Take Care Of Yourself So You Can Take Care Of Business

Recently I have been on a bit of a health kick and loving it. With all the information on the internet, especially showing up on my Facebook newsfeed, I could no longer ignore the importance of self-preservation.

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If you are like me, running a business and a household solo, you know what it is like to have a lot on your plate. Life can get crazy!! In fact, if things aren’t crazy in my life, I get bored. I really have not taken the time to take care of myself so that I can take care of business. I got away from exercising and eating healthy and began to drink coffee everyday which I have never done in all my years. I was beginning to feel really burnt out and tired all the time, so I decided to take my well being back from the norm of society.

So here’s what I have been doing for the past two weeks to get myself back on the path to being the best I can be

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  1. I started exercising again! – A little bit at a time, but I have so much more energy now.
  2. Eating way better! – For the past two weeks my diet consists of juicing fruits and vegetables, raw and organic foods, one cooked meal a day (salmon and hard boiled eggs only), a lot more water and coconut water, no eating past 8:00pm
  3. More time with the kids – I am listening a lot more because I have taken away the distraction of working at all hours of the night
  4. Planning a weekend get-away with my friend Aimee – She has invited me several times to her hometown of New Orleans and I jut couldn’t find the time. I finally have and it will be fun!
  5. Really qualifying prospects and valuing my time - I used to feel really guilty if a prospect called and I had to turn them down due to distance or unrealistic budget or knowing right away they wouldn’t be the right fit. I would spend countless hours driving to their homes (at no charge) and even giving them design tips and ideas (no charge) and sometimes even working on a preliminary plan without knowing for sure what the budget is or even if they are serious. I really didn’t want to be labeled as a snobby decorator, because unfortunately we already have that reputation. But I have now learned that saying no is not a terrible thing if it is the right answer. Sure I enjoy giving tips and ideas to people, and I will continue to do so through by Facebook pages (Casa Vilora Interiors and No Naked Windows), my websites (Casa Vilora Interiors and No Naked Windows), and my blog (The Naked Decorator).
  6. Prayer and meditation time – This one is the ultimate self-care for me. I sometimes let life get in the way and don’t spend enough time in prayer meditation and reading my Bible. I need wisdom, strength and mercy for each day, so why am I not tapping into the proven Source?
  7. Stress less – There are so many things I worry about everyday: My business growing, my kids, what people say about me, and most things out of my control. I have decided to worry less, especially about things that I cannot control.
Sometimes "NO" is the right answer

Sometimes “NO” is the right answer

Here’s what I have been eating lately. I am just starting out, but I think it is a good start for someone who loved junk food!

I make this salad for dinner every night. I sometimes switch the eggs out for salmon

I make this salad for dinner every night. I sometimes switch the eggs out for salmon

 

One of my favorite green juices. I had to experiment a few times to get it just right

One of my favorite green juices. I had to experiment a few times to get it just right

My results so far? I have a lot more energy, I have lost weight (Not sure how much as I never weigh myself) and I am in a better mood these days and socializing a bit more. In fact, I may be going out on a date soon :-) :-) It may be bloggable, so stay tuned :-)

483841_230465460426357_214484556_nAre you at the point in your life where you know something has to change? Whether it is the way you eat, the way you do business, the way you relate to others, or even spiritually? Tell me about it by leaving a comment below.

Have some!

Have some!

As always, please contact me if you have any questions about my decorating an remodeling services, or visit my online store for custom drapery panels, bedding and pillows. Don’t forget about our summer savings going on now! Visit my online store for more details

Have Yourselves a wonderful Wednesday!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

 

 

Quick Update On The New Home

Hello All! For those of you who have followed the progress of my big life change of downsizing my home at age 40, I thought I’d give you a quick update on how things are progressing. If you are interested in reading the previous articles I wrote about this, you can find them herehere and here.

The sale of my current “mansion” is still pending and should be closing escrow in two weeks. The new buyers are gracious enough to let us stay in the home for another two weeks until we close on our new home being built! What a relief to not have to move twice in one month! The new buyers are very excited to be be moving into this great home and community….they even already have mail coming here! :-) . I know they will be happy here just as we have been for the last seven years.

Ok so I know you all are ready to see some pictures, so without further ado, here goes!

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It definitely looks like a family home now! the exterior has been completely painted and stained. Landscaping installed and the light fixtures (which will be replaced for sure) have been added. They actually forgot to add brick to the floor of the front porch, so that remains to be done. As you may be able to see, I do have electrical wires behind my home (not the junction box), but it was s small price to pay for not having back neighbors. I love neighbors as much as the next guy, but sometimes in the confines of my own home and backyard I do take “The Naked Decorator” thing literally! Just kidding…or not :-)

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The cast stone fireplace has been installed. This is actually an upgrade from the one in my current home. I love the rough texture of this one, which will go very well with the updated country french direction for the new decor. Notice that my ceilings are low….I have 20 foot ceilings in my current home which was actually a great feature when I was buying the home. I wanted cozy instead of volumnous ceilings in this new home. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make them appear just a tad bit higher…..but you will have to stay tuned for that :-). I plan to add hand-sawn faux wood beams to really play up the fireplace. Of course, the handscraped hardwood flooring will also be a nice feature when it is installed soon.

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Kitchen cabinets are in! I wanted a lot of storage since this home is half the size of my current home. I plan to convert the big walk-in pantry behind the white door into a butler’s pantry with glass fronts for even more “pretty” storage. I went really dark with the cabinetry (which wasn’t my first choice) because the other choices in my budget range had red undertones (no more red!). These dark stained maple cabinets will be  a nice contrast to the white travertine backsplash and granite countertops and the rest of the decor, which will be in soft shades of grays and mossy greens….very cool color palette

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This is the smallish master bathroom (really filthy now, but that’s construction :-)). This bathroom is less than half the size of my current bathroom and I’m happy! Why? I don’t enjoy cleaning bathrooms! :-). My existing master bathroom has separate dual high-low vanities… I am single, so I just need one! No more jetted tub (I hardly use the one I have now), and now the wall tiles aren’t the 6×6 white ceramic tiles with a gazillion grout lines to clean! That’s definitely an upgrade :-)

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This is the big compromise that we had to make here. This small bathroom will be shared by my daughter and son and guests (when we do have them). They now share a very large jack and jill bathroom, so at least they have a bit of privacy. There is also a separate guest bathroom (that never gets used but somehow always ends up dirty :-)), and a powder room. My daughter was really looking forward to her own bathroom, but oh well, she’ll live! :-)

There is so much left to be done, and I am actually a bit worried that they will not make the deadline of end of month. Fingers….and toes crossed please?! :-)

We are definitely looking forward to the move. I am especially happy that with this move, in about 10 years….maybe eight if I stop buying shoes :-), I will be completely financially free, mortgage included. Downsizing is definitely worth that!!

Thanks for reading my story….as boring as it is :-)

Please don’t forget to leave a comment. I’d love to hear what you think about the “quick” update on the new digs!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon