September 22, 2025 • 45 mins
Take charge of your midlife wellness journey with practical strategies for breaking through plateaus and bringing more intention to everyday moments.
In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing the small but powerful changes making a big difference in my wellness journey at 48. After hitting a frustrating weight loss plateau, I've completely restructured my approach to meals with the philosophy "eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper." This simple shift, combined with mindful eating practices like chewing each bite 30-40 times, is helping me reconnect with true hunger cues and improve digestion.
You'll discover my new morning wellness ritual adding colostrum to support gut health and immunity alongside my regular collagen supplement. I'll walk you through the differences between these supplements and how they complement each other for optimal health benefits as we age. Plus, I'm sharing my exciting new wellness tea recipe combining antioxidant-rich green tea with adaptogenic schisandra berries – a perfect replacement for afternoon coffee that supports metabolism, skin health, and stress resilience.
Beyond physical wellness, I've found beautiful ways to "romanticize" everyday life at midlife – writing affirmations on beautiful stationery, enjoying candlelit solo dinners, and finding moments of elegance in ordinary routines. I'm also tackling a deeply meaningful project creating a comprehensive "Life Binder" to organize all my important information, accounts, and wishes for my son – a practical act of love that provides peace of mind. Whether you're looking to break through your own plateaus or bring more intention to your daily life, these actionable strategies offer a roadmap for thriving in your 40s, 50s, and beyond.
Join our midlife wellness community by following @JaxStys on social media and leaving a review to help other women discover these conversations about navigating this rich and complex season of life with grace, purpose, and joy.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Well, hello everyone.
Welcome to the Midlife GlowReport.
I'm Jax, your host, so happy tospeaking to you today.
So on today's episode it'sgoing to be a little free form.
I'm going to be tackling andcovering some life updates going
on right now Some changes I'mimplementing into my daily
(01:23):
routine and some action I'mtaking regarding some new weight
loss practices I'm doingbecause I have been on a plateau
for a while.
Also, a new wellness tea I amtrying, so I'll give you kind of
the recipe and what I'm doing.
And then, finally, a newproject I am tackling called my
(01:48):
Life Binder, and so I'll getinto that and explain that.
So, yeah, we'll get started.
So a little bit of my gymupdate.
I said the last podcast, Iunfroze my membership a couple
weeks ago from my gym.
So I am back at the gymconsistently going four days a
(02:11):
week.
I go Tuesdays, thursdays,saturdays and Sundays, and then
the other days I definitely walk, and then I also try to squeeze
in a walk at lunch on the daysI go to the gym.
So the only hiccup I have wasthis past Thursday I wasn't able
to make it to the gym.
(02:31):
I had to go to corporate, mybank or the bank I work for and
I had to go to corporate office,which is a little bit more of a
driving distance, so I had toleave earlier that morning and I
was on a time crunch.
And I had to go to corporateoffice, which is a little bit
more of a driving distance, so Ihad to leave earlier that
(02:52):
morning and I was on a timecrunch.
So I just went to gym the nextday, which was Friday, even
though that was supposed to bemy off day.
So it worked out.
And that's what the off daysare for for flexibility, also to
recover and to relax, also torecover and to relax.
But I didn't make it the nextday, so the gym is going good
consistently four days a week.
I am on my way.
(03:18):
The other thing is I amconsidering switching gyms.
I did a one-year membership atmy current gym and it expires in
October.
Even though I froze it, I onlyhad a couple months left.
So I am thinking about goingback to my old gym, which is
called LifeWorks.
It's part of a hospital systemand it is an amazing gym.
(03:39):
The reason why I switched fromthat to my current gym was
really distance.
My current gym is literallythree, four minute drive away
really close, get up, do acouple things at the house and
make it to the gym within acouple minutes.
So that's why I switched.
(03:59):
This gym, lifeworks that I wantto go back to, is about a 20
minute drive each way.
It is an amazing gym.
I think it's probably the bestin the area.
It's a little more pricey, butthat's okay.
You get a lot more services.
You get an indoor pool.
You get private jacuzzi andsauna room for male and female.
(04:21):
You get a Pilates reformerdedicated room with Pilates
classes that are very reasonable.
You get exercise classes Mondaythrough Sunday, you know, all
seven days a week in their twoexercise rooms.
You get plenty of equipment.
(04:41):
You never really have to waitequipment.
You never really have to wait.
You get a basketball court.
There's physical therapy there,there's water or massages,
(05:03):
there's tanning.
So it really has a whole bunchof amenities that I don't have
currently, and the only reason Idid switch was because of the
distance.
But I'm just going to suck itup if I switch and just leave a
little early.
You know, listen to an audiobook or something on my car
stereo on my phone, and you know, use the time productively, you
know, for that 20 minute driveback and forth.
(05:24):
But yeah, I'm thinking aboutswitching gyms.
So I do take collagen.
So this is just an update.
I do take collagen every day inmy coffee.
I am going to be addingsomething to this colostrum.
I don't know if you guys haveseen that, heard that I did try
it about a year ago and it mademe actually constipated.
(05:48):
But I'm trying a differentbrand and hopefully it'll work
out.
I don't have any dairyallergies or dairy resistance.
You know I eat dairy freely.
I always have my whole life.
I grew up on milk.
I eat a lot of cheese.
You know cottage cheese.
I grew up on milk.
I eat a lot of cheese, cottagecheese, yogurt, but I don't know
(06:09):
why.
I had that reaction about ayear ago.
But I'm going to try it againwith a different brand.
The difference is that colostrumis more immunity protection,
gut lining repair and growthfactors for tissue repair.
Repair and growth factors fortissue repair.
(06:32):
Collagen is really structurallyprotein for the skin, joints,
bones and connective tissue.
So those are the maindifferences, but it's really
good for gut health in general.
Colostrum helps to reduceinflammation as well, which is
something I have dealt with fora while.
Collagen provides amino acidsto rebuild the gut lining itself
(06:55):
.
So that's good, and so I'mgoing to take the colostrum
early in the morning in mycoffee with some cinnamon.
Cinnamon is an antioxidant.
It's really good for your skinand whatnot.
So I put a little organiccinnamon in my coffee every
morning and I'm going to add theclassroom to it.
(07:17):
The collagen I'm going to takelater on during the day.
I'm going to either take aliquid collagen or somehow
incorporate the powder collagenin like a tea or something,
because I don't drink coffeeduring the day anymore.
I've cut back, but yeah, so I'mgoing to add the colostrum to
(07:42):
my daily wellness and everymorning.
It's really good on an emptystomach so you can have it like
you know.
You have your water and thenyou drink your coffee, if you
have coffee before you eatbreakfast, so you can have
colostrum on an empty stomach.
So that's something I will beadding into my wellness routine.
(08:03):
So good news.
I think I found a walking buddy.
So we have a group here onFacebook locally that I'm a
member of.
It's women here in a certainarea of outside of Cleveland,
and I messaged the group lastweek asking if we have a walking
(08:26):
group, like some women in thisgroup on Facebook, if there's
like a walking group, a miniwalking group, or maybe we could
start one.
And I didn't get much feedbacktill a lady on there said I'd be
interested and she lives in thesame area as I do.
(08:47):
I mean literally, you know,five to 10 minutes away, not
even so.
We were communicating throughFacebook and she's on vacation
right now, but when she getsback into town we're going to
meet up in our localneighborhoods.
Or we have a park system herethroughout Northeast Ohio called
the Metro Parks.
(09:07):
It's award-winning, it'samazing.
But I do not walk or exercisein the Metro Parks alone.
There have been some hiccups,of attacks, especially on women.
But maybe her and I could go tothe metro parks or just walk in
our neighborhoods and meet upliterally a five-minute drive
(09:30):
right down the street.
I could even walk there and getsome more extra steps.
But maybe we'll walk on theweekends or the evenings.
I think the mornings will betoo much of a time crunch
because she works full-time aswell, but evenings or weekends
we can meet up for a walk.
So I'm really excited about anew walking buddy.
(09:53):
And then I'm in the middle ofthat wellness coaching course
for wellness coachingcertification.
It's going really well.
I believe I am on now Chapter 9, and I started about 10 days
ago maybe two weeks and it'sgoing really well.
(10:15):
I'm learning a whole bunchabout just mindset coaching
actions, interviewingquestionnaires, actions
interviewing questionnaires,what I should adhere to.
You know what I should cover inwellness, what I shouldn't,
what's outside of my scope.
So it's really a good program.
(10:36):
I'm really excited.
Hopefully I'll be done.
Let's see here.
We're coming towards the end ofSeptember.
Hopefully by November 1st I'llbe done with the certification
and I get test and then startthe second part, which is the
nutrition coaching certification, and then in January I'll start
a personal trainingcertification.
But yeah, things are goingreally well and I'm really
(10:59):
excited.
I am getting a new website andblog and then I will add to it
in January my coaching part ofit.
So this is just a two-stepprocess.
My website and blog the revampis starting today.
I did send funds over to mydesigner and he's starting.
(11:20):
We purchased the hosting andthe new domain starting.
We purchased the hosting andthe new domain, so he's starting
to roll it out.
You know, get his team to startdeveloping some test pages for
me to look over, makecorrections and approve what
(11:41):
needs to be approved and makethe corrections.
So it's starting to rolling.
It probably this first part ofit will take about 30 to 40 days
, and then the second half,which will be updated January or
February.
After I'm done with mycertifications I could actually
coach.
Then that'll be a second part.
So it's a two-step process andI've worked with this gentleman
before and he's really reliableand trustworthy and great ideas,
(12:06):
creative.
So I'm really excited aboutstarting that and that starts
today.
On Monday Also update I gotapproved for the Amazon
Influencer Affiliation.
I did have Amazon Affiliation,affiliate links and whatnot, but
(12:27):
I don't really push it.
But I did get approved for theinfluencer, where I get a
dedicated Amazon page with allmy shopping links and whatnot.
So I am going to take advantageof that.
I am not going to make it ahabit to push out every hour on
the hour.
I'm not going to make it ahabit to push out, you know,
every hour on the hour.
(12:47):
I'm not going to, you know, bethat obsessive.
But there are some things thatI use in my daily life that I
really would like to suggest tomy followers on social media, my
readers on my blog and evenhear you on this podcast.
So I will be, you know, sendingout some products that I swear
(13:07):
by, that I use, and I am a hugeAmazon purchaser.
I actually purchase things fromAmazon instead of going to
Target, now on or Walmart, and Iwill, you know, I get same day
delivery or next day and it justseems like the prices are same
(13:28):
or even better, and they have awealth of different things to
browse and to compare, and youcan look at it all online and
read about the reviews.
So I really enjoy Amazon.
I probably get some, you know,several packages a week, but
(13:50):
yeah, so I got accepted theAmazon Influencer Program and
I'm really excited and you willbe hearing more from that, you
know, coming up in the nextcouple weeks or whatnot, so look
forward to that.
So next, here's some weight losstips and changes, some mindset
practices, some actions I'mtaking to help with my weight
(14:12):
loss.
I have been on such a plateaufor about 30, 45 days.
It's so frustrating and thishas happened so many times
before, but it just gets so old.
I know I mean you're doingeverything you should and you're
not seeing the scale move.
I know it's not all about thescale, but I do weigh myself
every morning.
(14:33):
I just like I hope oh, you knowI'm, you know.
I go to the bathroom, I get onthat scale in the morning first
thing, and I look at the numberand it's up a pound or down a
pound back and forth.
Quite frustrating.
And so I'm going to shake thingsup a little bit, including a
(14:53):
quote that I read and I am goingto apply it to my life.
It is here's the quote eatbreakfast like a king, lunch
like a prince and dinner like apauper.
So yeah, so I'm going to switchthings up.
I'm going to be eating a prettygood breakfast in the morning
(15:19):
protein and fiber.
I'll have fruits and vegetables, maybe some eggs, maybe chicken
sausage, maybe a yogurt bowl,so things like that.
So I will be eating a heftybreakfast and then the same kind
of lunch, which I have proteinand fiber, medium size.
(15:40):
But dinner is going to be muchless.
I am going to eat a smallerdinner.
So I'm going to be eating ahefty breakfast, medium lunch
and small dinner, and so I willbe easier to digest the food,
because I do go to bed early,and I think this will be a
(16:01):
better way.
I want to have food sitting onmy stomach while I go to bed, so
this will be a better practiceto entail.
Also, I'm going to start chewingmy food longer 30, 40 times per
bite.
I mean it's really good fordigestion anyways, but it's more
(16:24):
mindful eating right.
You're chewing that, you'rerelaxing, you're not on your
phone, you're not listening tothe TV, you're not standing and
eating and doing things.
I'm gonna be intentional withmy eating.
I have been more for the mostpart, but there are times when
I'm in a rush and I'm eating atmy kitchen counter, you know,
(16:45):
stuffing my face while cleaningor doing the dishes or filling
the dishwasher.
So I'm going to be more mindfuland sit while I eat for each
meal and chew my food longer 30to 40 times per bite, and so
that will help with my digestionand the enzymes.
But I'll also be more mindfuland hopefully maybe I'll eat
(17:08):
less, who knows, but that'ssomething else I'm going to be
doing.
Finally, I did a list on mynotes app on my phone yesterday
to aid in my weight loss journey.
It is called my distractionlist.
This is a non-food craving listseveral activities that I can
(17:30):
do when I'm craving something toeat, when I'm not literally
hungry, but I'm just having anurge, a really bad urge, to have
some chips or some, you know,maybe some cheese or something
or crackers.
So that's what I usually cravefor is something savory or salty
(17:54):
.
So you'll know when you'rehungry and when you're not.
I mean, if you're hungry andyou would just even have a piece
of chicken or an apple, thenyou know you're hungry.
And when you're not, I mean ifyou're hungry and you would just
even have a piece of chicken oran apple, then you know you're
literally hungry.
But when you're cravingsomething and having an urge for
like a specific thing, likechips or crackers or even a
dessert, then you know you'renot hungry, you're just having
(18:16):
an urge.
So it is a non-food cravinglist, distraction list, and I
have a list of items that Iadded to this.
So when I'm getting an urge orcraving and I'm not literally
hungry, I have a list and theseare some of the things around
(18:41):
the block.
Stretch and use the Bend appit's a new app I downloaded on
my phone within the last monthand do some stretching
techniques call or text familyor friends, read a book, journal
, listen to a podcast, listen toan audio book, maybe paint my
(19:04):
nails, do some skincare, maybe askin mask, try a new hairstyle,
do some cleaning, even scrollsocial media.
I know people say that's anegative thing, but I mean I'm
always on social media for thisblog and podcast and just
(19:25):
getting the word out, so that'ssomething I could do.
Mix up comments, likes thepeople that I follow, maybe gain
some knowledge.
Everything I have on socialmedia I curate to gain knowledge
and to be a good environment,and you should do the same.
But back to the list.
So scroll social media, read ablog, write a blog post or even
(19:51):
create a social media post.
So those are some things I haveon my distraction list.
When I have an urge or acraving, I go to that list.
Oh, I'll do that today, I'll dothat right now, and so it will
distract me.
I go to that list oh, I'll dothat today, I'll do that right
now, and so it will distract me.
Take my mind off that and it'llgive me something to do and
maybe even get a nice littledopamine hit with one of those
(20:11):
things on the distraction list.
So, yeah, that's something elseI created yesterday.
So something I'm not very proudof is that I have not been going
to church in a while.
Maybe it's the wrong church forme.
I am Catholic and maybe I haveto find something.
(20:31):
You know, I go to this churchthat my parents go to that I
grew up with, and maybe I justhave to find my own path.
It's kind of late, you know,being 48.
But I guess it's not late it'snever late.
But I have to start getting backto God and connecting with
(20:52):
myself and connectingspiritually, and so I am going
to start listening todevotionals daily.
There's so many out there thatare podcasts.
I'm going to find somethingthat appeals to me, maybe for
women, or something a dailydevotional that I can listen to,
and I'm going to listen to itwhile I'm at the gym doing a
(21:15):
HIIT or lifting weights or evenin the sauna.
So I'm going to listen to adaily devotional for 10, 15
minutes every day and then, whenI'm not at the gym, I'll listen
to it while I'm walking or evendriving in the car on the way
to work or somewhere, just tosqueeze it in, hopefully in the
(21:36):
morning.
I would prefer listening it tothe morning, so it kind of sets
the tone for the rest of the day.
I don't really have the time tosit and read a devotional.
With my packed schedule withwork and whatnot and taking care
of my parents and all the gymand walking and wellness and
(21:58):
skincare and everything that Ido, I don't really have the time
.
So I'm going to add it into mymorning routine somehow, squeeze
10, 15 minutes.
So, yeah, I'm just going to goover really what my morning and
evening routines are and whatI'm tweaking.
So I am going.
(22:21):
I usually wake up at 4 am everymorning.
I'll have, I'll do my tonguescraping and then I'll have
water with lemon and espressowith colostrum and cinnamon, and
then I'll hurry up and check myemails, my bank accounts, make
sure there's no fraud.
I'm really adamant about that.
I check every day, I'm prettyadamant and then I may do a
(22:45):
quick social check to see ifthere's an outstanding follows
or likes or messages and reallyquickly respond, and then I'll
hurry up.
If it's a gym day, I'll getdressed and go to the gym at
4.45 am.
I'll do some lifting, some HIIT, some SANA at the gym, be back
by 6.15.
And while I'm at the gym, again, I will listen to a devotional
(23:08):
somehow, and then I do myskincare, brush my teeth, do my
oil pulling and then get dressed.
You know this is like a typicalwork day rest.
You know this is like a typicalwork day.
I'll maybe put some makeup orSPF on and then I'll have a
breakfast.
I'll eat breakfast and thenI'll pack my lunch, grab my
(23:31):
water and my tea and then leaveby 7.50 am for work.
So that's a typical work daymorning for work.
So that's a typical workdaymorning.
I probably will also empty thedishwasher and fill it that
morning and if I have time tosqueeze it in, if I get up a
little earlier sometimes I doI'll fold a basket of laundry.
(23:53):
So in the evening I get home at5.30 from work this is a typical
workday and then I'll havedinner and then I'll go for a
walk around 6.30.
And then I'll do my skincarewhen I get back and brush my
teeth and put my PJs on, andthen I will do some journaling
and life coaching for about 30to 45 minutes just to wind down,
(24:16):
and then I'll get and I'll fallasleep by 9 pm.
I do take magnesium glycinatebefore I go to bed about a half
hour.
So right before I start myjournaling and life coaching,
and then I will take themagnesium glycinate, and then I
also listen to the Calm app atbed when I'm laying in bed, or
(24:38):
sometimes I even listen to areally good audio book.
So that's what I'll do and I'llbe sleeping by 9 pm.
So it's my typical morning andevening routine on a workday.
So I do go to bed around 9 pmand I do wake at 4 am.
So that's about seven hourssleep and there really is plenty
for me.
I do really well with that kindof sleep.
(25:00):
I could even get six hours ofsleep, but I know that's not as
healthy.
So seven hours is probably thesweet spot for me for sleep
hours.
So that's my basic routine.
So I don't know if you recall,but last week in the podcast I
talk about romanticizing yourlife and your glow up, even if
(25:20):
we're in our 40s and 50s andbeyond.
This is a big thing with younggirlies, you know, in their 20s
or even teens.
So I did some romanticizing mylife this past Saturday.
So I do have some prettystationery and I grabbed a piece
of stationery.
It has like a floral motif anda pink pen and I sat at my desk
(25:46):
and I wrote some affirmations onthat stationery and I repeated
them and it really put me in acertain mindset.
You know it was more of an actof elegance and self-expression.
It helped me romanticize theordinary.
You know, it's like a smallluxury and it brings out the
(26:13):
beauty and the intention ofdaily life.
So writing down thoseaffirmations on beautiful paper
with a beautiful pen, and I hadmusic going on in the background
and just it set the mood.
You know, it really is amindset.
It's more of self-care andartistry and the affirmations
(26:37):
and it fuels confidence andreinvention.
So yeah, grab some stationeryand write down some pretty
stationery and write down someaffirmations and really set the
tone for the day.
So that's something I did onSaturday.
And then Saturday evening I haddinner alone.
My son didn't eat with me, hewas doing his schooling, he's in
(27:03):
a master's program but I satand had dinner around
candlelight.
I had a candle going.
I did not have the TV on.
I mentioned this before.
I have a TV in my kitchen.
It was turned off.
I had dim lighting.
It was turned off.
I had dim lighting, I had acandle and I ate a bowl of soup
(27:29):
with a candle burning, you know,around candlelight.
And it really was an amazingritual of presence and grace.
It created an ambiance ofbeauty and intention, with me
eating with every moment there.
You don't have to reservecandlelit dinner for a special
occasion or a romantic dinner.
I mean, it's a small act, itsounds really simple, but it was
(27:55):
just like the nourishment ofthe food and it was spiritual
and it was a spiritualexperience and it reinforced my
worthiness and it brought joyand elegance.
So, yeah, you don't have toreserve candlelight for certain
circumstances.
Do it for an everyday action orpractice.
(28:16):
So yeah, that's something elseI did on Saturday for
romanticizing my life, even at48.
Okay, so I am cutting back on myespresso and coffee.
I usually will have a cup ofespresso in the morning and take
a cup of double espresso towork in a thermo cup with my
(28:42):
water, but I am not going totake that to work anymore.
I bought a beautiful glassreusable cup for loose leaf tea
and I'm really excited aboutthis.
I have come up with a recipefor tea that I'm going to try,
(29:09):
and so what I'm going to do isadd in the recipe loose leaf
green tea, which is anantioxidant powerhouse.
It also increases metabolismand weight loss and encourages
that.
It's great for your heart andbrain.
It's anti-inflammatory, it'simmune boosting and it's a blood
(29:30):
sugar balance.
That's what green tea is.
So I'm going to add green tea tothat loose leaf and then also
schisandra berries that'sS-C-H-I-S-A-N-D-R-A schisandra
berries they're oriental, sowhat they I was doing some
(29:55):
research and what they entailliterally is it's an adaptogenic
.
It helps with body resistresiststress and it's balancing
cortisol and hormones.
It's a liver protectant, itprovides energy and stamina.
It's a cognitive support,hormonal balance and immune
(30:16):
balance and it boosts whiteblood cells and it's a
strengthening defense.
Also, both of these have skinbenefits.
They promote anti-aging andradiance and glow, hydration,
even complexion, stress-proofskin, even tone, clearer
(30:40):
complexion, and it's also greentea, is a UV protectant.
So, yeah, that's what I'm doingthe Shisandra Berries with
Green Tea, loose Leaf, and I amnot putting I may put a little
honey, I don't know but I'mputting that in this glass cup
(31:01):
that has a loose leaf containerwith the hot water and then I am
going to take it to work withme every day and drink it in the
am while I'm getting my emailsdone and getting set for the day
and getting my leads done andgetting ready for the day.
I'm going to drink that tea forabout an hour and enjoy that
(31:24):
loose leaf tea and not espressoanymore.
So I'm really excited aboutthat and I'll try to link in the
show notes the ChisandraBerries I bought and the loose
leaf tea and the cup.
The cup is beautiful, you gotto see this cup, so I'll link
all three of those.
If you want to try some looseleaf tea and the cup the cup is
beautiful, you got to see thiscup, so I'll link all three of
those.
If you want to try some looseleaf tea in the morning instead
(31:47):
of coffee or espresso, you know,give it a try.
So, finally, I mentioned whenwe opened up this podcast that
I'm starting a new project.
I mean it's not gonna takeforever, it'll probably take me
two, three weeks, and what it'scalled is my Life Binder.
(32:09):
You know I'm 48.
I mean you could pass away atany time, but I am getting older
and I have a son who's 26 andhe will have a lot of affairs to
handle once I pass away.
You know, and you don't really.
(32:29):
I mean it's normal to plan foryour cemetery plots and or, you
know, your cremation, howeveryou're going to be laid to rest,
maybe a headstone, you know,maybe pay for all that ahead of
time and plan it out, which isnormal, which is something I
haven't done and I will do, youknow, within the next five, 10
(32:50):
years.
But this life binder is allyour affairs to wrap up once you
pass away in document form.
You know, when you lose someoneespecially when my son loses me
I'm his mother and we do have aclose relationship it's
(33:11):
overwhelming.
You know you're trying to dealwith grief and you're just going
through the emotions and youhave all these affairs to take
care of financial, legal,financial, you know, emotional,
family, friends, planning.
(33:33):
There's so much to tackle and Iam creating a roadmap for him
to make it easier for him.
It is a binder of all mydigital documents, all my
passwords, my accounts,everything wrapped up into one
(33:56):
that he could use as a resourcewhen wrapping up my affairs.
I'm doing this to protect himand to help him.
I am doing it as a form of lovefor him, because it's going to
be difficult and I know thisreally isn't a glow-up practice
(34:21):
or a part of your glow-upjourney, mm-hmm, but most of us
here are midlife 40 plus and wemay have children or adult
children, or even and we mayhave children or adult children
or even spouses, who will haveto handle everything, and you
want to make it easy for them.
(34:45):
So it is my life binder and Ibought some products from Amazon
a binder, a three-hole puncher,some protected sheets, some
separators, some pretty stickersthat are motivational and
spiritual to put on there.
So I'm almost making the binderlike a scrapbook.
So I'm going to and I'm writinga note to my son, a letter of
(35:07):
love to my son saying mygoodbyes, a letter of love to my
son saying my goodbyes.
It's going to be in that binder.
And what this binder has, I'mgoing to create a post on social
media and a guide that youcould request to have all the
items that could be included inthe binder if you want to create
one.
But really it's going to have mycore personal information full
(35:30):
legal name, nicknames, maidennames, if applicable, date of
birth, place of birth, socialsecurity number, driver's
license number, passport number,expiration dates If you're
married, marriage certificate,divorce papers, if relevant,
military service records, ifrelevant, dd-214 discharge
(35:50):
papers.
So that's the core personalinformation.
And then it has key contactsimmediate family members with
phone, email and addresses,close friends to notify.
Professional contacts lawyer,financial advisor, accountant,
insurance agents, medicalcontacts primary care, doctor,
(36:10):
specialist pharmacy.
My HR contact.
He doesn't know that.
He's going to have to know thatif I pass away while I'm
working.
So my HR information andcontact, maybe clergy or
spiritual advisor, pastor,priest, church, community
contacts so that's somethingelse you can include.
(36:33):
And then legal and estatedocuments your will and trust
documents, advanced healthcaredirectives, living will, power
of attorney, medical andfinancial guardianship wishes,
if relevant for dependents orpets, location of original
documents, lawyer's office, safedeposit box, etc.
(36:54):
Any letters of instruction,personal notes and ethical wills
.
So yeah, there's a wealth ofinformation that has to be
included.
There's more Financial accountsand assets banking accounts,
checking, savings, cds, creditunions, retirement accounts,
401ks, iras, pensions,investment accounts, brokerages,
(37:16):
stocks, crypto wallets, cryptowallets, right Keywords and
passwords, keys and passwords,insurance policies, life, health
, auto home, long-term care,real estate deeds, mortgage
information, rental properties,if applicable, vehicle titles,
(37:36):
loan details, business ownershipdocuments, llcs, ein
information, credit cardaccounts, lines of credit, store
accounts, passwords, debts owedand payment instructions.
That is overwhelming forsomeone to tackle if they don't
have a roadmap.
My friends, make it easy foryour loved ones to take care of
(38:00):
your affairs once you pass away.
Also, all your digital accounts, your email accounts and logins
your cell phone account andlogins social media accounts
this podcast login, cloudstorage and photos all the
photos I have stored on mylaptop.
Instruction where those aremedia accounts, streamlines,
(38:23):
netflix, spotify, kindle, amazonhow to cancel those accounts,
those logins.
You don't want to keep gettingcharged Online shopping accounts
Amazon, ebay, etsy, financialapps, venmo, paypal Cash App,
zelle, master password manager,if applicable.
(38:49):
Instructions on digital legacysettings.
You know, do I want him to put amemorial on my Facebook page if
I were to pass, when I passaway that sort of thing?
Okay, friends, there's more.
There's household and practicalinformation, including home
deed and mortgage and rentalagreements, utilities
(39:10):
information, safety deposit box,vehicle maintenance records,
home safe combination warranties, manuals for major appliances,
pet information, vet contact,medications, feeding schedule,
my final wishes and burialinstructions.
(39:30):
Personal legacy section aletter to my son.
Family traditions and recipesto preserve stories and lessons
if you want to be remembered,how you want to be remembered.
Copies of meaningful photos,journals and family history, my
(39:52):
favorite books and quotes andspiritual writings.
Also, if you have jewelry andthings like that, who do you
want to leave it to?
Things you want to leave toyour family and friends.
Instruction on that.
But that'll be in your will, andso in this binder, organization
(40:13):
and storage, you, you know,there should be a table of
contents, dividers by category,copies of essential documents
not just digital and where theseoriginals are located, a
password list, that sort of.
And you should have a coversheet for this binder of quick
(40:35):
information, like an emergencyone page including your lawyer's
contact will, location,insurance policy numbers, safe
code and funeral home contactlike a really quick cover sheet.
Like a really quick cover sheet.
So I know that's a ton ofinformation and this is not the
(40:56):
best subject, but I really wannamake it easy for my son.
I really do, and this issomething that I will go back to
once a year and update thisbinder and I'm gonna let him
know where it is.
It's gonna be in our safe athome and he does have the code
(41:16):
to that, and I will make a cheatsheet for the code and let him
know where it's, where it'shidden in the house, but cause
you don't want to leave thisbinder laying around with all
that information.
But yeah, so that is my lifebinder project that I am
tackling.
It's probably going to takelonger than three weeks.
(41:39):
It's probably going to takeabout a month or so, but that is
something you could considerfor your loved ones.
It is a gift of love for themand protection and almost like a
goodbye.
So well, not goodbye, see youlater, see you later.
So yeah, that is my LifeBinderproject.
(42:02):
You were probably wondering inthe beginning what I was
regarding and what I commentedabout that, but that's what it
is and that's something I boughtall the supplies from Amazon
and I am starting to tackle thisweek.
So, yeah, I would suggest youtry it, especially if you have a
(42:22):
lot of this information allscattered around.
Make it easy for your lovedones.
So, yeah, that wraps up today'sepisode.
I know it was more free formlots of information, lots of
tips, lots of things to do andto think about and to reflect
about.
I'm trying to make thesepodcasts a little more free form
(42:44):
.
I was so structured reading ascript that I would pre-write
that I felt like a robot and mypersonality did not come through
and so, yeah, I hope you enjoythese and I hope you enjoy the
information.
You know, if this is somethingyou enjoyed and you got some
enlightenment, some informationthat you can apply to your life,
(43:07):
please leave a review.
It helps my podcast be foundfor, you know, by other women
like yourself.
You can message me on socials atJack Styes, g-a-x-j-a-x-s-t-y-s
.
I'm on Instagram, tiktok.
(43:27):
I just started YouTube, butthat's not active yet.
Facebook page, um threads,pinterest.
Reach out to me, ask mequestions, give me comments.
What are you doing?
What do you want me to share onthis podcast?
What information are youlooking for?
What could help you?
(43:48):
Um, that's why I do this is tohelp others.
You know I don't make any moneyoff it.
Maybe someday I will, but thisis just an outlet of mine and to
help other women over 40, youknow, trying to glow up their
lives and better themselves.
But yeah, you guys just have agreat day.
Thanks for following along,thanks for listening.
(44:08):
I will check in next week withmy next podcast episode and give
you an update and share sometools and some information.
I thank you for listening, Ithank you for following along
and I appreciate you.
Till next time, till next week.
I'll talk to you then.
Love Jax.
Well, hello everyone.
Welcome to the Midlife GlowReport.
I'm Jax, your host, so happy tospeaking to you today.
So on today's episode it'sgoing to be a little free form.
I'm going to be tackling andcovering some life updates going
on right now Some changes I'mimplementing into my daily
(01:23):
routine and some action I'mtaking regarding some new weight
loss practices I'm doingbecause I have been on a plateau
for a while.
Also, a new wellness tea I amtrying, so I'll give you kind of
the recipe and what I'm doing.
And then, finally, a newproject I am tackling called my
(01:48):
Life Binder, and so I'll getinto that and explain that.
So, yeah, we'll get started.
So a little bit of my gymupdate.
I said the last podcast, Iunfroze my membership a couple
weeks ago from my gym.
So I am back at the gymconsistently going four days a
(02:11):
week.
I go Tuesdays, thursdays,saturdays and Sundays, and then
the other days I definitely walk, and then I also try to squeeze
in a walk at lunch on the daysI go to the gym.
So the only hiccup I have wasthis past Thursday I wasn't able
to make it to the gym.
(02:31):
I had to go to corporate, mybank or the bank I work for and
I had to go to corporate office,which is a little bit more of a
driving distance, so I had toleave earlier that morning and I
was on a time crunch.
And I had to go to corporateoffice, which is a little bit
more of a driving distance, so Ihad to leave earlier that
(02:52):
morning and I was on a timecrunch.
So I just went to gym the nextday, which was Friday, even
though that was supposed to bemy off day.
So it worked out.
And that's what the off daysare for for flexibility, also to
recover and to relax, also torecover and to relax.
But I didn't make it the nextday, so the gym is going good
consistently four days a week.
I am on my way.
(03:18):
The other thing is I amconsidering switching gyms.
I did a one-year membership atmy current gym and it expires in
October.
Even though I froze it, I onlyhad a couple months left.
So I am thinking about goingback to my old gym, which is
called LifeWorks.
It's part of a hospital systemand it is an amazing gym.
(03:39):
The reason why I switched fromthat to my current gym was
really distance.
My current gym is literallythree, four minute drive away
really close, get up, do acouple things at the house and
make it to the gym within acouple minutes.
So that's why I switched.
(03:59):
This gym, lifeworks that I wantto go back to, is about a 20
minute drive each way.
It is an amazing gym.
I think it's probably the bestin the area.
It's a little more pricey, butthat's okay.
You get a lot more services.
You get an indoor pool.
You get private jacuzzi andsauna room for male and female.
(04:21):
You get a Pilates reformerdedicated room with Pilates
classes that are very reasonable.
You get exercise classes Mondaythrough Sunday, you know, all
seven days a week in their twoexercise rooms.
You get plenty of equipment.
(04:41):
You never really have to waitequipment.
You never really have to wait.
You get a basketball court.
There's physical therapy there,there's water or massages,
(05:03):
there's tanning.
So it really has a whole bunchof amenities that I don't have
currently, and the only reason Idid switch was because of the
distance.
But I'm just going to suck itup if I switch and just leave a
little early.
You know, listen to an audiobook or something on my car
stereo on my phone, and you know, use the time productively, you
know, for that 20 minute driveback and forth.
(05:24):
But yeah, I'm thinking aboutswitching gyms.
So I do take collagen.
So this is just an update.
I do take collagen every day inmy coffee.
I am going to be addingsomething to this colostrum.
I don't know if you guys haveseen that, heard that I did try
it about a year ago and it mademe actually constipated.
(05:48):
But I'm trying a differentbrand and hopefully it'll work
out.
I don't have any dairyallergies or dairy resistance.
You know I eat dairy freely.
I always have my whole life.
I grew up on milk.
I eat a lot of cheese.
You know cottage cheese.
I grew up on milk.
I eat a lot of cheese, cottagecheese, yogurt, but I don't know
(06:09):
why.
I had that reaction about ayear ago.
But I'm going to try it againwith a different brand.
The difference is that colostrumis more immunity protection,
gut lining repair and growthfactors for tissue repair.
Repair and growth factors fortissue repair.
(06:32):
Collagen is really structurallyprotein for the skin, joints,
bones and connective tissue.
So those are the maindifferences, but it's really
good for gut health in general.
Colostrum helps to reduceinflammation as well, which is
something I have dealt with fora while.
Collagen provides amino acidsto rebuild the gut lining itself
(06:55):
.
So that's good, and so I'mgoing to take the colostrum
early in the morning in mycoffee with some cinnamon.
Cinnamon is an antioxidant.
It's really good for your skinand whatnot.
So I put a little organiccinnamon in my coffee every
morning and I'm going to add theclassroom to it.
(07:17):
The collagen I'm going to takelater on during the day.
I'm going to either take aliquid collagen or somehow
incorporate the powder collagenin like a tea or something,
because I don't drink coffeeduring the day anymore.
I've cut back, but yeah, so I'mgoing to add the colostrum to
(07:42):
my daily wellness and everymorning.
It's really good on an emptystomach so you can have it like
you know.
You have your water and thenyou drink your coffee, if you
have coffee before you eatbreakfast, so you can have
colostrum on an empty stomach.
So that's something I will beadding into my wellness routine.
(08:03):
So good news.
I think I found a walking buddy.
So we have a group here onFacebook locally that I'm a
member of.
It's women here in a certainarea of outside of Cleveland,
and I messaged the group lastweek asking if we have a walking
(08:26):
group, like some women in thisgroup on Facebook, if there's
like a walking group, a miniwalking group, or maybe we could
start one.
And I didn't get much feedbacktill a lady on there said I'd be
interested and she lives in thesame area as I do.
(08:47):
I mean literally, you know,five to 10 minutes away, not
even so.
We were communicating throughFacebook and she's on vacation
right now, but when she getsback into town we're going to
meet up in our localneighborhoods.
Or we have a park system herethroughout Northeast Ohio called
the Metro Parks.
(09:07):
It's award-winning, it'samazing.
But I do not walk or exercisein the Metro Parks alone.
There have been some hiccups,of attacks, especially on women.
But maybe her and I could go tothe metro parks or just walk in
our neighborhoods and meet upliterally a five-minute drive
(09:30):
right down the street.
I could even walk there and getsome more extra steps.
But maybe we'll walk on theweekends or the evenings.
I think the mornings will betoo much of a time crunch
because she works full-time aswell, but evenings or weekends
we can meet up for a walk.
So I'm really excited about anew walking buddy.
(09:53):
And then I'm in the middle ofthat wellness coaching course
for wellness coachingcertification.
It's going really well.
I believe I am on now Chapter 9, and I started about 10 days
ago maybe two weeks and it'sgoing really well.
(10:15):
I'm learning a whole bunchabout just mindset coaching
actions, interviewingquestionnaires, actions
interviewing questionnaires,what I should adhere to.
You know what I should cover inwellness, what I shouldn't,
what's outside of my scope.
So it's really a good program.
(10:36):
I'm really excited.
Hopefully I'll be done.
Let's see here.
We're coming towards the end ofSeptember.
Hopefully by November 1st I'llbe done with the certification
and I get test and then startthe second part, which is the
nutrition coaching certification, and then in January I'll start
a personal trainingcertification.
But yeah, things are goingreally well and I'm really
(10:59):
excited.
I am getting a new website andblog and then I will add to it
in January my coaching part ofit.
So this is just a two-stepprocess.
My website and blog the revampis starting today.
I did send funds over to mydesigner and he's starting.
(11:20):
We purchased the hosting andthe new domain starting.
We purchased the hosting andthe new domain, so he's starting
to roll it out.
You know, get his team to startdeveloping some test pages for
me to look over, makecorrections and approve what
(11:41):
needs to be approved and makethe corrections.
So it's starting to rolling.
It probably this first part ofit will take about 30 to 40 days
, and then the second half,which will be updated January or
February.
After I'm done with mycertifications I could actually
coach.
Then that'll be a second part.
So it's a two-step process andI've worked with this gentleman
before and he's really reliableand trustworthy and great ideas,
(12:06):
creative.
So I'm really excited aboutstarting that and that starts
today.
On Monday Also update I gotapproved for the Amazon
Influencer Affiliation.
I did have Amazon Affiliation,affiliate links and whatnot, but
(12:27):
I don't really push it.
But I did get approved for theinfluencer, where I get a
dedicated Amazon page with allmy shopping links and whatnot.
So I am going to take advantageof that.
I am not going to make it ahabit to push out every hour on
the hour.
I'm not going to make it ahabit to push out, you know,
every hour on the hour.
(12:47):
I'm not going to, you know, bethat obsessive.
But there are some things thatI use in my daily life that I
really would like to suggest tomy followers on social media, my
readers on my blog and evenhear you on this podcast.
So I will be, you know, sendingout some products that I swear
(13:07):
by, that I use, and I am a hugeAmazon purchaser.
I actually purchase things fromAmazon instead of going to
Target, now on or Walmart, and Iwill, you know, I get same day
delivery or next day and it justseems like the prices are same
(13:28):
or even better, and they have awealth of different things to
browse and to compare, and youcan look at it all online and
read about the reviews.
So I really enjoy Amazon.
I probably get some, you know,several packages a week, but
(13:50):
yeah, so I got accepted theAmazon Influencer Program and
I'm really excited and you willbe hearing more from that, you
know, coming up in the nextcouple weeks or whatnot, so look
forward to that.
So next, here's some weight losstips and changes, some mindset
practices, some actions I'mtaking to help with my weight
(14:12):
loss.
I have been on such a plateaufor about 30, 45 days.
It's so frustrating and thishas happened so many times
before, but it just gets so old.
I know I mean you're doingeverything you should and you're
not seeing the scale move.
I know it's not all about thescale, but I do weigh myself
every morning.
(14:33):
I just like I hope oh, you knowI'm, you know.
I go to the bathroom, I get onthat scale in the morning first
thing, and I look at the numberand it's up a pound or down a
pound back and forth.
Quite frustrating.
And so I'm going to shake thingsup a little bit, including a
(14:53):
quote that I read and I am goingto apply it to my life.
It is here's the quote eatbreakfast like a king, lunch
like a prince and dinner like apauper.
So yeah, so I'm going to switchthings up.
I'm going to be eating a prettygood breakfast in the morning
(15:19):
protein and fiber.
I'll have fruits and vegetables, maybe some eggs, maybe chicken
sausage, maybe a yogurt bowl,so things like that.
So I will be eating a heftybreakfast and then the same kind
of lunch, which I have proteinand fiber, medium size.
(15:40):
But dinner is going to be muchless.
I am going to eat a smallerdinner.
So I'm going to be eating ahefty breakfast, medium lunch
and small dinner, and so I willbe easier to digest the food,
because I do go to bed early,and I think this will be a
(16:01):
better way.
I want to have food sitting onmy stomach while I go to bed, so
this will be a better practiceto entail.
Also, I'm going to start chewingmy food longer 30, 40 times per
bite.
I mean it's really good fordigestion anyways, but it's more
(16:24):
mindful eating right.
You're chewing that, you'rerelaxing, you're not on your
phone, you're not listening tothe TV, you're not standing and
eating and doing things.
I'm gonna be intentional withmy eating.
I have been more for the mostpart, but there are times when
I'm in a rush and I'm eating atmy kitchen counter, you know,
(16:45):
stuffing my face while cleaningor doing the dishes or filling
the dishwasher.
So I'm going to be more mindfuland sit while I eat for each
meal and chew my food longer 30to 40 times per bite, and so
that will help with my digestionand the enzymes.
But I'll also be more mindfuland hopefully maybe I'll eat
(17:08):
less, who knows, but that'ssomething else I'm going to be
doing.
Finally, I did a list on mynotes app on my phone yesterday
to aid in my weight loss journey.
It is called my distractionlist.
This is a non-food craving listseveral activities that I can
(17:30):
do when I'm craving something toeat, when I'm not literally
hungry, but I'm just having anurge, a really bad urge, to have
some chips or some, you know,maybe some cheese or something
or crackers.
So that's what I usually cravefor is something savory or salty
(17:54):
.
So you'll know when you'rehungry and when you're not.
I mean, if you're hungry andyou would just even have a piece
of chicken or an apple, thenyou know you're hungry.
And when you're not, I mean ifyou're hungry and you would just
even have a piece of chicken oran apple, then you know you're
literally hungry.
But when you're cravingsomething and having an urge for
like a specific thing, likechips or crackers or even a
dessert, then you know you'renot hungry, you're just having
(18:16):
an urge.
So it is a non-food cravinglist, distraction list, and I
have a list of items that Iadded to this.
So when I'm getting an urge orcraving and I'm not literally
hungry, I have a list and theseare some of the things around
(18:41):
the block.
Stretch and use the Bend appit's a new app I downloaded on
my phone within the last monthand do some stretching
techniques call or text familyor friends, read a book, journal
, listen to a podcast, listen toan audio book, maybe paint my
(19:04):
nails, do some skincare, maybe askin mask, try a new hairstyle,
do some cleaning, even scrollsocial media.
I know people say that's anegative thing, but I mean I'm
always on social media for thisblog and podcast and just
(19:25):
getting the word out, so that'ssomething I could do.
Mix up comments, likes thepeople that I follow, maybe gain
some knowledge.
Everything I have on socialmedia I curate to gain knowledge
and to be a good environment,and you should do the same.
But back to the list.
So scroll social media, read ablog, write a blog post or even
(19:51):
create a social media post.
So those are some things I haveon my distraction list.
When I have an urge or acraving, I go to that list.
Oh, I'll do that today, I'll dothat right now, and so it will
distract me.
I go to that list oh, I'll dothat today, I'll do that right
now, and so it will distract me.
Take my mind off that and it'llgive me something to do and
maybe even get a nice littledopamine hit with one of those
(20:11):
things on the distraction list.
So, yeah, that's something elseI created yesterday.
So something I'm not very proudof is that I have not been going
to church in a while.
Maybe it's the wrong church forme.
I am Catholic and maybe I haveto find something.
(20:31):
You know, I go to this churchthat my parents go to that I
grew up with, and maybe I justhave to find my own path.
It's kind of late, you know,being 48.
But I guess it's not late it'snever late.
But I have to start getting backto God and connecting with
(20:52):
myself and connectingspiritually, and so I am going
to start listening todevotionals daily.
There's so many out there thatare podcasts.
I'm going to find somethingthat appeals to me, maybe for
women, or something a dailydevotional that I can listen to,
and I'm going to listen to itwhile I'm at the gym doing a
(21:15):
HIIT or lifting weights or evenin the sauna.
So I'm going to listen to adaily devotional for 10, 15
minutes every day and then, whenI'm not at the gym, I'll listen
to it while I'm walking or evendriving in the car on the way
to work or somewhere, just tosqueeze it in, hopefully in the
(21:36):
morning.
I would prefer listening it tothe morning, so it kind of sets
the tone for the rest of the day.
I don't really have the time tosit and read a devotional.
With my packed schedule withwork and whatnot and taking care
of my parents and all the gymand walking and wellness and
(21:58):
skincare and everything that Ido, I don't really have the time
.
So I'm going to add it into mymorning routine somehow, squeeze
10, 15 minutes.
So, yeah, I'm just going to goover really what my morning and
evening routines are and whatI'm tweaking.
So I am going.
(22:21):
I usually wake up at 4 am everymorning.
I'll have, I'll do my tonguescraping and then I'll have
water with lemon and espressowith colostrum and cinnamon, and
then I'll hurry up and check myemails, my bank accounts, make
sure there's no fraud.
I'm really adamant about that.
I check every day, I'm prettyadamant and then I may do a
(22:45):
quick social check to see ifthere's an outstanding follows
or likes or messages and reallyquickly respond, and then I'll
hurry up.
If it's a gym day, I'll getdressed and go to the gym at
4.45 am.
I'll do some lifting, some HIIT, some SANA at the gym, be back
by 6.15.
And while I'm at the gym, again, I will listen to a devotional
(23:08):
somehow, and then I do myskincare, brush my teeth, do my
oil pulling and then get dressed.
You know this is like a typicalwork day rest.
You know this is like a typicalwork day.
I'll maybe put some makeup orSPF on and then I'll have a
breakfast.
I'll eat breakfast and thenI'll pack my lunch, grab my
(23:31):
water and my tea and then leaveby 7.50 am for work.
So that's a typical work daymorning for work.
So that's a typical workdaymorning.
I probably will also empty thedishwasher and fill it that
morning and if I have time tosqueeze it in, if I get up a
little earlier sometimes I doI'll fold a basket of laundry.
(23:53):
So in the evening I get home at5.30 from work this is a typical
workday and then I'll havedinner and then I'll go for a
walk around 6.30.
And then I'll do my skincarewhen I get back and brush my
teeth and put my PJs on, andthen I will do some journaling
and life coaching for about 30to 45 minutes just to wind down,
(24:16):
and then I'll get and I'll fallasleep by 9 pm.
I do take magnesium glycinatebefore I go to bed about a half
hour.
So right before I start myjournaling and life coaching,
and then I will take themagnesium glycinate, and then I
also listen to the Calm app atbed when I'm laying in bed, or
(24:38):
sometimes I even listen to areally good audio book.
So that's what I'll do and I'llbe sleeping by 9 pm.
So it's my typical morning andevening routine on a workday.
So I do go to bed around 9 pmand I do wake at 4 am.
So that's about seven hourssleep and there really is plenty
for me.
I do really well with that kindof sleep.
(25:00):
I could even get six hours ofsleep, but I know that's not as
healthy.
So seven hours is probably thesweet spot for me for sleep
hours.
So that's my basic routine.
So I don't know if you recall,but last week in the podcast I
talk about romanticizing yourlife and your glow up, even if
(25:20):
we're in our 40s and 50s andbeyond.
This is a big thing with younggirlies, you know, in their 20s
or even teens.
So I did some romanticizing mylife this past Saturday.
So I do have some prettystationery and I grabbed a piece
of stationery.
It has like a floral motif anda pink pen and I sat at my desk
(25:46):
and I wrote some affirmations onthat stationery and I repeated
them and it really put me in acertain mindset.
You know it was more of an actof elegance and self-expression.
It helped me romanticize theordinary.
You know, it's like a smallluxury and it brings out the
(26:13):
beauty and the intention ofdaily life.
So writing down thoseaffirmations on beautiful paper
with a beautiful pen, and I hadmusic going on in the background
and just it set the mood.
You know, it really is amindset.
It's more of self-care andartistry and the affirmations
(26:37):
and it fuels confidence andreinvention.
So yeah, grab some stationeryand write down some pretty
stationery and write down someaffirmations and really set the
tone for the day.
So that's something I did onSaturday.
And then Saturday evening I haddinner alone.
My son didn't eat with me, hewas doing his schooling, he's in
(27:03):
a master's program but I satand had dinner around
candlelight.
I had a candle going.
I did not have the TV on.
I mentioned this before.
I have a TV in my kitchen.
It was turned off.
I had dim lighting.
It was turned off.
I had dim lighting, I had acandle and I ate a bowl of soup
(27:29):
with a candle burning, you know,around candlelight.
And it really was an amazingritual of presence and grace.
It created an ambiance ofbeauty and intention, with me
eating with every moment there.
You don't have to reservecandlelit dinner for a special
occasion or a romantic dinner.
I mean, it's a small act, itsounds really simple, but it was
(27:55):
just like the nourishment ofthe food and it was spiritual
and it was a spiritualexperience and it reinforced my
worthiness and it brought joyand elegance.
So, yeah, you don't have toreserve candlelight for certain
circumstances.
Do it for an everyday action orpractice.
(28:16):
So yeah, that's something elseI did on Saturday for
romanticizing my life, even at48.
Okay, so I am cutting back on myespresso and coffee.
I usually will have a cup ofespresso in the morning and take
a cup of double espresso towork in a thermo cup with my
(28:42):
water, but I am not going totake that to work anymore.
I bought a beautiful glassreusable cup for loose leaf tea
and I'm really excited aboutthis.
I have come up with a recipefor tea that I'm going to try,
(29:09):
and so what I'm going to do isadd in the recipe loose leaf
green tea, which is anantioxidant powerhouse.
It also increases metabolismand weight loss and encourages
that.
It's great for your heart andbrain.
It's anti-inflammatory, it'simmune boosting and it's a blood
(29:30):
sugar balance.
That's what green tea is.
So I'm going to add green tea tothat loose leaf and then also
schisandra berries that'sS-C-H-I-S-A-N-D-R-A schisandra
berries they're oriental, sowhat they I was doing some
(29:55):
research and what they entailliterally is it's an adaptogenic
.
It helps with body resistresiststress and it's balancing
cortisol and hormones.
It's a liver protectant, itprovides energy and stamina.
It's a cognitive support,hormonal balance and immune
(30:16):
balance and it boosts whiteblood cells and it's a
strengthening defense.
Also, both of these have skinbenefits.
They promote anti-aging andradiance and glow, hydration,
even complexion, stress-proofskin, even tone, clearer
(30:40):
complexion, and it's also greentea, is a UV protectant.
So, yeah, that's what I'm doingthe Shisandra Berries with
Green Tea, loose Leaf, and I amnot putting I may put a little
honey, I don't know but I'mputting that in this glass cup
(31:01):
that has a loose leaf containerwith the hot water and then I am
going to take it to work withme every day and drink it in the
am while I'm getting my emailsdone and getting set for the day
and getting my leads done andgetting ready for the day.
I'm going to drink that tea forabout an hour and enjoy that
(31:24):
loose leaf tea and not espressoanymore.
So I'm really excited aboutthat and I'll try to link in the
show notes the ChisandraBerries I bought and the loose
leaf tea and the cup.
The cup is beautiful, you gotto see this cup, so I'll link
all three of those.
If you want to try some looseleaf tea and the cup the cup is
beautiful, you got to see thiscup, so I'll link all three of
those.
If you want to try some looseleaf tea in the morning instead
(31:47):
of coffee or espresso, you know,give it a try.
So, finally, I mentioned whenwe opened up this podcast that
I'm starting a new project.
I mean it's not gonna takeforever, it'll probably take me
two, three weeks, and what it'scalled is my Life Binder.
(32:09):
You know I'm 48.
I mean you could pass away atany time, but I am getting older
and I have a son who's 26 andhe will have a lot of affairs to
handle once I pass away.
You know, and you don't really.
(32:29):
I mean it's normal to plan foryour cemetery plots and or, you
know, your cremation, howeveryou're going to be laid to rest,
maybe a headstone, you know,maybe pay for all that ahead of
time and plan it out, which isnormal, which is something I
haven't done and I will do, youknow, within the next five, 10
(32:50):
years.
But this life binder is allyour affairs to wrap up once you
pass away in document form.
You know, when you lose someoneespecially when my son loses me
I'm his mother and we do have aclose relationship it's
(33:11):
overwhelming.
You know you're trying to dealwith grief and you're just going
through the emotions and youhave all these affairs to take
care of financial, legal,financial, you know, emotional,
family, friends, planning.
(33:33):
There's so much to tackle and Iam creating a roadmap for him
to make it easier for him.
It is a binder of all mydigital documents, all my
passwords, my accounts,everything wrapped up into one
(33:56):
that he could use as a resourcewhen wrapping up my affairs.
I'm doing this to protect himand to help him.
I am doing it as a form of lovefor him, because it's going to
be difficult and I know thisreally isn't a glow-up practice
(34:21):
or a part of your glow-upjourney, mm-hmm, but most of us
here are midlife 40 plus and wemay have children or adult
children, or even and we mayhave children or adult children
or even spouses, who will haveto handle everything, and you
want to make it easy for them.
(34:45):
So it is my life binder and Ibought some products from Amazon
a binder, a three-hole puncher,some protected sheets, some
separators, some pretty stickersthat are motivational and
spiritual to put on there.
So I'm almost making the binderlike a scrapbook.
So I'm going to and I'm writinga note to my son, a letter of
(35:07):
love to my son saying mygoodbyes, a letter of love to my
son saying my goodbyes.
It's going to be in that binder.
And what this binder has, I'mgoing to create a post on social
media and a guide that youcould request to have all the
items that could be included inthe binder if you want to create
one.
But really it's going to have mycore personal information full
(35:30):
legal name, nicknames, maidennames, if applicable, date of
birth, place of birth, socialsecurity number, driver's
license number, passport number,expiration dates If you're
married, marriage certificate,divorce papers, if relevant,
military service records, ifrelevant, dd-214 discharge
(35:50):
papers.
So that's the core personalinformation.
And then it has key contactsimmediate family members with
phone, email and addresses,close friends to notify.
Professional contacts lawyer,financial advisor, accountant,
insurance agents, medicalcontacts primary care, doctor,
(36:10):
specialist pharmacy.
My HR contact.
He doesn't know that.
He's going to have to know thatif I pass away while I'm
working.
So my HR information andcontact, maybe clergy or
spiritual advisor, pastor,priest, church, community
contacts so that's somethingelse you can include.
(36:33):
And then legal and estatedocuments your will and trust
documents, advanced healthcaredirectives, living will, power
of attorney, medical andfinancial guardianship wishes,
if relevant for dependents orpets, location of original
documents, lawyer's office, safedeposit box, etc.
(36:54):
Any letters of instruction,personal notes and ethical wills
.
So yeah, there's a wealth ofinformation that has to be
included.
There's more Financial accountsand assets banking accounts,
checking, savings, cds, creditunions, retirement accounts,
401ks, iras, pensions,investment accounts, brokerages,
(37:16):
stocks, crypto wallets, cryptowallets, right Keywords and
passwords, keys and passwords,insurance policies, life, health
, auto home, long-term care,real estate deeds, mortgage
information, rental properties,if applicable, vehicle titles,
(37:36):
loan details, business ownershipdocuments, llcs, ein
information, credit cardaccounts, lines of credit, store
accounts, passwords, debts owedand payment instructions.
That is overwhelming forsomeone to tackle if they don't
have a roadmap.
My friends, make it easy foryour loved ones to take care of
(38:00):
your affairs once you pass away.
Also, all your digital accounts, your email accounts and logins
your cell phone account andlogins social media accounts
this podcast login, cloudstorage and photos all the
photos I have stored on mylaptop.
Instruction where those aremedia accounts, streamlines,
(38:23):
netflix, spotify, kindle, amazonhow to cancel those accounts,
those logins.
You don't want to keep gettingcharged Online shopping accounts
Amazon, ebay, etsy, financialapps, venmo, paypal Cash App,
zelle, master password manager,if applicable.
(38:49):
Instructions on digital legacysettings.
You know, do I want him to put amemorial on my Facebook page if
I were to pass, when I passaway that sort of thing?
Okay, friends, there's more.
There's household and practicalinformation, including home
deed and mortgage and rentalagreements, utilities
(39:10):
information, safety deposit box,vehicle maintenance records,
home safe combination warranties, manuals for major appliances,
pet information, vet contact,medications, feeding schedule,
my final wishes and burialinstructions.
(39:30):
Personal legacy section aletter to my son.
Family traditions and recipesto preserve stories and lessons
if you want to be remembered,how you want to be remembered.
Copies of meaningful photos,journals and family history, my
(39:52):
favorite books and quotes andspiritual writings.
Also, if you have jewelry andthings like that, who do you
want to leave it to?
Things you want to leave toyour family and friends.
Instruction on that.
But that'll be in your will, andso in this binder, organization
(40:13):
and storage, you, you know,there should be a table of
contents, dividers by category,copies of essential documents
not just digital and where theseoriginals are located, a
password list, that sort of.
And you should have a coversheet for this binder of quick
(40:35):
information, like an emergencyone page including your lawyer's
contact will, location,insurance policy numbers, safe
code and funeral home contactlike a really quick cover sheet.
Like a really quick cover sheet.
So I know that's a ton ofinformation and this is not the
(40:56):
best subject, but I really wannamake it easy for my son.
I really do, and this issomething that I will go back to
once a year and update thisbinder and I'm gonna let him
know where it is.
It's gonna be in our safe athome and he does have the code
(41:16):
to that, and I will make a cheatsheet for the code and let him
know where it's, where it'shidden in the house, but cause
you don't want to leave thisbinder laying around with all
that information.
But yeah, so that is my lifebinder project that I am
tackling.
It's probably going to takelonger than three weeks.
(41:39):
It's probably going to takeabout a month or so, but that is
something you could considerfor your loved ones.
It is a gift of love for themand protection and almost like a
goodbye.
So well, not goodbye, see youlater, see you later.
So yeah, that is my LifeBinderproject.
(42:02):
You were probably wondering inthe beginning what I was
regarding and what I commentedabout that, but that's what it
is and that's something I boughtall the supplies from Amazon
and I am starting to tackle thisweek.
So, yeah, I would suggest youtry it, especially if you have a
(42:22):
lot of this information allscattered around.
Make it easy for your lovedones.
So, yeah, that wraps up today'sepisode.
I know it was more free formlots of information, lots of
tips, lots of things to do andto think about and to reflect
about.
I'm trying to make thesepodcasts a little more free form
(42:44):
.
I was so structured reading ascript that I would pre-write
that I felt like a robot and mypersonality did not come through
and so, yeah, I hope you enjoythese and I hope you enjoy the
information.
You know, if this is somethingyou enjoyed and you got some
enlightenment, some informationthat you can apply to your life,
(43:07):
please leave a review.
It helps my podcast be foundfor, you know, by other women
like yourself.
You can message me on socials atJack Styes, g-a-x-j-a-x-s-t-y-s
.
I'm on Instagram, tiktok.
(43:27):
I just started YouTube, butthat's not active yet.
Facebook page, um threads,pinterest.
Reach out to me, ask mequestions, give me comments.
What are you doing?
What do you want me to share onthis podcast?
What information are youlooking for?
What could help you?
(43:48):
Um, that's why I do this is tohelp others.
You know I don't make any moneyoff it.
Maybe someday I will, but thisis just an outlet of mine and to
help other women over 40, youknow, trying to glow up their
lives and better themselves.
But yeah, you guys just have agreat day.
Thanks for following along,thanks for listening.
(44:08):
I will check in next week withmy next podcast episode and give
you an update and share sometools and some information.
I thank you for listening, Ithank you for following along
and I appreciate you.
Till next time, till next week.
I'll talk to you then.
Love Jax.
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