Living In-Between

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Living In-Between | This Capsule Life

Do you ever feel like you’re in this state of living in-between? Like you’re not actually really fully living at all — you’re only half living in each of your roles? I 1,000% feel that.

Sometimes I just feel like I’m floating around not really sure of what my next step should be. What I’ve learned is life feels blurry like that at times. What I’ve also learned is that more people feel like this than we realize. We’re not alone.

I was listening to Tara Brach’s podcast this morning while getting ready and she said something that really struck me:

If you let go a little, you’ll have a little peace.

If you let go a lot, you’ll have a lot of peace.

If you let go absolutely, you’ll have absolute peace and tranquility.

Wow. I thought that was so powerful. Here we are trying to control what happens in our lives in order to find peace and contentment, when in reality the best way to find peace and contentment is actually by letting go. Tara recognizes that this isn’t an easy process; that we have to practice this daily in order for it to even start coming “naturally” to us — at first, we’ll even have to let go of “not letting go the right way.” Phew.

No, I don’t have all the answers. No, I’m not perfect. No, I don’t feel like I’m fully living in all of my roles. No, I don’t know exactly what my purpose is just yet.

And what I’m realizing is that is all well with my soul.

Episode 008 Show Notes: 10 Ways to Cut Down Your Screen Time

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Episode 008: 10 Ways to Cut Down Your Screen Time

In this episode, we chat about the elephant in the room: screen time. We talk everything from the addictive nature of it to its physical and mental effects to 10 ways to reduce the amount of time you spend scrolling vs. living.

Let’s get back to basics and fill our time with things that fill our souls. Who’s with me?!

Ah, less screen time. It’s the elephant in the room. With screen time apps becoming all the rage and the focus on how too much screen time affects your health, you know you should put limits on screen time and create a better routine. But why-is-it-so-hard? 

It’s true: screen time can actually be addictive.

According to results from a study by Dimitri Christakis, a psychology professor at the University of Washington and director of a children’s center at Seattle Children’s Hospital, certain types of fast-paced media might be truly addictive. Hellooo, social media!

And the Center for Humane Technology says social media sites know what they’re doing when it comes to using “tech trickery” like artificial intelligence-driven news feeds, notifications, and autoplaying videos. The group is quoted as saying: “These are not neutral products, they are part of a system designed to addict us.”

So how does screen time affect our health?

From physical effects like an increase in a sedentary lifestyle and interrupted sleep cycles to mental effects like anxiety, depression, social isolation, and social comparison, screen time can take a serious toll on our overall health.

10 ideas for you to cut down your screen time

Here are the first 3 ideas from the podcast — tune in on iTunes for the rest!

  1. Use the tools available to you — there are lots of apps out there and settings like “do not disturb” that help balance screen time.

  2. Create a sanctuary for your bedroom — the best way to get rid of the temptation to look at your phone while in bed is to get rid of the temptation entirely. 

  3. Prioritize exercise — according to Psychology Today, while stress and screen-time break down brain connectivity, exercise builds connections and actually makes the brain bigger, which helps fight depression, poor focus, insomnia, addiction, and anxiety.

Screen time studies & other resources

Join me on this Capsule Life journey!

  • Subscribe to the Capsule Life podcast on iTunes

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Until next time Capsule Lifers — keep finding joy through minimal living.

Episode 007 Show Notes: How to Create a Non-Toxic Home Using Essential Oils with Janelle Settle

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In this education-packed episode, I interview Janelle Settle, a Healthy Lifestyle Promoter, all about essential oils for the home and how we can begin to incorporate non-toxic products into our home care routine. Janelle shares great tips, resources, and recipes - you don't want to miss out on this amazing episode! Let's dive on in!

How to create a non-toxic home using essential oils with special guest Janelle Settle

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds extracted and distilled from plants (including their respective parts like seeds, bark, leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruit, etc.) for health benefits. If you've ever come in contact with peppermint and lavender plants or orange peels, you've already experienced essential oils to some degree. 

What are a few misconceptions of essential oils?

  • You can’t use essential oils for pets. Correction — you CAN use essential oils for pets. If oils are used properly, they can be really beneficial to pets. Check out the Essential Oil Vet on Facebook for tips.

  • Essential oils are a waste of money because they don’t last very long. Essential oils can actually last a long time, even sometimes longer than herbs and food in your cabinet. But make sure you’re storing them properly. If they smell weird or are discolored, they probably went bad.

  • Essential oils are just for diffusing. Essential oils aren’t just for diffusing! There are a myriad of ways to use essential oils — you can cook with them, clean with them, use them in your skin care routine, and more!

  • All essential oils are created equal. All essential oils are NOT created equal. Make sure to do your research — if you’re seeing essential oils in the $1 bin, run away!

How can we work essential oils into our homes?

Essential oils can help you replace several toxic home care products like Clorox wipes, candles, and more. From garbage disposal refreshers to stove top cleaners to laundry, essential oils can be easily worked into your daily and weekly home care routines.

Resources

Connect with Janelle

Janelle is such a great example and living proof for how essential oils can truly help us live our best, non-toxic lives. With all of the great education she provides, she makes it easy for her community to switch over to non-toxic products throughout all areas of our lives. She’s such a wealth of knowledge and such an inspiration to live healthier and I’m so grateful she took the time to chat with us. Connect with her at the following places:

Learn More About Essential Oils

This Week’s Challenge!

I’m going to dive on into building a non-toxic home using Janelle’s tips — who’s with me?

Download this Simple Guide to a Non-Toxic Home

Join me on this Capsule Life journey!

  • Subscribe to the Capsule Life podcast on iTunes

    • Like what you hear? We’d love it if you left a review! It helps us out more than you know!

  • This Capsule Life Community

  • This Capsule Life on Instagram

  • This Capsule Life on Pinterest

Until next time Capsule Lifers — keep finding joy through minimal living.