Last week I mentioned jump-starts. Mostly in the context of just getting my car to run, but lets talk a bit about our personal jump-starts.
It’s often the little things that get us going again when we’ve gotten into a personal or creative rut. It could be seeing something that makes you smile, kind words, gestures and gifts from a loved one, or getting to do something fun or different.
Adorable bee gifts from my dear friend!
Thank you!
But we can also create jump-starts for ourselves. Unlike with cars, where you might rely on a friendly stranger, we can rev up our batteries all on our own.
Here’s some things I’ve done over the past week to pick myself up when needed…
1) Structure
I have started using this neat little app called 30/30. It’s like a little on-the-go time manager and really easy and intuitive to use. It’s just fantastic to keep me focused. I use it when I’m doing work or homework. I can set it for 50 min of work and then a 10 minute break, and have it tell me to eat after 3 hours. This is amazing because I often forget to take breaks when I’m working, or get distracted on a break and waste half an hour. And if I’m having a difficult day, I may not get started at all. So this little gadget has helped me a lot.
2) A new morning routine.
Aaaaand, I’ve started using it for my mornings to help me wake up happy.
It includes wake up time to wiggle around in bed, go the loo, wander around like a lost puppy until my eyes and legs are working properly. Breakfast. shower. Time to make myself adorable, make a pack lunch and get organized for the day.
It’s about 1.5 hours total with plenty of wiggle room at the end. I have to wake up a bit earlier, but I much prefer it this way than needing to rush in the mornings.
It may seem silly that I need a device to beep at me just for a basic morning routine but… well, I’ve always been pretty bad at routines honestly-despite the fact that I tend to enjoy having them. So it’s helping me.
3) Stretching and Meditation
To my wonderful morning routine I added…
*Stretching. because with swimming and exercise- I can get pretty sore sometimes. And it feels greeeeaaaat! Soon enough I will be super-limber-flexible yoga girl and all shall love me and despair.
*Meditation. I’ve always meant to get into the habit of regular meditation-it really does help me with anxiety and general feel-good-ness. So I gave myself some time every morning to sit and breathe and practice calm awareness.
4) Putting my hair in pigtails, wearing an elephant backpack, and painting my toenails.
So I got myself a new backpack as an early birthday present and it has an elephant head on it and it’s super cute and I love it!
But that’s beside the point. What I really mean is, giving myself time to feel good and confident. Lounging about in pajamas can be super comfortable but when you feel really sloppy… well, you feel really sloppy. And that’s no fun.
I prefer feeling pretty. And I also like feeling cute because it’s child-like and makes me feel more lighthearted and happy.
=P
5) Craft time.
Over the weekend I was having trouble getting started on my artwork, but I really wanted to get my creative juices flowing. I needed crafts. So Jacob, like the sweetie he is, indulged in my late night crafting needs and took me to walmart for supplies. I painted the toaster with a bright yellow basecoat. (For the record, enamel is a pain in the patooty to work with and rollers are useful.)
I also got a cheap pack of ‘MeltyBeads’, little plastic beads where you can create designs on a pinboard and then iron over to melt the beads together. I used them to make fun pixel art. Tactile. Artsy. And no-stress.
No, it won’t be a bee. I’m not that theme crazy. Yet..
Sleepy Kirby is sleepy. Also mushrooms.
6) Life!
Plant life that is. Seeing things grow is a real booster for me. I’m not sure what it is exactly. I just know my little seedlings are adorable, and I hope they’re not getting too cold in this sudden weather. This might just be because I still can’t have a puppy… A walk in the park or down the street to visit the cows has the same kind of effect.
You think they’re cute too right?
7) Dance
This is so simple I don’t even think I should include it, but dancing alone in my studio to very loud music almost always makes me feel better. Dancing in almost any situation tends to make me feel better actually. Music’s important to humans. So is movement. It’s a great way to get back in touch with yourself.
8) Just go and do things.
I’ll be the first to admit it. I often make excuses not to go anywhere or do anything. And while it is important that I allow myself some guilt-free down time…feeling very gray and using that as an excuse to not do things, will only perpetuate the problem. The more you can get yourself up and doing something, even very simple things, the better you’ll start to feel. Even if sometimes it’s hard almost just to stand. It’s one of those things that’s always easier said than done-but so worth the effort. And once you’re up, it’s really downhill from there. Try a spontaneous adventure. It might be just what you need.
Today was a good day for me. I felt like sunshine all day despite the snow.
Bees, what do you do to get yourself going when you’re stuck in the metaphorical mud?
