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Balancing Today

Learning To Balance It All

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in Wellness

Oh Hi, It’s Me

Oh hi, it’s me!

Time is such a funny thing.  We wish time away, beg for time to slow down, and lose track of time.  Sometimes we go through the motions, riding the waves of life’s highs and lows, and yet there is an underlying disconnect between time and our reality.  It’s hard to see that disconnect when we’re in the thick of life, but what time does allow us, is the chance to look back and think.

To think about what has happened, the blessings received along the way, things we should have done differently, and how we’d like life to be moving forward.  Only now can I look back and see the aspects of my life that were frozen on that dreadful day back in 2009 (TRIGGER WARNING!).  I lost myself that day.  9 years of therapy and healing later, and only now do I see just how much of myself was lost that day.

Prior to that day, I was strong in my faith, had beautiful trusting friendships, maintained a significant weight loss, was free from binge eating, and found so much joy in the world around me.  That single day in 2009 changed absolutely everything.  The walls I built ended friendships, the comfort I found was now in food, and the world that was once so colorful was now grey.

The crazy thing about time is that these past 9 years have been hell for me deep down inside.  Deep down, I’m hurting. Deep down, I’m lonely. Deep down, I have to work hard to trust others.  Deep down, I’m scared.  Deep down, I want to turn to food for comfort.  Deep down, I dream of the life I had before that April night.  The crazy thing about time is that these past 9 years have also been filled with more blessings that I can count.  I met and married my husband, had 2 unbelievably amazing children, bought a house in the most perfect area for my own wellness, worked tirelessly to grow as a professional in higher education, and created so many unbelievable memories.  These past 9 years have been a true roller coaster of joy, pain, healing, milestones, and memories.

My identity has changed so much these past 9 years as I became a wife, mother, director, small business and home owner.  So much life has happened and yet 9 years ago I stopped being myself.  I stopped being that goofy, loving, trusting, and overjoyed person.  Sure, she comes out of her shell on occasion, but fear and pain have kept me guarded.

What I’ve come to realize is that although life and time may change your role, purpose, routine, and focus, you have to heal your heart to move on.  You have to let go of who you were and truly write a new story.  Adding onto life and changing roles doesn’t change what’s going on deep down inside.  I was so hopeful getting married, having kids, and working my tail off would rewrite my story.  They have in some ways, but healing the heart, redefining the mind, and rebuilding what’s inside is where true change and reformation occur.

4 years ago, when I became a mom, I didn’t know what I wanted to share here on Balancing Today.  For years I had written about weight loss, weight gain, fitness, and my day to day, but motherhood was a whole new ball of wax.  I’ve toggled with what to share here on Balancing Today and what to write about because I struggled with weight loss, mainly because I was still binge eating, and my routine was all over the place as a working mom.  It may have taken me 4 years, but I’m back and ready to talk.  I’m ready to share my story, to write because I love writing, and to help women know they are not alone!

Time is such a funny thing, but boy am I thankful for time!  Time has given me the family I prayed for, a chance to heal, and a voice to speak for those who can not.  It’s taken me a while, and yet, here we are!  A new day, a fresh start, and a beginning that is mine to create.

Oh Hi, It's Me

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I'm Ashley, a full-time working mom who lives in the Washington, DC area. Balancing Today is all about learning to balance family, work, wellness, and most of all, life's simple joys! Read More!

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Some of my goals for this year included saving mon Some of my goals for this year included saving money, planning out dinners for the week ahead, and getting back to the simple things that spark joy. Tonight’s dinner was the perfect culmination of all 3 goals.  I loved BLTs growing up, they’re easy on our budget, and my family loved them! What’s a dinner from your childhood you remember fondly?
Has my life changed since I started using CBD??? 1 Has my life changed since I started using CBD??? 10000%! CBD gave me the head space, freedom from anxiety, and control back to be able to focus on ME!! Did taking CBD cause weight loss, no!, but with the absence of stress, anxiety, and pain from using CBD I could focus on my body, health, wellness, and fitness. CBD has been a big piece of my puzzle these past 10 months. This time last year I was miserable and now, I’m thriving!
The past month has been one of the most fulfilling The past month has been one of the most fulfilling months for me personally in who knows how long! On December 1, I took a leap and decided to start a business selling Green Compass CBD after 9 months of using CBD to reduce my anxiety, lessen feelings of panic, and to manage my stress and body aches/pain (and boy has it changed my days!!). 

Over the past 46 days I have made incredible new friends, have helped men and women start using an organic CBD they can trust, made enough money to pay for an Airbnb getaway for my family, and have seen first hand how many people out there just need help! 

Help with anxiety. Help with the burnout they’re experiencing. Help with being overwhelmed from this pandemic. Help with managing the feelings of stress from virtual learning and work. Help finding a way to make an extra income. Help with joint and muscle pain. And help with needing a community. 

If you’re wanting to know how CBD can help you, take a leap and send me a note! 

If you’re needing to make extra money and don’t know where to start, let’s talk! 

I hope that all of my friends and followers here on IG know I’m an open book and love helping people reach their goals! If you’re even just a little curious about CBD or Green Compass, I’m here for you!
Start a side business for YOU! Start a side busin Start a side business for YOU! Start a side  business to invest in YOURSELF! Start a side business to make YOUR own money! Start a side business because YOU want the joy that comes from helping others! 

Investing in yourself and joining Green Compass could truly be the best decision you ever make for yourself. Is it normal to be scared, nervous, and even insecure before starting a side business? 100%! What I can reassure you is that I’m going to help you every step of the way! You will have a mentor, a friend, a business partner, and a cheerleader from the moment you message me! 

If additional income would help you, let’s talk. If a community of friends would help you, let’s talk. 

Take a leap! I’m here for YOU!!
One thing on my heart is to start each week with a One thing on my heart is to start each week with a reading. To take a few moments to sit, to take weight off my shoulders, and to focus on my root, heart, and crown. 

Crown Card (top) represents the part of me that wants to reach beyond myself. It can give you an idea of how to serve others✨The Stone - “The stone tethers us to Earth, helping to ground and connect us to stillness, quiet, and peace. 

Heart Card (middle) represents what is currently residing in my heart and tells of deep longing, calling, or conflict✨The Prayer - “Prayer leads us beyond our ego. We are in a state of prayer any time we are not the center of our own thoughts.”

Root Card (bottom) represents my grounding and current state✨The Shaman - “This card reminds us that the force of healing is ultimately not our own. We must shape it and share it with the world.”
Starting the week off with some fresh flowers. The Starting the week off with some fresh flowers. They bring me joy, make me happy, and bring life to my desk. Is there something you do for your work space/home environment that brings you joy each week?
Today I created a vision board!! More on Balancing Today I created a vision board!! More on BalancingToday.com
Woof, what a weird, sad, depressing, and confusing Woof, what a weird, sad, depressing, and confusing first week of the year. 

To focus on the good, I took care of myself this week. I did multiple meditations, took time to be outside, made realistic to do lists, established boundaries to give myself space, celebrated my daughter’s thriving in their first week back to virtual learning post break, and focused on the things I love. 

One moment I treasure each work day are those first 15 minutes. I look out the window, drink my coffee, and make a list of everything on my mind (Brain Dump). It gives me clarity, focus, and just a moment for ME. Before meetings, before projects, before serving others, I take a moment for ME! 

What did you do for YOU this week?
A quick walk between meetings on this “winter/no A quick walk between meetings on this “winter/not winter” day. Who else is ready for snow!?!
One thing on my heart is to start each week with a One thing on my heart is to start each week with a reading. To take a few moments to sit, to take weight off my shoulders, and to focus on my root, heart, and crown. 

Crown Card (top) represents the part of me that wants to reach beyond myself. It can give you an idea of how to serve others✨The Desert - embrace discomfort to tap into potential energy. 

Heart Card (middle) represents what is currently residing in my heart and tells of deep longing, calling, or conflict✨The Flame - A desire to reignite a fire inside no matter how harshly the winds blow.

Root Card (bottom) represents my grounding and current state✨The Hunter - Focused and energized. On a mission!

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