Still trying to keep it together.

Volunteering

• 4 hours – Crisis Text Line

Charitable Giving

• 4 Purple Baby hats for Oklahoma babies

Personal Kindness

• I went to a networking event this week and for a lot of people they can cause anxiety. But I’m pretty good with social interactions so I made it a point to find someone who I could tell was feeling awkward and introduce myself, ask them questions, and generally lead a conversation. Hopefully I was able to made someone’s night a little easier.

Self Care

• Whenever I got a compliment this week or someone said something nice to me, I’d repeat it. Just throughout the day I’d play back in my mind, “John said he liked my top today.” I’d keep track and make myself hyper-aware of the nice things people were saying to me. When someone would ask me how my day was going I would reply, “Great, I got two compliments on my mug this morning.”

 

How’d you do this week?

What did you think of the eclipse? Natural events like that can affect us all in different ways. I tried to focus on the positives, getting to share time with co-workers, being thankful a coworker was willing to share their glasses with me, and then making a fun crochet eclipse pattern as a thank you. It was a nice excuse to connect.

I’ve also tried to think of it as a bit of a cosmic reset. Wiping something clean to get ready for a new start.

Volunteering

• 4 hours – Crisis Text Line

Charitable Giving

• $0

Personal Kindness

• I saw a cute crochet pattern and it was quick to make. I went home and spent an hour making it and gave it to my coworker. I love making things to give away. I get the joy of making and hopefully, the recipients get the joy of the gift

Self Care

• I had a busy week of networking and team building and spending time with friends so my self care this weekend is going to be being alone with my dog. I’m an introvert, which means I need to recharge my batteries by spending time alone. So this weekend that’s the plan.
• Podcasts. There are a few I love – Dear Sugar and The Minimalists have been at the top of my list lately. It’s so nice to put one on and tackle some cleaning or take the dog on a walk.

How’d you do this week?

A lot has been going on and time just feels like it’s flying by!

This week I reached level 4 as a Crisis Text Line counselor!! Levels are based on the number of conversations you’ve completed and there are 5 levels. I’m so proud of myself and feel amazing knowing I’ve been able to help so many people. I had some ice cream to celebrate.

Volunteering

• 4 hours – Crisis Text Line

Charitable Giving

• $0

Personal Kindness

• There are a few interns at my department at work and I try to go out of my way to talk to them and check in with them about how their work is going. It takes a village to teach and I want the company I work for to be open to the next generation.

Self Care

• I worked on some knitting this weekend. I love just sitting on the couch watching something on tv and knitting away. It’s so relaxing. I do about 50/50 knitting things for my friends and I and knitting for donation.

 

How’d you do this week?

This week I dove into research and was reminded of how much self-care is really needed. All the news and emotions and divisions can be toxic in too high doses. So it’s important to take time away from screens and doing things you love.

Volunteering

• 4 hours Crisis Text Line

Charitable Giving

• $0  – Good things are coming!

Personal Kindness

• This week I had an awkward meeting. The other two people were very clearly nervous and unsure about what to say or how to act. The easiest response is to feed off of their energy and that leaves everyone feeling uneasy. So I did my best to smile, be positive, and let them know with my vibe that it’s okay to be uneasy. I wanted them to know it’s okay not to know what to say, I won’t judge. I hope my vibe helped ease the situation. At the very least I didn’t take on thier unease.

Self Care

• Knitting! I’ve been craving quiet time just knitting away and I’ve been making that time. I have a project to finish and just bought some new yarn for more projects. I also got together with some knitting friends and even though it was just an hour it was so nice.
• Cleaning, one of my new year’s resolutions is to have a consistently cleaner house. Get rid of the clutter, not leave the folded laundry on the couch, try to keep up with the dog fur, that kind of thing. I’m not a dirty person but I find myself in a cleaning frenzy when other people are coming over. I want to clean for me not just for others.

How’d you do this week?

Here’s a great infographic about how much #GivingTuesday had an impact. Lots of kindness and giving yesterday. Let’s carry it through the year.

 

It’s been a difficult week for a lot of us. Americans are feeling a lot of hurt on both sides of the political spectrum. 

I was at the airport on election night and as I watched the night unfold I saw the pain and jumped onto Crisis Text Line to help. It was amazing. It was amazing to hear how much real pain was being felt, it was amazing how many counselors jumped in to help, and it was amazing how healing it was for me to help. Crisis Text Line has helped thousands of people in the past couple of days. Seeing this community’s endless capacity for empathy is as unreal as election night felt. 

What I’ll say is there is so much we can do. I have been changed by the Special Olympics, the Invictus Games, Crisis Text Line, 826LA and everywhere else I volunteer. Volunteer more, encourage someone to come along with you, be kind to everyone you meet, spread empathy around like a virus. 

Lots of good stuff happening, I’m just trying to keep up. Seriously it’s a struggle to try to fit all the good things in without wearing myself out. 
Volunteering 

• 4 hours Crisis Text Line. I had an awesome shift coming off the energy of the conference. 

Charitable Giving 

• $0

Personal Kindness 

• It’s important to me to always be a helper. Especially at work, I always seem to be that person you go to with random questions. This week I helped someone with their timesheet and another find a lunch menu. Nothing drastic but still a chance to be kind. 

Self Care

• It’s been hard this week because it feels like I don’t have time for it. But I did go to bed super early on Tuesday night and slept late too. 
• Acupuncture. It’s so helpful to refocus on myself and my body. 

How’d you do this week?

I was going to write a nice post about charitable giving, well that was the plan. I’m traveling for the Crisis Text Line Palooza and my gut tells me that stressing about a blog post while traveling just isn’t the way to go. 
Instead I’m going to focus on having the best time meeting the staff and fellow volunteers in person, learning how to help better, and enjoy all the fun they’ve worked so hard on planning. I’m on vacation and I’m going to let myself be on vacation. 
I’ll put some highlights up as I go. Trust you gut guys! 

Wonderful things are continuing to happen and honestly it’s a little overwhelming. I’ve started a new job and it’s taking me a little bit to get used to a great working environment after years of toxic.

Traditional Volunteerism

• 4 hours Crisis Text Line

Charitable Giving

• $0 – Although I’ve recieved about a half dozen asks for money this week. I seem to have gotten myself on some sort of donation mailing list.

Personal Kindnesses

• I have a new job but at the same company. I’ve been trying to help all the newbies around me find their way by answering questions, giving directions, and sharing tips.

Self Care

• Acupuncture
• Reminding myself that just because good things are happening doesn’t mean this isn’t a transition. Transitions take a lot of energy. So I’ve been trying to cut myself some slack and rest when I need to.

 

How did you do this week? Share in the comments!