This past week has been a lot of appointments and trying to avoid getting sick… eyes are stupid tired so staring at the computer screen to write this was not so easy the past few days. (My apologies for the delay with this post… I will hopefully get back to my regular schedule this week). On Saturday I went to get my eyebrows sugared, so I had to wake up early and shower… and wash my hair. Ugh! Ha Ha!! However I am very grateful that I was able to enjoy a nice, hot shower and style my hair a little. I haven’t dried my naturally wavy/curly hair with a diffuser in looong time! So that was a fun experience that morning. (Hair didn’t come out exactly as hoped, but that’s okay. Just means I get to watch more YouTube videos on how to work with natural curls). The good news is all of this made me feel better Saturday morning, which meant my spirits were lifted and feeling like I had a bit more energy. It also just goes to show how important even seemingly small activities of self-care can really boost one’s mood. I find this to be very important when it comes to having chronic issues. It can be beyond frustrating to have so many days in a row in which you feel tired or exhausted to the point that a “simple shower” (or bath) is just too much for the body. I’ve had moments where even the thought of taking a shower almost makes me burst out into tears. When I do get a day where I feel like the idea of getting cleaned up and dressed doesn’t create overwhelming panic and despair, I do enjoy doing my hair and sometimes playing with makeup, too. There are so many days in the month where I feel like crap and quite frankly look like something the dog dragged in. Therefore I much prefer the days where I am comfortable wearing jeans and a shirt, and style my hair, put on some makeup and maybe even add some jewellery. There aren’t many days I feel up to all of this so when I do, it’s a great experience and boosts my happiness and joy, and allows me to think of creative projects to work on because not I’m not as focused on feeling like utter crap! Part of this is the importance of trying to keep up with a schedule with my blogging… especially since this gives me something else to focus my attention and energy on, instead of just how tired and “blah” I can feel.

Bring on the need for FUN!!

When I am feeling tired and not up to doing even small chores, I find I am more likely to just want to binge watch makeup videos on YouTube. This can be quite fun and entertaining… however there is a risk that I will not only be sucked into the “YouTube hole”, but that I will start comparing myself to the people I am watching and therefore wanting their makeup and skin care. This is not so great for my bank account… or my self-esteem. So for this past weekend my plan was to try and do some things differently, take a page out of my boyfriend’s “book”, if you will. He has decided to take a short break from social media, so instead of scrolling he is doing word search puzzles. (We are also working on the Hocus Pocus Lego set. Can’t wait to have it all done and set out!) I had planned to do some crafting… maybe even some reading. I have been finding it harder to concentrate so a novel might not be the best idea but maybe a little comic book would do the trick. Maybe some colouring books too… and listen to some meditation music, or really any music! Point being… as I am typing this I am trying to come up with ideas to keep my brain satisfied (because napping doesn’t always happen), and also to not be on social media as much. I did manage to get Sammy out for a couple of nice, short walks and got on my treadmill for a little bit over the weekend. I also did some grocery shopping and that was more than enough this weekend! So I will attempt crafting throughout the upcoming week. :0)

The other thing I figured I’d mention in this post… is that when I am feeling a flare-up of symptoms and can also feel my mood wanting to decline because of it. I am trying to be more cognizant of what I am watching. Therefore I try and find more shows that are lighthearted or can hold my attention for longer. Below is a short list of those shows.

Bull

Ghosts

2 Broke Girls

Nailed it – Baking Challenge

90 Day Fiancee (several of them but below are my current top two)

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The desire to look up ideas for FUN came from wanting to be a little more “educational” with my videos, so I watched some Ted Talks… and found the one below to be awesome! In the video, the speaker, Catherine Price, made a very good point about how having fun should be considered a “health intervention“. I think this idea is brilliant!! We are becoming more and more aware of how mental health plays a huge role in our daily lives, so why wouldn’t having forms of fun be important too? There is the common saying that “laughter is the best medicine”, so I believe having fun is an extension of that daily medicine that I think most people are missing out on lately. Catherine Price continues with her statement, “having fun is the secret to being alive”. I would say she is one smart cookie!! Her speech includes her points for having fun requires 3 elements: playfulness, connection, and flow.

I would encourage you to take a moment to watch her short video. I think this is why I enjoy crafting so much… when in the right vibe. I find I am doing it just to enjoy it. The project doesn’t have to result in the selling of an item or giving it as a gift (even though most things I make end up being gifts)/ But if while I am creating something I am more focused on the creative process, the more likely I will enjoy the time spent on making the item. Also, if I am using certain beads or crystals while making jewellery, I find I am making a connection with those items… and if it is meant to be a gift, then I am thinking about how the person will enjoy wearing it. This brings a smile to my face. I usually have music or a movie playing in the background, so I can focus on the task without worrying about time. Therefore crafting serves a purpose in and of itself. And I would say it is FUN! :0)

Ms. Price’s video below… what memories come to your mind of previous times you experienced the bliss of a fun time, a fun moment… and how will you be creating more FUN in your near future??

Synonyms for FUN

It’s interesting to think of the word “fun”. Trying to Google the definition I came across words like amusing, enjoyable, entertaining, lively and pleasant. I would argue with anyone if they tried to tell me that watching 90 Day Fiance doesn’t count as “fun”. Then again, my brother would argue saying that watching non-stop sports is “fun”. To each their own, right?! :0) Below I have included some links I found if you need some inspiration for some fun activities to do if feeling bored or “blah” this week.

https://www.purewow.com/wellness/indoor-activities-for-adults

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/a26872864/what-to-do-when-bored/

https://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/fun-things-to-do-at-home/

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/fun-things-to-do-at-home-35003444

(Some of the ideas are useful… others are just amusing. One suggestion I came across was to bleach the sink! Haha!! Good idea… not sure I would count that as “fun” though. Another was to do your taxes. I mean it’s necessary to do them every year… again not sure this would count as “fun” in my books.)

You can also make your own list!! So to mine I added knitting and jewellery making. In addition, one can try solitaire and a memory card game. Even make some of your own tarot or oracle decks. Maybe try baking some goodies to give to neighbours friends or family. ;0)

I am not sure what all I will be doing this week, but I do know I will be focusing on creating space for FUN so I can continue with my more optimistic mood today and into the rest of the week. I hope you all have a fabulous rest of your day… and a great week ahead! Now go and ….