Five Simple Things (March 12)

Hello.

I'll admit, this week we didn't do anything. We figured having a week of just relaxing and nothing was just what we needed. We spent the week literally just doing everyday tasks, but we didn't stress about much at all. I'm coming up on my year after my surgery. My surgery was on March 19. It's weird to think it's already been a year and I am still recovering a bit. A few of my smaller scars are starting to fade, but the larger ones, which are the ones that were concerning, are still very much visible. But, overtime my surgeon said those will fade, as well. I've been using a scar gel that has been working, so I will continue to use it until I am satisfied with the results. This scar gel I am using is Derma-E Scar Gel. I apply it morning and night. It's a good product for newer and older scars. It takes a bit longer for older scar to see any results, but for newer scars, like mine, it's working great. Here are five things this week.

1. This Oil.

I've been using lavender oil on my pillow at night and doing tenting to relax. It's helping and it helps relax my anxiety, too. I love Pranarom oils. They are organic and have stewardships that protect the environment. 

2. This Kitty.

Enjoying the sunshine that's finally coming through the windows.

3. This Box.

Love when these boxes come. Yogi Surprise was my first subscription box and this week we got word that they are ending the subscription. I am quite upset, but I think the pandemic has hit a lot of small business pretty hard. We are getting one more box after this and it ends, but for now I am enjoying what I get.

4. These Boxes.

Other subscription boxes we enjoy is the Mully Box, Might Nest, and Kiwi Eco Box. These are three we look forward to getting each month. 

5. This Selfie.

Love the way this came out. It's a filter on my Samsung and it turns regular pictures into pictures from 1920. Definitely a filter I will be playing around with in the future.

Positive affirmations this week:

"When you worry you suffer twice." This quote has been my driving force lately and it's helped me get some of my anxiety under control. I worry about things that are out of my control, too. Things like, why people act a certain way, why they say the things they say, and why are some people so mean. Those are the things I am working on. I have since changed those worries to, people don't know any better, they say hateful things to bring others down to how they feel, and people are mean to others because they just don't love themselves. I get to thinking about those people and overall, I feel sorry for them. I don't treat people with disregard because I love who I am. I've done so many great things in my life and for people and certain people can't see that, how sad for them. I hope they find their way navigating through their own issues and struggles. I've started meditating more, Jeff has even joined in. I've also started creating a better routine in the morning that fulfills me. I write down things the night before that I would like to get done the next day and incorporate that into my daily routine. If I don't get it all done, it's okay. I am not striving for perfection, just a sense of accomplishment. I have also started reading more and staying in therapy. It's all been helping, so I don't plan on changing anything anytime soon. If you are stuck in the worry/anxiety/panic rut, I suggest giving some of these things a try. Start with one and move to another, or create your own process. If it's getting to be too overwhelming, give therapy a try. Talking to someone else and getting feedback may help you figure things out. I'm rooting for you!

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (March 5)

Hello.

We took a road trip once more to Cape Kiwanda to surf some of the waves there. There wasn't many large swells, but we got some practice in. Surfing is a very addicting sport and we have found ourselves wanting to go all the time. Most surfers will agree that surfing is about 50% success and 50% practicing once you get up and know your limits. You can fall 10 times before hitting that perfect ride. But, that perfect ride is what it's worth and it makes you want to keep chasing that high you get from it. I love it! Here are five things this week.

1. This View.

Our daytrip to Cape Kiwanda was a nice day to get out and about away from all the stressors of the Valley. We ended up walking along the beach and enjoying the sun setting.

2. This Kitty.

Sometimes cats are great. I just love how playful Eleven is. She may be four, but she's still a kitty a lot of times. 

3. This Plane.

On our way to Cape Kiwanda we got to see a Piper Cub being brought into the Tillamook Air Museum. It was an original plane that was going to be put on display inside the museum. I'll have to say, it may seen boring to watch an old war plane being transported, but it was pretty cool.

4. This Message.

During our trip to Cape Kiwanda I wrote this message in the sand. I posted about it on Instagram, and I do hope it helped someone feel better about their life and themselves. Because, no matter what, you are loved, regardless of what others may tell you.

5. This Episode.

Our latest episode of the podcast is out and live. You can listen to it under the podcast link at the top of the blog, or listen to it here. 

Positive affirmations this week: 

Working on stopping comparing my present self to my past self. Although, it's getting easier to do, it's other people that still think the past me is present me. It's unfortunate that you come such a long way when others still have you in the past bubble. It's not your fault, it's theirs. You grew, you moved on, and you learned. If they can't value that, then those are their issues, not yours. And, according to this poll from Selfcare is a Priority, I am not alone. It's an everyday struggle to get past, but it is doable. 

Have a nice weekend.

End of February 2021 (1 Second Every Day)

 

Five Simple Things (February 26)

Hello.

This past week we took a trip to an area of Oregon named Deadwood and took in the sights along the way. We ended up at the Deadwood Cemetery, which has gravesites dating back to 1883 and listed with the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries. We walked through the grave markers and sadly there's a lot of children and mothers to those children. A lot of them had been buried together and there isn't a lot of things with the dead that get to me enough to bring tears, but the ones with mothers that die in childbirth and people that died at my age. We paid our respects at the cemetery and continued on our road trip. We stopped at the Deadwood Fire Department, and on our way there we passed through Shedd, Oregon, and Skylar got to try out a pay phone for the first time. Unfortunately, the two pay phones in Shedd weren't working, but it was still nostalgic to pretend. Here are five things this week.

1. These ☏ Booths.

First time Skylar got to use a pay phone and unfortunately neither one of them worked. We were kind of bummed about that, but it was still fun to play around with them for awhile.

2. This Kombucha. 

This is the best kombucha, in my opinion. We have stopped drinking regular sodas and switched to sparkling waters and kombucha as a treat. We enjoy this brand's flavors, as well as Clear Mind from Brew Doctor's Kombucha. If you are trying to quit sodas and love the taste of Dr. Pepper, I suggest them one highly. You can try them here.

3. This Daytrip. 

Such a great little day trip through the area. I haven't seen this area of Oregon before and it was a beautiful view and a nice trip overall. 

4. This Drawing.

My therapist this week had me draw how I see myself when I'm around most people that I consider "relatives," or "family." Being someone that suffers from social and generalized anxiety a lot of people always say I talk a lot, but mostly my talking is because of my anxiety, people pleasing, and also a bit of validation seeking. The rambling is from my habit of trying to always fit as much as I can in so the person I'm talking to will like me. It comes from not being taught how to handle myself around other correctly and never being told that it's okay to feel my feelings. I grew up in a house where your feelings were not validated and everything you felt, be is a sickness, or sadness, or even mad, was just for attention. It's really sad that I wasn't allowed to feel what I felt and talked to about that in order to process them better as an adult, but I'm learning how to cope with those issues. Therapy has helped a great deal with being able to express myself and not have to feel like I always need to people please, or hide my emotions and feelings. Being told that you are seeking attention, no matter what you're going through as a child and into your teen years does take a toll on you as an adult. It's a hard place to come out of and this drawing is how I felt most of the time around those people. I still feel this way around some of them and even talking to them on the phone. I am stuck in a hole asking for help and all of them are walking by, talking about me negatively, or ignoring me. The fingernail marks on the side of the hole are definitely there for a reason, too. I am so pleased with the progress I've made and how far I've come from that toxic and dysfunctional behavior of others. 

5. This Calligraphy. 

While working on the podcast I've taken up calligraphy and enjoy writing the person's name we are on for that week. This week it is Wild Bill Longley and writing their names in calligraphy makes me think it could possibly be a signature from the 1800s. The calligraphy pens I use are here and I've found it quite relaxing, too. You can listen to our latest podcast episode here. 

Positive affirmations this week: 

Along with taking care of yourself taking care of the environment should also be an important aspect. Plastic is not for the environment, especially single-use plastics. There are ways around plastics and slowly making those changes can help not only the planet, but also yourself. Take care in the items and materials you bring into your home and life. If you can find an alternative to plastic, make those changes for the better.

Have a nice weekend.