Author Archives: Jeffrey Scott Thomas

Stress-Free Hosting: Perfecting the Thanksgiving Pre-Cleaning and Post-Cleaning Cycles

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a blue plate topped with an orange and brown leaf

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They’re coming. They’re coming from points east, west, north, and south to spend Thanksgiving at your house. Lucky you! That means you’re in a cleaning frenzy. And the cleaning cycle will ramp up again once the tribe has flown off, leaving you holding the proverbial bag.

But hosting at Thanksgiving can be a stress-free endeavor with a perfected pre-cleaning and post-cleaning plan in place. Remember: It’s not what you do; it’s the way that you do it. Let’s talk about a plan of attack for the Thanksgiving cleaning cycles you’re about to tackle.

Planning is Perfection

A plan of attack is the best defense against stress when hosting Thanksgiving. You know the usual suspects are going to “suspect”. You know there’s bound to be some kind of tension around some ancient grudge at some point. You can’t stop that. But you can stop the stress!

Whatever you do, lard in the extra-jumbo toilet paper pack. You know why! That bathroom is going to be in heavy rotation, especially if the family’s going to be staying with you. And the napkins are for meals!

If you’re planning on a warm, crackling fire, then you’ll need to get that chimney cleaned. You may be the brave soul who’s ready to tackle the job on your own but don’t you have enough to do? I suggest that you outsource this task to a local fireplace and chimney maintenance company. Then again, I am not privy to the intensity of reader cleaning frenzies, so DIY if you must!

Create a detailed list of what needs to be done, then assign at least a week for knocking off your cleaning items. Assign each task a generous amount of time to be accomplished, as contingencies can and will arise and those can add to pre-Thanksgiving cleaning stress. With a plan, contingencies won’t have a chance of dampening your resolve or stressing you out!

A Logical Sequence of Tasks

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For my money, tackling the guest bedroom or bedrooms first is the best way to approach your cleaning plan. Remove anything you’ve been storing there and find a place to stow it. There’s nothing less hospitable than a wall of boxes in the guestroom, so get them out of sight. Once that’s done, vacuum, dust, and then change the sheets on the bed. Close the door. With guest sleeping quarters out of the way, you can move down your list of tasks.

Make Room for the Turkey

Big jobs like the refrigerator can be done early. Get the old food out and anything that’s in there that shouldn’t be (almost empty condiment containers and that ancient jar of olives from last Thanksgiving). Clean the shelves and compartments and the fridge is good to go, ready for the turkey and all its trimmings!

Dusting and Floors Last

Jobs like dusting, switching out pillow covers, vacuuming, and cleaning the laminate, wood, or linoleum floors should be left until near the end of your cleaning plan, so everything’s fresh for the arrival of your invading Thanksgiving army. Taking on the various aspects of cleaning in a logical sequence allows you time to enjoy the process and the anticipation of a shared family holiday without the stress!

Protect Yourself

You’re cleaning out the fridge but what about the oven? It might need a once over, too, and the fumes from oven cleaners and many other household cleaning items can be irritating or overwhelming. Protect yourself by wearing a mask. But don’t forget to protect your hands with nitrile rubber gloves to avoid chapping and other skin irritations.

Why Stress?

Here’s the thing: You may not want to do all the cleaning yourself – especially before and after. It’s a lot, right? So, why not give yourself the gift of commercial cleaning services? Why not let somebody else do it all, while you address the food and the family dynamics at the dinner table? Aren’t those two responsibilities daunting enough?

Whichever plan of attack you choose to perfect your Thanksgiving cleaning – DIY or with the help of professionals – Thanksgiving is to be enjoyed. So choose wisely and have a stress-free, happy Thanksgiving!

Why Settle When You Can Roam? A Guide to Working While Traveling

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Working from one place and settling down isn’t for everyone. There are some people who need to explore what’s out there and learn about the world. Of course, nothing is free, and living while  traveling the planet requires money. However, it is possible to roam and make the revenue you need to survive. We will cover what you need to know to master the art of working while traveling.

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Working Jobs That Allow You to Roam

We live in an era full of opportunities, one of which is obtaining work that permits travel. Some careers even require this type of movement to thrive. If you can’t sit still and need movement to enjoy life, there are options available. The following pursuits might make it possible for you to roam:

  • Data entry work
  • Any type of online job where all you need is an internet connection
  • Flight attendant
  • Language teaching or tutoring abroad
  • Translator and/or interpreter

In addition to those above, most types of freelance work may also work, such as:

  • SEO writing/blogging
    • Technical writer
    • Web design or development
    • Photography
    • Social media manager
    • Influencer
    • Videographer

Some of the undertakings mentioned above take time to develop. You may not make the income you need to support yourself and travel simultaneously at first. However, with the right mindset and determination, you can live your dream of making travel part of your work.

What Skills Are Required to Make Money During Travel

If you are trekking across the world and discovering new places, working may be the last thing on your mind. It’s an adjustment to have your work office change scenery every day. With this type of working environment, it’s imperative to have the following skills:

  • Responsibility: Be responsible and fulfill your work duties. Even if you only work for yourself, make sure you’re doing enough to cover your expenses.
  • Motivation: Have the drive to work when no one else is holding you accountable.
  • Time management: It’s critical to be aware of how and where you spend your time.
  • Organization: If you are voyaging around the globe, be efficient and organized with your belongings. Be aware of your items for work and your possessions that are necessary for everyday living. Have a system to sort through them.
  • Communication: Make sure you are able to effectively communicate where you’re located, with your clients, or who you work with.
  • Creativity: Be creative with when and how you work!
  • Flexibility: Being able to travel and work requires a massive amount of flexibility.
  • A good attitude: Positivity is always helpful in any situation, especially through tricky ones.

With these skills, it’s possible to travel worldwide while gaining a profit. 

What to Consider With This Type of Lifestyle

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There are several components to consider when globetrotting. It’s a necessity to stay out of danger or serious trouble, all while enjoying the experience. With this type of lifestyle, be conscious of the following:

  • Areas you are visiting: Make sure to do your research on the sites you visit to ensure your safety and well being.
  • Communicating with the locals: If you don’t speak the language, have a backup plan to work around this dilemma.
  • The customs of your country: Know the culture and stay safe.
  • Different types of currency: Make sure you have the specific currency for where you are. 
  • The equipment you’ll need: Be sure to have clothes, hygiene products, a laptop backpack, and dishes (such as plates,silverware, or a UV glass jar for dry goods like coffee or tea). Just as important, make sure you have a way to easily transport your equipment.
  • Your passport: Ensure that it is always up to date so you don’t run into trouble.
  • Taxes (if applicable): If you work for yourself or have unique employment, confirm that this is taken care of.
  • Your work: Be on top of finding places or clients where you can successfully accomplish what you need to.

Being smart and planning ahead of time will help you stay safe and know what you need to do.

Working while traveling requires the right skills to maintain a profession where this is possible. It also requires extra consideration when roaming between different countries. However, it’s a wonderful experience to make new discoveries about our planet while making a living. There are advantages to living this way, including increased awareness of culture and diversity. Those with this lifestyle get first hand education about the world and all it has to offer.

Hauntingly Good Times: A Guide to Spine-Chilling Halloween Parties

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Are you ready to have a blast this spooky season? Most people associate October with Halloween festivities, which also means that many of us are eagerly looking forward to don our Halloween costumes and dance the night away at some epic Halloween parties.

Of course, every party should be memorable and full of fun. So, if you’re looking to host a party this spooky season, here’s the ultimate guide for you!

Set the Spooky Scene

Setting the tone for your Halloween party requires having a spine-chilling venue. We mean, you do not need to rent a haunted house or a cemetery for this event—who wants to go to those venues during a party anyway? Instead, you can transform your space with spooky decorations!

Some hauntingly creative ideas for a Halloween-themed venue include:

  • Cobwebs, skeletons, and tombstones: These classic elements can instantly give your space a haunted feel.
  • Dim lighting: Create an eerie atmosphere with candles, lanterns, and black lights.
  • Faux spider webs and rubber spiders: Perfect for adding an abandoned, creepy look to your party space.

Eerie Invitations

Let your invitations set the mood for your spooky soiree. Use dark colors, creepy fonts, and Halloween-themed imagery like bats, skeletons, or ghosts. For that extra touch of authenticity, consider sending physical invitations to your guests.

Spine-Chilling Games

A party is never complete without activities, and we take the fun to the next level by planning exciting games! Here are some of our suggestions:

  • Bobbing for Apples: Fill a large tub with water and floating apples. Players must try to catch apples using only their mouths, not their hands. It’s a classic Halloween game that’s both fun and challenging.
  • Mummy Wrap Race: Divide guests into pairs. One person is the “mummy,” and the other wraps them in toilet paper to resemble a mummy. The first team to finish wrapping or the team with the neatest mummy wins.
  • Witch’s Hat Ring Toss: Set up a game where guests toss rings onto the pointy top of a witch’s hat. Assign different point values to different sections of the hat. The player with the most points wins.

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Costume Contest

Another fun activity for your Halloween party is hosting a costume contest. Encourage your guests to unleash their inner spooks with creative and terrifying costumes. You can also award them based on categories like “Most Terrifying,” “Most Creative,” and “Best Group Costume.” Prizes for the winners will add a competitive edge to the fun.

Spooky Dance Floor

No party is complete without dancing! So, if you want to keep your dance floor in theme, here’s our advice:

  • Dance floor theme: You may want to set the tone for your dance floor, whether it’s a retro-themed Halloween dance with a white-and-black floor reminiscent of scenes from Wednesday or Carrie, or perhaps a Victorian-themed dance floor—the possibilities are endless.
  • Fog Machine: Envelop the dancefloor in a mysterious and foggy ambiance.
  • Black and Red Lights: Cast an eerie glow on the dancefloor with these colored lights.
  • LED Candles, Strobe Lights, and Eerie Projections: Set the stage for a haunting dancefloor experience.

Interactive Haunted Experiences

To add a unique twist to your fun-filled party, you may want to consider adding an element of interactive horror to your event. You may use Halloween animatronics, such as moving zombies or scarecrow displays, which your guests can interact with and take pictures of. You may also have booths like fortune-telling kiosks and a horror movie corner for guests who get tired of the activities and dancing.

Capture the Moments

Who doesn’t want to keep snapshots of bonding moments with family and friends? Set up a Halloween-themed photo booth with props and backdrops so guests can capture memories of their costumes and the eerie atmosphere.

Remember, a great party brings folks closer, makes the night full of giggles, and leaves us with memories we’ll cherish. Halloween offers the perfect opportunity to let your creativity run wild and ensure everyone has a spook-tacular time.

How to Deal With Insomnia

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Are you tired of lying awake at night, staring at the ceiling? Do you wake up in the middle of the night for no reason? You are not alone!

Insomnia is a frustrating condition that affects up to 75% of adults worldwide. Some medications can help with this sleep disorder, but they have various side effects that worry all consumers. Thankfully, there are other ways you can deal with insomnia.

In this guide, we will introduce you to various strategies that can help you conquer insomnia and finally get a restful night’s sleep.

Understanding Insomnia

Insomnia is the most common type of sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. Other symptoms of this condition include fatigue, daytime sleepiness, concentration difficulties, and irritability.

There are two types of insomnia: acute and chronic. Acute insomnia is a short-term condition caused by temporary factors like stress or illness. Chronic insomnia, on the other hand, persists longer and often requires medical interventions.

Insomnia can be caused by different factors, such as:

  • Caffeine
  • Depression
  • Poor sleep habits
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Certain medications
  • Underlying medical conditions

Risk factors such as genetics and substance abuse can also contribute to insomnia. Knowing these causes and risk factors can help you devise an effective plan of action to get rid of insomnia.

Strategies for Battling Insomnia

You can fight insomnia naturally without resorting to medications. Here are some effective strategies to help you sleep more comfortably through the night.

Establish a Sleep Routine

It’s crucial to have a consistent sleep schedule and a bedtime routine to wind down in the evenings. Try to sleep at the same hour every night to regulate your body’s internal clock.

Create a calming pre-bed routine to signal your body that it’s time to sleep. This routine can include relaxing activities like reading a book or taking a bath.

Avoid stimulating activities like looking at your phone, and refrain from drinking caffeine for at least six hours before bed.

Create a Sleep-friendly Environment

Next, you must optimize your bedroom to get the quality sleep you need. Start by reducing noise and light. You can hang curtains or put in earplugs to minimize these disturbances.

It’s also recommended to sleep in a cool environment. Set your thermostat to a temperature range of 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finally, select comfortable bedding and pillows tailored to your personal preferences. A comfortable bed allows you to rest in the best sleeping positions and avoid insomnia.

Practice Relaxation Techniques

Stress is one of the main reasons people experience sleeplessness. A great way to deal with this stress is through relaxation techniques. Try meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to calm your mind, alleviate anxiety, and ease physical tension.

You can incorporate these relaxation techniques into your bedtime routine to improve sleep quality and overcome insomnia.

Try Cannabis

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A natural sleep aid that has gained momentum in recent years is cannabis. This wondrous plant is packed with beneficial compounds called cannabinoids. These compounds can interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system and help you overcome insomnia.

Multiple scientists have already proven the sleep-inducing effects of cannabis. A recent study in 2022 assessed the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis in improving sleep in 29 adults with insomnia. Researchers found that cannabis improved sleep time and quality by up to 80%. By the end of the study, 60% of participants were not even considered insomniac!

Since cannabis is generally well-tolerated, you can safely try it to deal with insomnia. Try pre rolled cones, which are easy to use and effective. 

Adopt Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Lastly, you’ll improve your chances of overcoming insomnia by adopting some healthy habits in your life. Try exercising regularly and eating a well-balanced diet full of minerals and vitamins.

Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption because they can disrupt your sleep patterns. Take care of your body to prevent insomnia and promote more restful sleep. 

When to Seek Professional Help

These strategies work for many sleep-deprived individuals who deal with insomnia. However, they may not be effective for everyone, for instance, those with chronic insomnia.

If you’ve tried these tips but haven’t seen any improvements, it may be time to seek professional help. A doctor can identify the underlying cause of your insomnia and recommend personalized solutions to address it.

Don’t put off a visit to the doctor if your insomnia persists. Get the help you need and enjoy a peaceful night of sleep.

Sleep Tight With These Effective Strategies

There you have it! Five helpful strategies that will put you to sleep in no time. Insomnia doesn’t have to be a restless endeavor anymore.

You can easily overcome sleeplessness by incorporating these tips into your daily life. If they don’t work for you, you can consider visiting a healthcare professional for tailored guidance.

Try these strategies today and finally get some well-deserved shut-eye!

City Excitement: How to Show Off the Dazzling Destinations You’ve Visited

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Photo by Clayton Cardinalli, courtesy of Unsplash

Having the opportunity to travel and experience different parts of the world is exhilarating, and being able to show and tell about it allows you to relive those experiences. Here are some ideas on how you can show off the dazzling destinations you’ve been lucky enough to visit.

Take Numerous Photos

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A photo tells a story, and although pictures don’t always capture the entire experience, they get pretty close. What better way to flaunt your road trip or international exploration than to share multiple photos? You can share them through:

  • Social media. These days, there are many platforms to post photos and expand on them with captions. With your friends and followers, your posts may inspire them to visit that place too! 
  • Hanging them on your walls at home. You can display them in your living room, on your fridge, or on a designated travel wall. The constant reminders of your journey may encourage you to travel even more and motivate your guests to do the same.
  • A decorated scrapbook or designated photo album. These are very fun to make and look at with friends and family who weren’t there. They’re also a history for future generations!
  • A collage. Put it all together on one glorious montage of photos, and take in the memories again all at once.  

With pictures, you can easily recount your travels often. Most importantly, it helps you remember it forever!

Record a Collection of Videos

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Videos capture memories as they are happening and help viewers to feel as if they were there having the experience with you. Not to mention, as you rewatch the videos, you have the chance to mentally revisit that destination.

With videos, you can:

  • Make a reel of your experiences to share on social media platforms. This will give your followers a taste of your unique travel journey.
  • Make your own personal movie. After it’s made, take the time to view it with your friends and family members.
  • Create a designated file or collection of videos on your phone or computer that you can view effortlessly. This allows you to show off your adventures whenever you’d like.

Videos are a real-life memory that records the moments you don’t want to forget. They are perfect for showboating the place, people, and the exploration.

Use a Map to Display the Places You’ve Been

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When you hang a map pinboard or memory board, you can showcase all the destinations you’ve explored to all your visitors. Having a vision board alongside of that helps you remember your travel goals for the future.

The benefits of having these on your wall include:

  • Having a constant view of positive memories to look back on.
  • Motivation to continually explore. Displaying where you’ve ventured may be an inspiration to travel more.
  • Proof that you have reached your travel aspirations in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
  • A straightforward reminder of the reason why you love to adventure. 
  • A chance to encourage your friends and family members to travel too.

You can’t go wrong with having a map or memory board hanging in your home.

 Write About Your Adventures

Recounting through words does more than you think! Writing not only tells about the experience, but it also describes your thoughts, feelings, and emotions about it too. How you feel about your travels is an important element that can’t always be fully expressed through pictures or video.

Photo by Kira auf der Heide, courtesy of Unsplash

You can share your written works through:

  • A blog. Having a travel blog allows readers to take a trip through the past with you and visit places they may not have had the chance to yet.
  • One of the various online, self-publishing platforms. If you don’t want to create a blog but want to self-publish work, this is a great start! You can also build a following to get more readers so that your adventure stories have a wider reach.
  • A published journal or book. There are many fellow travelers who like to read about places and experiences from a different perspective. So, if you’re serious about writing, this might be the route to take.

Writing is an effective and powerful way to show off all the glamorous places you’ve had the opportunity to tour!

Show Off Your Travels

Photo by Joanna Kosinska, courtesy of Unsplash 

There are multiple ways to parade your travels for the world to see. This can be through photos, videos, written accounts, or having a map/memory board and even expand into your own personal collections of memorabilia, souvenirs or more. It’s something you can do alone or turn into a fun DIY project with your kids or even friends. Enrich the world by making your experiences known.