Tag: new month

reclaiming: one

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay

I don’t think I’ve ever been so aware as to track the journey of my Word of the Year on a monthly basis… This time though, with some of the things I am hoping my journey will take me through, it made sense.

Way back in the blogging days, when I did this a lot more regularly, I would do a monthly goal post at the start of the month, and a wrap-up “what I learned” post at the end. This kind of feels a little bit like that, though maybe with a splash of vulnerability and rawness. Who knows.

It’s here now, recorded…

How did I love my inner child?

I changed my apple watch face to be the Care Bears. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVED the Care Bears, Rainbow Brite, My Little Pony, and Strawberry Shortcake when I was a kid. (A bit later came Jem!) I bought a My Little Pony t-shirt that little me would have loved. It’s made of that cozy soft cotton and I wore it on the days when I knew I needed that extra comfort. On the colder days, I wore my Prince hoodie. It’s safe to say I’ve felt more connected to little me this month than I ever remember feeling. (over the weekend I also stumbled upon a classic Strawberry Shortcake coloring book and bought that too! My little inner girl is geeking out!)

Reclaim Creativity?

This one is tricky… I had the best of intentions to tackle a new painting project and pick up on my embroidery, which has been sorely neglected. My nerve pain has really struggled this winter and, in the end, I never made it to do either of those in January.

Reclaim me as a writer?

I submitted myself for a couple of opportunities. I’m learning to believe in myself, which is the hardest thing. I also officially committed to a new project, and am throwing my hat in the ring for a couple of freelance submissions. I doubled my writing time this month and that has felt cathartic and wonderful!

As a reader?

I joined the Backlist23 book challenge to read 23 books from my massive TBR pile this year, and it’s going well. In January I knocked 2 of those out, plus a bonus one that I hadn’t mentioned in my 23 list. It’s been so nice to cozy up and read, and that it’s been an opportunity to connect with a community of other readers doing the same thing made it equally as nice!

Reclaim my time?

Time management has never been my strong suit. Last fall I took an honest assessment of how I misspend my time and put plans in place to help, along with lots and lots of grace… My days saw some improvements during January. Little things that wouldn’t look like much to someone else, but it’s a start for me.

Self-care/Nurturing?

See the former sentiment about grace and add to it generic toaster pasties on the flare/crash days, a thousand (possible exaggeration) cups of hot tea, resting in ways that still stimulate my brain, cathartically crying when I need to, audio books when my vision goes a bit whack, and quite a bit of journaling and self check-ins.

Rest?

Sleeping whenever I could, even if this looked like naps during the day. I am slowly learning to pay attention to my signs and warnings…

Health?

My focus this month, for health at least, really centered around the awareness and rest. It’s baby steps, intentionally moving bit by bit, and this is where it was out. In an attempt to reclaim my health, I have to approach it thoughtfully and slowly.

Spiritual Journey?

It is in the gentleness, the grace, and the intention where I believe I keyed in here the most. January held some really beautiful conversations around how my faith has grown and adapted. It also held some odd conversations with a few “well-meaning” people expecting me to answer to them. It’s a journey…

What inspirations or passions did the month hold?

I gained so much inspiration from the series Station Eleven on HBO and can’t wait to read the book!

I am also continually inspired by the writers in my Carpe Diem group! Who knew so much inspiration and brilliance could be in one place?

How am I feeling about the month?

Overall, pretty good. Were adaptations small and gentle? They were. They will likely continue to be. Having a chronic illness is no joke, but this is my one life and I want to not only live it, but live it well. I want to reclaim my life, my health, my everything. January feels like step one and that’s perfect! I’ll take it!

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foraging…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay

This summer is speeding by, which should feel a bit mixed-blessing, but also feelings are weird right now so nothing is hitting quite normal. That’s ok. I think the most important part is we realize and admit it instead of holding expectations for ourselves based on the perception of how things used to be–how WE used to be…

This past month had me officially quitting the daily drinking of coffee, upon waking. Maybe it’s my fibro, maybe it’s just stress or age… it could be anything really, but this daily cup is no longer good for my body. (ha! was it ever great for my health?) I miss it, because I truly enjoyed it. That being said, I have begun drinking iced coffee some afternoons, and I love that. Adapting how much milk versus coffee, flavor, etc. It has been an adventure. It isn’t every day, but it is definitely the pick me up some afternoons really need!

As I was processing through the whole coffee debacle, (my enneagram wing 5 really shining through here) I had several friends recommend mushroom coffee. The glowing recommendations coupled with the delectable descriptions– elements of a sweetly spiced chai, or the creaminess of a nutty cocoa. By my opinion, it is like none of these things. It wasn’t a good fit, for me. That being said, if you’re a mushroom coffee lover and you have some advice on how to make it incredible, I’ve read the health benefits and am willing to try again.

July also played out as the third month that I’d be dealing with the unexplained arm/nerve pain. It has, at times, been very debilitating. I’ve had doctors say it’s fibro. I’ve had physical therapists say it’s a sleep injury. Pretty much everyone is shooting in the dark with guess, but the likelihood is that its related to my second vaccine dosage, otherwise entitled Long Term Moderna Arm. Good times. (Disclaimer: I am still very much in favor of vaccines, and do not doubt that this is a complication due to combined issues from fibro and the shot.)

Because of the previous issue mentioned, sleep has been in micro doses. Can one micro-dose sleep? At any rate, my schedule is all out of sorts.

I also used July to practice making Instagram Reels (on the fence), working on my manuscript and progressing that journey, and finding opportunity for more connections.

As we step gracefully into August, I’m wondering if these next thirty-one days could be where the real magic lay. I am a super big nerd when it comes to oddball holidays, so I thought I’d share some fun things about the days ahead.

  • This is Admit You’re Happy Month. {Listen, please allow yourself to be happy when you are. Also, please be honest with yourself when you aren’t. Happiness is neither to be expected or required. This is stupid.}
  • It is also Romance Awareness Month. {I mean, What?!?!}
  • Both Picnic and Peach month. {I can get behind these}
  • National Eye Exam Month. {Interesting that this is scheduled along with romance awareness and seeing your happiness. Hmmm.}
  • Today, August 1st, is Friendship Day! Yay! It is ALSO International Forgiveness Day.
  • 2nd- Ice Cream Sandwich Day {YES, PLEASE!}
  • 4th- Chocolate Chip Cookie day {just a few months ago was chocolate chip day. Could be combine them and give a day to something more rewarding maybe??? Just a thought.}
  • 5th- National Underwear Day. {*crickets*}
  • 8th- International Cat Day
  • 9th- Book Lover’s Day
  • 10th- Lazy Day; National Smores Day
  • 12th- World Elephant Day
  • 15th- Relaxation Day
  • 17th- National Thriftshop Day
  • 18th- Bad Poetry Day
  • 19th- National Potato Day {Idaho REPRESENT!}
  • 25th- National Banana Split Day
  • 26th- Women’s Equality Day and National Dog Day

Some thoughts… PERHAPS we should have less food days (though they are delicious) and lazy/rest/nap (that one was a different months) days and just educate people on how to rest, take care of themselves, balance priorities, etc. Most of these days are just ridiculous or funny. Lighthearted and worth celebrating, perhaps… But keeping a focus on these things that truly matter.

Moral of the story: Grab an ice cream sandwich this month. Write a note to a friend. Take naps, read books, and listen to your body. This is how we live our lives, love our lives, admit we are happy, and celebrate US.

Also, go get your eyes checked…