Do not despair......

A little late for the resolution starting, but I typically do this around my birthday, and March 1st is the beginning of a new year for me.  Four years ago, I started working out again since I'd left the Army on this date, and lost almost 40 pounds in three months.  So, that's at least ONE year where my resolutions panned out.

But now, 1460 days later....... I find myself feeling despondent.  I don't think I could put it much better than Hyperbole and a Half did:

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2011/10/adventures-in-depression.html

So, this is my attempt to crack through the crust of depression.  Despair.  Despondency.  Whatever you want to call it.  I need a FRICKING plan.  I need a FREE plan, as $$ will not buy happiness.  I've tried that, and now I'm broke AND depressed.  This post is to remind myself of six little things. It's mainly a post for me, but it might help you get on the right track too......


Here are my six commandments of getting back to myself:

#1:   There shall be yoga.  Mine won't be underwater, but it will be fulfilling.  A workout that I actually ENJOY?  Why the hell am I making excuses NOT to do it?  Spock would not be proud of my logic.

For the body.

#2  There shall be time for creativity.  This is something that, since I quit the very cerebral job of teaching, has become my JOB.  And yet, somehow, in the last three months, I've sucked all the joy and exuberance out of creating something.  Being mindful of how I approach designing and creating will help immensely.  At least I think so.  It can't hurt, right?

Caveat:  This is NOT my craftroom.  However much I wish it was, I stole it from pinterest.

#3 Do Small Things with Great Love.  My good friend, Cris (who happens to own a fabulous etsy shop), sent me something for my birthday.  This little bracelet is to be a daily reminder that the "chores" and "tedium" need to be approached as something else entirely.  Once again, being mindful of how I THINK about dirty laundry, dishes, vacuuming, and cleaning will change my feelings toward them.  Will I ever actually look forward to doing them?  The answer is very likely a resounding NO.  But if I want to get out of this dark hole, something needs to be done about my shitty attitude.

Get your own! This one's MINE!

#4 Eat Well.  Cook often.  Enjoy food.  I'm not a fan of "dieting".  It sucks the life out of the kitchen.  But I am a fan of eating well, without processed crap.  I take great joy in cooking.  This is a focus that I've recently been focusing on to great delight.  Pinterest, of course, is helping.  Thank GAWD for pinterest.  Why hit the "save as favorites" button a million times, when I can just repin?  So the goal for my healthy mind AND body?  No white foods, except on Saturdays.  Saturday will be my "binge" day.  I will eat whatever fattening recipe I choose to make on Saturday, including pie.  I did this four years ago when I lost all that weight, and it was a huge success.  Eat healthy, cook real food, and eat it.  I think I can handle that- right lovehandles?

My actual kitchen, recently made over.  :)

 #5 Get out in the Garden.  This one is a "to do" and a joy.  As soon as this crust of snow and ice goes away, I'm going to create an urban garden to die for.  My little one acre plot?  Shall be a heaven on earth.  That's the plan, anyhow.

#6 Enjoy. life.  I need to take the time to do something that is completely for me.  1-2 hours per day.  I find myself wanting to do a puzzle, play a video game, read a book that is NOT on the 1001 books to read before you die.  Make something for ME.  Whatever it is, it does NOT have to be on the "to do list".  Too often, I put these things off because they don't "count".  They are not "productive".  Well screw that.  I'm 34 years old (don't tell), and it's about damn time I enjoy life.

Get your reminder here.

There.  That should about do it.  Six things.  Small things.  Mindfulness, awareness, health, body, work, home, and family all wrapped up in six things to get my mind right.  What could possibly go wrong?

*don't listen to the negative*
*don't listen to the ego*

ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

♥Rose