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Lifestyle

7 Ways to Make the Most of Your Downtime

Posted on June 24, 2020April 27, 20225min read

And every day, the world will drag you by the hand, yelling, “This is important! And this is important! And this is important! You need to worry about this! And this! And this! And each day, it’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart, and say, “No. This is what’s important. —Iain Thomas

For a last quarter of the year, evert area of our lives and routines have been disrupted in some way.

Despite the negative impacts, what’s been so amazing during this time period is seeing the silver-lining effects.

Hey, it’s in my blood to find the positives in any situation.

What positives you ask?

The pandemic woke us up to prioritize our health. Shelter-in-place orders made us appreciate our everyday lives more. The decline of our economy really taught us to be wise with our money.

And as time is passing by, we are using our voices to fight for freedom and lift up others, including ourselves. Need I go on?

Within our own homes, magic is happening with the downtime that has been bestowed upon us.

7 Ways to Make the Most of Your Downtime | She Sweats Diamonds - black bell sleeve dress - Club Monaco dress - LBD

That said, I’d like to reflect on how I’ve been using my downtime these last few months.

In this article, I also share seven ways on how you can rest and re-energize, stay productive, and leverage any extra time.

The goal is to use this downtime as a launching pad for your successful future.

TAKE ONLINE CLASSES.

Aside from taking several online classes, I also tuned in to an online conference called Influencer Genesis to learn from various entrepreneurs in different industries, including my girl, Rachel Kennedy! I’m also about to start another course to see where I’ll take my brand next and I’m so excited about it!

What you can do: Take free online classes at Coursera, edX, or invest in digital conferences like Create & Cultivate‘s Beauty Summit and learn something new that interests you.


BE PRODUCTIVE IN YOUR OWN WAY.

During this time, I’ve purposefully stayed off social media. I’ve been using this time to find a clear vision for She Sweats Diamonds and think about my brand collectively. Currently, I’m working on creating and brainstorming more content ideas. I’m also working on finding structure and how I want to handle everything.

What you can do: Take this time to reflect and take action not just on what you want in the future, but what you don’t want.


LEVERAGE YOUR EXTRA DOWNTIME.

I’ve been working hard to organize and purge physical things in my home. And I’ve made it my intention to do it so when life returns to a new normal, I won’t have the excuse to clean and organize to feel like I’m being productive. Instead, I’ll be able to focus on actually being productive instead of being busy.

What you can do: When it comes to doing scary things like launching/growing a business, we tend to distract ourselves. Distraction comes in the form of “organizing our offices and cleaning our desks first” so we don’t have to face doing revenue-generating activities. Take time to thoroughly purge, clean, and organize your home before things return to a new normal so you can focus on making that dough!


REST MORE.

For the last two weeks, I’ve been more tired than usual so I’ve been sleeping in and napping a lot. After talking to one of my close friends, Joe, he told me that our bodies are catching up on lack of sleep over the years. Great, that’s a lot of sleep time for me at least.

What you can do: If you’re tired, give in. Your body is always talking to you to let you know what it needs to perform at its best. Make sure to give it what it needs: water, sleep, exercise, healthy food, etc.


RE-ENERGIZE IN NEW-TO-YOU WAYS.

I’ve been re-energizing myself by cooking and baking more. So far, I’ve made pasta dishes, fish, and desserts. It feels good to finally have time to be able to be creative, especially when you already know how to cook, but didn’t have time for it before. I’ll be learning how to knit a scarf next!

To re-energize myself physically, I’ve been taking walks, not as much as I should since it’s SO hot outside, but I’ve taken a few in addition to moving my body. At the moment, I personally like to do Lauren Gores’ workouts. They’re short and sweet!

I haven’t read much during this time, but I’m re-reading my friend, Remi’s book called Transformed. I also purchased Katherine Schwarzenegger’s new book, The Gift of Forgiveness and plan on buying Steal Like An Artist that fellow blogger, Tracy of Find Your Dazzle, recommended (she also actually inspired this article!).

Another thing I’ve been doing is watching movies, shows, and documentaries I never made time for in the past. The list of things to watch is long, but I’m here for it!

What you can do: Choose one thing that re-energizes you and do it. Allow yourself time to indulge on what your heart desires. Try something that’s fun to you!


FEEL ALL THE FEELS.

I’m very much a homebody and yet, I’ve discovered that my personal breaking point was around the 60-day mark. I broke down and just cried from the pressure of everything I was (and still am) dealing with. I just gave myself grace and allowed myself to let it all out. Afterwards, I talked to my mom and friends about it and felt a lot better.

What you can do: Sometimes, it’s difficult to stay positive. In this past article I wrote, I give you a few tips on how to  love yourself better. Read it and do at least one thing.


DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Yep. It’s exactly like it sounds. As a Christian, I’ve been learning how to take a weekly Sabbath day for a few years. Hey, if God rested after He created everything, why would we think we don’t need to rest?

What you can do: Schedule one day off on your calendar to do nothing. I promise doing nothing for 24 hours will help you have a more productive week!

No matter what you choose to do with your downtime, the overall goal is to give yourself a much-needed break. Whatever you do, make sure it forces you to reflect, brings you clarity, provides you comfort, helps you relax, or just intentionally have fun.

If you found this article to be helpful, please share it, pin it, or email it to someone who may need this information!

How do you make the most of your downtime? Let me know in the comments below!

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7 Ways to Make the Most of Your Downtime

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4 Comments
  • Danielle
    July 25, 2020

    This is something that I really need to try to do more of myself. I am one of those people that can never switch off!

    Danielle
    https://www.thereluctantblogger.co.uk/

    • Huong
      July 28, 2020

      Me either! I have such a hard time “turning off” too! I’m so glad this helped!

  • Deasy
    June 24, 2020

    I love the idea of leveraging my downtime. These days, I have been trying to tap more into my forgotten artistic side and doing some sketches. I’ve also been trying to work more on my travel blog (which is hilarious since no one is traveling) and getting some much-needed exercise in. I’ve enjoyed having this much free time, to be honest.

    http://bloomingsuitcase.com

    • Huong
      June 25, 2020

      That’s so great you’re tapping into your artistic side more, Deasy! I haven’t sketched in YEARS myself. Hey, people are going to NEED your travel blog (including me) more than ever after everything is over and we all can plane hop again. You’re laying the ground work and it will pay off, just you watch! I agree, I’ve been enjoying a ton of free time too! It’s like a nice vacation, ha! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me! x

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Mar 25

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“Is it network marketing? Because if so, I don’t want to join.”

After nearly a decade, I still hear this all time and totally get it. SO many people have been burned directly and indirectly. Myself included.

The inauthenticity, the out-of-nowhere “I think you’d be great at this!” messages, and the incessant the “Join my team!” posts.

I NEVER wanted to be that person because I truly wanted to help people.

But I stayed because I loved having high-performance friends, friends who challenged and supported me…a high-caliber community.

After awhile, I needed a break so I walked away because I didn’t want to get so burned that I’d end up hating the industry because I knew network marketing worked.

Not going to lie, for years, I missed this kind of community so much.

After awhile, I prayed for new friends like the ones I had and a new community.

It went something like this: 

"Lord, please bring me a community of friends who will love, support, and challenge me and I can do the same for them in return. Most importantly, please bring me friends who love You.”

"Can we also do life and have fun together?"

Then two years ago, an opportunity dropped into my lap at a very unexpected time, but I said yes once again.

In between this time, some random person messaged me. She spoke down to me saying I wouldn’t make it and told me she gave me four years tops. 

WOWWW…

Well, random person, I’m at the halfway mark because Jesus answered my prayers AND exceeded my expectations:

✨I have rekindled old friendships.
✨I have brand new friends. Love y’all!
✨I don’t have to recruit, get personal mentorship on a weekly basis and not once have been made to feel dumb for asking questions.
✨I have reached more people doing business online.
✨I have made more money now than I did at my previous companies combined and do it all through social media and my blog.

Oh, and random stranger, so far, if you swipe left, my life is a lot more colorful. 

AND I’m winning. And I hope you’ll be watching for the next two years because I’ll still be helping more people than you ever will. 🫶🏼

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Mar 21

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First day of spring!

Whenever I see new blooms or take photos of flowers like this one, I always think of Isaiah 43:18-19: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

God is SO good!

#SpringIsHere🌸
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File this under: the beginning of ✨becoming HER✨

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Mar 1

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Have you ever noticed the best things in life come in VERY unexpected ways?

For example, nearly two decades ago, I came to know Jesus Christ through cotton ball paper sheep.

And two years ago today, I hesitantly said yes to another business opportunity…in the form of a spoon.

My friend and mentor, Rachel Kennedy once said something that I’ll never forget. She said that you can pray and ask God for help, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be in the form you expect it to be. It could be a podcast, book, etc.

As I celebrate my two year anniversary, I challenge you to being open to various ways help can show up for you! I know I will!

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Happy Valentine’s Day, loves!

Wishing you all a day full of joy, love, and blessings with your friends and family!♥️🌹💋

Shop my look here — https://liketk.it/41C9f

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Feb 3

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What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given, read, or heard?

One I’ve heard very recently on a business call was: “If you want to see what you believe, watch what you do because that’s what you really believe.” — Dr. Steve Hryszczuk

Let me know in the comments advice you remember the most/have implemented in your life!

Shop my journals here — https://liketk.it/40WON

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Feb 2

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Camera roll lately…

😊Dentist appt wait was longer than the appt!
🧋#Boba for Lunar New Year
♥️Unintentionally matching my boba drink
🛍️Went to a MALL; seriously, who am I? 
🐉 One last dragon dance of #LNY festivities
💌Switched colors with a Target, haha!
💋Shot some beauty content
🥣Had some bò kho (Vietnamese beef stew) days before the last photo
❄️#SnowDay — proof I’ve been inside all week

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What better way to begin February than with red? ♥️
#DiorBeauty

Shop these perfect reds here — https://liketk.it/40s06

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Jan 20

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Today is my mom’s birthday!🫶🏼

To say I’m blessed that God gave me her is a huge understatement.

Nothing makes me happier than to see her happy and healthy. If you have a moment, please say a prayer for her. 

Happy happy happy birthday, mom! I pray God blesses you with continued great health, happiness, peace, lots of love and laughter and a very, VERY long life because the world needs beautiful people like you.♥️

I love you so much!!!
#HappyBirthdayMom
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#BirthdayWishesForMom

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Jan 18

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When one of my mentors told me this very quote months ago, it hit me hard.

I had realized I had been surviving more than thriving. And that’s okay because sometimes, you’re working so hard to survive (and help your loved ones survive) that you forget you deserve to thrive.

And now, it’s my turn to remind you, that you are not meant to be enslaved. 

You are meant to be FREE!🔥

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Jan 18

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For ladies who have long (and/or thick) hair, what’s your fastest time when doing your hair?!

Leave your tips, secrets, and favorite hair tools in the comments please! 💇🏻‍♀️ 
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Jan 14

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What’s your most treasured jewelry piece? 

One of mine has to be this pair of earrings. When I wear them, I think of my one and only summer in Vietnam meeting my mom’s side of the family. 

So many good memories…from meeting my grandma for the first time, my aunt driving me around on her motorcycle, shopping with family at the markets to playing outside with my cousins in the rain.

You can’t get these kinds of blessed memories with just any piece of jewelry!

Let me know one of your most treasured jewelry pieces in the comments!✨

Shop this beautiful marble dish here — https://liketk.it/3ZdIC

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