If you struggle to keep momentum and motivation during your own quest to achieve a goal, you’re not alone!

Even though plateaus, setbacks, and relapses are completely normal when it comes to life-changing goals, there are many things you can do to keep the fire inside during the journey.

Try these strategies to maintain your momentum and motivation:

1. Take action daily. This is the single best step you can take in order to further your momentum. Taking action ensures that you’re making progress, no matter how small. Even if you don’t know exactly what action you’ll be taking, just do something, anything, to further yourself.
   
   
   1. For example, If you want to lose weight, it’s important to burn more calories than you take in each day. If you want to grow your business, review business growth materials.
      
      
2. Find motivational nuggets. Take a few minutes  each day to read something inspiring, whether it’s motivational quotes or affirmations to keep your confidence going.
   
   
   1. Motivational quotes that inspire you can help transcend your mindset away from the daily grind and onto things that are bigger than yourself!
      
      
3. Check your progress. If you’re feeling stuck or like you’re not moving forward, review your goal that you’re trying to accomplish. Write down your goals and check in on your progress each day.
   
   
   1. Think positively about how close you are to the goalpost rather than how far you are from it.
      
      
4. Talk to another. Find another person who has already achieved goals similar to the ones you’re working on.
   
   
   1. If you’re goal is to get physically fit, for example, find a bodybuilder, runner, athlete or other like-minded individual whose been in your shoes.
      
      
   1. Extract all the wisdom, advice and helpful tidbits that you can from their story.
      
      
5. Plan your week. Scheduling time to work on things related to your goals is critical. We use schedules for everything else in our lives, so there’s no reason that time devoted to working on personal goals cannot be included as well.
   
   
6. Reward yourself. Small rewards have been shown to motivate everyone from kids to older adults. Rewards act as a positive reinforcement, and even affirmation of a job well done.
   
   
   1. When we’re being rewarded, we tend to continue pressing on towards our goals.

These are just a few of the things that we can do on a regular basis to keep motivation and ensure that we’re continually making progress.

The key word is “progress.” If we’re taking some action or doing even just one thing on a daily basis that furthers us along in our goals, we’ll feel better about ourselves and be able to keep that momentum.

Other things that we can do on a regular basis to keep momentum and motivation alive is to write in a journal, listen to inspiring talks, join a support group related to our goals, spend a few minutes in quiet meditation on our life’s purpose, or even posting daily reminders.

The more alive that we can make our goals, the more inspired and motivated we’ll be to take action and achieve them.

The post Momentum and Motivation: 6 Strategies That Give You an Edge first appeared on Barbara Conway.

The New Year is the perfect time to start fresh. If there’s any aspect of your life that you’d like to improve, set some clear and attainable goals for yourself that will help you get there.

Take It Slow

Work towards your goal one piece at a time. It’s important to take it slow and not take on too much at once. The main reason that some people fail when it comes to their New Year’s goals is because they fail to plan out a realistic path.

Follow Through With a Plan

It’s easy to say: “I want to lose 50 pounds” or “I want to learn a musical instrument.” Keep in mind that big goals like these will take some time and effort. Diets are hard to start because you may feel unmotivated or hungry. Musical instruments require time to master, and you may start with weeks of just learning notes before getting to any fun melodies.

Remember that the beginning is tough. Muster up the courage and enthusiasm to continue with your efforts. Remember that most people give up, but you’re not most people, are you?

You’re different because, unlike most people, you’re going to create a clear and realistic plan to take you right to success. If you’re going to lose 50 pounds, define how you’re going to lose those pounds. Are you starting an exercise routine? Are you going to join Weight Watchers or count calories?

You know that you won’t lose the weight quickly; it’s a steady loss that brings success. Even if you’re short a couple of pounds on one of your short-term goals, you can revise your plan and kick up the pace, or just continue on your path because you’ll reach your 50 pound goal before the year is out. That’s what you’ll be able to accomplish with a solid plan in place.

Be Real

You have to stay realistic when it comes to your New Year’s goals. The holidays are a joyful time, and often times you’ll feel motivated to achieve something big. Know that you can achieve big things, but there are also only 24 hours in a day.

Avoid making goals that would take more than a year to complete. If you want to make a long-term goal like this, break it up into parts and give yourself a realistic plan for your first year goal.

Visualize the Outcome

When you run into snags in the road, as you’re bound to in life from time to time, it will help to visualize yourself reaching your end goal. Visualizing it makes it feel real and motivates you to continue to work hard to make it happen.

The Right Attitude

If you’re practicing the right attitude, you can go far. It’s true that all you need to do is believe in yourself. You’ve probably realized that if you don’t believe that you can accomplish something, you simply won’t. How can you expect to achieve great things if you don’t believe in yourself?

An optimistic attitude is critical to your success. Think about how you felt when you first set your New Year’s goal. Chances are that you had an excellent attitude, so try to maintain that mindset throughout your journey to success with your goal.

Once you’ve determined a realistic goal and divided it up into short, achievable tasks, you’re bound for success as long as you take action to complete each step. Go ahead and make that New Year’s resolution, knowing that this year is going to be your most successful yet!

The post Realistic Goals – 2024 first appeared on Barbara Conway.

I will be doing a book signing locally in the Bossier City area soon. Be sure to follow me on Social Media for dates and times.

The post The Empowered Woman’s Path first appeared on Barbara Conway.

Why do some people seem to succeed in all they do, but others flounder along at the rear? Mostly it’s because the successful people have set goals and take steps to successfully achieve them. So how do they always seem to achieve their goals?

Here are five strategies they use:

1. Start with a long-term goal, write it down, taking into account when you are going to achieve the goal and why it’s important. Try and be as visual as possible, explaining how the achievement of this goal will change your life for the better. Once this long-term goal has been documented, break the goal into tangible steps that need to be taken to achieve the goal.
2. Make certain that you really want the goal. Ask yourself, “Do I really want this goal? Will this goal give me a better life?” Answering these questions will give you more drive to achieve your goal.
3. Speak up. You should not keep your goals to yourself. Sharing your goals can help you get the support you may need from others. Some people are concerned with telling others about their goals because they are worried they will fail. However, telling others means that you are more likely to achieve your goals either with their support or in-spite of them.
4. Write down your goals. This strategy is advisable for those who have a long list of goals. After writing them down, review them regularly. You may also want to keep them handy to keep you motivated.

You have to discipline yourself to stick to what you have written. Do not just write them and tuck them away somewhere “safe”. Its better to keep them where you will see them, try sticking them to the refrigerator.

5. Stay on track and do not give up. Reviewing your goals will help open your mind to see if you are on the right track. While on track, you may have to face challenges that might change the way you see yourself.

Never be discouraged. Encountering obstacles is just a test for how dedicated one is to achieve the goals you’ve set. It will all boil down to you preparing yourself to face anything and doing everything to get to the goal that you have set for yourself. Only you can make it happen. Nothing can stop you if you have set your mind to it and commit to taking action.

The post 5 Tips To Achieve All Your Goals Successfully first appeared on Barbara Conway.

Children are notoriously unappreciative. Spouses and bosses are often blind to the contributions we make. Even friends and coworkers can fail to show the appreciation we believe we deserve.

Everyone suffers from feeling unappreciated at times. Consider these ideas if you’re struggling to pinpoint your emotion.

Signs that you’re feeling unappreciated:

1. You feel resentment towards someone in your life. If you’re feeling resentful toward someone, you might be feeling unappreciated. This is especially true if they haven’t recently done anything obvious to upset you.

● If you’ve been feeling resentful lately, ask yourself why.

2. You feel like you’re doing all the work to maintain a relationship. Sometimes it feels like you’re doing all the work in a relationship, and the other person isn’t putting in nearly as much effort. This is a common reason for feeling unappreciated.

● Relationships are never exactly equal, but the inequality should shift back and forth. Healthy relationships are equal over time, but not all the time.

3. You’re not being thanked for your efforts or contribution. We don’t have to receive a medal for every little thing we do, but it’s nice to be recognized for our efforts. This can happen at work or at home.
4. You aren’t asked for your opinion. When we aren’t asked for our opinion, we don’t feel valued. When others respect your opinion, they respect you.
5. The other person isn’t making time for you. If someone never seems to have time for you, you’re likely to feel unappreciated. This is especially true if they seem to be able to make time for other people and activities.

Does the list above resonate with you? If you’ve identified yourself as feeling unappreciated, it’s time to do something about it.

Follow these strategies and get the appreciation you deserve:

1. Determine what is happening that makes you feel unappreciated. Pin down the times you feel unappreciated. What exactly is happening? Who is involved? What is being said or not being said?
2. Determine what would have to happen for you to feel appreciated. What needs to change? What has to be done or said for you to feel better?
3. Try being more appreciative. This might sound odd, but a good strategy for receiving more appreciation is to give more appreciation. This can be hard to do when you feel that you’re not already receiving the appreciation you deserve. Try it and see if this strategy works for you.
4. Be open about your needs. It’s always better to communicate your needs than to just remain upset. Tell the other person how you’re feeling and why. Be sure to offer a solution and be willing to listen to the response.
5. Consider changing your behavior. If your actions aren’t appreciated, perhaps what you’re doing doesn’t matter to the other person. Your time might be better spent in other ways. There’s always the possibility that you could consider rearranging your life so you can feel more appreciated.

In some situations, you’re just going to have to accept that you’re not going to receive the appreciation you deserve. This often occurs in work situations. Focus on feeling proud of your contributions and be thankful for your paycheck!

However, you can often receive the appreciation you desire if you speak up for yourself. Most people are kind and will correct their behavior once they’re made aware. Avoid suffering in silence and get the appreciation you deserve!

The post Feeling Unappreciated? first appeared on Barbara Conway.

They don’t seem to any more talented or intelligent than you. What’s the difference? Why do they manage life more easily and effectively than you do?

Emotionally healthy people do things that others do not:

Create healthy boundaries. Successful relationships require healthy boundaries. When boundaries are undefined or unhealthy, the relationship will eventually have a negative impact on your life. Consider where you’re vulnerable and create boundaries to protect yourself.

Delay gratification. Whether you want to finish school, lose 20 pounds, or get your work done before 5:00pm, it’s necessary to delay gratification. For example, eating a cupcake now is more gratifying in the moment than declining. But in the long run, forgoing cupcakes will help you meet your goal of losing weight.

• Those that act impulsively and can’t delay gratification lack the ability to follow through with wise long-term decisions. If you make life easy on yourself in the short-term, you pay the price in the long-term.

Emotionally healthy people can be by themselves. “By yourself” doesn’t mean sitting on the couch with a pizza and Netflix. You’re not alone. You actually have two companions with you.

• Can you sit quietly, by yourself, with nothing but your thoughts? Or does anxiety about your life create too much discomfort? How much time do you spend distracting yourself from reality?

They are able to adapt to change. Do you go with the flow or does any change throw you for a loop? Emotionally healthy people are able to roll with the punches and maintain a positive attitude.

Deal with discomfort effectively. Those that can’t deal with emotional discomfort lead chaotic lives. It’s only when the discomfort of not taking action becomes so great that they’re finally able to do something. By then, it’s too late. When you can take a deep breath and take effective action in the face of emotional discomfort, life is a snap.

Love others. Only emotionally healthy people can truly love others in a positive way. To care, trust, and attach to another person honestly requires good mental health.

Take care of themselves physically. Do you only eat when you’re hungry? Do you make healthy food choices? Are you able to get yourself to exercise even if you don’t feel like it? Do you go to the doctor and dentist regularly? If your emotional health is up to par, you can do these things consistently.

Emotionally healthy people are reliable. Can people count on you to keep your word? Fulfilling your promises and obligations is one sign of emotional health.

Act proactively. Are you able to look ahead and see the potential sticking points and then avoid them? Or do you wait until the wheels are coming off before you take action? Living well isn’t just about skillfully dealing with challenges. Ideally, it’s about intelligently avoiding them when possible.

**Emotionally healthy people can also manage their emotions. I have a FREE GIFT of 14 Ways to Manage Your Emotions for you. These practices have been extremely helpful in my life. Over the past few years I have been tested a few times, but I always remember my GO TO calming methods.

Are you emotionally healthy?

Emotionally healthy people do things that unhealthy people do not. The ability to control impulses and deal with emotional discomfort effectively are two of the most important components of emotional health. Do you need to make a change?

Work to create habits that support these areas. While it’s possible to make these changes by yourself, getting professional help can be even more effective. Acquire these traits of the emotionally healthy and you’ll find that you’re living a life that you enjoy.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post. If you did, please let us know.

Facebook Group

Facebook Profile

Instagram

The post 9 Things Emotionally Healthy People Do first appeared on Barbara Conway.

If you ever get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, you know how out of touch you can get with the things that really matter. But you actually have plenty of things to be grateful for, regardless of the circumstances in which you may find yourself.

Each person has their own unique list of things that bring simple pleasure, feelings of pure joy, or just a sense of comfort each day.

You can be grateful for physical blessings like where you live, the climate you reside in, or even your residence. You might be thankful about certain people being in your life. This may include your kids, your grandma or your best friend.

The most important function of thankfulness is that it allows you to open your heart, mind, and soul to goodness, gratitude, and light.

My children are the reason my heart beats. Their smiles ALWAYS lift my spirits.

If you’re unsure how to consciously cultivate gratitude, consider these suggestions:

1. Take five. Allow yourself five minutes each morning to experience thankfulness. Take these moments to simply think about the past day. Say to yourself, “One thing I’m thankful for is___.” Fill in the blank with something you noticed from the last 24 hours. Think on it for a minute or so. Smile about it. Then go on with your morning.
   
   
2. Appreciate your world openly. Share your gratitude with others. For example, if you’re chatting on the phone with a friend, you could say something like, “I am so glad that I painted the living room that beautiful light teal color. The sunlight reflects on it so nicely.”
   
   
3. Another example is, “I went shopping with my sister yesterday and she was so helpful when I wanted to pick out a new dress.” When your verbal acknowledgements to others demonstrate the gratitude you feel, you’ll develop a habit of recognizing what you’re thankful for.
   
   
4. Notice the small stuff. Promise yourself you won’t take little things for granted. Because life becomes crowded with people, tasks, and objects, you may feel challenged to notice small bits of wonder in your day. But if you put your mind to it, you’ll be astounded at what you see.
   
   
5. Open your eyes to the wonders all around you. They won’t cost a dime. A sunset, a warm cup of tea, or an ice-cold glass of water when you get home from work can be great reasons to feel gratitude. The smell of honeysuckle as you walk by the vine or your daughter’s impish smiles are still more things that might remind you of your blessings.
   
   
6. Learn to turn your thoughts around. When you discover you’re thinking negative thoughts, imagine a big stop sign and say, “Stop” out loud. Then, replace the stop sign with an image of something around you that you’re grateful for right at that moment. Think about that object, experience, person, or situation and bask in your positive experience.
   
   
7. Keep a gratitude journal. If you find you’re having difficulty remembering to notice the things that stir your inner thankfulness, perhaps starting a gratitude journal would help. A journal is a tangible visual aid that will trigger you to think about what you’re grateful for.
   
   
8. Try just putting put the date on the page and jotting down what you’re grateful for at that time. You can write as much or as little as you wish. Place your journal in a spot where you’ll see it frequently, like on the dining room table, the kitchen counter, or near your favorite chair. This way, you’ll be prompted to experience your gratitude more often.

Being grateful is truly one of the things that makes life worth living!

Each time you consciously decide to experience your thankfulness, you’ll feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Open your eyes and mind to the people, places, things, and experiences you’re grateful for. You’ll feel so much better about your life.

I would love to connect on social media. Plug in from the links below.

Facebook Page

Facebook Group

Instagram

The post Gratitude first appeared on Barbara Conway.

If you want to reach your goals, self-care belongs on the top of your to do list. When you protect your health and wellbeing, you give yourself the strength you need to succeed.

Ironically, we often abandon self-care just when we need it the most. Feeling overburdened and overwhelmed can make you more likely to skip meals or miss workouts. On the other hand, if you make self-care automatic, you’ll create habits you can depend on to see you through major setbacks or minor irritations.

Be good to yourself. Use these tips to start developing your own personal self-care plan.

Self-Care Tips on Eating and Exercising:

1. Eat whole foods. Get most of your calories from natural foods, especially vegetables and fruits. Cutting back on processed foods will eliminate most of the empty calories and excess sugar and salt in your diet.
   
   
2. Dine in. Save eating out for an occasional treat. Preparing your own food gives you more control over what on your plate. It’s another high-impact strategy for eating healthy.
   
   
3. Manage your weight. Being overweight or obese can drain your energy and increase your risk for serious health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. Control portion sizes and talk with your doctor if you need more help. You can also ask me what I did to lose 4 pounds in 5 days of the program I am currently on. Message me for more info.
   
   
4. Stay hydrated. Your body needs water to perform its functions, including controlling your heart rate and digesting food. While most adults require about 6 to 8 glasses of water daily, you can usually rely on your sense of thirst to figure out your individual needs.
   
   
5. Stay active. Incorporating more physical activity into your daily routine helps you stay fit. Stand up while you’re talking on the phone and take the stairs instead of the elevator.
   
   
6. Exercise regularly. You also need regular workouts for strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. Find a variety of activities that you’ll enjoy doing for at least a half hour three days a week.

Other Self-Care Tips:

1. Think positive. Studies show that optimists live longer and have stronger immune systems. Look on the bright side and count your blessings.
   
   
2. Sleep well. Sleep provides a time for restoration and rejuvenation. Go to bed and rise on a consistent schedule. Turn off the television and block out street lights and noises if they’re keeping you up at night.
   
   
3. Manage stress. Find relaxation practices that work for you. You might enjoy soaking in a warm bath or meditating in a quiet spot.
   
   
4. Take frequent breaks. Scheduling some downtime makes you more productive. Stand up and stretch when you’re working at the office. Pause in between errands to drink a cup of tea and calm your mind.
   
   
5. Delegate wisely. Focus on the tasks that match your strengths. Try to transfer the rest of your responsibilities to others, whether that means hiring a housecleaner or trading assignments with a co-worker.
   
   
6. Develop a hobby. Fill your leisure time with meaningful activities. Creative pastimes can help you relax and feel accomplished. We all know I love to crochet.
   
   
7. Be assertive. Stand up for yourself. Ask for what you need tactfully and directly. Remember that you are worthy of respect and consideration.
   
   
8. Stay connected. Cultivate close relationships with family and friends. Make time in your schedule for family dinners and coffee dates. Invite a new colleague out to lunch. Call up a friend you haven’t seen in awhile so you can catch up.
   
   
9. Seek inspiration. Find something that motivates you. You might want to join a prayer group at your church or climb a mountain to admire the view. This is a good one. Inspiration is all around us.

BONUS:

1. Take a vacation. A cruise is a simple way to visit more than one destination and you only unpack once. I can help you with that. Message me for more info.
2. Get some Red Lipstick! WHY do you ask? visit the About page on EmpoweredbyBTC.com and find out why.
3. Accountability. Having that person to bounce things off of or to walk beside you through challenges is amazing. Changing your mindset can do wonders. Check out how I can help you HERE.

Reduce stress and accomplish more by making self-care a top priority. Treating yourself with compassion and kindness is essential to your mental and physical health.

The post Self-Care Tips first appeared on Barbara Conway.

Do you love the idea of self-care, but you keep forgetting to squeeze any personal time into your busy schedule? Self-Care Sundays may help you to stay on track by devoting one day a week to your wellbeing.

The concept of self-care is at least as old as civilization. However, it has become more of a buzzword in recent years.

While you could pick any day of the week to start practicing, Sunday has its advantages. You’re probably home from work, so you have more control over your time. It also gives you a chance to prepare for a fresh start each week.

Remember that many of the most nurturing activities are simple, fun, and free. Use these ideas to invent your own Self-Care Sunday rituals.

Self-Care for Your Physical Health:

1. Plan your menu. A meal plan can help you to manage your weight and eat healthy. Figure out balanced meals and snacks to enjoy throughout the week. Start with sharing a family dinner on Sunday nights.
   
   
2. Eat light. You can brunch without bacon. Visit a farmer’s market and whip up a mushroom omelet. Make healthy pizza at home with a cauliflower crust and vegetable toppings.
    
3. Stay hydrated. If you’re tired much of the time, you may need to drink more water. Try carrying a bottle around with you on Sunday to see if you feel more alert. Drinking water can also help you to lose weight.
   
   
4. Work out. Treadmills are convenient for workday mornings, but you probably have more options on your days off. Head outdoors to ride your bike or climb a mountain.
    
5. Sleep well. It’s tempting to sleep in on weekends, but a consistent schedule is more effective. Go to bed early, so you’ll feel refreshed on Monday morning.
   
   
6. Examine your skin. Dermatologists recommend a monthly self-examination to spot early signs of skin cancer. Do it every fourth Sunday or scan a quarter of your body each week.
   
   
7. Tidy up. Cleaning and decluttering benefit your body and mind as well as your home. Catching up on housework will reduce your exposure to germs and cut down on anxiety.

Self-Care for Your Psychological and Spiritual Health:

1. Meditate and pray. Spend some time developing mindfulness and connecting with the Divine. Start with a few minutes at a time and extend your sessions as your concentration grows.
   
   
2. Learn something. Read a book or take a course online. Earn a new accreditation or study a subject unrelated to your work.
   
   
3. Be social. Hang out with family and friends. Organize a movie night with foreign films and popcorn. Visit a museum or go shopping together.
   
   
4. Enjoy a laugh. Brighten up your Sunday with something funny. Sing The Duck Song with your kids or tell them about a silly thing you did in grade school. Browse online for cat videos.
   
   
5. Express gratitude. Think about the things you’re thankful for and write them down in a gratitude journal. Feeling appreciative will make you happier and healthier.
   
   
6. Turn off your phone. Take a break from technology. Keep your phone turned off or muted for at least a few hours each Sunday. Limit the number of times you check your messages.
   
   
7. Give generously. Serving others enhances your physical and mental health and can make you more popular. Do volunteer work in your community. Hand out sincere compliments to strangers. Search through your closets for clothing and other possessions you can donate to charity.

Let Self-Care Sundays become a reminder to tend to your wellbeing on a regular basis. You’ll increase your chances for leading a meaningful life and deepen your capacity to care for others.

The post Self-Care Sundays first appeared on Barbara Conway.

While we’re all familiar with the phrase “It’s the thought that counts,” nothing says it more than a homemade gift from a loved one. After all, anyone can buy something from a store.

Where the real trick comes in is actually taking the time to think up a special gift, gathering the supplies, and crafting it out of your own time, energy and talents.

Small, thoughtful gifts, while usually less flashy than diamonds, are often cherished more than the most precious of gems.

Something I did was to create a Lip Gloss line called Empowered by BTC to honor those that had influenced me in my life. You can check that out HERE! I am SO proud of it. Each color has a blog post about the person I named it after.

Here are 10 of the top ways to show appreciation to your loved one with something homemade:

Bake something. Call up Grandma and get that delicious red velvet cake recipe you’ve wanted for so long. Besides, what could be more romantic than fighting over who gets to lick the bowl and the spoon?

Not only will it give you a chance to catch up with Granny, but it will also show your loved ones that you care enough to take some time out of your busy schedule to whip up some fantastic eats.

Create a card. Remember making cards in 5th grade? Grab a sheet of construction paper, some Popsicle sticks, and a few of those fancy hole-punchers, and go to town. Who knows, maybe you’ll uncover a hidden talent!

Cook a homemade dinner. There are thousands of great recipes online for dinners that will wow any loved one. Even if you aren’t a great chef and have some trouble when it comes to pots, pans, and open flames, just go with something simple.

Make a coupon book. This is always a hit with your partner. Fill the coupon book with massages, a night away from the kids, or even a week of taking care of the other person’s chores. Make it personal, honor the coupons without complaining, and don’t put an expiration date on them.

Make a slide show. Whip out your old pictures and make a slide show from “then till now.” Set it to your favorite music and let it scroll through some of the highlights of your relationship.

If it’s for your partner, remember what it was like before kids, when the kids left the house, before grandkids or whatever stage of life you want to remember. Just sit back in each other’s arms and let the pictures and music envelope the both of you for a while.

Recreate your first date. If you went to a fancy restaurant, recreate the experience at home. Dim the lights, put on the same music, and fix the same meal. If you drove somewhere, pack a picnic style dinner, go back, and enjoy the experience all over again.

Whatever you did that first time, do it again and remember where you began and how far you’ve come.

Make chocolate covered fruit. Pick a fruit. Dip it in chocolate. Allow it to cool. Indulge. Simple, right?

Make homemade jewelry. Whether it’s a necklace made from triangle shaped pieces of wallpaper wrapped into bead shapes, or rings made from polished stones, handmade jewelry is always a hit with family and friends.

Make a CD. Remember mixed tapes when you were a teenager? Technology has advanced a bit since then, so why not create a CD that holds all the songs that have meant something to you and your friends since you’ve known each other.

It will remind you of old times and bring back memories of the past. These are great as gentle reminders of why you love them so much.

Create a scavenger hunt for your partner. Start with a trail of rose petals from the front door to a location of your choice. From there use a post-it-note to give them a second clue. The next one can be written on the inside of a chocolate wrapper.

Send them all over town if you must and have them meet you somewhere special.

There are thousands of things you can do to show appreciation to those you love. The best thing to remember is to keep it from the heart. No matter what you make, or how well you do it, your loved ones will appreciate it because it’s coming from you.

Follow some of these tips and you’ll be well on your way to coming up with your own ideas for creating cherished homemade gifts.

The post Saying Thank You… first appeared on Barbara Conway.