Tag: #socialdistancing

AN EVENING OF SELF-CARE

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Good evening

I’m back from spending the remainder of the evening at my brother’s house. It started off going over to Mom’s to do our evening walk. Unfortunately, I had deal with some adulting issues that involved a stern talk with Mom about my spending. Long story short, July is NO SPENDING MONTH!!!

Anyway, we arrived at my brother’s apartment, and the three of us took a family stroll around the block. We stayed and ate Chipotle while watching “Becoming” on Netflix. After it went off, Mom and I returned home, and after I said good night to her, I opened the door to find my Dad asleep on the couch until it’s time for him to go to work.

I smiled because the weekends, for me at the moment, are spent with family. During these times, we need to just surround ourselves with family and friends right now. Even though we can’t do it physically, we have time to be creative and come up with a way to make it happen. Note to self: text Jasmine and Paris tomorrow and check in on them to make sure everyone is ok.

So, I’ll add spending more time with family, texting and calling friends, and indulging on uplifting documentaries to my list of good intentions for the weekend, and for the remainder of this year. But for now, the other thing that I need to add to the list is get some much-needed rest. After the week I’ve had, I deserve some good sleep.

I’ll check in with you guys in the morning.

Stay safe and sweet dreams!

Until next time…

❤️

MENTAL HEALTH & FRIDAYS

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Hey guys and gals!

Happy Friday and all that comes with it. And I know we’re all excited for the 3 day weekend coming up. If any of you are off to a head start, congrats to you. 👏🏾🥳✨💖

So, started my morning off right and made me my favorite breakfast: Oatmeal patties with Avacado spread, and an egg sunny-side up. Instead of a nice cup of coffee, I brewed a nice cup of TAZO passion tea ( if you haven’t tried this flavor, I recommend it- so yummy). Then, I turned on the Bible app, and listened to today’s message.

All this week, I have a routine of applying anything positive to start my day off right. Even if things don’t go well at first, I’m still in an upbeat mood to do the things I love later on as well as my schoolwork after the work day is done. The other thing I’m going to do a little later is take me a quick nap so I can feel refreshed for tonight and for the weekend.

Alright, let me get back to my day. Talk to you guys later…

💖

MENTAL HEALTH & WORKING FROM HOME

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Good morning

So lately, there has been so much going on since the last time I blogged. I’m now into my second month of working from home, I’m improving on sticking with a schedule and slowly trying to create a routine for myself. I’m getting better sleep, and I’m not stressed about work as much as I used to be. The only thing that is worrying me is the current situation of cities trying reopen. In the past couple of weeks, I’ve noticed more and more people not wearing their masks or practicing social distancing. I read stories of people that have contacted COVID-19, and their experience with the illness. And now, we have some people that also sick with the virus and it’s hitting close to home because it’s some of our members in the church.

All the while, I’ve been trying to get my physical health in order, while my mental state has been the same. I try not to worry or stress about the what-ifs in life, but now, poured all my time and energy into my online classes (currently in Week 04 of my fourth course as we speak). Also, I’ve continued to practice my art by sketching almost everyday or at least fill up one page during the week, as well as listened to positive podcasts and watched uplifting YouTube videos on how to be more productive, how to overcome failure, different things that put me in a positive mood or helps me feel creative to work on my passion projects. Earlier this month, I focused so much on my paper for class, that I forgot to post anything for the first couple weeks of May.

I’ve started listening to this podcast called SOUL ARTISTRY. It’s hosted by two artists: Alejandra and MOJO. If you can, look up the podcast and listen for yourself, they are awesome to listen to during these hard times. Also, I listened to InTouch Ministries, and they talked about creating a Believer’s War Room. During this time, my faith has been tested and there were multiple occasions where I was thinking negative, and not falling through on my plans, my projects, and my goals for the year. Now, I’m learning to stay positive by starting my day off by talking to God, or just listening to Him. My mental health is improving and staying strong and positive during this time. My friends are even motivating me and checking up on me while I’m working from home and are cheering me to get closer to my goals and dreams.

After all these things took place over a period of a couple of days, I’m learning that I need to keep the faith and know that everything is going to be alright and that I will make it to my dreams and goals on time. I’m going to get to where I want to be in life.

Until next time…

❤️

WEEK 03: STICKING TO A ROUTINE

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Good evening 🌙

So here is my update for the week:

  • Monday through Thursday: worked, created a series of #self-care playlists, sketched, went walking with Mom, and continued with schoolwork
  • Friday- worked for part of the day, rested due to a migraine, spent time watching a documentary with Dad, and slept most of the day
  • Today- spent time with Mom running a few errands, came home and worked on my outline for class this week, and ended the evening doing a little more sketching, and watching Dr. Pol

My self-care routine will take place tomorrow since my goal for tonight is to get enough sleep. So my to-do list for tomorrow:

  • Enjoy my quiet time before starting anything
  • Take a shower and wash my hair
  • Give myself a Mani/Pedi
  • Work on my paper until its finished, spell-checked, and submitted
  • Enjoy the remainder of my Sunday

Well, that’s my weekly update. I’ll continue to keep you guys posted on my many adventures, rambles, and more. Stay safe and healthy, and have a blessed night!

Until next time…

❤

#SELF-CARE 101: GIVING 50% IS OK 👌

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Good evening 🌙

Happy Friday, hope everyone is staying healthy during this time of quarantine. Today’s post is about self-care and work. Let’s rewind back to earlier this morning…

  • Time: 5:30AM
  • Mood: Irritable, Nauseated, and Tired- all due to an upset stomach, followed by a migraine that felt like my head was going to explode, NOT A GOOD START ON A FRIDAY, OR A WORK DAY!!!!😖😡🤬🤯

Got up and took medicine, and laid on the left side, while putting ice cubes on the right side of my face. I woke up to the buzzing of my alarm on my Fitbit, washed my face, brushed my teeth, got my morning started for work, and my head slowly started to subside…until I started on my work, my migraine comes back with a vengeance. 😈😈😈

I feel my mind being my cheerleader, as I try to push through and do my work. But my body was giving me the signs to throw in the towel. I broke out in a sweat, my stomach was still upset, and I squinting at my screen trying to do simple tasks, only to look away, rubbing my temples for relief. My co-worker even could tell that I wasn’t my cheerful self through texting her, so when I explained what was wrong, she told me to get some rest, and feel better.

Most situations like this, I’m fighting through an entire day with a throbbing headache at work, only to feel drained at the end of the day. Today, I worked for 5 hours, and called it a day. And… that’s ok. For the first time, it felt good to just remind myself of that. After I finished what I could, I sat in my comfy chair across from Dad, ate a little food, and the next thing I knew, I woke up with him giggling at me:

  • Me: What happened?
  • Dad: You fell asleep 😴
  • Me: What did I miss?
  • Dad: You didn’t miss anything, I didn’t bother you
  • Me: How long was I asleep?
  • Dad: About an hour, you looked like you needed it 😂

In the past, if I had a migraine at work, I felt like I was weak for wanting to call it a day if I knew I couldn’t function. Now, if my body is showing me that I’m not feeling good, I’m going with my gut and giving my body the rest it needs. My last therapy session, my doctor told me that days like that, it’s ok to have those days. Whether you work for a half day or you call in, don’t beat yourself over not getting work done because you don’t feel well.

So, Self-Care 101- it’s ok to give 50% for the day. If you don’t feel well, just relax and get some rest. Good news, my migraine is gone and I’m going to make myself some tea, drink some water, and have a peaceful evening.

Hope everyone has a good night’s sleep 😴 and enjoy your weekend. Stay safe and stay healthy.

Until next time…

❤️

WEEK 02: CREATING A ROUTINE

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Good morning 🌞

I sit here in the comfort of my living room, watching another episode of Criminal Minds, waiting the arrival of my Doordash order for myself and Pops (he wanted Arby’s). Earlier, went out for a walk with Mom, talking about how its been like working from home, our grocery lists and how to prepare to get them, early spring cleaning, and my hit/miss experience of coloring my hair.

After our walk, I browsed on Pinterest for inspiration for approaching my self-care routine, which has also been a hit/miss experience lately. The question I keep asking myself and been asking myself all week is:

“What helped me the most when I was on top of my routine in the past?”

This week, I did a few things to start. I’ve gotten back into the habit of listening to audiobooks. I finished “Their Eyes Are Watching God” and will start “Queen Sugar” next week. Books like these help me stay creative. It helps with my imagination and keeps me sane and calm. Things like this is what I need for my self-care routine. Pinterest is a great way to destress just by looking at the pictures and reading the posts.

So today, I’m just going to take things easy, see where the day takes me, and what activities I can get into to get me back to the old me from 2019. I laugh thinking about how I told myself that 2020 was going to be the year for me. Guess we were all telling ourselves that, and now, 2020 is telling us to stop doing things so quickly, stop doing things by yourself, and just enjoy the moment. God is showing us that 2020 is the year of changes, the year of making things right.

Well, I’m going to continue to read, reflect, and…wait on my Doordash for today. Stay safe and healthy you all, and stay positive 😊✨🌹💕

Until next time…

❤

#SELF-CARE 101: HAIR DYE STAINS & ADULTING IS 50/50

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Good evening 🌙

So woke up thus morning around 8, relieved to learn that I took vacation from work. Today was going to be a day of slow and steady relaxation, productivity of spring cleaning, and just sitting back thinking about…. Things. Woke and got into the groove of binge watching Criminal Minds on Netflix. After taking care of errands, I deep cleaned my living room, disinfecting everything, wipe down surfaces, and putting things away.

Then, it was time to take care of me. I decided to try out Overtone, an all natural hair coloring system. I got the color Ginger, and started the process. I wore my gloves, took out a glob, and went to town on my hair, saturating it with the beautiful reddish-brown hue. In the midst of equally distributing the color, my glove broke on my left middle finger, causing the color to stain it. Then, I played the waiting game of letting the color sit for 15-20 minutes. Once I let it sit, it was time to rinse. Cue the OH SHIT!!!!!

As I’m standing in the shower, slowly rinsing the color out of my hair, I look to see my hands turn orange, and almost 1/2 of my bathtub turns a light yellow 😨😨😨. I go through my hair, seeing the issue, that maybe I put a tad too much color in my hair. Taking my time and enjoying the rest of my shower, I got out and dried my hair, only to see it turn to a deep burgundy. That’s a start…

Then I continued binge watching Criminal Minds until Dad came home. We hung out for a little while, had a little heart to heart, until it was time for him to go to work.

So here is what I learned from today…

  • Dying your hair will ALWAYS require gloves- the good ones
  • Wash/Rinse color out in KITCHEN sink to prevent stains
  • Ask Mom to assist in hair coloring process
  • It’s ok, you’re learning and trying new things
  • I DID IT BY MYSELF FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!

Well I hope everyone is still staying safe and healthy through these times. Hopefully you got a few laughs from this one. Time to call it a night.

Until next time…

❤

WEEK 01: WFH PROS & CONS

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Good evening 🌙

So, I survived my first official week of working from home. I thought this would be a great time to share with you guys my experience, and the pros and cons of WFH:

Mar. 30th through Apr.03rd: WEEK 01

This is what my day looked like since I started working from home. My old routine used to be that I would wake up at 5:00am, get dressed, and walk over to my mom’s house until it was time for both of us to leave for work at 7:00 (sometimes, we’d leave out before 6:30 so Mom can get to work early). Once I got into work, I get settled and check emails, review my Passion Planner, and plug in my hours for the day before starting work. From 8:00 to 4:30, I’m on the computer. I made sure to step away from my cubicle to move a little bit. Once work was done for the day, I came home and spent the remaining 3 hours taking online classes. Then I went to sleep anywhere between 9:00 to 10:30, unless I had to work on a paper, then it would 11:30 or Midnight when I’m climbing into bed.

My routine now, I wake up at 6:30, make myself a cup of hot tea and breakfast. I come into the living room where my workstation is set up, and I open my blinds so that the natural light of the day brightens my apartment. I play InTouch Ministries while I set up to start working. From 7:00 to 4:00, I work and then spend the rest of the day finishing schoolwork. Now let’s get into the pros and cons:

PROS:

  • More flexibility in my work schedule
  • Starting to find a balance between work, home, and school
  • Able to make time to workout and focus on my health
  • Naps are a lifesaver
  • No longer feel rushed in the mornings or throughout the day
  • More energy and more hours of sleep

CONS:

  • Less interaction with people, especially with social distancing
  • Wearing more sweats which leads to feeling SUPER comfortable and wanting to take longer naps- currently working on planning my outfits again

Overall, after doing this for a week, I can personally say that I enjoy working from home. I find myself having more energy, I don’t feel tired or groggy throughout the day after waking up, and I’m able to make time to do things that I normally couldn’t do when I’m at work. So, just need to plan outfits ahead of time, and I’ll be ok.

I’ll continue to keep you guys posted on my well-being. New things are coming up soon, and I’ll share them with you all once I’m finished working out the kinks.

Until next time…

❤️

WEEKS 3 & 4: BREAKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING

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Good evening all 🌙

So, tonight’s post is going to be an interesting one. Let’s rewind to last week:

MAR. 15TH -MAR. 21ST:

  • Went to work like normal, while getting emails being aware of the COVID-19 situation
  • Working on Week 5 of my 2nd class- a final exam, paper, and points for taking a survey
  • Dealing with my “Monthly Gift” which required constant snacking, pigging out on chocolate, and staying in my sweats all weekend

MAR. 22ND- MAR. 28TH:

  • Start my 3rd class after having a mini break between classes
  • Arrived to work, only to prepare my workstation to be updated and functioning properly for at home use (working from home starting yesterday)- still getting adjusted to it
  • Trying to play catch up in my current class by completing my tasks for Week 1

So, after my first day of working from home, I took the rest of the evening to play and finished my game of Tomb Raider. Then spent the rest of the evening browsing positive boards on Pinterest. Today, I woke up with a migraine and an upset stomach. Mom checked on me for most of the morning and asked me “How are you able to find your balance between work and class now that you brought work from home?” Long story short, it’s been a challenge and I’m working on it.

Today has been a day of playing catch-up, and tomorrow will be another round too. It’s different for me because I work from 7:30 to 4, take a small break when I come home, and from 5:30 to 8, I’m working on homework for class. Now, I’m trying to maintain that balance, but I’m finding myself looking at a screen for too long. So, I’m working on cutting out screen time, and adding more books, sketching, writing, and other hobbies to help me rest myself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I found some new reads from Amazon. Two of the books being about self-healing and chakras. I wanted to get a book on astrology, dealing with the zodiac signs. This is the time for me to train my mind, my body, and spirit to practice healthier habits. I’ve also been researching again on freelancing and turning that into a career. After having a conversation with a colleague, I learned that it’s ok to have an outlet to explore new things, and new job opportunities. I still want to turn that into a passion of mines, but I want to make sure I have my ducks in a row before I make any moves.

Well, hope you all are doing ok during these crazy times, and continue to stay encouraged and positive.

Until next time…

❤️