Truth Time! I’m just going to start off by saying that instead of sitting here in the sun writing this blog post, I should be downstairs installing flooring. But you know what?! Sometimes you just have to give yourself some TIME! Since that’s what this week’s blog post is about and since I’m feeling particularly passionate about that right now, I’m going to give myself the gift of time and get this off my chest!
Where Does All the Time Go?
My Story: The Busy Teacher
I didn’t always let myself take that time. When I first started teaching, my life was modeled after those teacher movies. You know the ones I mean, where the teacher gives up everything in their life: health, family time, etc to focus all their energy and their daylight hours on their students. It was beyond exhausting, but I loved my life.
It wasn’t until years into teaching that I pulled my head out of the “sand” that was High School teaching and realized that my job had become my life. Where did the time go that I used to read or see family and friends? I was torn because I found so much meaning in what I did and couldn’t even imagine giving less than what I was giving. In fact, if you asked me then, I would have said that it wasn’t possible for me to be happy without giving everything that I had to my students.
When I met my husband, he encouraged me to give myself more time for the other things I loved by going part-time in my job. Eventually, that led to the birth of this blog!
Our Story: Busy People
My story is one of an overworked teacher but it very well could be the story of an overworked lawyer, manager, or mom. We are busy people and busy people deserve an extra-special gift: the gift of time.
I’m excited today to partner with Jord Watches to share a little more about how special this gift can be. Jord makes the most beautiful luxury wood watches. When they contacted me about this collaboration, I thought – is a beautiful, luxury wood watch something that teachers really need? Is this even something my audience would be interested in? (I eventually concluded yes: see note below on teachers.) But, the more I thought about it, the more I began to associate these watches with so much more!
NOTE: This watch was provided to me but all opinions are my own.
Give Yourself the Gift of Time:
Time is something so valuable and something that busy people are not always good at giving themselves. I am always cramming my life full of the things on my to-do list. Time is what I give myself after everything on the list is done. But what kind of life is that?
Time is always moving. Like the Swiss movement of these unique watches, it’s so smooth that you don’t even notice it’s gone until the school-year has ended, your little one has had their first birthday, or you look in the mirror to spot a gray hair (eek!). All the more reason for you to slow that clock down and give yourself the gift of time!
- Read a book! – Flop down on the couch or pull up a cozy seat in your favorite coffee shop and spend even just 30 minutes reading!
- Get some Exercise – It will make you feel better!
- Go get a mani/pedi – Hmm…that’s a good idea. I need to do that soon. One with massage chairs!
- Have dinner with friends – Make time for the people you love while getting out of the house and eating food you don’t have to prepare!
When you choose these things for yourself, you are showing yourself that you value your health and happiness! These are the kinds of investments that will make you a better teacher, mom, lawyer, etc.
Give Your Spouse the Gift of Time
Take time to do things together. I said on Instagram back in February that I wanted to get back to exploring. The best memories and the best photos I have from my married life are the times when we took time to go do something together. Sometimes it was just taking a walk on the beach. Other times it was exploring a new town.
So, this weekend, Jeremy and I went to our favorite spot in town – the local bookstore/coffee shop, and we had coffee and breakfast together. It was so simple, but it was different and fun! We got to enjoy something we both love and talk about “our hopes and dreams” (that’s how my husband jokingly puts it).
Whatever it is for you, invest in that time. Take a walk in the park. Go on a weekend getaway. These are times you will never get back! These are the things that will help you keep your life balanced!
Now, what does this all have to do with a wood watch?
When you give the gift of time, you are choosing something valuable! By taking time for yourself, you are showing yourself that you are valuable. When you choose a luxury watch, you are doing the same.
The Cora Polaris Walnut and Blue watch sent to me by Jord is unique and beautiful. It’s the perfect gift to give that special person in your life. It impresses me with its quality materials and craftsmanship. The natural walnut wood beautifully accents the rose gold metal and the tiny swarovski crystals in the watch face add an extra level of elegance. The design of the crystals on the midnight blue background even depict the Little Dipper.
I love that beyond it’s beauty, its also practical. The sapphire crystal glass over the watch face? Yeah, that won’t scratch (phew). And, as my husband quickly and excitedly pointed out to me, it has a swiss movement (smooth, no “ticks”) and is self-winding. There is no battery so you don’t have to worry about having to replace it! Your own movements, made while wearing the watch, make it wind itself! How rad is that!? Because of that, you’ll want to wear it regularly and the watch face sits a little higher on the wrist. You can even see the mechanisms through the openings on the front and back of the watch! “That’s a really nice watch!” my husband said. (He’s more the watch expert.)
You can see more about the wood watch I chose HERE and if you love it but blue is just not your color, know that it comes in two other color options! In fact, there are so many great options on the Jord website for you to look at: leather bands, wood bands, even apple watch bands. Each wood watch is a one-of-a-kind gift because each piece of natural wood is completely unique!
When you choose to give a Jord wood watch, you are choosing value and you are showing yourself or your loved one that they too, are worth an investment.
Win the Gift of Time
Yes, you say! That would make the perfect gift for my [insert husband, wife, friend, mother, you name it]! Well, guess what!? In addition to gifting me this beautiful watch to try out and share with you, Jord is offering my followers a chance to win $100 towards any Jord watch. It’s super easy to enter.
To enter the giveaway, simply click HERE, enter your email and fill out the form to tell us which wood watches are your favorite! That’s it!
- The winner will receive a $100 gift code toward the purchase of any watch (or watch band!) in the Jord collection right after the giveaway concludes!
- The contest runs until 4/21. After that, the winner will be informed via the email address they used to sign up.
- Cant wait?! You’re in luck! All other entrants will receive a 10% off gift code just for entering!
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE
I would love for you to enter! Please also share this post with others you know would love the chance to win! The more the merrier!
That Special Gift for that Special Someone: Wood Watches
To start picking out that unique wood watch for your loved one, try these:
Get one for yourself. Get one for your spouse! In fact, what a great time to enter this giveaway because Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming up. It’s the perfect time to invest in a quality wood watch. Give them a timepiece that is both thoughtful and beautiful.
For that Special Teacher
A beautiful wood watch would be a great gift for the teacher in your life. I don’t mean you should search out that special high school teacher and fork over the big bucks to say thank you. No…but what about a mother, father, grandmother or grandfather who are still putting in time in the classroom?
Building clocks aren’t always reliable or they are in a place that the teacher just can’t see while teaching. A watch is a practical gift and every time he or she glances down to see whether the five minutes they’ve given their students is up, they will see how much you value you’ve placed in them by choosing a gift that is both practical and valuable.
So you see…this wood watch is just the the symbol but it stands for so much more. Give yourself the gift of time well-spent, of time invested, of a quality timepiece. You deserve it!
And once you’ve come to realize how special and important that is, do it for someone else. Maybe it’s your spouse or your kids, but show them in whatever way is meaningful to you that they are valued.
Thanks so much for stopping by friends, and please share this giveaway with anyone you know may be interested!
~Virginia
Linking up with: Style Nudge | Glass of Glam | Pink Sole | Away from the Blue | I do deClaire | Color & Grace | Pumps & Pushups | Straight A Style | On the Daily Express | Seeking Sunshine | Mummabstylish | Curly Crafty Mom | Lizzie in Lace
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