Five Simple Things (March 28)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These wraps.

These Earth Therapeutics hemp foot mask were just what I needed this week. My feet have been a bit more dry this season and these helped restore some moisture. They have hemp seed oil in them and you apply them to your feet and just wait. They also helped peek away some light layers of dry skin, too. You can get them here, or here. And, you can check out all of the self care items I recommend here.

2. This bath.

A score I found this week. I am excited to place it outside and watch it weather naturally. Patina weathering is my absolute favorite, but cast iron is second. Here is one for sale on Etsy. This are hard to find, so grab it while you can!

3. These bees.

I did an IKEA shopping trip this week on a hunt for a few items for an upcoming event. I saw these honey bees and I had to have them. I saw the little ones first and scooped up five of them. As we came around the corner I saw the queen bee. I immediately grabbed her and had her join the hive. I love honey bees, so this was a given. IKEA's stuffed animals are always catching out eye. I will never forget walking into IKEA after losing our dog Baz and seeing a stuffed animal that looked just like him. That stuffed animal has given us a lot of comfort on many occasions.

4. This addition.

February 13, 2025, we welcomed my brother's third boy. Andrew Michael Hardage came into the world. He looks a lot like my brother, as did all of his boys. They also sent me pictures of all of the other kids in their Oregon Ducks shirts and little Andrew in his Oregon Ducks onesie. Seeing all of them in their Oregon gear made my heart sore this week.

5. These items.

I also get excited when Kiwi Eco Box comes each week. Trying to live a more sustainable life it always helps me stay on track. Some waste cannot be avoided, but a lot of it comes down to habit. Each week I reevaluate where we are and shift our behaviors accordingly. It's a never-ending focus, but it is something I feel strongly about and will do everything I can to help mother nature. You can't save the world, but you can definitely help improve your little piece of it. You can get $5 off your first box here.

One last thing:

Birchbox also came this week. Birchbox over the years I've been with them has changed, but the one thing I love about them after all of these years is the brands they introduce me to. Some brands I am familiar with, but there's been a lot that I use today that Birchbox had a hand in. My favorite product from this month's shipment is the Our Lavender Co. Lavender Essential Oil Rollerball and the Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Shampoo and Conditioner. I look forward to using both of them in the coming days.

Positive affirmations this week:

Breaking generational cycles of abuse is difficult to overcome. It's a challenging path. However, above all else, one thing that is truly brave and courageous is doing so. Coming from a troubled background of childhood abuse myself, I am pleased with the progress I've made throughout my life. It was a hard and difficult journey, and I dealt with a lot of adult bullying from those who did not understand the path I was on, but I overcame much of it. The abuse still tries to surface, and knowing that I still have unresolved issues with which I need to find closure or try to accept them, but I am so proud of myself for how far I have come. There are people, those who are supposed to be considered family, who came into my life during those times of healing and didn't understand that their behaviors, comments, and actions were also forms of abuse that I had to overcome while dealing with past abuse. I've come a long way with my healing, and I am proof that there is a path in the right direction. If you are dealing with these same traumas, please know that it does get better. Surround yourself with positive supporters; that is the biggest key to recovery. If you feel you are overwhelmed on certain days, reach out to those supporters, or call or text 988 to talk to a trained counselor who can help you see at least a little bit of light. If one day is hard, remember that tomorrow is a new start.

You can and will be able to do this!🌈

(Nate Postlethwait writes of complex trauma and offers a space where those that have experienced those traumas and hurt can feel seen, heard, and supported.)