Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.
Benjamin Franklin
Although this year still feels brand new to me, I’ve already made a few welcome changes in our lifestyle. See what you think about these improvements and let me know in a comment below!
#1 More Snail Mail
I highly recommend reviving the art of real mail! In a digitally-focused world, you’ll appreciate a return to the thoughtful and deliberate (and quiet) pleasure of sitting down to write a quick note or letter. And the reward of receiving something in return, that you can hold in your hand and tuck away to open and read again later, is simply wonderful.
Sunny the Mail Snail can get your child started down this road in a fun and exciting way. After the welcome package arrives, he can look forward to weekly letters from Sunny, a hard-working mail snail who delivers personalized mail to children ages 4-8 all around the world. Contents include friendly messages, adventure stories, projects and educational facts about animals and geography. Parents can choose from plans ranging from one month to a full year of mail from Sunny.
Our daughter, Ingrid, feels quite important when her envelopes from Sunny arrive. They are filled with stickers, pictures, trading cards, souvenirs and more. She can solve secret codes and earn prizes, too!
Pen pals for parents are easy to find, too. Sign up for free at trusted sites like Pen Pal World or PostCrossing. You might also start a club locally. When choosing a venue, look for sites with longevity and solid privacy practices. You might also want to add another layer of protection by opening up a post office box.
Pen Heaven is my hands-down favorite place to indulge my writing hobby. More writing means you’ll need the best tools at your disposal. With a nod to the aesthetic aspects of writing, Pen Heaven offers an elegant array of carefully curated pens and journals and organizers from luxury brands. Beauty meets function with top-quality European writing instruments (like the classy Waterman refillable ballpoint pen), and old-world binding techniques. Add engraving, embossing and giftwrap for a custom touch.
Save money and write flawlessly with a premium, refillable roller ball pen.
#2 Starting on the Right Foot
Foot Petals
The average person takes 4,000 steps per day, which is over one million per year. Comfortable foot gear is obviously very essential.
And with special occasions coming up in spring and summer you’ll definitely want to consider having inserts for heels.
Typing Instructor Gold was just installed last week so that our older children can improve their typing speed and accuracy, and be better prepared for both school and life ahead. This Windows program includes a simple but engaging interface, practice, drills and games. Customize your lessons and your themes. You can take a quick assessment at the beginning if you’re not sure about skill level.
I’ve got our program set up for multiple children, and multiple skill levels. My younger children are “getting their feet wet” at this point; big brother Joseph at 19 is working to seriously improve his ability and speed for the workforce.
Available from the Timberdoodle homeschool company.
#3 Tackling Some Family Health Problems
Starling Skincare has been a lifesaver, especially this winter, because I have a few children who have sensitive skin or are prone to dry skin and eczema. The Birthday Cake Starter Set includes gentle, aluminum-free deodorant with no synthetic fragrances, a botanical gel cleanser that locks in moisture and works for all skin types, and a nourishing lip balm. On sale now for just $29, the starter set arrives in a super cute drawstring carry bag.
Unlock 25% off your first order by signing up for the email newsletter!
Gluten-free diets are challenging, and when it’s just one child in a big family, that further complicates things. Benjamin often feels left out, especially when it comes to things like treats and snacks, which in this day and age often contain wheat and/or gluten (think cookies, crackers, cake, etc.). I discovered Sweet Chaos popcorn last year and it’s a favorite with everybody, but especially Benjamin! It’s hand-popped non-GMO kernels in rich coconut oil. Colored and chocolate drizzles top it off, with no artificial junk added.
Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables is another strategy I’m trying this year; my neighbor reported that her son was able to eat pancakes again without the usual flare-ups after he started drinking her homemade juices (using a fruit & veggie juice fountain and recipe book). We now have a couple of jars to try for Ben; maybe it will help heal his gut, too! I’m doing some more research as this post goes live, trying to get to the bottom of which juice ingredients are most beneficial for those who suffer from gluten-caused constipation, stomachache and malabsorption. I’d also like to replace some of the unhealthy carbs in my diet with fresh juice for weight loss benefits.
#4 Being Better Prepared for Emergencies
Get CPR trained by finding a Red Cross class near you!
First Aid kits are easy to find and affordable; keep one in all your vehicles and in the house. I like this one because it’s under $20, comes in a durable plastic case and already includes tools like scissors and tweezers.
Car seat checks are a no-brainer. Nearly every community has a location where it can be done quickly and thoroughly. Enter your location here to find a technician. Mine was at the local health department, just ten minutes away.
Smoke detector installation is something a lot of people put off because it’s a hassle and involves climbing up a ladder and using special tools with your neck uncomfortably angled backwards. Have a pro do it instead and put your mind at ease! Check with your local HVAC man, or click here to see if there’s a free Red Cross installation service in your area, or sign up for their virtual home safety presentation.
#5 Ditching Google and Gmail
It’s not secret that Google’s model relies on data collection and advertisements; what many don’t realize is just how much their activities infringe on people’s privacy. Reclaiming your digital privacy is a long process but just take it one thing at a time. Each step is a small victory as you gain more and more control over your personal data.
Protonmail is my new personal and business email provider. Tired of being spied on, spammed and otherwise personally violated by both Google and Gmail, I made the change and couldn’t be happier. It’s really easy to switch back and forth between my accounts, and I love the minimalist interface. There’s a phone app, too. Protonmail is based in Switzerland (of course) and the free accounts offers up to 500 mb.
StartPage is my search engine of choice for reasons listed above, and as a bonus I get to skip the political bias and interference by the tech giant. It’s Netherlands based. Wondering why I don’t use DuckDuckGo anymore?
Getting a Virtual Private Network means being able to surf the web without censorship, snooping and interference. It can also hide your IP address. You can get 3 months free on your annual membership by claiming this exclusive offer.
Google products like Docs, Photos, Chroome and Calender are gone, too. Instead of Docs/Sheets I now use Only Office and it’s just as good (and easy), if not better. With EtherPad I can edit and/or collaborate on documents in real time. And yes, both are free. Google Chrome is a data collection beast; I access the Internet now with Firefox or Brave. Done with Google Calendar? Mozilla’s Lightening Calendar is pretty awesome! With Cryptee, you can store your photos with privacy and peace of mind.
YouTube’s on my hit list, too. It gets an F+ this year for censorship, their laughable “safety controls” for children, and way too many ads. Zephyr Hill Blog has no YouTube channel. These days, I’m getting into Rumble, Vimeo and Bitchute.
What important decisions or changes have you made in this new year?
