Bri Clark

The Early Bird Catches the Joy

Clutter, shopping, binge watching television shows, and social media along with countless other habits have become the go to distraction of most people in modern society. What happens when you take those away? The consequence is, boredom and feelings. That’s right when you take away the dopamine high provided by a great deal, or the stylish fit, or that season finale every episode is a build up to, you are left open and bare.

A realization I had and left me feeling melancholy. Until I made a change.

What was the cure for my mental angst?

Getting up before the dawn. That’s the life I lead now I get up when my body is ready no matter what time. So far, it’s been a great experience but some days it’s like well shit now what do I do. Here’s the answer.

When people find out that I get up at 3am they think I’m some kind of extremist and then they find out I’m an aspiring minimalist. They’re like oh she’s one of those self-improvement assholes. But I’m not really. I didn’t wake up one day and have all these habits. It started with one need. Sleep.

I learned about circadian rhythms watching one of my favorite shows Big Bang Theory. Then I found out that the bed we sleep on, a Sleep Number, has this app that helps give you biofeedback. Within that app after sleeping on the bed for months, I found what my optimal wake up and bedtime were. Then I saw a TikTok that said getting up at the same time each day and going to bed as well were optimal for your health and wellbeing. At this point I felt like the universe was all but screaming at me.

So I made the decision to wake up and go to bed at the same time each day and listen to my body. At first the story I was telling myself is this is stupid, people will think your stupid, what will you do with the time. In all these internal stories I was the narrator and author of in my own head. Once I started doing it I’ll admit it took me weeks before it became a habit. And honestly, I would drink three cups of coffee and scroll, then I started watering my plants, reading, replying to email. Eventually my husband started getting up with me and we learned the value of easing into your day.

Easing into a day is our favorite thing when we camp and vacation. The luxury of not having to rush and have things done by a certain time make our days so much more enjoyable. Since we developed the habit of early to rise early to bed other habits have followed. We work out 4-5xs a week. We have breakfast and dinner together. I usually pack his lunch and my own for the day. We have opportunities to be around each other and exist and just have conversations that come up organically. There are tons of great benefits to this choice. We wake up and look forward to each day. The sense of dread over the day starting has been eliminated. We can spend hours before we have to be anywhere being around each other and tandem scrolling, drinking coffee, sitting on the porch or reading. I water my plants, meditate, say affirmations, make our bed, and am usually ready to leave by 8AM. Sooner if the days’ plans require. We both no longer have any need for sleep aide. We’ve both been fighting insomnia for almost ten years. On average we get about 7-8 hours of sleep a night. I’m beyond happy with the way I live my daily life at this point. Which unfortunately is something that most people can’t say. And to think it all started with getting up before the dawn would bring me the greatest sense of joy?

What say you? Are you going to find your circadian rhythm?

What is Emotional Baseline?

As I sit in our motorhome and watch my husband, Chris, of twenty-four years wash the breakfast dishes I find myself content. It is a foreign concept to allow myself this pleasure. Being the daughter of trauma that I am I’ve literally had to work on myself to allow this opportunity. Don’t get me wrong I’m not talking about the money I’ve earned to be in a motorhome or the freedom being self-employed allows us to take off and camp. It’s not that kind of work.

It’s the internal reprogramming of a life of bullshit indoctrinated into me by ancestors, media, organized religion, and society. For most of my life I’ve believed that to have joy or pleasure was not afforded to me because I was _____. (poor, a bastard, white trash, unproductive, uneducated, had a GED, no degree,) The word combinations were endless. If I’d catch myself happy then I’d say, “Woah you haven’t earned that joy.”

What the fuck kind of internal dialogue did I have to say things like that to myself as early as ten?

Now in my early 40’s I’m just breaking through all the deprogramming and learning the truth. You can have joy without contentment, but you can’t have contentment without joy.

Contentment is like the baseline operating mode that you should be most of the time. It’s an emotional rhythm people find and can maintain due to all the little daily choices they make based on their internal value systems.

Joy is when something exceptional happens to spike the baseline of your emotional standard. It’s kind of like the high note of a song. You can’t sing a whole song in a G. You must take a breath eventually and go back down to a tone you can maintain. That’s emotional baseline.

Most people, like me, seem to be in a constant emotional baseline of fright or flight. There is no time for peace or rest because_____. Insert whatever reason. That’s not to say there aren’t good reasons. But if people living in poverty who work every day just to meet their basic needs make time for rest, joy, and celebration. Why shouldn’t you?

Momguilt is like a disease without a vaccine so I’ve decided to make my own

Guilt is the cockroach of a woman’s emotions. Never fully dying or eradicated. I am a woman, so I speak from that point of view. It doesn’t matter what season I’m in, how successful I am, or how much I struggle. I feel guilt like the sticky film left on my skin after working in the humidity of a southern summer afternoon.

There’s a song lyric I hear all the time and it says, “I got a therapist, I’m so mature.” Well I do that. I go to therapy. But not because I’m mature but because I’m desperate and exhausted. Guess what guilt doesn’t go away in therapy either. It’s there. Like the vermin it is.

I’m killing it at work. I feel empowered and successful. Guilt. I’m reminded of all the things I’ve let slide in my personal relationships.

I’m killing it at home. Date nights weekly. I’m texting with my kids. Their needs are met. I’ve meal planned. Guilt. I haven’t done the estimate from Timmy or Sue.

Let’s say I do balance it one week with work and family and I have a moment of peace in the overactive mind I love and hate then guess what. Guilt. I haven’t written a book or a blog in years. I used to have dreams of being a successful author. Hell, I used to be an author. What am I now?

I could go on and on. And if you’ve ever been here thank you for sticking around so I don’t feel alone in my delusional melancholy.

How do I fix it?

I don’t think it’s a fixable issue. I think it’s more of a managed one. Kind of like a mental autoimmune disorder. Here’s where I’m at. When guilt kicks up, I have a personal mantra I tell myself over and over until the vice like grip on my chest eases.

Then I say it four more times as an added measure to try and calm my subconscious mind. If you want to borrow it here it is…

“I am enough. Have done enough. And every breath I take and step I make is enough.”

Then I have a notes app on my phone where I have 10 things, I am grateful for listed and I read them to myself or out loud. You can borrow it too or make your own.

1. I woke up.

2. I have a nice bed to sleep in.

3. I have one more day on this earth.

4. I have running water.

5. I have electricity.

6. I have a mother that loves me.

7. I have a roof over my head.

8. I have safety while I sleep.

9. I have clothes.

10. I have made it through everything successfully and I will this too.

I believe there is value in all that I do and while I may seem that I have it all together I do not. But one thing I do have is a perseverance that is stronger than any challenge I have ever faced. And that is something that I cling to. What are your coping strategies for when the guilt hits you?

Insomnia Hacks

For the past 25 years I have been on the journey to have a consistent and wonderful sleep. After having my first child at 18 and living through the newborn phase I was desperate for our daughter to sleep through the night. When she finally did, I developed insomnia. For the past 25 years it was popped up here and there and when it does, I can’t even form a complete thought, and all the areas of my life suffer. So now as a 43-year-old perimenopausal woman I want to share all the tips and tricks that I have implemented to pursue the perfect consistent nights sleep

Phase I

These are easy and cost-effective tips that you spend very little on or nothing at all.

Go to bed at the same time every day and wake up at the same time in the morning.
Have a sound machine or download a sound machine app and play sounds that make you feel calm. For me it’s thunderstorms, the ocean and a crackling fireplace.
Depending on whatever part of the country you are in a, but a humidifier can be helpful.
Keep your room cool with a ceiling fan, AC, or a fan blowing on your face while you sleep.
Having bedded and blankets that make the most sense. Did you know in Europe people have their own sets of blankets in the same bed. Would that work for you and your partner?
My bedroom used to be where the laundry piled up and the most random things lived. Instead, now my bedroom is my sanctuary, and I always wake up and go to bed with it neat, tidy, and clean.
Make your bed up every morning or before you come to bed to sleep. My motto is Present day Bri is all about making Future Bri’s live easier.
Essential oil diffusers with the use of lavender essential oils or whatever calms you can be helpful for some people.
No screens before bed.

Phase II

These are the tips that cost more than normal that I was able to implement as I was older, and my resources changed.

Sleep number bed. I snore and the snore setting raises me up enough to eliminate that and keeps me from needed to use a CPAP machine which I hate.
Having a full workup of your blood. I was low on Vitamin D and Magnesium. Now I take the supplement every night along with prescription level Vitamin D.
If you can’t do a Sleep Number bed invest in the mattress that is the most comfortable for you.
Luxurious sheets, pillows, and comforters. Whatever makes you the most comfortable.
Black out curtains and blinds. Keeping all light out helps you wind down and understand it’s time for bed.
A grounding mat or sheet that plugs into the bottom of the plug. This is supposed to help you connect with the earths vibration and contribute to more rest. (I don’t do this anymore because I don’t have a thyroid, and it can affect my medicines absorption.
Pajamas, I have the best pjs you can imagine. They are prefect for every season and spent a ton of money on them one Christmas 5 years ago. For me it was worth it, and they have lasted so long it’s worth the investment.

Phase III

This part may not be for you because it’s what some people would call Woo Woo or Superstitious but after doing all these things consistently I have an amazing sleep most evenings.

What is your circadian rhythm? Google how to figure it out and then if you have the ability plan your life around it.
I keep nothing under my bed. I store nothing under the bed. In Fung Shui it is their belief that a clutter free room and bed beneath allows the flow of qi (life force energy) and contributes to a restful nights sleep.
I keep crystals by my head on my night stand. Amethyst, Citrine, and Obsidian I charge them every full moon and then replace them.
All doors are shut that come into my bedroom from the bedroom door to the closet.
I have not mirrors facing my bed when I sleep. They are all set up in a way that does not face the bed.
I keep plants in my room that contribute to a peaceful environment. And make sure to tend to them. If any are die then I dispose of them accordingly.
I do stretches and breathing techniques before I go to bed to release the days tension. And if it was an especially rough day then I sage myself and take a shower.

We spend 1/3 of our life sleeping and recuperating. While I am no doctor or sleep expert these are just suggestions that I have tried that worked for me at some point in my life. And there have also been times I had to seek a doctors assistance. There is nothing wrong with that. As your own personal steward you have a direct connection to the Divine to know what’s best for you. If you have any suggestions that I haven’t tried please leave em below.

Learning to listen to my own needs: Releasing Mom/Wife Guilt

Last night I went to bed when I first started to feel sleepy. One of the privileges of being a person with grown children is the opportunity I must make time for my own health and wellness. One of those is learning to listen to my own bodies needs and wants. As a parent and wife, I’ve spent most of my life suppressing what I needed and wanted. I was taught by mentors, media, religion and society that to serve was not only necessary but was natural for a wife and mother. We are the nurturers.

I’m here to say it’s rubbish.

Living these kinds of principles have hurt my wellbeing and my relationships in ways I’m just now unraveling. Which brings me to going to bed early. Right when I felt tired. Was rewiring my brain to go against this programing.

Here’s the scene. I’ve been going since 3AM. I have more than accomplished so many of my tasks. I’ve had dinner with my husband. We’ve watched 2 30 min episodes of a favorite show. I make it a point to minimize screen time, so I don’t snack as is a bad habit I have when watching TV.

I put the dogs to bed and refilled my water. Then I begin to head upstairs. The hubs go, “Are you going to bed?” I say yeah. He makes a sarcastic sound. And I immediately feel my body flush with guilt followed quickly by a bone deep tiredness from the mental load I have carried through the day.

I take a deep breath and ask. “Did you need something?” He says no and good night. I go upstairs and start a nightly reset. PJs, brush my teeth, shut the blinds and curtains, turn on the lamp on his side of the bed, stretch, take meds, scroll for a little while, then read until I’m tired. Then I go to sleep.

While I did get woke up once I had a pretty restful night. I got up at 3AM today with enthusiasm and excitement for the day.

I think a lot of that has to do with learning to listen to my body and mind but also doing what I feel is needed. Maybe if I’d learned to do this sooner, I could have taught my kids and who knows I could have been more in tune with what their needs were as a mom and delivered that service even better. But with age comes grace with me and others.

What’s your nightly shut down routine?

Becoming a Writer… Again

Once upon a time I was a writer. I was a published author, and I was an award-winning blogger. Once upon a time I had a psychic reading, and she told me my guides kept showing her a stack of books with dust on them and blank pages. So, this is my effort to be a writer again. I’m picking up the challenge of writing every day for 30 days. Writers write. So, I’ll start with that.

I’m on the hunt for the perfect morning opening shift tasks as well as closing shift tasks. I used to be a server and each section you were assigned at different times of day had different restaurant responsibilities. The goals being helping the future staff that would be there at a different time.

That’s my motivation to always be helping the collective (my family) and to relieve the burdens of future Bri by being willing to do what’s needed in the present.

Currently my morning looks like this…

3AM-4:30AM

Wake up, get dressed, meds, take care of dogs, scroll, drink coffee

4:30AM-6:00AM

Gym, Raise Frequency, Read, Stretch

6AM-7:30AM

Shower, make bed, Open curtains, dressed, mediate, affirmations, breakfast, take care of dogs, water plants, Write, Unload dishwasher

As of now my closing shift consists of …

6PM-7PM

Take care of dogs, load dishwasher, pjs on, meds taken, get in bed, scroll until I fall asleep

I feel satisfied with my opening habits. Its these closing tasks that I think could be better.

What do you do to start and end each day to support you own health, happiness, and household?

Pretty Sure My Kids Hate Me

Most days I wake up thinking most of my children don’t love me. What’s worse is it’s my fault. I was the one who taught them how to operate and function in relationships. This purgatory is one of my own makings. What’s worse is 2 of the 4 kids I didn’t get the chance to bare. They are my adopted stepsons whom I raised from 6 and 3. As I raised them I always imagined that they would appreciate me one day. One day we’d be friends and be close when they had mates. One day when they had kids. One day when they moved out.

They are all adults and one day hasn’t happened. But again, it’s my own mess I made. The only child I have that sees me is my youngest. She is in her 20s and has been a witness to her parents aging and health problems. I had a couple near death experiences she was witness to. Perhaps this has made her realize the humanity that I carry.

I’ve read many books and blogs on the subject. A common denominator is the boy mom burden. It would seem the wife’s family takes priority in many things. From holidays even Mother’s days to weekend visits. It’s something I’ve seen in my own life.

But that isn’t the wife’s fault. She is cultivating her own relationships and already mentally carries a lot. She shouldn’t be blamed from the lack is connection between her husband and his family.

So here I am at the impasse that is my burden. Destined to continue in the purgatory of my own making. Loving a daughter and two sons who only see me as an entitled resource. Until the day I pass and then maybe they will realize how important I really was. But then there is no joy even then. Because I’ll be gone but still watching and there is no joy in seeing your kids suffer. Which is why I find myself in this purgatory.

Do you have any suggestions? Because so far talking to them hasn’t helped? If you are a mom with a good relationship with your kids any advice is appreciated. Thanks

Minimalist by Intention: Not by Design

In 2024 I became a minimalist. When I say that I get a lot of reactions. Some people get embarrassed, some are intrigued, others are defensive, especially when I’m standing in their homes that they want me to renovate. (If you didn’t’ know I’m a residential home builder and renovator at Bri the Builder.) When I first mentioned it to my children, they rolled their eyes and locked their bedroom doors.

One year later I’ve accomplished so much.

The reality of my version of minimalism is about living life with intention. Down to the possessions I own. They have to serve a purpose, make me happy, or be useful. Since I became a minimalist, I have paid off $100,000 in debt. I started another business and doubled the gross income of the business I have now. I started a book and a blog. I lost 50lbs and reduced, sold, or donated over 75% of my possessions.

That is what I mean when I say I’m a minimalist. I do things with great intention and value. But people still sometimes don’t get it. So I thought I would use a visual example and a story. Because who isn’t visual and who doesn’t love a good story.

This was my living room after the Christmas decor was put away at the end of 2024. I was so excited to clean, organize and put away my decor that I did it on Christmas day. Only I still wasn’t happy with my living room. Which is where I spend majority of our time at home. It’s because of the couch that goes down the center of the room. We bought it two years before and the dogs and intermittent visitors sit on it. It was meant to create seating for our two college age daughters to sit with us. Only they are busy and when they are home they are in their rooms. So the couch wasn’t useful it was in the way.

Here is where minimalism by intentional living comes into play. I sold the couch. And moved it out of the way. Now the dogs are sitting on their little beds and in their kennels. I have a wide open space. There is plenty of room for activities. (But if the need for more seating comes up, I have a recliner in our parlor we can move that’s only a third of what was there before. That’s the thing about living minimal. It’s a verb not an adjective.

The flip side is Minimalism by design would be getting rid of that dog kennel on the floor by my bigger furniture kennel. I tried to remove it. My dog, Benjie, ran through the bars. He went and sat in the spot where his kennel used to sit. I want something cleaner and more pleasing. I’m not trying to make my dogs miserable because I have a design aesthetic in mind. That’s where I’m not a minimalist by design but by purpose.

What do you prefer with the couch or without?

Thanks of reading. Your views are something I’m grateful to view.

5th Week: How to gain extra pay in 2025 without working any more

If you are followed along then you know that today is step IV. You need to do step I, step II, and Step III to get the hack and not be overwhelmed. If you are doing those then you have all your bills set up on a calendar around their due dates.

First, take another calendar for a 30 day interval. Then, set your bills to be paid on Fridays only.

If your electric bill is due on a Wednesday, pay it the Friday before. Alternatively, you can pay it the Friday after. Additionally, this should also be set up on a 4 Friday a month rotation. Some bills will be early and some bills will be a little late. But do not pay bills late that would incur late fees like a credit card.

It will take a minute to get this figured out and you have to adjust. But, once you do it for the first 30 days the next 30 becomes easier. And here’s the way this budget set up gets you extra paychecks.

In the year of 2025 there are 4 months where we get a 5^th Friday. (January, May, August, October)

If your bills are paid based on 4 Fridays, this 5^th Friday is essentially an extra week of pay. You don’t need to assign it for bills.

You can use that money to build a savings, pay off debt, go on a trip, do home renovations. The choices are endless. And the best part is that you don’t have to work any extra hours to get it.

This was how I set up my bills when I was drawing a weekly pay check. It will be uncomfortable at first. You will say things like why am I paying a bill early. That’s your ego talking and it’s been in charge now for a while and what has it got you? Try this and see if it works. If it doesn’t you can always go back to the discomfort you know so well.

I hope you find this resource helpful. Please let me know how it worked for you in the comments. Let me know if it didn’t work for you as well.

In Kindness

PS: Credit to Linna Mitchell who taught this to me many years ago as a young mother. I hope this finds someone else who will benefit from it as I did.

Achieve Financial Discipline: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome Back to this budget series. If you haven’t done step I or step II you can click on the links and check em out. (The hyperlinks are in the highlighted words above.) We are going to take steps I and II and apply them in step III and in step IV I’m going to show you how being disciplined will give you 3-4 extra pay checks a year without working more than you are now.

Take the information about your bills. Include details like their name, minimum payment, or average payment. Remember that things like utilities will fluctuate. Add their due date and apply them to a month. You can do this on a digital calendar like your phone or Google Calendar. You can also print one out or apply it to a planner.

Go down through your list.

On each due date, write the name of the bill. Include the minimum payment or the average payment.

Do this for every bill you pay every month.

Then stop. You’ve completed steps I, II,III! Way to go!

Stay tuned. In step IV, I’m going to show you how to give yourself an extra 3-4 paydays a year. You won’t need to work any extra.

Look forward to seeing y’all next time.