Things That Suck: It’s spring break and I’m scheduled to work 43 hours. (side note: our pay periods are Saturday through Friday - I had this weekend off so in our work week I was only scheduled 35 hours… which is still kind of a lot)
Things That Don’t Suck: I will be paid slightly above minimum wage for those 43 hours, which is enough for me. I enjoy my job. I love my job. I am fully capable of conquering this week.
Things That Suck: The very pills that help me to function are also the pills that can ruin a Sunday for me if I choose to sleep in one hour.
Things That Don’t Suck: After years of struggling with an overactive, self-destructive brain a couple of years ago, I finally found a doctor and medicines that wouldn’t make my life for me, but enable me and give me the power to make the life that I want.
Things That Suck: I have goals that may or may not be realistic, and that’s pretty stressful.
Things That Don’t Suck: I have goals. I have real, actual goals that I am working toward. I have goals that I am passionate about; goals that I am inspired by.
Things That Suck: My psychiatrist had another medical emergency last week, on a morning that I was scheduled to see him for refills and discussion. The only other psychiatrist in the practice is his wife. (I’m not sure what his medical emergencies are, but after seeing him for the first time after his last one, they are quite worrisome and I really hope they are able to get it figured out - he’s a very very nice, middle-aged man, with a very very nice middle-aged wife, and they both run a great practice).
Things That Don’t Suck: My psychiatrist’s receptionist/secretary/person who calls when they have to cancel your appointment is very nice and accommodating. I have health insurance. I have the means to go to the psychiatrist on a monthly basis like I have to.
Things That Suck: I have the household dreams and plans of someone who owns a large, spacious home. With a room dedicated specifically to my own personal creativity, peace, and relaxation.
Things That Don’t Suck: I can (usually) realize that I only have one quite large bedroom to myself and am creative enough to make do and figure things out to make it work for me!
Things That Suck: Winter coats, high heels, and other personal items that you’d probably sell/donate/throw away except for the fact that these things are expensive and you actually do need them a couple of times a year.
Things That Don’t Suck: I have winter coats and high heels and other items that I only need for special occasions.
Things That Suck: I do not have enough storage for these high heels and winter coats.
Things That Don’t Suck: One day, I may have enough storage for these high heels and winter coats.
Things That Suck: I woke up an hour before my alarm clock was supposed to go off.
Things That Don’t Suck: I did not wake up an hour after my alarm clock was supposed to go off.
Things That Suck: I gained some weight over the holidays/in recovering for the holidays.
Things That Don't Suck: I decided to simply be more vigilant and attentive to my diet and activity levels and lost three pounds this week!
Things That Suck: I do not have all of the pens.
Things That Don't Suck: I have an ample supply of pens.
Things That Suck: I don't have enough energy or time to read as much as I want to.
Things That Don't Suck: I am able to wake up every morning and put aside a couple of minutes to read my Simple Abundance book, which helps keep me centered, focused, and aware of all of the beauty that is around me in my life! (I seriously recommend this book to every woman in the world. Even just reading it makes me feel better. I believe she has written one for men, as well.)
Things That Suck: I desperately need to figure out a way to budget my money that works for me but I can't figure out the best strategy for myself.
Things That Don't Suck: I actually have money to manage, and a regular income that I am earning on my own.
Things That Suck: Paying for computers.
Things That Don't Suck: I am months ahead of my own plan for paying for my computer!
So, it's Monday, and we're all tired. Plenty of things suck. Trust me - if anyone knows that, it's me! However, for every little thing that sucks, you can find at least one thing that does not suck. I woke up with all of these complaints, worries, and thoughts in my head. The devil on my shoulder was trying to stress me out. I soon came back with a list of positives to fight my list of negatives; now I feel a lot less anxious about my upcoming month AND I got to post a blog!
I encourage you all to think about all of the things that don't suck when you, like me, have a little jerk on your shoulder whispering everything there is to be anxious, sad, angry, or upset about. No matter what you are stressing out about right now, there is something good happening.
So smile, be happy, and if you would like to donate some storage space for my collection of beautiful high heels and poofy winter coats, hit me up.
What sucks today? What doesn't suck? What are you thankful for? Feel free to leave a comment and let me know!
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And now, a visual review of the past week or so:
I am very proud of the paper organization that I was able to whip together with limited resources!
Ryan and
The lady rats got a new bed and it's freaking adorable.
I had an awful headache yesterday from sleeping in and taking my meds late. Alllllllll day. So I slapped a cooling gel sheet on my forehead and built stuff.
Annie!
My month. It's going to be nuts.
My roommates are gone for spring break and left me a nice little note!
The laundry room desperately needs some fixing up. Why do we have so many vacuums?!
I re-did my file box this weekend. I am very happy with it. I just wish I could justify the cost of those pretty colored file folders! But damn, are they expensive.
The rainbow folders were my first file folder purchase. I thought I was getting a great deal - 12 for like $8 at Walmart. I thought it was a great deal because these were the only folders that Walmart had.
I'm obsessed.
I really really love my gallery wall, but I need to print some more recent pictures!
This week in the planner.
Rough planning of my meals so that I can roughly plan my budget for the week
I suffer from a severe lack of motivation. Mostly I feel that there's not much ahead for me; a side effect of my many ailments is not believing in myself, not thinking that the little steps to accomplish my big dreams are worth the effort - because I don't actually believe I'll reach any of those dreams.
And that's why I use (and love) my paper planner.
My friends and family all think my planner obsession is nuts - I say it's necessary. On the lighter side of things, the act of writing, doodling, and decorating is very therapeutic for me. An hour spent planning and reviewing and decorating is a sure-fire way to relieve anxiety and bring me into the present moment. In addition, being able to customize and create a system that is 100% me and perfect for my life is awesome.
Into the deeper side of things - motivation and affirmation.
I try to treat myself like the queen that I am. ;)
In the morning, when I first sit down with breakfast, my mind is suddenly flooded with worries about things I need to get done, things I want to get done, things I have to do, and how I'm going to fit it all into my day. So I write it down. I write EVERYTHING down. There is a notebook at my desk dedicated to nothing but "brain dumps." If there's even an inkling of a feeling that I may want to remember that thought, I write it down. If it's a task for the day, I'll write it in my planner. Sometimes my list can get long and overwhelming; most days I accidentally fill up the section on my daily pages for tasks (something I'm working on - think before you write, Alexis!).
For me, seeing a full task box is something of a little challenge to myself. Most days, if there are that many things on the list, it's little things: empty dishwasher, write blog post, reorganize/clean up desk space, wash bedsheets, clean mouse/rat cage, fold laundry, archive old planner pages, etc. At first, the full task box is overwhelming, but then I actually read it and realize that if I just stood up and put my mind to it, I could have half of it done in half an hour!
For instance, yesterday, my brain was moving at light-speed trying to prepare for the new semester. I looked at my full task list and began to panic. But then I noticed that a huge chunk of my list was simple house cleaning tasks - dishes, decluttering/wiping down kitchen, fold laundry, etc. I blasted The Dubstep Dictionary on my stereo and was able to add four checkmarks to that task list in twenty minutes.
A long list can be overwhelming, but the empty check boxes sure do motivate me to find a way to get things done - MUST. CHECK. OFF. BOXES.
Additionally, I keep my planner as a sort of record. Not only of events I want to remember, but also just day to day things: why didn't I do what I wanted to do this week? What did I do this week that helped me accomplish all of my main goals? Maybe I was sick for most of the week, and that's why I got a lot of blogging done, but my room is messy. Maybe I had the week off of work and nothing to really worry about, so my apartment is spotless and I was able to kick all of my tasks in the ass. These things really help me focus on the task at hand and how to move forward and get everything done.
I use the Life Mapping Version 2 inserts from DIY Fish in my desk size Day-Timer!
And lastly: I use my planner in the traditional manner, to remember tasks and appointments. I'm a little (read: a lot) absent-minded sometimes. As a visual person, when I see my appointments, time commitments, and tasks laid out in front of me, I can be more realistic about what needs to get done, what I want to get done, and what can wait.
In all honesty, my planner is probably overkill for most people, but it works for me and that's what matters! It keeps me sane, helps me see what's important, and most importantly: it remembers dates and times.
I encourage you all to ignore the naysayers for anything in your life, today. So what if someone thinks your way of doing things is weird? You're not harming anyone, and it works for you. That is all that matters. :)
Have a beautiful Monday and a great week, y'all!
PS: I'm completely obsessed with these DIY Fish Life Mapping Version 2 inserts. I will absolutely be doing a post on those soon!
