"Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be." Abe Lincoln

Breakingfree · ~*Service Worker*~

What have you done for you lately?

kspec85 · Veteran Member

The biggest thing I have done for me lately is easing up on myself. Not that long ago, I would immerse myself into full blown attack mode when my house was less than "ideal" after coming home from work. I have three children and we always have mountains of laundry and things that need to be organized. I usually begin the negative self-talk at that point about how I was never meant to be a mom, much less a single mom. Anyone could be better at this than me. In this mode I am snappy with the kids and overly critical. Last week I made a decision- If my house is a mess and I feel the anxiety overtake me, I am going to take a deep breath, remember that all is well with the world, take a shower or listen to audible for a little while and when I am at peace with myself for things being less than perfect and I feel I can do it with serenity- then I will clean or straighten up. I have found this makes me much more productive, I get more done and also I get a far greater sense of satisfaction from it.

After work today I am going by the health food store for Lavender essential oil for bubble baths and I may get a new audible book. In general I am trying to remember to be kind to myself which is a very new concept for me.

missmeliss · ~*Service Worker*~

Definitely taking a time out to read a book for fun tonight before I sleep, even if I only manage a few pages. And this weekend I have fun projects planned

Thanks for the reminder!!

tiredtonite · Veteran Member

I'm hoping the rain holds off too so I can get out for a walk in nature. I can't believe it's almost May and we're still wearing coats! I carve out ME time every day. It really is important for my physical, spiritual and emotional well-being. It use to be the last thing on my list. When I was new to the program, I had a huge bucket list. My bucket was filled with a lot of misdirected energies. Because of that, I often had trouble identifying what I was really feeling. I had very little serenity.

Just like you, if I take care of my well-being first, I can take care of day to day things with greater ease.

Thanks for sharing. I hope you enjoy your walking with your friends today. (((hugs))) TT

scoob09 · Member

Listening to telephone al anon meetings while sitting in the garden. Joined a new choir and sung my heart out. xx

Jill · ~*Service Worker*~

I am going to my first ever personal trainer session at the gym. This is big for me. Moving forward.

Bethany66 · Senior Member

I bought a book by Francine Ward called 52 Weeks of Esteemable acts. I am on week one and yesterday's assignment was to do something for yourself that didn't cost money. I went for a 4 mile walk around my rural community and as I walked I gave myself an Al-Anon self-talk. This is my made up idea of giving my testimony like the recorded Al-Anon speakers and I imagine/determine how the speech will end. I talk out loud to myself and sound like a crazy person, but it helps me realize where I have come from and where I would like to go.

Today's assignment was to do something for myself that cost a small amount of money. I hit the discount store on my lunch and bought cute note cards and a journal. The note cards are because I love to write letters to my family and friends and the journal is to be used at the Step Study I will be attending for the first time tonight.

For a long time I believed that "treating myself" was a bad thing to be hidden away in secret. Now I am seeing that it is an estimable act to treat yourself well when you have to ability to do so without hurting anyone else.

-- Edited by Bethany66 on Thursday 23rd of April 2015 03:54:19 PM

JulieG · Newbie

I take myself to dinner once a week. I splurge too.

YARNCRAZY · Senior Member

this coming tuesday,im getting a haircut and a dye job. im going to my face to face tonite. im leading the meeting!!! a good book came in the mail and i have some progress in my GO plan

andromeda · ~*Service Worker*~

I am working on practicing my yoga more frequently and I made myself a homemade meal tonight from scratch. I also am planning on reading more and getting my resume done so that I can start looking for work soon. Lots on my plate, but all of it is good! Thanks for asking this question: it's important for all of us to remember self care.

mercedes1959 · Senior Member

Thanks for posting this, MY COWORKER IS TRYING TO DRIVE ME INSANE....I made some fun plans for myself for the weekend, going to a crawfish boil tomorrow, having some friends over Saturday night.....going to relax !!!!

Fairlee · Senior Member

I ran away from everything and everyone today and just did what *I* wanted to do! It was great and I didn't explain any of it to anyone. Had some good Indian cuisine - yum!

SerenityRUS · ~*Service Worker*~

I finally have a moment to breathe this weekend so looking forward to it. I plan on some girlie things. Picking up my new red pumps and finishing a book I started.

Skorpi · ~*Service Worker*~

I got my state tax refund, so my pups are eating steak tonight! (Leg shank with bone) Chloe was confused about how to eat it, but she figured it out after an hour. It reminded me of the first time I gave Alex fish. He walked around the yard with the fish in his mouth, looking at me as if to ask: "you gave my brothers food. I know because they are eating. All I have is this THING. Why do you hate me????"

Assuming it does not rain tomorrow, I am hammering in the new dog tie out and planting onions.

el-cee · ~*Service Worker*~

Good question. Im shaping up, gym, hair coloured too. I want to look as good as i feel.lol.x

The material presented here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level.

"Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be." Abe Lincoln