How a Simple Morning Practice Is Transforming My Life

One of the best things about Spring is welcoming the returning songbirds. How I love the serenade of their early songs when I awaken just before dawn!  

Spring is a time of new beginnings — small, almost imperceptible steps that, over time, lead to meaningful change.

As adults, it's so easy for us to get into a time-insensitive rut, meaning that we carelessly let our daily schedule for work, errands, and chores dictate how we spend our hours.

A much better idea is to tell our hours how we will spend them.

Back to my friends, the songbirds. My daily schedule had shifted in a way that no longer served me — going to bed late, waking in the middle of the night, then sleeping in to make up for the shortfall — and missing out on the birdie serenade most mornings! 

This was most definitely not working.  

I already had a morning practice, but began in earnest, looking for ways to make it more intentional and more fruitful. After reading some books and exploring some apps, I started using an app that incorporates the best principles I’d studied. 

I’m also shifting my sleep hours to make early rising the norm. I’m definitely a work in progress here! Funny thing is, I awake without an alarm clock most mornings around 4:30 – even if I acted like a toddler the night before and refused to go to bed on time. Grownup behavior comes late for some of us, I guess, but I’m improving.

“So,” you may be thinking, “what exactly is she doing — and is it really working?” I thought you’d never ask!

I'm surprised and pleased at my progress so far. I've been rising early, going through the elements of my enhanced morning practice with help from the little app on my phone that walks me through and doesn’t let me forget any steps. 

It reminds me to express gratitude, meditate or pray, stretch, read, exercise, visualize, and more. It even prompts me to define my “Big 3” — the three tasks I absolutely must accomplish that day.

My attitude, outlook, and zest for the future are constantly rising. I’m more grounded and kinder to myself and others. I'm even motivated to tackle some pesky projects, like that pile of papers on my desk (sound familiar?). And I’m embarking on a big self-development journey that will, I think, change everything!

So, dear reader, if you’re feeling inspired to give all this a try, here’s what you can do:

• Find a book or an app on morning rituals that you resonate with.
• Start putting your practice into action.
• Take tiny steps in the right direction and just keep on taking them.
• Allow yourself to become more positive, more grateful, looking forward to the future, expecting and planning for good things.

Spring is the perfect time to begin this adventure. After all, it’s the time of new beginnings! Are you in?

Linda Thomas is a writer, speaker, and empowerment strategist who helps people simplify life, reduce overwhelm, and build financial freedom through recurring income. She blends mindset work with digital-age entrepreneurship to help others live with more clarity, purpose, and independence. Find her at linda-thomas.com

Renewal

“As we tap into the deep sources of bodily wisdom through creative art expression, we dance the renewal, recreation, and healing of ourselves and our world.” ~Anna Halprin

Dancers utilize many of the same steps. Musicians share a universal set of notes. Writers create stories from similar tropes, themes, conflicts and goals.

Anna Halprin (1920-2021), an American dancer and choreographer, redefined the rules of dance and “pioneered the experimental art form known as postmodern dance.” She made her mark with an expression of dance in a unique way.

We should never be stifled by the idea that someone else has already told that tale. 

In the movie and television world, you can see over a dozen versions of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Hundreds of retellings exist in book form, too, falling into romance, detective and suspense genres, and even horror with Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. 

These authors and screenwriters, like Anna Halprin, may have taken a tip from the natural world that relies on regrowth and renewal.

Take a walk. Ride around town. Look out your window. Every spring, the same flowers pop up. Blooms come out on the same trees. We’re excited to see them again. We’re refreshed by their return. Maybe the daffodils are a bit more yellow. Maybe five additional tulips have sprouted. But out of the same seeds and bulbs, same ground, up comes renewed growth.

Consider applying the concept of renewal to all that you’re familiar with in writing, yet express it in your own unique way. Let your personality blossom through the words of your stories, poetry, and nonfiction. 

An online site, A Point of Light, offers a variety of writing prompts about spring. Topic ideas for fiction and nonfiction writers have been added.

Perhaps you’ll find at least one that encourages you to create anew:

What signs of spring do you notice around you? Write a story that takes place in a springtime setting.

Describe your ideal spring day. What would you do, and how would it feel? Write a story with a character who is changed by their enjoyment of an ideal spring day.

What new hobbies or interests would you like to explore this spring? Write a story with a character who embarks on a new hobby or interest. 

Create a “spring bucket list” of activities or adventures. Write a nonfiction piece of a popular spring getaway, such as the cherry blossom festival in Washington, D.C.

How can you infuse more creativity into your daily routine this season?

"In the cycle of renewal, the artist’s role is not to create what’s never been seen, but to reveal what’s always been true—through their own light." ...unknown

Sandy Kachurek is a staff writer for Freestyle Living Magazine. She is the director of Into the Springs Writers' Workshop. The 2025 details for the workshop are available at www.intothespringswritersworkshop.com

or connect with her on her Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/IntoTheSpringsWritersWorkshop/

Lavender: Nature’s Secret to Stress Relief

As the world awakens from winter’s slumber and spring breathes new life into our surroundings, it’s the perfect time to refresh both our environment and our minds. With blooming flowers, longer days, and a renewed sense of energy, spring offers a great opportunity to embrace natural ways to reduce stress. One of the most effective and delightful remedies for relaxation is lavender—a fragrant, purple-hued flower known for its calming properties.

The Science Behind Lavender’s Calming Effects

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has been used for centuries in herbal medicine, but modern science is now confirming what many have long believed—lavender has profound stress-reducing effects. Research suggests that the scent of lavender interacts with the nervous system, promoting relaxation by lowering cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and enhancing the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps calm the brain.

A study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that inhaling lavender essential oil significantly reduced anxiety and stress levels. Another study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine indicated that lavender could help improve sleep quality, making it a valuable natural remedy for those struggling with stress-induced insomnia.

Stress, Cortisol, and Blood Sugar Metabolism

Chronic stress doesn’t just affect mental health—it also significantly impacts physical well-being, including blood sugar metabolism. When we experience stress, our body releases cortisol, which triggers a rise in blood sugar to provide quick energy for a "fight-or-flight" response. While this is useful in short bursts, prolonged stress can lead to consistently elevated blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

By promoting relaxation and reducing cortisol levels, lavender may play an indirect but valuable role in supporting healthy blood sugar metabolism. Lower stress levels contribute to more stable blood sugar levels, helping prevent energy crashes, sugar cravings, and metabolic imbalances.

Ways to Use Lavender for Stress Relief

1. Aromatherapy at Home

Using lavender essential oil in a diffuser can transform any space into a peaceful sanctuary. The soothing scent fills the air, helping to calm nerves and promote a sense of well-being. For a quick relaxation boost, you can also place a few drops of lavender oil on a tissue or cotton ball and inhale deeply.

2. Lavender Tea for Relaxation

Sipping on a warm cup of lavender tea is a gentle way to unwind after a long day. Lavender’s natural compounds help ease tension, reduce headaches, and promote restful sleep. To make lavender tea, simply steep dried lavender buds in hot water for 5–10 minutes and enjoy.

3. Lavender Baths for Ultimate Rejuvenation

Few things are as soothing as a warm bath infused with lavender. Adding a handful of dried lavender flowers or a few drops of lavender essential oil to your bathwater can help melt away stress, ease muscle tension, and promote deep relaxation.

4. Lavender in Skincare and Massage

Lavender is often found in skincare products, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and calming properties. Massaging lavender-infused lotion onto your skin before bed can provide a gentle, therapeutic effect, helping you relax and sleep more soundly.

5. Lavender Pillow Sprays for Better Sleep

For those who struggle with restlessness at night, a lavender pillow spray can work wonders. Spritzing your pillow with a lavender-infused mist before bedtime can create a calming atmosphere, helping you drift into a deep, restorative sleep.

Embrace Lavender This Spring

Spring is a time of renewal, making it the perfect season to embrace the power of lavender. Whether through aromatherapy, herbal tea, a relaxing bath, or skincare, this botanical wonder offers a natural way to reduce stress and bring balance to your life. With the added benefit of promoting stable blood sugar metabolism, incorporating lavender into your daily routine can contribute to both mental and physical well-being.

So, take a deep breath, inhale the soothing scent of lavender, and let your worries fade away. This spring, let lavender be your go-to remedy for a calmer, healthier you.

Rita Brewer is a Staff Writer for the Freestyle Living Magazine. She is a Physician Associate and Health Coach who is passionate about helping her clients reverse their type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle related health conditions. You can connect with her through her website: https://ritabrewer.com

Primavera

In the true spirit of Freestyle Living, this article is being written from my vacation in Brazil. Well, it’s a working vacation, that is. Because we all know that Realtors are never really off the clock,… but it is indeed nice to have the chance to slow down and smell the flowers, both figuratively and literally.

Listen to the Locals

The locals have a saying: “devagar se vai ao longe”, which translated, means “slowly you will go far.” And I just love that. It’s an important reminder that patience is a virtue. Life is about learning to enjoy the journey along the way; it’s not always just about the destination. Although, this destination is muito fabuloso!

The people here seem to live life a little slower than we do in the states. They seem to somehow be simultaneously both more casual and more intentional with their daily routines.

Greetings are more exuberant and exciting! Coffee with friends lasts a little longer. Goodbyes are interrupted, postponed, or canceled again and again and again. And again. Seriously, Brazilians hate to say goodbye and part ways. To an American with a Type-A personality on vacation with an agenda, this at first seemed somewhat rude. But now it feels rather romantic.

The Amazon Rainforest

A huge rainforest exists within these borders, and the people have a strong appreciation for the natural world. The glory of nature’s bounty is all around me at all times, whether I’m outdoors or indoors.

Lush gardens and fantastic foliage can be covering every lawn, in every window, and on every balcony, often cascading over the edges and creeping down the sides of skyscrapers and bridges in an incredible juxtaposition against brutalist architecture.

"Even the smallest apartments seem to be designed to coexist with Mother Nature in mind." 

Let's Coexist

Which is something you can do in your own home as well. Ever thought about adding additional windows to some of your rooms? Especially those without any, such as bathrooms or hallways, can really feel much larger and much more inviting with a little natural light.

Or you could enlarge existing windows, there’s no rule saying you can’t! Take a look around your home to see where there might be opportunities for improvement in this regard. Homes with abundant natural light, views of flower gardens, and well cared for landscaping often sell faster and for higher value.

"Who says money doesn’t grow on trees?"

Devagar, You Will Go Far

From Brazil I write, beneath the sky,
Where blossoms bloom and time drifts by.
A Realtor still, but here I learn,
That life is best when we slow and turn.

The locals greet with warmth and flair,
Their joy hangs gently in the air.
Coffee lingers, smiles are wide,
No one’s rushing to decide.

“Devagar se vai ao longe,” they say,
And suddenly, I feel okay.
The pressure fades, the pace rewinds,
I breathe, I notice, I realign.

Rainforest green and flowers wild,
Even concrete feels beguiled.
Vines cascade with bold embrace,
Nature finds her sacred space.

So back at home, let light expand,
Invite the earth with gentle hand.
For in the stillness, we may see—
That growing slow is growing free.

Kyle Brandon is a Staff Writer for Freestyle Living Magazine. He is a Realtor in Central Ohio and can be reached through his website:

Kyle Brandon Realtor® (exprealty.com)

[email protected]

Service In the Springtime

Spring is a season associated with renewal, growth, and fresh beginnings, making it a perfect time to reflect on how we can live with purpose and contribute to others. Living a life of service in this season can take many forms, from small acts of kindness to large-scale community efforts.

Spring is when the world begins to bloom again. Planting trees, flowers, or community gardens can be an act of service to the environment and to those who will benefit from the beauty or the food it provides. 

Creating a Spring Ritual of Giving can be a wonderful way to harness the energy and renewal that spring brings while making a positive impact in your community. Start by reflecting on the reasons you want to create a Spring Ritual of Giving. What motivates you to serve others? Is it compassion for those who are less fortunate, a desire to support your community, or simply a wish to spread kindness and positivity? Setting a clear intention helps you stay focused and inspired throughout the season.

"I commit to serving others this spring by offering my time, resources, and kindness to those in need, knowing that every small act can make a difference." You might choose to incorporate acts of service into your regular routine this season, such as dedicating a few hours each week to helping others in some way, whether through physical work, emotional support, or community engagement.

Spring brings energy and fresh opportunities—what better time to reflect on how you can serve others and make the world a better place?

Think about the specific ways you can contribute to others. There are endless possibilities, so choose what resonates most with you and your resources.

Springtime is the perfect season to share your talents with others. Whether it's tutoring a child, teaching a skill, or offering professional advice, spring can be a time of growth not just in nature, but in people’s lives as well.

Sometimes, service is simply about showing kindness in everyday interactions. Offering help to a neighbor, volunteering at a local shelter, or even starting a “pay it forward” chain are all ways to serve others during this uplifting season.

Take time to reflect on how your acts of giving are impacting you and others. You can keep a journal to write about your experiences, feelings, and lessons learned throughout the season. It will help you appreciate your growth and the ways in which you're making a difference. At the end of the spring season, take time to celebrate the progress you've made and the lives you've touched. You could host a small gathering to thank everyone who participated, reflect on the positive changes, or even create a “giving jar” where people can share their experiences and intentions for the future.

Carmella Banks is a Staff Writer for Freestyle Living Magazine and is a Wellness Advocate for doTERRA Essential Oils.

You can connect with Carmella through her linked-in profile at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmella-banks-1781a370/

Or on her Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/822573918497806

Spring Into Possibility: A Season for Growth, Creativity, and New Beginnings

There’s something undeniably refreshing about spring. The days stretch a little longer, the sun shines a little brighter, and the world seems to exhale after a long winter’s nap. It’s the season of possibility—a time when nature leads by example, showing us that transformation is not only natural but necessary.

As flowers bloom and trees bud with life, spring quietly nudges us to do the same. It’s more than a change in temperature; it’s a shift in energy. It’s the perfect time to explore new ideas, reignite passions, and take a fresh look at what’s possible in our personal and professional lives. Ideas that felt too big or too far away just a few months ago now seem within reach.

Spring isn't just a shift in weather—it’s a mindset. It encourages us to take stock of where we are and imagine where we could go. What if this season wasn’t just about tidying up our homes, but also our dreams? What if it’s the perfect time to chase something new, to begin again, or to say yes to an opportunity we once overlooked?

That’s what makes this time of year so special—it invites us to explore and create. Whether it's planting a garden, starting a new hobby, or even launching a side business, the energy of spring is all about forward motion. And that includes rethinking how we earn, grow, and serve others.

For many, LegalShield has become that fresh start. It’s a unique opportunity to build something meaningful and lasting while helping others protect what matters most—their rights, their identity, their legacy, and their peace of mind. It’s flexible, empowering, and like the season itself, full of benefits and potential.

Spring reminds us that it’s never too late to plant new seeds, especially the kind that grow into confidence, freedom, and financial security. Maybe this is the season you discover something you didn’t even know you were capable of. Or maybe it’s simply time to do more of what makes you feel alive.

So, as you embrace the warmer days and the burst of color all around, take a moment to look within and ask yourself: What do I want to grow this season? Chances are that the ground is more fertile than you think.

"The season is here. The opportunity is real. And the time is now to spring into something new."

Estella Blake is a staff writer for Freestyle Living magazine. She is an HR Professional with an MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Credentials. As a Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (LegalShield/IDShield) Associate, she offers legal and identity theft plans to individuals, small business owners, and employees while actively expanding her team of associates.

Contact Estella for more information at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estellablake

https://eblake.legalshieldassociate.com

Freestyle Butterflies: Let Your Creativity Take Flight

Spring is the perfect season to embrace freestyle living — a time to shake off winter routines and let your imagination bloom like fresh flowers. As the world brightens in soft lilac and lavender shades, it reminds us that we don’t have to color inside the lines to create something beautiful. Sometimes, the most wonderful things happen when we let go, have fun, and live freestyle!

This month, I’m inviting kids (and grown-ups too!) to let their creativity take flight with a simple, calming, and colorful activity:

Freestyle Coffee Filter Butterflies

What You Need:

• White coffee filters

• Washable markers or food coloring (focus on lavender, lilac, and soft spring colors)

• Q-tips or droppers

• A spray bottle of water (optional)

• A clothespin or pipe cleaner for the butterfly body

What To Do:

1. Flatten a coffee filter on a protected surface.

2. Use a Q-tip or dropper to dab drops of food coloring or marker ink onto the filter. Watch how the colors blend and swirl together — no rules, just play!

3. If you like, lightly mist the coffee filter with water to soften the colors even more.

4. Once dry, pinch the middle of the coffee filter and clip it with a clothespin or twist a pipe cleaner to create the butterfly body.

5. Optional: Add little eyes or antennae to bring your butterfly to life!

Your Invitation:

I’d love to see your freestyle butterfly creations! Send a photo of your finished butterfly masterpiece to [email protected]. Everyone who submits a photo will be entered to win a free book to keep the creativity flowing all year long!

Remember — just like your butterfly, you were made to spread your wings and shine in your own way. Remember, you were put here for such a time as this.

Freestyle Wings

When springtime paints the skies in bloom,
And lilacs chase away the gloom,
The world begins to stretch and sigh,
And colors twirl beneath the sky.

It’s then we shake the cold away,
And let our hearts come out to play.
No boxes, borders, lines, or rules—
Just hands and hope and simple tools.

A coffee filter, soft and white,
Becomes a canvas pure and bright.
With Q-tips dipped in violet hue,
We dot and swirl a dream or two.

A spritz of water—magic mist—
Turns every edge to amethyst.
The colors bleed, then blend and glow,
Like springtime secrets we all know.

Then pinch the center, wrap with care,
A clothespin hugs the wings with flair.
Add eyes, antennae, give it grace—
And now a butterfly takes place.

No two alike, yet each one true—
Just like the soul that lives in you.
Freestyle in flight, no need to hide,
With open wings and arms spread wide.

You don’t need perfect lines to shine,
Or fit into a rigid line.
The loveliest art, the truest part,
Is what flows freely from your heart.

So let your colors find their way,
And chase the grayness far away.
In every swirl, in every wing,
There’s beauty in the joy you bring.

And if you send your work to show,
Your freestyle flair will surely grow.
You might just win a book, it’s true—
To spark more dreams inside of you.

So, take this season, soft and wise,
And paint your wings across the skies.
You were made for this moment, bright—
To live, to shine, to take your flight.

Cheri Dotterer is a Staff Writer for Freestyle Living Magazine and is an IMPACT Success Blueprint Collaboration Coach. Author of "Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect" and contributor to seminal works, she’s set to release "Math DYS-connected," co-authored with Jonily Zupancic. She owns Dotterer Educational Consulting and The Writing Glitch Podcast. You can connect with Cheri through her website at: cheridotterer.com/contact

The Blurry Middle

Where Relationships Bud Between the Lines

Spring reminds us that not all growth is clean. Some of it is awkward, in-between, and invisible until suddenly, it blossoms. This is especially true in our relationships—the ones rooted in work but blossoming into something more. And sometimes, something else.

It’s not uncommon these days to meet someone in a professional setting and end up in a space that feels, well… personal.

Maybe you shared a coaching experience, collaborated on a launch, or joined the same online mastermind. What began as “work” starts to feel a little more like friendship. And that’s beautiful—until it gets complicated.

Because somewhere along the way, it becomes harder to tell the difference:
Were we building something together? Or were we building something deeper?
When the experience ends, where do we go from there?

The Relationship Shifts No One Talks About

There’s a quiet emotional math that starts playing out:
If they unfollow me, does that mean something?
If I don’t comment on their launch, will they notice?
If I reach out, will it feel weird?

These aren’t life-or-death questions. But they’re real. And for those of us who do business from the heart, they carry weight.

This is the paradox of modern entrepreneurship: we build brands around authenticity and connection—then feel unsure how to manage that connection when the professional piece fades out.

What do you do with a relationship that was once constant but now feels like a ghost version of itself?

You don’t always get a “we’re done here” conversation. Sometimes, the messages just stop. And that liminal space—that slow quieting—isn’t something we were taught how to handle.

The Myth of Clean Categories

Traditional work environments had built-in boundaries. You had coworkers, bosses, clients. You clocked in, clocked out. There were limits to how much was shared.

But in the world of personal brands, there are no clear job titles or HR departments. We build offers based on lived experience. We market by sharing our stories. We sell transformation, connection, and trust.

Which means… the roles we play are fluid.
Friend. Client. Collaborator. Audience. Peer. Mentor.

And sometimes the roles overlap. Other times, they dissolve.

If we try to define every relationship too rigidly, we miss the magic. But if we leave everything undefined, we risk confusion or hurt.

So, we dance between clarity and closeness. Between generosity and boundaries. And we do it without a manual.

The Social Side Effects

Sometimes, the people you were closest to professionally start aligning with someone else, and you feel left behind, even if nothing has happened.

Other times, you hear through the grapevine that someone you knew well is “behaving differently,” and you’re unsure what to believe. You don’t want to gossip, but you don’t want to ignore red flags either. It’s complicated.

There can be loyalty fatigue. Side-taking exhaustion. Emotional residue from breakups that didn’t look like breakups because they weren’t romantic—but were still intimate in their own way.

This is the undercurrent no one posts about on LinkedIn.

What It All Comes Down To

There’s no map for how to handle relationships that start in business but spill into personal territory. We’re all figuring it out in real-time.

If you’re feeling uncertain about where you stand with someone, or mourning a connection that changed, or wondering if it was ever as mutual as it felt—know that you’re not alone.

This is the new normal. And while it may be messier than before, it also invites a deeper kind of connection—one built not on roles or rules, but on realness.

Maybe this blurry middle isn’t a sign of loss, but a quiet invitation.
To prune what no longer fits.
To water what still wants to grow.
And to trust that even in ambiguity, something beautiful is taking root.

Kathy Binner is an Executive Contributor, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief of the Freestyle Living Magazine. As a way to give back and serve her clients, Kathy is writing her ‘Simply Start’ courses, facilitating her online Masterminds, and conducting her private coaching sessions. In her free time, she enjoys writing, hiking, cycling, and ballroom dancing! You can connect with Kathy through her website at www.kathybinner.com