I’ve intuitively been drawn to spending time near bodies of water. I love the sounds, the sparkle and the feeling of calm that I get from an expansive lake or a quiet stream. These “blue spaces” seem to give back and recharge me. I always thought that it was a nostalgia thing: I grew up… Continue reading Benefit From Blue Spaces
Category: Mental Health
Delay Replacing Your Phone
Getting a new phone, even a hand-me-down one, should be exciting: new technology, greater capabilities, more battery power. But, I’ve found that it sends me into a tailspin of scrambling to recall passwords long-forgotten, and the struggle to transfer data and set up emails. The set-up eats up most of one day and then trickles… Continue reading Delay Replacing Your Phone
The Benefits Of Mistakes
As a teacher, I often made mistakes. I realized when I started teaching the older grades that there were going to be times when the students would know more than me, or recognize that a word had been spelled incorrectly, or a math question had an error in it. It was inevitable. But, it was… Continue reading The Benefits Of Mistakes
Barriers To Asking For Help
Part 2 in Rethinking Help (click here to read part 1) I see the value of accepting help for the giver, who shares their support, and the receiver, who is supported. It builds connection between friends and family and is mutually beneficial. Accepting help is like accepting a gift, it strengthens bonds. But my independent… Continue reading Barriers To Asking For Help
Affirming the Positive
Recently, I heard someone say that positive self-talk was “food for the brain.” I have some affirmation cards that a good friend gave me and I review them from time to time, and choose a new one to put next to my desk. I thought I was doing well to have them visible. However, if… Continue reading Affirming the Positive
‘Tis The Season For No Focus
The more stressed I get about doing “all the things” this season, the less effective I become. It’s a frustrating paradox. I know that I have a lot to do, but the more I try to do the things, the less focused I become. I’m eager to get on with all the items on my… Continue reading ‘Tis The Season For No Focus
Retiring The Excuse
It’s a lot harder to say NO these days. I used to have a ready excuse for not wanting to do something: “Sorry, I’m so busy with work.” It was a legitimate reason. I was often extremely busy and had difficulty balancing any added commitments. But if I’m honest, it was also a handy excuse.… Continue reading Retiring The Excuse
Find The Joy; Spread The Joy
The gloomy nature of the world and the weather made me realize that I have been living without joy for a while. I haven’t been looking for the glimmers. My focus has been on other things that seem more pressing. It’s not that I can’t feel joy. I’ve just forgotten to actively look for it… Continue reading Find The Joy; Spread The Joy
Brain Foggy November
Lately, the fog seems to roll in mid-afternoon and stay for the rest of the day. My will to focus and plan clouds over, and I settle for doing repetitive tasks that take little concentration. I want to expand my window of energy, or at least, re-charge it when it flags. I have things to… Continue reading Brain Foggy November
Righting My Life/Work Balance
It is wonderful to be retired. I’m not going to lie. I love having the flexibility in my day to take care of my own needs for exercise, daylight, writing, nutrition, hydration and social interaction. I’m no longer trying to wedge self-care into a bulging work schedule of teaching, planning, marking, reports and paperwork. But… Continue reading Righting My Life/Work Balance
Retired, And Now What? 