Blog | Trevor and Lexi Baker™

Things To Remember If You Are Thinking of Embracing Slow Living

March 15, 2020 Trevor and Lexi Baker Lifestyle

“There is more to life than increasing its speed.”
— Mohandas K. Gandhi

For some time, our notion of a successful life is that of a busy one. People who are always on the go are seen as more productive and efficient. Although being busy is indeed a way to attain our dreams and goals, pushing yourself outside of your limits can lead to more problems than benefits. The demands of living in a fast-paced society can cause mental and physical exhaustion which can then ultimately lower the quality of your life. To escape the stress that comes from a hectic lifestyle, some people are promoting the adoption of slow living which encourages people to embrace a laidback lifestyle. This philosophy teaches that avoiding the demands of a chaotic lifestyle is a way towards happiness and wellness.

However, slow living is prone to be misunderstood. One misconception is that it only means spending idle and meaningless days. Unfortunately, this kind of thinking can take away the beauty of leading this kind of life. If you wish to experience its benefits, start by erasing the myths and misconceptions surrounding it; some of which are discussed below:

Slow living is not choosing to lag behind.

The modern lifestyle encourages people to be competitive and stay ahead. For this reason, many may view slow living as a decision to stay behind. This is a wrong concept suggesting that a slow lifestyle is fit for those lacking ambition. But this lifestyle is not about doing things as slowly as possible. Slow living simply frees people from the stress of a frenzied life. Instead of always rushing, slow living chooses to focus on a single task than working on multiple projects at once. This approach can result in producing excellent work that can pave the way for self-growth and development.

Slow living is not being lazy.

If you want to adopt a slow lifestyle because you are thinking of idle days ahead, think again. Slow living is not for the lazy. It does not promote doing less or nothing at all. Rather, it means letting go of doing too many things at a time so you can allot time for rest and relaxation. Living slowly means loving yourself more because you know that self-care is a prerequisite for achieving great things. It means considering your needs along with the tasks you need to do. Slow living may even be a way to be more productive which is contradictory to being lazy.

Slow living does not reject modern technology.

Slow living advises people to unplug, causing many to assume that it hates modern technology. However, the philosophy of slow living is merely a reminder to not allow the online world to take over our lives. People following a slow lifestyle stay informed about the latest in technology but are careful about spending too much time online so they would not neglect more important things in life.

We all want our days to be easy and carefree so it may be a good idea to consider a slow lifestyle. However, if you wish to gain the rewards of a slow lifestyle, it is important to understand the true essence behind this idea.

Three Date Night Ideas for After the Kids Go to Bed

January 15, 2020 Trevor and Lexi Baker Marriage and Family

Finding creative ways to date after embarking on parenthood can be tough. Although little ones require a lot of time, energy and attention, it’s important to still make your spouse feel special. One way to keep the fire alive is to try stay-at-home date nights. Here are three date ideas for after the kids go to bed.

1. Food and Drink Tasting

A food and drink tasting at home is simple but entertaining. All you need is a few unique (and familiar) foods/drinks and a blindfold. The objective is to have your partner guess what they’re tasting. You may want to stick to one particular item (ex: jellybeans) so your spouse doesn’t end up with a stomach ache from mixing too many different foods, but the choice is yours. You even have the choice to make the night into a competition to see who guesses the most items correctly. The champion can win a night off from chores or something else relaxing. This activity is perfect for couples who consider themselves to be foodies or expert taste testers.

2. Theme Night

Pick a theme, any theme, and center your date around it. You can randomize your date by throwing possibilities into a hat, or deliberately pick a theme for each week and write in on your monthly calendar. As a couple, you can: dress up, play music, dance, cook, decorate the house, play games, watch movies, etc. to match the theme of the night. This option is perfect for a variety of couples because of its flexibility; you have the freedom to make the night as simple or elaborate as you’d like.

3. Stargazing

There are few things as romantic as gazing up at the night sky with the one you love most. Fortunately, the sky is massive enough to be (quite literally) right in front of your nose for the ideal stay-at-home date night. Take the baby monitor in the backyard with you to quiet any fears, then turn your attention upward. You can try your luck at spotting the constellations yourself or download an app to make it easier.

Remember, dates don’t have to be fancy, expensive, or extravagant to be memorable. As long as you’re spending quality time together, you’re bound to have fun (even at home). Any one of these three date night ideas will be a guaranteed hit, so pick your favorite and let the good times roll.

3 Confidence Building Activities to Try with Your Mentee

November 15, 2019 Trevor and Lexi Baker Uncategorized

Mentorship includes advising, inspiring and supporting those who rely on your guidance, but the buck doesn’t stop there. There may be times when your mentee feels defeated, unsure or insecure. In those moments, you can help provide the boost of confidence they need to move forward with assurance. Here are three confidence building activities to try with your mentee.

1. The Past – Gratitude

When we put all our focus on constant progress, we tend to forget how far we’ve come. Attempting to learn new skills can rattle the confidence of even the most determined go-getters, but taking a stroll down memory lane can help. To bolster confidence, encourage your mentee to think of ten accomplishments they are proud of. Remind them that just as they conquered those giants, their greatest feats are yet to come.

2. The Present – Affirmations

Another way to build confidence is to affirm the positive. Encourage your mentee to form a daily ritual that includes a set of verbal affirmations. Before deciding what should be said, talk to your mentee about their insecurities and fears. Use the conversation’s revelations to counter those stumbling blocks in the affirmations you create. For example, if your mentee is insecure about realizing their full potential, a great affirmation may be, “I am qualified and capable of achieving all my goals and dreams through hard work and planning.”

3. The Future – Speak It Into Existence

The last practice for confidence building will encourage your mentee to look toward the future and speak their success into existence. This activity is about manifesting good things in life by envisioning their presence. Sometimes we hold ourselves back or worsen our own anxieties by imagining our downfall instead of dwelling on the opposite. The poet Erin Hanson said it best,

“And you ask ‘What if I fall?’

Oh but my darling,

What if you fly?”

It is completely normal to experience times of doubt, but you don’t have to let those periods of negativity hold your mentee back. With these three confidence building practices that address the past, present, and future, they will experience a shift in perspective from all angles. Your mentee can do anything they set their mind to, they just need the reminder.

Three Ways To Use Stress To Your Advantage & Upgrade Your Lifestyle!

September 15, 2019 Trevor and Lexi Baker Lifestyle

Stress, in general, is not a very attractive concept. Many of us tend to associate it with unpleasant circumstances such as burnout, depression, and failure. Chronic physical and emotional tension can also lead to loads of physical, mental, and emotional problems. Thus, it is no surprise that almost everyone wants to avoid stress as much as possible. The proliferation of self-help books and personal mentors offering tips on how to handle the pressure of daily life reflects our aversion to stress.

But while the concept of a stress-free lifestyle sounds so good, the truth remains that it is something that is hard or almost impossible to avoid. So how about taking a different approach? Instead of focusing on all its bad effects, you may want to learn how to use it to your advantage. A positive way of looking at stress can even help improve your lifestyle. Read on to see three lifestyle-enhancing benefits of stress:

Stress can make you more productive.

Ever noticed how you seem to feel alert when you are faced with a deadline? Sometimes, you even wonder how you managed to get so much work done on an incredibly stressful day. One research study explains that this is because our body and brain are forced to function at its best during stress. The thought that you need to finish several things as soon as you can also motivate you to focus and stick through a task.

Stress can make you healthier.

Stress is often linked to many diseases. Therefore, it may be a bit hard to believe that it can also be a way to improve your health. Yet a study led by Stanford University reveals that it is indeed possible. The said research proves that the hormones released in the body during stressful situations can boost the immune system. This may be because stress provides purpose and excitement in our lives that can be advantageous. Whereas, a life with no problems encountered at all can be terribly boring and lead to sickness.

Stress keeps you grounded.

In this life, you sometimes need things to remind you that you are not invincible. If everything comes easy for you, you have a tendency to be arrogant and ungrateful.Difficult situations, on the other hand, teach you to be humble. Stress is a reminder that there are forces and circumstances in life that are beyond you. You also learn to appreciate the blessings around you. As stress makes you a better person, you can also expect to form good relationships with people and lead a happier life.

Note: This article discusses the possible benefits that temporary or short-term stress can bring. People who experienced severe and long-term stress may not be able to enjoy these benefits as the effects can already be harmful.

As they say, everything in life has a good and a bad side: stress is no exception. Thus, choosing to focus on its favorable side may make you realize all the benefits that you can gain from it. A slight change in how you view stress can make all the positive difference!

Four Philanthropic Mistakes You May Be Guilty Of

July 15, 2019 Trevor and Lexi Baker Philanthropy

While we are free to choose our actions,
we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.
-Stephen Covey

Altruistic activities are anything but easy. Therefore, people who devote time and resources in this endeavor would naturally want to see great results. But as they say, bad things can happen even with the best intentions. For this reason, even noble acts such as philanthropy can sometimes cause more harm than good. Sometimes, people whose only aim is to extend help to others unknowingly commit mistakes that even aggravate the problem they want to solve. This is disheartening because an act of generosity can change lives for the better and start a ripple of goodness. To avoid letting your efforts to help others go to waste, you may want to reflect if you are guilty of the following philanthropic mistakes:

You aim to help but not to empower.

One criticism against philanthropy is that it has the tendency to lead to dependency. This happens when the giver treats beneficiaries as helpless individuals. Although you want to give your all when helping, remember that you cannot do everything by yourself all the time. To turn lives around, the ultimate aim of philanthropy should be to create ways that will teach people how to be independent. This can be done by helping and empowering people at the same time. Aside from giving funds or lending assistance when needed, philanthropy should also involve an effort to build people’s confidence that would later lead to self-sufficiency. The impact of a good deed will surely multiply if the focus is on empowering individuals.

You help out of pity and not compassion.

Philanthropy becomes more meaningful if you do it for the right reasons. This includes examining your real motive for doing charitable works. Do you want to help someone out of pity or out of compassion? Do take note that compassion and pity are not the same and knowing their difference can make you a better philanthropist. You feel compassion when you identify with the situation of another person so you want to somehow relieve their pain or suffering. The urge to perform acts of kindness stems from the notion that the same misfortune can happen to you as well. On the other hand, pity is when you feel sorry for others because you deem them as less fortunate than you. To pity people while doing philanthropy can make others feel inferior or weak, emotions that are not helpful in the long run.

You treat it as a one-time thing.

People who are truly serious about philanthropy understand that temporary solutions are rarely enough. You do not just donate a hefty amount of cash or spend a day in a welfare center. Instead, you invest time and resources to see that the cause you are supporting achieves its goals in the end. If everyone treats philanthropy as a one-time thing, their efforts will unlikely solve anything.

You do it to fit in.

Are you donating money or signing up for a cause because everybody at work or the circle you belong to is doing it? Maybe you are eager to participate in a charity event because it will score you some invites to a social event or allow you to mingle with wealthy people. Philanthropy is putting other people’s welfare before your own.Therefore, it is wrong to do it for selfish reasons. Doing it this way will keep you from experiencing the real rewards that come with doing something good.

As a broad field that is open to many misconceptions, it is understandable if many would commit mistakes in an effort to engage in altruism. Even so, people who truly want to help do not allow mistakes to stop them. They understand that mistakes are meant to be corrected so they learn from it and take steps to avoid the same pitfalls. In the end, they become the genuine philanthropists this world so badly needs.

Four Daily Reminders To Help You Stay Happily Married

May 15, 2019 Trevor and Lexi Baker Marriage and Family

History reveals that a marriage does not always guarantee a happily ever after. In fact, many people who lovingly and willingly said “I do” in front of their loved ones end up filing for divorce later on. They say marriage is a decision to stay together no matter what; but it is not advisable to stay married for the wrong reasons. If you decide to hold on to your relationship, you should also aim for a long-lasting marriage that is happy and fulfilling. With the ups and downs that come with married life, staying true to your vows will not always be easy. A little reminder, though, can keep you hanging on to your relationship even during the worst of times. For a stronger and happier relationship that will withstand time, remind yourself of the following every day:

Remember your spouse’s wonderful traits.

Familiarity breeds contempt. There may be days when your partner’s quirky ways or annoying habits can get under your skin. During these days, it will be helpful if you remind yourself of the reasons you fell in love with your spouse in the first place. Always remember that marriage is a promise to be patient and understanding with one other. You may not have married a perfect individual but there are surely wonderful traits that you like about your spouse. You will be a kinder and more loving spouse if you focus on the good traits of your partner. If you regularly tell your spouse about the things you love instead of hate about him or her, you can even encourage positive behavior.

Remember to stop making a mountain out of a molehill.

You may encounter a lot of problems in your relationship, but not all of them will be worth mulling over. To make your relationship less stressful and happier, learn to let go of the small stuff. Make it a habit to forgive each other for small mistakes and stop over-analyzing things. If you are upset over something about your marriage, take a minute to reflect if it is something that will matter several years from now. If it is not, it’s likely not worth losing sleep over. The saying, “choose your battles” is something you can definitely apply to your relationship.

Remember to take care of yourself.

Taking care of others does not mean neglecting or sacrificing your own needs. Don’t feel guilty if you need to take some time off for yourself. Even when you are in a relationship, you should continue letting yourself grow as an individual. By taking good care of yourself, you will be in a better position to care for others. But as you take care of your own needs and interests, don’t forget that you should also allow your partner to do the same.

Remember that a happy marriage is a conscious effort.

Couples who choose to separate have their reasons and no one can judge them for their decision. Still, no one can deny that It is still sad to see a relationship come to an end. Especially because there are things that couples could have done to prevent their relationship from breaking apart. You may have to talk about your problems, implement changes in your routines or even attend counselling. Just keep in mind that whatever trials you and your spouse may face, always believe and remember that you can work it out together. With conscious effort, two people in a relationship can ultimately strengthen their bond.

A wedding is a joyous and beautiful event because you get to witness two individuals profess unconditional love for each other for the rest of their lives. People who enter this lifelong commitment, though, cannot just give up on each other so easily. From the day they utter their vows, their daily actions and thoughts should help make their union happier and stronger.

Easy Tricks To Help You Bid Goodbye To Procrastination

March 15, 2019 Trevor and Lexi Baker Uncategorized

To begin, begin.
-William Wordsworth

Do you have a long list of things to do but never seem to find the time to actually do them? At home, school or work there are always a pile of things that you need or intend to do. Maybe you have been thinking of redesigning your kitchen. You probably need to rearrange the mountain of documents in your office but keep on putting it off. For what seemed like ages, you probably have a few personal goals to fulfill such as losing weight, exercising regularly or reading more but never get around to accomplishing it.

If your answer is yes, then you might be guilty of procrastination. It may be embarrassing to be caught red-handed with the practice of postponing things, but it is a common problem for a lot of people. A 2014 study done by an educational technology company revealed that 87% of 1500 students surveyed considered themselves procrastinators. The numbers prove that you are not alone. But, it is not quite a source of comfort as the same survey indicates that 45% of procrastinators agreed that the bad habit negatively affects their school performance. So if you want to achieve more in life, make an effort to bid goodbye to procrastination. It may feel like a struggle to change a bad habit but the outcome will be worth it. The following easy tips can help you win against procrastination!

Just do it.

If you want to finish something, then start somewhere. This statement may sound like a no-brainer but it is the concept behind a term in psychology which is the Zeigarnik effect. The term, which came from Russian psychiatrist Bluma Zeigarnik, implies that people are likely to finish or remember uncompleted rather than completed tasks. Apparently your brain will keep on urging you to work on tasks that you left hanging. So if you want to finally cross something off your list of goals, resolve to start doing it today!

Turn goals into specific actions.

A particular objective will remain just an objective if you are clueless as to how to accomplish it. In fact, lack of skills or knowledge to tackle a certain goal is one of the things that hinders people from achieving something. To make your objectives doable, it will be helpful if you list a series of specific steps or actions you need to do to complete a task. Breaking down a seemingly huge and impossible task will make them much more doable.

Think of the consequences.

Are you aware of all the benefits that you will enjoy from working on a goal but they fail to get you working on a project? Maybe you can try focusing on all the bad effects you will have to endure if you stubbornly keep on delaying the work. You may miss a lot of great opportunities or jeopardize the success of a huge project. Everybody wants to avoid bad situations, so it may be a more effective way to get you moving.

Since procrastination is a huge obstacle that hinders your success, you should strive to overcome it. Do not let your list remain just a list. Take action to beat procrastination today!

3 Non-Traditional Valentine’s Day Ideas

January 15, 2019 Trevor and Lexi Baker Marriage and Family

Stumped about how to stage the perfect Valentine’s Day celebration? Worry no more. There are countless ways to revitalize the excitement you and your spouse felt during your first time celebrating together. Ditch the tired routine of dinner and a movie and bring on the romance with a fresh take on how to revive the day. Here are three nontraditional ways to make your Valentine’s Day fun and memorable.

Make Something

If you and your partner are the hands-on type, why not make something together? Handmade treats are a tangible show of care. By investing your own time and effort to create an end product, every creative decision you make further personalizes the outcome. You and your spouse will be grateful for the beauty of the process and proud of the love that went into every detail.

Try:

Cooking: Make dinner, pack a picnic or bake something sweet.Self-expression: Think art, music, dance or poetry.
Wearable creations: make or design jewelry or sew an article of clothing together

Laugh Together

Laughter is good for the soul (and your union). Life is full of plenty of serious, somber moments – your date night shouldn’t be one of them. Lighten up! There’s nothing better than spending Valentine’s Day doubling over in laughter. First, think about your spouse’s particular brand of humor, then find an event or activity that fits the bill.

Here are some possibilities:

A comedy or improv show.
A comedy movie (or show) marathon at home.
Game night (remember that the competition should be more fun than competitive).

Focus on Others

If traditional romance isn’t your cup of tea, consider stepping outside of the box. Valentine’s Day is all about love, but there’s no rule that requires you to limit it to your spouse. Instead, go out and spread love as a united team. Think of what you can do to make someone else feel tended to and cared for. On the surface, it may appear that such an act diverts your attention away from your spouse and places focus on someone else. But look a little deeper and you’ll see that philanthropy, community service and spousal mentorship all rely on teamwork. What better way to celebrate your love than by showing how well you work together as a loving couple?

Ideas:

Donate time: Pick a foundation like the Humane Society or the Children’s Hospital and spread some cheer
Donate money: Spend the day researching worthy causes and charities
Mentor another couple: Record a podcast, write a social media post full of marital wisdom or schedule an in-person mentorship session with a young couple.

Valentine’s Day gives couples an excuse to be extra sweet. But when in a long term relationship, finding new ways to celebrate your love can be taxing. After years together, you’ve most likely checked many romantic date and gift ideas off your list. However, making your quality time memorable doesn’t have to be a job. Save the ideas above as a reference guide for the next time you run out of Valentine’s day ideas and surprise your spouse with a day to remember.

Want A Happier & Healthier Lifestyle? Time To Examine The Company You Keep

November 15, 2018 Trevor and Lexi Baker Lifestyle

“People are like dirt. They can either nourish you and help you grow as a person, or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die.” ~ Plato

The quest for lasting happiness and good health is as old as time. Countless books have been written and various studies have been done to discover how we can experience genuine bliss and satisfaction. Likewise, people are in constant search for ways to strengthen their physical body and improve overall health.

Our obsession for attaining ultimate joy led to many theories and recommendations that make leading a happy and healthy lifestyle appear to be a complicated process. The result of a certain research study immensely simplifies it. This 2014 study published in the Public Library of Science (PLOS One), suggests that the key to a rewarding lifestyle is as easy as surrounding yourself with friends that have a pleasant disposition in life. Apparently, good habits and positive emotions are contagious, so to be healthier and happier, the people you regularly spend time with are an important factor. The positive influence of your association with good people may even matter more than any medication or treatment available. So go ahead and be choosy in selecting people to hang out with. The following reminders can help ensure that you are in good company:

Radiate positivity yourself

Good-natured people will easily come into your life if you start by being the person you want to meet. So drop the pessimism and train yourself to always see the good side of everything.

Avoid or let go of toxic people

People who constantly threaten your safety and crush your spirit are like weeds in the garden. You cannot fully bloom if you do not pull them out of your life. This process may be painful or difficult since people who always put you down can be dear friends or family members. However, keeping up with their negative behaviors will not help them either. You may even do them a favor by keeping a distance because they might realize their destructive attitude and change for the better.

Elevate your standards

You can fully control the people who enter your life by setting standards about the kind of friends you want. It may be a wise idea to mingle with the folks who share your virtues and passions. Another good option is to make friends with people whom you admire. When you spend time with them, you are likely to pick up their useful habits and imitate their impressive personality. Being picky with friends does not make you a snub. In a way, it is being aware of your self-worth and the kind of people you deserve.

Aim for deep & lasting friendships

In this era of social media, some people tend to perceive friendship as something as easy as clicking a button. But if you make friends this way, folks can go in and out of your life in a flash that you deprive yourself the benefits of forming lasting connections. This is crucial in life satisfaction because a research conducted by Wayne State University revealed the link between happiness and close friendships. So instead of shallow acquaintances, nurture relationships by exerting efforts to keep true friends once you found them. Rather than being concerned with the number of friends in your circle, aim for deep friendships even with just a few people.

The above points suggest that positive relationships hold the key to maintaining good health and increasing happiness. So, if you want to enrich your lifestyle, it may be time to examine the company you keep.

Five Easy Ways To Manage Your Fears & Anxieties

September 15, 2018 Trevor and Lexi Baker Uncategorized

We all go through this life with a dream to pursue or a goal to meet. Our need for achievement fuels us to take risks and make our lives more meaningful. Yet, it is safe to say that all of us carry some sort of fear, anxiety, or worry. These fears are like roadblocks that can hindrance our paths to success. These obstacles can slow you down, inflict self-doubt, and even worse, ultimately convince you to ditch your objectives. Still, you should realize that these roadblocks exist for a reason and that is our job to eliminate it. After all, the ability to overcome fear is what sets successful people apart from the unsuccessful ones.

Here are five simple tips to combat your fears and crush your worries:

Identify Your Fears

“To win in every battle, know yourself and know the enemy,” this pretty much sums up a quote from a Chinese philosopher, Sun Tzu in the book, The Art of War. The first step in managing your fear is by acknowledging it. Identify things that scare you and the possible reasons for it. It can be a fear of rejection, of public speaking, or even heights. Acknowledging your fears will help you understand yourself better and will make it easier for you to come up with ways on how to deal with it. The idea is that once you are aware of your fears, you can now take steps towards eliminating the bumps on your road to success.

Visualize and Meditate

Take advantage of the power of the mind to help you manifest your goals in life. You can start by allotting a few minutes of your day in silence and meditation. As you meditate, visualize yourself conquering your fears and enjoying success. The practice of meditation can clear your mind and lessen your anxiety, thus increasing your confidence to deal with your fears.

Create a Personal Mantra

They say that we should guard our thoughts because thoughts become words and words turn into actions. So, make sure that your inner voice will give the inspiration and encouragement you need to face your fears. Go ahead and develop a mantra that will remind you of your abilities and your goals. A mantra that will shun all sorts of fears aside. Give yourself a daily dose of positive affirmations and watch how it transforms your life for the better. You can write down your personal mantra in a journal or place it somewhere you can always see.

Face Your Fears

These fears are like stones that appear to get bigger the longer you stare at it. The moment you decide to pick up the stone, you realize it is not as heavy or as big as it seems. The same concept applies to how we deal with fear. You can start by doing something that allows you to confront your fears. For instance, if you are afraid of public speaking, you can share your thoughts in a small meeting. If you are afraid of rejection, you can start submitting proposals. It is great if your proposal gets approved but If you get rejected, you just realize it is not nearly as crushing as you imagined it to be. Most of the times, failure only means another chance to try again. Facing your fears on a regular basis will gradually lessen its impact on your life and in no time, you will realize, it ceased to affect you at all.

Choose Your Friends

If you are constantly stressed or anxious, it may be because you are surrounded by people who bring you down. Dealing with your fear is already a huge feat on your own, so having friends to support you along the way is a must. The people we interact daily affects us in more ways than we realize so spend time with those who will motivate you to be the best you can be.

The road to overcoming fears may seem intimidating at first, but every effort you make towards erasing your anxieties count. A small step will go a long way and in no time, you will see that you have successfully gotten over it.