| Focus on You - Total Makeover | |
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| How pros gave one mom a fresh start |
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By: Christine Larson, Photo: Alex Beauchesne
Jackie Newhall, working mother of two and the winner of our Balance Makeover contest, was treated to expert advice from a top organizer, nutritionist, life coach and psychologist—plus several stylists! Here, the inside story of her transformation.
For Jackie Newhall, life has been on fast-forward for the past five years. Her husband, Eric, was deployed to Iraq shortly after she became pregnant with their first child; he returned to their home in Bethlehem, PA, when the baby was 6 months old. In the four years since, the 25-year-old has had another child, earned a master's degree and found a job she loves. Her day begins at 5:30 a.m. and doesn't end until she finishes the last of her household chores at 10:30 p.m. A branch operations manager with Allied Mortgage Group, Jackie sometimes fields work calls at night and on weekends; she's head chauffeur and planner for 4-year-old Karen and 1-year-old Jack Thomas; and she loses sleep worrying about how to get it all done. "I'm pulled in so many directions that I can never sit still and enjoy myself," she says.
Working Mother to the rescue! For one month, Jackie consulted with balance experts, including an organizer, nutritionist, life coach and psychologist—then was whisked to New York City for a style update. Read on to discover with Jackie that balance is a lifelong pursuit, not an overnight transformation—and that small changes can make a big difference.
Creating Order from Chaos
Since Jackie complained of disarray in her home, we sent a professional organizer to spend the day with her family, observing them in action and offering advice. Ann Bingley Gallops, whose company, The Organized Life, is based in New York City, started with a simple suggestion: Get up 15 minutes earlier every day. "Fifteen minutes can make a huge difference if you really devote yourself to saying, 'How can I make this place look more civilized?'" she says. Jackie opted to get up 30 minutes earlier twice a week—before her Monday and Wednesday morning boot-camp class at the gym. She used the extra time to fold laundry and unload the dishwasher. "It seems like so little," Jackie says.
But coming home to clean, folded laundry means she can put it away right after work, so it doesn't pile up.
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| lbarnes12 |
2007-12-27 |
I loved reading this story. I need help as well because I am in a similar situation and do not know where to turn.
I am working full time, a full time master's student and
want to have my own business with two children and a
husband. I feel as if I ... |
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