The number one recommended free app in the App Store is 4 Pics 1 Word. It’s exactly what it sounds like. You look at four pictures and figure out the word they all have in common. (Like the one below is “bow”) When the hubs told me about it, I wasn’t that excited but it actually is a fun, mildly challenging game good for relaxing at the end of a long work day. Or I could just do yoga again 🙂
At the end of the day, I was struggling with my motivation to do something fun. I flipped through my HGTV Magazine looking for a quick decorating solution. The hubs tried to challenge me to a game of chess. Nothing inspired me to do anything. Then I started thinking about yoga. I’ve referenced the recent time in my life where I struggled more with RA than I ever remember struggling before. Well, before that, I was quite active; yoga a few times a week, walking the dog every day, taking public transit (which does require more physically than driving everywhere), etc.
Recently, I told myself I would get back in to yoga. I even looked up the gentle class schedule at my old studio and put classes on my calendar. But I never went. Tonight though, when I could think of nothing else to do, I went to the closet, dusted off my mat and started a solo practice. I felt rusty and old. My bones were creaking and popping. I could barely get down to sit on the ground on my own. I couldn’t put too much pressure on my wrists or left shoulder, which made it near impossible to do planks or downward dogs let alone move between those poses and standing. BUT I did what I could and I actually felt good about it. After just 15 minutes of rusty practice, I felt strong, challenged (in that good way) and relaxed.
I admitted to the hubs later that I had been scared to try again for fear of failure. I know it is something many people struggle with all the time, but fear can be so paralyzing, no matter what it is that scares you. Yet once you set your mind to conquering it, the rewards are so gratifying!
I’m thinking now about how to tailor a practice to my specific needs that flows the way yoga should and maybe works in elements of physical therapy as well. More on that to come I’m sure. Tonight ended up being a lot more fun and empowering than I thought it would be.
This Guilty Pleasure Monday was another busy one. I developed a pretty bad headache part way through the day. By the time I left work, the last thing I wanted was to listen to the weird dance mix radio DJs in Chicago put together for the 5pm drive home. So I decided to drive with the radio off, something I never do, and it was oddly serene. I relaxed, felt less rushed and my headache even went away. A little.
Dear Long-Handled Shoehorn,
Though our courtship has been a short one, I can already tell we will be partners for life. You are perfect for me. How you hang, so patiently nearby waiting for the moment when you can be useful. The way you guide my foot ever so gently in to my shoes. I feel like Cinderella!
Thank you for your support. Thank you for making life easier. Thank you for being exactly what you are and nothing else.
Let’s never break up, k?
xoxo
Sarah
Tonight I had my first opening night party at my new job. I don’t know many, or really any, of my new coworkers well. I don’t know anyone in the show nor do I know any of the VIPs. Working within this environment is one thing. Socializing in it is a whole other thing, especially when I tend to be a little shy at times. Add that to just having seen an emotionally challenging show and it could equal a socially awkward night for me.
While it was looking like it could go that way at first, I got some free food in me and managed to engage new people in several different conversations, including a few total strangers. For this I am very proud of myself and I’m hoping it lasts until tomorrow night when I have another work event to attend.
year of fun 