Expectations

A quote popped up on my Facebook newsfeed this morning that got me thinking about expectations:

As I started to consider the role expectations have on my life, I started to appreciate how maintaining expectations is actually quite a delicate balancing act. As they occur in every facet of our lives- friendships, relationships, parenthood, careers, achievements, finances etc. the complexity of this balancing act became apparent. 

As I started to look over quotes regarding expectations, most stated that expectations were the cause of all unhappiness and failures and once you release yourself from them, you are free to live a joyful life. Is this really the case? I have definitely experienced and witnessed the negative impact of expectations that haven't been fulfilled. But have also experienced the positive rewards of expecting success and happiness. 

Motherhood has been an area of life that has showed up many idealistic expectations. It was always amusing to me when childless friends spoke of how they couldn't wait to have a baby and stop working in jobs that they didn't particularly enjoy so they could go on maternity leave and go for strolls with their babies to coffee shops. I would sit there and think.... If only they knew! If only babies could be trained to feed, poo and sit quietly when appropriate. The expectations of what motherhood and children entailed couldn't have been farther from the truth. 

But unfortunately it is these idealistic expectations of parenthood that drive people crazy. One thing I have learnt about being a mother is that children are unpredictable and what you do with one child doesn't always work with the next. There are no hard and fast rules about what is right and wrong.

So why do people enter the world of parenthood with such ridiculous expectations? Why do people believe that if they 'do this' or 'do that' as according to some bogus baby book that it will create a perfect baby that eats, sleeps and does as it's told when it's told! I believe a big reason is due to the ridiculous amount of 'research' that we have access to at the touch of a button that clouds our judgement and instincts. Expectations are also warped as a result of social media. People portray their lives in a certain way and everyone else thinks they are getting 'the full picture'. But the full picture is this.... a baby cries, laughs, sleeps, stays awake, poo's or doesn't poo, gets sick, grows at unbelievable rates and when they finally learn to talk will say 'no' to everything you say! What they do from one day to the next is constantly changing. They are not predictable. This is what you should expect from parenthood. 

Expectations can also have a detrimental impact on both relationships and friendships. Expecting that they will be perfect and without complication can create a huge amount of pressure and anxiety. As well as the expectations we place on the relationship, there are the expectations we place on other people or what they can place on us. Unfortunately, these expectations are very rarely met which can lead to a great deal of disappointment, frustration and 'heartache' as Shakespeare stated! 

But in reality, if you dig deep under the surface, most people have fears, hopes, insecurities and pressures and what you do start to realise is that people portray only a very thin surface layer. Therefore, building your own expectations based on this outer layer from what other people portray as being 'ideal', is simply foolish.  

But without expectations how do we strive for something better? As a person who strongly believes in the power of setting goals, having the expectation that I am going to achieve them is what I believe to be the key ingredient. However, setting expectations high enough that will challenge you to grow and reach amazing heights, whilst keeping it in the realm of what is realistic so that you can expect it to happen, is the true challenge. It is this balancing act that can prove to be difficult. The right expectations can help you to achieve amazing things whilst the wrong expectations can negatively impact the way we experience people and the world. 

Expect that you will make mistakes, that you will have your up days and your down days- But most of all, expect that all you can be is yourself- including the good, the bad and the ugly! Not everyone will like it, and that's ok. Not everyone will understand it, but that's ok. Don't build your expectations based on what others expect of you or the role you think you should be playing based due to the expectations of others. Let expectations enrich your life and empower you to be a stronger and more authentic you.  

Another friend also posted this great little quote from Dr. Seuss:

Start off by expecting that you are going to celebrate this fact- don't ever apologise for being you!

Have a fabulous weekend :)

Tara

Winter's Back!

As much as I love the hot summer days, I also love the many things that Winter can offer- lazy movie days, spending all day in your  pj's, board games, slow cooked meals and of course.... red wine!

But as the days get colder and darker,  the little people in our house start to resemble something you might find in the wild as they start to climb up the walls and swing off the chandeliers!

It can be challenging to exhaust the energy levels and occupy children within the restraints of four walls. With three young and energetic boys and a small house, this is something I am faced with on a regular basis. 

And with school holidays quickly approaching it is time to make a decision: get prepared with some activities to keep the little monsters at bay or book yourself into a mental asylum!

So I thought I'd share some ideas that I have to keep them entertained....

1. Make play dough: Making your own play dough is inexpensive, easy and is all part of the fun! Get the kids to help measure out the ingredients. Here is a simple recipe we use in our house:

Ingredients:

* 1 cup of water

* 1 cup of flour

* 1/2 cup of salt

* 1 tablespoon cooking oil

* 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar

* Food colouring

Instructions:

Mix the flour, water, salt and cream of tartar in a saucepan over medium heat until thick.

Allow the mixture to cool and then add the oil and knead well over a floured cutting board or similar.

Divide this ball evenly into as many colours as you'd like to make.

Add food colouring to each ball until it is the colour of your choice. 

Play dough activities: 

* Create your own bakery or pizza shop.

* Create characters/ props/ scenes from well-loved storybooks and orally re-tell the story. 

* Play "Play dough Pictionary". Rather than drawing the picture, create them with the play dough. 

2. Have a movie day: Get the kids to create movie posters, tickets, food menus and fake money and create a "Cinema at Home". It is a fun way to get them to  learn about money as being creative. At the end, everyone can relax with some popcorn and watch a good family favourite (or two!). 

3. Jigsaw Puzzles: Pull out the puzzles for a quiet and educational activity. Great for all ages. 

4. Board Games: Who doesn't love board games?! Not only are they fun, but they are incredibly educational as well and not to mention it's a great way to develop social skills and teach kids how to win, lose, take turns, play fair and share. 

5. Bake: Baking is another fun way to introduce children to measurement- as well as being YUMMY! Whether it's healthy or not so healthy, baking is fun for everyone!

In the next few days I will write another post with some more ideas for keeping the sanity during winter!

Tara xxx

Tomato Relish

This year I am making time to try recipes I have wanted to give a crack for awhile. I love to cook and try new recipes, but it's so easy to get stuck in the rut of always cooking the same old meals! 

This weekend I was given a lovely big bag full of delicious home grown tomatoes. YUM! So I thought it was time to give tomato relish a shot. 

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

4 kg ripe tomatoes
1.5 kg onions
3/4 cup of salt
1.3 kg sugar
3 tablespoons curry powder
4 tablespoons mustard powder
1.7 L vinegar
1 tablespoon cornflour
Chilli flakes (not necessary and sprinkle to taste!)


Method:

1. Peel and slice onions and tomatoes. (I didn't bother about peeling the tomatoes, however, if you do wish to, it is easier if you drop them into boiling water for a minute or so first). 

2. Sprinkle salt over the tomatoes and onions and leave overnight. 

3. The next morning, drain off the liquid. There is no need to rinse.

4. Place the tomatoes and onions in a large pot and cover with vinegar. 

5. Add the sugar and bring the mixture to the boil. Boil rapidly for 5 minutes. 

6. Combine all the spices and stir into the relish mixture. 

7. Boil gently for one hour. (I did it for a lot longer as my pot wasn't overly big, so I wasn't able to boil rapidly at the beginning.) Remove scum throughout and stir frequently. 

8. To thicken the relish, add cornflour to a little water to make a smooth paste. 

9.  Add a little of the hot liquid from the relish mixture to the paste until the paste is the consistency of thin cream. 

10. Add the paste to the relish mixture and stir continuously for a few minutes until mixture thickens. 

11. Bottle into sterilised jars. 

Verdict:

I can't help myself, I never stick with the recipe! I always have to add a little of this and add a little of that! 

So whilst the relish was bubbling away, I had a little taste test. I found it was tasting overly sweet and the vinegar was overwhelming. I thought by adding a little pinch of salt it would balance it all out, and sure enough it did! BUT...... let me warn you..... after tasting it the next day after I packaged them in the jars, the flavours have changed! And now, it is tasting a little saltier than I was expecting. It still tastes delicious, but the extra pinch of salt was clearly not needed.

So, the moral of the story is- DON'T MESS WITH THE RECIPE! Just let the flavours develop and you will be amazed how different your relish tastes a few days later. 

I would definitely recommend this recipe, it was easy and required very little ingredients. 

What recipe have you been wanting to try out for awhile? Maybe it's time to give it a shot. 

Good Luck

Tara xxx

Circus Party

Last week we put on a circus party for my little man. It took a fair bit of planning, shopping and time to put it all together, but it was loads of fun! So let me take you through the day.....

I got two rolls of table cloth in red and white and hang up from the verandah to make it feel like you were in the Big Circus Tent. The rolls are enormous and are much more cost effective than using material. There is plenty left over.... for next time?!

A party without balloons is just not a party! The moment these bright coloured helium balloons arrived, the place was instantly transformed! I got my slightly less than handy hubby to create the table tent and circus train. He didn't do too bad, so I might have to find him some more tasks around the house! 

I went to Ikea and went a little crazy with dress up hats, puppets and small stuffed circus toys. The small toys were great for the lolly bags for the guests. I also purchased an inexpensive frame for the photo booth. 

My fabulous sister made the birthday cake- not only did it look amazing, it was so moist and delicious! 

We had hot dogs, fruit kebabs, popcorn, marshmallow pops, sausage rolls and party pies. 

And.... the best thing of all was hiring a clown to keep the kiddies entertained with animal balloons and face painting! 

It was a long day and despite Melbourne putting on a lovely display of 4 seasons in a day, we all had loads of fun! 

Another party done and dusted!

Tara xxx

Handy Hints Corner

Welcome to the "Handy Hints Corner"!

After the week I have just had, it was a friendly reminder how important staying organised is! My week included school drop offs and pick ups, crazy kinder transition drop offs and pick ups, extra curricular activities for the boys, music teaching, an extra busy workload with my other business, singing at a wedding (as well as the wedding rehearsal!), starting new subjects for uni and the best part of all......  I BECAME AN AUNTY! My beautiful sister had a gorgeous little baby boy who I adore! Phew...... I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

So though I wasn't able to blog much this week, some of the systems I have put into place as a result of this blog did make it possible to get through the week without having a complete meltdown!

And as a result of my crazy week, I thought I would share a few more extra little things that I did in preparation to get through the week relatively unscathed!

Everyone has those weeks when you are juggling a million things! The trick is to have a few handy hints up your sleeve to make life a little easier. Email me (taraljg@gmail.com) if you have your own handy hints that you would like to share.

So let me start things off.....

I enjoy cooking and love to make sure that my family eat balanced nutritious meals packed with fresh veggies! However, busy weeks can sometimes make everything come undone. I have found that by investing 15 minutes on a Sunday can ensure you have HEALTHY fast food every night of the week! 

Sometimes it is about utilising equipment that is often stored away and barely used. I have a food processor in the cupboard that only gets pulled out for certain recipes, but now I pull it out every Sunday and get it to do all my grating and chopping! It is so quick and easy.

I find having everything prepared in advance makes cooking a lot easier (as well as the cleaning up!). I am also more inclined to throw these extra veggies into every dish such as pasta sauces, meatballs, salads. I even found myself whipping up a quick carrot cake at the end of the week with the left over grated carrot!

So with a little bit of prep work and organisation, healthy and nutritious meals can still be served up to the family despite whatever obstacles you are faced with throughout the week.

What are you cooking tonight?

Tara xx

It's Party Time!

I love a good party! I particularly love themed parties. I have been known to go over the top (I get that from my mother!) But I absolutely love them, from the planning and designing to the hosting! If anyone would like me to organise their next party, just yell out... Any excuse for a party!

And now it is time to organise a party for my little baby who will be turning 2! Ok, not really a baby anymore, but he will always be my little baby! So I thought I would share and document my whole planning process. 

Step 1: Pick a theme

I have chosen a circus theme. Luckily he is still young enough where I get to make the decisions for him- haha! 

Step 2: Organise and book 

If you are hiring entertainment, equipment or space- make sure you book well in advance. It is important to organise these things before you send the invites out, as some of your initial plans may need to change accordingly! I will be hosting the party at home, which makes things a little easier!

Step 3: Invitations

For the past couple of years I have started to make my own. I make them using Photoshop. They are not perfect, but I get so confused when it comes to computer programs so I can only do the most basic functions! I am getting better, by the time these boys turn 21 I should have it sorted!

So here is a preview of the invite I made:

To create my invites, I find digital graphics online- there are some you can get for free, but the better ones do require you to purchase them. They are pretty inexpensive and once you have downloaded the graphics to your computer, you have them forever. You can then use the graphics to make a range of different items such as labels, cake toppers, banners etc. 

I often search on etsy when I'm looking for digital graphics and paper. After I created my invitation design in Photoshop, I uploaded it into an online program called PicMonkey to play around with the effects to create a more vintage overtone. 

Then it's time to make a guest list and ensure you send the invitations out to give people plenty of notice! A minimum of 2 weeks notice is ideal, however I have been known to leave it to the last minute! This is something I am working at as I become the 'Organisation Queen'! lol Maybe in my next life! 

Step 4: Plan menu and activities

I like to start planning the menu and activities early on to give myself plenty of time to order and source everything! I order a lot of decorations, game and prize items online. It also gives you time to find little treasures when you have a clear idea of what your after. 

I find lots of inspiration from awesome blogs such as Hostess with the Mostess and Kara's Party Ideas. Another great source that I love is Pinterest. You can follow me on Pinterest and view all my boards to see where I get my inspiration from. 

So this is where I am up to.... This week I will be planning the food and activities, so next week I'll give you an update! Stay tuned ....

Tara xx

Time to check in...

How are you going with your goals? Have you written them down? What necessary steps have you taken to achieve them?

Update on my goals:

A few posts ago I discussed some of my goals. Overall the main thing I want to achieve this year is a life less complicated! To achieve this requires organisation.

I wish I could call myself an organisation queen, but that would be far from the truth! I love the idea of being organised, but up to this point in my life despite juggling a million things- there has definitely been very little order in my life! What I've come to realise, is that you have to plan to be organised.

So this year I got planning....I highlighted a few areas in my life that caused me constant stress or wasted valuable time and have been planning to solve it!

First issue: Morning Routine

Update on my new systems that I have implemented: 

The morning chart has been working a treat! Every morning Kieran gets up and knows exactly what he needs to do and enjoys trying to get everything done as quickly as possible to give himself some time to play or watch a little TV before he heads to school. There has been the odd setback when one morning he did muck around and not get himself ready, but I told him that I was leaving the house at 8:10am and he could choose to be ready or not, but however he was, that was how he was going! He started to move pretty quickly with the fear that he would have to go to school in his PJ's or without lunch! 

It also makes life so much easier having the snacks ready to go for the morning! Unfortunately I have to repack the containers every second day because these boys are constantly eating! Fortunately having all the fruit and veggies cut up and packed into little containers makes it a lot easier to feed the two younger boys healthy snacks when we are on the go!

So if you haven't already, find ways to improve your morning routine! There is nothing worse than starting your day stressed, angry and in a rush!

Second issue: Grocery Shopping

Keeping these cupboards and pantry stocked for these boys is a constant struggle! I really started to despise the daily trips to the supermarket!
A friend recently told me about +Aussie Farmers Direct and how she loved getting her groceries delivered. I thought I'd check them out and since my first order, I haven't looked back! I have been so happy with how reliable they are, how easy it was to place an order and to set weekly orders or change them when necessary. Each week they deliver a fantastic family box of fruit and veggies. I have found the produce great and the price has been really reasonable. The items in the box change weekly so it keeps things interesting! As I have started to plan my meals for the week, I like to check on the website what I will be receiving in the box. This helps me plan my meals around what ingredients I will have.
I also get milk, bread, cheese, muslie and eggs delivered.

The next step I took was getting myself a +Costco membership. My lovely sister who already owned a membership kindly took me there so I could see first hand what it was all about! And I think I fell in love! If only I had a house big enough where I could have my own little supermarket stocked with bulk items....... ahhhh... one day!
So over the weekend we signed ourselves up- we are now official Costco Members! I loved buying everything in bulk and now the feeling of having the house completely stocked up for some reason makes me so happy! The simple things....


So whatever your goals are, what steps have you taken to achieve them? What simple changes can you make to ease the stress, chaos and exhaustion in your day? 
Don't complain about what is going on in your life, identify the problem and spend your energy finding a solution and working towards it. 

Have an exciting day,
Tara xx

To do or not to do?

Writing a 'to do' list... Who has time for that?!

Up until a couple of weeks ago I thought writing a 'to do' list every day would do nothing but add an extra thing to my list of chores! But after reading a few inspiring organisation blogs, it appeared that many of them relied heavily upon the use of 'to do' lists, so I thought I'd give it a go and see if all these organisation experts were right- could writing lists really be the key to simplifying my life?

Since the new year, I have been systematically de-cluttering my house,  however it occurred to me that the biggest area that needed de-cluttering was my head! My head space has become so cluttered and strained from trying to keep check of things that need to be done and quite frankly, a whole lot of junk! 

It's amazing how stressed out you can feel when you are constantly trying to remember all the little things you need to do each day. It wasn't until I started writing down and prioritising the things I need to do each day that I really realised how much mental space was being used just trying to remember everything! What a waste! Why spend all that time worrying and energy remembering when you can spend 2 minutes writing it all down?!

So here is my cute little 'to do' pad from +kikki.K:

I also created a chart with a list of house chores that need to be done on a daily/ weekly/ fortnightly/ monthly and annual basis. (I'll post up a free printable in the next couple of days!) Click here to download and create your own cleaning checklist: Cleaning Checklist Printable

Each night I spend a few minutes writing out all my 'to do's' using my house chore list as a reference.  I make sure to include everything on the list. 

The benefits I have noticed since I started writing my daily lists are:

* Improved time management

* Decreased stress levels 

* Increased satisfaction from seeing all the things I have completed and achieved throughout the day

* More organised and efficient as I am focused and my day has order

* I normally overwhelm myself trying to do everything everyday, however now I map out my week and spread things over each day creating a lot more space in my day to just be!

So it is definitely something I am finding worthwhile in order to simplify my life. As they say, 

If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail!

It is becoming obvious to me that this is indeed quite true. 

So, start your day focused with an uncluttered mind. Write a list and prioritise what is important. And watch.... you may find the inner child will be released as you race to tick off all the items on your list. 

Do you write a 'to do' list? How do you manage your day? Have you got any other tips to help manage  your daily tasks?

Have a great day,

Tara 

Rhubarb and Raspberry Jam

The other day I finally got around to having a go at making jam! 

I had some rhubarb in the fridge and some frozen raspberries in the freezer. I found a recipe on the net, but of course didn't follow it (I've never been good at following recipes, hence why my baking often fails!) But here is a little overview of how I went:

My Rhubarb and Raspberry Jam Recipe

400 g Rhubarb (cut into 2 cm pieces)
350 g Frozen raspberries
330 g caster sugar
juice of 2 lemons

Put the rhubarb in a bowl and stir in sugar and lemon juice. Cover the bowl with cling wrap and let it sit for 24 hours. 

A lot of juice will form. The next day, pour the rhubarb and the liquid into a non-stick pan and cook for 10-15min until most of the liquid has evaporated. 

Add raspberries and cook for another 10 minutes until the jam sets. 

Fill the mixture into sterilised jars and close tightly whilst still warm. And of course, add a cute little ribbon to make it look a little bit more fancy ;)

This recipe creates a jam with a little more 'zing', so if you would prefer something a bit sweeter, maybe try adding some more sugar!  But I must admit, I reckon it turned out pretty good (if I do say so myself!) PLUS, my sister who doesn't like jam tried it the other day and ended up wanting me to make some for her- so I think it was a hit!

So give it a go, make yourself some jam- play around with different ingredients! I have been wanting to make my own jam for ages and now I'm very pleased that I did! 

What have you been wanting to try for ages but just haven't yet? Maybe this week is your week to give it a go. Don't put things off any longer!

Have a great day,

Tara 

When you wish upon a star....

At the beginning of every year I like to sit down and write out my goals.  It is a little ritual that my dad got us into since my sisters and I were teenagers. Dad was a huge fan of setting goals and telling yourself positive messages! I remember some mornings us girls would wake up to find pieces of paper stuck up all over the lounge room walls with messages of self belief. Mind you, the house was going through huge renovations, so you could do what you liked to the walls and it didn't really matter (a slightly different scenario now!) I remember you would walk out in the morning and roll your eyes to dads new craze! But it's funny how these practices become ingrained within you! Therefore, New Years Day you will find me scribbling down my hopes and dreams for that year. 

This year I purchased myself a gorgeous notebook from +kikki.K  to organise my goals and make plans for the year- what a treat it was to sit down and dream.....

And now, like my dad, I truly believe in the power of setting goals and writing them down! There is nothing more exciting than reading over your list from the previous year to find that you have achieved the things that you never thought you could! Here is a  quote I love that I found in my goal journal:

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it,

but that it is too low and we reach it.

- Michelangelo- 

There have been many times when I have sat down to write my goals and felt the need to sensor my dreams- I'll never achieve that... It would be nice, but in reality.... That is a little far fetched.... In another life.....What if I don't achieve it..... What if I fail.... 

These are all the little thoughts that find a way to poison my hopes and aspirations! I am finding though the best thing about getting older is proving these toxic thoughts wrong! But it takes a leap of faith to dream big and more importantly BELIEVE, to give yourself a chance to prove to yourself that no dream is ever out of your reach!

So my biggest goal this year is to simplify my life and take time to enjoy and do the little things that bring me happiness. After so many years of burning the candle at both ends, it will be such a nice change to allow myself to lighten the load! The keyword in that is allow.... it's funny how you get into such a habit of living and being a certain way! With children, businesses, study, housework, my plate has been full for such a long time, that I almost don't know how to be anything but busy! For me it is hard to slow down.... I hate watching movies because I get bored sitting there for too long and need to pause it to go and put on a load of washing or vacuum the floors! 

But am I really living my best life by being busy? Because seriously.... most of the time I feel like my head is spinning! When I'm doing one thing I am making a mental list of the thousand other things I also need to do! My day is like a constant Tetris game trying to get all the blocks to fit in, but those blocks are coming down fast and there are just so many of them! 

So time to get cracking! Time to make some changes and as I go along I will share the journey.... 

First step: Make a BIG change and make a small change

Big Change: Reduce my grocery shopping trips. 

               - How to achieve this: Buy in bulk (where possible) and get groceries home delivered. 

Small change: Do things that make me happy and make me feel good EACH DAY!

              - How to achieve this: Put on some music during the day- dance, sing and enjoy. Wear something special- don't save them for special occasions, make every day a special day! Today I am wearing my favourite earrings! Light some candles- even if it is during the day! I love candles, the aroma and the mood it sets! 

Set your own goals and write them down. Make a big change and a small change this week. I would love to hear what other inspirational quotes you live by and whether or not you find writing down your goals useful! 

Have a great day!

Tara

'twas the night before school....

Well as a follow up to my last post, I thought I would share some of the changes I will be making to help our mornings run a lot smoother! 

Tomorrow is Kieran's first day of Grade 2! I am still trying to get over the fact that he is already in his 3rd year of schooling... it has gone WAY TOO FAST! 

So here I am the night before ready to put all these new routines into practice.... 

1. Uniform ready and placed out... Check

2. Alarm times set .... Check

3. Morning routine chart set.... Check

Here is a sneaky preview of my own version of the routine poster:

It's not quite finished yet, but it has all the necessary features to give it a test run in the morning. Materials included a photo frame, material, velcro dots, craft glue. I just picked these up from Spotlight. It was having a closing down sale, so I managed to get a great discount- BONUS!

In the morning, Kieran and Heath will use this chart to see what they need to do in the morning to get ready. As they complete each task, they remove the disk and place it in the box (not sure if you can see the little box in the photo). When all their tasks are completed, they can watch a little T.V or have a little play. 

Test run tomorrow.... Kieran was already excited when I explained what he needed to do. 

I think it is so important for children to take responsibility for getting themselves ready and completing tasks on their own. Hopefully this year with the aid of this chart, it becomes second nature to the boys.  More importantly, I'm hoping I'll regain my sanity! 

The last little change we have made in our house is setting up a lunch and snack station, so  the boys can easily pack their own lunch boxes. 

My plan is to prepare all the snacks at the start of the week so it's ready to go each morning. In the containers I have cut up fruit and veggies, cheese, crackers, sultana buds and tiny teddies. Each morning, the boys will be able to choose which combination they want from the selection. All I need to do in the mornings will be make their sandwich/ roll. I'm also wanting to mix up their lunch a bit more this year. It's so easy to get into such a rut and put the same old thing in- but how boring! With a bit of organisation, we should be able to create a bit more variety!

So that's the plan... we will be giving all this a test run tomorrow. The real test will be next week with a full week of school and kinder! 

On a side note, today as I was completing the worlds worst job of sorting through paperwork, I put on some music. It instantly made me feel much better and the task really became a lot less tiresome! It reminded me how important it is to enjoy those little moments that bring you joy as much as you can throughout the day. 

Please share with me any comments you have. 

Have a great day xx

Tara