When things are tough (oh, hi, 2020) I try to take a look at what’s not tough. The little things that are working, helping, or just cheering me up.
So today I’m taking inspiration from Anne Boegel of Modern Mrs. Darcy, and sharing the little things that are (metaphorically) saving my life right now!
Taking a break from Instagram.
I love Instagram, and I often use it as a treat to get myself to do a chore. The beauty, inspiration, and connection I find there are delightful.
But lately I’ve had so much on my mind, from big-world issues like COVID-19 worries (my husband works in the emergency room and is seeing more and more of it as it peaks here in San Antonio) and reevaluating how I show up for the Black community, to more personal things like packing for our upcoming move and supporting friends and family who are grieving.
With thoughts of all these things already keeping my brain busy, the constant thought input from social media started to feel overwhelming.
Stepping away from Instagram has been a great pause, and has given me space to take a breath. I’ll probably be back at some point, but for now, I’m enjoying the extra brain space.
Swapping phone time for book time.
Along the same lines, I’ve noticed that for the past few months I’ve defaulted to consuming short-form media–like Insta stories, blog posts, and magazine articles–over long-form writing like novels or non-fiction.
At the beginning of the pandemic, I think my brain just couldn’t commit to a book.
Now, as I’m looking for ways to slow my busy brain down, I’m finally getting back in to reading full-length books again, and it feels so good!
During the day I read paperback non-fiction for a little brain-stimulation, study and practice hand lettering in my scriptures, and I read a novel on my Kindle to wind down before bed.
Currently reading:
Non-fiction
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. A scientific exploration of how our bodies hold on to trauma, long after the danger has passed–and how to cope and move toward healing. Good, but very heavy as it delves into the outcomes of lots of different types of trauma.
Fiction
Beach Read by Emily Henry. I loved Emily’s hauntingly magical YA book, A Million Junes, and I’m excited to see where she takes me in her latest novel for adults. I’ve been saving this one up for a treat!
My vacuum “collection.”
We are all home, and have been for months, and there are so many crumbs. Everywhere. All the time.
So I am more in love with my vacuums than ever. Roomba will always be my first vacuum child, and he is one of my best friends.
The Dyson Stick is my new vacuum baby, and I love how he charges on the wall, has crazy suction, and is so lightweight he makes it possible for me to vacuum the stairs without getting a hernia.
It is so adulty to love vacuums so much, but I just turned 35 and I am HERE FOR IT.
Related Posts I Think You’ll Love:
- 10 Fun Ways to Keep Kids Busy
- Best Stuck-at-Home Games for Kids & Families
- 2 Questions to Defeat Overwhelm
- 10 Little Life Hacks that Made My Year Way Better
Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube.
Who else loves Yoga with Adriene?
A friend introduced me to her videos, and I am loving this as another way to slow down my brain, ease my anxiety, and connect with my body: all things I’ve struggled with a LOT this year.
I love the YouTube-famous Adriene for being so down to earth and just a little bit goofy–I feel like I’m learning yoga from my big sister. Her casual vibe makes me feel okay being a beginner, which is just what I needed.
If you’re new, start with Yoga for Beginners. I did this one over and over for almost a month before I was comfortable moving on. It’s only 20 minutes!
I’m currently working through her 30 day series, “Home.” They’re just hard enough to feel challenging but not so hard they feel defeating–and all about 25 minutes long.
Cute face masks.
It looks like masks are going to be a thing for a while, so we may as well find ones we like, right!?
I’ve invested in a pair for each of us:
- one with back-of-the-head ties (great for long term wear) and
- one with elastic ear loops (easier to get on and off).
I’ve used it as an excuse to support some small businesses, too, so we’ve gotten all our masks from these Etsy shops:
- Sew October (Back-of-the-head tie style. Seamstress Jana was a delight to order from–she customizes fabric to your/your kids taste! Love this shop!)
- Magic Mask Design (Adjustable ear loop style. Lots of fun fabric options!)
- Sweet Life Attire (Ear loop style. Lots of fun fabrics & patterns.)
- Glam Bridal Gifts (Adjustable ear loop style. I bought from here purely for the cheerful fabric!)
Nintendo Switch video games.
I’m not much of a gamer in normal life, but with COVID-19 spiking and pools, parks, playdates, and Target runs pretty much out of the question here in Texas, I’m happy to have a little escapist playtime.
I mentioned Animal Crossing in episode 3 of the Bright Light Mama podcast, and after 3 months it’s still a daily staple at our house, and a regular topic of conversation between parents and kids.
Animal Crossing is sweet and entertaining: you build a little town on a deserted island, set up homes for your animal neighbors, go fishing, garden, and discover fun little secrets and treasures.
Plus one of my long-distance best friends also plays, so we play online and “visit” each other in-game.
As a family, we’ve also been playing an hour of Nintendo en masse after dinner, switching between the go-cart racing game MarioKart 8 and the new-but-nostalgic Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.
It’s a simple, mindless way to giggle and connect with the kids when we’re all tired from the day.
Earrings for my super-sensitive ears.
I’m looking for joy-sparkers right now, and these gorgeous things totally fit the bill.
And aren’t these (below) magical, too? And they work on my crazy metal-allergic ears!
I haven’t been able to wear earrings for years because of my super-sensitive ears (swelling, redness, and pain whenever I wore earrings of any metal–even gold), but I recently stumbled across earrings with titanium posts–and they work!
I ordered myself a handful of dangly ones from Etsy (all pictured!) and they are making me so happy! It’s the little things, right?
Getting my head/goals straight with my Powersheets.
I fell in love with this goal planner last year, because it helped me think about what really mattered, and then make big progress with little steps. (I love it so much that I’ve bought it for 3 other people!)
The goals I made in January did not anticipate the crazy that is 2020(!), so I really loved the going through the quarterly goal-refresh pages last week.
My life has changed, my goals have changed, and it felt so good to have a place to brainstorm, plan, and reevaluate.
(If you need a place to gather your own wild 2020 thoughts and make a plan, 6-month undated goal planners are on sale for $29 right now!)
What’s saving your life right now?
A great show on Netflix? The best Costco snack of all time? A simple-but-wonderful self-care practice? What are you loving right now?
Fill me in!
xo,
Jamie
