Monday Inspiration

It's a new year.  Some people believe that means it's a new you.  Personally, I don't believe in resolutions or anything, I just believe in having goals.  Like, in 2013 I want to...  Last year, my goals/plans were to get married and survive nursing school.  I also planned to lose weight and get mentally healthy.  Well, with the medications I was on, the stress, and the crazy schedule, I didn't lose very much weight, but I definitely can say I worked on my overall health and it's still an everyday task.

In 2013, I plan to continue working on my overall health (especially after learning about a possible condition I might have in which I need to go back and do some more testing), I do have a goal to lose one dress size by my sister-in-law's wedding in September, and I have a goal to graduate nursing school.  I also have a goal to be better organized in 2013.

I wrote this post for Messy.Dirty.Hair. and I thought it would be a great repost for the first Monday Inspiration of 2013!  Enjoy my sweet friends!

BLOGGING

If you want to be a serious blogger, there are a few things you "need."  Of course, every blogger will have their own definition, but the most common criteria include having a voice and having a niche.

If you are absolutely lost or even just in a place that's looking for some new inspiration, I recommend "Blog, Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community" by Joy D. Cho, the blogger behind the fabulous and inspiring Oh Joy!  It really is a great read that covers many bases for bloggers on all levels: newbies to pros.  For only about $11 for a print copy and $8 for a Kindle copy on Amazon, it's quite a great deal if I should say so myself!  Topics include: finding your voice and niche, powering your blog, blogging community etiquette, making your blog a business, monetizing your blog, and the next stage of blog growth.  Joy also features some other blogs who talk about their blogs and businesses and what made them successul.  

As far as ways to do this, I suggest just start with getting organized, jotting down ideas, finding out what you're passionate about, and discovering the ways you most want to share your brain with the world.

BEING ORGANIZED

I am a big advocate of the latest and greatest way to be organized.  I personally am a firm believer in the good ole' fashion pen and paper.  I've tried Google calendars, using the calendar on my phone, and getting a tablet to carry around mainly to get organized.  Nothing works quite like pen (or pencil) and paper for me.  This is why I've decided to dish out the money invest in an Erin Condren notebook with monthly pages.  Why not just get the life planner? Because as a blogger / dreamer I love having blank pages to jot down ideas, to-dos, sponsor information, giveaways I’m participating in, etc all in one place.  

Erin Condren not your thing?  There is PlumPaperDesigns, Shutterfly, MayBooks, and just regular ole’ planners.  In 2012 I just took a completely blank notebook and added in the months and taped in tabs to get organized.  Being organized is purely subjective; you can do whatever you want!  Maybe you are a phone calendar gal!  But whatever you are, figure it out and run with it.  It will help organize your life and help to decrease your stress level.

MIND

For some of us, it might be hard to find intrinsic motivation.  For others, thoughts can really drag them down with feelings of inadequacy.  We need to work on retraining our brain to be our best friend and our biggest cheerleader (in case it's not already).  I know I struggle with this a lot, or I used to before I started working on it.  I would have a difficult time getting myself motivated to do things, I would be hard on myself when I made mistakes that would barely even make a ripple in my life on a grand scale, and I would compare myself to others.  

My husband likes to remind me to "keep things in perspective."   Unless I've made a life-threatening mistake to myself or others, we do have "re-dos" and second chances.  We need to stop beating ourselves up (especially all you fellow OCD-ers!) over the little things.  But most importantly, we need to stop with the negativity.  I'm trying to regain my positivity by starting with not having negative thoughts about anyone and anything.  Just letting in one negative thought just creates a window to let in more negative thoughts.  Of course you can be frustrated at an unfortunate incidence and maybe let out a "crap!" but then let it go and work on a solution.  This helps create a healthier mindset and helps fuel your brainpower to focus on solutions, productivity, and positivity.  Win-win, eh?

BODY

Your body needs certain fuel so it can function at his or her best.  The fuel consists of basics like water, nutrients, calories, and temperature regulation, as well as laughter, love, and dreams.  They all help us keep going each day.  But our bodies also need adequate amounts of sleep, exercise, and proper nutrition.  

A study performed with 80 and 90 year olds in a retirement home showed drastic improvements over just weeks of using weight bearing exercises regularly.  They were able to walk better, think better, and just had a better mood and outlook overall.  There are so many more studies showing essentially the same concept.  It's amazing how easily overlooked proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep can be.  Did you know that your body will deteriorate quicker with sleep deprivation versus starvation or water deprivation?  So make sure you get your recommended 6-8 hours or make it up on the weekends, eat a balanced diet, and once a week take the stairs instead of the elevator or park a little further from the building entrance.

SOUL

It is so important to have "me" time.  An instructor of mine in nursing school once said that her "me" time to get away from the stress and chaos of nursing school was to fold laundry.  She loved it and found that it was her 5-15 minutes of doing something simple, easy, and alone.  Of course, folding laundry doesn't tickle everyone’s fancy, but it's a great example.  

Find your "me" time every day for about 5-15 minutes then maybe for an hour or two on the weekends.  Try deep breathing, praying, getting on Pinterest, getting a cup of your favorite hot or cold beverage, call a friend, or something similar to just “escape” for a few minutes.  Then on the weekends, get some extra Z’s or indulge in your favorite hobbies.  After all, it's the little things, right?

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS...

...have a mini solo pity party for one night and one night only.  Pop in you favorite movie, curl up on the couch with your favorite dessert, and shut off other technology.  Those calories are not going to kill you're entire diet, I promise.  Sometimes, you just need to allow yourself to feel and heal.  If we always ignore our emotions, put them on the back-burner, or suppress them, we kind of lose some of who we are, don't you think?

God gave us emotions, He gave us our personality, and our characteristics.  I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve.  I've had to learn that there is not always a time and a place for some of my emotions so I've had to suppress them and put on a happy face, but every once and a while, it's good to embrace the not so happy emotions and just live your ups and downs.

Resolutions: Happy September!

(source)

Due to traveling, I missed posting my August resolution: read more.  

I am happy to announce that I read two books that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I normally like a variety to my books, but when I'm trying to escape from school, I do prefer a lighter read.  I read "Safe Haven" by Nicolas Sparks and "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.  I definitely enjoyed "The Help" the best.  It was so great and I thought she did such an excellent job.  It's been forever since I've read a book in first-person voice and it took me awhile to get used to.  It bugged me at some points to not have that omniscient characteristic that third-person voice offers you (in other words, I hated not knowing what was going on in every character's minds).  I love stories with multiple characters and being able to follow their story along.  This book told the three different stories of Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter.  Now, I can't wait to go watch the movie!

September: journal.

I wanted to do this to help myself discover my emotions, something I'm really bad about doing.  My therapist asked me one session: overall, how have you been feeling this week?  I said "I don't know, I don't remember."  So, I bought a journal and she gave me an exercise to do with it.  But I am also journaling to kind of write out my thoughts.  I've always been better at writing than speaking.  Whenever I had something I needed to say, I wrote it out and gave it to that person.  It's also great because no one interrupts me!  I've been giving my journal to Duncan for him to read as well because I feel like it's extremely hard for him to understand what's going on in my little brain because when I summarize it for him it just doesn't make much sense and therefore I feel like the value of some of what I'm trying to tell him get lost.  It's not like some sad, depressing, whiny journal, though!  And he actually wants to read it.  But I'm enjoying having a journal to write down my more personal thoughts so that I can really begin to grow as a person.  So, this month is to actually make sure I sit down and write! I'll set the goal at 5/7 days per week-- I'd say every day, but I noticed that on days where I went to the hospital, even though I had a lot of thoughts (and this week, a lot of emotions!), I found myself too drained.  So 5 x 4 = 20 entries.  

Happy July!

Duncan and me at his birthday dinner downtown at Atkins Park Tavern.

Resolutions:
June: get counseling = successful.
I did not actually start counseling because of many reasons: there was a small waiting list (I don't think I expected that) and the times I am able to meet (very limited due to school all day Mondays & Wednesdays and the hospital all day Thursday & Fridays) was difficult for them placing me with a psychologist/counselor.  But, I was able to be matched and I have my first sessions scheduled for July 12!  Tuesdays are a bit inconvenient for me because I have to drive all the way down there on my one day off, but it gives me a fabulous excuse to visit my wonderful friends downtown that I miss because I live so far away.


Here's how it went down: I went in, I filled out a questionnaire (why are you here, what services are you interested in--they have a lot of cool workshops for like communication, stress, college survival, post college survival, etc!).  Then I needed to schedule an initial evaluation with a psychologist/counselor in order for them to better understand what I am needing so they can properly place me with someone they believe can help.  It was a 30 minute session and she was to report in the next assignment session (which takes place every Tuesday and Thursday).  Once they find a psychologist/counselor that best matches my needs/wants and has the availability, they call me!


It took awhile because, again, I had limited availability.  But I got a call on the 28th, and we scheduled our first session for the 12th.  Yay.  I could really use someone to tell me how to shut my brain off at night so I can go to sleep!  Anyways, long story short, my June resolution was a success.  And the process was pretty cool.


July: rest on Sundays.
I'm super worried about this one because my brain does not rest, especially when it means I am not studying.  That's all I do, you know?  Well, my good friend inspired me to do this because she thinks it might help with my stress level (nursing students live on a constant stress level).  So, I thought I would try this.  And this apparently starts this weekend!  So I have to study study study today for my test on Wednesday!  It's for psych, too!  Isn't that funny?


Funny thing: I had the strangest dream about shooting stars... I wonder what that means?

Happy Saturday, friends. :)

Resolutions Update, Happy June!

My outfit yesterday: I love color!

Oops!  I realize I have been falling behind with my Monthly Resolutions!

I last updated with March's resolution to cook more.  And I have been loving all of my cooking adventures.  I truly love cooking.  I cook at least once or twice a week.  In the past week, I have cooked four times.  That might not seem like a lot to some people, but since I have two different living locations, don't have kids, and am back and forth between school, studying, and the hospital.... it's a lot!  And I love it.  I am such a foodie.  

April's Resolution: Get enough sleep.

May's Resolution: Make time to do nothing.

These two things may sound like common sense or easy things.  But my mind is always running.  If I am not studying, I feel like I am wasting valuable time.  And sleep is so important.  I never pull all-nighters, I don't believe in them.  But I'll go to bed later than I should and then I have to get up really early most mornings.  

Needless to say, I tried to incorporate these resolutions in to my months.  May's resolution came at a perfect time, it was after finals and I had time to rejuvenate before summer classes started with their tests. I have already have two... and I did well.  Yay!

June's Resolution: I am going to get counseling.

Getting rid of all stigmas, I am quite excited.  I feel like counseling can be so beneficial to many people.

My psychiatric nursing teacher said she loves seeing patients in their 20s because that is when positive changes can be made.  When you're 40 and 50, it's almost too late because life has already happened and ways have already been set.  I feel like I could use help with stress techniques, relaxation techniques, making cognitive changes, and I honestly believe my relationships with others and myself will be improved.  So, I am quite excited!

Plus, GSU has a counseling center that offers free counseling, therapeutic, and psychiatric services (& couples counseling!).  Why not take advantage of what I am already paying for with my semester fees?

Happy June, everyone!

Man, I love me some June!

March's Resolutions

February Recap:

So February was mostly successful. I wasn't able to exercise 3 times a week, I think I did 2 times a week, but I biked about 6 miles each time. So, I would say that's pretty successful. The best exercise? When I was in Texas, we went for runs and walks and enjoyed the beautiful landscape. Ah, I can't wait until warmer weather for exercising and enjoying the great outdoors!

March Resolutions (& Lent):

I thought long and hard about my March Resolutions. Lent kicks off (funny phrasing for the subject matter, right?) this week with Ash Wednesday. So, I feel like maybe they could overlap, except I still haven't decided.

Resolution: cook more.

I loved cooking and throwing things together when I was in Texas. But I rarely have time to cook (or rarely have the energy) because of school, but I think I might try to more because, hey, I could use breaks away from sitting at my desk in front of the computer studying for hours.

Plus, it's a double bonus. Why eat out and buy something that costs a lot more than if I bought the ingredients and made it myself? Like, Mexican. I love me some Mexican food. But, if I search on the Internet for some good recipes, I'm sure I can come close enough to the food I can order at my favorite Mexican restaurant. Hmm.... this sounds like more of a dare than a resolution. We shall see! I'm sure I'll be posting recipes!

Lenten Resolution: I still have no clue.

Have a beautiful Sunday!

February's Resolutions

Happy February!

The routine is getting set by the day as one whole month of 2011

has already come and gone (can you believe it?).

January's Resolution=success. And, the point of having 12 different monthly resolutions is to become accustomed to each and every one so that I have time to put them in to a habit. In spite of having early classes and having classes all day long (in the same exact seat, room, building, ahh!), I take the time to put a little extra thought in to how I am communicating myself to others through my appearance.

February's resolution is going to be a only a smudgen similar, but only because I have yet to make this a mandatory part of my routine during school months... though I do this probably every day when I am not in school. Any guesses? Some form of exercise! No, I don't need to lose weight. In fact, I would much rather not lose weight. But, I would love to be (and feel) healthier. You can eat all the vegetables in the world, that still won't make aging feel any better with out good old movement.

The goal: I am going to aim for 3 times a week with at least 30 minutes of activity.

I have Get Fit with Mel B (yes, the former Spice Girl does wonders on my bum) that is wonderful for those days where you know you need to do some moving and working out, but whether there's actual rain or not outside, it just feels like it needs to be an indoor day. I have weights, a fitness ball, resistance bands, ankle weights, and my self. With 200 different exercises and techniques, it sure makes working out less mundane!

So, there it is, I have no excuses. Now that I'm used to my set schedule, I should know just how to work this in to my schedule. Here's to 28 days of January and February's resolutions!

New Years Resolutions

Hello!

I hadn't really thought about New Year's resolutions until just recently. When someone had asked me prior to New Year's what my New Year's resolutions were, my reply was "make straight A's." It sounds partly unoriginal, but the main reason my resolution stinks, for lack of a better descriptive word, is because that's essentially always my resolution in school: make straight A's or get as close as I can. So, when digging deeper--figuring out New Year's resolutions are sort of like figuring out what I'm doing for Lent-- I discovered there's a lot of things I would actually like to do this year. And writing them down and making a plan is the best way to keep myself accountable for them, right? Sort of like a checklist. A little bit better than just the average "New Year's Resolutions" or wanting to "lose ten pounds." More specific details can help make resolutions, or goals, more manageable-- but, on the other hand, too specific can make them impossible. So I am doing the goals by month: 12 months=12 resolutions.

January: Dress appropriately (every day).

No, no, I am not saying that I need to dress more modestly; I mean I need to dress more properly.

During school, I have to get up about 5am in order beat the traffic so I can be at school at about 8am for class. I generally have class all day won't get home until about 7 or 8pm. With early, long days, I normally get out of the bed, do basic mornings routines, make sure lunch and school supplies are ready, and get in the car to make the commute to school. Make up has slowly been weeded out of my school routine... and so has any outfit remotely close to "fashionable" or considered by even a little bit as "caring." You see, science labs require close toed shoes, which, with my student "brokeness" and the fact that I have to be on campus for so long periods of time, normally becomes some form of sneaker or tennis shoe. This year, I am determined to not continue to break a cardinal rule I have set for myself: Dress appropriately.

Now, this doesn't mean that I have been dressing anything other than modest, in fact, it probably means that by wearing a t-shirt and jeans, I am dressing really modestly. But "Dress appropriately" as a woman of Christ in this world means more than just "be modest" it means "be a representative." Therefore, if I am going anywhere that is the first image that is conjured up in a strangers mind when my hair is up, there is no make up on my face, I am wearing one of my favorite t-shirts (probably my blue "Italia" one from the 2010 World Cup), jeans are my [comfortable] pants of choice, and I am wearing my comfortable grey New Balances? It is simply that I probably just don't care. I walked about of the house not caring about my looks or my appearances (how I convey myself to others as a daughter of Christ), that I am maybe too tired (perhaps I'm going to be grumpy?), or had a bad day (in which I'm probably not a going to be too friendly). I firmly believe that how we put ourselves together for the world to see is important, for many reasons. When you go to a job interview, you are supposed to one up the typical dress requirements of the job in order to help you look professional. It's sort of the same thing in the real world. One up the typical dress requirements of walking in the real world: no more t-shirts and tennis shoes in public.

Needless to say, it was a wonderful thing it was Christmastime because I got a little extra money for Christmas (earnings from my job go straight in to savings for the future, Christmas in birthday money sometimes go in to savings, but it normally goes to a little something nice since I don't often go shopping). I went shopping and spent only $3 over my budget (major success). With it, I bought myself

• a new cardigan (love cardigans),
• two pairs of flats, a dress,
• one purple sweater,
• two other shirts,
• a new pair of pants,
• some aviators (yay! I have been wanting these for awhile),
• two 8x10 picture frames to start putting some things on the bare walls),
• and a new wallet.

The grand total: $153.

Yay for deals! After all, when you are student in college, you do what you can to get the most for your money... more people should do this after college.

With this, as well as everything else I have in my closet, are going to make sure that I dress a little more appropriately when I go out and meet the world. Maybe this sounds silly, but my appearance is the first thing that people see about my personality and my character. So essentially, it is their first impression of me. I want it to be an impression that, hey, I do try, I do care about how I look because first impressions can make all the difference, because I have been blessed in my life, I should express confidence, and because being a woman in society is more effective when I don't look like a slob--when I am dressed appropriately. i.e. I am leaving the t-shirt at jeans for the lounging at home activities, no matter my excuse to the contrary.

So, what are you New Year's resolutions?