Last year, I started taking photos of things I was noticing, some were simple moments of joy (enjoying a coffee on the couch, with a book and my cat) or everyday hurdles (my feet on the yoga during my leg physio exercises). I started printing them off as film strips on my Canon SELPHY printer and I tuck them in my journal. In addition to my words, this makes me feel seen. These are not photos for Instagram or my photo albums, etc. They are an archive of the life I am living. Similar to the sort of photos you post in your IG Stories, except I’m tucking mine in my journal.
I love this too! I also take those pictures but I don’t do anything except post on Instagram when I have time. Since I have a canon selphy, I should consider starting to print them again. Back in the day I kept a Project Life album for about 6 years; I think I may need to bring that back.
I like your list, Laura. I also find that stepping outdoors and soaking in the surrounding nature helps to calm my nervous system and set a positive tone for my day. There's something special in the early morning calm when the day feels fresh.
My favorite journal is a Mead Five Star small notebook. I think it's 9.5" x 6.75"? You can find one anywhere and it's $5. And you're right, you don't feel bad having messy handwriting in it!
Your questions about the 8 and 80 year old me made me pause. And then get emotional because I’m pretty hard on myself. But when you phrase it like that I realize that I’m doing a great job.
Nice list. I would add or maybe swap reading for Music for me since playing or singing is just a core part of my being. I do read but maybe not as avidly or don’t see it as the core practice that keeps me sane. The share part is the hardest .
I used to be a news junkie but I have cut way down on my news consumption. A half hour of local news in the morning. I see enough things at work to keep me informed about what is going on but nothing after work . It has helped cut down on stress and anxiety and helped me enjoy my evenings more.
This is smart! I’ve tried to cut down on any consumption (news or social media scrolling, because who knows what you’ll come across that is upsetting??) in the last hour or so before bed because it was affecting my sleep and showing up in my dreams!
20 minutes is the perfect timer setting for me! 30 minutes feels too long and anything less than 20 can feel too short. I will say that (weirdly) I use a 30 minute timer when I’m working. Although I do think work time feels different. And also I do that because i’m counting hours. (4 sets of 30 minutes means I worked on the thing for 2 hours.)
Thank you for this sanity and serenity check. Many helpful bits and bobs in this post, and you’re reminding us that we aren’t alone when feeling that these times are indeed quite outrageous 🫶
Some great gems and good reminders here Laura, thank you! The world does indeed feel in turmoil and for me anything helps that reminds me I'm not in control and never should be
Thank you for this list, Laura, and for the acknowledgment that the times are outrageous. Taking my dog for walks and listening to non-news podcasts help me immeasurably. I've also let myself off the hook from "serious" books and have been reading genre fiction for pure pleasure. I used to read mysteries and thrillers, but since the pandemic I've been reading historical romances. Reddit has some great book discussion threads, and it's fun to shamelessly share with others who love all kinds of books.
Last year, I started taking photos of things I was noticing, some were simple moments of joy (enjoying a coffee on the couch, with a book and my cat) or everyday hurdles (my feet on the yoga during my leg physio exercises). I started printing them off as film strips on my Canon SELPHY printer and I tuck them in my journal. In addition to my words, this makes me feel seen. These are not photos for Instagram or my photo albums, etc. They are an archive of the life I am living. Similar to the sort of photos you post in your IG Stories, except I’m tucking mine in my journal.
I love this so, so much.
I love this too! I also take those pictures but I don’t do anything except post on Instagram when I have time. Since I have a canon selphy, I should consider starting to print them again. Back in the day I kept a Project Life album for about 6 years; I think I may need to bring that back.
I like your list, Laura. I also find that stepping outdoors and soaking in the surrounding nature helps to calm my nervous system and set a positive tone for my day. There's something special in the early morning calm when the day feels fresh.
My favorite journal is a Mead Five Star small notebook. I think it's 9.5" x 6.75"? You can find one anywhere and it's $5. And you're right, you don't feel bad having messy handwriting in it!
SAME
Your questions about the 8 and 80 year old me made me pause. And then get emotional because I’m pretty hard on myself. But when you phrase it like that I realize that I’m doing a great job.
❤️❤️ I plan to do journal parties in June from the perspective of our 8-year-old and 80-year-old selves.
Nice list. I would add or maybe swap reading for Music for me since playing or singing is just a core part of my being. I do read but maybe not as avidly or don’t see it as the core practice that keeps me sane. The share part is the hardest .
I used to be a news junkie but I have cut way down on my news consumption. A half hour of local news in the morning. I see enough things at work to keep me informed about what is going on but nothing after work . It has helped cut down on stress and anxiety and helped me enjoy my evenings more.
This is smart! I’ve tried to cut down on any consumption (news or social media scrolling, because who knows what you’ll come across that is upsetting??) in the last hour or so before bed because it was affecting my sleep and showing up in my dreams!
20 minute timer for declutter/cleaning is helpful to me. I need to reinstitute it! and add 20 minute reading timer.......
20 minutes is the perfect timer setting for me! 30 minutes feels too long and anything less than 20 can feel too short. I will say that (weirdly) I use a 30 minute timer when I’m working. Although I do think work time feels different. And also I do that because i’m counting hours. (4 sets of 30 minutes means I worked on the thing for 2 hours.)
Thank you for this sanity and serenity check. Many helpful bits and bobs in this post, and you’re reminding us that we aren’t alone when feeling that these times are indeed quite outrageous 🫶
I love this list. It makes me want to journal my own list!
Some great gems and good reminders here Laura, thank you! The world does indeed feel in turmoil and for me anything helps that reminds me I'm not in control and never should be
Thank you for a reminder of these very things I love to do!
Was just telling my Girls Club (counseling group) today that we need more outgoing and loud women <3
Also, just finished When Things Fall Apart.
Love this! These practices to stay sane couldn't have come at a better time!
Thank you for this list, Laura, and for the acknowledgment that the times are outrageous. Taking my dog for walks and listening to non-news podcasts help me immeasurably. I've also let myself off the hook from "serious" books and have been reading genre fiction for pure pleasure. I used to read mysteries and thrillers, but since the pandemic I've been reading historical romances. Reddit has some great book discussion threads, and it's fun to shamelessly share with others who love all kinds of books.