"When do you relax, breathe, and enjoy your life the most?". Someone I follow on FB and Instragram posted this question and it really made me think. The last few weeks have been a little chaotic for me. In between bouts of being sick with Violet, family things, and seasonal depression enjoying life has been something I've really had to manage and really think about. But there are several things that always lift my spirit no matter how bad the blues get.
1. Inspiring talks from LDS leaders. I read one today called "Living The Abundant Life" by President Thomas S. Monson. It's from the January 2012 Ensign (a publication put out by the LDS church). Some of the things it focuses on are having a positive attitude, believing in yourself and facing challenges with courage. Real talk, I needed the encouragement today. Okay okay, I need a pick me up MOST days.
2. Pillow talk with Cristian. I'm not sure how pillow talk goes for others out there, but it doesn't really matter what Cristian and I talk about it, it's more the togetherness that really soothes my soul. We laugh, and reminisce, and dream about the future and I just love it.
3. Nap time with Violet. She is a ball of happy energy and has me going, going, going all day long. She's growing up so quickly and testing boundaries, and learning her limitations, and trying to assert whatever independence a 2 year old can have. Nap time is when she snuggles up under my arm, rests her head on my shoulder with her arm wrapped around my neck and slips quietly back into my baby. Her heavy breathing, and drooling onto my shirt are 2 of my most favorite things ever. I love watching her wake up. She's a little heater, so she perspires while she sleeps and wakes up with beautiful little ringlets surrounding her face. I am savoring those moments while we still have them daily. I know one day nap time will be a thing of the past.
4. Being outside. I mean is there anything better to really clear your head then spending time in the woods, up in the mountain, in a grassy field, or walking along a beach. Just being somewhere bigger then myself, for some reason, really brings me comfort and helps me but things into a better perspective.
5. Exercising. Exercise is a great stress reliever, but it's also a stress in itself. I must say though, my endurance has been building up and there are moments while I'm running and I capture a taste of how my old body used to feel on a long jog. It's exciting. I can feel pre-pregnant Chelsea slowly resurfacing and it feels so good. Weights has also been making a HUGE difference. I don't know why lifting weights and doing circuit training with kettle bells and dumb bells makes me feel like superwoman, but I'm really enjoying it.
6. Creating. Especially something new. Terrariums this last week have been so much fun, and it's also something I can enjoy with Violet. It's nice having more plants in the house. I don't know, our home feels brighter, cleaner, and anything that makes the inside of our home, feel like outside, is tops in my book. I also started a Vision Board, and it's been a really great motivator and reminder for all the things I'm trying to improve on in life.
7. Traveling. I wish this one was easier to accomplish with my family right now. Being in a different place other then I'm used to humbles me, and again with the perspective thing. I have a hard time going out of my comfort zone in day to day situations, but travel is something I am more then willing to just THROW myself into. Give me a plane ticket and I'll go anywhere, risks and all, and I'll thrive.
8. Writing. What a great way to get the things stirring around in your mind, out. I always feel better after a nice long journal entry.
9. Painting my nails. This one is weird. Cristian bought me nail tools for Christmas last year and I am so surprised by how much fun I've been having trying out different designs. I've never really been into doing my nails. But I've found it to be really therapeutic for me, and I find myself wanting to do something different with my nails every couple of days. And I guess this ties in with my "creating" point.
10. Eating dinner with my family. Getting together at the end of the day with my favorite people is the best, add a yummy healthy dinner and not much can make me happier then that. Family dinners were something I always had growing up, but not something Cristian was used to when we were married. I'm glad it's become one of his favorite things to. We sit down, electronics off, and eat and talk about the day.
These are the times when I relax, breathe, and enjoy my life the most.
I love this!!
ReplyDelete