This post is sponsored by Lysol. All thoughts are my own.

 

It’s easy to fall into our everyday routines. With people spending more time at home, it’s also easy to fall into a comfort zone. But as each season comes to an end and we begin a new one, it’s important to take inventory of your life and find ways to give it a refresh. This can be done in many ways, but here are a few ideas that I like doing every so often.

Trying new things and making changes is a great way to reposition your life in a way that breathes new life into the daily routine. I hope you like these tips and I’d love to hear some of yours!

1. Update your wardrobe.

Find a few new pieces that fit YOU now in your current size and style. Remove a few old pieces that you no longer fit, like, or use. Some people find it fun to sell unwanted clothing pieces and use the money made on those for new ones! Regardless of how you do it, treat yourself to a new outfit or two. Styles and bodies change over time. You may have loved something before during a different season of life, but perhaps now you’re ready for something new. I used to tell myself I wouldn’t buy anything new until I reached my goal size again. But I learned that I feel better about myself by choosing to dress the body I have now. Self-care is giving yourself permission to be happy with who you are even if you’re working on improving a part of yourself. By finding new wardrobe items that fit your current body and style, you’ll feel better when you wear them out!

If you’re unsure about what looks good on you, consider using a stylist. This service ranges from hiring a personal stylist to work with you one on one or perhaps choosing a more budget friendly option like an online style subscription service to style you remotely. There are options for regular styles or one time styles depending on your needs. You’ll be able to provide personal info about your sizes, likes, dislikes, body type, and more that will help someone choose just the right pieces for you. Not only is it fun to get your new items in the mail and be surprised by the results, but this is a great way to stretch a little outside your comfort zone and try something new you may not have chosen on your own!

2. Freshen up your Laundry with Lysol Antibacterial Detergent!

Did you know that Lysol’s new laundry detergent is formulated to remove odor-causing bacteria? Make sure your bedding and clothing doesn’t just look clean but truly is clean! There’s nothing more relaxing than freshly washed sheets and knowing mine are truly clean and they don’t just look clean lets me snuggle up and sleep well! If you’re interested in more laundry tips, here are 10 Laundry Tips for Moms that you may enjoy!

 

3. Decorate your home with things that bring you joy.

Perhaps adding string lights sets a relaxing mood in the bedroom for you to curl up with a good book. Maybe you’re into seasonal or holiday themed pieces. Your home is your safe space. Make the best of what you have, where you are. Many of us have recently spent even more time in our home and it’s important to make that space feel like a happy one. Even a simple decluttering session can help clear mental stress and make space for relaxation and better sleep.

When I was younger, I had items around my home that I just had because they were there, but they didn’t bring me joy. As I’ve grown through my 30’s, I’m being more intentional with the pieces I bring into my home and trying to surround myself with things that make me happy. I chose a theme of bright colors and rainbows for my kids’ room to inspire creativity and fun. Having family photos throughout my home also brings me joy. I absolutely love capturing memories of my kids and having those moments displayed all around me as a reminder of just how amazing life really is. Do you collect anything? Perhaps displaying those items would bring you joy. I still remember my Nana’s collection of teapots she had displayed along the top of her kitchen cabinets. Whatever it is that makes you happy, surround yourself with it! And remove anything that no longer brings you joy so that someone else can enjoy it more.

4. Update your headshots and profile photos on social media.

We all look different each year. How long has it been since you’ve updated your photos? Are you still using a photo from 10 years ago? Do your profile pictures actually look like you or has it been awhile? Throw on your fave new outfit and smile if it’s time for a refresh!

You can accomplish this quickly and easily without a professional photographer if you don’t have the budget for it. Grab your phone and stand toward a window with direct sunlight during the day. Set your phone on a tripod or stand and choose the self-timer option. Take a step back and smile! Be sure to have the sunlight facing at a 30-40 degree angle for the best lighting. Be sure the background is neutral and free from too many distractions. Here are mine:

I think it’s important to have current representation of ourselves. After all, that’s what the world sees anyways. My appearance doesn’t change too much, but I usually update mine every season so that it’s a fair representation of what I actually look like.

4. Try out a new hairstyle or look.

If you haven’t changed your hair in awhile, consider a new cut or color. Try styling your hair in a new way. I’m at an age where I maintain my black hair with regular dye (to cover greys) so my color stays consistent, but since it grows pretty quickly, I usually cut it once a year so I can enjoy it both long and short throughout the year.

My boys just finished the school year and we decided to celebrate by dying their hair blue! It was a spontaneous thing but they loved it! It’s almost grown out, but they definitely got to enjoy something fun and different for the summer. You don’t have to go to that extreme, but definitely try something new every now and then to freshen things up a bit! You can even preview what might look good with filters on your phone these days, so have fun with it!

If a new hairstyle isn’t on your mind, maybe try a new makeup look. It’s fun to play around with makeup and it washes off at the end of the day! You can find some great tutorials online for inspiration.

6. Treat yourself to fresh flowers.

It doesn’t have to be Mother’s Day to have fresh flowers in your home. You don’t have to wait for someone else to send flowers. Treat yourself to a beautiful arrangement, pick up a bouquet on your next grocery run, or find a local farm to pick your own! Fresh flowers are a beautiful way to add joy to your home! I’ve always loved how fresh flowers remind me of my grandmas. My kids enjoy them, too!

7. Freshen up your reading list with a new book!

When is the last time you read a new book? See what others are recommending or check out a new release for something that’s just right for your interest! I picked out a list of books that I plan to read during 2021, and I’m really enjoying that little bit of quiet time to myself. Reading has always been a hobby of mine, and adding new books is a great motivation to make the time for myself.

I also feel that when my kids see me enjoying a book, it hopefully inspires them to do the same. We love reading stories together! But at the end of a long day, alone time with my own book and a cup of tea is just what I need.

8. Create a new playlist!

 

I love using my music streaming service to hear new songs that match my existing interests and artists I enjoy.

Summer is here! Add a few songs into a new playlist to start your day off or accompany you on your commute! One of my favorite items is a shower speaker that I received in a subscription box. I’m able to stream my playlist every morning while I take a shower and get ready and I find it so relaxing!

9. Freshen up your Social Media!

Social media can be a source of joy or stress. If you’re following accounts that cause you to feel upset, it’s time to unfollow them! There are so many great and inspiring accounts to follow that will make social media an enjoyable experience! I like to follow people that I already know, moms in similar stages of parenting, creators who make funny or inspirational content, and photographers and videographers who share tips because I’m always looking for ways to grow and improve in how I tell stories.

I’ve met so many amazing moms through social media that are now real-life friends and some of my biggest supporters. I use social media to keep in touch with family far away through video calls with my kids. While there are certainly downsides to using social media often, you have the ability to really make it your own by curating a community that makes you feel good and removing anyone who doesn’t.

We spend a lot of time scrolling on our phones. Make sure the content you are consuming is serving you well!

10. Freshen up your kitchen!

If you have a pantry, it’s time to go through and check expiration dates and remove what is no longer fresh. It’s easy to let things pile up and expire if you aren’t on top of it. Make some room for new things by removing what is no longer good. Maybe even try a new recipe!

Having my cabinets and refrigerator organized gives me so much happiness. We live in a smaller space than we have in the past, so making the most of it by keeping things organized is so important! I love to meal plan and when my kitchen is more organized, I’m free to do a lot more in it!

There are SO many ways to refresh your life. It’s important to take that time for yourself to allow yourself to create a space in your real and digital life that feels authentic to who you are and brings you joy. I hope you found these tips helpful and I’d love to hear how you refresh your life in the comments below!

To learn more about Lysol Antibacterial Detergent, visit Lysol.com/Detergent

How do YOU refresh your life?