Ideally, you could take advantage of the sun when it’s out, participating in fun, outdoor activities like hiking and picnics and frolicking and having adventures with your friends and loved ones!
However, when you can’t leave the house and don’t want to interact with people, but you know that vitamin D is good for you, just go somewhere as private as possible that is in the sun. If you don’t feel able to make your way to some special nook in your favorite local park, take advantage of your yard (preferably the back yard). A friend or neighbor’s yard will work too! I usually sneak out around back and hide in the corner of the yard where no neighbors can see me. Sometimes I bring a pillow and soothing cool beverage, and if I’m ambitious, a book.
You know when I thought about the topic for this blog?
WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FREAKING MEDITATING.
Right now, I’m primarily using this app called ‘Calm,’ which is not that bad. The free features are perfect for a beginner like me to keep busy I mean CALM. After a couple of weeks, I decided to actually pay(!?!?) for the whole app, and I’m surprisingly glad I did. There are meditations for everything. And for each category, you can choose what length of time works best for you.
My favorite feature is the sleep stories. They’ re just someone reading a story in a soothing voice. Sometimes it’s super boring. Sometimes it’s a metaphor. Whatever. They’re great. There’s one non-fiction one that I have never been able to stay awake through! And there’s one fiction one about how cats basically came from dragons! LOVED IT!
Chai tea in the mornings is a particular treat. I like to have chai tea on the mornings when I have the time to just sit comfortably and relax. Coffee is for mornings where I’m in a hurry and breakfast is synonymous with multi-tasking. But chai tea days are those special and cherished leisurely mornings where you can breathe deeply, eat slowly, and appreciate your surroundings. More days should be chai tea days. It’s caffeine – it’s energy, but still it somehow relaxes me while simultaneously preparing and motivating me to be productive without emphatically worrying about being productive.
A while back, I took a tai chi class through Pierce College continuing education. It was in the morning. On Saturdays. While I really enjoyed it, I sadly did not attend every class. It was in the morning. On Saturdays. ugh.
However, on the days that I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed and participated, I found the class to be really relaxing and fun. I liked the explanations of the patterned movements, and the fact that everything meant something. The practice required just enough focus to feel like meditation, while not so much brainpower was needed to make it overwhelming and exhausting. It was challenging, but not overly so. It was, surprisingly harder than I thought it would be – requiring strong, steady, slow, and, to an extent, precise muscle movement is not as easy as it looks! But still, it made me feel solid and strong as well as surprisingly graceful. Even though we were all beginners, when we started to get used to the pattern, and were executing the movements in sync, it was fun to feel like a part of something bigger – like our energies were all working together to make something beautiful and meaningful.
But, for me, Tai Chi is a practice more easily initiated in the evening. Mornings are hard for me already, as an impatient insomniac, so I feel like that likely detracted significantly from my enjoyment and motivation. In the evenings, when preparing for bed, Tai Chi can help slow the racing thoughts by slowing the body and having something on which to focus – it’s a peaceful strengthening routine that prepares my body for a more efficient resting of the mind and body. So for me, the best way to appreciate and benefit from this calming and centering exercise, is to practice Tai Chi in the evenings.
Want to know more about Tai Chi? Here’s a beginner’s guide:
Pretending to be a sim is a great way to assess your mood when you feel like crap, but are having a hard time figuring out why. You know those needs bars in the game the Sims? When you get really overwhelmed, think of those and how you would deal with them in the Sims. You evaluate where you are in each category – are you in the green? Or is the bar red with that arrow to the left? Identify the problem areas and fix them in order of easiest-hardest.
S – Self-scan :
Think of each need category and assess your level. It helps to ask yourself questions more like; “When did I last eat” rather than, “Am I hungry.” Sometimes you don’t know why you feel the way you feel, or what needs the most attention.
I – Itemize improvements:
Think of how you can fix each problem area and then organize your plans to get back in the green in a way that makes sense to you. Usually that’s easiest to hardest, but sometimes you start with the category that is the MOST RED. Sure, you might be in the kitchen with a snack on your way to your mouth, but if you’re about to pee your pants, do that first. (please).
M – Manage momentum:
I guess that’s a fancy way of saying just do it.
Bladder
Easiest fix. GO POTTY!
Hunger
Eat something. Too hard to decide or to make something? Fruit and string cheese are my go-tos. Just stick it in your mouth. It’s also handy to prepare by stocking up on super easy meals for hunger emergencies. My emergency meal is Yakitori chicken and fried rice from Costco. It’s yummy, hot, and takes three minutes in the microwave.
yummmmmmmm
Hygiene
Take a shower – you stink! Too hard to stand up? Sit down in the shower. No rule says you can’t. (I call it a shather). Or take a bath. Still too much work? Wash your face. Brush your teeth or hair. Invest in those make-up removal wipes for when even that is too hard. Been wearing the same clothes for three days? Change ’em!
Energy
Take a nap. Go to bed. Eat bananas, oatmeal, spinach, almonds, or other high-energy foods. Drink some coffee or other caffeinated beverage if there are things you HAVE to do and shut-eye is off the table for now. Anything else give you energy? Jump on it! (energetically).
Do something you have fun (or used to have fun doing). See a movie, hang out with friends, play laser tag. If you’re thinking, “Ugh… FUN. What even is that?” Just take baby steps. Youtube ‘unlikely animal friendships,’ or ‘kitten derp.’ Play your favorite cheerful song. Just take three minutes and listen to it. Or if you feel able and spritely, move your body WHILE you listen to it! Dance parties are high energy, but you can handle it for ONE song maybe, right? It might be helpful to make a note whenever something you do makes you even a little happy. Then you can refer to it when your fun meter is especially low.
This is one that helps me:
Social
Yeah, yeah interact with someone. (This is especially tough if you are an introvert, like I am.) You may hate the idea of it, but your hate will probably lessen if you are actually doing something with someone else. Hang out with friends, go to an event, talk to someone for just 5 minutes. You don’t really want to see any of your friends? Okay, just leave the house and have a random positive interaction with someone – anyone. The best way to do this is with someone in customer service – it is LITERALLY part of their job to try to connect and be nice to you. Go grab a coffee and remember to smile at your barista and say hello, please, and thank you. If that’s too long of an interaction, then try complimenting someone on something. It doesn’t really matter what (well, don’t be offensive). You don’t even have to particularly believe it. As you’re passing a stranger, just pick something about them, and then say you like it. Like, “Hey – cute shoes!” It takes three words. Two if you leave out, “hey.” Minimal effort, you make someone else feel good, which will in turn make you feel good, and LOOK you had a social interaction! Congratulations! Your bar is moving towards the green! If even leaving the house is unthinkable, invite someone over. Specify that you might be in your pajamas. Can’t even bear the thought of being in the company of another human? Cuddle up to your pet or hug a stuffed animal. Reach out to people you care about via facebook, email, chat, whatever. Send someone a text letting them know you’re thinking about them. Even something that small can cheer you up. Try not to neglect your important relationships.
Comfort
Here’s where naps can come in handy yet again. Find your softest blanket and warmest slippers and snuggle on the couch with some mac & cheese and your favorite book. Pretend you’re a human burrito. Take a hot bubble bath and use that special body wash. Treat yo’ self to a mini-spa experience! If you’re like me (and many other ladies), you have mysteriously accumulated a ton of miscellaneous body lotion. Get rid of it – slather it on your body. Paint your nails while watching a silly rom-com. IDK… what comforts YOU? Do THAT.
*but be careful with eating TOO much food, or relying as food as your primary comfort tool. This can often backfire and make you feel worse, guilty, and bloated. After you eat some comfort food, and you find yourself wanting more, try to ask yourself, “Am I hungry?” Then wait 20 minutes before getting more.
Where are you? Or where do you go often? Is it pretty? Calming? Comforting? Or…is it a source of anxiety, annoyance, and distress? Make some changes. Ok, so you can’t afford to move to a better apartment or quit your job. But you can move furniture, clean, paint walls, and declutter! Can you spruce up your office space in any way? Add a cheerful plant or cozy seat cushion? What can you do? LOTS! But… Baby steps again. Think about what specifically you don’t like about your environment and start there. Start small. For example, my bathroom had looked the same since we moved here, and I was tired of it. I didn’t want to go in there. To me, it was just a boring reminder of how stupid the past was. It was uncomfortable, crowded, and boring. I thought the shower curtain was ugly. So I bought a new shower curtain. I changed those cabinet knobs that I hated – from functional and boring to FUNctional and pretty! I even bought a special, very soft bath mat because I hated stepping on the cold tiles! (It was THISand I LOVE IT! SO SQUISHY AND BEAUTIFUL!) But you don’t have to spend money to change your environment – use what you have! I hung up art that was cheerful and fun. I got rid of clutter and moved things I didn’t use everyday to some decorative storage bins. I fixed the broken shelf and folded the towels. Each small thing you do to improve an environment you’re not happy with is a step in the right direction. Even if your environment problem seems too big to solve, try doing just one small thing that makes it a little bit better. You wish it were sunnier in Washington? TOO BAD – haha! But you can get a light therapy lamp, take vitamin D, plan vacations to sunnier climes, make sure you get outside every day, move heavy furniture away from your windows, get stronger lightbulbs, find things you love about the rain. Appreciate and make the most of each blue sky!
Music can be a great source of comfort and inspiration when you’re feeling down.
Today’s song is: “Dark, dark eyes” by Marian Call.
“You don’t know how lovely you are
Sweet sweet soul with dark dark eyes
Head to heel beautifully marred
Sweet sweet soul, forgive my surprise
I know you see right through me
But please don’t look away
I’ll comfort you if you’ll cling to me
We’ll cry and we’ll wait for the day
Oh, I wish you could see what I see
My sweet sweet soul
Dark dark eyes
You don’t know how dangerous you are
Sweet sweet soul with small, small hands
I’d tell you the truth, but it’s hard
Sweet sweet soul, you don’t comprehend
But I’ll sing you every known love song
Until you can sleep through the night
I’ll stay by your side if you’ll have me, love
I’ll hold you until you don’t fight
Oh, I wish you could see what I see
My sweet sweet soul
Dark dark eyes”
Why this song’s so cool: Marian Call is a nerdy folk singer/songwriter, and she actually has a whole album just dedicated to the T.V. show FIREFLY, which is awesome! This particular song is usually interpreted to be about River Tam.
Why this song’s helpful: Sometimes you can’t see things clearly when you’re tired or stressed or overwhelmingly sad. Your perception of yourself and the situation become warped. This song can remind you that others may see you differently and have a unique perspective that can be helpful to comfort you and get through your problems. It reminds you that sometimes all you can do is hold on and weather the storm until a new day begins. It also lets you know that your struggles are a part of what makes you who you are, and that can be beautiful and appreciated. Also the music itself is just really soothing and calming.
I couldn’t sleep all last night, no sleep for me. Which was dumb, but whatever. Fine. Sometimes it happens. I abandoned even trying and actually got some stuff done, which was cool.
But then, disaster struck!
At around 10:00 a.m., I was thinking… “I dunno, maybe I’ll spend today primarily dozing.” But first, I was jammin on my planner when I discovered (GASP!) that the online class (the one I’m actually *interested* in) I thought started THIS Wednesday actually started LAST Wednesday. uh oh….I don’t know how to work the website, what the requirements are, or what’s expected … I don’t even have my books yet! So, after a brief panic attack I had to suddenly restructure my whole day. Gone were plans to play games with friends and take leisurely naps and work on all those fun, creative projects… I figured out the website, and got the general idea of what I was going to have to complete by 11:59 TONIGHT, and then took a 2.5 hour nap.
After I woke up, I completed the first part of the first lesson pretty easily – syllabus review, introductions, don’t plagiarize, blah blah blah. But when I posted my first required discussion board post, I saw that the time stamp said 6:56 PM. Uh…. whhuuttt…? It’s like… 3:56 PM. OH CRAP. This school is in Pennsylvania and APPARENTLY we’re adhering to their stupid timezone.
MORE STRESS. MORE PRESSURE. ACK ACK ACK.
Well, long story short, I finished this weeks lessons and assignments in time.
I guess the lesson is that sometimes unexpected pressure/stressers can actually be highly motivational and conducive to efficient planning, productivity, and accomplishment. PROOF!
The future looks grim, and you are going to have to make some sacrifices and be fierce and strong as hell if you want to survive.
You gotta stock up on weapons and survival gear. You gotta have a strong, supportive gang to have your back.
YOUR ZOMBIE SURVIVAL KIT NEEDS:
A compass – Helps you know what direction is what. Make some goals. What do you want to do and where do you want to go? What direction is that? Use your compass to help you get there. If you see that you’re straying off the path, use your compass to reorient yourself in the right direction.
A first aid kit – You’re gonna get wounded. It’s inevitable. This is war, and you’re fighting for your life and your right to not be consumed by the enemy. Make sure you know how to mend yourself up and heal. When you’re hurting and in pain, what helps comfort you and alleviate your symptoms? Make a kit that is full of practical support, special treats, soothing remedies, happy things to revive you, and reminders that you are loved.
Duct tape – When you gotta patch things (or yourself) up in a hurry. Sometimes there’s no time for a first aid kit. You need a tough, quick fix that will hold until you can regroup and come back to reevaluate. When there is an unexpected emergency or sudden crisis, you need something sturdy, durable, and dependable. Have a strategy for coping and dealing with unforeseen calamity.
Food – the healthy (keep up your strength), easily accessible (you may have to eat on the run) and hopefully non perishable (grocery store runs are going to be a difficulty) kind. Can’t fight off them zombies on an empty stomach. Everything feels better when you’re well-fed. (But not TOO well-fed – zombies are unpredictable and you never know when you’ll have to be running and fighting again.)
Practical, multi-purpose, comfortable clothes – Can’t fight zombies barefoot or in a tight, pencil skirt . Well you could… but why make it harder on yourself? Let’s be efficient here. Layers are great. Keep warm with your favorite blood-stained and battle-scarred hoodie. Wear something that makes you feel confident – like you CAN take on those zombies! That might mean something different for everybody. Something loose so you’re cozy enough to sleep in it – saves time and energy. Lots of pockets for carrying around those tools and accessories and chapstick. A sarcastic t-shirt to show those zombies you don’t give a fuck.
No-nonsense hairdo – Zombies can pull long hair. Don’t let unruly bangs and fly-aways distract you from the fight of your life. Keep that hair secure and low-maintenance with a rugged bandana and no damage hair tie. Otherwise, it’s just a constant annoyance and drain on your focus and energy.
Something to do – For downtime between zombie attacks. Strangely, there’s not always a constant onslaught of frenzied zombie attacks. You want to make the most of the times when you’re feeling okay and there aren’t that many zombies on the horizon. Deal with necessities first: self-care (food, water, rest, hygeine). Then work on maintenance-type things. Stock your pantry and replenish your first aid kit. Work out new strategies with your zombie-fighting team. Resolve disputes, repair the border fences and clean and practice with your weapons. Next, try to make progress on your goals. Scout the vicinity for supplies, tools, allies, and anything that can help you on your quest. And don’t forget to relax, have some fun, and release some tension. Maybe a deck of cards?
Flashlight – Sometimes zombies attack at night. They are just not that respectful of your sleep schedule and plans. Deal with it. Shining light on your surroundings will help you see them more clearly. Start with a broad sweep of the entire area around you, then focus in on potential problem areas.
Lighter/matches – Even flashlights fail sometimes. Your batteries run out eventually. Or they malfunction. Or fall out. You need a backup light source. It”s hard to fight blind, so don’t let that happen. You want to know what is going on around you. Also, a way to start a fire so you can keep warm. Sometimes body heat isn’t enough, and you will need to look outside yourself and your fluffy jacket for safety, warmth, comfort, light, and hope.
Binoculars – Be on the lookout for the threat. Do regular checks and sweeps of areas you know are weak points. Learn to recognize the signs. Know what’s coming. You can’t just look at the things right next to you – you have to organize your troops and plan ahead. If you have some idea of what is coming and about when it will affect you and your situation, you can more easily and efficiently take action to mitigate or eliminate the danger in advance.
Swiss army knife – A versatile multi-tool to MacGyver your way out of awkward and dangerous situations. Something you can apply to all sorts of predicaments in order to get positive results or avoid negative ones. Cut bad things out of your life. Uncork your feelings. Build a better mindframe.
Melee weapon – Things are going to get up close and personal and you’re going to get dirty and feel gross. If you only use a gun all the time you are going to come to depend on it and not see any other options or opportunities. And do you want to attract more zombies and make things worse? Besides, you think there’s an endless supply of bullets out there? NO! So unless you have extensive experience as an ammunition engineer, and you’re also conveniently a crack shot, invest in a good, sharp machete, and a heavy baseball/cricket bat. That way you can really show those zombies who is boss and have the satisfaction of personal triumph in your conquest. And you will be assured that your adversary is irrevocably and indisputably dead. With each success, you are establishing a pattern of success that will grow exponentially stronger and increase your confidence and likelihood of succeeding again against future foes.
Long-range weapon – Okay, fine, I guess you can have a gun. It’s not ideal, but sometimes there is no other way to take down a zombie that is far away, and the benefits outweigh the risks. You’d be a fool not to take advantage of every tool in your arsenal, and this can help to save you trouble in the long run. But make sure you’re aware of the risks and be careful and safe when you have to bring out the heavy artillery. Train yourself up, don’t point it at your allies, know how to use it, and be precise so you don’t waste your shot.
Good health – As good as you can get it. Take care of yourself. Doesn’t matter how many machetes you have if you’re too weak and exhausted to use them. Drink lots of water, take vitamins if you can find them, and don’t forget to stretch your body before and after a vigorous zombie killing. Also, don’t forget to exercise your body so you can protect yourself. Also… endorphins. Remember to pay close attention to what your body needs and keep training yourself in positive habits. Tools are great, but YOU are your best weapon. You’ll never be without yourself.
Zombies are going to try to eat your brains. Be prepared, have resources you can trust, and always remember the double-tap.
