Life is hard! It’s chaotic and sometimes the ongoing chaos can cause us to feel unwell. Today’s podcast details my recent struggles as a pregnant mom and how I plan to create order where I can, while still accepting the things I cannot change. Though we can’t always change our emotions, we can change some things around us. We can bring order out of chaos, develop healthy routines and habits, and utilize rest and reflection to recenter ourselves. In today’s episode:How to get your head above the weedsRoutines are helpful habitsOrganize your day - block schedulingDon’t neglect to care for yourselfReflection and trusting in GodTo read the transcript, please visit my website at www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Your Uncommon Life

E19: Create peace in chaos with easy routines

This is part 2 of 2. After part 1, where I shared many points of caution about heedless pursuit of passion, this week I encourage you to follow your dreams! Be inspired to think big. We cover how to embrace failure, avoid the pitfalls of self-sabotage, how to look for opportunities in unlikely places, and why validation is a tricky thing.In this episode:The intersection of passions, gifts, and opportunitiesBe flexible with how you find opportunitiesOvercoming the things that stop youDon’t look for validationRedefine successTo read the transcript, please visit my website at www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E18: Where is the passion in your life? Pt 2

Have you ever been told to pursue your passions, no matter what? When we make passions our primary pursuit, we often end up chasing a fleeting thing. Before doing so, we need to make sure we are grounded in who we are, content with where we are, and know why we want to pursue our passions. Furthermore, we need to consider if we could become passionate about the opportunities in front of us - where we are already at - before we pursue the next best thing. In today&apos;s episode:Work shouldn&apos;t be your primary source of passion and fulfillmentHow does contentment relate to passion?Understand who you want to become firstDiscern your "why&apos;s"To read the transcript, please visit my website at www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E17: Where is the passion in your life? Pt 1

This is my 3rd pregnancy in 3 years so I know what it’s like to be heavier and struggle to dress my body. But I refuse to hide it and remain uncomfortable in it, despite how my weight has fluctuated. It’s common to feel uncomfortable in your own skin for various reasons and the solution is deeper than just “loving your body.” It takes a mindset shift toward treating yourself well, instilling healthy habits, choosing positive self-talk, and allowing yourself to dress in clothes that make you feel good. In today’s episode:I’m pregnant again!Feeling uncomfortable in your own skinThe solution isn’t loving your bodyTreat yourself wellInstill healthy habitsPositive self-talkDress in clothes that fitTo read the transcript, please visit my website at www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E16: Find comfort in the skin you're in

Do you carry your phone with you everywhere? Phones can be helpful and necessary but many of us are addicted to them, treating them more like security blankets than the tools that they are. We let them interrupt us constantly and take us away from our priorities. Today we will discuss how to break the screen addiction so we can bring focus back to what matters most to us.In today’s episode:Why phones are so disruptiveSet boundaries with your phoneBehavioral shifts to break the phone addictionHow to balance necessary screen time with unnecessary screen timeTo read the transcript, please visit my website at www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E15: Don't let your phone rule your life

I realized that, after 13 episodes of this podcast, it might not be evident to everyone what I mean when I say “uncommon life.” Where did that term come from and what could it mean for you?In today’s episode:Understanding your “Whys”Finding your purposeLiving a purpose-driven lifeMake your time reflect your prioritiesDon’t look for validationThe only expectations that matter are your ownTo read the transcript, please visit my website at www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E14: What is an uncommon life?

Everyone - even moms - should feel confident to think big about their dreams and aspirations. Too often, we limit our potential and assume we’ll fail before we even start or that our dreams don’t matter. But even the most successful people fail! The key is to start with small, achievable steps, so you can learn to manage failure well along your journey to your big dream.This is another “Lesson from a Corporate Life.” The other episodes in this series are episodes 2, 4, and 11.In today’s episode:What does it mean to “think big?”Develop your vision or dreamThe power of vulnerabilityHow to start smallFailure is just a matter of perspectiveTo read this podcast transcript, please head to my website: https://www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E13: Think big, start small

Americans are obsessed with being busy. We wear our busyness like a badge of honor - as an outward sign of productivity and self-worth. To what end, though? If busyness is preventing you from being the kind of person you want to be, how can you put an end to it and start living more intentionally?  In this episode:American obsession with busynessWe are busy but not always productiveHow I overcame my busynessWhy simplicity is the solutionLog your time - where does it go?How to be more intentional with your timeEnd the addiction to your phoneTo read this podcast transcript, please head to my website: https://www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E12: Turn the busy life into the simple life

Working from home is more common than ever, so the lines between work and home life can easily become blurred. It’s up to you to unapologetically protect yourself and set clear expectations with strong work boundaries. After 12 years in corporate America, including several years in leadership positions, I have developed no-conflict tactics to set boundaries that maintain my sanity while still enabling me to be a good employee. This is part of a series called “Lessons from a corporate life.” The other episodes in the series are episode 2 and 4. In this episode:Work doesn’t care about youWhy guilt prevents you from setting boundariesDo not apologize Avoid establishing bad precedentsSet digital boundariesTake sick and vacation daysSet up a physical office spaceBe objective, clear, and consistentTo read the podcast transcript, visit my website at: https://www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E11: Protect yourself and don't apologize - set clear work boundaries

Meet this week&apos;s guest, Sammantha Stone, as she shares her infertility journey. She is boldly vulnerable about the toll it has taken on her mental health and her marriage. And yet, she holds an inspiring hope for the future, grounded in faith. Even if you can&apos;t relate to her unique circumstances, I bet you can relate to her heart. I hope you&apos;re as encouraged by her story as I was!In today&apos;s episode:How she learned her husband had male factor infertilityShame and feeling aloneMental health and hormonesHaving hope through the journeyHow faith carries her through stormsMourning her former selfWriting intentions and journalingYou are not aloneMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E10: Joyful through infertility with Sammantha Stone

On New Year’s day, most people will create resolutions and intend to follow through with them. The key to building resolutions that last is building habits that last. We will discuss how to become an outcome-oriented and purpose-driven habit builder so you can succeed at any habit you choose. I’ll use my exercise experience as an example, but the principles apply to most other habits as well.In today’s episode:Resolutions are habits in disguiseBad habits got you to where you areReplace them with positive habitsDon’t rely on motivationDefine a clear reason for changeFocus on who you want to be, not what you want to doVisualize the outcome you desireUse your desired outcome to build habitsLearn to love discomfortPlan for failureTo read this podcast transcript, please head to my website: https://www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E09: How to build habits that last

The year that shall not be named has been tough for most people. But the only constant in life is that everything changes and seasons do pass, eventually. This Christmas eve, we will discuss how to find hope in the midst of challenging times.In this episode:The tragic story of Horatio and Anna SpaffordHave hope that all storms pass and seasons endGive thanks for glimmers of lightLook for lessons and opportunitiesStop complainingTo read this podcast transcript, please head to my website: https://www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E08: Finding hope in the midst of a storm

If you want financial freedom and the peace that comes with it, you might have to learn to be content with less. We’ll dive into my philosophy on finances and how and why I choose to live below my means. In times of lean and times of plenty, we live abundantly because we never overstretch ourselves.In this episode:The crazy cost of living around hereMy philosophy on contentmentHow contentment ties into financesMy childhood of frugalityHow my husband and I live below our means and whyTo read this podcast transcript, please head to my website: https://www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E07: Content to live with less

A full life includes regret, but there&apos;s a difference between experiencing regrets and carrying them with you. To live intentionally, you must accept regret, but aim to forgive yourself so you aren&apos;t burdened by shame. As we reflect on 2020, it&apos;s important to process regret, too. Today we’ll talk about:Why people say they live with no regretsWhy it’s important to accept regrets as a fact of lifeHow to shed regret and shameForgiving yourselfGetting vulnerableTo read this podcast transcript, please head to my website: https://www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E06: Reflect and Regret

Learning to be a parent while maintaining a strong partnership with your spouse is possibly the biggest learning curve you’ll ever face. How can you nurture your marriage while raising a baby? Even if you don’t have kids yet, we’ll talk about how to fortify your relationship now so you can give your children the best gift ever - a stable, peaceful home.In this episode:Why cultural expectations of fathers can be harmfulHow to show your child&apos;s parent the most appreciation How to nurture your relationship, even with young childrenTo read this podcast transcript, please head to my website: https://www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcriptsMotivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

E05: Partner like a mother

Encouraging words for busy days, tough seasons, and women who do it all. With a perspective rooted in faith and rounded out with years of working high pressure jobs to amateur fighting and now motherhood, I aim to encourage women to make intentional choices to focus their lives around what matters most to them. I explore topics like hope, vulnerability, identity, and habit formation. I'm on this journey, too, and together, we can figure out how to feel at peace and unburdened.

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Your Uncommon Life

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