365 Project

2016 was a year of new and exciting adventures for me. I graduated college, got my first job, moved from my childhood home, and a flurry of other new and exciting experiences. The one thing that I take away from 2016 that is different than any other year is that I am at my very best when I spend time for myself, by myself, and loving myself. I am the best me when I intentionally make the time to  take care of myself and relax. I am not an individual that has ever particularly relaxed well. It is something I continue to work on and have made great strides in. For 2017 I decided to take a picture a day to represent one way I have taken care of myself that day. My hope is that at the end of 2017 I will have 365 pictures to remind me of all the beautiful ways to take care of myself and continue to build a positive and more centered life. Below you will find my first weeks worth of pictures from my self care project with small captions explaining them. I hope you enjoy and all have a beautiful start to your 2017. 

Day 1: I spent my first day of 2017 doing a lot of reading and relaxing. I began reading No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering. This book focuses the ways in which we perceive suffering, how we can choose a path of joy through suffering, and how without experiencing suffering on some level there is no way to fully experience joy. It is a wonderful book and has really been enlightening and enjoyable for me to read. I also picked up a copy of Mindful magazine which my therapist has been encouraging me to read in the past. A great magazine that has helped my mindfulness practice and given me new ideas to try and experience in the future. 

Day 2: One of my favorite things to do is relax and enjoy cuddling with my beagle. He is extremely cuddly and after a long day he is a great companion to curl up with on the couch with the fire place on and a movie playing. 

Day 3: After my first day back in the classroom for 2017 I made a gaol to leave at a reasonable time, which has been a challenge for me through my first few months of teaching. I set a goal to leave my classroom at 4:15 and that I did. I left my room and my school work behind so I could go home and relax and recharge for the next day with out doing any paper work or grading. It was not only a relief from paper work but it also gave me more energy the next day while teaching. 

Day 4: For so many years playing flute has been a sanctuary of sorts for me. Through the worst of my depression I would always fall back on playing flute. I would spend hours practicing, perfecting, and trying new things. On day 4 of my self care project I had a rehearsal for church this Sunday and had the chance to play for a while. It is still a safe place and liberating feeling when I play. It is my therapy. Music is my outlet and a wonderful way for me to practice self care. 

Days 5.6. and 7: On day 5 I had the chance to spend time with family to celebrate my Mom's birthday. Spending time with family has always been important to me, especially in times when my family is experiencing new challenges. On day 6 I practiced yoga for the third time this week. I have been practicing yoga since mid-October. This was the first week that I practiced 3 times instead of just the two that I have been doing in the past. Practicing 3 times had its challenges as my body begins to gain strength and adjust to my new lifestyle but it was not only great for me physically but also for mind and soul. The picture I choose to share is one of the main things I have been working on since October when I began practicing, owning my breath at every moment and checking in with myself to find it again when I have lost my breath. Yoga has helped me begin to experience more clarity of mind, soul, and body. I have more energy, love for myself, and peace within myself. I am sure that in my 365 days of self care yoga will be at the center of many of my posts to come. 

As 2017 continues I hope each and every person who reads this will find ways to take care of themselves and find relaxing ways to enjoy their life. I hope that people can find joy and peace in themselves through their many ways of taking care of yourself. More to come next week. Happy 2017!