All Images Juan Carlos Puebla for FitXBrit

At the beginning of the year when everyone was picking their word that would help represent what they were pouring into the new year I jumped on the bandwagon. The first one being “intention,” meaning that I no longer wanted to just do things just to be doing them. There needed to be a plan, a purpose, and end goal, with every move that I made. My second word was “balance.” I chose balance because I have an addictive personality and tend to put all of my focus on one thing at a time, no longer was that OK. I realized in order to achieve the stability that I continuously crave in my life that it would require me to evenly distribute my time and efforts towards the things that I hold close to my heart: my family time, finding my own personal peace, and maintaining a lifestyle rich with healthy choices minus the dread.

Balance does not mean completely filling your day with every activity possible, while ensuring that they serve all of the vital areas of your life. What it does mean is that you examine your priorities, decide what is most important to focus on for that day, then set boundaries as it relates to everything else. As the saying goes, "do not bite off more than you can chew."

To achieve this it has required a little bit of cross promotion. Things like going for hikes at our “secret place” allows me to tackle all three priorities, but more than anything it has forced me to get organized and plan ahead. I have to take time at the beginning of each day to to assess what needs to be done. This consists of me making a list of the things I want to accomplish and the resources I may need to get things done. Outdoor time is great in that it allows me to be physical, enjoy time with my mini Peyton, and relax my mind. Connecting in all three of these areas definitely helps me to recharge which makes me more efficient throughout the week.

However, the reality still remains that with a toddler you have to expect the unexpected which goes back to the whole stay prepared and have a plan thing I touched on earlier. Keeping my car stocked with healthy snack options, Peyton's Nuby 360 Wonder Cup-3D Grip (coming this May to Babies R Us), change of clothes, books, toys, and my new obsession Shower Pills has really saved me.

You never know when you may have to transition from an outdoor activity to an impromptu “play date,” or last-minute catch up dinner with a friend. The Shower Pill is so clutch for these circumstances.