gratitude

Day 181: Gratitude 21

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Gratitude of the day: Candles

When I was younger I never liked candles. I thought they smelled too strongly and I didn’t really get the point of them. But now I’m on board! I like lighting them in the morning while I’m getting ready for work or just having them lit while I’m writing or reading or putzing around the house. It’s just a small calming spot in the periphery while I do whatever.

I got a fair number of (really nice!) candles for Christmas, so I’m really excited to begin using them one after the other as I work. In a weird way I find them as a tiny stress reliever in the midst of a chaotic week (or the mess of my room).

Since doing these 30 days of Gratitude, I’ve been a little embarrassed about what I think of as “small gratitudes” like flowers or candles. It’s a fault of mine, but I feel like all my gratitudes should be “big gratitudes” like my job or a vacation, but – and it’s something I’m learning – it’s important to be grateful for the small things too. The everyday things I usually take advantage of. Thoughts for the future.

Until tomorrow.

184 days to go.

Day 180: Gratitude 20

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Gratitude of the Day: Scheduling

There’s so much going on all the time it’s hard to keep track and to make time to fit everything into one day. I try to write, read, meditate, stretch and blog every day, as well as a myriad of other one time tasks I need to get done. Plus work! There’s too much to do and not enough time, so I’ve taken to scheduling out my whole day. The night before, I write down everything I have to get done the next day both big and small and schedule it out in 15 minute increments from when I wake up to when I go to bed. It seems a little crazy, but it actually helps me get more done.

I don’t usually get everything done, but I try, and those rare days when I can cross off every single thing on my list are particularly satisfying. It’s a strategy which works for me and I’ve actually noticed if I don’t schedule out my day I get less done. So thanks to scheduling for my productivity.

Until tomorrow.

185 days to go.

Day 179: Gratitude 19

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Gratitude of the Day: Journaling

Oof. There’s a lot of self-reflection on this blog, isn’t there. Well that’s not necessarily a bad thing. First I have meditation and my monthly check-ins and now journaling. Although, it could be argued this whole blog project is one big self-reflective project to be a better version of myself. It is very goal/career oriented because that’s what I’m focused on right now, but I journal pretty regularly and it is mostly personal and emotional reflection.

I wish I did it more, but when I do journal I find myself going on and on and working through various aspects of my day and week which I had issues with. I write about my friendships and dating relationships and family. I write about my friends from home and my new friends in LA. It helps me to pause and look at problems and my emotional response to them from different angles. It really is incredibly helpful and a cathartic exercise for me. If you haven’t journaled, I would highly encourage you to at least try it. If you find it too time consuming then the one-sentence journal about your day might be more useful. Whatever you choose, it can be anything you want it to be.

Until tomorrow.

186 days to go.

Day 178: Gratitude 18

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Gratitude of the Day: Rest Time

We all lead busy lives between work and hobbies and friends. It almost feels like too much some days; I just fall in to bed at the end of the day knowing I didn’t accomplish as much as I wanted to because I was running around. This past weekend was a long holiday in the United States and it was a good opportunity for me to rest and recharge before diving back in to work.

It’s a reminder that we all need down time doing nothing and we all need extended breaks from our busy lives to recuperate. Maybe in the future I’ll take some days off “just because” or take some sick time so I can have more time to myself. I also need to make more of an effort to leave work on time so I can have more time to myself. Goals and gratitude. 🙂

Until tomorrow.

187 days to go.

Day 177: Gratitude 17

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Gratitude of the Day: Los Angeles Weather

I complain about Los Angeles a lot. It has too much traffic and the people are weird. It’s hard to make friends and it can feel like a lonely place at times. BUT it does have great weather! I complain about that too because I like the rain, but it’s winter in the rest of the United States and I’m really happy to not have to scrape off and defrost my car in the morning. It’s great that I can only wear a heavy sweater when I leave the house. And I never have to check the weather or bring an umbrella because it might rain. The sameness of the weather can be wearing (at least for me), but it’s a lovely thing too.

Until tomorrow.

188 days to go.

Day 176: Gratitude 16

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Gratitude of the Day: Vacation Time

My second gratitude of the year was my job and I am thankful to have a job. But I’m also thankful I get all the additional benefits of having a full time job. Vacation time! And sick time! And 401K contributions! And holidays with pay! I was temping for a few years and it was a real hardship whenever I had a holiday or had to go to the doctor. I took a vacation once for a few days and I had a good time, but I was also constantly worried about money because I had to take those days without pay.

Now I’m full time and I can finally plan my vacations or days off and really enjoy myself because I’m getting paid while I sip lattes somewhere else. I understand this is a luxury to have and I really appreciate all the benefits that come along with full time work.

Until tomorrow. (Note to self: Remember – I like my job!)

189 Days to go.

Day 175: Gratitude 15

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Gratitude of the Day: Flowers

It’s a luxury, but I do buy flowers occasionally for my apartment. I know they’re not necessary and I’m trying to save money to pay off my credit card debt, but it’s a small piece of happiness to see whenever I wash the dishes or eat breakfast. I don’t know how such a small thing can brighten up my apartment so much, but it does. I should actually buy them more often because the happiness ROI is so much! Something to think about.

Until tomorrow

190 Days to go.

Day 174: Gratitude 14

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Gratitude of the Day: Exercise!

Yesterday, I wrote about the knot in my stomach of anxiety and stress. Not good. I haven’t found much to combat it yet except maybe less work (Ha!). Meditation made me aware of it, but I discovered today that exercise can keep it at bay (predictably). I went to ballet class yesterday (yay!) and yoga today(double yay!) and while I could still sense the bubble of stress, I was focused on something else, so it felt diminished. Another reason for me to go to ballet and yoga. Not only do I feel great after I go, but now it’s also helping dissipate my stress knot.

Until tomorrow.

191 days to go.

Day 173: Gratitude 13

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Gratitude of the day: Meditation

As part of my New Year’s Resolutions, I started meditating every day…or mostly every day. I started using the app Headspace and have been going through the basics or the minis (if I’m crunched for time). I really like the guided meditations as my mind wanders off and I often forget to bring it back to meditating. It’s only been a short time, but I’ve also found the body scan to be very helpful. I guess I never noticed before, but I hold a ball of anxiety and stress right above my stomach and I’m just naturally stressed and clenching my muscles all the time (work).

I don’t like having this feeling all the time, but I do know that now is the time to do something about it before it grows or gets worse. I exercised on Thursday and I’m trying to do a few deep breaths every time I notice it’s there. It’s a work in progress.

Until tomorrow.

192 days to go.

Day 172: Gratitude 12

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Gratitude of the Day: Half Day!

Today’s gratitude is an easy one! We were given a half day at work because of the long weekend this weekend. I mentioned yesterday that I’ve been working a bunch this week. I’ve been really tired and worn out, so it’ll be nice to have some extra time to myself (if I can leave on time!)

Until tomorrow.

193 Days to go.