Joy in the Ordinary with Latonya

Happy anniversary to Victor and  Latonya! In this episode, Latonya looks back over her nineteen-year marriage to Victor and shares some practical lessons she's learned along the way, and she even added in a few memories that'll make you laugh.  Links + Resources:Order The Accountability JournalFind me on Instagram @joyintheordinarymomTip the host at buymeacoffee.com/latonyaRead the blog Lessons from Nineteen Years of Marriage

Guarding your heart and mind is an important step to cultivating a joy-filled life. What we take in impacts our perspective of the world around us and the way we view ourselves. Tune into this episode for practical tips for keeping valuable organs protected.  Links + Resources:Order The Accountability JournalFind me on Instagram @joyintheordinarymomTip the host at buymeacoffee.com/latonya

Do you find yourself "what if-ing" numerous situations that could appear in your life? In this episode, Latonya challenges us all to consider what if that situation did happen. What could we gain from it? Tune in for storytelling and practical solutions to challenge your thinking. Links + Resources:Order The Accountability JournalFind me on Instagram @joyintheordinarymomTip the host at buymeacoffee.com/latonya

When's the last time, you asked yourself, "What do I need?" In this episode, Latonya shares why this is an important question to ask yourself often. She shares how knowing her needs have impacted the way she lives her life and of course, this impacts the joy she experiences in everyday experiences. Links + Resources:Order The Accountability JournalFind me on Instagram @joyintheordinarymomTip the host at buymeacoffee.com/latonya

Latonya shares what she has gained from one of the hardest times of her life on the second anniversary of the car accident that she and her daughter experienced. This episode shares how she has expanded, healed, and accepted her life with mental health illnesses. She also provides practical tips on you can help yourself or others through hard times.  Links + Resources:Order The Accountability JournalFind me on Instagram @joyintheordinarymomTip the host at buymeacoffee.com/latonya

Balance is a common topic. Yet, we wonder if it's achievable and is it worth pursuing. In today's episode, Latonya shares her perspective about balance, what it looks like in her life, and practical tips to help you cultivate balance in your life. Support the podcast and connect with Latonya at buymeacoffee.com/latonya.

Donate to the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/latonya

Latonya's back with another step for cultivating joy in your life. She shares why releasing is a practical way to experience more joy. Have a hard time letting go of relationships? Latonya lets you know that you aren't alone, and even though it's hard, it can be worth it.

This episode is all about habits! Latonya shares some stories about habits she's broken, and some practical tips for cultivating new habits in your life.

We all have things that trigger certain responses. When you know your triggers, you can help yourself cultivate joy. Latonya has found that knowing her triggers helps her to better express her needs.

In this episode, Latonya shares candidly about how she intentionally takes breaks to care for herself. She shares a few practical tips that you can implement too. Support the podcast by visiting buymeacoffee.com/latonya.

Sometimes you need others to help you cultivate joy. Latonya shares stories from her homeschool journey to drive home the point that you don't have to do everything yourself. You do not have to be a homeschool parent to glean from this episode.

In this episode, Latonya shares some anecdotes from her life as she has found practical ways to remain dutiful towards caring for herself. If you wondered how do I keep my needs at the forefront without becoming self-absorbed, this episode is for you. Support the podcast by visiting buymeacoffee.com/latonya. Six Fundamental Human Needs We Need To Meet To Live Our Best Lives https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2018/02/05/six-fundamental-human-needs-we-need-to-meet-to-live-our-best-lives

We're on step 11 of cultivating joy in your life! This tip is one that we all know, but we don't always remember. Investing in yourself impacts the world around you, and in this episode, Latonya encourages the listener to take time to invest.

In this episode, Latonya shares steps she has taken to experience the life that she currently lives. A good life varies by person, but anyone interested in living intentionally can use the steps she shares.

Friendships are a necessary ingredient when it comes to cultivating joy. Latonya shares the importance of friendship in this episode.

In this episode, Latonya talks about the different lessons she learned from 2020 as she navigated post-traumatic stress disorder and the craziness of this world.

There are a few things that Latonya isn't as optimistic about, but overall, she has an ability that allows her to see the good in most situations. She shares how the way she thinks has made a positive impact on her life.  

One thing that puts a smile on my face is the many different types of conversations I have with my family members. Some are hilarious, while others are more serious. Whether it's a funny conversation or a serious conversation, I can look back on these conversations find myself smiling. Can you relate?After listening to this episode, be sure to continue talking to your family too. If you need suggestions for conversation starters, check out Can We Talk cards.  This is an affiliate link, which means I'll earn a commission if you purchase anything through the link. 

If you like this episode, you can read Three Reasons I Encourage Moms to Dine Solo. 

I haven't always had boundaries. I didn't understand the concept of having boundaries until I found my first therapist over 10 years ago. Our sessions focused on me creating healthy boundaries with those I had relationships with. Before therapy, people in my life pretty much did whatever they wanted, talked however they wanted, and I just took it. I'm glad she taught me about boundaries because it was the beginning of truly creating a life I enjoyed living. When I started letting go of people who weren't for me and helping those who remained to understand that past behaviors I ignored or tolerated just weren't going to work anymore.My top tip for moving towards creating boundaries would be to take time to sit and think about your interactions with those around you. Are your kids constantly interrupting you when you're in the middle of doing something important? If so, then you need to create some boundaries. Does a friend call you at all times of day and night with their emergencies? If so, you need to create some boundaries. Are you constantly changing your plans or shrinking so you won't offend, then you need to create some boundaries.Seriously, take time to think about all the behaviors or expectations that make you feel frustrated, confused, or upset. Then take the next step of deciding how you would like for your relationships to look with these people. You may decide that some of the relationships should end because they are fruitful for either person. You may decide to keep your phone on do not disturb for certain times of the day. You also may decide to take some time to teach somehow to interact with you. For instance, if your children are constantly interrupting you could choose certain times of the day to do tasks, and you could teach your children that when you are doing x then they could do y. I work from home, and while I am working my daughters are usually doing their independent work or reading or painting or something, but whatever they're doing, they aren't constantly coming to me while I am in class. Now, I don't teach eight hours straight, but instead, I teach for an hour then if I teach another class on the same day, I have at least a 30-minute break in case my kids do need me so I have boundaries for my kids, but I also have boundaries for my work. Having boundaries gives me a sense of clarity for my life. It doesn't matter how others live their lives or if others understand my rigidness in some areas. What matters is that I am not constantly changing or shifting my needs for the sake of everyone else. So, will you work on creating boundaries so you can experience more joy in your ordinary days?Thanks for listening to the Joy in the Ordinary podcast with Latonya.Support Joy in the Ordinary with Latonya by purchasing an inspirational shirt at https://www.bonfire.com/store/joy-in-the-ordinary/  

This episode is audio taken from a video of me reading an essay I wrote for Joy in the Ordinary in response to the pain I feel as a Black American. Read the essay here: https://joyintheordinary.com/reflections/im-black-im-human

In our hustle society, the joy we once felt from our hobbies has been snatched because the hobby may have been turned into a side hustle or you're too busy hustling that you don't have time to do things for pleasure.  I've found that when I'm always working or being super busy, I am depleting my pool of energy. I don't like feeling depleted so I've chosen to make time to do more of what fills me. For me, this is painting, reading, being in nature, and writing for pleasure. When I do more of the things that fill me, I am able to tackle my not so favorite tasks with gladness.If you don't have a hobby which is an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure, I want to encourage you to find one. You don't have to have a ton of hobbies. One will do. Reading has always been my favorite hobby. I could read without investing a ton of money because I frequented the library. I was exposed to books that I may not have read if it weren't for the fact that I'd seen them on the new release shelf. Starting a hobby doesn't have to break the bank, you can start off by writing a list of things that you think you would enjoy. You could let the least expensive one be your first hobby to jump into. If all of your hobbies require an investment, consider starting with the most basic of materials. When I started painting, I used the cheapest canvas, and honestly, I still by the lower level canvases most of the time. I use them because it isn't about the canvas; it's about me taking to time to do something I enjoy. What if you aren't a crafter, and you don't want to be a crafter? I'm learning that caring for plants is a hobby too. I've bought a few very inexpensive plants from the grocery store. They are really easy to care for, and it doesn't cost me a ton of money. I'm actually taking time to learn how to care for hydrangeas in pots because it was my most favorite plant in our at our old house, and now, we're apartment dwellers so planting them in my yard isn't an option. Having something to look forward to is a joy-builder. It can be a mood booster when things aren't going so great. Do you already have hobbies? Remember to take time to enjoy them. Life can't be all work and no play. Thanks for listening to the Joy in the Ordinary podcast with Latonya. You can connect with others who are embracing joy in their ordinary lives by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/joyintheordinary.

Last Sunday, I decided to record a journal for a week to share my daily experience with PTSD and postconcussion syndrome. On the 7th day, I didn't record because I chose to live in the moment and joy the good day I was having. On the 8th day, I decided to bring the week to a proper close. :) I will still audio journal, but it might not be daily. Since the recording, I've added a few more people to prayer list. Thanks for listening to the podcast!

By creating a routine, you can create a vibe that gets your day started right. My morning routine touches on all the areas of my life that matter to me--my emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being, my home, my daughters, my work, and our homeschool. I didn't mention my husband or marrigage because honestly by taking care of the areas I mentioned, my marriage is positively impacted plus my husband is long gone by the time I wake up. Thanks for listening! Read the blog: joyintheordinary.com Support via patreon.com/joyintheordinary

This has been one of the hardest things I've ever been through. Actually, I believe this is the hardest thing I've ever gone through. Not only is it hard because of the impact PTSD has on my life, but it is hard because I don't like the idea of living with this disorder forever. In today's episode, I share a lot about my feelings related to PTSD, the word disorder, and more. If you know someone who is working through mental health illnesses, I want to encourage you to be gentle with them because sometimes we aren't gentle with ourselves.

I recorded this episode at 5:54 am CST. I woke this morning with spunk, and in this episode, I give myself a pat on the back for all of the good choices I've made post accident. I don't have total control of my situation, but I am putting forth effort each day to adjust to my new ordinary. If you're in a tough spot, take a moment to pull out all that is going right or that isn't so bad. Thanks for listening. Be sure to rate the podcast on Apple podcasts!

In this episode, I'm sharing thoughts about my struggle with PTSD. Thanks for listening!

This morning I woke up sad. I don't mind feeling all of my emotions, but some days I just don't feel like PTSD. I can't push it away. I have to live through it with hopes that all of the emotions related to it will subside. This episode was cut off in the middle of recording, and I did not realize it. At about 27.5 minutes, there will be a shift because I had to record another segment to finish up the episode. Learn more about the patreon community: patreon.com/joyintheordinary See the visuals from my journey: instagram.com/joyintheordinarymom Thanks for listening!

Sometimes it is hard for me to see the progress that I am making. I know that I'm not doing some of the things I normally would do so I tend to feel like I'm not doing enough. As I was recording today, I realize just how much I do accomplish, and I didn't even think to share about what I wasn't able to do like going to my cycling class. This journey with PTSD is interesting and hard, but I am also growing to be better than I was each day. Thank you for taking the time to listen.

Last night, the thought came to me that I should try recording and sharing daily journals for at least 7 days to give a more complete picture of my life PTSD. In this episode, I talk about finding my therapists, my support system, and my feelings behind the alphabet that are now a part of my daily living. If you know someone who could benefit from the this episode, please share it. I am not sharing just for myself I truly hope that my story can have a positive impact on someone else's journey. You can see my painting at instagram.com/joyintheordinary

Joy doesn't happen haphazardly. In order to live a  joy-filled life, you have to be intentional.  In this episode, I talk about intentionality. The path I took to becoming more intentional for myself and my family. Thank you for listening.  If you need a community, consider joining us on Patreon: patreon.com/joyintheordinary

In this journal, I candidly discuss receiving medIical care from several professionals. On one hand, I discuss loyalty and the other, I discuss the importance of being your best advocate.  This podcast is a journal of my experience with PTSD. What works for me may not work for you so be sure to take what you need from my sharing and leave the rest.  This podcast is hosted on anchor.fm/joyintheordinary. You can read the blog: joyintheordinary.com for homeschool tips and encouragement.

In this episode, I candidly share about coming to understand that something was going on with me. This public journal is intended to be a source of inspiration for myself and others as I share my journey through CPTSD. If I hadn't gone through this myself, I wouldn't understand, and even after being in this for three months, I still don't often understand. I am not a therapist. I am only sharing my story based on my memories. If you need professional support, please consider contacting a therapist in your area.

In this episode, I talk about the shifts of ordinary. My ordinary isn't the same year after year. Ordinary is fluid. Let me know what you think about the podcast by leaving a comment or calling on the Anchor app. Learn more about the Patreon community at patreon.com/joyintheordinary

This series is a challenge for me. I am intentionally sharing 52 ways I cultivate joy in my everyday life. The fun part of it all--I'm doing this challenge in the midst of a hard season. It is my hopes that the series will encourage, challenge, and give you a different perspective about a few things. If you like what you hear, subscribe in your favorite podcast player. If you listen on Anchor, be sure to leave a message. If you have questions or ideas, email me at latonya@joyintheordinary.com. Read the blog: joyintheordinary.com

In this episode, I share my definition of joy and encourage you to find your definition so you can pursue it in your daily living. Share your definition by calling in to show at anchor.fm/joyintheordinary Read the blog: joyintheordinary.com

In this episode, Latonya shares how she finds space in her life to do more of what matters most. She shares practical tips for increasing margin by prioritizing and being honest about how she's using her time. During the conversation, Latonya mentions starting a First Lego League. The team she's founded was able to receive several grants to get their season started. Get your ACCOUNTABILITY JOURNAL to help you make room and keep track of what matters most. Become part of the Patreon community Patreon.com/JoyintheOrdinary.

In this episode, Latonya shares her family's journey into homeschooling. She explains why she views herself as an unlikely homeschool mom. She also candidly shares about the challenges of becoming a homeschool mom. During the conversation, Latonya mentions graduating Summa Cum Laude from college, but she actually graduated Cum Laude. She doesn't always remember everything, but she doesn't mind correcting her errors. :) Get your ACCOUNTABILITY JOURNAL. Visit JoyintheOrdinary.com.

In this episode, my daughters and I talk about social media and its impact on tweens. If you are a parent, check out this episode to learn how we navigate social media.

Do you struggle with being yourself in front of your kids? Check out this episode I recorded when I first joined the Anchor community in 2017 to hear how I pursue motherhood authentically.

Who is Latonya? What is Joy in the Ordinary? Listen to find out.