I must apologise for some pre-ambling ambling self-exposing real talk.
Sometimes a week is challenging and tiring and forces you to look at yourself and see where you might need to do some reorganisation of your priorities. For me, this week was that week. Chris and I had a great time playing house while my parents were away, and we get to have the same fun this week while we house sit his grandmother’s bay side cottage. However, this week brought some long busy work days, and self-enforced early morning workouts, and by Saturday night I was so tired that I just burst into tears. I am fortunate that Chris took the time to sit me down and tell me that maybe I need to start relaxing a little with my early mornings. I have also been tiring myself out a little with the busywork I make myself do because I think it is necessary rather than focusing on what the important things are for my own life and relationship. Okay, real talk over, my apologies. I really wanted to show you that I am super grateful for my life and there it is burgeoning with blessings, and I make the time to find those blessings even when I am feeling overwhelmed and challenged. This Gratitude List helps me to focus on the wonders that lie even among the dust of the hard days.
Onward to the twenty-fifth Nourished Life Gratitude List:
Monday: Grateful for an evening walk with Molly through the twilight. Then I made a quiet dinner for Chris and I and we both did some writing (blogging for me, assignments for him). I also made a delicious salad for my lunchbox love this week.
Tuesday: Chris and I got takeaway for dinner after a mad cleaning and washing session and just relaxed on the couch. I am glad that I have someone to share the quiet moments with during a busy life.
Out with my gal Molly Malone
Wednesday: A new colleague started at work today and she is lovely! It’s nice that the people coming into our workspace fit in well with the culture that is already established and share our sense of hard work and fun.
Thursday: I had all good intentions of a busy and productive Thursday night, but after being slammed with work today I came home, snuggled with Chris, fell asleep, and when I woke up I made chocolate cupcakes for Chris’s work. Then I licked the bowl of leftover chocolate buttercream for dinner. That’s reality some days.
Friday: Work today was intense. I think I was feeling particularly intense and created my own disastrous reality. Despite this I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and even my boss who took the time to tell me to just take a deep breath and calm down. I need to learn to just sit back every now and again. And get away from my desk for lunch. I definitely need to do that.
Saturday: I am so grateful for my Saturdays. Every week it rolls around and I end up having some awesome adventures and wonderful moments with the people I love. This Saturday I had a great early morning run, Jess and I had breakfast at the markets (although, she had sushi for breakfast – does that count?), we took our grandmother on a picnic (that almost lost its way…) and then I spent a great night with my darling Chris and his cousin John.
Sunday: I had a semi-meltdown on Saturday night after a sleep-deprived week so Chris forced me (lovingly) to ditch the alarm that rules my wake-up time all week long and just sleep until I naturally woke up. I am so grateful for his wisdom and grateful for my sleep in. I spent the rest of the day turning some nearly-funky bananas into Gluten Free Coconut Banana Bread and preparing a twist on Tracey’s (from the amazing Shutterbean) ‘The Reset Button Salad‘ for my lunchbox love this week.
This week I am focusing on balance and sleep. Balancing some hard work with some hard relaxation. Also, there will be Mexican food involved because I have had a major craving for some nourishing tacos. Keep your eyes here.
Okay friends, what are you grateful for this week?
What are your challenges? How do you remind yourself to slow down and take care of yourself?
