natalini 4/30/21 natalini 4/30/21

Weekend Design & Wellness Project

PLANTS

Plants are a perfect example of DESIGN & WELLNESS working together. They are both aesthetically beautiful and possess emotional and physical healing properties including purifying air.

This weekend, consider spending extra time nurturing any plants you may have or bring new plants into your life and home.

Aloe is an important plant to have around since it’s great for burns and cuts and can be added to blended drinks for gut and joint support. Most grocery stores sell starter herbs like basil, rosemary, mint and oregano that would be a great way to bring in fragrant and edible herbs home. If you want to start a plant from seeds, I suggest using the seeds from an organic fruit of your choosing. Eat the fruit, rinse the seeds and drop them into a small pot with food appropriate soil. I also add water at the roots in the pot saucer.

Many years ago, I started out with a cactus, then moved into succulents and herbs and now I have graduated to “Phil” my Philodendron, a ZZ plant which thrives when ignored and left in the dark and my first lemon tree from organic lemon seeds that will produce fruit in a few years. My newest additions are lemon verbena and chamomile.

If I could learn to keep plants and herbs alive, anyone can. Enjoy your healing and fragrant weekend filled with purified air!

Oh yeah, and it’s completely okay to talk to your plants and especially thank the herbs when you pluck from them. Haa

natalini 4/29/21 natalini 4/29/21

Tranquility

Creating tranquility can be challenging while keeping a busy life going with never-ending tasks. It may seem like tranquility is a waste of time that could be spent sleeping or scrolling through other peoples’ lives, maybe even watching them create tranquility.

What feels tranquil to you? Is it complete silence, meditative music or a busy city at a distance? Well, tonight it’s raining hard in Philadelphia with a mixture of force and sound that is hitting wood, metal and concrete in a relaxing way. The rain was the perfect backdrop for a candlelit shower so I grabbed my favorite Limoncello scented candle and had a rainforest like experience in the concrete jungle. I feel so relaxed now and I know I will be sleeping well tonight. Treat yourself to something tranquil that is just for you.

natalini 4/28/21 natalini 4/28/21

Procrastination to Productivity

Here is a take on procrastination by writer in progress, Matt…

“While procrastination is a habit most say they would like to avoid, good things can come from it. You shouldn’t feel down about the bouts of writers’ block and when you feel drained of creativity. It could be something as simple as seeing the words in a book or hearing something in a film. Perhaps it’s as complex as having an a-ha moment when you least expect it. It’ll come to you. I’d like to tell you more about it, but I think I’ll do that later…”

To see the funny antics and adventures of Matt, follow him on Instagram @mattschubertisdead. Fingers crossed he will share samples of a project he’s been crafting for quite some time.

natalini 4/27/21 natalini 4/27/21

Procrastination Station

How many times have you put off “important” things for another day only to remember months later? Well, you survived so they must not have been that important. How about when you put off something and find out that procrastination saved you time or better yet, your life?

The next time you decide to put something off for another day, write in a list of other tasks or priorities and number them in order of urgency. Try you best to complete the first three on the list. This process will ease your conscious so you won’t feel defeated or overwhelmed with endless tasks.

Practicing mindfulness aids in keeping the mind present in the moment while using a single word or phrase to bring the mind right back to what is happening.

natalini 4/26/21 natalini 4/26/21

Consistency In Design

How consistency is crucial to the design of products and services

Do you have a particular way you like your coffee or do you appreciate the accuracy in which your accountant files your taxes? I’m guess that’s going to be a yes to both of those questions. Consistency matters to you as a consumer and you a service provider. Whether you work for yourself or for a corporation, consistency is the foundation for streamlining your process and creating a satisfied customers. For this week, try to be aware of consistency in your life. Reflect on how consistency effects you as a consumer and how your consistency effects the personal and professional areas of your life. Make a list of inconsistencies and brainstorm solutions to create consistency.