Most asked question: “This is cool, how’d you come up with this?”
Short answer: Because I needed it! I’ve done all the work and research for you, so learn from my mistakes! And, the fun part…this project combined my love of design (which usually comes out through fashion and home decor), health, wellness and nature.
Long answer: Hi! I’m Dina, the October (birthday) in May + October. I was completely overwhelmed, frustrated and disappointed with myself. I was totally stuck, just spinning my wheels. Until I got out of my own way and dumped all of the lame excuses (I don’t have time) and really recognized my own bad patterns and false beliefs, nothing ever changed.
I had to plan the same things over and over because nothing ever got done. I’d have 5 year work goals mixed in with errands. 1 year personal goals mixed in with to-do lists. I had no plan of action for anything, so nothing ever changed (because I didn’t really know HOW to plan or what ACTION STEPS to take, to finally get things done).
I’m also the small business owner who thought working hard meant hustle and always doing more. I perfectionistically insisted on doing everything myself (which translates to running a business for 9 years, without any employees). So, I was just treading water, constantly busy, but nothing ever evolved. How could that be?!
I was always last on the list. I’d put work, errands and everything before rest and health. No wonder I always seemed so lethargic and listless. I didn’t manage stress and fell into bad habits which triggered an underactive thyroid condition. My vitamin deficiencies and unbalanced blood sugar actually triggered anxiety and depression.
I was only reacting to what life threw at me. I had no control over my own life.
Until I did everything I’m telling you to do.
And in 90 days (one season), I straightened out my life.
This is Freddy, my mom, the May (birthday) in May + October. She’s here for advice, opinions (mostly solicited) and to tell me to sit up straight and “put my shoulders back.”
May and October are during two transitional seasons, spring and fall. Besides learning how and what to plan, being aware of time management and getting out of our way, we’re going to practice seasonal self-care. I love the 4 seasons and think immersing yourself in them is the best way to be present, mindful and healthy. And, the best self-care cues (foods in season, weather) are taken from nature in the current season we’re in. Nature always gives you what you need, when you need it, so let’s embrace it!
The Resume
Certified MindBodyGreen Functional Nutrition Coach: This badge designates that its holder has successfully completed mindbodygreen’s Functional Nutrition Coaching Program and earned the title Functional Nutrition Coach. They have demonstrated an understanding of functional nutrition and learned cooking techniques to optimize nutrition, as well as practices to improve digestion, calm inflammation, eat & supplement for optimal brain, heart, gut, hormone and anti-aging health and how to make sustainable food choices.
Small Business Owner, Ivy Boutique, established 2012
Valparaiso University College of Business Administration
Valparaiso University School of Law
Licensed to practice law, State of Illinois
Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana
Bachelor of Science Cum Laude
- Major: Psychology
- Minors: Business, Sociology
The Important Stuff
- Married, no kids
- Myer’s Briggs INFJ
- Enneagram Type 1w9
- Zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Guilty pleasure: teenage thriller/horror series: Scream, Scream The TV Series, Veronica Mars, Scream Queens, Nancy Drew
- Cookie: shortbread with chocolate chips
- Season: the 5th season that no one talks about, Late Summer… and, Fall (of course)
- Ice cream: mint chocolate chip or chocolate peanut butter
- Authoress: Jane Austen
- Songstress: Dido
- Movie: Sliding Doors
- Things: evergreen trees, thunderstorms, cute throw pillows, purses, where the whipped cream meets the coffee
- Time of day: dusk
- Place: Victoria, BC
- Team: University of Georgia Bulldogs
- Meal: Bloody Mary’s (virgin) and raw oysters
#StylishSeasonalLiving