Tell me about something that’s been nourishing your mind these days. Something giving you a gentle but much-needed infusion of calmness. It can be a feeling, a meal, a person, a creature, an activity, a book, a gadget or gizmo—anything that comes to mind. Share in the comments below!
Two main things for me! An activity (watercoloring) that’s been forcing me to sloooow down. If you’ve watercolored before, you know it’s not exactly for the most impatient among us (me! I’m impatient!) but wow has it made me love the wait and lack of control. Another—my dogs. One look at my sleepy, lazy dogs when I’m especially anxious and I feel magically at peace. Lady (the pup I rescued when I first lived in my own) also loves to rest her chin or sometimes her entire body on my legs, stomach or even my chest. It’s like having my own weighted blanket. ♥️
truly blessed, even if everything I own is *always* covered in fur! :) ps—your book and author note shipped out this morning and you should be getting tracking notifications soon!
Definitely cooking and eating some good takeout! Whenever I think about what I'm most grateful for, food is pretty high up there. I find it relaxing to cook, and it's so satisfying when you make a delicious meal. It's also nice to treat yourself every once in a while and get takeout.
I love it!! What's your FAVORITE home-cooked comfort meal? I've been using kits and just signed up for Misfits Market deliveries and am very, very new to cooking this much. Not normally something I enjoy, but also finding it relaxing (and deeply satisfying when it turns out delicious)!
lol my friend and I were just talking about how following @nytcooking on instagram is such a blessing and a curse. 3 a.m. and I want a Georgian cheese bread boat! *bookmarking this stir fried eggs recipe*
Being outside. Everything feels so chaotic all the time and while I can turn off my notifications or turn off my phone, I can't turn off my thoughts. So I welcome distractions from the chaos and I get that by being outside. Whether it's a run, a walk or a hike, feeling the fresh air and taking in the outdoor sounds of my beautiful surroundings has been grounding me lately.
Being outdoors is just the perfect antidote for #pandemicblues when you're lucky to have clean air and beautiful plants/landscapes around you. I'm so happy you have that :) Dreaming of your mountainous surroundings!
Plants. Watching them change, watching new ones bloom on my walks. I'm walking through the same streets (and don't go anywhere else right now), which is less than ideal; I'd like more variety in my life. But, discovering different plants and watching them change, is joyous and wonderful.
That's beautiful, Ivona <3 I love plants (it'd be weird if someone didn't, I know lol). Do you ever learn the species? My mom has an app on her phone that identifies plants by taking photos and she's always using it.
My Daughter. She's my sole purpose for living and loving. She is such a light for me in these shaded times. She helps me stay focused and her smiles and sneezypoots remind me that right here, in this actual moment, reality, isn't that shady at all!
Yoga! Just 20 minutes a day, with some YouTube channel (especially Yoga with Adrienne): I am not flexible at all and I love to see my hands go slightly closer to the ground when I do forward fold :)
This is awesome! Everyone always talks about Yoga with Adrienne...need to take a class! It must be fulfilling to see yourself get closer and closer each time, too.
The best thing about Adrienne is that she is not showing off anything, she has such a sweet and quirky attitude! She keeps saying "find what feels good in this posture" which is a lovely way of thinking about many things
Came here to say exactly this!! I try to do at least one video a day, and sometimes one video will push me to do two (especially if something hurts/needs attention). Usually do it at night before bed & I always feel much calmer. I’ve even cried during some videos bc it’s just such a release.
Two main things for me too. Getting up early in the Rockies and seeing the alpenglow turn the peaks a peachy orange. This summer is so beautiful, it feels almost valedictory. Next is opening my inbox and hearing from the wonderful women of The Shoe Project who are sending in stories about their lives, and the supporters and volunteers who are lining up to bring those stories forward.
Wellness goals. Without a goal for each day, the days blend together. With it, I feel like I have a purpose every day and the changes I feel physically or mentally are just added benefits.
Thoughts of curating a mood board sort of page & gouache painting - finally got my hands on these paints after drooling over them for two years. I had a very calming routine going the first 3 months of the lockdown but not my mental health is tanking like a heavy stone in still waters.
a mood board! I love it. Also love gouache painting—only recently picked up my first paints. I'm sorry to hear your mental health has been a little on the rocks lately. Here's to regaining stability and flourishing (with vibrant gouache colors!)
Meditation. I’m fairly new to it so I try do like maybe 10-15 mins total in a day. I use the insight timer app. In moments throughout day that I feel especially overwhelmed, I’ll do a 1-2 minute exercise just gather myself again. I also try to do a longer guided meditation before I sleep, and found that it helps me fall asleep much quicker.
10-15 minutes a day is *so* good! I can barely keep up with my 5-minute Headspace routine sometimes. So glad this practice is helping you especially when you're overwhelmed <3
Rediscovering my love of reading! I was an avid reader as a child and have spent the better part of my adult years discussing how much I need to read more. Now I'm being easier on myself but prioritizing it more. Also...pasta :) Most small things can be fixed with a bowl of pasta.
You are speaking to my soul right now. Books and pasta. What else does one need? Btw, in a couple of weeks, I'll be asking for book recommendations, so if you can, think of your all-time favorites! :)
#truth. Do you follow a specific format? Before the pandemic, I was using the BestSelf Co. undated journal, which encourages you to write down 3 things you're grateful for in the morning and then again before bed. Need to get back into doing that!
I have a journal that encourages you to write something you’re grateful for and a positive affirmation for the day. Every three days, it give you a writing prompt, and at the end of the month, a deeper reflection of that month. So, it’s been pretty cool to work on!
Of course! TIJ got me through so much during the pandemic! If you scroll down on the main page, all 100+ prompts are right there—and they’re some of the best writing prompts I’ve ever come across! 🌸
Two main things for me! An activity (watercoloring) that’s been forcing me to sloooow down. If you’ve watercolored before, you know it’s not exactly for the most impatient among us (me! I’m impatient!) but wow has it made me love the wait and lack of control. Another—my dogs. One look at my sleepy, lazy dogs when I’m especially anxious and I feel magically at peace. Lady (the pup I rescued when I first lived in my own) also loves to rest her chin or sometimes her entire body on my legs, stomach or even my chest. It’s like having my own weighted blanket. ♥️
omg you are so lucky that you have dogs near you right now!! :)
truly blessed, even if everything I own is *always* covered in fur! :) ps—your book and author note shipped out this morning and you should be getting tracking notifications soon!
Haha, yes! Also omg yay thank you! Can't wait to receive it!
Cooking old recipes belonging to my mother, we found a recipe card box during the move. We do this once a week and I lookforoward every week :)
<3 alex. I saw the review you left on my site and it seriously made me weep. I love how you're holding her memory so close.
Definitely cooking and eating some good takeout! Whenever I think about what I'm most grateful for, food is pretty high up there. I find it relaxing to cook, and it's so satisfying when you make a delicious meal. It's also nice to treat yourself every once in a while and get takeout.
I love it!! What's your FAVORITE home-cooked comfort meal? I've been using kits and just signed up for Misfits Market deliveries and am very, very new to cooking this much. Not normally something I enjoy, but also finding it relaxing (and deeply satisfying when it turns out delicious)!
It's hard to pick a favorite, but stir fried eggs and tomatoes is an easy go-to!
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018570-chinese-stir-fried-tomatoes-and-eggs
lol my friend and I were just talking about how following @nytcooking on instagram is such a blessing and a curse. 3 a.m. and I want a Georgian cheese bread boat! *bookmarking this stir fried eggs recipe*
Omg I just looked up that bread boat recipe and it sounds amazing!
i knooooow! if you make it please let me know! i have never ever ever made bread
Being outside. Everything feels so chaotic all the time and while I can turn off my notifications or turn off my phone, I can't turn off my thoughts. So I welcome distractions from the chaos and I get that by being outside. Whether it's a run, a walk or a hike, feeling the fresh air and taking in the outdoor sounds of my beautiful surroundings has been grounding me lately.
Being outdoors is just the perfect antidote for #pandemicblues when you're lucky to have clean air and beautiful plants/landscapes around you. I'm so happy you have that :) Dreaming of your mountainous surroundings!
Plants. Watching them change, watching new ones bloom on my walks. I'm walking through the same streets (and don't go anywhere else right now), which is less than ideal; I'd like more variety in my life. But, discovering different plants and watching them change, is joyous and wonderful.
That's beautiful, Ivona <3 I love plants (it'd be weird if someone didn't, I know lol). Do you ever learn the species? My mom has an app on her phone that identifies plants by taking photos and she's always using it.
My Daughter. She's my sole purpose for living and loving. She is such a light for me in these shaded times. She helps me stay focused and her smiles and sneezypoots remind me that right here, in this actual moment, reality, isn't that shady at all!
Ahhhhh this is so wonderful, Tamara! What a blessing to have someone you love so hard so near. She's a lucky girl to have you.
Yoga! Just 20 minutes a day, with some YouTube channel (especially Yoga with Adrienne): I am not flexible at all and I love to see my hands go slightly closer to the ground when I do forward fold :)
This is awesome! Everyone always talks about Yoga with Adrienne...need to take a class! It must be fulfilling to see yourself get closer and closer each time, too.
The best thing about Adrienne is that she is not showing off anything, she has such a sweet and quirky attitude! She keeps saying "find what feels good in this posture" which is a lovely way of thinking about many things
Came here to say exactly this!! I try to do at least one video a day, and sometimes one video will push me to do two (especially if something hurts/needs attention). Usually do it at night before bed & I always feel much calmer. I’ve even cried during some videos bc it’s just such a release.
yoga and crying = new favorite hobby
Two main things for me too. Getting up early in the Rockies and seeing the alpenglow turn the peaks a peachy orange. This summer is so beautiful, it feels almost valedictory. Next is opening my inbox and hearing from the wonderful women of The Shoe Project who are sending in stories about their lives, and the supporters and volunteers who are lining up to bring those stories forward.
I’m so jealous! Grateful for all the trees here in Georgia. Love what the Shoe Project does!
Wellness goals. Without a goal for each day, the days blend together. With it, I feel like I have a purpose every day and the changes I feel physically or mentally are just added benefits.
I love the idea of using wellness goals to kind of keep time right now <3
Thoughts of curating a mood board sort of page & gouache painting - finally got my hands on these paints after drooling over them for two years. I had a very calming routine going the first 3 months of the lockdown but not my mental health is tanking like a heavy stone in still waters.
a mood board! I love it. Also love gouache painting—only recently picked up my first paints. I'm sorry to hear your mental health has been a little on the rocks lately. Here's to regaining stability and flourishing (with vibrant gouache colors!)
It's a lot of fun!! Cheers to stability!
Meditation. I’m fairly new to it so I try do like maybe 10-15 mins total in a day. I use the insight timer app. In moments throughout day that I feel especially overwhelmed, I’ll do a 1-2 minute exercise just gather myself again. I also try to do a longer guided meditation before I sleep, and found that it helps me fall asleep much quicker.
10-15 minutes a day is *so* good! I can barely keep up with my 5-minute Headspace routine sometimes. So glad this practice is helping you especially when you're overwhelmed <3
Rediscovering my love of reading! I was an avid reader as a child and have spent the better part of my adult years discussing how much I need to read more. Now I'm being easier on myself but prioritizing it more. Also...pasta :) Most small things can be fixed with a bowl of pasta.
You are speaking to my soul right now. Books and pasta. What else does one need? Btw, in a couple of weeks, I'll be asking for book recommendations, so if you can, think of your all-time favorites! :)
Gratitude journal! A grateful heart is a magnet for blessings.
#truth. Do you follow a specific format? Before the pandemic, I was using the BestSelf Co. undated journal, which encourages you to write down 3 things you're grateful for in the morning and then again before bed. Need to get back into doing that!
I have a journal that encourages you to write something you’re grateful for and a positive affirmation for the day. Every three days, it give you a writing prompt, and at the end of the month, a deeper reflection of that month. So, it’s been pretty cool to work on!
Love to hear it!! Have you checked out theisolationjournals.com? 🙂
Of course! TIJ got me through so much during the pandemic! If you scroll down on the main page, all 100+ prompts are right there—and they’re some of the best writing prompts I’ve ever come across! 🌸