#1: Welcome to The Laughing My Abs Off Podcast + Get To Know The Gal Behind The Mic

#4: The Balance Between Hustle and Different Kinds of Rest

Hello lovely humans! I am so excited to bring you this podcast episode. Fun fact: I recorded this guy several weeks ago when I was still home for summer break, but funny enough, it feels even more relevant in my life right now. Also, ironically, I sort of went for the HUSTLE this week to get this episode ready for you guys in time. It required a couple late nights and early mornings, but I did it, and I don't regret it for a second because this was one of those times when the "hustle" felt like the right choice and like the opposite of a chore. In this episode, I'll go over my views on hustle and why I actually don't believe the only way to achieve success is by foregoing your life and doing nothing but work. Or at least, it's not for everyone. I also share my top personal tips on finding a balance between hustle and rest. Finally, I'll hit upon a point that Naomi [https://www.naomiwhyroots.com/] actually inspired me to tackle about a month ago, when she mentioned in one of her comments that she often ruminates about the different kinds of rest there are. I tackle this here with my distinction between productive and soulful rest, both of which are valuable and important. Main Takeaways "Life is all about phases, and there are going to be times in your life when it's all about the grind, and then there are gonna be phases when work takes the backseat and its all about the connection. And I don't think either of those is bad or good; it's just what it is. Once we give ourselves the grace to fully dive into that phase and fully accept it for what it is, and once we just trust that everything will fall into place and everything will balance out eventually, that is when we can truly be present in each of those separate phases." "Stop feeling like everything you need to do has to have some end result." Have at least one day a week where you incorporate soulful rest.   This episode is all about... * An idea I took from Jess Lively's interview with Jonathan Fields about the different buckets in our life that we must take care of to feel our best AND how this idea directly connects to this episode. * My current state with these buckets and where I know I can improve and where I am content just as I am right now. * Why I never liked the idea of being a "hustler" and why this mentality goes against what the bucket theory teaches us. * The difference between conscious rest and laziness AND my personal example with fitness and finding the balance there. * How I went from having my life entirely revolving around working out and doing homework to having those things be just a small part of my daily life AND how that made the biggest difference in my identity. * When too much of a good thing is NOT a good thing; too much in one bucket does not make up for depletion in the other buckets and my visual of the flour in the measuring cup. * Why I'd rather be working SMARTER not HARDER, and why that was such a hard pill for me to swallow as a former "busyness addict." * How being slower and not efforting has made me more productive and creative. * Breaking down the different kinds of rest and why rest for rest's sake is not the same thing as a scheduled break. * Soulful rest vs. productivity rest and why we NEED soulful rest as much as productivity rest, and how that connects to spontaneity and being present. Relavant Links Jess Lively interview with Jonathan Fields [http://jesslively.com/jonathanfields2/] The Importance of Doing Nothing [http://www.laughingmyabsoff.com/the-importance-of-doing-nothing/] The Importance of Rest [http://www.laughingmyabsoff.com/the-importance-of-rest/] How Slowing Down Can Make You More Productive [http://www.laughingmyabsoff.com/slowing-can-make-productive/] Pomodoro Technique [https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique]   I'd so appreciate if you left me a review on iTunes, and send me an email or DM if you have any feedback on the podcast! For all those who already have, thank you so so much! <3 Instagram: @laughing_my_abs_off [https://www.instagram.com/laughing_my_abs_off/] Email: nicolerosalyn@laughingmyabsoff.com [nicolerosalyn@laughingmyabsoff.com] Finally, I'd love if you would subscribe! That way, you never miss new episodes!   Stay tuned for Episode 5 coming out in 2 weeks!

#3: The Magic of Spontaneity

For me, spontaneity is one of the easiest and most effective ways to add a little zest to your life, especially if you normally follow a routine. It can be far too easy to settle into the comfort zone and avoid anything that might be potentially scary or new. Yet it is precisely when you lean into that discomfort and do something out of the ordinary (as long as it still lines up with your values and intuition) that the magic truly happens. This episode is all about... * Intro and life updates * My history with anxiety and how that led me into relying on rules and plans to stay safe * How my history with disordered eating and getting over that helped me become more spontaneous * Why wanting to live a life of adventure and magic necessitates some spontaneity * Why spontaneity and planning are not mutually exclusive * Why I don't recommend time-block schedules for everybody * How spontaneity and intuitive living go hand in hand * How the ability to control is an illusion * A few personal stories about my experience with spontaneity and how that led to an amazing romantic relationship, meeting an interesting stranger, and some unforgettable days with friends * My challenge for you for this week   I'd so appreciate if you left me a review on iTunes and send me an email or DM if you have any feedback on the podcast! For all those who already have, thank you so so much! <3 Instagram: @laughing_my_abs_off [https://www.instagram.com/laughing_my_abs_off/] Email: nicolerosalyn@laughingmyabsoff.com [nicolerosalyn@laughingmyabsoff.com] Finally, I'd love if you would subscribe! That way, you never miss new episodes!   Stay tuned for Episode 4 coming out in 2 weeks!

#2: How To Be More Present and Why It Matters

Welcome to Episode 2 of The Laughing My Abs Off Podcast! If you missed the deets on episode 1 which was all about introducing both the podcast and myself, head over here [http://www.laughingmyabsoff.com/episode-1-welcome-laughing-abs-off-podcast-get-know-gal-behind-mic/]. In this episode, I'm chatting to you about all the lessons I've learned, especially over this summer, pertaining to being more present. It's a constant practice for me, and I'm definitely not perfect at it, but making it something I consciously work towards has definitely fostered a lot of positive change in me. I feel less stressed, better able to go with the flow, and just more in tune with myself and my surroundings. If you're interested in more tips on being present, in blog form, head over here [http://www.laughingmyabsoff.com/breathe-you-are-enough/] or here [http://www.laughingmyabsoff.com/nostalgia-thinking-loud/] or here [http://www.laughingmyabsoff.com/trust-feeling-lost-finding-way/]. And now to the podcast! This episode is all about * Intro and what's currently going on in my life * Why being present is particularly important to feel fulfilled in life * How being present helps to not be focused on the past or the future * How being present and planning things out are different, but not mutually exclusive * Explaining a lesson from Jess Lively * Slowing down to be more present and putting your to-do list on the back burner * How going to new places and trying new things can help you be more present * How using distractions is a defense mechanism that can prevent you from being present * How spending time with others can help you be more present (and the difficult lesson I learned during my freshman year) * How a regular gratitude practice can help you be more present and how easy this can be * Spending less time on your phone to appreciate more of the real world around you * Finding the magic in every day and the simple mindset shift that can help you do so I'd so appreciate if you left me a review on iTunes and send me an email or DM if you have any feedback on the podcast! For all those who already have, thank you so so much! <3 Instagram: @laughing_my_abs_off [https://www.instagram.com/laughing_my_abs_off/] Email: nicolerosalyn@laughingmyabsoff.com [nicolerosalyn@laughingmyabsoff.com] Finally, I'd love if you would subscribe! That way, you never miss new episodes!   Stay tuned for Episode 3 coming out in 2 weeks!

#1: Welcome to The Laughing My Abs Off Podcast + Get To Know The Gal Behind The Mic

Welcome to the very first episode of The Laughing My Abs Off podcast! I'm so excited to embark on this journey and to have you along with me. This episode is all about * Who I am (and a few of my favorite things a la The Sound of Music) * Why I decided to start this new adventure precisely now * What you can expect from the podcast * 10 Fun Facts about me Head over to this post to read the official introduction of the podcast! I'd love to hear what you think, so either leave me a review on iTunes or send me an email or DM! Instagram: @laughing_my_abs_off [https://www.instagram.com/laughing_my_abs_off/] Email: nicolerosalyn@laughingmyabsoff.com [nicolerosalyn@laughingmyabsoff.com] Blog: http://www.laughingmyabsoff.com [http://www.laughingmyabsoff.com] Finally, I'd love if you would subscribe! That way, you never miss new episodes! I hope you'll bear with me as I figure out this new medium and find my groove. And stay tuned for Episode 2 coming out in 2 weeks!