Mothersense

Simplify Your Financial Journey with a Free Needs Analysis

July 29, 2025 by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized

I have been feeling pretty good today and decided to be extra and do another blog post. It will clue you in on what I have been working on besides my physical and mental health. Trust me, with a chronic health condition, you start to worry about finances, looking at insurance options, staring down the barrel of “retirement age” and what all of that means and definitely “what if the worst happens?” So keep reading and I will give you some insight.

Getting Your Finances on Track — One Step at a Time

When it comes to money, most of us aren’t looking for a sales pitch—we’re looking for clarity. Whether you’re drowning in bills or sitting on some savings and wondering if it’s really working for you, the idea of sitting down for a financial review might sound overwhelming. But here’s the truth: no matter where you are on your financial journey, a free Financial Needs Analysis (FNA) can be a game-changer.

I work with families and individuals every day who are trying to make sense of it all—budgeting, paying down debt, saving for the future, and protecting what matters most. As a licensed Primerica representative, my job isn’t to sell you something you don’t need. It’s to help you get your financial house in order, starting with the basics.

Why a Financial Needs Analysis?

Think of the FNA as a roadmap. It takes a full view of your current financial situation—income, expenses, debt, insurance, savings—and helps identify areas where you can improve. Even if you’re not sold on the idea of buying term life insurance and investing the rest (a strategy we believe in because of its flexibility and potential for growth), this analysis still provides real, actionable insight into your finances.

Here’s what we’ll cover together:

Budgeting: Let’s find out where your money is going and how to make it go further.
Debt payoff strategies: Whether it’s credit cards, student loans, or other debt, I can show you how to develop a plan to eliminate it faster.
Emergency savings: We’ll talk about realistic ways to build your safety net.
Protection: If something unexpected happens—like a death or illness—you need to be sure your family is financially secure. I can help you assess your life insurance needs and see what’s already in place.
Estate planning basics: It’s not just for the wealthy. Everyone should have a plan for their family and their legacy.
Home and auto coverage: I have access to partners that can help you review and potentially improve your existing coverage.
Retirement and investment review: Already saving for the future? Let’s make sure that money is working for you, not just sitting in an underperforming account.

No Pressure. Just a Path Forward.

Let’s be honest—finances can be intimidating. But with the right guidance and tools, it becomes manageable. And more importantly, it becomes empowering. The goal isn’t to push a product—it’s to partner with you to make informed decisions about your money, with clarity and confidence.

So whether you feel completely stuck or you think you’ve already got everything figured out, take advantage of the free Financial Needs Analysis. You might be surprised at what we uncover and how simple some solutions can be.

Let’s connect. Partner with me and let’s take that first step toward financial peace of mind- TOGETHER.

Love and light y’all!

Heart-Healthy Living: Your Guide to Safe Movement

July 29, 2025 by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized

My journey so far has been pretty successful. I am still waiting for a couple of consults. I am adjusting as are the folks at home with me. I think it’s easy to forget that I have this condition sometimes. I look like I always have. I still enjoy the same things. I don’t look sick, and honestly, that’s the idea!!! I want to be able to continue to live a long life. I want to see all of my children grow up. I hope they follow their dreams. So here is my contribution to encouraging you to take care of yourself, even when it is challenging.

🫀 Heart-Healthy Movement, Sleep, and Peace of Mind

1. Moving with Cardiomyopathy: Start Small, Go Slow

If you’re living with cardiomyopathy—regardless of whether it’s dilated, hypertrophic, or arrhythmogenic—it’s important to move safely under medical supervision. A personalized plan starts with a thorough evaluation, stress testing, and medication optimization. Moderate exercise—such as walking, gentle strength or resistance work, yoga—is generally recommended. High-intensity or competitive sports may be allowed only after careful risk assessment and shared decision-making with your cardiologist (cardiology.theclinics.com, American College of Cardiology).

Patients without high-risk markers in dilated cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction LVEF ≥ 40–45%, no arrhythmias) can safely engage in low to moderate intensity recreational exercise. That includes walking, Pilates, light resistance training under guidance (IMR Press). Avoid heavy lifting, sprinting, or competitive sports until cleared by your doctor (cardiomyopathy.org, American College of Cardiology).

⚡ Pro Tip: If you feel dizziness, chest tightness, unusual shortness of breath, or palpitations during activity, stop and check in with your care team (cardiomyopathy.org).

2. Gentle Movement That Counts

Walking breaks: Even a short walk to the driveway counts—especially during hot Texas days. Keep hydrated and take shade breaks.
Restorative yoga & Pilates: Ideal for increasing flexibility, releasing neck/shoulder tension, and easing posture issues from computer use.
Neck and shoulder rolls: Simple, effective micro-movements you can do at your desk or between emails.
Dance breaks: Lunch break dance sessions spike your heart rate gently and boost mood—plus, being your fun self is priceless.

These kinds of movement help maintain blood circulation without overtaxing your heart.

3. Building Yoga, Meditation & Mindful Relaxation

Yoga poses/pilates: Focus on gentle flows: Shoulder stretches, neck relief, cat-cow, child’s pose, and seated twists.
Mindful breathing or meditation: Even 5 minutes daily can lower stress, reduce tension, and improve cardiac rhythm control.
When tension shows up—pause work, take some shoulder rolls, stand up for a moment, or do a small stretch. These small pauses build up over time.

Your awareness around tension — especially in neck/shoulders—shows smart self-care in action.

4. Sleep: Your Heart and Body Depend on It

Sleep is a cornerstone of heart health. Experts recommend 7–9 hours per night for adults aged 18–64 and 7–8 hours for older adults (Wikipedia).

About one‑third of adults fail to meet that goal, increasing risk of heart disease, cognitive decline, and metabolic issues (EatingWell).
A large-body study found that consistently sleeping 7–8 hours per night improves so-called healthy aging odds by ≈18 % (verywellhealth.com).
Sleeping significantly less—or more—regularly has been linked to poor brain function, higher anxiety, and increased cardiovascular risk (health.com).

Tips to improve sleep:

Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily.
Avoid caffeine, heavy meals, and electronics in the 1–2 hours before bedtime.
Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Use blackout curtains or white noise if needed.
Use the bed only for sleep (and sex)—not for work or scrolling (Wikipedia).

5. Medications + Heart-Smart Lifestyle

Take meds as prescribed—especially those that support heart function like beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, or others tailored to your condition.
Maintain regular cardiology follow-up so dosage or activity levels can be safely adjusted.
Remember: movement, sleep, diet, meds, meditation—they all work together to help you find your new normal.

6. Putting It All Together: A Personalized Daily Rhythm

Time of Day	Activity Suggestion
Morning	Gentle yoga/stretch (e.g. cat-cow, shoulder rolls), mindful breathing for 5 min
Midday/Lunch	Dance break with your favorite tunes to move and uplift your mood
Afternoon	Stand/stretch break, walk to end of driveway, sip water
Evening	Light resistance or Pilates session (15–20 min), especially targeting neck/shoulders
Before Bed	Calm routine: dim lights, stretch, avoid screens, breathe deeply for relaxation

Each activity is low impact, heart-conscious, and designed to fit your lifestyle—not overtax your heart.

✨ Final Thoughts

You don’t need vigorous jogging or high-stress workouts to stay active. In fact, for cardiomyopathy patients:

Low-to-moderate aerobic movement, strength training, and mind-body practices offer heart and mind benefits without overstressing the heart (childrenscardiomyopathy.org).
Prioritizing 7–8 hours of restorative sleep supports healing, heart resilience, and emotional well-being.
Combined with medication adherence and regular cardiology check-ups, these lifestyle steps define your new normal—one where you move, rest, and breathe in ways that feel good and are medically appropriate.

You’re doing an amazing job adapting to life and its changes. Keep listening to your body, loving yourself through the process—and celebrating every small, intentional move you make. You’ve got this!

Simple Practices for Grounding Yourself in Change

July 20, 2025 by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized

ChatGPT said:

Embracing Change with Grace, One Breath at a Time

It’s late—again—and the house is quiet, save for the occasional creak of settling floors and the low hum of our overworked fridge. These nights have become familiar, comforting even, as I sit with my thoughts, making adjustments not just to my own routine and eating habits, but also alongside my husband as he navigates changes in his job. Life feels like it’s in a constant state of transition lately—waves of change washing over our home, our schedules, our expectations. And there’s more on the horizon.

With all of this shifting, it’s easy to get swept up in the chaos. I’ve been doing my best to hold on to my anchors: my meditation practice, yoga sessions, staying consistent with my medications, and trying—really trying—to get the sleep I need. But let’s be honest: insomnia is a familiar friend, one that creeps in just as I finally find a moment of calm.

So I’m reminding myself daily: pause. Breathe. Find joy in the little things.

Because the truth is, mindfulness isn’t about perfection or having it all together—it’s about noticing. Noticing the way the sunlight filters through the blinds in the morning. The quiet satisfaction of a warm cup of tea. The soft exhale at the end of a yoga pose. Even the way my dog sighs contentedly at my feet.

If you’re navigating your own season of change, here are a few mindfulness techniques that have been helping me stay grounded:

1. The Five Senses Check-In

Take a moment and notice:

1 thing you can taste
2 things you can smell
3 things you can hear
4 things you can feel
5 things you can see

This is especially useful when I’m feeling overwhelmed or spiraling into anxious thoughts.

2. Box Breathing

This simple breathing technique works wonders for calming my nervous system—especially in the middle of the night.

Inhale for 4 counts
Hold for 4 counts
Exhale for 4 counts
Hold for 4 counts

Repeat for a few minutes. It helps me feel like I’m back in control of at least one thing: my breath.

3. Gratitude Journaling

Even if I can only come up with one thing, I write it down. Some days it’s as small as “I made my bed,” or “the soup didn’t burn.” But these little victories matter.

4. Gentle Sleep Rituals

When insomnia comes knocking, I’ve found a few rituals that soften its grip:

A warm shower before bed
Soft ambient music or white noise
A good book (no screens!)
Magnesium supplements or a calming herbal tea
Legs-up-the-wall yoga pose (amazing for winding down)

Change is never easy. And when it comes all at once—internally and externally—it can feel like too much. But we’re adapting. Slowly, intentionally, with grace when we can and forgiveness when we fall short.

So tonight, I’m reminding myself—and maybe you too—that it’s okay to be in the middle of the mess. That peace isn’t the absence of change, but the presence of awareness. And that the little things? They’re not so little after all.

Here’s to embracing the changes, honoring the chaos, and still finding quiet in the corners.

— With love and a sleepy heart 💛

Life Transitions: Finding Peace Amidst Chaos

July 9, 2025 by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized

MIA, But Not Gone

I know I’ve been MIA.

Sometimes, life demands that we step back—not just from work or social media—but from everything. I had to hit pause. I had to give myself permission to simply be.

Over the past few months, I’ve been dealing with some health issues that forced me to reassess my routines and my life in a real, deep way. It wasn’t as easy as just adding a new pill to my morning or nighttime regimen and calling it a day. These were foundational shifts. Things had to change—mentally, physically, emotionally.

I had to move more. I had to get better at managing my stress. And I don’t mean just more yoga, more meditation, or another breathing exercise. I mean truly facing some things I’ve carried for a long time. Things that made me feel angry, sad, and raw. Grief came back around—like it always does—and knocked the wind out of me when I least expected it.

So I’ve been sitting with my feelings. Letting them breathe. Giving them space instead of stuffing them down like I’ve done so many times before. I’ve had to re-center. To literally touch grass. I know it sounds cliché, but there was something healing about standing barefoot in the yard, letting the sun warm my skin and the earth hold me up.

All this while life keeps moving forward at full speed.

My youngest son is heading into his sophomore year of high school—talking about getting a job, becoming more independent, stepping into the world in new ways. And my oldest daughter… she’s getting married. Married. There’s so much to be proud of, so much to be pleased about—but also this deep ache. Because they’re not babies anymore.

They will always be my babies. But we’re not in that chapter anymore. And letting go of those earlier seasons, even while embracing the beauty of what’s now, has been its own kind of mourning.

It’s a strange, tender time. A phase of life where things are shifting—again. We’re growing. We’re changing. And while I know, deep down, that this next chapter is going to be beautiful—it’s also really messy. It’s hard. It’s uncertain. And sometimes it’s just plain exhausting.

But here’s what I do know: I’ve survived 100% of the days I thought would break me. And I’m still here. We’re still here. Finding our footing. Creating new routines. Learning how to breathe deeply again.

So if you’re in the thick of it too—whatever your “it” looks like—just know that you’re not alone. Healing isn’t linear. Growth isn’t neat. And the hard days don’t last forever.

We’re adjusting. And it’s going to be okay. Maybe even more than okay.

We’re making something beautiful.

Mess and all.

Breaking Free from Your Comfort Zone

June 7, 2025 by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized

Where Growth Begins
We all love our comfort zones. They’re warm, familiar, and safe — a space where
routines rule, risks are low, and uncertainty is kept at bay. It’s where we feel in control.
But while this space might feel cozy, it can also become a quiet trap, keeping us stuck in
sameness and stalling our potential.
Growth, learning, and transformation don’t happen in the comfort zone. They begin the
moment we stretch beyond it — when we test our limits, explore the unfamiliar, and
challenge our own self-imposed boundaries.

The Power of the Stretch
Stretching beyond the comfort zone doesn’t mean making reckless decisions or chasing
extremes. It means trying something new, stepping into the unknown even if your voice
shakes, and accepting that discomfort is part of the journey.
Maybe it’s launching that business idea you’ve been sitting on. Or finally signing up for
that fitness class. Maybe it’s starting a creative project, speaking in public, or even just
introducing yourself to someone new. Each step outside the comfort zone is a vote of
confidence in yourself.
The truth is, you can’t grow without a little stretch. That’s how muscles develop, skills
sharpen, and people evolve.

Rethinking Failure: A Learning Opportunity
One of the biggest reasons we cling to the comfort zone is fear — especially the fear of
failure. But what if we started seeing failure for what it really is: a First Attempt In
Learning?

Failure is not a dead-end. It’s feedback. It teaches resilience, refines strategies, and
builds wisdom. Every successful person has failed — not once, but often. The
difference is, they didn’t stop there. They saw failure not as a reflection of their worth,
but as a stepping stone to growth.
Let’s drop the perfectionism. We are often our own harshest critics, expecting ourselves
to get everything right the first time. But perfection is a myth — progress is real. Give
yourself permission to be a beginner. To stumble. To grow messy and real, instead of
polished and safe.

Investing in Yourself Is the Boldest Move You Can Make
Whether you’re dreaming of building a business, learning a new hobby, improving your
health, or expanding your social circle — the first step is the scariest. But it’s also the
most empowering.
Taking a leap of faith isn’t about having zero fear — it’s about moving forward despite
the fear. It’s telling yourself, “I may not have all the answers yet, but I believe I’m worth
the effort.”

A Challenge for You
Today, take one small step outside your comfort zone. It doesn’t have to be dramatic.
Maybe it’s sharing your work online, reaching out to someone you admire, or signing up
for a class. Whatever it is, let it be a declaration: I am willing to grow.
You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to be brave enough to begin.

Remember: Your comfort zone may feel safe, but your potential lives outside of it. Take
the leap. Stretch. Fail. Learn. And most importantly, believe in yourself enough to try.