Most Popular Blog Posts of 2016
Thank you for reading my blog! I’ve compiled a list with easy links to the top six most popular blog posts written in 2016 in case you missed any of them or want to re-read. The comment threads beneath these posts are worth gold. Thanks to everyone who jumped in with their own words of wisdom or shared their struggles. It helps us to see that we’re not alone and inspires us to take action.
I’m over the moon to hear how Project Me has improved mother’s lives in so many amazing ways. I welled up with tears as I read hundreds of responses to my Autumn survey.
I asked permission to print some, like this one from Lisa:
“I do the Life Wheel tool quarterly, and encourage my girlfriends to do the same. A couple years back when I saw that my work area was very low (as a stay at home mom), I made the decision to get my Master’s in Education. I graduated in May and am now working with English Language Learners. I am so very fulfilled helping and empowering my students.” That put such a HUGE smile on my face! GO LISA!
And this from Lauren:
“I had completely lost my voice – I had no idea who I was as a person. The Project Me Life Wheel was the first tool that actually helped me organize my thoughts and my fears in a way that was empowering rather than overwhelming. It helped me pick one thing to focus on improving. Once a month I plan on doing a check in with the Project Me Life Wheel so I don’t get so anxious again.” Well done Lauren! Monthly check-ins are the key to becoming the expert of yourself so you can learn from what’s not working and do more of what is.
There are too many to include here, but I send a huge FIST PUMP to each and every one of you for all big and small steps in the right direction. YES! Keep going!
Now without further ado – drum roll please…
The Most Popular Blog Posts of 2016
(Note that these are only the posts written in 2016. To see the most popular overall blog posts since September 2013, check out the side bar of the website.)
1. Recommended Meditation Apps for Mothers
By far the most popular new post on my site, I wrote this in early January when I was still experimenting with apps and hadn’t yet solidified my meditation practice. A few weeks later I was officially hooked on the Insight Timer Meditation app and have logged in an incredible 330 days since then! I used to wonder what a daily meditation practice would do for me. As a Questioner, I always need to understand the benefits before I’m convinced.
Let me tell you. I’m now able to slow down my busy brain and observe my thoughts with a more objective perspective. This makes me more patient, less reactive, more mindful. The voice in my head is kind, my mean inner critic is as tame as a kitten. I let things go A LOT easier. I have greater insight into my own behaviours and thought patterns. I feel inspired to make the most of every day and I live with more intention than ever. Need I say more? You can read about the six apps I recommend here – or just go straight to the one I’m addicted to: Insight Timer – and while you’re there, be sure to join the Project Me for Busy Mothers group I’ve created in the app. I’d love to connect with you there.
2. Are Your Kids Over Scheduled?
This one struck a chord with a lot of mamas who were inspired by the story of how my kids and I eradicated some of the after school stress and running around and replaced it with a day at home doing special things together for our community, our family or the world.
One mama commented beneath the blog post: ‘Once again you are in my head! Do you have secret cameras aimed at my house and car? I was just thinking about all of this last week. I love this and will run our activities (4 kids, you can imagine) through that test and see what we can get rid of. Your special day is wonderful and I feel very inspired. Thank you Kelly!’
Heh heh, no secret cameras, I promise I’m not that creepy! I only know how you feel because I’ve been there myself. You can read the full post here.
3. Get Rid of Clutter: The Life Changing Magic of Tidying
I wrote this ahead of my big move from Madrid to London when I needed to downsize and have a major clear out. I reluctantly got the book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying…. and it was pleasantly surprised at how well it works! Not only did I clear a whole lot of clutter, but now in our new house I’m using the technique of everything having a set place where it belongs and returning it to that place after using it. I even empty out my handbag every day into a designated drawer so I can start over fresh each day and not end up with a handbag full of used tissues, gum wrappers and lord-knows what else. Sounds anal, but it’s strangely comforting. You can read the full post here. I followed this one up with another popular post: Less Things = More Freedom. This is the inspirational story of how my mother gave up all material possessions to live a life of freedom. Many of you commented that you want to hire my mother to come and help you shed your sh@t! She’s considering it…
4. Why You’ve Lost Your Sex Drive and How to Get It Back
This post has less comments and social media shares than the others, yet the Google analytics don’t lie: It got a lot of attention. I suppose it’s a very personal subject to openly share and discuss your sex life and that’s what makes it even more important for me to write about. It’s a common issue for many of us, so I called on sexologist Maj Wissman to give us her best advice for identifying why you’ve lost your sex drive and how to get it back. One mama commented under the blog, ‘Hey Kelly where have you been hiding this woman – she is a gem!’ You can read the full post here.
5. What To Do About a Lack of Motivation
As The Mama Motivator it was tough for me to admit that I’d lost my own motivation. When I was in my slump I couldn’t even muster up the energy to write about it, yet once I took some small steps to get myself back on track, I wanted to share what finally worked for me. The comments under this post show that readers appreciated my honesty and the more people commented, the more others felt relieved that it wasn’t just them. It’s never just you! I know it can feel that way sometimes. You can read my six top tips for getting back your motivation here.
6. Arianna Huffington’s Personal Advice for Busy Mothers
I had the pleasure of meeting Arianna Huffington and asking her a question on behalf of all of my readers, ‘What would you say to the mother with the never-ending to do list who falls into bed exhausted at the end of each day, feeling like she didn’t manage to get it all done?’ Her answer sparked the inspiration for my Get To Bed Early Challenge which many of you took me up on. Sleep is the number one way to recharge your battery, yet so many of us are sleep deprived – leading to mood swings, irritability impatience and poor judgements. By setting a sleep alarm to tell us when to switch off electronics (and our busy brains), we can get into pre-bed rituals that serve us better. You can read the full post here.
So there you have it! A real cross section of life areas, from Personal Growth to Productivity, Parenting to Marriage. I’ll be blogging a bit less in the coming weeks as I’m finishing my book in time for my publishing deadline, but I’ll announce in my newsletter the dates for my next online course designed especially for busy mothers who want to rock their goals in the year ahead. I hope that includes you!
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In the comments below, please share any happy results you’ve experienced from Project Me or state your commitment to making yourself more of a priority in the year ahead. I’m here rooting for you every step of the way!
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I can say that I read every one of these blogs this year and I loved them all. Your Insight Timer tip has been the best! I am as hooked as you are.
I got the Life Changing Magic of Tidying book on your suggestion and used it with great effect to have a big clear out which has brought me immeasurable happiness!
I did your get to bed earlier challenge and combined that with Maj’s tips for the troubles between the sheets and the combo of both worked 😉
I’ll miss your blogs while you’re writing your book but it’ll be worth it to have your book in my hands! When will it come out? Keep doing what you’re doing Kelly. You’re making the world a happier place for us mamas. Thank you. X
Thanks SO much for giving me these specific examples of how Project Me has helped you this year Carolyn! I’m thrilled to bits.
My book is being published by Orion and is scheduled to be released in January 2018. There is quite a long lead time between finished copy and release. But in that time I have lots of good stuff cooking up, so jump on my mailing list if you’re not already on it so you’ll be the first to hear 🙂
Thank you for everything Kelly! I especially loved the over scheduled kids blog and we made some changes after that which made life much better for us all. I am committed to making myself a priority in 2017! I have the Life Wheel and will use it again in January to find my focus.
Love to hear that commitment to yourself Sue! Yes, a January life assessment using the Life Wheel is a great idea to find out what needs your focus first. Reach out to me if you need help getting off the starting blocks with any of your goals. 🙂