushups while the coffee brews. Push yourself to not simply observe your kids playing tag, but to join them.

Stop, drop, and give me twenty. Nathan and I do 100 pushups a day. Insane? Possibly. But when you set breaks throughout the day to stop and do 15-20 at a time, you not only allow your brain a break and your body an energy boost, but you can accomplish something much bigger by the end of the day. It is so important to allow for those breaks in your day. A shift in focus from work – or kids – to something that makes you feel strong, energized and motivated can be what gets you over that midday hump.

Shift your mindset - love your body and embrace the effort you put into it instead of beating yourself up.

Sex is as essential as exercise. Sex and physical touch is just as critical to your intimate relationship as exercise is to your relationship with your body.

Don't create habits. Create something positive that is missed in your routine when it's absent.

Social:

There are a lot of interesting people who are waiting to be invited. Don't sit back and wait. Invite them.

Ah, the black hole of nothingness for parents of young children. No matter how social you are, adding in a new baby or a toddler going through yet another "phase", and you have a recipe for all baby, no social life. Babysitters are expensive – you can end up spending $100 simply by being out of the house for a few hours, not counting the restaurant and movie tickets.

I know how impossible it can be to maintain a social life when you are feeding a little human every two hours. There are times in our lives where we do go into a bit of survival mode. There is only so much of us to go around, and sleep deprivation plus just the overall neediness of kids can take a lot out of you.

This is important, though. Our social circles have shrunk immensely. We're having less children and families are spread further apart (the "cousin connections" of the past isn't so common, as families spread out across the country). We have longer commutes, more and more screen time to entertain us, and the overwhelming tasks of this information-overloaded society to keep up with with.

Entrepreneur Jim Rohn says:

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

There is power in a pack. We are pack animals and community makes us stronger. When surrounded by positive relationships, studies have shown time and time again how a person's well-being increases in direct proportion to the connection with others who lift them up. There are cognitive studies showing a direct correlation between a person's well-being and their friend's – if your friends are healthy, you tend to be, too. If they are positive and upbeat, so are you. Who they are becomes a part of us.

I grew up having a select few close friends. The older I got, the more broad my friend circle grew – I had my larger social network, and my core group of powerful friendships. I stopped finding "friends of convenience" – simply pursuing relationships with anyone who may come into my life – and I've been intentional about finding community I thrive in. I've learned to be selective about my friendships and social life and not simply do everything that's out there. I don't attend a ton of social events. However, I cherish the friendships I do have, and believe each one is significant in my life right now.

Friends come and go, and that's okay!

Friends don't have to stay in your life forever. Some of my best friendships aren't the longest, but the ones where we deeply connected at a time we both needed it. There are seasons of life that will bring forth different friendships, but the point of this is that we need to be surrounded by people who encourage us, pick us up, challenge us, and make us laugh. Life needs to stay fun – otherwise, what's the point of living it? Remember to play, have fun, and connect with others for no other intention than to simply find joy and connection.

It's only what it was…when it was.

You are exposed to new worlds, new perspectives, and the fun of play with friendships. No matter what age or stage in life, friends help us along the way and are a critical part of our lives. Remember community, and remain social – this is just as important as the other areas of life.

And remember, if you're liking what you hear, we want to hear from you!

Subscribe, rate and review on iTunes
Post your comments/questions in the Mama Says Namaste Facebook Community
Email Ashley directly at ashley@MamaSaysNamaste.com

Family VIPs and the Power of Teachability (Season 3, Episode 24) Oct 31, 2017

Show notes

Join me and dive in to "The Minimalist To-Do List!"

Family

Ah, here is where the riches lie – it's all about the family, right? And, if you have children – especially young ones – you know they can suck every bit of life and energy out of you. It can be hard enough to keep things straight with one person – add in a family members and this is beyond a full-time job, and it can be super intense. How do you set aside time to enjoy family when you can't take a breath from working just to support the family? (Working from home can be a bit overrated – have you heard about the myth of multitasking?) How can you take the time to play and cuddle – you have to keep the family afloat!

Simply put, how can you not? The people under your roof – the ones you have chosen to be in communion with day in and day out – they are the human connection. Part of life is human connection – it is essential to our well-being. We can't ignore this part of our lives – we must invest in it. What is your family vision? How are you being intentional about the relationships in your life?

Prioritize your family as your VIPs

How can you make your family a priority when you are living in reaction to what life is throwing your way? Our relationships suffer when we push quality family aside for the to-do list consistently. I wrote about having your Family VIPs with some tools on how to prioritize your family. Know that this part of your life is critical.

You can spend all your time working and focusing on the money. You'll end up hoping that "one day" you'll have the time to relax and play with your family. When you finally think you're ready, your children are grown and gone. Or, it may be that the distance between you and your spouse has become irreparable. Spoiler alert – you'll never be perfectly ready, no more than you are "ready" for having a child. Life is a constant curveball. This is not a compartmentalized component of your life. Your family is your fuel for connection, and that is where we thrive.

Emotional/Spiritual

We can't disregard the need for peace. Taking care of yourself emotionally and spiritually is essential. We can't fake our way through lives, and if we have divine discontent at a soul level, we are simply a shell with no heart. How do you keep your emotional and spiritual soul alive? Are you allowing for rest, recuperation, and self-love? Every relationship you have can suffer when you are empty and depleted. Clear the clutter in your heart and soul to give way for love and regeneration.

We can get the work stuff rolling, our finances straight, and our family in sync and happy – but if you are an empty shell of depression, anxiety, anger, etc. all the rest just pales in comparison. There are legitimate issues you have to deal with, and I am a firm believe in body/mind/spirit connection. You cannot disregard the emotional, mental and spiritual aspect of your life. This is not narrowed to a religion or an exact belief you have to adhere to. It has to do with recognizing your own self worth, your significance in this world, and how much your energy impacts all around you, not limited to your own physical health. If you are emotionally distant, none of the surface even matters.

If you are looking to promote religious literacy with your children, check out Wendy Thomas Russel's book "Relax, it's just God. How and Why To Talk To Your Children About Religion When You're Not Religious" (http://amzn.to/2y90T1G)

Personal Development

In the same lines of the heart/soul component, challenging and pushing yourself in personal development is an important part of life. My education did not stop when I got my diploma. I am a life-long learner, and need to invest in this process to keep from becoming stagnant, complacent, and small-minded. There is so much growth everyday in all of nature. You can see it as a flower blooms and a toddler transforms into a teen – but it is a part of all of us. I am so thankful I don't think and live the same way I did when I was eighteen. As we get older, we tend to set this on the back burner, or choose for the doom and gloom of the news media to be our way to grow and learn about what's going on.

Be intentional about what you put into your mind, and what you choose to push you in learning new things. Go beyond the negative sensationalism and look for the help to shift your mindset. Focus on abundance, love, and that amazing connection with those people that make this life worthwhile.

And remember, if you're liking what you hear, we want to hear from you!

Subscribe, rate and review on iTunes
Post your comments/questions in the Mama Says Namaste Facebook Community
Email Ashley directly at ashley@MamaSaysNamaste.com

Which Wolf Do You Feed? (Season 3, Episode 23) Oct 24, 2017

Show notes

Work and money - they run everything, right? What part of life is really sucking you in, and what is sucking you down? Maybe it's not just about work and money. You know there is more to it than that. So how do you manage this…and shift this mindset?

Join me and dive in to "The Minimalist To-Do List!"

Our week - full of awesomeness filming for Ashley's new "90 Day Road Trip" course. Learn more about the upcoming course and some tips for your own family adventure by going to www.MamaSaysNamaste.com/familyadventure

"Never get so busy living that you forget to make a life."

What part of life is sucking you in, and what part is sucking you down?

Anxiety merely draws your attention to an illusion.

Life has a lot of moving parts

If I were to break life up into different components, it would go something like what follows. Yet even in separating this out, you will see that life simply is. In our unschooling world, we don't split subjects up into math, English and science; we incorporate it all into life skills that blend them together.

Think of this concept as we dive in – here are the areas of our lives again that I brought up last week:

• Work

• Finances

• Family

• Spiritual/Emotional

• Personal Development

• Physical

• Social

• Life Tasks

Work

Let's cut straight to the chase – this is the big kahuna that seems to dictate our lives. Work sucks all our energy. I'm talking about what pays the bills and keeps the lights on. This area of our lives can dominate everything else, especially when it's lacking. When work is sucking the life out of you, and when you are struggling to make ends meet, this can become the focus of everything.

Yikes. We can't ignore this and only set aside a tiny bit of energy to work – work needs to go beyond paying the bills and give you some pleasure as well. My father's business mission statement is to "release dreams into purposeful and profitable work…in 48 Days" – his whole business is around finding work you truly love, and planning your work around the life you want, not the other way around.

The best way to predict your future is to create it.

Find work you love -this sounds simplistic, but for something that is the fuel to get your basic needs met, don't let it suck all the life out of you. You are your own boss regardless of what job you have – take responsibility for this and make sure this aspect of your life isn't soul-sucking. If you need help finding – or creating – the work you love, my other role is within 48Days.com, where my father has written books and created valuable resources and coaching around helping people find work they thrive in.

This takes up a large portion of people's lives – even if you are a stay at home parent, this affects you – it affects your spouse who is working, and it affects the dynamics at home.

Work is an exchange of energy. Is that exchange of energy worth what you are getting out of it?

This isn't the exact commercial Nathan was talking about, but conveys the same message, and is perfect as we prepare for the holidays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ3ePGr8Q7k

Which wolf are you feeding? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__cdpyF5nLk

Bracket your time with work so you can manage and control it. The goals and ideas aren't going to just stop and wrap themselves up into a tidy bow. You have to learn to draw the line. Time block. Manage and communicate what is important to you.

If you need community to lift you up, check out www.48DaysEagles.com

Finances

Finances are stressful – add in debt and you can feel like your life is ruled by it. You become a slave to work simply to keep your head above water. It's easy to fall into the mindset of every time you see a dollar sign, it becomes a "can I afford it" scenario.

I've experienced the fear of finances, feeling like there were expenses everywhere and I couldn't afford to really enjoy anything. I know what it's like to be a slave to work and stress about how we're going to pay for everything. We got intentional with our money and we worked to get out of the hole. The biggest shift, however, came from a simple game that changed my way of thinking.

As Nathan got into the world of real estate, his mentors and coaches invited us to play this game with them, and I had a huge paradigm shift. Cashflow is an intimidating game, especially if you aren't a realtor. In the game, you switch from being in the "rat race" to being an investor, and the light bulb went off as I went from "can I afford this" to "is this a worthwhile investment?" When I shifted my perspective to that of abundance vs. simply what I could afford, I viewed it differently and created a different concept of money being my friend vs. my enemy.

Here is Cashflow for adults (http://amzn.to/2zLA6XO), and Cashflow for kids (http://amzn.to/2y2LDQs)

Give from a full cup – be abundant in your life and your mindset

Money doesn't have to be our downfall. We don't have to make it an acrimonious relationship. Money can be a tool to allow you more time, energy, and resources to give back and serve. My father has an incredible analogy here on giving from a full cup:

How to Give From A Full Cup (https://vimeo.com/152632600)

Get out of debt. Easier said than done, especially with a growing family. More mouths to feed (that oh my gosh get hungrier and hungrier as they grow), more and more day-to-day living expenses. When you don't have the surplus, it can be very difficult to move to a feeling of abundance in this area. My friend Derek Olsen has some excellent resources and advice on getting out of debt over at his site How Do I Money. It is essential to get out of the "can I afford it" mentality and look, instead, at what is a worthwhile investment. Come to this with a feeling of abundance, and remember that riches go way beyond just your income.

Nothing bleeds over into every area as much as finances. It affects our work and our feeling a slave to it, it affects our relationships, it affects our overall mentality on life. Finances are the least compartmentalized out of everything because of it's ability to dictate our psyche for every other aspect of our lives. Let's switch the perspective on it and get on top of it. Let's switch to abundant thinking and living, and be stewards of our finances in a way that allows us to do more, be more, and give so, so much more to others – beyond the finances to the time and energy it affords us as well.

Picture of our broken drive shaft day: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10105505900348455&set=a.10101045871556905.2751335.9407091&type=3

And remember, if you're liking what you hear, we want to hear from you!

Subscribe, rate and review on iTunes
Post your comments/questions in the Mama Says Namaste Facebook Community
Email Ashley directly at ashley@MamaSaysNamaste.com

Head Clutter and The Chaos of Overwhelm (Season 3, Episode 22) Oct 17, 2017

Show notes

Join me and dive in to "The Minimalist To-Do List!"

Learn more about our upcoming course and some tips for your own family adventure by going to www.MamaSaysNamaste.com/familyadventure

Educational apps and games we've been playing at home:

Reading Eggs (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/homer-kids-learn-to-read-app/id601437586?mt=8&at=1000lqxe)
Kahn Academy (www.KahnAcademy.org)
Homer (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/homer-kids-learn-to-read-app/id601437586?mt=8&at=1000lqxe)
Uno (http://amzn.to/2yfNJzT)
Dutch Blitz (http://amzn.to/2gulLqX)
Clara's website is www.ClaraLogsdon.com "Creativity CLARAfied"

Have you felt like this?

"This morning I realized that I can no longer recall a time in my adult life that I wasn't behind on all the things I needed/wanted to do. I don't remember getting to a point where I felt like I had caught up and could safely do nothing. Even if I get caught up on the immediate needs like housework or work goals, there are always self-improvement or home-improvement projects, things I've been wanting to do with my family, career related study, etc. Every day it feels like I wake up behind in the race.

That's not to say I'm always doing something productive. But at the times I'm doing nothing productive, I'm choosing to do nothing over doing something, whether it's because I'm exhausted or unmotivated or whatever. But I always have to actively decide to be unproductive over all the things I "should" be doing, and that usually comes with guilt.

This is not healthy. Anybody have any books or talks or tips on how to change this mindset?"

Of course, immediately he started getting responses. These were not solutions, however, but affirmations that this was not just him, but so many of us that feel the same way.

It's the allowing that is the flow of the river…and that's how you get cruising.

"I would love to flow like the river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding." John O'Donahue

We have multiple areas of our lives that have to be assessed:

• Work/Finance

• Family

• Emotional/Spiritual

• Personal Development

• Physical

• Social

• Life Tasks

Those "life tasks" at the end are all of the housekeeping to-dos, repairs, errands, day-to-day life requirements that eat up a ton of time and energy. Everyone dreams of a personal assistant because this one area alone could easily eat up your whole day, every day.

So how do we keep from just having that feeling of overwhelm all the time?

Six Tips to Eliminate Overwhelm

Here are the biggies for me, to ensure you don't feel behind all the time.

1: Prioritize

Recommended Read: The One Thing by Gary Keller (http://amzn.to/2xrsRSt)

Stop multi-tasking and do one thing with excellence. It's amazing what you can accomplish with that incredible focus

Create Your Priorities – look at what REALLY has to be done. Sometimes, we create a to-do list of so many things, and then we realize that it may not all be necessary. I've stressed out looking at a full day of errands, and the more I break it down, realize that there was only ONE of the many things on my to-do list that really needed to be done that day. Breaking it down into bite-size pieces and asking myself, "is it necessary at this moment?" Really helped.

2: Obliterate Obligation

Okay, there is a time and place for obligation. Sometimes going out of your way for someone you love is worth it to see the happiness on their face, even if it's not your favorite thing. Some obligation is okay. But when obligation takes over, you can twist down into a spiral of people-pleasing that is a bottomless pit. If you start to notice that everything you do all day is based on making someone else happy, it's time to seriously check yourself. You are not in charge of anyone else's happiness – that is their's to own. Spread love, fill some buckets, but ensure you are looking at what is critical for you to move forward beyond just meeting everyone else's needs. My mother swears by the book "When Pleasing Others is Hurting You" (http://amzn.to/2xyfzJ2)

3: Underpromise, Overdeliver

Be careful what you commit to, and ensure you can really follow through. If you can't show up on time, don't say you can. Don't accept a project if your plate is already full. Don't commit to a deadline that is going to require you to forfeit eating and sleeping to meet it.

"I have a commitment". Don't feel pressure to respond immediately - say "let me check my schedule and get back with you" so you aren't making a decision under pressure.

It's okay to say no - provide another resource so it's not just no, but you offer a solution.

4: Wiggle Room

Allow for wiggle room. Don't overcommit your day so there is no down time. We all need rest and we need time to create, process, and think. Don't jam pack your day where it's a marathon. That is a sure-fire way to create burnout. Don't live for that one day when you can rest again. Intentionally allow that down time every day so you aren't running on fumes.

On that whole "productive" concept. Let me get one thing straight: Rest IS productive.

Don't negate your down time. It's critical to your health, both mentally and physically. Give yourself grace to veg.

Recommended Read: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (http://amzn.to/2yy1Lhx) Give your creativity a name and spend time with it. Invite it into your life, and sit with it every day.

Creating a Haven of Peace: When Your Feeling Down, Finances Are Flat, and Tempers Are Rising by Joanne Miller (http://amzn.to/2xpQyzv) This is Ashley's family story written by her mother, with great insights in creating that haven of peace in your home.

5: Timeblock

Schedule the fire out of your day. We've found flex time during the middle of the day is fine, but the morning and the evening have such a huge impact on how our days can get away from us.

Do you want to be a human "being" or a human "doing"?

Recommended Read: The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr. This is such an incredible book to ensure you are really performing at your peak by being fully present in what you are doing at that moment.

The bane of many entrepreneurs is our ability to work anytime we want…which means we are always working and doing "just one more thing." Those "just one more things": checking facebook, answering another email, doing one more edit, etc are all areas where the day can get away from us. Your "one thing" can take you down a four hour bunny trail.

Schedule your work time, and your play time. Do these with the same priority level. My nightly date with Nathan is just as important as my podcast interview. Don't negate the importance of life beyond work. We want to really live, not simply trudge through. Enjoy this life, and make that a critical component of your day.

6: Bookend Your Day

On that note, bookending our day has been huge. We prep our coffee in the evenings so it's ready to go. Our family agrees on what we are going to have for breakfast so it's no shock in the morning. Nathan and I discuss the night before what we need to accomplish the next morning.

Set your goals based on the feeling behind them, not just the lofty goal. What is the emotion behind it all?

Recommended Read: The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte (http://amzn.to/2kxSjoi). This book rocked me with the concept of one thing: "What is the feeling behind the goal you set?" This is fabulous in writing or audio, and was a pivotal book in directing my life of travel.

Your Life Is Your Responsibility

Like I've written so many times, we are in charge of our lives. We have the power to create with intention, or live in reaction.

When we are consistent and stick to a schedule, we find we feel way more in control of our lives – living with intention and not just reacting as life passes us by.

Share below what things help you gather your thoughts, or why you think this won't work for you. Let's dive in! If you are overwhelmed, the first step is to identify what is overwhelming, and then look for those little things you can do to move forward. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and I'll respond to every one.

How to live without saying a word: A Lesson In Awareness (Season 3, Episode 21) Oct 10, 2017

Show notes

Join me and dive in to "The Minimalist To-Do List!"

Be sure to check out the Personality Snapshots for the whole family. http://www.mamasaysnamaste.com/personality-snapshots/

Imagine putting an end to toddler meltdowns, bedtime battles, temper tantrums, power struggles and angsty teens…not by demanding it stop, but by having a deeper understanding of the root of what's going on with your child.

Special bonus - if you order before Wednesday, October 11, 2017, you will get a personalized video from yours truly on the top three things that will help to motivate and encourage your child based on their unique personality style.

It's our 1 year "nomadiversary"! Learn more about our travels at www.MamaSaysNamaste.com/familyadventure

Announcing winners! Get involved! When you review our podcast, share a blog post or podcast, or comment and engage on Facebook on the Mama Says Namaste page (https://www.facebook.com/MamaSaysNamaste/), group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MamaSaysNamaste/), or Unschooling Families group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnschoolingFamilies/), you always have the chance to potentially win some goodies.

Our Quiet Experiment: Refer back to last week's post, www.MamaSaysNamaste.com/senses under the "sound" section - there is a podcast episode on "Quiet" - go back and check it out.

Lessons learned:

A child embraces the quiet and mimics the silence
Two others filled the space with their own words.
How often do we feel the pressure to answer/respond to every single thing? Sometimes kids ask questions just to talk, but don't really care. Or they ask a question and they can figure out the answer on their own. Not responding to every single comment/question with your child allows the opportunity for them to process out loud and figure out their own conclusions. Allow space for processing.
It got much quieter - the kids immediately started whispering more. The next morning, it was super chill. Less fighting, way less demands, and more quiet play.
Less is more - there was a lot of talking done that was unnecessary. Hold back more and not dive into a lecture.
Encourage silence and connection in other ways.
Conversation is such a deep way of connecting…yet…holding back and observing - to be quiet, aware, and notice before plunging forward…can make such an impact on what all you soak in.
It helped us to be more intentional about what was said. What was worth voicing, fighting for, pointing out?
It was hard not talking as a couple after the kids went to bed - we went back to the Pillow Play app (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pillow-couples-intimacy/id1060044689?mt=8&at=1000lqxe ) - one of the first episodes we did was simply looking into one another's eyes for an extended period of time.

Take a quiet walk and use "Scatter Vision" - The Way of the Scout: A Native American Path to Finding Spiritual Meaning in a Physical World (http://amzn.to/2gs7kDy) - Nathan has been reading this to the girls and they love learning how to live in nature and really be one with it.

Positive non-sexual touch - touch your children. Help them to learn what positive touch is that has no sexual agenda. They learn how to differentiate what is okay…and not okay.

Awareness at home:

"Be aware of your surroundings."

Here are some tips for bringing awareness into your home:

• When you walk into a room, come in silently. Observe what is going on around you. If someone is talking, wait until they are finished before you speak.

• Take turns – for every story you tell, comment you have to make, etc., allow the chance for someone else to give back to you with their own voice. Don't compete…complete.

• For every complaint, come up with five positives that you are grateful for right at this very moment. Check out Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day (http://amzn.to/2yaikxj). The more you speak it, the more it becomes your reality. Remember the law of attraction.

• You have the right to feel any and every emotion. Voice it and get it out. But don't dwell on it. Don't allow it to become you – create the energy you want to have, and allow that to direct your day, instead of the reaction to a negative energy. The last thing we need in the midst of our struggle is shame for being human (Brené Brown). Don't bring someone else down - what good does it do for anyone?

• Be open to learning new things from anyone you meet. When hard times hit, ask "what does this make possible?" What can you learn - you have the opportunity to learn something from everyone.

• Take in the moments. Be present. Stop planning for the future or dwelling in the past. What's done is done, and what is tomorrow can wait until tomorrow. Be present in the second that is right now. Close your eyes and take it in. Wait to worry.

Anxiety merely draws your attention to an illusion. You are HERE. You are PRESENT. You are HOME.

• Before you dive into dinner as a family, observe a moment of silence. Regardless of your religion (or lack thereof), taking a moment of silence before you eat allows you to reflect on your life with gratitude, listen to the peace and calm that begins your evening, and resets and recharges everyone with an equal energy of meditation. I was amazed at how simple this was and what a difference it made in our dinnertimes. We started with just ten seconds of silence and are building it up to potentially 2 minutes. They forget what they were complaining about or acting crazy about, and simply soak in the silence. It's magical.

A lot of these have been inspiration from different books I'm reading lately – check out my recommendations on my book list – I've been reading/listening to a ton this year that have really rocked my world. For an excellent parenting book, check out Simplicity Parenting (http://amzn.to/2g2AaNZ)

Beware of signposts - it's not the destination. It simply states what is coming, but our experiences with it will all be very different. Don't throw it all out if one part doesn't resonate. Learn through your own filter, and look for the lesson in everything.

CONTEST: This week we're having fun with memes on FB - I'm a sucker for them, and we'll be picking 1 winner to get a free audible download of Simplicity Parenting. Hop over to the Mama Says Namaste Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MamaSaysNamaste/) and share yours!

Weekly Challenge: What are some rules for your household? Not things like "no jumping on the couch" – I'm talking principles to live by to become the people you want to be!

And remember, if you're liking what you hear, we want to hear from you!

Subscribe, rate and review on iTunes
Post your comments/questions in the Mama Says Namaste Facebook Community
Email Ashley directly at ashley@MamaSaysNamaste.com

Can your soul breathe? Engaging the senses Oct 03, 2017

Show notes

Clutter confines us - so much more than just the actual space, but the energy it brings. Can your should really breathe? Does your home feel light or heavy? Feng Shui isn't the only answer - how can you engage all the senses to allow for your save haven in your home?

Join me and dive in to "The Minimalist To-Do List!"

Implement and Act: Engaging the senses and building feng shui – how to create a house that is light and lifts you up.

Real Artists Don't Starve - Jeff Goins book - what scene are you creating around you? And how much does your location feed in to your sense of home? Find and create a scene that fits you and who you are. http://amzn.to/2g3GjpV

Click here to get a great overall summary of Feng Shui: https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-feng-shui-1275060

Check out this week's blog post and get your free printable for engaging the senses. Grab this free printable and put it up as the wallpaper on your computer, save to your phone, or print it off and put it up. www.MamaSaysNamaste.com/senses

Sight - LED candles, real candles - set the vibe. Look at how you display your food - the presentation of meals and snacks sitting out.

Allow for a rainbow of color in your life. Bring it in through your food, natural elements, etc. Be creative and make things visually pleasing to the eyes. Ask your kids, "Is this a rainbow meal?"

Sound - pay attention to nature. Play music - different themes. But also remember the importance of silence.

Listen to the blank spaces between people's words - how does that add into it? It makes you pay attention to what they're doing and who they are in a different way.

Waterfalls, windchimes, adding bird feeders to bring the birds in to sing. (We love these Corinthian Bell wind chimes: http://amzn.to/2xU5Prj)

Nathan's "spirit animal" must be the owl - it comes up time and time again! http://www.spiritanimal.info/owl-spirit-animal/

And, learn more about the cool Barred Owl here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/id

Smell - your sense of smell is a real memory bank for you. Experiment and play with that and see what memories you can recreate, or how it can create a vibe of togetherness.

Taste - how does a tea or cappuccino affect your mood? Healthy snacks to keep up your energy.

With your kids - have healthy options available. Make the healthy stuff easy access. Our kids eat healthy simply because that is what is available. We don't want to say no to our kids all the time. Surround them with good and healthy food. Sometimes pure, natural flavor to their pure, natural palettes will surprise you - so allow them to really experience all kinds of food.

Taste - what feels good to you - the power of personal touch as well as the physical things in your home. Soft blankets, clothes, etc.

Intuition - is the energy in your home heavy, or light? Soothing, or cold? Sometimes this is overshadowed by what our society tells us is "clarity", but that may have nothing that works for us. What does our intuition say? What makes you feel comfortable, creative, focused?

How can you make your life lighter? How can you allow it to flow? It's okay to let things go.

Try completely clearing an area. Feel it empty. Be very intentional about what you put back in to it.

With every thing, simply ask yourself why are you keeping it?

• What is it's significance?

• Can you hold the memory without the item?

• Is there someone else who would enjoy it?

• What would you be without this in your life? (hint – if the answer is, it doesn't matter in the slightest, then chances are you should purge it).

It's amazing how much clutter can affect your mood. I am all about sweet things that make a house feel like home – but sometimes less is so much more.

It allows your soul to breathe.

Weekly challenge: Allow yourself open spaces where your spirit can soar. Start in the bedroom and see how you are engaging the senses. Focus on a room at a time and see what you can awaken. Get the "Engage the Senses" printable at www.MamaSaysNamaste.com/senses and post your pictures of your space and ideas in the Mama Says Namaste Facebook group!

Where is your most peaceful place in your own home?

And remember, if you're liking what you hear, we want to hear from you!

Subscribe, rate and review on iTunes
Post your comments/questions in the Mama Says Namaste Facebook Community
Email Ashley directly at ashley@MamaSaysNamaste.com

Clutter Is Simply A Postponed Decision Sep 26, 2017

Show notes

Let's get to the nitty-gritty of what most people think of with minimalism - clearing out that clutter from your house! We focus on clear actionable steps you can take now to reduce the mess and allow for space. We talk about how to clear it out…and KEEP it out so you have the blank space for your soul to breathe.

Join me and dive in to "The Minimalist To-Do List!"

First off, check out the Family Adventure Podcast and our guest interview! And if you want to hop over to our page with all kinds of resources (including this interview, go to www.MamaSaysNamaste.com/familyadventure

We aren't looking for this perfect ideal of blank space where we bring nothing in. It's okay to have things that bring you joy, and to hold on to things for a time. But like the quote says, make a decision and put a time limit on it. If you hold on to something for "one day" and years go by, it's not happening. Do an annual assessment of what you're holding on to.

The 80/20 rule. Don't be such a die-hard that it stresses you out and you can allow for no flexibility. So 80% of the time, stay true with what lines up for you - being vegan, a minimalist, whatever. And 20% of the time, it's okay to change that up a bit - don't be so strict in your rules that you won't bend to accommodate another. Especially when it comes to what brings someone else joy, like gift-giving.

On the topic of gift-giving, look beyond a physical gift and think about experiences or consumables that don't take up space.

Trim your clutter back to what is needed and used - do you really need the WHOLE cooking set? Five spatulas? Do you need to hold on to items that are a gadget that is used only once a year? How many things take up space in our house for the sake of saving a few minutes in the preparation process?

Start small. Start with the junk drawer. Do you really need to hold on to every screw and electronic cord? How expensive is it in the "one day" event that you may need it?

Completely clean the area - make it all bare. Start with a clean slate. Then only put out what is essential. If it's something you don't use frequently, you don't need to have it all out on display. Allow for some blank space for your eyes to rest - the same as reading a book.

Contest - free Family VIPs printable for anyone who writes a review on iTunes this week!

Who are your VIPs? Are you holding on to fancy items waiting for who is "worthy" of you using them?

It's okay to keep the sentimental things - but how many do you really need? A great way to remember without accumulating a ton is to take a picture. Try out ChatBooks (get code)

Sort your things into:

Keep - you use it regularly, it brings great joy to someone in your family.
Trash - take a picture if it's special, and that may be nicer than holding on to a glitter-laden huge poster.
Thrift - practical, but not necessary…like having 5 spatulas.
Gift - maybe it's something someone has admired in your home or it has a good story - and it's even more special because it came from your home that you cherished. It's even okay to (gasp) re-gift. Pass it on to people who really enjoy them. That doesn't mean you just turn around and get rid of things, but sometimes they stay with you for a season and then it's time to pass it on.

Finally - go on a spending freeze! Once your space is clean, don't use this as permission to go out and bring more in. Ask yourself "what it the goal for that item? What will it bring back in to my life?" When you bring one thing in, maybe that's when you eliminate 2-3 items you already have.

Don't let things limit your experience. If your children's clothes make you stressed for them to play and explore, are you holding them back from free play? It can be so fun to play dress-up. But when they are so fancy you have to sit prim and proper, it can truly limit you. Or you have so many outfits, your mind is spent just making a decision on what to wear.

The Power of Full Engagement - the more you trim choices down, the more clear and vibrant your decision-making will be.

Sleep on your decision-making. If you don't touch it in six months, give it to someone else who would enjoy it. Sell quality items to save up money for the events you could do instead.

Check out even more here: http://www.mamasaysnamaste.com/the-minimalist-to-do-list/

Look for ways to clear clutter, and focus more on one another.

And remember, if you're liking what you hear, we want to hear from you!

Subscribe, rate and review on iTunes
Post your comments/questions in the Mama Says Namaste Facebook Community
Email Ashley directly at ashley@MamaSaysNamaste.com

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