I'll Be Home For Christmas...

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. ~Jane Austen

If you know me, you know that I am actually quite a homebody.

However, I went 2 months recently without cleaning house, doing my own laundry, or making my own bed and (shamefully), I have cooked only one real meal since September.

This globetrotting spell I have just completed, flies in the face of my domesticated “Martha-side”. (Although, I am certain Martha’s work schedule must keep her equally as busy and far from her home).

After returning from my worldwide tour, I have this overwhelming need to just be home; to sleep in my own bed, to snuggle up on the couch with Mr. Self Care, to savor the familiar smells, and sounds, and scenery that comprise my humble abode. I really don’t feel much like cleaning house, doing laundry, making my own bed and cooking- I just feel like putting on my favorite worn fuzzy pajamas and delightfully staying put.

The same is true with the holidays this year… I want to surround myself with Christmas, but I’ll have no festivities this year. My Christmas shopping was completed early- souvenirs from my travels. I made a batch of Christmas cookies and a batch of hot buttered rum mix, and I have dubbed my visiting mother in law (Head Elf, in charge of Boughs and Holly). Call me lazy, call me a scrooge, but I am letting go of a lot of little things this year that don’t really matter. I want simple. I want quiet. I want soft music, hot cocoa with little marshmallows…and, maybe, a dusting of snow.

Insisting on what you want and avoiding what you don’t want is not always easy- especially when other people (with their own diverse expectations) are involved. Choices that allow you a little comfort and joy should be prioritized along with all your other must-dos!

• Imagine yourself un-frazzled and content this holiday season.
• Take the steps toward creating that experience for yourself.
• Just say "No, that won't work for me" or "No, but maybe some other time" (Don't make excuses - just say no!)
• Don't allow yourself to be bullied.
• Don't make your needs secondary
• When you feel frazzled, get yourself some self care quick!

Waiting For The Time To Be Right

The best way to get something done is to begin. ~Author Unknown

I realized today that I can no longer wait for the time to be right to start working on improving my physical health.   It seems that I am always waiting to finish my current project, to get past the holidays, for the first day of the month or year, for my schedule to clear...etc...etc...etc... before I can start eating better and exercising.   

My cardiologist brought this to my attention today...that I have continuously had reasons why I haven't been working to get off of my blood pressure medication...that I continuously have the best intentions to do it after my life is a little less chaotic.   He suggested that maybe - if history was any indicator- that my life was always going to be a little chaotic and perhaps I should develop a plan now that takes my history into consideration.  (Wow.  That was brutal.)

He is right...I know this.    I just don't know what that plan would look like.  I guess I am still processing the realization that the timing is NEVER going to be right.   (ugh.)  

I have always held the belief that I can accomplish a lot if I focus 100% on one thing at a time.   So I have been waiting until I have the capacity to do that before I act.   There is always something that takes a higher priority than my health it seems and I know I need to change that quickly! 

I need to figure this out.  

A Follow Up to Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone.

"It is not the mountain that we conquer, but ourselves" - Edmund Hilary

Well, I did it!

2 months ago, the idea of traveling solo around the world was so scary to me.   I thought the world was so big and I was concerned about being responsible for such an important project.  I honestly didn’t know if I was smart enough, tough enough, or brave enough to succeed.

I was worried, but I did it anyway.   

Over the past 2 months, I have traveled thousands of miles; I even circumnavigated the globe on one trip.  I have logged 20 take offs and landings, experienced security and customs in 11 airports in 5 countries and I have made countless new friends along the way.   Friends who travel the world ALL the time too!  

The two projects I have conducted to date have been quite successful and I am excited to begin project #3.  I love the work- I am now very confident of my team building, team leading and presentation skills.  

I have learned that this opportunity did not require the amount of smarts, toughness or bravery that I imagined.  The key was to just do it.  When you need it, the right answers, strength and the courage will come to you.    

If there is something that you are contemplating attempting, but haven’t because you are scared, I encourage you to begin it anyway.   You will be amazed at how much you will grow!

Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.” – M Scott Peck

I accepted a special assignment this week that will have me doing several things over the next 8 months that make me a little uncomfortable:

• I will be travelling alone

• I will be travelling internationally

• I will be gone from 6 to 8 weeks at a time (away from Mr. Self Care!)

• I am expected to provide some high profile project management on subject matter that is not within the scope of my expertise.

While I have wanted to stretch myself for a while now, and I am excited and honored that someone has decided I am capable; inside, I am a bit anxious and worried that I am going to blow it. There is also the prospect of being out there in the world alone…going to dinner ALONE! Figuring out the lay of the land ALONE and trying to make my way ALONE in places where the culture and language are new to me.

I am putting together this survival plan in my head…

• To look at this as an adventure. Every time you step out of your comfort zone you expand it! I am going to meet new people, and have some great experiences along the way.

• To take things as they come…one thing at a time…one step at a time. The answers will be there as I require them.

• To rely upon others and ask for help when I need it. I am going to be leading a team of subject matter experts- I only have to know how to communicate and organize (which ARE my areas of expertise). I really am not so alone. I may even learn new ways to communicate!

• I am going to practice lots of good self-care.

Hug Happy

“We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” - Virginia Satir

Have you hugged your child today? Your spouse? A friend? Hugging is good self care, and it also benefits the person you hug!

Why hug?

Research shows that hugs (and human touch) enhance our feelings of security and well-being
Hugs reinforce our connections to each other.
Hugs tell people that you love them.

Some Dos and a Don’t of Giving and Receiving Hugs:

DO: Aim for 4, but know that the more hugs you get (and give) the better
DO: Hug first and let go last!
DO: Hug often – you can give one hug to four people or 4 hugs to one person (it all counts!)
DON’T: Be pushy- people have different comfort levels with being touched. Always ask if you don’t know someone well enough.

Take Good Care!

 
***Hug O' War is from Shel Silverstein.

Happy Duran Duran Appreciation Day!

"You listen to a piece of music and it will remind you of something-it might make you happy, it might make you sad, but it is very emotive. And I think that Duran Duran have always understood that. " -Nick Rhodes

 
Today is Duran Duran Appreciation Day!

Quite frankly the band has always given me a warm, fuzzy feeling and...well...warm and fuzzy stuff is exactly what we do here on the self care blog....it is just good self care to be a little giddy and nostalgic at times...also we are always looking for a good excuse to celebrate (and eat cake.)  Today Duran Duran is our answer, girls! 

Last year, my English husband, Simon (ironic isn't it?), took me to Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington to see Duran Duran.   We got great seats and some pretty good pictures too.

The most striking thing about seeing these guys in person- other than just loving their music played live- is how amazing they look.   They arrived at the park dressed to the nines and just looked stunning!

Here are a few more pictures from the concert....Be sure to take some time today to pay homage, girlfriends...turn on your favorite Duran music...grab a glass of wine and do a little appreciating!  Enjoy!

Happiness Happens

“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

Today is National Happiness Happens Day! 

While happiness happens to all of us all the time, today has obviously been set aside with the intent of increasing our mindfulness of the joy and beauty that occurs in our every day lives.

There are two kinds of happiness I think.  The kind of unexpected happiness that sort of bowls you over...like winning the lottery, getting a promotion at work, accomplishing a huge goal, or having someone throw you a surprise party.   There is also the type which I think is more subtle-the kind I believe this holiday is intended for- the joy we feel when we are quiet and in tune with the world around us.   It is often the small things- our children's laughter, a quiet evening snuggled with our spouse, a conversation with a good friend, a walk in the park- that brings us contentment and serenity. 

You can also just make a choice to be happy.  It is raining today. For many people- especially those who may have had their plans dampened by the gloomy weather- rainy days may not very conducive of happy feelings.   You can choose to look at it as a bad omen, or put up an umbrella and enjoy the refreshing scent of wet earth and the uncrowded spaces outdoors created because everyone else is staying in.

Finally, you can create some happiness for yourself by causing happiness to happen for others.   Take a moment today to do something nice for another person.  Pay for the coffee of the person behind you, let someone go in front of you in line at the store, make cookies with your children, or give you spouse a nice massage.   Giving happiness doubles it!

Happy Happiness Happens Day!