LittleTurtle

Test came back negative, but I am still required to quarantine until the end of the week. I did not do well at this challenge at all, but maybe next time.

Motivation is so fickle. I know I need to get back on the exercise wagon, but my comfy couch and Netflix is so much kinder to me. Don't beat yourself up. You'll get back into it when the time is right for you.

Same, friend. Same. Hugs.

I spent 4 hours in line for a COVID test today. I found out I was in close contact with someone who tested positive, so now I'm quarantined for 14 days and awaiting my results. I don't seem to have any symptoms other than a headache and a scratchy throat. Temp is well within my norm. Silver lining? I will have lots of time to get on the treadmill in my basement. 🤷‍♀️

I've had little mini breakdowns almost everyday for a couple weeks now. And to top if off...Opening Night was supposed to be this past Friday and we had to postpone the show on that very day because of COVID precautions. So all that hard work kinda went down the drain for me. I don't even know how far into this challenge we are right now, but I'm struggling bad. At least I don't have rehearsal anymore.

THANK YOU! I bought myself some and it seems to help a bit. Do you take it everyday? It's hard to determine being as I am still so new and learning. We're trudging through though. Yeah...she isn't able to start until probably the 1st part of November. 😩

You are so right. I absolutely do my best at doing that, but sometimes 5 calls come in at the same time from 5 different schools with 5 different emergencies and then what I'm focused on goes right down the drain as I try to deal with figuring out how to fix each emergency in a timely fashion. I just keep telling myself..."We will have a temp soon. We will have a temp soon." And then visualize this:

Look who remembered how to insert a gif!! I love unexpected treats like that!

Well. It's Saturday. I actually have a moment to sit and breathe. I've been seeing a massage therapist for awhile now, and I've just recently started going back to the chiropractor. Pain is still there, and I am about 95% certain I have tendonitis in my right shoulder. It is extremely frustrating because I have the massive desire to start strengthening my upper body, but moving my shoulder is so painful that I wanna throw up when I move it. I cannot take anti-inflammatory drugs because of my autoimmune disease. If anyone out there knows of an anti-inflammatory I can take that isn't an NSAID, please, oh please let me know and I will give it a shot. Work is super stressful right now. I work for the largest school district in our state in the Facilities Services office. I used to be in the Insurance and Benefits office, but there were massive cuts made because of our budget crisis, so they downsized our office and I was transferred to a different position. I've been in the new position for about 3 months. They cut a position in my new office as well. SOOOOOOOO...there used to be three full-time secretarial positions in our office, but now we are down to two PLUS we are dealing with all the COVID stuff for the entire district which, in itself, is a full-time job. We have two of us doing the work of four, and I am so stressed on any given day that I have to excuse myself occasionally to go sob in the bathroom. They did hire a temporary position to help us out for the school year while COVID is in full swing, so I am grateful for that, but training a new person has me nervous since I, myself, am still very new. When I'm not working, I'm at the theatre. I directed my very first show this summer, and now I am assistant directing "Murder on the Orient Express". I am also taking an Adult Tap class which started two weeks ago mostly because I love tap and I want to audition for a musical next year that has a lot of tap in it and I'd like to improve my dance skills. Diet is okay. I'm very nutritionally educated and know what I need to change, but am struggling to find the time and energy to do just that. At this point in time, I am not terribly concerned with it because my weight is the best it's been in years (probably stress related, I'm sure). I know I'm not eating as nutritionally sound as I could be, so I've just been eating a bit less than normal and keeping an eye on the scale (even though I know that the number on it is a very small indicator of the bigger picture). So a typical day for me looks like this: - Wake up at 5:30 am - Work from 7:00 am - 4:00 pm - Do miscellaneous errands, then help make dinner and quickly eat - Theater from 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm - Drive home and get ready for bed - Crash hard around 11:00 pm - Repeat All that being said...this challenge won't be a very "traditional" challenge for me. I usually like to make diet and fitness goals, but for the time being, I am more focused on my mental health and pain levels. So here are my goals: Frequent Body Checks Are my shoulders down and away from my ears? Is my jaw unclenched? Is my tongue relaxed and not pushing up against the roof of my mouth? Meditation via apps like Calm, Headspace, or an ASMR video Try to do this for about 10 minutes 3 times per week Stretch Every. Single. Day. Some kind of mindful stretching and breathing I may not be able to be on the threads everyday, but I will make sure I am doing these three simple tasks and maybe I'll start to feel less like this each and every second of the day:

Popping in to say, "WHAT THE HELL?! HOW IS IT ALMOST THE END OF THE WEEK?!?!?" I still haven't set goals yet. My goals are to survive each work day and then I have theatre 4 nights a week, and OH! I am taking Adult Tap Dance lessons! That is my favorite part of the whole week! I gotta find time to sneak on here and check the threads. Bad Guild Leader, BAD!

Thanks! Pain is all over in general. I discovered that corn causes inflammation in my joints, so I have been trying to eliminate it. I cannot tell you how many times I've eaten something corn related and gone, "ACH! That had corn!!!" 🤦‍♀️ I think you are absolutely correct! I like to start my challenges on Mondays...but here it is - Thursday and I'm still like...hmmmmm. Hahah!! I used to be extremely active a couple years ago, but got heavily involved with our community theatre, so I haven't been around in awhile. Nice to meet you too!! NICE!!

Wow!! I am impressed with your progress! ...It appears that I don't remember how to insert a gif...so now that's going to drive me crazy. 🤔

Wow. It has been an insanely long time since I've been here. Thanks to a special message from @Jittersthe.Clown, it made me realize how much time has passed. I gotta be honest. I don't even have a plan of action right now, but it looks like I have a couple days to get it together. Of two things I'm certain: 1: My life is insanely busy right now, and I have a lot of stress. 2: I have some chronic pain issues I've been dealing with lately and exercise seems to aggravate it even more. I will think about some goals I'd like to accomplish and join the boards for this one. I'll do my best to keep up and also check in on my fellow Druids. I've missed you all! 💚

Love the challenge, love the gifs, love seeing you back! In fact...you may have inspired me to join the fun again. It's been too long.

Hey there! I, too, was misdiagnosed a while ago. I'm super proud that you are not letting it knock you down. You got this! Best of luck at rediscovering your She-Hulkness!

Thank you for posting all the inspirational pictures and quotes. I needed to see them even though I didn't even know it!!

This Little Turtle is preparing for a great journey. It will take me away for awhile, but I will try to visit as often as possible these next couple months. Godspeed, fellow Druids!

I noticed your tag for your thread, but you know what? The fact that you are here and documenting means something! Everyday that you post makes my little turtle heart happy.

I may be off base, but reading through your posts...I sense a feeling of balance. I like it.

Short, sweet, and to the point! My favorite!! Good luck!

I'm popping in to tell you how much I love your chart! That kind of stuff is SUPER effective for success!

YES! I do this sometimes myself!

This is great! And I love your grading system! Good luck to you!