Tag: Self Care

Weekly Check-In

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Traditional Volunteerism

  • 4 Hours of Crisis Text Line
  • I finished a shawl and a baby blanket to donate. I get credit for about 5 hours total but the two items tother probably took me 15-20 hours to knit over a few weeks.

Charitable Giving

  • I had a craving and went to McDonald’s. I threw a handful of change into the Ronald McDonald House bin in the Drive-Thru. Such a great cause.

Personal Kindnesses

  • Again I’m going to point out a personal kindness I received. Yesterday I received two compliments on my appearance. I was told I was glowing and that I was beautiful without makeup. It’s so nice to hear. Just reminds me that when you see something, say something. Compliments should be abundant.

Self Care

  • I had a shin splint and have recently recovered so I’m back to running (which my dog is over the moon about). Back to exercising and getting stronger.
  • I know this is the future and not what I’ve done this week but it’s my birthday this weekend. So I’m planning on taking the whole weekend to only do things I enjoy and forget about all the stress! I’ll report back on how that goes.

Please share in the comments how you’re doing this week!

Weekly Check-In

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Study, Study, Study is the name of the game for a while.

 

Traditional Volunteerism

  • 4 Hours of Crisis Text Line

 

Charitable Giving

  • Zero

 

Personal Kindnesses

  • They say most of the fun is planning your vacation… so I’ve been helping my friend with tips on planning her vacation because she’s going to a location I know a bit about. It’s a win win because it feels like I’m going on vacation and I can have a little vicarious fun in the planning.

 

Self Care

  • Lots of Yoga and Pilates this week.
  • Still trying to accept that I’m in need of a lot of self-care right now. It’s hard to stop fighting it.

 

Please share in the comments how you’re doing this week!

Weekly Check-In

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I got an influx of good news this week. Makes me feel good to see some hard work starting to pay off.

Traditional Volunteerism

  • 4 Hours of Crisis Text Line
    • I’m officially a Level 3 Counselor!! That means I’ve helped over 100 people! It feels so good to do this every week and see the numbers add up.

Charitable Giving

  • Zero

Personal Kindnesses

  • This week I made sure to ask one of my co-workers who is not my favorite about her weekend. Sometimes exchanging a few pleasantries can really make a difference for everyone.

Self Care

  • I have been making sure to get in my exercise. Sweat out the stress!

Please share in the comments how you’re doing this week!

Weekly Check-In

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Feeling a little run down trying to juggle everything. But nose to the grindstone I can do anything. Gotta keep hustling.

Traditional Volunteerism

  • 4 Hours of Crisis Text Line (we were busy this week and it’s the first week of my new shift which is an hour later).
  • I tried to donate Platelets but was turned away because they bruised my arm donating blood.

Charitable Giving

  • Zero

Personal Kindnesses

  • I went to the DMV this morning to renew my license. There are signs at every desk saying you can’t abuse or yell at the workers. It’s sad to think how angry people get. I went out of my way to smile and thank everyone I interacted with. I didn’t really want to be there but yelling at DMV workers really wouldn’t have helped anyone.

Self Care

  • Superbowl time means it’s time to get some junk food. I went out for wings earlier this week. Pretty tasty.

Please share in the comments how you’re doing this week!

Happy Groundhog Day!!!

On By beinggoodeIn Self Care, ThoughtsLeave a comment

It’s my favorite holiday. Happy Groundhog Day everyone! And no it’s not my favorite because of the movie.

 

I like it because 1) it’s a magical fortune telling groundhog who writes poetry, 2) I grew up in a place where the prediction mattered, and 3) it’s the easiest least stressful of holidays meaning you can celebrate as much or as little as you want. You can throw a party or forget until the morning of and just wish everyone a “Happy Groundhog Day!”

 

I think it’s an important part of self-care to make the decision to be happy and joyous and let yourself have fun. I know people think I’m kidding when I say Groundhog Day is my favorite holiday but it really is. It’s a day that I just get to be happy and celebrate just because. It makes me smile. This Groundhog has a crew of people in tops and tails taking care of him and thousands of followers to cheer for him.

 

Is there something that other people think is silly that makes you happy? Something that reminds you to smile when you forget? Something that you decide to allow to make you joyous? Share with me in the comments.

Weekly Check-In

On By beinggoodeIn Self Care, WeeklyLeave a comment

I can’t believe it’s the end of January. This week flew by with all the working. I’m really tired but feeling good that I can work this hard and be this tough. I also got to test out the American Red Cross Blood donor app. It’s pretty cool and great for tracking info and setting up future appointments. Now if I could only get them to stop calling me all the time.

Traditional Volunteerism

  • 4 Hours of Crisis Text Line (we were busy this week and it’s the first week of my new shift which is an hour later).
  • 1+ Hours donating Blood (sticking to my new years resolution)

Charitable Giving

  • Zero

Personal Kindnesses

  • Even as I’m on an extended job search I really make sure to be supportive of others who are starting new jobs or interviewing. Someone came up to my desk looking for a certain room and mentioned they were interviewing. I made sure to congratulate them and wish them luck. There is enough success to go around and someone else’s success should be celebrated like your own.

Self Care

  • I managed to get a run and a couple of workouts in this week.
  • When I have a rare free night I spend at home snuggling with my dog. She’s a sweetie and doesn’t like that I’m away from home longer hours.
  • A friend reminded me to find time for myself too. I feel like the blood donation really was for me. It was sticking to my resolution, something I really want to do. Plus I saved up to 3 lives!

Please share in the comments how you’re doing this week!

Exercise as Self-Care

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So one of the self-care topics that is really important to me is exercise. I feel like it’s an under used and under rated resource.

 

One of the reasons that January posts have been a little scattered is because I took time to take a vacation. My first one in years! I ran the Walt Disney World Marathon and took a week to enjoy Walt Disney World with my friends. It was wonderful. It was my first marathon and I finished (not very fast)!! I wore a princess costume and took a ton of pictures. It was such an amazing feeling to accomplish such a big goal and wear a nice big medal to match!

 

I started running over a year ago. I ran a couple of half marathons, a 5k, and a 10k. I really enjoyed it and my dog really really enjoyed the training. I plan on doing a couple more half marathons, 5ks, and 10ks this year and haven’t really ruled out doing a marathon again.

 

I view my running as a self-care project from start to finish. I’m not trying to set any speed records (which is good because I’m slow) or beat anyone or even really to lose weight. I run to clear my head and get into my body. I run because it makes my dog happy and that makes me happy. I run because I live right by one of the most beautiful parks in the US. I run Disney races so I can dress up and see the parks with other happy people. I run to feel accomplished. I run for an excuse to travel. I run to leave stress in the dust.

 

I grew up dancing and doing gymnastics and I’ve practiced yoga most of my adult life. I got into running because the races came up and it was something I could do pretty easily. Exercise is one of the easiest and fastest self-care activities. You can sweat out your problems so easily. I understand it gets hard to get started when you’re feeling down or stressed or just lazy but I’ve seen for myself the benefits.

 

I went to see Temple Grandin speak at the LA Library. She took a question from the audience and a teenage girl with autism asked her for advice. “Exercise, everyday even if you don’t want to.” Exercise heals our brain as much as it improves our body. I’ve seen it working at the Special Olympics World Games. Sport can have such a positive impact no matter what level you are.

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What is your exercise routine? Do you have a physical resolution? Do you feel the same way about exercise as self care?

Weekly Check-In

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I hope everyone had a nice holiday. I was going to post this yesterday but my Aussie Shepherd Emerson was curled up on my feet and that is my Achilles heel. She’s so soft and fluffy and sweet and my feet get so warm. It’s the best kind of procrastination.

  • Traditional Volunteerism
    • 4 Hours of Crisis Text Line

 

  • Charitable Giving
    • $25 – I decided to participate in The Compassion Collective (which includes a writer I love – Cheryl Strayed) raising over $1 for Syrian Refugees. All with donations of $25 or less. I started with $5 and realized that my company would match if I gave $25 so I gave $20 more. I think this might have messed up my company match having it split up (only by a couple of minutes) so we’ll see. It is a lot of money for me right now but it was worth it to be a part of something really special.

 

  • Personal Kindnesses
    • It’s Christmas time and there have been gifts. Nothing extravagant as my budget for gifts this year was nonexistent but I managed to get something off to my Niece and I got a couple of nice surprises including some free goodies from work. I think when you don’t have piles of gifts it’s easier to notice the kindness behind the gifts, you can really appreciate the giving and receiving.
    • Also I’m close with my brother and growing closer with my Sister-in-Law and the special little moments of her stealing the phone from my brother on Christmas day to talk to me and texting each other about food was a sweet gift.

 

  • Self Care
    • I’m really taking advantage of my extra free time and focusing on making things. Knitting and sewing and baking. All things I very much enjoy.

 

Please share in the comments how you’re doing this week!

Enjoy the Holidays

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It’s almost Christmas and New Year’s Eve and it’s the time for joy and family, traditions and fun, food and presents, decorations and sparkles but it can also be a time of stress, guilt, and sadness. I think what I’ve accepted is you can and mostly like will have a mixture of both. Life is complicated and wonderful!

 

 

I think that in this season of giving we need to remember to give to ourselves too. Self-care is always important but especially this time of year. I think that we put too much pressure on ourselves to make the holidays perfect. We put too much pressure on the time of year, trying to do too much or please others. It’s easy to forget that you’re in control. You  don’t have to accept the stress that others are putting on you. You don’t have to feel guilty for not giving the perfect present or not going to every event. The holidays are for you to enjoy. If a family member brings up a conversation that makes you feel uncomfortable, it’s okay to remove yourself and do something that calms you down. It’s okay if you can’t afford the most glamorous presents or can’t volunteer or donate to charity right now. It’s okay if a holiday tradition or two skips a year. Do what you can and let go of the rest.

 

I hope your holidays are happy and safe! I hope that you enjoy traditions, make new ones, and follow your own heart! I hope you give all you can this time of year and all year round!

 

Share your traditions or holiday struggles you’ve overcome below.

Weekly Check-In

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Just a quick recap of the week.

  • Traditional Volunteerism
    • 4 hours on Crisis Text Line
    • 1 hour helping at an adopt a family gift drop off. I directed traffic (with a lightsaber) and helped sort and load things onto trucks.

 

  • Charitable Giving
    • I didn’t give any money away this week.

 

  • Personal Kindnesses
    • I noticed one of my coworkers wasn’t her normal self so I took a moment to check in on her. I did this even though I was having a difficult week at work. Actually we ended up checking in on each other. I think it’s important to notice how people are feeling and say something about it in a way that allows them to share if they want to or keep it to themselves.

 

  • Self Care
    • I know coloring books for adults are the latest fade but I’ve been coloring as an adult for as long as I’ve been an adult. Coloring was my dream job (I wanted to be an Animation Ink & Paint girl. Thanks computers for crushing that dream) and I find it extremely relaxing.

 

Please share in the comments how you’re doing this week!