Journaling

Not sure if anyone still reads or follows this blog. But I am thankful for its existence because it creates a safe space for me to journal my thoughts, happenings, and emotions. Even if they're just pointless rambling.

I read an article the other day about gratitude journaling. I feel that it would be beneficial to start gratitude journaling, but it would be hard to be able to contribute and stick to it daily especially when I'm having my low days (I have been diagnosed with moderate depression...shocker much?). This blog lets me have a space where I do not feel pressured to contribute to, let alone documenting positive thoughts. I feel that having to post positive thoughts lead to faking at the end.

Every morning

Besides scrambling out of bed to get to work on time and making sure I get some sort of breakfast (lately it's been oatmeal), I have been working on incorporating a small meditating time. By the time I get a moment to do this, it is usually at work. My routine goes as follows:

a tea- matcha or earl grey, sencha green and english breakfast are too sharp for this process
peony hand creme
Headspace app

I normally choose the 5 minute version since I am at work and closing my eyes for more than that seems a little weird to passerbyers. From the small amount of times I've used Headspace I've come to realize that meditation for me isn't as much of learning to be "comfortable" with myself, as many  suggests meditation to be. For me, meditation is just being at peace and being able to keep my anxiety in control.

The app is really beautiful and the man who leads the meditations has a really calming voice, both which I appreciate. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a meditation app.

Memorial Weekend

Weekly reads:
I'm all about healthy eaint and online publications this week.
·Model diet
·a VS breakfast
·Brain food.
·and some articles from Brain Behavior & Immunity. I think I'm going to make it a goal to read (at least) one journal a day.

Weekly goals:
·Continue daily workout
·Decide on one sofa (upstairs or downstairs ok)
·Work on punctuality
·Get back into learning French.

---

T gave me his Fire HD 8. Looking for any cool how-to, hacks, tips, wallpapers, etc for the tablet.

Saw Bon Iver last week at the Arlene Schnitzer Hall (second time, first time at the Bowl ♥). I feel that he his vocal skills have improved...NOT that he was lacking or bad previously, but you can definitely hear maturity of the techniques. Went to Marin for the weekend; it was beautiful and the weather was just perfect. Mostly overcast, not too cold, and a splash of sunshine from time to time. We went kayaking, on small hikes, watched Solo (Starwars) on one of the night, visited Stinson Beach, and took trips to the ice cream shop. When we traveled through SF, I honestly thought it wouldn't be bad to live/work there for a while in the future. But when I traveled down the west part of the city going to the airport on the last day, I was reminded how filthy the rest of the city is...a dusty worn down trashpile. Besides the golden gate park, FinDi, North Beach, endless food options, and Karl (the Fog) looming over the city, I think I still prefer LA to SF. And having moved up to Portland now, it's so much prettier, nicer, not-as-dirty/cleaner, and nature-y than SF/LA.

I worked yesterday (Monday) even though most of the employees had the day off, since I took Friday off. I thought I would dread being alone at work without friends, having the cafe closed and all the drinks/fruits taken away, but it was surprisingly blissful and I didn't have any desire to leave work early. I did take a longer lunch break to grab a salad and soup off-campus and get my nails done.

Btw Deadpool 2 is great, I liked the first one as well...

"...my own personal anxiety acted as the driver of my wellness journey..."

"...If I could give any advice for someone just starting out, what would it be? It took my own journey to understand: What works for someone else may not work for you. I wasted a lot of time and energy trying to fit myself into the latest crazes that, in the end, simply were not for me. Group classes, keto diets, many forms of meditation, and green juices don't work for me. Waking up at 4:30 a.m. every morning to swim, bike, or run and eating a high-calorie, nutrient-dense macro-focused diet is something I can get down with. Alas, training for two to three hours a day is my journey and it works for me. If you ever find yourself whining about not wanting to do a specific exercise or participate in x-y-z wellness fad, just don't do it. Course correct. Find what motivates you to get moving."

-NL.




I can relate. Thanks Nicole.

Weekly Gems

Gems because they're precious in some way, shape, or form.
Some of my weekly musings:

[to READ]: This is a good read. I think even though most of us are out of school, but these are good guidelines for if you're still pursuing your academic career and if not then they're great guidelines to stick to even in your professional career.
[to WATCH]: Ghibli's Porco Rosso
[to LISTEN]: Please Don't Leave | Free n Losh
(these last two are for my personal self improvement..)
[to DO]: Continue learning French!
[to THINK ABOUT]: how to better take care of plants, when I will make that NYC visit, and if/when I should start on GMAT prep...

I guess I'll make these like a few times a month, at least once if anything. That is, if I remember to come back to this blog. I finally have a primary care physician (yay!). But that makes everything negative more official than just assuming before.