Positive Steps: Mon. April 10

[Gaelen]

It's day 10 of taking positive steps to give one new habit a solid foundation in our lives--how is everyone doing? How did everyone's resolve make it through the weekend? ;)

We've each committed to working on positive steps in our own directions--regular exercise, increasing our water intake, setting aside 'me' time or devoting regular time to a hobby or interest that recharges our batteries. Here are some suggestions for those of us who've chosen to set aside 'me' time, or take part in something that fulfills and completes us, from author Wendy Betterini.

Several of her suggestions also work as non-food-focused rewards that enable us to take responsibility for reinforcing ourselves, and they're great markers for achieving short-term goals (another thing that motivates some of us!)

Which suggestions have you tried?
Which ones are your favorites?

"Here are some self-pampering ideas to get you started:

Take a bubble bath by candle light.
Spend time in Nature.
Get a manicure or pedicure.
Have a massage.
Listen to soothing music or nature sounds.
Send yourself flowers.
Treat yourself to lunch or dinner at a nice restaurant.
Go window shopping.
Relax with a cup of calming chamomile tea.
Write your hopes, dreams and wishes in a journal.
Watch a comedy or read something funny.
Go for a quiet stroll in the evening, or early morning.
Buy yourself something new.
Get a new hairdo.
Visit a spa and have a facial.
See a new movie.
Dance.
Take a nap.
Go to an outdoor cafe and watch the world go by as you sip a latte, cappuccino, espresso or flavored coffee.
Curl up with a good book.
Write a love letter to yourself and mail it.
Take dance lessons.
Learn a new language.
Take pottery classes, or quilting classes, or learn how to make yourself some beautiful jewelry.

Say this to yourself every morning and every evening: 'I am a beautiful person and I deserve to be treated kindly. I am loved, and I love myself.'"

[gitfiddle]

My plan was to declutter in small increments daily and it's going well. I have taken one container of various items to the drop-off and have another one started. I've found that just the process gives me peace, which means less emotional munching. It works! :)

[banshee]

I wasn't able to focus as much this weekend because I was out of town Saturday, but I did do a Sudoku puzzle in the paper and finished the crossword puzzle that my MIL had started.

Sunday I alternated between unpacking beads into my office and doing some beadwork while watching a few favorite TV shows. Oddly enough, for me, either one of those I consider "me time". Organizing my beads is always a relaxing activity for me, although at the moment it's also a necessity as I try and get my office back together. I also slept in on Sunday because we were up really late on Friday and I wasn't able to sleep in on Saturday. Saturday night DH had to actually help me to bed. I was totally exhausted, but for some reason I just couldn't get to sleep. I kept wandering around the house looking for things to do. I get that way sometimes when I'm too tired. My brain just kind of goes haywire and thinks that I have to do stuff.

So I had both a productive AND relaxing weekend, which seems kind of contradictory when I think about it!