You read that right. Your new favorite stretch marks are from author Amber Trueblood. This mama helps her community with tactics to get it done, get rid of the ‘shoulds’ and live authentically.
Sound like a tall order? It is. But as someone who has read a zillion books about productivity and most definitely a zillion and one books about parenting (I still don’t know what I’m doing!), what Amber offers in Stretch Marks is beyond what I’ve read elsewhere!
Here’s a quick and easy recap!
What’s important to YOU? Are you doing that? Are you doing enough of that?
How much does ‘should’ claim your daily life? Figure out the why behind that nasty word of ‘should’ (I, too, HAAAATE that word) to address why you’re spinning your wheels. Judgement? Perfectionism? Martyr syndrome that it won’t get done at your kid’s school if your don’t do it? Figure this one out!
What are a few core traits you want to define your family? Do these define expectations of your kids in your house?
Microgoals. LOVE this. Drink a glass of water by 8am. Done! I sure love a checkmark.
Create a stop-it list. Stop checking email after 8pm. Stop volunteering to host that one event you hate. Stop lending out sports gear. Whatever your ‘things’ are that set you off, drain your energy, make you nuts, suck joy from you, whatever. Just stop it. But write it down.
Smashing iShoulds.
Baloney Beliefs.
I could go on and on. There are SO many goodies in this book. You will want to buy this (not borrow) and underline all the nuggets of truth here. And not lend it out to buddies – even if you love them to the moon.
What I love, love, love? She’s not preachy. She admits she’s still learning. And that she has bad days, too. She doesn’t put herself on a pedestal.
What I really like is that this isn’t a faith book. Don’t get me wrong. I am fully on board with faith books and am on my own faith journey, so I completely support those authors and those books. But sometimes it’s refreshing to read a self-care book that has nothing to do with building your brand or faith, know what I mean?
Such a brilliant reference guide. Get this book stat! 💨