Tag: mental-health

Reflecting on Past vs Future: A Personal Journey

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Daily writing prompt
Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?
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If I had to choose which one I think about more – future or past? I would pick past – it’s been a challenge for me for a very log time. …like my entire life. I am always wondering what would have happened if…..I would have said. Should I have? Could there have been? Shoulda, Woulda and Coulda right?They used to be my best friends. Now they are just good friends and hopefully soon – distant friends.

Someone said something to me over about a week ago that totally changed how I think about this!!!

We were on a pet sit last week and we were having dinner with the pet parents. I was talking about this dilemma I have with thinking about the past. and what would have or could have happened. The pet dad said something profound.”What if what would’ve happened, happened and what if the outcome wasn’t what you wanted?” I had never ever thought of that part actually. I play the tape in my head through all the time if I am contemplating having an alcoholic drink. Why I didn’t in this situation? Who Knows.

But now – here is what has changed. My dad told me all the time I lacked discipline and he always thought I should join the military. Often I think how mu life would have been different if I would have joined? It’s always sunny but in reality. I could have died, I could have started my drinking career later in life which could have been devastating. So many outcomes that “could have” happened. Then I look at my feet. I think about where I am at the time and all the things I have done leading up to this. I am good! Not only good, pretty amazed and grateful for all the things that got me here now.

Transforming Regret into Positive Change

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Why? It’s done. That ship has sailed. A lot of the mistakes I have learned from are in the past, I like them there as memories. I used to drink a lot of alcohol and I always would do or say something I regretted. I was just thinking about how that hasn’t happened lately because I haven’t had a drink in quite some time. Even not being drunk and doing or saying something you regret is rough. You go over the conversation or action over and over again in your head and there is really no reason why except to make you feel worse that you did in the first place. You can’t change what happened at this point.

I am working on changing my thinking and how I do that is by creating a future that I love thinking about. I have goals and plans that now occupy my mind so I have no time to think about something stupid I did or said a year ago. I had not really thought about how little I have been thinking about the past until I wrote this post. Now that is a beautiful thing.

Daily writing prompt
Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?
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A Joyful List: 30 Things That Make Me Smile Every Day

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I love this daily prompt. I feel like lately between my job and the world around me it’s been challenging to remember all the things that make me smile. So here it goes:

  1. Plants. I love them. I don’t have kids so these work for me.
  2. Sunshine. I love sunny days. It could be super cold out but as long as it’s sunny, I’m cool.
  3. Waking up early on my day off – I love mornings and getting up when it’s still dark outside.
  4. Pens. I love different using different colors.
  5. Cannabis. My first smoke of the day is alway my favorite.
  6. Exercise. I always feel good during and after.
  7. Face Masks. The ones that are for facial care, I love using different types and trying new brands.
  8. A good comedy. I feel like it’s hard for me to find something that makes me laugh out loud so when I do, it feels great!
  9. Laughing. I don’t do enough of it so when I get a really good belly hurting laugh, it’a a beautiful thing.
  10. Spending time with my family. They all live so far away that when we get to spend time together my heart is full for months.
  11. Clean sheets. They just feel so good.
  12. Road trips. I love just driving to and from the destination as well as the time away.
  13. A good veggie burger. I love burgers but I don’t eat meat so it has to be a good substitute.
  14. Swimming. I prefer pools or water that’s not suspect.
  15. Hiking. Beaches, forests but nothing that’s high up. I am afraid of heights.
  16. Water. It makes me happy when I drink it, I like bathing in it and swimming in it.
  17. Yoga. I like stretching and seeing how far I can move my body.
  18. Apples. I love eating them. In salads, muffins, and plain.
  19. Yogurt. I love coconut yogurt, it makes my belly smile,
  20. Bike riding. I was born in The Netherlands, my mom’s family is Dutch. I have been riding since I can remember and riding a bike makes me feel fantastic.
  21. Taking a bath. Especially during PNW winters, the warmth brings me back to life.
  22. Drinking rooibos tea. This tea makes me feel like everything is all right in the world.
  23. Learning new things. I like keeping my brain active.
  24. Flying. Usually because it means I am going somewhere but I remember when I was younger I wanted to be a pilot.
  25. Hanging out with my boyfriend. We’ve been together for a while and his company makes me laugh and smile.
  26. Shoe shopping. For some reason, getting new shoes always makes me happy.
  27. Gratitude. Looking at my list makes me smile and feel good on the inside.
  28. Finishing a project. I got it done!!! That’s reason to celebrate.
  29. Walking around the neighborhood. So many beautiful things to see and that makes me smile.
  30. Coloring. On a rainy day or when I have nothing else going on. Its very relaxing and makes me happy.

Thanks for reading!

Daily writing prompt
List 30 things that make you happy.
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Maintaining Health and Well-Being Through Daily Routine

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What strategies I use to maintain my health and well being.

One thing I have learned in my life is that in order for me to be a productive human, I need routine.

Routine just makes my life easier and my mental state happier. It also allow me to do all the “things” I need to do in one afternoon or morning so my day goes smoothly,

If I stray from my routine because I think I have everything under control, it turns into a hot mess and usually I end up being irritated because I forgot to do something.

My health and wellness routine includes: Exercise/Yoga daily (I like to do deep hip stretches because that is where a lot of my anxiety and pain live), a bunch of supplements (at the beginning of the week I organize the vitamin container) always including magnesium and vitamin D. I journal and always thank the universe (& my mom and dad) for everything I am grateful for. I spend 20 minutes on the rebounder, I do a 5 minute tapping routine and spend about 15-20 minutes studying a different language. I eat healthy, include an apple a day, drink water and recently quit candy and any added sugars in food. I am feeling pretty good these days and definitely sleeping better than I have in a while.

I don’t do all of these things in the morning, I divide them into – before and after work. With my work schedule the way it is right now, this works perfect.

Daily writing prompt
What strategies do you use to maintain your health and well-being?
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