Blog - Strategic Living

Living Life: Embracing the Benefits of Me Time

September 8, 2017 Gaye Levy 10 Comments

Have you ever been on the receiving end of someone telling you that they crave more me time? Or has the someone been you? How did you feel afterward? Selfish and guilty? Sorry for all the questions, but speaking from experience, we are trained to consider me-time, also referred to as alone time, a luxury to be indulged only when every single task and chore on our to-do list has been completed.

To that, I say phooey. Everyone needs some time to spend in the quiet solitude of their own thoughts, doing things they care about with out suffering the judgment of others. To that end, here are some of the benefits of setting time aside each day for “me time”.

How To Reconnect After Making A Life Change

August 28, 2017 Gaye Levy 15 Comments

One of the toughest things to do after experiencing a life changing event is to get back in touch with your true identity. Speaking from experience, this is easier said than done. Why? Because for most of us, our identity becomes wrapped up in our careers, family, and social circle. With so many opportunities to be on stage, it becomes uncomfortable to break down the rock star façade and feel worthy just for being ourselves.

A short time into retirement, I am feeling this pain and am trying to fix it by altering my work-centric mindset. Self-worth is not tied to a job, popularity, or to being the greatest wife or parent on the planet. If you struggle with this like I do, here are some reminders that your self-esteem is not what you have done but who you are.

Make Your Own DIY Dusting Spray

August 15, 2017 Gaye Levy 4 Comments

One of the woes of undergoing a home renovation is the constant mess. It is not that the workers, myself included, are sloppy, but rather there is so much going on. Projects seem to take forever and tools and materials tend to clutter and create a mess. As tough as it is to deal with, the absolute worst thing is the dust that accumulates everywhere.

For years I have used this DIY dusting spray and believe me, it has been getting a good workout. Today I share the recipe but be forewarned, this formula is going to revolutionize your daily cleaning chores.

How to Make a Super Simple Whipped Body Butter

July 25, 2017 Gaye Levy 9 Comments

Everyone who has experienced dry skin will attest to how difficult it is to get rid of rough, dry patches on your hands, arms, feet, elbows and just about everywhere else. Not only is dry, scaly skin itchy, but looking like a sun-baked alligator is not the prettiest picture on the planet. I am not just talking about the ladies here, either. Guys get cracked hands, knees, and elbows too, and it drives them crazy.

There are many ways to combat dry skin but my favorite solution is with an ultra-creamy, whipped body butter that I make myself. This has not always been the case. My first foray into the world of body butters was over ten years ago with commercial products that had a sticky, yucky, texture that sat on top of the skin. It wasn’t until years later that I was brave enough to try again, this time with my own DIY version.

Making a body butter is insanely easy and requires just two ingredients (or three if you choose to include essential oils). Here is how I do it, and it never fails.

6 Simple Strategies to Let Go of Perfectionism

July 17, 2017 Gaye Levy 10 Comments

In the journey of life, I have learned that perfection is an elusive rat hole that is unachievable. It has taken retirement to bring me to this realization. Without deadlines, there comes a clarity of spirit and mind. Who would have thought it? After due consideration, here are some of the simple strategies I have embraced to let go of perfection.