Your Life As Art Photography by Pam
Artist & Intuitive | Pamela Zmija
This year will certainly be one to go down in history.
Also for how the day started and ended!
This morning at 7am after a surprise day of snowstorms off and on yesterday!
This evening, beautiful blue skies! Although the temperature is still low, the sight is much more promising!
Mother Nature has been a bit of a tease these past few years with our seasons. Or is it us as humans who have been completely taking advantage of her?
💥SURPRISE BOGO Week!💥
🙏Did you know Aromatherapy is a beautiful way to support our mental health… especially when we are limited in what we can do and where we can go (hint if it’s not for groceries etc going out really isn’t an option!).
If you are new to BOGO Week, doTERRA typically posts a deal each day for 24 hours, for example Monday you buy Serenity and get Balance FREE (yes these are really good ones especially now!!!). This time for this surprise BOGO – thank you @doterraca, on Monday you can buy the BOGO Box and get all weeks oils and BOGO Freebies in ONE shipment!
If you are already a customer, just log in tomorrow morning and order your box! If you are new and want to save 25% please PM me and I will help you save and get started!
For more info on getting started go to www.mydoterra.com/pamelazmija or click on Education above… and Getting Started then How to Order!
Now is the time to expand your knowledge, to explore your options and especially for doing your own research and supporting your mental health! 🙌 Speaking from experience aromatherapy is an affordable and supportive tool for our mental health!
If you are new to oils… what could you do with these ones? Let’s first break down their emotional uses…
This only touches on 1 of the BOGO freebies… Balance!
Frank and Rose are in roller bottles, easy (and affordable) application and use. We especially like using Rose over the heart. Frank is a powerhouse but also beneficial for the skin and so beautifully grounding!
If you are thinking of blends or how to use? Give Serenity and Balance a try in the diffuser at night… or start your day with Balance on the base of your spine, big toes and wrists. Serenity is also beautiful to add to your wrists. Balance and Serenity when used together, has an incredible way of calming your mind and body. Citrus Bloom alone in the diffuser is incredible, honestly one of my fav’s, add 1-2 drops of Spearmint and you have another awesome option!
Rose and Frankincense will also help shift your vibration! Anyone into energy and oils will get this!
Either way this is a beautiful opportunity to add to your existing collection or start brand new. Calm your emotions, uplift and take care of yourself XO
Here to help! 💕
Below helps you find the links on my site 🙏 or go HERE to get set up with your own doTERRA account to save 25% off any retail purchase!
Im Tired.
There I said it.
Its been over month now since life drastically changed.
Working in essential business, not much for us has changed work wise other than only providing essential service which has meant some slower days. I am still going to our office every weekday while our kids (teen and tween) spend their days at home. I am grateful that we are in touch multiple times a day, I am close enough to go home if needed and do at various mid-day times. I am grateful my kids are safe at home, but they are also at home and have been for over a month.
Today I woke up feeling exhausted. even though I did sleep well and slept all night. I am physically and mentally feeling absolutely drained. The uncertainty, the unknown.
As I was sitting at work, I began getting a pain in my left ankle, more specifically the ball on my ankle. I have learned that many, if not all, physical pain’s we feel in our body, is related to our emotions, so I looked it up.
Ankles… inflexibility and guilt. Ankles represent the ability to receive pleasure.
To say this pandemic has not been consuming my mind, especially during the work week would be a flat out lie. Thinking of going grocery shopping instantly raises my anxiety and I feel very tight in my shoulders, neck and upper chest.
As grateful as I am that both my husband and I are still working, I will admit I have felt horribly guilty that my children are home all day, everyday and weekdays alone. I am thankful that they have been so resilient. After this past weekend, Easter, it was slightly challenging. We normally get together with family, we couldn’t. The kids indulged in chocolate – hang on best be truthful, we all indulged in chocolate which threw us all off as we normally do not consume that much sugar.
Today my body is speaking to me, to acknowledge feeling guilty, that its ok, nothing is “normal”, everyone is in this together and ITS OK to feel whatever I (and you) are feeling.
Our school principal called today, to touch base and when she was asking how the kids were and I almost burst in tears. As soon as we hung up I did.
Its ok mama’s and dad’s to be TIRED. We aren’t all in the same boat, but we are all in the same storm.
We all have been given the opportunity to enjoy our home and living spaces a lot more these days!
Even if it’s one small step a week, a day, or a month, decluttering and being purposeful about what you have in your home really does have an effect on your mental health, everyday life, physical health (when you feel stressed it’s easier to get sick), relationships!
Strive for progress, not perfection. Who truly defines what “perfection” is? What is comfortable for me, may not be for someone else. Also why we all have varying styles 😉!
This is a very helpful video I felt that others could benefit from. Check it out for some great tips!
In all of the homes we have lived in, this is the only one where I truly have felt is “home”. But it took a bit of tweaking! When we walked in the front door, there was a half wall separating the entrance with the living room. I instantly felt my energy stop. But keeping in mind… the potential. I love before and after home renos! Especially the after 🤣! A beautiful solid home that could benefit from a refresh 🤩!
As we have been renovating our home I have been much more conscious of the energy flow and placement of furniture. Planning our layouts has been years in the making, honestly. Living in the space, feeling how I want it to feel, shifting, shifting again, and again, sometimes many shifts before it was just right. Trusting myself, pushing a little bit more, having an open mind!
If you really want to test yourself, renovate your home while living in it, with your spouse, kids and animals, all while working full time and “normal life”! Its helped us grow so much. To appreciate the time and money we put into this house. To truly LOVE our space!
I know that feeling of “being able to breathe again!” After decluttering because it felt that physically restricting when it was so cluttered at the front door! It felt incredible. I know how these visuals are also so key in my own mental health, as well as for my family.
As we renovated I became even more aware about how we use the space. We pushed the traditional envelope quite a bit and have made it a bit more modern traditional, but really ita just US! What everyone’s home space should be, a reflection of the people who live in it. A quick way to learn that is to have a child reach their tween independence and want to pick out their own wardrobe and room design. After for years of doing that myself, because they were children, suddenly it was all them. An odd shift as a parent, but also empowering. We have taken this exact approach with the kids rooms. Both of them have designed their rooms and I am loving them! I love that they have and will have rooms that are organized and totally reflect who they are and most important are comfortable!
I am stoked for our room! To be honest I tried for years to penny pinch, cut here and there worrying about how much it would cost. Finally one day, when going over our plans again, which we had years of designs before even getting our architect, we decided enough! If this is our dream home why are we trying to cut corners. We then decided we would move forward with all plans, when the time was right. That’s when things began falling into place, and quickly! Our bedroom, much like the rest of our house has had a lot of thought put into it, with the layout and design. Keeping feng shui in mind. One thing I dislike about our current bedroom is our feet face out the doorway and it’s very low light. Due to the bedroom size we are unable to have a foot board on our king size bed. In our new bedroom, we have designed it so we do not need a foot board, our feet do not face out the door and it has a lot of natural light! As our bed is under a transom window, we have a nice sturdy tall headboard.
I also like to regularly smudge our home to help release any stale, negative energy. We also use our HRV to bring in fresh air and exchange the stale air. We diffuse essential oils daily in many areas of our home! I’ve mastered caring for a few plants and we would like to add more to our indoor living as well as on our deck.
As we cross off another step in the additions, I am beginning to plan out the rooms more, measuring what we currently have to see how things will be arranged and fit, shifted within the house.
I have learned, for myself, for my own mental health, having a nearly organized minimal bedside table is key! Clutter is mind numbing! Having clean surfaces and items that have a purpose and place!
My evening routine is also key to a good nights sleep and rejuvenation! As I plan out the house, I also look at each room. The visual of the room can have a calming, open and airy feeling when organized and items are purposeful! 💕
The story we tell ourselves with everything we do, is absolutely key to our mental well-being.
To feel serene, content, confident, secure, safe, comfortable, satisfied, abundant, loved.
Interestingly, this is how comfortable I feel and relaxed when home. The story of out in the “world” in our current living situation, it can push fear, sadness and uncertainty. I did not leave my house from the time I got home Thursday until leaving for work on Tuesday. It was glorious! We watched minimal news. Enough to be informed.
I did groceries during my lunch, we have been much more purposeful at what we are planning for meals and minimizing food waste, a plus for this for sure. So this was big for me, we had our meals planned out and I did not have to have that visual reminder.
As much as I do feel comfortable and safe at work, we still have to screen our customers. For our employee’s and their family’s safety but also for the customer. So with every customer I speak with I must ask them questions, which reminds me very vividly the situation we are living in. I hear kids in the background and I am reminded that my children are also home, which is comforting given the current world situation, however is another very strong reminder of what we are its like out in the world.
The past couple days have been much more challenging for me. I honestly feel the weather plays a big part, a blanket of snow both Monday and Tuesday night. Cold, dark and dreary. Chocolate and some other (gluten free) baked goods over Easter.
I read a news article this morning about how a grocery store in Toronto was mistakenly left open on Easter Sunday, when it was supposed to be closed. The article has comments in it from people who went in and knew something was wrong, some people had got some groceries and were writing it all down. Someone called the police to ensure it wasn’t left open unattended. This is was a beautiful reminder of being Canadian! Honestly I am enjoying the “break” from people – I said it. Its not a bad thing. I am very much an introvert and I love being in my home. I do obviously socialize, however typically by the end of winter and summer, I am ready for a little slow down in between those seasons. My time to refresh and renew.
This situation, which yes is warranted to ensure the health and safety of all, really can play with your mind. Especially when mother nature doesn’t want to cooperate either.
I had a wonderful weekend at home, long weekend off Friday and Monday. With a few calls each day of the weekend. It’s easier to shift after making those questions only a couple times a day versus numerous times a day!
The darker days tugged gently on me, trying to keep pulling me down. At lunch today I was hit with a wave of exhaustion. It’s been mentally exhausting at times. All I wanted to do was come home and go lay in bed, but I wouldn’t let myself. It helps when you commit to a friend.
I committed to my friend’s BUTI class she was teaching over zoom as a gift for everyone to help refocus, unwind and build strength! It’s been over 9 months since I had the pleasure of one being in class! It was SO good! EXACTLY what I needed!
I had a quick snack after work with lots of water… reminder to drink more water! We are supporting #takeoutday to order take out on Wednesday’s to support our local restaurants!
It’s all about balance…
Sometimes it’s what I think I don’t have time for, is exactly what I DO have time for when I slow my brain down, refocus and put my own needs first. This is a weird time for us all. No matter the age. Its helped me re-ignite my motivation within our house, within myself. And… it’s ok to enjoy downtime. It may feel scary out in the world at times, what truly matters is how you feel inside. Honor those feelings. 💕🙏
This weekend we ate really well! Well thought out meals and very delicious! We enjoyed, perhaps a bit too much 😉 but it was so good!
This morning no one felt like eating, totally fine and not out of the ordinary in our house.
I was about to start decluttering the office when it hit me… you need to eat! If I don’t listen, this is when my energy can drastically drop and I feel a variety of bad things! So no excuses, into the kitchen for something to eat!
As I walked in I noticed the bananas sitting in the bowl, who I’ve told for the past 4 days… banana bread tomorrow ok.
I pulled out the recipe book, mixer and ingredients and just started. Half way through my husband walked in and had a puzzled look on his face🤔… how I went from getting something to eat to baking banana bread 🍌🍞!
Not out of the norm though either 😉 Kind of like when I start decluttering and find one thing in one room that should be in another and then find something out of place in that room, you know how it goes.
As I was making the banana bread (and eating last nights left overs) it hit me that I didn’t even think twice about baking, I just started.
What’s the story you tell yourself?
Me and recipes typically is “I don’t have time…” or “Its too complicated” or “it makes too much of a mess”. Partly why I really don’t use recipes I just cook, my husband is very much the same.
Because I THINK too much about it vs just DOING it!
Which is what I did today. Just start it, clean up as I went and now the kitchen is clean and the bread is almost done 🤗!
This quarantine has helped us redirect our focus to home, where the ❤ is for sure! We have an abundance of time in the evening and weekends (as we have both been working still 🙏) we haven’t had this great of a kitchen cooking and cleaning automatic routine since I think… ever!
Our sense of smell is extremely powerful. We have all at some point in our life, experienced a deja vu where we smell or even hear something that brings back memories from a time in our life previously.
During this time of this global pandemic with Covid-19 it is crucial that we all acknowledge and support ourselves during this very emotional and uncertain time.
For me, being home is comfort, this is my “safe” place and somewhere I enjoy being. Thankfully we also have a yard that our kids and dog, as well as us can get outside to enjoy the sunshine when we have it and the fresh air.
Supporting our emotional health IN our home has been a daily priority and one that I can easily do with our diffusers to support in uplifting the mood, feeling grounded and calm and even for bedtime for a restful sleep.
A blend we have been using this weekend is PERFECT for calming any fears, encouraging creativity, cleansing, bringing some zest into your life and feeling abundant.
Blend: 2 drops each of Citrus Bliss, Lime, Wild Orange and Juniper Berry and 1 drop of Lemongrass
Check out the emotional research behind these oils…
Juniper Berry – The Oil of Night – Supportive of Fear
Lemongrass – The Oil of Cleansing
Lime – The Oil of Zest for Life
Wild Orange – The Oil of Abundance
Citrus Bliss – The Oil of Creativity
Using our oils has been a BIG way Ive supported my and my family’s emotions in our home, bonus is it also freshens up our home and smells incredible!!!
This weekend, honestly was emotionally challenging for me, we should have been together with extended family celebrating Easter, but it wasn’t just Easter… this weekend my parents also celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary. Something we were to celebrate and couldn’t, which makes me sad and pulls out all kinds of emotions, most of all sadness. If you have been following me you know Art, more specifically, Photography is a big part of me capturing these moments that become memories. I am grateful my husband, kids and I were together all weekend and we captured photos of our time – which thankfully was productive relaxing but also working on our nest!
These books… have been a massive support as well over the past few weeks. They are normally stacked beside my bed on my bedside table ;) Gabby’s Book Judgment Detox, I have had for well over a year and a half but haven’t felt pulled to really get into it, until this weekend. There is unfortunately SO much judgment flying around, especially on social media. I think one of thee biggest reasons that I am pulled to my blog to share my thoughts and images more freely, not that anyone has been judging me on my own posts, but social media can fuel so much negativity, Ive been consciously using those platforms and unfollowing as needed. I read a post on Gabby Bernstein’s page that reminded me of this book to pick it up and that NOW is the time to “Release the belief’s that hold you back from living a better life” a beautiful reminder from Gabby, a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, that regardless of whoever we are, we will all feel these judgment feelings – its important to allow yourself to feel these feelings, forgive ourselves for feeling these feelings and move forward. She also provided an incredible workshop a couple weeks ago that focused on Anxiety Relief – it was incredible and to my knowledge people can still sign up! Check out my blog post about this workshop!
As surreal and uncertain our lives and economy feel right now, there is hope that this can actually provide many people with an opportunity. An opportunity to take a step back, to reflect in a big way on how we were living our life, operating our businesses, the stuff in our homes, our cooking, cleaning and organization of our space at home and work.
Thankful for the time we have had this weekend as a family, in our home, eating some incredible food and enjoying! We will get through this together and come out stronger <3
Give these oils a try in your diffuser and let me know what you think? Ive got it going in our kitchen/dining room and our living room/entrance – our main living areas smell incredible and its boosting this dark dreary day! <3
What ignites you, fuels your creativity and gives you a boost of motivation?
For me, its definitely photography, music, oils (smell), cooking, water…
I had the opportunity to join my husband on a drive the other day, completely impromptu but exactly what my heart and soul needed… a couple hours with my camera. Albeit from the vehicle for the majority of these photos, I did have the opportunity to get on the beach at our family cottage and really breathe in the air, enjoy the sound of the water and capture some shots.
Check out more of my images here – https://www.flickr.com/photos/zmijaourmomentsintime
This weekend, although we have been conscious of what is still happening around the world and within the news, we purposely took a step back to ensure our minds were being educated, not filled with fear and uncertain. We are grateful, thankful for our home and community. It can be easy to get pulled into these negative feelings, that really do not benefit us in anyway. Follow the recommendations, be respectful, be purposeful and shift your mindset in a positive way with something that is meaningful to you and your soul. XO
Regardless of where you live… if Photography is something that lights up your creativity – it can be very simply transforming the way you view your home space, your property you live on, the community you live in. Although its not recommended to travel far from your home, take a look around at what you have that you can capture. When our children were young, I used to take photos of them All.The.Time. doing everyday things, even sitting watching tv, eating, playing, doing crafts etc. Although my kids aren’t keen on me taking a lot of photos of them doing that now and sharing publicly (teen life), I do it for me, for our family, for our future memories which the kids do love looking back on!
Let your creativity flow – however that means for you! It could be sewing, knitting, drawing, painting, writing, gardening, cooking, organizing (yes this is an art ;)).
Having the opportunity to be in our own home more has provided us the time to make necessary shifts. For some its honoring their mental health and enjoying the down time, for others its decluttering and organizing, cleaning, yard work, meal planning, cooking, spending quality time with their family members… whatever it is you feel called to do in any moment – is exactly what you need!
I have had a few people reach out about introducing essential oils into their home to support mental and physical natural health but also to freshen the air naturally!
So… you can find out more info on the kits and ordering on this page with various links. Below I am going to offer my personal opinion on a couple kits – one is also offered as two price levels to fit anyone’s budget <3
Home Essentials Kit
This kit includes the “top 10 oils” as well as a diffuser. This can be ordered from the US or Canadian warehouse and also offers a “mini” kit with a lower price point called the Healthy Start Enrollment. Prices start at $205.25 + hst CDN to $330 + hst CDN . This kit includes Easy Air/Breathe, Deep Blue, Frankincense, Lavender, Lemon, On Guard, Oregano, Peppermint, Tea Tree/Melaleuca, Zen Gest/Digest Zen. Below are some great ways to use the oils in your home!
Healthy Essentials Kit ~ #1 Recommendation for Family Starter
This kit includes many of the top 10 oils with also some oils that are more supportive for our mental health such as Adaptiv, Balance and Copaiba. This kit also comes with a the redesigned petal diffuser. This kit is only available out of the US Warehouse and is $264 USD (for Canadians) and $249 USD (for Americans). This kit includes Adaptiv, Balance, Breathe/Easy Air, Copaiba, Deep Blue, Digest Zen/Zen Gest, Lavender, Lemon, On Guard, Peppermint. In this kit you can benefit from calming, improved attention, grounding, tranquility, feeling clear and easy breathing, soothing for massage, cardiovascular – immune – digestive – nervous system support, digestive health, relaxing, refreshing, purifying, protective, energizing and uplifting… This truly is an incredible kit for everyone in your entire family!
In my personal opinion, if you are someone who has been thinking of making a shift in your home, the kit I would recommend the new Health Essentials Kit for the sole reason of the new oils added into this collection. As we are all in our own homes so much more lately, our mental health is incredibly important. Speaking from experience I know the effects stress, emotional eating, financial stress, having children, work, marriage and every other relationship in your life can have on our mental health. At this point it is crucial to stay in touch with HOW we are feeling. We all know the effects a smell has on us and can affect our mood being uplifting, grounding, calming…
For those of you who have reached out to inquire what I have been using and would recommend. Supporting our body, mind and soul with nature is a key factor, to be aware and acknowledge how this “Great Pause” could be shifted to a positive step back to reconfigure our own lives and way of living. To perhaps live more purposely, appreciating time with loved ones and more space with less stuff!
Kits Available
US Kits Available https://bit.ly/3a4FKFs
Canadian Kits Available https://bit.ly/2RLQiB7
Resources for Education
US Empowered Life Resources – https://www.doterra.com/US/en/empowered-life
Canadian Magazine Collection – https://www.doterra.com/CA/en/brochures-magazines-living
I have been using these oils in our home for the past almost 6 years and we have seen positive improvements in our physical and emotional health. I am especially thankful for the oils at this time. I am here to help you get started with whatever your budget and needs are! <3 :D
I have had a mixture of feelings of getting organized – which feel’s amazing, rest and relaxation – which is necessary at times, and expanding my knowledge – a perfect opportunity given the right mindset!
Essential Oils have been a part of our daily life since mid 2015 and one we rely on for supporting our emotional and physical health. I signed up for this course a few weeks ago, knowing it wasn’t right for me then, but there would come a time that I would be. During this pandemic I fully support mental health for everyone being a priority and not pushing ourselves out of a feeling and thus suppressing the emotions.
This Oil Specialist Certification online course is available to anyone – from everyday moms to the top team business leaders. The best part, its completely online and able to be completed entirely at your convenience. If you feel pulled to learn more about the world of essential oils, this is an excellent opportunity to dive in and fuel your mind! Click below for more information:
https://training.doterra.com/p/doterra-essential-oil-specialist-certification
Bonus… if completed by a certain date you will also receive 50 points to use towards free product!
Much health and happiness to you <3
