Gratitudeness

It's getting late and since I had a diet coke at 8pm, I don't think I'll be tired anytime soon. Oh bother.

Do you keep a journal? I have for the past year. I learned about gratitude journaling from my all-time favorite Oprah and thought it sounded a little hokey, but I tried it anyway. It has really helped to charge my optimism in times of increased stress, so I thought I would share that on here tonight. Let's face it... I've been stressed lately.

Last week I did a gratitude journal entry specifically related to work, because I often forget how much I have to be grateful for. Here goes!

1. I am grateful to work with amazingly talented, strong, intelligent and funny women.
2. I am equally grateful for the human ability to survive against seemingly insurmountable odds.
3. I am grateful for friends and coworkers who make stupid jokes with me to help ease vicarious trauma.
4. I am grateful for services, although taxed and sometimes few, that are out there for people to access in times of hardship and crisis... even if it's just another voice on a phone line at 3am.
5. I am grateful for having the opportunity to work in a field that allows me to continually find my own healing, as well as empower others to look for healing as well.
6. I am grateful for having things to look forward to, like seeing my goofy dog at the end of the day, or events that are a few months off.

I usually only do 3 gratitudes for the day, but this was last Wednesday and I felt like I needed to double that to counteract my pessimism. It helped. Are you feeling pessimistic or stressed? You should try it... seriously, I have a big cheese-o-meter and it works for me. TRY IT!

Okay I know I just sounded like a self-help book there. Try it anyway.

Totally Unrelated... Unless You Need a Good Laugh

One of my all-time favorite things to do when I'm feeling stressed and need a good laugh is watching 1) America's Funniest Home Videos or 2) Looking up obscure videos on YouTube.

One of my favorite searches on YouTube is babies and toddlers laughing. I don't know why but I find it to be the cutest thing on the planet. So, if you're needing a good laugh today like I am, enjoy the video below. This kid has the cutest baby laugh EVER.

Self care - What have you been doing?

The death of Lisa McMurtrey two weeks ago is sticking in brain, even though it has more or less faded from the 5 o'clock news and the Metro section. It's been hard to keep up hope, to stay positive, and to continue up the steep incline that PWCL is on in the anti-violence movement.

On Mother's Day, which I spent with my daughter completely unplugged from work, online discussions and my cell phone (well, except for talking to my mother, sisters and my best friend), I was reminded that there is one thing I can do to help replenish when my well of determination and inspiration seems desperately low: Self-Care.

Here's one thing I did. I picked early blooming flowers (lilacs and spanish lavender) out of my yard and added a big sprig of fennel for fun. You might not think it, but the three smells together are wonderful - like my own personal anti-stress balm.



What have you advocates done lately to fill up? PWCL wants to know! :)

Friday Fluffiness

Okay, I debated about posting this...alas, I must.

For weeks, might I even say months, I have been preparing for "Act like a T-Rex Day". That day is upon us.

So please, take some time out of your day today to curl up your arms into useless three-toed limbs, tilt your head forward and let out a roar. It's good self-care, I promise.

Stress Free Friday

I'm going to be honest, it was a stressful week for me. Its not like the calls I took were different or that the work in the office I did was hard, its just that I felt like I was go-go-going all week long. I also found myself fielding a lot of drama or stress coming from an array of friends which can be especially tiring after working all the livelong day.

Anyway, this blog isn't about stress. This is about self-care, and boy am I getting good at it lately. For example, yesterday after work I took a nice nap. When my partner got home we decided to do a mini-V-day celebration by getting chocolate cake at Rose's Deli (I died via chocolate last night, FYI). After my partner left for work (he works nights) I blasted some music and sang and danced until 1:30 am. That's right. By myself.

To continue the self-care, when I woke up this morning I visited my three favorite self-care websites: Cuteoverload, icanhascheezburger, and ihasahotdog. These all have cute pictures of animals in one form or another. Here's my favorite:

Look at that big ole bulldog snuggle the kitty with his big ole paws. I can't take the cute!

So in light of my now 1.5 days of stress free self-care, I want to know what you all like to do to relieve stress and take care of yourself? Don't be shy, I just admitted to solo dance parties and reading ridiculous websites. And really, the more embarrassing the more likely I'll be to copy you. So c'mon, don't be shy - comment away stress relievers!