Monthly Archives: March 2012

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27Mar 2012

Re-Charge Your Relationship Battery!

This past weekend, my husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary! (Yayy! Thank you- I hear the cheers!):) We had a great time, spending it with just the two of us. We had uninterrupted conversations (a commodity), great food (2 date nights!), sleep, and yes, of course some Sweet 16 basketball and shopping (every relationship needs compromise!!)

When we have these weekends together, we are reminded of what made us fall in love and how much fun we used to have dating. It was before kids, bills, serious careers, and curve balls that life threw at us. It’s so easy, even in a good relationship, to let life get in the way and make those memories fade.

That’s why it’s so important to make these times happen and recharge the relationship battery! It doesn’t just “happen” either. It takes some planning on both partners parts and usually some major problem solving. I literally felt like I had to move mountains to make this weekend happen. There was so much to figure out- childcare, finances, schedules etc. It wasn’t easy. But if you can get creative, be flexible, and think outside of the box- it can happen!

I preach this all the time to my clients. I must confess, since my last child was born 21 months ago, I have let this slide. But after this weekend, I am reminded of its importance and am committed to not letting it go this long again.

I’m sure if you reading this and are not in a marriage, I have lost you by now. But if not, I want you to think about your relationships- friendships, family, your kids. What could you do to recharge those batteries as well? Have a cellphone free day with the kids and take them to the park! Spend the day shopping with your Mom. Or hey, what about your relationship with yourself? You could use a day in the park, on a blanket, reading a book. Or a day at the spa would feed your soul!

We are all in relationships and they all can use a re-charge! I’m so grateful I recharged mine this weekend. What can you do to recharge yours today?

Written by Natalie Chandler

Natalie Chandler, MA, LMHC is a therapist at Imagine Hope Counseling Group. Natalie enjoys doing marriage counseling, individual counseling, and couples counseling.  We also specialize in family counseling, child, and adolescent counseling. Imagine Hope serves the Indianapolis area including the surrounding areas of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, and Zionsville

21Mar 2012

Your Phone Says A Lot about You!

This week is going to be kind of a fun blog- one you can participate in. I want you to pick up your phone. If a person didn’t know you already, what would they find out about you from your phone?

What did you find? If you’re into music, you probably have itunes, shazam etc. Or if you like to read, you might have some books or newsstand. Movies etc. News buff? CNN is the App for you. I know you have Facebook, right?

On my 1st page of my iphone I have Shopper because with 3 kids I’m constantly going to the grocery. I have NotifyMe because I can’t remember anything and need constant reminders (because my kids and lack of sleep have sucked out my brain cells lol). I have Speller- because of my poor memory, I can’t remember how to spell anything even though I used to be an avid spelling bee contestant (blame it on the kids again!). I have pictures, notes, the Bible, Teavana ( I LOVE tea!) etc. You get the point.

Did you see by looking at your phone that things are balanced? Some things are about you and some are about others? Are there fitness things on there along side some apps on how to improve relationships (example- Love Dare). Are there games to bring out the kid in you but also your banking to remind the adult in you to be responsible? Are your contacts full of people because you have so many friends? Or are you limited to just a couple of emergency contacts because you isolate and spend too much time alone?

There was a time in my life when my phone would have been out of balance and full of “consumption”. I mean shopping, beauty tips, shoes, etc. Not that there is anything wrong with these apps at all. But when this is what consumes us- it is what CONSUMES us! It’s what we think about – which puts us into ourselves and not looking outward toward others. I am in no way perfect at all (my friends and family can attest to this!). But I can say that you can now see balance when looking at my life, and my phone for that matter. There is a Mommy and a Wife, a Therapist and a health conscious Female who likes shoes. There is a forgetful music lover who enjoys carving time out for family and friends on her calendar (and even herself). She also likes to find her way to places thus the Maps app.

Look at your phone, look at your life. Is it balanced?

Thanks for reading. I hope you had fun!

Written by Natalie Chandler

Natalie Chandler, MA, LMHC is a therapist at Imagine Hope Counseling Group. Natalie enjoys doing marriage counseling, individual counseling, and couples counseling.  We also specialize in family counseling, child, and adolescent counseling. Imagine Hope serves the Indianapolis area including the surrounding areas of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, and Zionsville

07Mar 2012

Spring as a “Reset”

Indiana residents- can you feel spring in the air!?! Yes, I think spring has sprung here! I have to admit, when we are going thru the rough months of winter in Indiana, I often wonder why I chose to stay here, raise a family and start a business here. When the grass is brown, the trees are bare, and the air is chilled, I ask myself why.

But then as spring comes and the flowers peep their little heads up from the ground, the trees get small buds, and the air turns warmer, I remember why I like it here and how I love the change of seasons. I often think of how much people in Florida, California, and other parts of the world miss because they do not get to see this beautiful birth of life!

Today as I was thinking about this, I started thinking about spring and it’s symbolism of new life and new beginnings. You know, we all focus on New Year’s Resolutions in January and what we want to see happen in the coming year. Usually by February those dreams are long gone. Why not make spring the mark of another new beginning? A “reset” if you will.

Go back to your resolutions. Which ones have you given up on? Can you hit the reset button and try again? Or have you mastered one of your resolutions? It’s okay to pick another one and make spring your start time.

Wherever you are in the States or the globe, let’s make spring a time to reset! What can you reset today? Good luck!

Written by Natalie Chandler

Natalie Chandler, MA, LMHC is a therapist at Imagine Hope Counseling Group. Natalie enjoys doing marriage counseling, individual counseling, and couples counseling.  We also specialize in family counseling, child, and adolescent counseling. Imagine Hope serves the Indianapolis area including the surrounding areas of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, and Zionsville