Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Tender Tuesday Don't Be a Bully


2Fishes Studio, all rights reserved, Open Hearth


 Don't be a bully; be tender with yourself. That statement is the most important thing I have learned on this mental well-being journey. I have also discovered that it is the hardest thing to do in any form of recovery. I understand the struggle, and I hope this blog will help you be kinder to yourself because when you are kind to yourself, you will also be kind to others. 

Many, including myself, struggle to be tender with themselves. This challenge transcends mental well-being issues. I've personally grappled with both cognitive well-being and self-kindness for many years. While medication has been a part of my process, I've also come to understand the importance of cognitive work. You're not alone in this struggle. 

The most essential thing in this process was for me to forgive myself. I have to do it daily, sometimes even multiple times a day, but I remind myself that I forgive myself. If my higher power can forgive me, I can, too.

Forgiving yourself is not an easy task—it could be the hardest of them all—but you have to in order to be tender to yourself. 

A few other things you can do to be tender to yourself are to allow time to relax. This is not being lazy. It is required to function at your best and talk positively to yourself. Stop saying things like I'm not good at that. Say something like I need to learn how to do that better. 

Try these things: forgive yourself, talk positively about yourself, and allow yourself time to relax. See if they don't give you an excellent foundation for being more tender to yourself. We can add more later, and if you fall off track, get back on and continue being kind to number one, you. 

You have heard the saying, "You can't pour from an empty well," so please

remember this quote when you think about being kind to yourself, "We win by tenderness; we conquer by forgiveness. -F.W. Robertson

Monday, August 12, 2024

Motivation Monday 1

 



Motivation Monday is in full swing. This morning, I woke up determined to reset my mindset. I adopted a new routine to stay motivated daily, not just on Mondays. The strategy is simple yet vital: getting ready daily. Having battled depression all my life, I've discovered that dressing in something other than pajamas—actual outfits—daily can significantly lift one's spirits. It's been effective for me, and I recommend trying it if you haven't already.

In this new approach, I'm not just dressing up but also grooming myself as if I were heading out. While it may seem routine for those who commute to work, it's different for remote workers who might need to prepare themselves more regularly. Dressing up has never been my thing, or wearing much makeup. However, old advice suggests that you should always leave the house with a touch of powder, mascara, and lipstick. With that in mind, I've started dressing for the day, styling my hair, applying minimal makeup, and brushing my teeth right at the start to enhance my mental well-being and focus.

Today marks the first day of implementing this idea. I set my alarm and was up and ready by 7 a.m. Although it's just the beginning, I already feel more positive about myself and today's tasks. It instills a sense of professionalism in me, which is easy to lose when working from home or managing household duties. I did take a picture of myself holding a paper that says Day 1. I plan to post updates and photos as I do this over the next thirty days. I hope the pictures show any changes in my demeanor, as this routine has the potential to bring about a positive change in me. 

We have discussed the need to motivate ourselves to get ready every day. We have also discussed my plans for the next thirty days. I do hope you will join me on this journey. Your support and shared experiences will be invaluable. I will leave you with this quote, "Either you run the day or the day runs you." -Jim Rohn. Nilizadeh, S., Labreche, F., Sedighian, A., Zand, A., Fernandez, J., Kruegel, C., Stringhini, G., & Vigna, G. (2017). POISED: Spotting Twitter Spam Off the Beaten Paths. https://core.ac.uk/download/111033542.pdf

Thursday, August 1, 2024

No Concentration

 


Engrossed in my art,
Dogs bark at the emptiness.
Evening descends.

-Kelsey Sidebottom


Dog on couch
Toby the Terror




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