Tag: MLselfcare

I’ve been listening to a great self help/motivational podcast this last week by @cscdanmason called “Life Amplified” on iHeartRadio. Here are some quotes from his first few podcasts that really resonated with me.
I’m mad at myself for taking 6 months to get around to listening to it. But I know I’m now ready to hear his message and I’ve been so inspired.
I even was part of a free webinar he hosted tonight. I’m thinking about taking the plunge and investing in an expert mentor and a support group he’s leading about finding your purpose. Stay tuned!

How your next meal could fight depression and stress – CNN

How your next meal could fight depression and stress – CNN

I totally see the link in my own life when it comes to mental health and food choices (which impacts weight). When I’m heavier I feel like it a physical beacon trying to tell the world that I’m not in a good place right now. Which has been why trying to explain my current weight loss and overall feeling of good a little complicated, but worth trying to explain to some folks.

A-Ha Moment via text

Friend: How is life? Haven’t talked in awhile

Me: I’m pretty great. Work is really busy, but going very well. T and I are better than we’ve been in a while. Social life, fitness, and finances are all on point. I will gladly relish in this high for the moment.

Friend: That’s so good!!!! You def deserve some good/chill times. I feel like the last half of last year and early this year weren’t your most fun.

Me: My life is always feast or famine. Mar-Sept ‘17 were really rough, I’m glad it’s behind me.

Me: This week in April was also particularly traumatizing in 2013. I feel like at least lows of last year I addressed/dealt with so I don’t have the same level of PTSD as I do with my 2013 rough patch.

Friend: Which was 2013? Ya learning to deal is one of my top life lessons in the past couple years.

Me: When my supervisee had her baby 2 weeks early and a week later my boss announced she was leaving just as I reached the one year mark on the job, all while facing turning 30 that Aug.

Friend: Ooh yes and then you [REDACTED]. Healthy times

Me: Most of my stress and trauma as adult is from work, but that’s because I use work as a poor coping mechanism for my mom’s alcoholism :::A-HA:::

I’m feeling very self aware at the moment and being able to verbalize it to others helps. Although this friend knows all too well about my lows, but still being able to say most of the “bad stuff” in my life is work related and I’m learning how trival work is at the end of the day. It’s a job, as an educator and administrator its an important job, but it’s still just a job. I can’t let a job own me.

Self Care Win

As you may recall, I’ve been seeing a therapist/counselor through my work’s employee assistance program since July. I’ve generally seen her monthly. When I first saw her I was pretty much at rock bottom, but through ACA, making time to put myself first, and not taking work “failures” too personally, I’ve come back to life, I think even better than before. 

We had to reschedule our January meeting due to snow, so we met yesterday. I gave her so many wonderful updates regarding my fitness/health, self care, work balance, work success, ACA community, etc. She gave me lots of kudos for the work I’ve done and how it’s so evident even physically in the changes I’ve made. I don’t feel hopeless or too stressed. I feel lighter is SO many ways. She was impressed and you know I’m impressed with myself too.

I’ve learned to find my (re)find my voice these past 6 months.There are A LOT of changes at work – my boss is leaving (yay), plus we are going through an organizational restructure along with strategic planning in my division and at the whole institution. 

So, for the time being, I’m not setting up another appointment with her. I really only have 6 meetings with her a year (which I used), but I know if I need her I can go back. Plus I know others are struggling and I don’t want to hog a precious resource. If I need to find an outside counselor I will, but between ACA, my journaling, and my strong support network I feel good. 

Skin Routine

I’m also pleased to report since January I’ve been stepping up my skincare night cream game. Since I’ve been working out after work so frequently I’ll shower when I get home and put my night cream on then (like 8pm). This has proved helpful since I usually would put it on right before bed, but then my face would feel too greasy (in general I’m NOT a lotion person, I don’t like to feel greasy ever). By putting on my night cream at 8pm it seeps in more before actual bedtime at like 11pm.

Back to “Normal”

Last week was hard. Between my friend C losing her dad, Freddie’s ultrasound, and going to Boston for funeral services. 

However despite all that terrible stuff, there was so much love. I have good people in my life and the good people in my life have good people in theirs. 

I saw so many people from college and folks who work in higher ed also (she and I are both in the field) who came out to support my friend C and mourn the loss of her dad that so many of us got to know and love too. 

I feel like despite not getting out workouts in since Wednesday night, I didn’t drink too much alcohol or overindulge too much. 

Freddie is on some new meds and goes back for bloodwork next Friday and then another ultrasound in ~4 weeks. 

I went to pilates at lunch today and will hit up bodypump after work. Oh and at the airport yesterday I got a 10 minute seated massage and it was glorious. 

Telework Tuesdays are BACK

So I plead my case in recent weeks to have my weekly telework day back. I was granted the request for this semester, but was told I would not likely get this opportunity to telework going forward (which is garbage), but I’ll take what I can get and I’ll fight my fall semester battles when the time comes…