What I Learned from Twelve Months of Eco-Conscious Living

As the year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the twelve months I spent intentionally adopting greener habits, gardening more thoughtfully, cleaning more sustainably, and reshaping nearly every routine through an eco-conscious lens. What started as a personal challenge soon became a lifestyle shift that touched my home, my habits, and even my family.

Gardening: The Beginning of Something Bigger

My green year took root in the garden. I traded impulse-buy plants for hardy native varieties that support pollinators, enriched my soil naturally, and embraced the patient rhythm of composting. Growing vegetables stopped being a seasonal project and became a gentle lesson in observing weather patterns, soil health, and the fragile balance of nature. Gardening no longer felt like a hobby. It felt like a partnership.

Greener Cleaning and Simpler Living

From the garden, the changes moved indoors. I swapped harsh chemical cleaners for simple mixtures of vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap. My cupboards grew less cluttered, my air smelled cleaner, and my surfaces felt safer, especially with grandchildren who explore every corner with curious hands. Something as ordinary as wiping a counter became an act rooted in intention rather than habit.

Little by little, the rest followed: reusable grocery bags, glass storage replacing plastic, mindful energy use, and reducing food waste with better planning. No single change felt dramatic, yet together they reshaped my relationship with my home and my routines.

The Benefits That Reached My Family and My Grandchildren

The biggest surprise of this year was how naturally these choices benefited my family. My grandchildren became enthusiastic partners in my green journey. They learned how to harvest herbs, spot butterflies, and understand why we protect bees. Instead of buying toys that are easily forgotten, we created memories planting seeds, digging in the soil, and uncovering the tiny ecosystems living beneath our feet.

Growing our own produce brought new excitement to family meals. Fresh tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and herbs picked by small hands tasted just a little sweeter. And with non-toxic cleaning products throughout the house, I felt at ease knowing the surfaces they touched were safe.

For the adults in my family, the shift to greener habits brought a sense of calm, less clutter, less waste, and fewer unnecessary purchases. It sparked conversations about responsibility and the future, especially when looking into the eyes of the next generation.

Ultimately, the most meaningful benefit was not a cleaner home or a fuller garden. It was knowing that my choices helped shape values, create lasting memories, and plant seeds, literal and metaphorical, that will grow long after the year has ended.

Carrying the Lessons Forward

This year taught me that living green is not about perfection; it is about consistency, curiosity, and care. As the new year begins, I will not be closing the chapter on sustainable living. I will be turning the page, bringing these lessons with me, and continuing the legacy I have begun for my family and grandchildren.

Debbie Marks is a staff writer for the Freestyle Living Magazine. She is a global marketing entrepreneur, author, speaker, health & wellness coach, home-based business coach, social media trainer, & organic homesteader. Debbie is a regional sales director for Melaleuca and facilitates her monthly podcast, Fireside Chat with Debbie Marks.

Winter Wellness: Nourishing Your Body and Protecting Your Health and Peace of Mind

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, winter often brings with it a unique set of challenges for both body and mind. While cozy nights by the fire and holiday traditions can be comforting, the season can also test our immune systems, disrupt fitness routines, and weigh on our mental health. The good news? With a proactive approach, you can safeguard your well-being and enjoy the season with confidence and peace of mind.

Nourish Your Body with Immune-Boosting Foods

Winter is prime time for colds and flu, making nutrition especially important. Incorporating immune-supportive foods such as citrus fruits, leafy greens, garlic, and ginger can help strengthen your defenses. Warm, hearty soups made with beans, lentils, and vegetables not only provide comfort but also deliver essential vitamins and minerals. Staying hydrated—often overlooked in colder months—is equally vital for keeping your body resilient.

Stay Active, even in the Cold

Shorter days and chilly weather can make it tempting to hibernate, but movement is key to maintaining energy and mood. Outdoor activities like brisk walks, snowshoeing, or even shoveling snow can double as exercise. For those who prefer staying indoors, yoga, resistance training, or online fitness classes are excellent options. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s consistency. Even 20 minutes of daily movement can boost circulation, improve sleep, and reduce stress.

Protect Your Mental Health

Winter’s limited daylight can contribute to seasonal dips in mood. To counter this, prioritize mental health strategies such as:

• Light exposure: Spend time outdoors during daylight hours or consider a light therapy lamp.
• Mindfulness practices: Meditation, journaling, or deep breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety.
• Connection: Stay socially engaged with friends and family, even virtually, to combat isolation.

Proactive Protection for Peace of Mind

True wellness isn’t only about the body; it’s about reducing the stressors that keep us up at night. Worries about finances, identity theft, or unexpected legal issues can quietly erode mental health. That’s where proactive measures come in. Having Services like LegalShield and IDShield provides practical safeguards: from estate planning and income protection to identity theft restoration and legal support. Knowing these resources are in place allows you to focus on your health and happiness without the constant “what if” worries.

Think of it as winterizing your life. Just as you prepare your home for cold weather, you can prepare your personal and financial well-being for life’s unexpected storms. This preventative mindset not only reduces stress but also fosters peace of mind, a cornerstone of mental wellness.

Embrace the Season with Confidence

Winter doesn’t have to be endured; it can be embraced. By nourishing your body, staying active, tending to your mental health, and putting protective measures in place for you/your loved one’s wellbeing, you create a foundation of resilience. The result? A season defined not by worry, but by warmth, security, and joy.

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

Awake and Intentional: My Year in Review

At the start of the year, I set out with a simple but powerful goal: to be Awake AND Intentional.

Not just to function—but to actually pay attention.

Not just to plan—but to act on purpose.

Not just to want change—but to choose it.

And I thought I knew what that meant. But here’s the thing: understanding a phrase is easy; living it is where the storm hits.

At the beginning of this year, I wrote about what “Awake AND Intentional” meant to me: being present, aware, and making conscious decisions. I wrote about goals, not as wish lists, but as commitments. I outlined what I valued, what I was chasing, and what I was ready to walk away from.

That first article was the blueprint.

The second reminded me: you are where you choose to be.

And the third? That one hurt. 25 Weeks of Choices made me look at what I’d dropped, what I’d fumbled, and what I’d flat-out ignored.

Then came the hardest lesson so far— The Pain of Waking Up.

That pain doesn’t just sting; it reshapes you. It’s the moment you take the blindfold off and realize all the things you’ve been juggling... and all the things lying shattered around your feet.

Most of what I dropped...

They weren’t distractions.

They were dreams.

They were pieces of me.

But here’s the twist...

That pain? That ache of awareness?
It comes from the same source as hope.

The pain of waking up and the hope of waking up are two sides of the same coin.
They both start with recognition.

And with recognition comes choice.

You can’t juggle everything. No one can. The world record for objects juggled is eleven, but most people can’t handle more than three or four. And we try to juggle family, work, goals, fears, regrets, health, money, identity, and expectations, all while blindfolded.

So, when the blindfold comes off, you get the chance to ask:

What do I want to keep in the air?

What am I ready to set down, gently, before it breaks?

Living Awake AND Intentional is not a finish line—it’s a mindset. A lens. A way of showing up when you’d rather check out.

And here's the deeper truth:

You can’t step into the same river twice.

You’re not the same person you were at the start of this year.

And the world around you isn’t the same either.

But if you’re still choosing to wake up; if you’re still asking the hard questions, still wrestling with what matters, then you’re still on the path. You’re still becoming.

So maybe this isn’t the end of the journey.

Maybe it’s just a pause. A breath. A stake in the ground to say:

“I see where I’ve been. I know where I am. And I get to choose what comes next.”

Awake is a mindset.

AND is a choice.

Intentional is a commitment.

Stay Awake AND Intentional.

L. Mason VanDyke is a Staff Writer for the Freestyle Living Magazine. He is not just an author but a captivating storyteller, weaving narratives that transport readers into rich, immersive worlds of imagination. You can connect with L Mason VanDyke through his email at: lmvandyke@yahoo.com

Desire, Faith, and the Quiet Blueprint Guiding Your Holiday Season

As Christmas approaches, life gets louder, calendars fill, expectations rise, and everyone seems to need one more thing. And yet, in the middle of the noise, there’s something else happening inside you.

A quiet desire begins to stir.

It might show up while you’re decorating the tree…

or in the hush after the kids fall asleep…

or in the stillness of a December morning before the day begins.

It’s that soft, persistent nudge:

There’s more for you.

We often treat desire like something to postpone until January, when life feels quieter, and resolutions feel reasonable. But desire isn’t a New Year’s concept; it’s a spiritual one. It’s the whisper of purpose, nudging you long before you have the time or space to act on it.

This is where Think and Grow Rich becomes unexpectedly relevant during the holidays. Napoleon Hill teaches that every transformation begins with desire, the honest kind you can’t ignore, even during the busiest season of the year.

Desire is the spark.

Faith is the warmth around it.

And faith isn’t just belief in God; it’s belief that what you carry inside you was placed there intentionally. It’s choosing to trust your inner pull even when the to-do list says you don’t have room for it. It’s taking one small step toward the life you envision, even when the world around you feels like it’s pulling you in a dozen directions.

When desire and faith partner together, something shifts.

You notice moments of meaning you used to rush past.

You make choices that feel aligned, not obligated.

You start giving from overflow, not depletion.

You rediscover hope — not as a holiday theme, but as a lived reality.

Christmas reminds us of this truth every year:

small beginnings can change everything.

So, listen to your desire this season.

Nurture it with faith.

Trust that the quiet blueprint inside you is not a distraction, it’s direction.

And let this Christmas be the moment you stop dismissing what’s calling you…

and start believing it was placed in you on purpose.

Remember, you were put here for such a time as this.

December whispers softly while the world grows loud and bright,
A hidden stirring rises in the hush between the lights.
A quiet longing kindles as the season gathers pace,
Revealing something sacred in the stillness of your space.

It flickers near the treetop as the ornaments align,
It hums in early morning when the sky is painted gold,
A message meant for you alone—persistent, clear, and bold.
“There’s more for you,” it murmurs, a soul-deep truth retold.

Desire becomes the spark that lights an unseen inner fire,
Faith becomes the warmth that lifts that first small spark higher.
Faith says the dream within you was placed with loving hands,
A quiet blueprint guiding you through all of life’s demands.

And when desire and faith unite, the holiday shifts tone—
Meaning slips into moments once overlooked or outgrown.
So, listen to what calls you, let its whisper be your light,
For you were placed upon this earth for such a time as this—ignite.

Cheri Dotterer is the creator of EstherChicks, a transformational community that equips women to embrace their God-given identity and pursue purpose with clarity and courage. Blending faith, neuroscience, and practical strategy, she helps women unlock the rhythms, confidence, and calling placed inside them. Learn more and join the movement at cheridotterer.com/estherchicks-skool

When the Snow is Thick

Recently, in many geographical areas of the United States, a snowfall of more than an inch surprised, shocked and delighted many people. Cold temperatures kept the snow around for a couple days, making it the topic of conversation for quite a while. Stories of getting out snow shovels, scraping off car windows and making sure the bird feeders were full filled our social media minutes.

A New Zealand author from the late 1800s to early 1900s, Katherine Mansfield, observed winter poetically saying, “In the woods where snow is thick, bars of sunlight lay like pale fire.”

How have you observed winter? 

Do you have stories about playing in snow as a child and/or playing with your own child in the snow? Does snow play a part in the setting of one of your stories? How? Consider ways in which snow may affect the main character in achieving their goal. Will it slow them down? Make them reflect and learn something from it?

One year, I spent the Christmas holiday in New Zealand, which is their summertime. Folks headed to the beach, while here in Ohio, we headed to the sled runs and ski lifts. How much effect does a summery winter have on your stories, whether in fiction or nonfiction?

And then there’s both. I know that almost all winter-based television movies (think Hallmark holiday ones) are actually shot in summer. Fake snow is a must. I’ve been musing about a story that involves a character living near those winter-in-summer television recording places. What story would that character tell? 

Stories, such as Frosty the Snowman, use the snow itself as a character and not just a setting.

Amidst the rush of the holiday celebrations, I hope you find a few quiet moments to yourself to tell your winter story. 

Thank you to Reedsy for the following ideas to kickstart your storytelling. https://reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/

Winter Writing Prompts

Start your story with someone looking out the window and seeing the first snowfall of the season.

Set your story in a remote winter cabin with no electricity, internet, or phone service.

Write about someone who gets stuck in their workplace during a blizzard and decides to explore rooms they aren’t normally allowed in.

Write a story about someone who finds something interesting peeking out from a melting snowbank.

Grandma hosted Christmas dinner every year. This year, she announced she wouldn’t be doing it. Why?

You and another person or a few other people are trapped in an elevator on New Year’s Eve.

Letters to a snowman.

Writers' Workshop August 7-9, 2026. Into the Springs Writers' Workshop (intothespringswritersworkshop.com)

Sandy Kachurek is a Staff Writer for the Freestyle Living Magazine. She is the director of Into the Springs Writers' Workshop. The 2026 details for the workshop are available now!

You can connect with Sandy through her email at: sandy@intothespringswritersworkshop.com or connect with her on her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/IntoTheSpringsWritersWorkshop/

Building Relationships This Holiday Season

Across the country, the holiday season has a way of shifting the rhythm of life. Conversations take on a softer tone. People begin to look up from their routines and notice one another with a little more tenderness. Homes fill with warm lights and familiar scents. Even the air feels different as if inviting us to reconnect with the people who make our lives meaningful. The holidays remind us that relationships thrive when we slow down long enough to give them our full attention.

Many people speak of this season as a time when hearts feel a bit more open. Simple acts of kindness take on greater significance. A smile to a stranger. A cup of coffee shared with someone who needs company. A phone call to an old friend who has been on your mind.

These moments are not dramatic or complicated, yet they strengthen our connections in ways that can last long after the season ends.

How have you observed your relationships during past holidays?

Perhaps you remember a time when family members gathered around a table filled with stories and laughter. Maybe you recall a holiday when someone showed up unexpectedly and reminded you of how precious connection can be.

You may even carry memories of quiet moments at home when you simply enjoyed the presence of someone you love without needing to fill the silence. These experiences become part of the foundation of the relationships we cherish.

Some holiday seasons unfold in unexpected ways. You might find yourself traveling someplace warm while others are celebrating in the cold. You may spend time with friends who feel like family or with neighbors who step in to create a sense of community.

Holidays spent in new environments often highlight the relationships that steady us and reveal the ones that need added care. When everything around us changes the people who reach toward us become even more significant.

Television and movies often present the holidays as perfectly lit scenes with smiling faces and beautifully arranged gatherings. In reality relationships grow in the simple and imperfect moments.

A heartfelt conversation while cleaning up after dinner. A walk through a quiet neighborhood with someone who listens well. A shared cup of tea at the end of a long day. An authentic connection does not require perfection. It requires presence.

Sometimes relationships need nurturing. Sometimes they need forgiveness. Sometimes they simply need time. The holiday season offers a natural opportunity to repair misunderstandings and open the door to deeper connection.

You may choose to let an old grievance soften. You may choose to reach out to someone you miss. You may choose to create new traditions with people who bring joy into your life.

As you move through your celebrations, gatherings, and peaceful evenings at home, consider how you want to show up for the people around you. What small gestures can help strengthen the relationships that matter most? Who might appreciate a moment of your time? What conversations have been waiting for the right season to begin?

Amid the rush of holiday activity, may you find quiet spaces to appreciate the people who fill your life with meaning. May you discover opportunities to nurture old relationships and create new ones. And may this season fill your heart with connection warmth and gratitude as you step into the new year surrounded by relationships that uplift and inspire you.

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

Cozy Up: Simple Steps to Prepare for Winter's Chill at Home & in Life

Snow has been gently falling outside my window all day today... winter is here! Today represents the pretty, Christmas card version of winter, but some recent days have included the howling, chilled-to-the-bone bluster that we don't much love about this coldest season of the year.

One thing is certain -- like it or not, winter *will* come every year. And just as the winter season occurs reliably each year, we can also expect it as a season of life, if we live

long enough to witness it.

Let's explore some ways to make your winter a bit easier in both scenarios. Feel free to take any ideas that resonate with you.

Preparing for Winter 2025/2026

 Prepare for the weather you expect:

o Seal up cracks in your home's doors and windows

o Refill your home heating oil tank

o Check your car's battery

o Equip your car's trunk with essentials like a blanket, energy bars,

water, rock salt, and a shovel

 Prepare for the unexpected storms:

o Stock up on extra food and water for 1-2 weeks in case you're snowbound

o Gather firewood as an alternative source of heat

o Ensure that flashlights have fresh batteries

o Charge up several power blocks to keep your cell phones going -- extra credit if you have solar-powered chargers!

Preparing for Life's Winter Season

 Be kind to yourself and your loved ones by lovingly preparing for these expected needs:

o Arrange Power of Attorney documents (POA) - appoint someone to

speak and act on your behalf

o Create a Medical Directive - ensure that your healthcare wishes are known and respected

o Invest in disability insurance

o Make a Will - ensure that your worldly assets are distributed as you wish

o Modify your home or find a new home that will be mobility-friendly in your later years

 Make life easier for those you love by putting some additional safeguards in place:

o Consider long-term care insurance to help with assisted living or nursing home care

o Invest in life insurance to financially support your loved ones after you're gone

o Write out your obituary

o Completely plan and prepay your funeral or memorial

o Create an environment of resilience for your bereaved spouse and family - give them the best new normal possible after you're gone, with all of the information, contacts, passwords, and home operational tips you can provide

Hey, I know this is a lot to consider on a snowy day. But what better time than right now to make some wise choices and provide well for those you love most? 

Winter can be unforgiving if you aren’t prepared, but with the right preparation, it can be a beautiful season of settling back and enjoying cherished moments with loved ones. It's all about what you make of it!

If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out. Wishing you a cozy and peaceful winter season!

Linda Thomas is a Staff Writer for the Freestyle Living Magazine. She is on a mission to help individuals and their families live their best possible lives, filled with personal growth, financial freedom, time freedom, vibrant relationships, and lasting legacies. You can connect with her through her website: https://ichooseabundance.com/links

Loving Every Part of You

As Christmas lights glow and the New Year appears, many of us start thinking about gifts, celebrations, and resolutions. But during this busy, emotional season, one of the most important gifts you can give is something you can’t wrap: love and compassion for every part of yourself.

The holidays often make us think about how we “should” feel; happy, grateful, joyful. But real life is more complicated. Maybe you feel excited one moment and stressed or sad the next. Maybe you think about what you wish you had done differently this year. All these feelings are normal, and they all deserve kindness.

Many people are taught to be compassionate toward others, especially during Christmas. We give gifts, share meals, and try to be generous. But we often forget to treat ourselves with that same gentleness. We may judge ourselves for mistakes we made or for not being “good enough.” 

But every part of you, your strengths, your struggles, your hopes, and your flaws needs love. Be curious about why that part is feeling or acting the way it is. Be compassionate instead of judging or criticizing. As you do this, you will come to realize as Dr. Richard Schwartz says, “there are no bad parts” in any of us. 

Self-compassion means accepting yourself the way you are right now, not waiting until the New Year to “fix” everything. Think about how we celebrate the end of the year: we look back, remember the highs and lows, and still move forward. You can do this within yourself too. Look at every part of who you are and say to each one, “You matter. I want to understand you better.” It is amazing how this approach starts the process of healing and maturing your parts into responsible roles.

The truth is that no one goes through the year, any year, without making mistakes or facing challenges. When you show yourself compassion, you make it easier to handle these moments. You learn from them instead of beating yourself up. And just like Christmas lights brighten dark winter nights, self-kindness can brighten your inner world.

As the New Year appears, you might feel pressure to set goals or become a “new you.” But before you make any resolutions, remember growth starts with loving the person you already are. When you talk to yourself with kindness, you build strength, confidence, and resilience.

Loving Every Part

As Christmas lights glow softly through the night,
We turn within to seek what feels most right.

Joy may arrive, then sorrow may appear,
Both asking for compassion, not for fear.

The season brings reminders gentle, true,
That every part deserves our kindness too.

We give out warmth to others with such grace,
Yet with ourselves, we struggle to embrace.

“There are no bad parts,” whispers calm and clear,
Just pieces longing for a voice to hear.

Before the New Year asks who you’ll become,
Love who you are—each part, not just some.

Ruth Pierce is a Staff Writer for the Freestyle Living magazine. She is a Relationship Maximizer, using relationship insights from almost 50 years of marriage and over 10 years in Human Resource Management. You can connect with her through her Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ruthpiercetimetofly.