Category: Lifestyle

Life Update- Feburary 2023

Happy New Year, friend! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and your new year is off to a new start! I can’t believe  we are through the month of January already!

I thought we would take a little time to catch up on all the happenings around here. The past couple months have really gotten to me! It’s been busy, but I feel like things are finally on a good path.

Back to the Sunshine State

Bradley and I weren’t sure exactly what we wanted to do this fall. We love being in Greenville and close to family and friends, but we also love being in Florida and close to family and friends! It can really be a challenge when your family and friends are far apart. We decided that since we love Florida in the winter and we already had a spot reserved, we would return to our camper in Florida for the winter. It’s been great being able to enjoy warm days, sunshine, and the beach!

New Job

Yep, I am back to the nursing world in a new way. I had a job in Greenville I really enjoyed doing Medicaid Assessments for a non-skilled home health company. Basically, I went and did in home assessments for anyone who was receiving services from our home health aides. I also did orientation for the CNAs which I really enjoyed. The downside was there weren’t always many hours and it really didn’t pay well. I also didn’t use many skills as it mostly was assessing the persons home and basic needs.

I knew I was ready to find a job with more hours and more money, and felt ready to go back to nursing a little more. The move gave me the push I needed to start looking and applying for job. I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to do. Eventually after a lot of thought, I realized it wasn’t time to go back to the hospital. I need to continue to care for both my physical and mental health. I decided to apply for home health jobs and got 2 interview offers within a day of applying. By the end of the next week, I had two offers.

I took a job with the smaller home health company and so far I’m loving it! The people I work with are really nice. It is a skilled home health company so our patients receive care in their homes- we offer nursing services (wound care, skilled assessments, IV infusions, wound vac management, etc) as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. I typically see 4-6 patients a day for a variety of needs. I drive and provide care in their homes. It’s nice to be back to nursing in a less stressful environment but still getting to use my skills! I’ll share more about my job in upcoming post but so far, I’m really enjoying it and happy I chose this route.

Bradley’s Birthday

January 17 we celebrated Bradley’s birthday with sushi in Cocoa Village- a quaint little downtown area here. We had never been to the restaurant before but it was delicious and we look forward to going back! After we went to a new kava bar in Cocoa Beach that I was very impressed with! It was really nice and reminded you of a “regular” bar you would go to for a nice cocktail! If you don’t know what Kava it- it’s a root extract (basically a tea) used in the Pacific Islands. It gives you a bit of a “social” feeling and is used for celebrations typically.

Dry January

Today officially ends my dry January! I really have slowed down on drinking since getting long haul, but when I realized I hadn’t drank since some champagne on NYE around mid January- I decided to keep it going and finish out a dry January. I haven’t drank any this month- but Athletic Brew non-alcoholic beer is one I have tried in the past and it taste pretty dang close to a regular craft beer. Definitely try it out if your looking for a NA alternative. I want to try the ritual proof tequila and some NA wine as well!

Thanks for stopping in for a little life update! I hope you are doing great! What’s new for you? How is your New Year? Any goals, intention, or resolutions? Share below!

Life Lately- November 2022

Hello & Happy Monday, friends! It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is next week! I feel like this year has gone surprisingly fast and the holidays are really sneaking up on me. I had a weekend balance with work and play. Saturday we went with Bradley’s (my husbands) parents and Aunt to Mexican for dinner (always a favorite for me) and saw Black Panther. It was sooo good. But also sad with the passing of Chadwick Boseman. Highly recommend seeing it (make sure you watch the first one before you go!) Also warning- it’s almost 3 hours long. So come prepared!

Heading Back to the Sunshine State

Bradley and I are packing up and heading back to our camper and the Sunshine State! Leaving is always a bitter sweet feeling because we have family and really good friends here. So it’s hard to leave people that mean so much to us. I also love Greenville and always enjoy the Christmas activities here. However, I am excited to see the beach, see my parents & brother in law/his girlfriend and enjoy the Christmas events in Florida like the boat parade! It’s hard to have home in more than one place and loved ones in more than one place- but I’m thankful we have the flexibility to essentially live in two places.

I am so excited to get back to the camper and our own space. This will be our first December in the camper so I can’t wait to decorate for Christmas and enjoy a tiny space for the holidays.

Time with my sisters

We spent a couple weeks at my sister in laws & future brother in law (they are engaged!) We house sat the first week and then got to spend time with them. I enjoyed getting to have dinners with them, my sister in law and I had a cider and fire night, and movie nights. It’s just so nice to spend time in the mountains and quality time with them!

Wednesday my sister and I had a wine and Taylor Swift night sleep over. We woke up and went to breakfast before I had to go to work. We used to be roomies so anytime we can have a sleep over I always enjoy it . It remind me of the old days, a little nostalgia.

NSN Shift Support Podcast

I have mentioned this a few times but I started a podcast for Nurses Supporting Nurses! You can read more about the podcast here. It is a huge learning curve! I didn’t even know where to record a podcast! My husband bought me a microphone for my birthday so I finally decided it was time to stop being scared and take messy action! I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos and reading a lot of articles but I am learning so much! I’m really enjoying it and the first week had over 100 downloads! Which may be small to some, but with NSN being new and me being totally new to podcasting, I was really excited with that number!

Soups & Chili Season

I have been enjoying getting to cook and enjoy some of my favorite fall/winter food- soups and chilis! I love being able to put them in a crockpot and come home to a delicious, comforting meal. I can’t wait to start sharing some of my favorite recipes with you soon! Once I am settled back in our home- I hope to start sharing!

That’s a quick overview of the life happenings over here. I have a busy week ahead of work, packing, and moving! What’s on the horizon for your week? 

Journal Prompts- November 2022

Some benefits of journaling include:

  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Find inspiration
  • Track progress and growth
  • Make connections between thoughts

The One Line a Day Reflection Journal is a journal I published to help those who are new to journaling or have struggled with consistency in the past. It is a simple one line reflection every day. Weekly, you have a guided reflection. And each week, you get a quote to help encourage and support you. One of my best friends, Katy Sewell, did the cover art. It’s really a beautiful reflection of both of our mental health journeys. The proceeds help to support Nurses Supporting Nurses, an organization I founded that provides free and low cost support groups to nurses and CNAs. If you are interested in joining a support group, visit https://nursessupportingnurses.com

To purchase the One Line a Day journal on Amazon, click here.

NSN Shift Support Podcast

Happy Wednesday! Monday was the official launch day of the NSN Shift Support Podcast! THANK YOU to everyone who has listened and/or subscribed! It means so much to me! The podcast already has over 70 downloads in 3 days- which is way more than I anticipated honestly! If you haven’t listened yet- I would love for you to join our community!

Subscribe/Listen to the Podcast!

The NSN Shift Support Podcast will publish 3 episodes, all 20 minutes or less every Monday to help prepare and support you before each shift. We will discuss healthcare, self care, mental health, and more! This is designed for nurses, CNAs, nursing students & any other healthcare professional that needs a little extra support before each shift!

Thank you so much for your support of the blog & the podcast! Have you listened to the podcast? If so, I’d love to hear any feedback!

Coping with Election Day Anxiety

Since the 2016 presendential election, I now have major surrounding election days. With women rights, LGBTQ rights, and more on the line with this election, no surprise, I’m full of anxiety again. If you need information on how to vote- visit http://vote.gov. But please, please PLEASE- vote. This election is so important and will effect people for generations to come.

Turn off the News, Sign off Social Media

I know this is an obvious one, but it’s an easy one to not do. Watching the preliminary counts and doom scrolling IG or Tik Tok is a sure way to get your anxiety going. Sign off of social, turn off the news, and find another way to spend your Election Day evening. A light hearted show, even if you have seen it before, like Friends, New Girl, or Gilmore Girls- is a great way to put your mind on something other than election results.

If you want to tune in late at night to see the final results, go for it. But honestly, you can’t change anything at 2am anyways. Go to sleep and find out when you wake up in the morning.

Brain Dump

Do a journal entry/brain dump where you put all your anxieties out on paper. Then, realize you have done all you can do. Easier said than done I know, but putting your worries on paper can help with dealing with anxiety.

Go on a Mental Health Walk 

Fresh air, vitamin D (although that’s harder to get with the time change) and movement are all great for stress and anxiety. Turn on a favorite (non political) podcast, music, or just enjoy the silence. Notice the weather, fresh air, & nature as you walk. If you feel like company- bring a furry companion, family member, or friend!

Call a friend or family member

If you need to let out the anxiety, set a time for how long you can talk about it (say, 15 minute) then move on to a new subject. It’s good to talk about your feelings, but it’s also good to talk about something else. Discuss the upcoming holidays, the latest show you have watched, anything but world events and the election.

Cook a comfort meal & Bake a Fall Treat

Food can hold so much comfort. Put your favorite soup or chili in the crock pot or plan to make your favorite meal on election night! The act of cooking or baking is again a great distraction and provides you with a nice treat. If you don’t feel like cooking or baking- order in or stop by your favorite restaurant/store to pick up a treat before heading home.

Deep Breaths

I find guided and deep breathing to be very helpful in calming my heart rate, nausea, and other not so fun physical symptoms that come with anxiety. Close your eyes, try not to think about the current events, and take some slow, intentional deep breaths. YouTube has a ton of great videos to guide you through meditations and deep breathing if you want more guidance.

Please remember this is a very important election, and we will not go down without a fight. You have done everything you can do by voting and educating yourself. You deserve to take a deep breath and relax on Tuesday night.

Creativity is Flowing- Workbook & a Podcast

Hello & Happy Saturday! It is a very rainy and gloomy day here today. We came back down the mountain yesterday after a very revitalizing few weeks in the mountains. I feel like the time away and enjoying the mountain air really helped to get my creativity going again which has been so nice! I think I’ll spending today under a blanket and working on NSN & the blog! Lot’s of exciting things are coming and I can’t wait to share them all with you! Today I’m sharing my two latest projects.

Self Love Mini Workbook

I officially have my first digital download for sale on both Nurses Supporting Nurses Shop and Etsy Shop! This printable mini workbook provides journal prompts, affirmations, a self reflection worksheet and more to help you on your self love & self care journey. This is perfect for anyone looking to do some inner work, as it is not specific to nurses. The profit from this workbook goes to help support Nurses Supporting Nurses to grow and help more members of the nurse community.

NSN Shift Support Podcast

This may be one of the scariest things I’m doing but I’m also so excited for it! I always said I wouldn’t have a podcast- I don’t like the sound of my voice and I just couldn’t imagine putting something like this out into the world. However, through some market research, I have found a lot of people like to consume their information through podcast. I want to help the NSN community in as many ways as I can, so a podcast was the next resource I felt I needed to provide! Every Monday I will publish three, 20 minutes or less episodes for you to listen to on your commute to your next shift. We will discuss self care, health care, mental health, and more! I would so appreciate if you would support the podcast by subscribing and tuning in! Please be kind as I learn something completely new!

Subscribe to the Podcast

That is just a few things coming down the pipeline! I’m excited to continue to grow both the blog and NSN. Thank you so much for all your support, it is appreciated!

A Drive Down Blue Ridge Parkway

Hello, friend! Happy Halloween! How are you doing? It was a nice low key weekend at my sister in laws after everyone had busy work weeks- just what we needed! Friday we went to a friend’s house for a delicious dinner of baked ziti and salad and carved pumpkins. Sunday we had a movie day, made chicken nachos, and I got a lot of work done on an upcoming project for Nurses Supporting Nurses which I can’t wait to share!

Two weeks ago- when we were dog/house sitting and it was peak leaf season we went on a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway and it was gorgeous. It is a gorgeous road that goes through the mountains of NC and VA. Speed limit is 45 mph and there are multiple look outs you can pull over to enjoy the view- and are amazing to see a sunset or sunrise. If you are ever in the area- especially during the fall- I highly recommend a ride down the parkway!

Now, a photo dump of a few parkway pictures.

I hope everyone has a great week and a safe Halloween! It is a rainy and grey day here so I think we will keep it low key with a night at the house watching Halloween movies and hanging out with the dogs! What are your Halloween plans?

Five of the Best “Midnights” Album Lyrics

If you have turned on football, the news, late night talk shows, or been on any social media- you probably know that Taylor Swift dropped her 10th studio album on Friday- Midnights. I stayed up until 4am to listen to the album and be awake for the 3am super chaotic surprise- which was SEVEN more songs.

I love Taylor Swift. My sister and I saw the Reputation tour after my parents gifted us tickets for Christmas and it was one of the best concerts I have seen and seeing it with my sister was a dream come true. We have listened to Taylor through road trips, break ups, moving into our own apartment together, both of us getting married- her music is so special to me. If you read my blog post last week you know I am looking to expand the blog to more than nursing and write about all the things I love! So what better way to kick that off than with a post about Taylor Swift! We are happy, free, confused, and lonely over here! 🙂

I had no clue what to expect but the album is phenomenal! All my friends that are fellow Swifties agree. It is still Taylor, but a new style and vibe that she hasn’t done before that I love! Even if you aren’t a Taylor fan (which is weird, ha) I highly recommend listening to the album! It is amazing.

Note: This post is based on the original discography of Midnights (first 13 songs). 

Favorite songs (subject to change, and they will)

  • Vigilante Shit
  • Lavender Haze
  • Maroon
  • Karma
  • Anti-Hero

Again, these songs are subject to change, but so far, and on this day, these are my favorite. But again, I love the whole album!

Noteable Instagram Quotable Lyrics. Because the millennials love a good song lyric for an IG post.

  • It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem, it’s me (Anti-Hero)
  • Draw the cat eye strong enough to kill a man (Vigilante Shit)
  • I just wanna stay in that Lavender Haze (Lavender Haze)
  • He was sunshine, I was midnight rain (Midnight Rain)
  • Karma is the breeze in my hair on the weekend. (Karma)

If you have listened to the album, what do you think? What are your favorite song(s)? I would love to hear in the comments!

The Future of Peace Love Nursing Blog

Happy Friday! I hope everyone has had a great week! We are still enjoying the beauty of the Western NC mountains and dog/house sitting for my sister in law. And to my fellow Taylor lovers- Happy Release Day! I am so excited the Midnight Album is finally here and it will definitely be on repeat allll weekend! I hope my husband is ready, ha!

Today I’m chatting a little bit about the blog and where I hope to go. I started PLN in 2016 when I was in my LPN to RN nursing program as a way to document my journey. I shared study tips, clinical experience, and then moved on to sharing about the trials of a new grad nurse. When I got my job at the hospital- I was paralyzed by the fear of anyone finding my blog. So I stopped writing.. for over a year. I then decided to come back to the blog-because whenever I take a break- I miss it. This is a creative and stress outlet for me. I love getting the change to write, share pics, and create graphic designs for the blog.

The blog has always had a nursing focus, with a sprinkle of lifestyle post. About 7 months ago- I started Nurses Supporting Nurses, a space to help support the mental health of nurses, CNAs, and nursing students. I absolutely love hosting a support group and other work I do with NSN. It is obviously, very heavily nursing focused and can be a little bit more heavy- since a lot of the focus in on mental health.

I have always loved lifestyle blogs. I get a lot of recipes, outfits, RV tips, travel ideas- all kinds of stuff from bloggers! I have so much respect for people who take the time to share with the world through writing. It’s what inspired me to start my own blog! I never really shared anything like recipes or Amazon finds (other than nursing related Amazon finds) but I have always secretly wanted too! I have some recipes I have perfected over the years I would love to share for example- but imposter syndrome and fear of being judged always stopped me. However, I have done a lot of work through therapy, coaching, self care… and if Covid taught me anything, it’s that life is too short and too fragile to not do what brings you joy.

All of this is a very long winded (in true Megan fashion) way of saying I am hoping to expand the blog past the nursing realm. We still will have at least one nursing related post every Wednesday because that is a large part of who I am and my passion. But I want to begin to share things like recipes, RV life, travel, whatever my interest is at that time! I think sharing all parts of yourself on a blog (within reason, of course) is important to being authentic and growing a relationship with readers. I know I love things like “day in the life” or travel recaps from the bloggers I follow.

You probably had already noticed some changes with post like Our Jack & Jill Bachelor/Bachelorette Party and Fall Foliage & Weekend Happenings, but I wanted to write a post to talk about the change (partially for accountability!) I hope to blog every Monday, Wednesday & Friday- with Wednesday being a day dedicated to nursing related post. I hope you will stick around and if you ever see a post you like- I’d love if you would share it on social media or with a friend!

Thank you for the continued support on my blog! What is something you would like to see on the blog- please share below! 

Ten Fall Self Care Ideas

If you read Monday’s post or you have been watching my IG stories- you know I am very happily in the mountains of Western NC enjoying the gorgeous fall leaves! I will say, the weather took a turn with a cold front coming through over the next few days. We went from 60s and sunny to 30 degrees with a windchill in the teens… BRRRR. I’m not sure who ordered winter, but they can have it back. Thankfully, we will be back to the 60s for the weekend.

We know we love self care over here. It is so important for nurses and nursing students, but honestly everyone needs self care. Fall is in full swing and it’s time to get in all the fall activities before winter arrives (it’s definitely reminding me it’s coming here in NC this week!) So today, I’m sharing some ideas for some fun, festive, and rejuvenating fall self care.

Go to a pumpkin patch or pick apples

Cliche? Maybe. Fun? Yes. I love walking around an apple orchard or a pumpkin patch in the fall!

Go on a walk or hike in nature

Time in nature and sun exposure are excellent ways to life your mood and practice self care, especially as the days get shorter. It doesn’t need to be strenuous and it doesn’t require a lot of travel. Go to a near by state park or city park and enjoy a walk. As you walk, take the time to really be present. Notice the smell of the fresh air, the feel of the wind, the sounds, and the colors and around you.

Sip a warm beverage

Hot apple cider became a favorite fall beverage for me when we first got the camper and had our first fall in Washington, D.C.! Now, any time the weather is crisp and fall/winter roll around- it is a must have! Hot tea is always another favorite- especially with some local honey! And of course, I have to have a couple pumpkin spic lattes!

Enjoy some aromatherapy 

A nice candle, essential oil, bath oil- whatever it may be, aromatherapy is a great way to relax.

Bake a fall treat

I personally enjoy baking and really enjoy the finished product! If baking doesn’t bring you joy, consider purchasing a treat from a bakery! If you are up for some baking, these  pumpkin spice blondies from Brittany are delicious and easy to make!

Cook (or purchase) a cozy meal

There is something soooo comforting about a bowl of soup or stew in the fall. Made even better if you let it simmer all day on the stove top or in your crock pot! I made white chicken chili Monday night and it really hit the spot when we ate the leftovers for lunch on this cold day! It was also a super easy recipe and came together quickly. I did sub out the rotisserie chicken for some chicken breast I made in the instant pot.

Go on a drive to see the fall foliage

There is something so relaxing about the beauty in the colors of fall. If you aren’t up for a hike, or you want to cover more ground, head out for a drive to see some colors! We are close to the Blue Ridge Parkway where we are housesitting so I hope we are able to get out for a drive to see the leaves in the next couple days!

Journal a daily gratitude while snuggled under a blanket

Journaling can help decrease stress and anxiety. My One Line a Day Journal  is great to use as a daily gratitude journal, includes a weekly guided reflection, and the money I receive goes to support Nurses Supporting Nurses.

Make your space cozy

A fall candle, dimmed lights, a soft blanket, clean sheets- whatever will help you relax and feel cozy in your space- treat yourself to it! I love having a cozy space as the weather gets cooler to sip a cup of tea, journal, or take a nap.

Watch your favorite scary (or not so scary) movie and enjoy a spa day

Choose your favorite Halloween (or not!) movie, pop some popcorn, grab a favorite beverage, and enjoy a little relaxing spa day. I love using a nice hand and face mask while I watch my favorite movie or show.

What fall self care will you do this week? I have been enjoying cooking cozy meals, walks with the dogs, fall foliage, and I plan to make some pumpkin bread this week!