This one goes a little long - but it’s only because we have so many ideas to share about organization - and in this first episode we are motivating ourselves by finding the “why” behind organization. We are clarifying our visions for a month  of spring cleaning: creating a space that is functional and peaceful and free so we can live well. After we’ve clarified our goals, we’re tackling the second step of organization: decluttering! It’s a buzz word for a reason and we’ve got so much inspiration for rethinking what you’re keeping in your home. Check out our episode on Feng Shui here. Get Shira Gill’s Minimalista here. 

This might seem like a funny episode to follow our last one all about finding delight in every day experiences, but trust us, they are two sides of the same coin. Expecting that every moment is going to be totally enjoyable is unreasonable and sets us up for disappointment. So, we're letting go of preconceptions of how things should be, and allowing them to just be as they are. We're practicing mental flexibility, especially in the 5 Ss of Emotional Wellness: Sunshine, Sweat, Sleep, Social and Synergy. 

We talk about finding joy in the everday… but how do we actually approach rewiring our brains to see all the goodness available to us on a daily basis? It’s easy to miss moments of delight because we get caught up in expectations, worry about the future or shame about the past or even jealousy and comparison. But by paying attention and choosing to revel in the present, we can find so much (free!!) surprise and joy in the here and now. 

We are so excited this week to be interviewing Joy, a licensed therapist and social worker, who is sharing with us how we can examine our own thoughts and whether or not they are serving us, and how to start forming new thoughts and habits in accordance with the changes we hope to see. She has so many concrete and practical ideas for rewiring our brains and ditching toxic mentalities for good. You don't want to miss this one! Plus, Joy explains Self-Compassion and setting ourselves up for success with the 5 S's of Emotional Wellness. 

It's our favorite holiday: Valentine's Day! And we're getting ready to celebrate by talking about the simple ways we are loving our people right now: our kids, our spouses, our friends, our communities, and ourselves! We referenced these past episodes:Let's Play and Connection: Love Languages, Snail Mail and Frozen CroissantsJessica recommends a Loom Journal and Michelle recommends these hot stones for massage, as well as the song "Somebody to Die For" by Sam Smith and, more importantly, "Right Hand Man" by Lin-Manuel Miranda, with the most important lyrics (for this episode) being, "Dying is easy young man, living is harder."

In this final episode focused on physical wellness, we're breaking down the info we got from the pros and are talking about how we make it all work in our regular lives: getting enough exercise no matter what our schedules, eating whole foods and embracing what we can and can't control in our seasons. Jessica recommends:No-Bake Healthy Breakfast CookiesHealthy Banana BreadCoconut Almond Built BarsHigh-Waisted LeggingsMichelle recommends:Resistance Bands to up your lower-push game! Eucalyptus Oil - add a few drops to the corner of your shower for a spa-like start to the day!

If you are ready for the next steps in your fitness journey - buckle up! This one's a wild ride! Georgia, a personal trainer in Dallas, Texas, and Michelle's little sister, is here dispelling common misconceptions about health and wellness we've all heard. She's teaching us how we can up our games with progressive overload, eating foods that truly fuel our bodies, and drinking a lot more water. Whether you're just getting started, or are ready to push yourself a bit more, this episode has a ton of useful information that we can use as a roadmap for leading healthier lives, starting right now. 

Jessica and Michelle are talking this week to Kiley, a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, all about how we can incorporate more movement into our daily lives. She has lots of tips for rethinking our approach to exercise, especially if we have been burned by gym and diet culture or unrealistic expectations we've absorbed from the world around us. Her approach to mindful movement will inspire you to try new things, embrace the season you're in, find a meaningful connection to exercise and just get moving!Find more of Kiley at Pacific Peaks Fitness!If you're looking for some YouTube inspiration for your next workout, check out these channels:Kaisa Fit San Fran Fitness Rebounder (fun on mini trampolines!)JTM Fit And Annie Miller is also a great inspiration. Find her here and here!

We're so excited to be back for another year of Pretty Over Perfect! And we're kicking off a month of talking about healthy habits by tackling reflection on the year behind and seeking direction for the year ahead. Whether you are a natural goal setter or not, we believe everyone can benefit from engaging in some critical thinking about where they're at and where they'd like to be, so we dive into the different ways we approach doing just that. Jessica has been using Sadie Active to work out and likes it! She also referenced this 3 in 30 Episode all about goal setting. 

It's been a whole year of Pretty Over Perfect - thank you so much for being here! This week, we're wrapping up the year by reflecting on the highs, lows, struggles and wins of the year behind, as well as a little sneak peek at some of what you can expect from our podcast next year. We'll be back in January with lots of good things we can't wait to share!Jessica's Favorite Things of 2021:Emme Diane SkincareMAC Amplified Lipstick in BlanketySaranoni BlanketMichelle's Favorite Things of 2021:Anything Colorful (Specifically mentioned some colorful coats: fuchsia and cobalt)L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Night Serum with Retinol Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Premium Pink