Today, July 24, is International Self-Care Day. To that end, I thought I’d take a quick look at my own self-care actions to see how I’m doing.
After that LONG trip home from Pennsylvania, I was behind in my writing work and spent the next two days working feverishly to meet the deadline. I did, but then promptly came down with a stellar summer cold which knocked all the gumption right out of me.
Health
I dosed myself with bone broth and garlic tea and tucked myself into bed. About three days later, I was ready to face the world again. It was time to get my routine up and running again.
Exercise
I began by going for my daily walk in the morning again. The puppies loved the resumed daily walks. They certainly missed us while we were away. On days when I had classes or articles to write, I did my very light Tai Chi as a stretching break. It’s just amazing how taking 15 minutes away from the computer relaxed my muscles and cleared my head.
Setting Aside Time To Grieve
I thought I was well on the road to recovery, then Facebook kindly reminded me it was the anniversary of my friend’s death and I got mired in an emotional quagmire for a day or two. Daisy, my online best buddy that I actually got to meet last month, was her normal supportive self and I got through it. Facebook–a blessing and bane!
Taking Time For Memories
My grandparents on their wedding day.
Snapfish is having an amazing sale this month on photo books, so I made one with our pictures from our June trip. I’m also in the process of compiling pictures for a book for my mom that has all the old pictures she scanned of her parents and grandparents and even some great-grandparents. Some of the pictures are more than 100 years old, so I’m not sure it will be a quality photo book since they’ve yellowed and faded over time, but I’m going to try and preserve them this way.
Hobbies
I haven’t gotten any reading done, not even the book club books, or worked on that last little bit of the puzzle this month yet, mostly because my eyes have been so tired. So I missed that, but those new glasses are set to arrive any day. I’m hoping that will help.
I’m also behind the writing of my next book. Again, my eyes have been bothering me. So let’s see what we shall see with the new lenses, shall we?
Self-Improvement
I signed up for the free course Herbal Academy is offering (details to follow) and am excited to begin at the beginning of next month. I also enrolled in the courses included in the Ultimate Bundles Herbs and Essential Oils packet and have been able to complete one and start another.
Cleaning
Instead, I spent the free time I normally devoted to these activities in straightening up the house. Spider webs be gone! We’ve also still are having issues with mice. Mouse-proofing the house was another priority. Better screens, herbs sprinkled here and there and some deadly traps brought the mouse issue back to reasonable levels in short order.
Gardening
My little patio garden also was suffering from neglect this month. Little by little, the sprouts are reviving. I also found some new additions to brighten up the bare patches.
Self-Indulgence
I also splurged a bit. My friend Shannon had these amazing pans that I used while I was visiting. I ordered myself a set during Amazon Prime Days. After all, it’s been nearly 15 years since my last large cookware purchase. I love cooking with them in the remodeled kitchen with the new huge stove. Oh yeah, our kitchen is in the process of being redone yet again. I’ll post an update once it’s all done
Financials
Despite the financial generosity of friends and family last month, our month-long visit took a toll on my finances. About mid-month, I started stressing about money, but we ended up having enough to get us through. I’ll have to rethink the budget for next month though. I am still in need of a new ride and my savings have been depleted.
Self-Care Month in Review
While I haven’t done all that I could have to take care of me this month, I was glad to see that I at least did a few things to foster my self-care and well-being.
How do you take care of you?
*****
Surviving Mexico 