Silverwitch

Thank you all so much! I don't know what it is that I simply tend to not see anything valuable in myself. It is something I definitely have to work on - because due to this I have problems to spend sufficient time on self care. I will take it at my desk, since I have my own office and can simply shut the door behind me and tell the front desk to let neither person nor phone call through to me. But as long as I manage to do this without feeling that I "have to" read papers or do anything work related, it should be a real break.

Hmmm… I wanted to write down every day something I like about myself. Now I am sitting here, thinking what that could be. How shall I ever come up with something for EVERY day, if I cannot even find ONE positive thing just for today!

Currently reading "Foxglove Summer" by Ben Aaronovitch. It features a guy who works as police constable in London, and has … some talent for magic. Perfect read for a few minutes to myself, or before bed. Makes colourful dreams!

Looks like you know at least in which direction you need to go in order to get yourself on a good track again. Throwing out clutter that isn't even the own clutter is especially satisfying!

Sunday. Pre-Challenge Sunday. So far, I have taken my St. John's Wort daily. That's already 16 times, including today. Supposedly, it takes up to four weeks to feel something from it, but I do have a little bit the feeling that it is doing something already. Maybe it is pre-challenge excitement? I don't know for sure, but it feels good. Why question a good feeling? My kids are going soon to my parents and will not return before early evening. Which means for me: bath, hair conditioning and yoga! Yay! Again, it is a wonderful golden fall day today, and I definitely want to spend some time outside as well. Getting my step count up… Breakfast today: 3 eggs, scrambled, 4 strips of bacon, very small piece of goat cheese, few pieces of cucumber, red bellpepper, carrot, 3 small pickles and some cress, bulletproof coffee with coconut milk, cinnamon and coconut oil. 2 glasses of water (each glass 250ml). Intention: not to eat before dinner time, and maybe just have tea in the early afternoon. Tea time for myself, maybe with book (self care!). On work days, take a break for tea as well, telling secretary not to put through any phone calls during this time. Thinking about this, I realise that I do not really take breaks during work time. So I will change this, and be NOT AVAILABLE for anyone for 15 minutes on workdays. Hey, other people go have lunch every day - I don't do that at all, so I might as well have some break by enjoying a cup of tea in peace! That's not asking too much, or is it? *sigh* I still struggle with some of my workaholic traits... I need to be somewhat stricter on my low carb Paleo again, too. Letting it slide means retaining water, a certain flabbiness and odd cravings. Carbs taste nice, but what they do to me above 25g per day is detrimental for my well-being. Recently, I have been up to a whopping 75g per day… ugh.

She was tired, but kept her pace through darkness. The more the night advanced, the more she felt moisture creeping into and under her wide dark grey cloak. She pulled the hood closer around her face when she suddenly noticed a faint hint of smoke in the crisp and cold air. It came with a promise of warmth, rest and - maybe - good company. Grabbing her long walking stick firmly and tapping lightly the moonlight crystal on the top of it, she started walking towards the intensifying smell, her path being lit by the silvery light of the crystal. She arrived at a magnificent fire, surrounded by a variety of beings peacefully sharing warmth and comfort of it. She pulled her hood back, revealing long silver grey hair and sharp features. Her dark eyes quickly scanned the round. "I am Silverwitch, and tired of walking in darkness and cold…" Silverwitch hadn't finished her sentence yet, as someone pointed to what looked like a log roughly carved into some sort of seat. "Here's room for anyone who respects peace, and is willing to share." A smile embellished for a split-second the sharp features of the witch. "Thank you." As she sat down she took a closer look around. Indeed, very different beings were gathered around this fire. Someone started talking, and she understood he was resuming where he left off when she arrived, telling the story of his last battle. The witch knew this would be a night in comfort and peace. For the first time after a very long time.

Yeah, aging is fun. :-/ *nodswithcompassion* I hope the painkillers do their job. Would ice cubes be helpful? Sucking on them?

:D I just had two girls in front of my door, both not dressed up at all except of wearing fake cat ears. Upon my question they replied "we're killer cats in camouflage, but if you give us sweets, we won't attack." LOL

So it is Halloween today. As I try to keep up with my posts on NF, I am constantly "forced" to get up and answer the door, providing lots of little ghosts and ghouls with some sweets. Good for my step count! The funny thing is when I was a kid I didn't know of Halloween with "trick or treat" … This is just a few years known in Germany, sort of spilled over from USA - or some sweets companies looked for a chance to increase business. So I don't really have a relation to this. Well, my husband grew up with it, so therefore I am left to my devices at the computer, and he is out with the kids watching them while "raiding" the neighborhood for sweets. Ha, got up five times writing this! Hey, does that count as some sort of exercise??

A fundamental truth that many scientists unfortunately overlook: Correlation is not necessarily proof of an actual connection.

When the world seems to just jump in your face, it is a very good move to remember things that enhance your mood and make you happy. Like your examples: many times it's the simple things that have this power. The right temperature for your coffee, a good hair day (in my case lol), a day where everything actually runs as smooth as it was intended... To remind oneself can take the sting out of the constant rage. It has healing powers.

I lived in Monrovia, going every day to Duarte because I worked there in a big research facility. Met my soulmate in LA, now we're married… still have very fond memories.

You're in LA - LA as in Los Angeles? Lived there for a few years… quite a long while ago!

People don't make things difficult on purpose. At least not all of them. But I know what you mean. One puts effort in and feels sort of … stepped on. I need to remind myself of this when dealing with employees. My father always says "You can not whittle them the way you want them. Sometimes you just have to find a way how to deal with them. Being kind or at least neutral will protect your mind." I am hoping to one day reach his wisdom and insight.

Paleo? Just ask. Cookies: I bake a lot of those for Christmas, but I do have for some things a lot of "paleo versions" that are appreciated even by non-Paleo eaters. Another great side effect of making cookies is that you're already sort of sweetened out just from making them, so it becomes easy to watch the others eat the fruit of your work!

Spooky! I just wanted to quickly look in here, and here I am, exhausted after already five pages of awesome! *shakesheadgrinning* I'll follow - for tempting salads, great goals and simply because of … you being you.

By the way: happy Halloween / wonderful Samhain!!!

I'm still amazed at all the resourceful links Gobnait pulls out of her hat! Kairiel, Du wirst Erfolg haben! (you will have success) Ich bin ganz sicher. (I am very sure)

fffffinn, after reading so far I have the feeling it will awesome to share this challenge with you! And by the way: you don't have to make it magical… it already is. Believe me. I'm a witch, I can tell.

Life throws you for a loop sometimes. Ouzo is not bad to give you a better feeling about it. For a short while. Fill that box, declutter mind and life, and fresh energy will come to you in due time. I'll follow to see it happen. Best of luck to you!

"Fueled by Paleo" is what I claim … but I would be a liar if I would say that certain sweet stuff has no temptation for me. Cheesecake… very dark chocolate… gingerbread (selfmade just from ground nuts and spices)… Oh I know the fight quite well! It is hard, but you will be the winner, I am sure of it!

Going to the gym is hard for me, too. Usually, they play very loud music, and it is seldom a kind that I like or can stand. I get also easily annoyed by a certain kind of "gym people." Forcing yourself to a bubble bath - I know exactly what you mean. It will be hard to get to the point of PURE enjoyment instead of somehow having these little gremlins in the back of the mind telling us it is such a waste of time… feels like a long way to go, and I am happy I am not walking the path alone! Happy Halloween / wonderful Samhain!

Ah, so you became a Ranger! Congratulations! I'll follow your journey! Good solid challenge, and I like that you plan on being careful enough to avoid injury! Many times one starts something by "wanting too much in too short of a time" (I know, I'm a specialist in doing so…), and then gets injured or wotherwise bummed out. And welcome to the guild-spanning sisterhood of declutterers!

Looks like a very ambitious challenge! No Poi, but I can see that there is barely any time for this, since you have a long list to check off. I am sure you will manage, and gladly pop my head in every now and then to see you rock this!