Winter In Maine By Jessica Marie I have lived in a lot of places. I grew up in Florida, lived in Wyoming for 14 months, our family accidentally traveled 42 US states for 14 months and then we settled in Colorado for about 13 years…until last year when we moved to Maine. Safe to say I have experienced my fair share of climates, places, and winters. While I am grateful for the experience of a full and complete northeast winter, I am not entirely sure it’s my favorite thing. First of all, when the family decided to move, my first vote was back to Florida. But we didn’t have enough votes for going south, so we went north. It wasn’t land-locked, which was on my list of requirements, and it was in a different place than I had ever spent much time in before. Since I was ready for a change, I decided to tag-along on the move to Maine. Maine is pretty great 2.5 if not 3 seasons of the year. Summer is bounding with events and activities and there is a lot to explore. Not just in Maine, but in the surrounding northeastern states. The fall is a stunning rainbow of colors as the leaves change. Spring is great because it means the end of the dreaded winter…but it also means inordinate amounts of mud and black flies. Though, if you ask a Mainer, they will tell you there are only two seasons, winter and preparing for winter. I thought having lived in Wyoming and Colorado that I knew winter. It was a pest, sure, but I knew what it was like and could handle it with the same relative ease I had been for most of my grown life. A northeast winter is different than the west. Winter truly starts to feel as such around the winter solstice, the temperatures drop to freezing and well below day or night sun or clouds and the snow begins to fall regularly. By regularly, I mean 1-5 inches every other day and at least one big snow storm of 1-4 feet every week or so. That 1-4 feet is on top of the 1-5 inches every other day. So…a lot of snow. And it stays…because the temperature is literally freezing every day and night. While the snow is incredible and even beautiful for a time, it quickly becomes a nuisance or worse. Snow, sleet, and especially ice coat everything on a regular basis making roads dangerous to treacherous. It was not uncommon for us to not leave the house for 2-3 weeks at a time (we work from home and have a business warehouse on our property). Then we would re-stock up on food and supplies and begin to hibernate again for an indefinite amount of time. I am lucky to be a writer, blogger, podcaster, and general creative (working also for our camping gear business) that allows me to work from home. Though, I would be lying if the winter dangers didn’t also factor into why I don’t/can’t look for an in-person job. But the time spent indoors has given me a lot of time to reflect. To think about my past and what I want my future to look like. Much like the seasons we cannot always be in the same state of life. We cannot always be on the go as it robs us of our time and ability to slow down, be introspective and intentional about everything we do. It allows for the reading of a lot of books, listening to a lot of podcasts, and becoming a master at keeping a fire. Our home is heated by a wood burning fireplace that I tend to manage. When we first arrived, I thought it would be easy, I was good at starting campfires, but low and behold a campfire and a wood-burning-stove fire are not the same. They require slightly different skills and levels of patience. I’ve come to learn the density of wood and how long a log will last. I have seen the full cycle of a tree falling in the forest on our back-80, sawing and splitting it to the right size, and perfectly curating a fire to keep it burning day and night for months on end to keep the house warm. So, how is winter in Maine? It’s cold. You learn to never leave the house without a hat, scarf, and gloves. And not just cute ones, the warmest you can buy. You learn to drive slow or when to not drive at all. You get a bit of cabin fever from staying inside and not leaving the house. Even if you did leave, not much happens unless you can snow-shoe, ice fish, or snowmobile…but I am not warm-blooded enough for those activities. Though I do want to try more snow-shoeing and even cross-country skiing next winter. But you also catch up on your indoor crafts, you appreciate the days you can leave the house and go to church or out to dinner. You read more, pray more, and spend more time thinking about how much you really wish winter was over. Just kidding…sort of. You slow down, you don’t get in a hurry. I can’t make winter end any more than I can prevent its coming. It is a cycle. The wheel of the year keeps on turning and I learn more every day the importance of each moment and to embrace it for what it is. Do I wish it was summer? Yes? But does a small part of me appreciate the slowness and inner work I have been able to accomplish during winter? Also yes. I am considering traveling to the south next January and February in my car, doing some van-life…but in my Hyundai Elantra. Take some time to explore a new place and escape the worst of winter in the northeast. We’ll see what happens. That’s my winter time fantasy at the moment, but nothing is written in stone. I’ll take what comes, follow my intuition, and see where the road ahead really leads.
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My Experience with Floor Sleeping
By Jessica Marie I grew up my whole life using a traditional western-style bed. Thick mattress, lofty, fluffy, pillow top. This was fine for most of my life, but in recent years I started to notice more and more back pain. I would go to the chiropractor anytime from once a week to once or twice a month. This would help but it seemed abnormal to me. I asked advice from an acquaintance if she had any resources that she might suggest outside of the medical field for me to research or try. She suggested I read 8 Steps to a Pain Free Back by Esther Gokhale and Earthing by Clinton Ober. This set me on my path to floor sleeping. Earthing & Beyond I began to earth more regularly and with intention. In warmer months I try to walk or sit barefoot (skin on ground) on the lawn every day. With the further knowledge from my research that softer sleeping conditions are not best or conducive for everyone, I decided to research even more. I found other people in blogs and YouTube videos who engaged in floor sleeping for some of the same back issues as I was experiencing. Others did so out of a desire to live more minimally. I also found that in many Asian cultures they traditionally sleep on the floor or on harder mattresses/surfaces. People I found engaged in floor sleeping arrangements that varied from a yoga mat, blankets, to shiki butons and futons. I was fascinated and had to give it a try. Floor Sleeping I decided on a full size Japanese inspired shiki buton. I simply measured the size of my current bed (as I wanted to maintain the size) and chose a floor mattress that matched that size. A true, traditional shiki buton or futon can still be purchased, hand made via ancient tradition in Japan today. I decided to switch to floor sleeping at the very beginning of the pandemic (April 2020). Due to shut downs, shipping slow-downs, and cost I purchased my mat on Amazon. It is not made of the same traditional materials, but it fit with my needs at that time. You can see my unboxing and several updates on my floor sleeping journey on TikTok (wayfaring_jessica). My Experience My personal experience has been positive. My back pain decreased and has stayed lower ever since the switch. I started on carpeted floors, so I needed nothing under the mattress (which is about 3 inches thick). When I moved and now am on a wood floor (in a basement so concrete under the wood floor) I added a 1.5 inch foam pad under the bed. It simply was too hard to comfortably lay/sleep on. You can use camping mats/pads, a tatami mat, blankets, etc. in order to provide a little extra loft/cushion under a floor mat. Pros and Cons Pros include less back pain, better sleep, easy to move and clean mat. Cons include being on the floor and having to adjust to getting up off the floor. Being on the floor (and in a basement) can lead to more bugs/spiders in/on/near the bed. Being on the floor, the bedding can get dirty quickly and will need to be washed regularly. You also lose any storage space under the bed. I am going to be building a platform for the bed so that I can regain some of the storage space while, hopefully, not losing any of the benefits of being on the floor. How I Care for my Bed Once a month to once a quarter I take my floor mattress and hang it out over a railing in the sunshine. This airs it out helping to rid bacteria, sweat, dirt, dust, etc. trapped in the bed. I wash all sheets every 2-4 weeks. Conclusion I have been using this sleeping system since June 2020 and I have enjoyed it ever since. I currently have no plans to switch back to a traditional western style bed. I’m glad to have discovered this method of sleeping and encourage you to research for yourself if this might be a good fit for you as well. Much Love, Jessica Marie Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or other medical professional. Nor am I an expert on these sleeping methods or cultures. Please listen and defer to those who have first-hand cultural knowledge as far as terms, pieces, etc. This is merely my own understanding from the research I have done. I very well could misunderstand or be incorrect. I am open to any and all corrections, if you find anything I have said to be wrong or offensive please let me know and I will correct it. Please speak with your doctor, chiropractor, or other health care professional before switching to this or any type of sleeping method. This does not count as medical advice. Always seek proper counsel. 5 Sustainability Ideas
By: Jessica Marie When I first began my sustainability journey 5 years ago, I looked to the sustainability influencers on Instagram for ideas on how to start my journey. As I grew more and more interested in the homesteading community, culture, and other methods of living that were in tune with the land I have found a wealth of information. Not just on how to be more self-sufficient, but how to live in closer harmony with mother nature. I don’t want to give you a list of products to buy as that defeats the purpose. It makes it seem like in order to be sustainable you must invest in this non-circular capitalistic system that does damage to the environment. So, here are my current top tips on sustainability. Gardening No, you do not need to make a huge garden that will be your food supply for the entire year. Not only is that difficult and expensive to upstart, it actually takes years to build up to that point. It is also a lot of work to have a large garden. It can be a part-time job to start and maintain a garden. But I do want to encourage you to start small. I started as a plant mom and slowly incorporated herbs and over the course of years my parents and I began to work together to build larger and larger gardens. You don’t have to buy seeds either. Some of my first seeds I collected from bell peppers and squash that I had purchased from the store. I looked up how to harvest and store seeds then I planted them. You can also reuse old plastic containers as plant starters. It can be very low cost to start up a garden if you need it to be. Many gardening supplies are reusable. Once you have them you can use them for many seasons. Most all of our gardening supplies we have been reusing for many seasons now. Compost Composting goes hand in hand with gardening. As you will be collecting food scraps and waste and throwing it away, why not sort some of it out and turn it back into food for yourself? By taking the compost you are naturally enriching the soil, which enriches the plants which you are feeding to yourself. It can also be beneficial to the soil. Make sure not to compost dairy or meat products. While they are technically compostable in time, they smell bad and will generally ruin your compost. Look up backyard composting to get started. Recycle/Upcycle/Thrift I thrift things all the time, from marketplace, from garage and estate sales, from my own house. Beyond buying used clothes, there are tons of things that can be thrifted. I buy picture frames at estate sales almost exclusively; they are far cheaper and it saves them from the landfill. I make lists of things I need or want and then I get to looking. Not from Amazon first, but on Marketplace, thrift shops, and estate sales. The more time you have to find things the more luck you’ll have. I have furnished entire homes for staging using only what I found on Marketplace. Get creative. Is there something that you want that you can make yourself or collaborate together from other things to make what you want? For example, I wanted a sunglasses display rack. I found this really cool picture frame at an estate sale, I tied some twine that had been wrapped on a gift through the frame and now it holds all my sunglasses. Plus, it kind of looks like art. Cost me $2 total. Save the Fat Or the bones, or the veggies. You can pay money for bone broth or bar soap, or you can make it yourself. If you boil chicken, beef, or veggies you can save the water they were boiled in and then you have broth. When a recipe calls for any of those broths you already have it for free. Same with fat, if something you are making cooks off a lot of fat, save it. Pour it through a strainer to get the chunks out, then store it in the freezer. You can use the fat to oil your cast iron pans. Or if you save enough of it, you can use it to make your own soaps. I know this is a very different type of recycling, but it counts. Taking those statements of reduce, reuse, recycle to a whole new level. Start small You have to do sustainability, sustainably. This means that you have to grow at your own pace. Something I see people do that saddens me is comparison. Both inside and outside of sustainability. We see someone who has been on their sustainability journey for years and think ‘I can never be like that’. It is too easy to get overwhelmed and see the expense of changing to different sustainable products or methods. Some of the things on this list are kind of big, multi-step processes and they might seem overwhelming. That’s ok, maybe they are end goals. For example, I’ve been on my sustainability journey for over 5 years now. That means for 5 years I have been learning, growing, and adopting new methods into my life and routines. I did not wake up one day and do everything I do today. It took me 5 years, and a lot of what gets done is a family effort. Do not feel bad for not being able to switch everything right now. Don’t feel bad for only doing one thing. Do that one thing that you feel drawn to until it is easy, and when you want to, when you feel ready, add another. In 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, you will be amazed at how much you have combined into your life. I want to encourage you not to compare where you are to where someone else is. It is good to be inspired, but it is important to give yourself time and grace along the way. Take it slow, take it one step at a time. Pro Tip – Moving: We all know about getting boxes from stores like Wal-Mart or Best Buy. Which are great resources that I stand by. But for packing paper, I have two ideas. One, scuba shops. They get really nice material packaged around their goggles and such that are perfect for moving dishes. Two, local newspapers. If you have a local town paper or university that has a newspaper, call and ask for their old papers. They will gladly pack it in a box and give it to you. You can also check marketplace. I’ve seen people giving away their old moving boxes and materials. This is also an option for you as well. People may not come and get them, but you are at least offering to give these single use packages more than one life or use. Those are my current top 5 sustainability tips. I am sure I will have more in the future. But these are ones that I have been working on/towards recently and I wanted to share them with you. My biggest goal with this list was to help you think outside the box. To think beyond one item, one idea, or one product as a sustainability practice. To realize that maybe something you already do is sustainable, or maybe something you never considered was a sustainability practice. I hope this inspires you. Until next week. Much Love, Jessica Marie By Jessica Marie
This week I interviewed Madison Rose, anti-violence activist is Denver, Colorado. She helped create the March for Our Lives sister march in Denver in 2018. She had great advice for how to be an activist, how to stay safe when finding a place to get involved, and how to stay sane while being an activist. She has a wonderful heart and spirit for justice. She simply cannot allow bad things to happen unchecked. She stands up for what she believes and encourages those around her to do the same. I have been very lucky to know her, and she has inspired me to be more vocal about injustice and to stand up for what I believe in politically. Tell us a little about yourself, Madison. Hi, I’m Madison I’m a graduate of the University of Colorado and I consider myself an activist. I have been an activist in all different sorts of movements, but mostly in anti-gun violence. I have been involved in March For Our Lives, Never Again, Students Demand Action, and Every Town for Gun Safety. This has led me to many different places and spaces which is what I want to talk more about. How people can get involved in activism and civic engagement for young people especially. Activism has always felt like something I, as just a person, could never be involved in. How did you realize you could be an activist? I felt the same way growing up. Especially since activism is so tied to politics, and that is a huge realm. I am just a normal person. How do I step into that? But I got involved because of my passion. The passion that I had and still have for the anti-gun violence movement. After the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School there was the announcement for the March For Our Lives. I was living in Denver at the time, and I wanted to do a March For Our Lives in Denver. So, I put up a Facebook event and several others did the same, none of us knew each other at the time, we were all strangers. We called an organizer meeting for all of us to work together. I was shocked at how much of the community showed up to say they had all of our backs. I didn’t have any special connections, I was just a Criminology student. It really was that simple. There was no secret code or anything, I just made a Facebook group and teamed up with others who had the same mission. At that time there was a huge shift in views towards guns and gun violence that was happening, so that helped bring people together. What is the best way to be an activist? I think the answer is to just show up. Which is very cliché. But if you have a passion for something you have to get out there, try to find a space where you can have your voice heard. For me, I had enough passion that even if no one else cared and no one else showed up, I was still going to go to the state capital. I would stand out front with a sign all day to make my voice heard, and that carried into my activism. Plus, by your standing up and being vocal about what you will and won’t stand for you encourage others. You can encourage people to join, even if just one person joins that can make all the difference. How did people find out about the March? From a lot of different places. Lots of word of mouth, handing out fliers, we put fliers up around schools and other places. Some of us snuck into the library and put fliers inside the books for people to find. Some social media involvement but also a lot of face-to-face conversations. Which I prefer, I prefer talking to people one-on-one. What is the best way to talk to people about activism and things you stand for? It is possible to talk to people you don’t agree with. So often we live in an echo chamber, but just sitting down and talking with people one-on-one there is no audience. It is just you and them having a conversation. Many people will engage with that and you can learn so much from each other. You can see from a new perspective or point of view that you may never have thought of, and visa versa. This is so hard to do on social media as it becomes performative. You do it to be seen and praised, to gain followers, for confirmation bias. But when done privately a conversation can be far more raw and genuine. The ego goes away and you have nothing to lose or to gain. How would you suggest people get involved in activism now, during quarantine? Last summer I started working with Colorado Cease Fire and we started doing round table discussions virtually. So, you can still have those face-to-face conversations but it is safe for everyone. Round tables, town halls, contact and interact with your representatives, you can wear a mask and get vaccinated and go to marches. It takes some creativity, but there are still ways to get involved even now. Make sure your community knows that you are there to help them and uplift them. You can do small things too, like help them buy groceries or get things for them if they can’t leave the house. How do you know if a group is safe or genuine? I think it’s best to reach out beforehand. Send an email to the organization, let them know you are interested or curious, ask any questions you may have. A good organization will have a website, or a Facebook page, they will list their mission statements, and their various campaigns. Reach out to them and they will respond, because they are passionate and they want more people to be involved in some way. Reach out to multiple organizations to try and find the right fit. Some may be busy and may take more time to respond, others may be looking for volunteers, others may not. Especially right now with Covid, many are not taking volunteers to protect people. So, just reach out and see where you can fit in that works for both them and you. Do you have any advice for maintaining balance between your personal life and your activism? I at one time did not know this balance, and it is very detrimental to your mental health. When I was working with March For Our Lives and Vote For Our Lives, it was 12 hour work days. There was no work life balance at all. I would wake up in the morning and work until I fell asleep, through meals or exercise. You just have to set boundaries. Intentionally create a life that exists and runs outside of activism and don’t throw it to the wayside even when things are intense in the activism part of your life. I neglected hobbies and friendships outside of my activism. And people inside certain organizations would guilt me and others into working more and harder, guilt us for having any life or wanting to have any life outside of activism. That made it harder to balance and easier to neglect other hobbies and friends. Make activism a hobby, not your only hobby. Unless it is your paid for job where you can leave it at the office, you have to set your own boundaries. Which is hard, but so important. It is also hard to see the issues everywhere, in billboards, and movies, online. We can use that as fuel but we cannot let it dictate every moment of our lives. You need to have multiple hobbies, you need a life and friendships outside of activism. Turn off your phone notifications for Instagram or Twitter. Go for walks. Also, make friends with people who may disagree with you. How do you keep from burning out? You have to find the balance between being the most excited person in the world to the most pessimistic person in the whole world. Because a path is made by laying one brick at a time, we have to slow down and lay each brick. I’ve seen people get so excited and they just burn out. There is a place in the middle between the passion and the pessimism that actually gets things done. Part of this mindset comes from the activism life balance. A watched pot never boils, the same goes for activism. These things take a long time and if you spend all your time watching and waiting it will seem like we are never making any progress. But if you have other hobbies or other issues to follow and work towards you can come back refreshed and see any progress that has been made. It takes many years, it takes endurance to make change happen. You also need to celebrate little victories, to see any wins and celebrate them. From making it through a march, testifying on a bill, for everyone getting along during a meeting. We can celebrate these things in a humble way without being self-congratulatory. While still being happy and present in each moment and each win. How do we help as White Allies and not White Saviors? I cannot speak for all POC, I can only speak from what I have heard. But is important to be quiet and listen. There is no one experience, there are many, many experiences that you can hear and learn from. You can learn from different people and organizations. Most important is to listen and to ask, how can I help? Do you want my help? Is this a space you want a white person in? If they want help let them tell you how to help and then do what they say. Come from a perspective of, I am here to help, feel free to utilize me however would be most beneficial to you. What do you want to say to people who want to get involved or are already involved? Why are you doing it? Is it to be seen and heard as a good person, or to truly help the cause? What do you say and do when Twitter is logged off? Here is a challenge. Do one act of kindness or act of activism that you do not tell anyone about. You do not put it on social media, you don’t tell your friends, you just do it because you feel you need to. That is an incredible act of empathy and understanding, it removes ego and moves from the heart. We can easily get caught up in being seen as good, that people will think I am great and wonderful. But if no one sees, if no one congratulates you or thanks you, will you still do it? Who can be an activist? Anyone can be an activist. If anyone says you can’t for any reason whatsoever, do not work with that group. That is fake and not true, who knows what their goals are if they are not inclusive to you. Activism is inclusive. I have imposter syndrome all the time but it is okay for you to be involved, anyone can be involved. I hope you enjoyed and learned something from this interview with Madison Rose. You can follow her on Instagram @starringmadisonrose to learn more and follow her journey. She also suggested some books for people who may be interested in further reading. Book Recommendations: Walking with the Wind by John Lewis When We Rise by Cleve Jones Becoming by Michelle Obama The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander Walking in Daniel's Shoes by Tom Mauser Parkland by Dave Cullen Much Love, Jessica Marie Prepping Pets for a Move
By Jessica Marie If you are preparing for a long-distance move, say 2,200 miles across the United States and you are planning on driving, there are a few things that you may need to have ready for your pets. Our family moved from Colorado to Maine the first week of February. We drove straight through, no stopping at hotels or campgrounds, only stopping and staying in our vehicles at rest stops. We made this trek with 3 dogs, 1 cat, 3 Zebra finches, 1 Betta fish, 1 bearded dragon, and 6 chickens. So, I have a bit of a varied approach on how to care for your pets before the move and what you may need to get everything from point A to point B alive. Be sure to consult your veterinarian before you leave as they may have tips, medications, or other useful information to help this process be as smooth as possible. The following are simply my personal experiences that worked for me, I am not a veterinarian. Please consult your veterinarian or other animal expert before traveling to ensure the best safety and health for your pets. Be Prepared First thing to keep in mind is, your pets will get stressed out. No matter what you do, unless your pet loves traveling, they will get stressed on this trip. If you’re like me and seeing pets stressed stresses you out, then you are going to want to find ways to limit their stress. The best way to do that is to be as prepared as possible. Buy anything you may need for your pet at least 1 month before the move. This gives the item time to ship (if ordered, it doesn’t do you any good to have it arrive after you leave) and you can make sure it is what you want/need. Make sure you order any pet medications you may need as well, so that you are not desperately searching for some as soon as you arrive to a new location. Moving is stressful for you as things just keep popping up, it never seems to end, and goodness you just need some rest. To save yourself and your pet, be prepared. Do not wait until the day of or the day before to think about your pet, this will not only add to your stress, but it will stress out your pets too. Dogs You will need: Dog bed and Bach Rescue Remedy for Pets We had 3 dogs, two of which do not mind traveling and are relatively stress free when it comes to car rides. But my little one is not a fan of car rides at all, he shakes, shivers, can’t rest, is fearful and stressed the entire time. I was told about Bach Rescue Remedy for Pets from multiple Facebook friends, so I bought it off Amazon. It is safe for all your pets and really does work. I put 3 little drops on my 7-pound Chihuahua-Yorkie mix’s head and within about 40 minutes he was napping. My friend had also graciously made the perfect little dog bed for him before I left, so he had a place that he knew was dedicated for him to sleep. Disclaimer: Consult your veterinarian before providing Bach Rescue Remedy for Pets as they may have a better option for your pet or situation. We also had dog bowls and water bowls for the dogs. Every time we stopped for fuel we would take the dogs out for a potty break and offer them food and water. I used canned food for my little one to encourage him to eat. I used rest stop bathroom sinks to wash out the dog bowls or fill them with water. Anything new, dog beds, comfort toys, or blankets, give your pet a chance to get used to the item before the trip. Let them know it is theirs and is a safe thing for them, so that they can recognize it on the trip as something familiar. Cat You will need: Kennel and litter pan The cat we kept in a kennel for portions of the trip as she has been motion sick in the past. She was not prone to leash walking as we tried for several weeks to train her, but at 17 years old she didn’t want to learn new tricks. For sleeping, we kept her in the kennel. When we stopped at rest stops we would provide her a littler box inside the mini van and simply leave her alone. She would potty in the litter box and wander around the car, exploring the dash and stretching her legs. Again, if they are not used to a kennel or a specific litter box, give them a few weeks of keeping the object near them so that they can get used to it. To associate the kennel and the littler box as theirs and as a place for them to feel safe and comfortable. Bearded Dragon You will need: Electric heat pad, hand warmers, cage blanket We kept the bearded dragon in the back of the mini van where we had a power adapter, it could be plugged into a cigarette lighter in a vehicle and convert that energy into a normal 110 outlet. We used a heating pad under his tank to keep him warm, as well as hand warmers inside the tank. Then we put a blanket over his cage to keep the heat in. It was extremely cold the entire time we traveled so heat was a concern for us. We kept most all of the animals in the mini van. Other than to fill the gas tank, we never turned the van off so as to keep the heat running and the animals comfortable. Zebra Finches You will need: Travel cage and cage blanket For the finches we downsized them to a small travel sized cage and also placed a blanket over the cage to keep the heat in. We also kept them close to the bearded dragon cage, so that if any heat was escaping from there it would help keep them warm. I would simply feed and water them as I normally do. Surprisingly, the food and water didn’t splash out of the feeders. Betta Fish You will need: Pop-top Tupperware and insulated lunch box The Betta fish I had a rather unique set up. I had purchased a BPA free Tupperware with a pop-top lid. I filled the Tupperware with the water that was in his tank, put him inside the Tupperware, then popped the little steam release top to allow fresh air inside. Then I put that inside an insulated lunchbox. I would open the entire lid once a day to feed him. But we also kept the lunchbox close to the bearded dragon tank to help keep the water from getting cool. Chickens You will need: Very large dog kennels and anti-flip food bowls I am aware that it’s weird we took our chickens with us. But they are our buddies just as much as the other pets. They were all adult hens so they could handle more extremes in temperature. We had an enclosed, insulated trailer we were towing on our way across that we kept the hens inside. The hens were in very large dog kennels that were filled with straw. I found the only way to feed and water them was to use a square, anti-flip bowl. One that no matter how you press on it or how a bird may stand on it, it will not flip over. Any other sort of feeder they will spill and knock over immediately. I bought the bowl in the pet section at Wal-Mart as I broke rule number one on this list and didn’t test my food and water bowl plans before we left, so I bought this system on the go. Chickens are notoriously messy, so you will be refilling these bowls every time you stop. Fair warning, even the friendliest chickens will get irritated and may peck at you. Just understand that they don’t’ know what is going on, their routine is broken, and they are stressed and afraid. Give them grace just like you would any stressed and afraid pet/animal. That is my list of what you will need to take your pet on a multi-day car ride for a move or trip. Prepare in advance, test your systems if possible, and have everything ready to go one month before you leave. These tips are born out of winter, so if it is summer or warm when you are traveling, adjust as necessary. Give the animals time to become used to their travel system(s), kennels, cages, food, bowls, beds, litter pans, etc. Not just a day or two, try to give them 2-4 weeks to become familiar with the item to help decrease stress. Remember you can use Bach Rescue Remedy for Pets on most all pets. We used it on a dog, the cat, the birds, and the chickens. Consult your veterinarian before providing this as they may have a better option for your pet or situation, I am not a veterinarian. Bonus tip: Remember that the process of you packing and things disappearing from your home can be stressful for your pets. My dog gets very concerned when I pack, especially when things that are his get packed. Don’t forget to comfort your pets during this packing and moving process, they don’t know what is going on and need you to comfort them. Remind them that you love them, that they are coming with you, and that they are safe. As an added bonus, giving them comfort will give you a much-needed stress release and some comfort as well. Don’t get flustered, relax, and take time for them too. Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian or other animal expert. All above advice is from personal experience only. Consult your local vet or other animal care provider before moving or implementing any of the above advice. Much Love, Jessica Marie Hello readers, happy Monday. I am going to be changing up my blog posts a little bit. I’ll tell you a little backstory and then get into how things are going here for the Wayfaring Jessica brand and blog. I first started working on blog posts, Instagram posts, and all the things that I wanted to shape this brand into back in February. One of the biggest things I wanted from my brand was to be a genuine conversation between you and I. To have someone going through life with you, giving advice from my experiences and those just like me, encouraging you to follow your dreams and live your best life. I planned to have my brand launch on April 1st. Well, the Divine played an April Fools Day prank on me. The night before, on March 31st, I realized I had drifted from this goal. I had spent 6 weeks making content with the goal of appeasing the algorithms instead of being true to my goals and desires for this brand. The 3 posts I made before my brand went live felt more aligned than most of the posts I had planned to go live after the brand launch. So, I changed everything.
Well, not everything, but a lot of things. I realized in February that I wanted to write again. I have always loved writing. Honest to goodness, I have been reading books and writing stories since I was single digits in age. I have taken many, many courses, classes, group sessions, every writing and editing course I could find for over a decade. But a few years ago, I just sort of stopped writing. I don’t know why. I tried to go a few other directions in my life, but every way I went I had doors slammed in my face. For 3 years I floundered, trying to figure out what I wanted, what I liked, what direction I could go that I wouldn’t make me fall flat on my face yet again. When the 2020 pandemic hit, I was truly forced to reevaluate everything. I floundered some more, trying to fit myself into little boxes of who I thought I should be, instead of embracing who I really am. Finally, in the fall and winter of 2020 I just stopped searching. I started doing what came naturally to me, the things I always enjoyed doing. Reading, art, and writing. That is what I am good at and what I truly love, writing first and foremost and art in the form of collage, abstract art, crochet, etc. I started to lean into those things. I realized I felt more comfortable, confident, and was less uptight than I had been in years. This is what I needed to pursue, I needed more of this in my life. The trajectory I was on was leading me directions I did not want to go. Once my family and I moved to Maine all distractions were stripped away. I had a chance to completely start from the ground up. I have taken this time to completely focus on what I am actually good at, not trying to fit into a version of myself I think I should be. In the past, I had lost all contact with my creativity, but now I am flowing with ideas for art and writing. This is my passion. I am working on a novel again. Like I said, in the past I have taken many courses and joined writer’s groups with prestigious writers that were sorely disappointed when I quit. They saw the potential in me that I failed to see. I know I am not the only one out there who has gone through this. I want to encourage people to find these pieces of themselves that light them up. To find these pieces of themselves that are in their core and tap back into it. Creativity doesn’t only come in the form of art and writing. Math, science, business, these are creative endeavors too, they just look a little different. I want to spark a light in people to follow their creativity. This is what I want to bring back. This was the goal I had from the start, but I got caught up in trying to cater to what I thought people would want to hear, in what would appease the algorithms, instead of being my truest self. Here is my new format that I hope will help you. Because I want everyone to tap into their creative spark and bring their beauty to the world. The world needs more beauty and you can bring it in a way that only you can shine. Once a month I will do an update, like this, things I am working on, ideas I am having, lessons I learned from the Divine. Ways that you can get to know me and resonate with me personally. I’ll keep you updated on my projects such as my novel, poetry, art, and short stories. What stage I am on, what I am learning, and what you may need to know if you are wanting to follow the path to being a writer as well. I am also having an interview with a guest once a month. I have some really exciting guests lined up with so much that you can learn. Look for those blog posts with my guest interviews. Upcoming guest topics are activism, art, and a published author! I am in no way bashing on the blog posts that came out before this one. I love every one of those pieces, they all came from personal experience and I stand behind every word. I will still be writing general life tips posts once a month. Travel tips and reviews, sustainability tips, how to’s, and more. But they will be one of many, not the only blog content I put out. Finally, I am an aspiring author. I have a novel in the works and some short stories. But I am also dipping my toes into poetry. Once a month I’ll post some of my favorite pieces of poetry for you to read. That is my May update, how things are going, how I plan to keep things going, how I want to help you, and be open and honest with you. I have always cherished people who are honest and genuine. I want to be open with you about my journey, what I learn, and where this life takes me. I hope this excites you and makes you want to stick around for more. If not, that’s ok, we all have different interests and goals, I wish you the best! For those who are interested, I’m glad you are here and I can’t wait to see you next week in my next blog post. Until next Monday, Much Love, Jessica Marie I know, I know absolutely every lifestyle blogger and YouTuber has done some version of a morning routine post and it may seem like I am jumping on the band-wagon for click-bait. But I promise you this is for a reason! See, right now I am trying to build a routine for myself and I have gone through about 5 different versions in the last few months in an attempt to find just the right kind of morning routine. I think I have some ideas that are a little different from the typical morning routine posts out there. This isn’t a pretty example of some perfect routine, this is how you can curate your own perfect routine that is perfect for you and your life.
What is the point? The entire point of a morning routine is to start the morning off on the right foot to help you feel nourished, successful, and ready to conquer the day. That being said, only you know what nourishes you, only you know what makes you feel successful, only you know what your day consists of and what you will need to conquer it. Make your routine completely personal to you. Take some time, and I mean like take a week to think over who do you want to be. Think about the things that make you happy or jealous. What things do you see other people doing that you really, truly wish you could do? Not in a vain way, in a way that your soul longs for. Who are the people you look up to, most admire, most wish to be like? What traits, habits, or skills do they have that you wish you had? For me I want to work out every day, I want to be a writer, I want to be a reader, and I want to be an entrepreneur. I took these things in mind and I built a morning routine around each of these elements. Do I have to get up at 5am?? Before you set your alarms for 5am let me start with saying I only get up at 7:30 to start my current morning routine. I have done 6am routines in the past and they worked for me at that time. But your routine is personal to you, remember? What is one constant in your life, class? Work? Feeding the dog or baby? Whatever thing happens in the day, I’ll just use work as an example, that is relatively scheduled, build your routine around that. If you start work at 9 and it takes 35 minutes to get to work then you need to be done and out the door before 8:25. If your only goal is to write, or read, or meditate for an hour then you only need to get up at around 7am. How much time should I spend on my morning routine? How much time do you want to spend? Does a 15-minute morning routine accomplish everything you need? Do you need 4 hours to accomplish everything you need? I suggest spending 15-30 minutes on each thing on your list so that you have ample time to get into each one, but also gives you a little wiggle room in case one item runs long but another runs short. This helps the time to even out and you aren’t rushing from task to task feeling like you are already failing the day when it hasn’t even started yet. Don’t Expect Immediate Perfection This will take a little bit of time to fine tune to make it fit you. That very first day, that very first week will not go according to plan. You will have to skip things or rearrange the order you do things. This is okay! You are not a failure or incapable because of this. Approach that first week as an experiment, just testing to see what does and doesn’t work. Then, at the end of the week, take stock of what did and didn’t work, what needs to be cut, added, or rearranged to work best for you, your life, and your family. My most recent routine I spent about 2 weeks getting to a place where I can consistently follow through each morning with relative ease. Your Morning Routine Starts the Night Before Take 5 minutes before you go to bed and make sure everything is ready for your morning routine. Wash the coffee pot and fill it with water, so all you have to do is put the coffee in and turn it on. Lay out your work out and work clothes so all you have to do is put them on. Have breakfast predetermined. I have heard that these little hacks save a ton of time but I never tried them until now. Let me tell you, they work! It makes the morning flow with ease, like the day was just made for you to waltz in and do your thing. This little feeling carries into the rest of the day as well. Let this routine evolve as needed I have gone through several types of morning routines, from having none other than waking up and flying by the seat of my pants for the rest of the day to focusing on nothing more than meditation the entire morning. With each season of your life, over the course of the year your needs and desires will change. If your routine just doesn’t feel right in a few weeks or a few months, reevaluate and recreate. Do you need to adjust just a few things or toss it out and start from scratch? Don’t feel like you need to cling to the one routine you created. If it becomes obsolete or isn’t serving its function of ‘starting the morning off on the right foot to help you feel nourished, successful, and ready to conquer the day’ then it isn’t what you need anymore. It is okay to edit or scrap this routine as needed. Those are my tips for creating a morning routine that works best for you. Make a list of everything you want to include in your morning routine. Include the things you most want and discard anything else. Tailor it to your time, needs, and desires. Set up anything you may need the night before to help the morning flow with ease. Remember, you can change this routine anytime you need. It’s okay if you don’t complete everything when you are just getting started. Give yourself grace, this is new, so experiment with it until it is just right. Remember this is your routine, make it work for you. Comment below with your new morning routine plan! Much Love, Jessica Marie Examples: Okay, some of you have it all figured out and are ready to start. But I have a feeling that some of you are like me and prefer some visuals or examples. Here are some samples of past morning routines I have done to show you that your routine can be tailored to you in each season of life, and to the things you find most important at that time. How to Donate to Charity Even When You’re Broke (Without Volunteering)
By Jessica Marie We all want to help charities and donate to their causes. But I also know how discouraging it is to be low on funds and truly be unable to donate to even our more cherished causes. Aren’t there ways we can help that don’t break the bank? Yes! This is a list of 3 ways that you can help charities and non-profits by doing things you already do and don’t cost you a penny. Ecosia Ecosia is a search engine like Google but, the money they make from their ad revenue goes towards planting trees. I have been using the non-profit Ecosia for years now and it works great! Only once or twice a year do I have trouble finding something and have to give Google a try. Plus, you don’t have to feel guilty clicking on those ads at the top of the search results. Rather, by doing so you are helping to plant trees. It works on mobile too, I added Ecosia to my phone and use it for all my searches there too. All phone brands can use Ecosia now. You can add it as your default by searching for it in the app store. On your computer simply search Ecosia.org and set as your default search engine. Now go forth with your online searching and help plant trees at the same time! Tabs for a Cause Did you know that every time you open a tab on your computer you can help raise money for charity? Tabs for a Cause does exactly that. It works by placing ads on every new tab, then you simply type in your search (using Ecosia of course) and now you have earned 1 heart that can be donated to charity. This happens at absolutely no cost to you! After 50 tabs have been opened you can donate those hearts to a charity of your choice. Basically, the ad revenue from the ads on the tabs are being sent to charity. There is a limited number of charities to select from, but it still gives you the chance to donate to charities by doing something you already do every day. To add this extension to your web browser, follow this link and you can start donating to charity at no cost to you. Here is the link: https://tab.gladly.io/?u=JessAnthro Amazon Smile Did you know there was a way to donate to charity every time you shopped on Amazon? Use Amazon Smile and you can select any non-profit to donate to, and this comes at no cost to you! It does not affect the price of your items on Amazon at all. I currently donate to a local Wildlife Rehabilitation center, but there are more charities and non-profits than you can imagine to choose from on Amazon Smile. You can change the charity or non-profit at any time. So, next time you have to buy something from Amazon instead of a small or local business, be sure to make a difference by using Amazon Smile. And once you set it up, if you accidentally go to Amazon.com, Amazon will remind you to switch back to Amazon Smile. Search smile.amazon.com on desktop or search for it in the app store and you can set it up today. Those are three ways that you can help charities and non-profits that don’t cost you any money. I’ve been a student and a struggling college grad and know how hard it is to want to donate to charities and non-profits but also realizing I have to feed myself and my dog. I hope these can help you feel better until your bank account is full again. Please share with anyone who might also be looking for ways to donate. Much Love, Jessica Marie Hey vibe tribe! Whether you are a podcast connoisseur or just getting into this trend everyone is raving about, I have 8 podcast genres and 17 podcasts that you need to be binging right now. These are my top faves that I keep going back to over and over again and I think you will too. I listen to all my podcasts on Podbean and Spotify, so these are completely free (no costly subscriptions needed) and can be found on these apps (and others) for your listening pleasure.
News: Up First from NPR and Global News Podcast from the BBC First genre on this list is news. I believe it’s important to stay up to date on what is happening in the world. That’s why I liked these two podcasts, they are short, concise, accurate, and give a good overview of what is going on in a calm and rational manner. I can turn them on in the morning while I get ready for my day, by the time I am ready to go, I’m caught up on the news and ready for the day. Up First from NPR is a daily 15-minute podcast on US and some global news. They have a follow up that is the NPR Politics Podcast, also 15 minutes daily, but I found it is often very similar information to what is in the Up First Podcast. The NPR Politics Podcast follows the happenings of the government and politics more closely and in-depth than Up First. But you can try both and see which one suits your personal needs best. Global News Podcast from BBC covers global news events, it is a 30-minute daily podcast on events happening all over the world. It’s a great way to move outside ones’ own country and see how the rest of the world is doing or their take on events unfolding within your own country. Honorable Mention: If you are not a huge fan of the news and the typical news format but feel you want to keep up, check out The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. He’s a comedian who tells it like it is while making you laugh the whole time. Spirituality: Highest Self Podcast with Sahara Rose, Your Own Magic with Raquelle Mantra, The Line with Ashley Wood Science has shown that people who hold a spiritual or religious belief tend to have a less-stressful life, among other benefits, and I can personally attest to this. The three podcasts in this section can be applied to any religious, spiritual, or value system as they are not born out of or confined to any one religion. Their insights and knowledge are valuable to any person and can help one. The Highest Self Podcast is hosted by Sahara Rose, an author and Ayurvedic practitioner. Her goal is to help people discover their highest selves so that people can share those gifts with the world. She holds no punches and says exactly what needs to be said in a loving but firm way. She is extremely wise and I am always left feeling better connected to the divine that I did before I pressed play. Your Own Magic by Raquelle Mantra is an interview style podcast where she has guests of all backgrounds, types, spiritual and religious knowledge on her show. Her own understanding of so much spiritual knowledge, mixed with the insights of her guests, her episodes are always eye-opening and enlightening. I love that no topic is off limits or too bizarre for Raquelle and her guests. The Line with Ashley Wood is a soothing and calming podcast. Ashley’s voice and demeanor is always calming but also filled with wisdom channeled from the highest beings. In this podcast, Ashley helps guests connect to their akashic records and to their highest selves so that they can live their most aligned life possible. Honorable Mention: Growin’ Your Magic with Leia Spalenka is a mostly interview based podcast where Leia has guests on various topics such as health, wellness, and all things magic. She’s new to the podcasting world but the heart and the knowledge in each episode is worth a listen. Business/Hustle: The Dave Ramsey Show, The Goal Digger Podcast Who doesn’t need to learn more about money, finances, and hustling? I know I need all the help I can get! I was raised on Dave Ramsey and his financial courses so I know the basics inside and out. This show has a rotation of guest hosts with so much diversity and knowledge, there is always something to gain in these episodes. The Goal Digger Podcast with Jenna Kutcher is a great podcast for those hustling to create a small business. She’s honest and has great tips for starting your own brand, business, or other entrepreneurial endeavor. Art: My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, Public Intellectual I am only recently realizing my lifelong desire to be a creator and artist, so I am dipping my toes into all things art. If you’re new, like me, then check these two out. My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast is an interview-based podcast where Jessica Stewart has conversations with top artists in their field, how they got there, tips for artists, and more. I like the candor and ease of the conversations and how encouraging they are for other artists. Public Intellectual with Jessa Crispin is a bit more expanded than just art. She also talks politics, feminism, class, and more, but often ties these topics back into art. How we are expressing these topics in our art. She says it like it is and doesn’t apologize, but I love the honesty. Health: Wise Traditions, Plant-Powered People Podcast Wise Traditions is a podcast that interviews experts in various health, wellness and scientific fields as they talk about lifestyles outside the norm. Beyond the basics of eating whole foods, they get into the nitty gritty and have you rethink modern life as we know it, while giving great tips for how and why we should incorporate more traditional habits into our daily lives. Plant-Powered People Podcast is a podcast hosted by two vegans who give amazing advice, recipes, and other lifestyle tips to incorporate more vegetarian and vegan habits into your life. You don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian to incorporate their tips. I am neither, but I do try to make swaps in as many ways as I can, and they are a kind and encouraging place to start! Crime: My Favorite Murder, Criminal I have always been a huge fan of true crime and crime shows, as life is often stranger than fiction. I may be way behind the 8-ball, but I only just discovered My Favorite Murder and I have to say, the hype is warranted. My Favorite Murder is hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, who have fantastic chemistry, it feels like you have been invited into a group of two best friends where you are more than welcome to join the club. They do a mix of true crime stories and listener stories. I recently listened to an episode on pets saving their owners that was both terrifying and heartwarming. Criminal with Phoebe Judge is a great podcast about true crime stories both old and new. Her interviews make you feel like you are there, watching the story unfold. Paranormal and Unusual: The Untold Hour, Into the Fray Radio I love science, but I also love the paranormal and all things unexplained. What are ghosts? (I lived in a haunted house, so I know they are something) Are cryptids real? What are aliens? These things are yet to be explained, and until then I’ll be captivated by conversations and dives into the unknown. The Untold Hour with Jessica Chobot and Andrew Bowser is one of my favorite podcasts. Originally Bizarre States they are back and rebranded as The Untold Hour. Chobot is basically my queen now. They do interviews on all topics spooky, creepy, paranormal, odd, weird, and more. Plus, listener submitted stories of their own encounters with the unexplained. Into the Fray Radio with Shannon LeGro is a fun interview podcast where Shannon brings on guests of various types. Some authors or experts in a field or topic, and people who have extensive stories or personal experience with the paranormal and unexplained. Believe them or not, there is always something fascinating to be found in this podcast. Honorable Mention: American Hysteria by Chelsey Weber-Smith is not actually paranormal, as everything she talks about is firmly grounded in reality (in a manner of speaking), but it is also so unique and one of the few podcasts I have listened to every episode of. I think every American should listen to this podcast, as we could all stand to learn a thing or two from this show. “American Hysteria is a podcast exploring the fantastical thinking and irrational fears of Americans through the lens of moral panics, urban legends, and conspiracy theories, how they shape our psychology and culture, and why we end up believing them.” Science: Science Friday, 60 Second Science by Scientific American, Spooky Psychology Let’s end this list with science. Science Friday is a weekly interview podcast where Ira Flato hosts guests talking about their new scientific discoveries, advancements, and continually eluding areas of exploration. They touch on everything from astronomy to botany and everything in between. If you are short on time but still want a quick run down of exciting scientific news, 60 Second Science from Scientific American is your show. In 60-180 seconds they give a quick run-down of that weeks breakthroughs. Honorable Mention: Spooky Psychology with Megan and Lauren is a great podcast giving deep dives in every episode on a topic in psychology. Often exploring the deviant and spookier aspects of humanity and how it relates to psychology. And that’s it! That’s my top list of 17+ podcasts you should be binging right now. These are all fun, informative, relatable, and completely binge-worthy! What are your favorite podcasts? Are any of your favorites on this list? Any you are excited to start listening to? Leave your answers in the comments below. Happy listening! Much Love, Jessica Happy Monday all! Yes, today’s blog post is dropping a day early, for a very special reason. Today is the first Impact Day of 2020! I’m sure you’ve noticed over the last four months I have one post every month that starts with “Happy Impact Day”, and you may be wondering, what this impact day is. Well, I am about to tell you.
Back in October I was accepted into the Wild Keeper Ambassador program with Keep Nature Wild. Keep Nature Wild is a company based in Arizona that picks up trash with profits made and awareness provided from the selling of their merchandise. The KNW Team alone picked up 74,802 pounds of trash in 2019! Their Ambassador program helps them with their mission to pick up trash and help make our planet and our wild places just a little bit better than we found it. This last round of Ambassadors totaled almost 1,500! That’s 1,500 people every month picking up trash, on top of the clean-ups that KNW hosts in their local wild areas in Arizona. That means not only is more trash is being collected, but in more places, as their program is world-wide. Ambassadors alone picked up 14,507 pounds of trash in 2019! This spreads awareness of the idea of making a positive impact in several ways. First, ambassadors can share the importance of packing out what we pack in. Second, ambassadors can share the importance of everyone picking up trash we find, even if it isn’t ours. Third, it can encourage people to either use something reusable or biodegradable when and where possible to help alleviate our impact even more. We can do this in person, for those who cross paths with ambassadors during a clean up and ask ‘why’ they’re cleaning up. Ambassadors are also sharing this concept online by posting about it on their Instagram and other social media platforms, especially on Impact Day. Which is the day all of us Ambassadors flood Instagram and social media with the trash we’ve picked up and the Impact we’ve made on our local wild places. I joined this program to help make me put my money where my mouth is. I do my best to live a low impact lifestyle, and I am always trying to improve and do better in my personal life. But it is also an important reminder as to why it’s so important to me to be low impact. Seeing trash in places where it doesn’t belong, damaging the environment, helps solidify why it’s important to do what I can, recycle where I can, and avoid as much as I can. Because, inevitably, it can end up out there, damaging a park or natural area or animal that accidentally eats it. Even in the landfill, trash is out of sight but it is not truly gone. That’s why its important to compost and recycle as much as possible. Other than cleaning up trash I also get to connect with other Wild Keeper Ambassadors, see and hear about their experiences. I also get codes to buy Keep Nature Wild gear that I can sport, I have KNW stickers on everything, and I have an awesome hat! Overall, I have had an amazing experience as a Wild Keeper Ambassador, I hope I get accepted into another term as an Ambassador (fingers crossed!). No matter what, it’s been a great opportunity and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to make a positive impact on our environment. You get to clean up trash, get outdoors, meet new people, and add a new experience to your repertoire. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, I would highly recommend you apply! It’s free, you do not need a huge following to be accepted (just a public Instagram account and be 18 or older), clean up trash and post about it. Here’s the link for their Spring 2020 Ambassador program: https://keepnaturewild.com/pages/wild-keepers I hope to see you as the next Ambassador! Much Love, Jess |
AuthorJessica Marie Cunningham - Intentional lifestyle blogger, aspiring author, and podcast host. All things Slow Living, Books, Writing, Art, creativity, Christianity, and personal stories. Archives
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