Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Time to Relax, Breathe, and Reflect

 I always look at this last week or so of the year to just take a moment and breathe!  Much of the festivities are over, and all the running and hurrying.  Now we can relax and reflect of the past year - and reflect on what we want in the coming days.
Many have been through a lot in the past year (actually the past couple years) - but here we are!  We are still here and kicking.  We made it!  That says everything in my book.

Take some time this week to just BE!  Snuggle up on the couch and stay warm.  Read a book or crochet or knit.  Watch a movie.  Eat the food and the goodies (start the healthy stuff next week).  Look at the pretty lights and enjoy them.  Take a nap.  Relax - reflect - breathe!!!!!!! 

We all need time to recharge out internal batteries.  We get so busy, that we often neglect ourselves.  If we don't take care of US - no one will.  Be in the moment and take care of you.
Maybe listen to some soft music, give yourself a spa night, go get a massage, just relax and recharge.

Click on picture to enlarge
I saw this and thought - WOW.  This is something we need to ALL do.  We doubt ourselves and others so much in this world today.  We are all unique and special, and we need to realize that.
It says December self-care.  I changed it to January - but you know what?  It should be a daily self-care and we need to work on these things each day.

I really love this.  I know I sure need to do these things and work on them.
You are YOU.  That is beautiful!  There is no other YOU!  Celebrate everything about yourself and your life.
We have to realize, no matter how crappy we think things may be - someone else would love to have our life!  

So let us all take time to be our best.  To shake up those routines, to grow, accept who we are and love it, to let go of regrets and anger, appreciate ALL you have, to be kind to ourselves and others, to love and to smile.
BE YOUR BEST
You DESERVE it!!!!!!!
Life is short and we are still here - so there is a good reason to celebrate.  Make each day count for the most it can.

May you all have a blessed day.  Make it so!!!!!
Till tomorrow my friends!





20 comments:

  1. I needed this today. It's been one stressor after another for months now. By last Saturday, I was about one crisis away from losing it. A good shower, doing laundry, and washing the pile of accumulated dishes yesterday went a long way toward getting back to normal. I've been pushing my physical limits too much lately and definitely need to practice better self-care. Feeling better today after a good night's sleep.

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    1. I get sent in a direction on posts for a reason!!!! I truly believe that. You have been through a lot and you do a LOT! The hardest part of get older each year - is grasping that things get tougher to do and cause us more aches and pains!! I hate admitting that - but it is true.
      You need to work on YOU and take CARE of you too. You aren't good to others unless you do!
      TAKE CARE MY FRIEND - rest a little.

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  2. I did putter around yesterday, and will do much of the same today and tomorrow. Then things kick into high gear again as I finalize the preparations for my upcoming cruise. But once on board ship - I'll be taking it easy and enjoying the moment.

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    1. Glad you have slowed a little for now. The upcoming preps will be worth it all. You lucky duck!!!!!! What a way to relax!

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  3. I love this chart...I love the way you crossed out December too. Yes, no matter how crummy things might have gone etc. or are going there are people who would love our lives. Sooo true. Oh wow, yes...I need to be kind to myself and God help me to do that.

    Christmas was a stresser for me at the inlaws. Enough said on that I'm sure many can relate. Haha. Oh man...Do I need to de-stress! lol I could not wait to get home to my peaceful home!

    Thanking God for my home, my husband, my pets and my kids and grandkids...Oh but it is so hard being a highly sensitive person in a highly insensitive world...

    I appreciate it here. (((hugs!))) Thanks for your sweet and encouraging entry today! I'm still doing Christmas here the first and am praying everything will go well, a 93 year old mom and littles. Hahahaha...It's a sweet bunch so that is a huge blessing (as long as everyone behaves!) ; ) lol



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    1. Sorry you had a bad time at the IL's. Some people can just push those buttons - I know that!
      Home is the bestest place to be!
      I have another gathering as well - later on - so it isn't totally over here either. Enjoy your time!!! 93 - that is something to hang onto and feel blessed.

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  4. LOVE this today, Cheryl. So very timely. One thing I like to do this week between Christmas and New Year's is make a list of things accomplished since last New Year's Day.

    We've all accomplished so much, even if it doesn't always feel like it. Just getting from one January 1st to another with a shred of sanity left counts! LOL! But I'd like everyone to think about it... many grew gardens of "grow"ceries, built up their pantry stocks, took care of little ones, spouses and more. Some read lots of books. Took trips. Enjoyed hobbies. Every little thing counts. Were you kind on days when your nerves were stretched thin? That's an accomplishment! Managed to stay positive when bombarded with bad news? That counts, too.

    Today I'm 61 and grateful to have both of our sons here to celebrate with us. There were a few times in my life making it to 61 wasn't a given. As I've often said, "Any day you wake up on the right side of the lawn is a GOOD day!"

    Thank you again for today's post, Cheryl. Hugs! --Elise

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    1. You betcha - getting from Jan. to Jan. with a shred of sanity. It all adds up and we have far more blessings than baddies. Being here and sharing our hearts and minds and trying to share all the positive - that is huge.
      Happy birthday sweet lady. Yep, being above ground versus 6 ft. under is a gift - always! Have a fantastical day - enjoy every moment.

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    2. Happy Birthday! You are right...tomorrow is not a given.

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  5. I like your Self Care pic. We've been doing that for a week now! 😆
    We've watched a Christmas movie every day, eaten way too much, snuggled up with blankets in front of the fireplace, slept a lot, etc. It's been a nice week.

    When I was part of an art group, we always made a Goal/?? Board in January. Kid style collaging and painting with o!d magazines or whatever. It was fun. I did mine with both goals for hands on and off. I might want to clean out a closet and go to bed earlier. Optimistic sayings or whatever made us happy. Part of that project was comparing them to the previous year and seeing how it went. Some did everything and some did nothing! Most of us were in between.

    Only once did I ever keep a NY resolution. I was a high school senior and I had bitten my nails all my life. I resolved to have long nails for prom and my mom promised me my first manicure if I did. Ta da!!
    I was proud of myself, but instead should have resolved to dump controlling bf!! I had long nails after that, but only had 2 additional pro manicures- before my wedding and on my honeymoon. I had a mani/Pedi in the hotel spa. Very nice! I was supposed to have a massage, too but the masseuse had the nerve to go on vacation that week lol!!

    We are going to venture out twice this week. We got LED Christmas lights last year and need 2 more strings so that's Menards. And then I've been working on a Walmart list since summer. Hopefully the post Christmas crowd will be mostly done.

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    1. That is a neat concept. I have seen people do those boards for various things in life.
      I have never had a mani pr a pedi other than ME doing them. That might be nice. Never had a professional massage either. That I think I could totally get into to - as long as they kept massaging as long as I could keep handing them money!!!! LOL! I love a back rub - G used to give really good ones.
      Glad you have a couple of ventures to go to. I heard crowds are just crazy this year. Find what you are looking for, and maybe even a surprise!
      I love that you have been self loving for the past week.

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  6. Practicing a little self care now, blog reading but might try a nap, on a Tuesday!

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    1. I took a Tuesday nap - it was energizing! Go for it!
      Glad you call blog reading self care.

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  7. I plan to use this week to rest while the kids and I are on Christmas break from school/work. We have watched some movies (last night we watched Thor: Love and Thunder), played in the snow, napped, etc. Feels so good.

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    1. It does feel good - doesn't it? I love that you are having a restful week. ENJOY

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  8. A wonderful post filled with lots to think about as we prepare to enter the New Year. All the best!

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    1. Thank you mam! I hope we all start our year out wonderfully and end that way as well.

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  9. I just wanted to share what I gifted this year. I gave everyone jars of muddy buddy snack mix. I sewed 2 pairs of slippers for one daughter and sewed up a wearable blanket for another. They loved them! I had printed an 8 x 10 picture of a location that means a lot to hubs and matted/framed it myself. I took the picture a couple years ago. The print was free at Walgreens and I thrifted the frame for $3. It turned out really nice and I think it's one of the nicest things I've ever given him! I gave the adults in the family gift baskets. It was so fun putting them together for each person. I got lots of compliments on them. For my grandson I thrifted several things his mommy wanted for him. I was happy I could find the things she wanted and stay on budget.

    Working on the gifts reminded me how much I enjoy creative projects. That's something I'm motivated to make more time for. I tend to put that last for "when I have time" or need a gift. I need to learn to do it for pleasure!

    ~ margaret

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    1. Those all sound wonderful! I would think everyone would want to be on your list!!!! How neat on the picture.
      You did a fantastic job. It is so much fun seeing how creative one can be. I am glad you enjoyed it.
      That last line says it all "I need toto learn to do it for pleasure". That is something we all need to learn about most things! Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Everyone of us needs to practice self-care. There is nothing selfish at all about it and we all benefit from taking care of the temple.

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