Love_Of_Snuggles

As week one draws to an end I'm feeling so much better. I haven't had a headache in a week, my stress is so much lower. I walk, but I'm not obsessing about it. Ditto with food. I had two different interviews this week (both at the university I want to work at) and have a second interview for one of them next week. I have a full weekend planned, but I feel pretty good about it.

I have a bit of an obsessive personality so when I'm doing good it's alright, but when I start to slip I stress myself out, beat myself up, etc. I have found myself enjoying my walks more when I don't wear my fitbit and I'm not stressing about what I eat or when.

Congrats! So glad for you.

So this challenge I need to focus on self care. One of my biggest triggers for anxiety and stress is a lack of control so instead of trying to control everything, I'm going to focus on only controlling whats important. Drink water! I have been getting headaches from a combination of not enough water and too much screen time. I have run out of fruit tea and fell back on soda and juice. I'm not going to measure how much water I drink, I will just focus on drinking water when I get thirsty and not beating myself up when I don't. Practice taking time away from the screen! Again, not something I'm going to measure, but will focus on reading, listening to books on tape and just sitting outside. Stop Tracking!!! I have removed my Fitbit, have stopped logging and am not worrying about what I eat, just that I am eating. Adding tracking to my daily routine has just been adding to my stress and anxiety. Right now I need to focus on just being.

Welcome Back!

Thank you for the words of support. This week has just been particularly challenging. I've spent the last 6 weeks keeping my board, my students and my friends calm, that I haven't really been taking care of myself. I finally broke today and woke up at 4am in a panic attack. My current work contract ends at the end of the month, which wasn't a surprise, but trying to find any job right now is going to be hard, but I am just starting out in a career in higher education. I haven't even finished paying of my grad degree, even if I don't need to make payments right now. Several schools have a hiring freeze in place, but one of the jobs I had been interviewing for has been pulled. For me, what this means is that schools are looking at downsizing, which is worse for me in the long run. I have to move out of my place at the end of June, but am struggling because I don't know whats going to happen next and that is my biggest anixity trigger. A lack of control over my future is really starting to wear me down. Intellectually I know I am not in the worse place possible, but that lack of control with no way to de stress, plus having to be so many peoples "rock" during this situation has pushed my to my limit. I think my next challenge will be to focus on taking care of myself. I need to come up with ways to support my emotional health until I get my feet back under me.

I'm eating a lot more processed food than I would like. I am also eating out (or having it delivered) 2-3 times a week. I'm struggling as the cost of food is going up and trying to cook with just a hot plate and toaster oven is getting harder. I'm also less enthusiastic about eating. I might be struggling with some mild depression and lots of anxiety. It's really effecting my appetite.

So This challenge has resulted in mixed results. I have made significant progress on organizing my library, I finally got my order of boxes for moving so I should be able to get the rest of my packing done this week, completed a total of 7 job applications, have been getting daily walks in, but not tracking with fitbit for most of it. I didn't get my Coursa class done, haven't been stretching or working with my weights and need to come up with plans for better diet.

It's going ok, but work is a bit crazier. I'm working my way through a stack of job applications wit hope that I can finish them tomorrow. I'm totally kicking myself because I forgot my fitbit today so no steps,

I fractured my lower back when I was a kid and now have progressively worsening scoliosis. The following are exercises/stretches that my physical therapist help me set up to strengthen and support my lower back. Additionally, strengthening your core will also help support your back. Before trying something new though, I really, really, really recommend speaking with a professional to see what would be right for you. It's very easy to completely screw up your back and I would hat to see that happen to you. Squat 10 times Trunk Rotation 10 times Dog to Camel pose 15 time (2 sets instead of 3) Spinal rock 10 times Bridge 10 times Spinal stretch, Hold for 15 seconds 3 times both sides

So last week was not as successful as I hoped but emotionally it was refreshing and relaxing. Lets see what next week brings · Week 4: Complete Week 1 Coursa work Complete 2 job applications Check in daily online here Catalog 50 books Measure improvement with chore tracking, make adjustments as necessary Finish packing bathroom & bedroom · Week 5: Complete Week 2 Coursa work Complete 2 job applications Check in daily online here Catalog 50 books Super Challenge - Complete all chores every day this week! Finish packing kitchen

My kindle allows me to create sub-catagories for books so major categories include SyFy, Fantasy, Romance, Dystopian (kinda on point, lol), Young Adult, History which includes my biographies, Science, Political, Spiritual/religious, Poetry, Classics, as well as collections of favorite authors or large series. This allows me to find the book I want to read or to browse a specific category if I'm looking for something new. I have read about 3/4 of my library, but frequently find free books to have available when I get board. I have mild addition to books and, on a rest day like yesterday, can read 3 full novels in a day. BookBub sends me a list of discounted or free books every day, most are no more than $1-3. Of course, if it's free, why not take it. If I don't like it, I remove it from my kindle. So I decided that yesterday was going to be a mental health day so I didn't think about these challenges, work, having to move, looking for a job, nothing. I ate when I was hungry, I read a lot, watched a little tv and staying in my PJ's all day. This morning I woke up completely refreshed. I did a quick job search, addressed a few work emails, went for a lovely walk as the weather is so much nicer and am now addressing my challenge. I hope to get some of my digital work done today and maybe a little packing.

I completely understand and can relate. Here's to comfy jeans and new food, a great way to start the week!

Happy Easter all! I started my day with a lovely walk and a little grocery shopping. I was totally pumped to find that they finally restocked my Morningstar veggie products. My store has been out for nearly a month now. I also have a nice selection of frozen veggies and some lovely tea to round out my shopping experience. I'm very much looking forward to video chatting with my sister and her kids today and ending my evening with a lovely homemade dinner. I have also take some time to restructure my challenge so it is attainable and reflective of my rough week. Physical #1: I have been slacking a bit with my walking over week 2 after overdoing it week one. Time to strike a balance. I also want to get back into my physical therapy stretches to better support my back and incorporate some light weights. Week 3: 2-3 walks a day, 1 set of stretches/3 times this week, 1 set of weights/ 2 time this week Week 4: 2-3 walks a day, 1 set of stretches/6 times this week, 1 set of weights/ 3 time this week Week 5: 2-3 walks a day, 2 set of stretches/4 times this week, 2 set of weights/ 2 time this week Diet, Tracking is King: Before I can make decisions about diet and water intake, I need to know where I stand. My goal is simple, but challenging; track everything I eat and drink! Week 3: Track Everything I eat and drink at least 5 days Week 4: Track Everything I eat and drink at least 7 days Week 5: TBD Personal Improvement: I have a small "To-Do" list of items I want to address over the next 5 weeks. Work on Certificate through Coursa Finish packing (I'm about 70% done now, want to reach 95%, with 5% left for daily living) Apply for at least 2 jobs a week Get online once a day to check in here, with friends, etc. Catalog my Digital Library!!! (Must come up with suitable reward as I have around 800 books to organize...) Start tracking with my Chore Chart, identify problem areas and determine how to address them. Week 3: Complete Week 1 Coursa work Complete 2 job applications Check in daily online here Catalog 50 books Identify challenges in chore chart (somewhat done, but could use further review this week) and address them Finish packing living room Week 4: Complete Week 2 Coursa work Complete 2 job applications Check in daily online here Catalog 50 books Measure improvement with chore tracking, make adjustments as necessary Finish packing bathroom & bedroom Week 5: Complete Week 3 Coursa work Complete 2 job applications Check in daily online here Catalog 50 books Super Challenge - Complete all chores every day this week! Finish packing kitchen Lets Get It On!