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Leaf and Steel

motherhood - growth - living

How I Get Over Writer’s Block

January 29, 2022

I haven’t posted consistently in quite a long time.

I have the time.

I have the tools.

I have the ideas.

And I have writer’s block.

My Writer’s Block

When I’m on a roll with creating posts here, working on my WIP, or journaling, I can’t even remember what it feels like to have writer’s block.

These days, it is hard to imagine a time when I was pumping out a blog post every day, or writing 1000+ words on my WIP before I went to bed. I know I’ll get back to that place eventually!.

For right now, I need to use some of my old tricks to keep things moving in my writing life.

Writing has always been an outlet for me. Taking time each day to write makes me happy. Plain and simple. That makes me a better mom, wife, friend and member of society. Waking up early or staying up late to prioritize that half hour/hours to write is very important to me.

Why You Should Try Blogtober


It all started a few weeks ago, when everyone in my house got sick. I was (obviously) prioritizing sleep to recover, grabbing an extra twenty minutes of shut eye anywhere I could. I stopped writing every day.

Another big change was we decided to make a major change in our life (soon to be revealed), so I have spent many of my daughter’s nap times researching that. 

I miss writing! I miss the flow of it. I can’t wait to use some of these tricks to get back into the swing of things.

How to Take Care of Your Baby When You’re Sick


How to Get Over Writer’s Block

Here are the ways I try to get over writer’s block!

Get Inspired

Pinterest is my favorite place to go for inspiration! It’s a great place to find ideas for blog posts and writing topics. I have several boards that I used to save inspiration for my personal life, too.

You can find me on Pinterest here.

Set a Clear Goal

Setting a clear goal can be extremely helpful if you set your own schedule and deadlines. I use Google Calendar to set my writing goals for the month. This helps keep on a posting schedule and gets all of my ideas out of my head and into a condensed, easy-to-access space. 

Break it Down

When you’re struggling with a goal as broad as “work on my novel” or “write a blog post”, it can be beneficial to break that down even further. It’s much more conducive to set small goals like “write 500 words” or “write just one page”. Another great way to do this is writing sprints…

Do a Writing Sprint

A writing sprint is when you set a timer and just pound the keyboard for a set amount of time. 15 minute writing sprints work best for me. There is no editing, no wasting time trying to find the perfect word, no distractions – just writing!

Change the Scenery

Sometimes you just need to change the scenery! Going to the local library or coffee shop can inspire a newfound level of productivity. There’s something about being in a semi-public space that keeps me focused. I guess I don’t want someone to look over at my screen and think “that lady came to the library just to scroll on Zillow”.

Use a Different Tool

I always write on my computer. Actually, I always write in a Google Drive document, Comic Sans font, size 11 pt.

Writing on paper, using talk-to-text in my Notes app, or recording myself gets the creative juices flowing. There’s something magical that happens when I walk around my kitchen, talking into my talk-to-text app. I can speak much faster than I can type, right? 

It allows me to be more fluid with my ideas, and I’m temporarily relieved of the burden of typos and formatting.


Those are the ways I can ease writer’s block!

Do you get writer’s block? Do any of these tips work for you?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • How to Take Care of Your Baby When You’re Sick
  • Sunday Night Routine for a Successful Week
  • 10 More Mom Influencers to Follow for Inspiration
  • 5 Blogging Lessons I Learned in 2021
  • How to Get Out of a Bad Mood Quickly

Filed in: blogging • by Olivia • 16 Comments

The Weirdest Week of the Year

December 27, 2021

…it is, isn’t it?

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is weird.

Our decorations are still up and my pants still don’t fit.

Everyone is nervous about the virus, and rightfully so. It is burning through New York right now, and it seems everyone I know has it.

I have this fidgety energy around the New Year and all the things I want to accomplish.

I know that this week is meant for relaxation and reflection, but I can’t bring myself to do either!

I just can’t wait for a fresh start in January. I find myself sighing loudly throughout the day, as if I could let out all the distress of 2021 out in a sigh.

In a few days I’ll be clinking my glass of Martinelli’s and on my merry way to a new and shiny year.

Exhausted,

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • Winter Quote Wednesday
  • The Best Books about Snow for Babies
  • The Best Winter Doormats
  • Sunday Night Routine for a Successful Week

Filed in: Personal • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

Stocking Stuffers for Babies

December 2, 2021

Christmas is almost here! Maybe you’ve already started your shopping or maybe you’re already done!

If you’re like me, you always forget one crucial component of gift giving – stockings!

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

We have needlepoint stockings from Land’s End and they are decorative and functional. I love that my family will have heirloom quality Christmas decorations for the rest of their lives. They each have their name embroidered into the stocking, too.

Growing up, our stockings were filled with “little” wrapped gifts that we would open around the Christmas breakfast table (waffles and bacon, always). I remember being unenthused as a small child, because after all it takes some growing up to realize that the best things really do come in the smallest packages!

How did stockings become a part of Christmas?

Well, it’s complicated. There are many stories floating around the internet. Here is the most common one, as explained on Bustle:

While there is no known written record of the Christmas stocking’s origins, in many folk tales, the stocking is linked to the idea of Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus, as he is colloquially known) as a gift giver. The poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” published nearly 200 years ago in 1823, clearly describes the importance of stockings: “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,/In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”

– see more on Bustle.com

Do I Need to Do Christmas Stockings?

Nope! You can always skip stockings for kids and they won’t know any different. Especially with little, little kids, these aren’t necessities. We plan on putting things we already need to buy for our baby wrapped in her stocking, like socks. There is no need to break the bank for babies who are going to be more excited for tissue paper.

However, if stockings are your jam and your looking for some inexpensive, useful gifts, look no further!

Check out these simple last-minute stocking stuffers sure to surprise your little one on Christmas morning.

Munchkin 36 Bath Letters and Numbers

Bearington Baby’s 1st Christmas Plush Soft Ring Rattle, 5.5 inches

Munchkin ColorMix Fish, Color Changing Bath Toy

My First Book Of Baby Animals : First Board Book Board

Unisex Combed Cotton Ankle Sock Non-Skid for Newborn Infant or Toddler

Lenox 870946 Silver Plate Love Frame Ornament

Hudson Baby Girl Baby Boy Trapper Hat, Mitten and Bootie Set

mushie Stacking Cups Toy | Made in Denmark (Retro)

Infantino Sensory Balls Blocks & Buddies – 20 piece basics set for sensory exploration

Fisher-Price Rattle ‘n Rock Maracas, Blue/Orange


Does your family do stockings? Does you little one like opening presents?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • Is November too Early to Decorate for Christmas?
  • 5 Free Indoor Places to Go with Baby
  • The Best Christmas Books for Babies
  • 10 Cozy Christmas Decor Items Under $10

Filed in: Home, Living, Uncategorized • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

10 Things I Wish I Did While Pregnant

January 4, 2021

My husband and I always knew we wanted kids. I’m not sure if it’s something we ever discussed, it’s always been a given. We could always be found helping out with friends’ babies or strolling down the baby aisle in Target.

I knew that having a baby would be the most important thing I would ever do. I had my doubts about whether I’d be a good mom and how I’d handle the sleepless nights.

Some blog posts may use affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission  off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you.

I wanted to feel prepared. 

I read What to Expect Before You’re Expecting on our honeymoon. I bought onesies and burp cloths years before our daughter was a little lima bean. I felt ready.


In March I found out I was finally pregnant. 

Let me tell you, I was woefully naive about pregnancy. Looking back I’m not sure what I was expecting – maybe some nausea and tiredness.

I was only 4 week when I started to feel like I had been hit by a train on a daily basis. Then came the nausea, and then the vomiting. And the aching. Everything hurt. I had a few “good” weeks in the second trimester, but overall pregnancy was WAY harder than I had anticipated.

I would tell my husband over and over again that I am not cut out for this. 

The last few weeks felt so long. I was so swollen and cranky and tired of peeing every ten minutes.

I was a whopping zero centimeters dilated at my 39 week exam. After a good cry and a nap, I walked, pumped, bounced, and cried some more until my water broke in the middle of the night.

I remember saying several times during labor that I was so excited to not be pregnant anymore. 

And then I wasn’t. My baby was here.


On our first night home my husband took the baby so I could get some rest in our room after three nights in a hospital bed. I vividly remember pulling my knees up against my stomach and crying because I could. I was relieved to have my body back to myself but I was also incredibly sad that she was out.

For the first week I would cry when I thought about her being in my stomach. I would instinctively rest my hand above my belly button, waiting to feel her kicks and punches.

It’s like I know that pregnancy was physically miserable, but I can’t remember it. 

I miss my big ol’ belly.

I miss being pregnant and I can’t wait to go through the miraculous process again.


Looking back, there are some things I would tell my past self to have a more enjoyable pregnancy.

  1. Buy the pillow before you think you need it.

I bought my pregnancy pillow at around 23 weeks, but looking back I would have gotten it as soon as I was in the second trimester. Not only did it help prevent aches and pains, it kept me sleeping on my side, which is essential later in pregnancy. I got mine off of Amazon and it has kept its shape so far.

I was told to get rid of it after the baby was born or else it would ruin my marriage. 6 weeks out I’m still using it. I love it. I might never stop sleeping with it.

  1. Get as much done as early as you can.

Get the shopping, organizing, nursery done as early as possible. Like I said, the end can be extremely trying, so having a full pantry and finished nursery before hitting 40 weeks 

  1. Make your calories count.

When the nausea took over all I did was sit in bed watching The Great British Baking Show and eating saltines. If I have morning sickness (let’s be real – all day, all night sickness) with my next baby, I plan on eating more efficiently. I hope to have more nutrient dense snacks instead of relying on my prenatal to do all the work.

  1. Get maternity clothes that double as nursing tops.

I bought three of these. Target also has a great maternity line. Buying maternity tops that’ll last into the fourth trimester is a great bang for your buck. Remember to bring them to the hospital, you’ll look a few months pregnant for at least a week.

  1. Take lots of pictures.

This one is self explanatory – you can never have enough pictures, even when feeling like a whale.

  1. Enjoy the silence.

Just sit in it. Do nothing. Soak it up.

  1. Nod and say thank you – but don’t take all the advice.

The best advice I received was to say thank you, but to be wary of taking everyone’s advice. I now see that the least helpful advice came from those who didn’t have children. There are so many opinions on epidurals, cosleeping, exercise, etc. Most of the time our advice is formed from our own experiences. What worked for your great aunt’s sister’s baby might not work for yours. Also, a lot of things that were practiced thirty years ago are outdated, neglectful or dangerous.

  1. Accept that you can’t do everything before.

This may seem contradictory to #1, but it’s true. You can’t do everything before. Your baby might have an allergy to the laundry detergent you bought or breastfeeding might not work out. Prioritize what can be done now and what is going to be determined by your little stranger.

  1. Go out to eat.

I gave birth and was in the postpartum period during the pandemic and so the amount of help I had was limited. I ate all my meals and drank all my cups of coffee cold for the first few weeks. Let yourself go out to dinner and be served warm food on a plate that you don’t have clean.

10. It’s okay to say you need space.

The kindest text I received was “I’m sure you want to be left alone right now, but I’m here if you need me”. There was nothing more I wanted than to be left to my Netflix and nesting and groaning. So many people were asking how I was feeling or if the baby was here yet. There’s nothing wrong with just saying “I’ll let you know when they’re here”.

There is no end to alone time, quiet cups of coffee, or long drives without a crying baby. Although those nine months seem eternal when you’re in them, they really are just a blip before life changes in every single way.

If you could go back to your pregnancy, what would you do differently?

O.

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

Hi there!

Leaf and Steel is a collective on all things motherhood, growth, and living. Read More…

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