Mind, body and pretty handwriting

When I think back to the times when I've been the happiest, I've either be deeply engrossed in a creative outlet or I've been working towards a goal.  

The summer before my last semester in college I started working on a craft project that I called "Belle of the Wall." I made framed pieces that were accented with buttons. It was something that I'd stay up late working on, and I loved it! The "drama queen" was a favorite - and there were a few collegiate pieces too.

  

During my first year post-grad, I embarked on an adventure that I dubbed "Project 3-6-5." I took a picture every day the year after I graduated from college. It's fun to go back and see what that first year of "adulthood" was like. It was only 3 years ago, but I feel like I look like such a baby in some of the pics!

Then, there was that 3 month period that I trained for a half-marathon - I got food poisoning two weeks before the race and was too weak to keep training. Let's not talk about that. Still a sore spot for me!

It's been a while since I've had a hobby or a goal that I've been working towards.

I finally feel settled. I've been at my job for over a year now, and I've produced all of our events at least once. This year, the challenge will be to improve on what we have done. It's also been nearly 7 months since I bought my house, and everything feels "done." I mean, there are always things to do and improve upon, but I don't have any contractors or workmen lined up to come to the house. My "to do" list is one that can totally be managed by little old me. It's empowering!

This blog is a source of happiness for me. I used to think "I have nothing to write that's worth reading." - hence the many-month hiatus - but my thought process this time around is that I'm just going to be authentic and real with what's going on with me. It's not always pretty, but when is life perfect?

The thing that brings me the most joy right now is Barre3. I have been taking class pretty consistently for the last couple of months, and I have to say that I'm feeling stronger, both in my body and my mind!

There have been quite a few days when a stressful day at work, or an emotional day personally, has been alleviated by a great Barre class. I never really understood what people meant when they said that yoga (pilates, etc.) was so restorative for them mentally. But honey, now I'm a believer. Barre3 is my happy place and it "fixes" me on a bad day.

This barre is where it all begins. The bad day gets left at the door, and I do my absolute best to take the clear head with me when I leave.

This post was inspired by one of those days where I canceled my spot in the afternoon Barre class because I was too stressed/too busy/too tired/too whatever to go. 5 minutes later I thought, "Snap out of it, Newton. Those are the very reasons you need to go!"

Do you make time for your mental health? Right now things are so crazy with my full time job, plus my part-time gigs, plus my volunteering with other projects, plus trying to have a social life -- and then there's that thing that people seem to recommend... I think it's called sleep? 

I would gladly choose any of the things going on in my life over slumber. And I'm okay with that - I can sleep when I'm dead right? In fact, I'm adding one more "project" to my list. My calligraphy supplies arrived, and I cannot wait to start my Skill Share class! Practicing my penmanship is one of my most favorite things to do. I'm giddy!

It's a good thing I don't have 3-4 days off in a row, otherwise I might hop on I-40E and show up at my parents' front door. Not sure how Mommacita would feel about all those miles on the car, but man, I could use some Momma time. I barely have time to text her! You guys. Not acceptable.

Summary of this post: Thanks to Barre3 (and my obsession with learning calligraphy), I'm working on a healthy me... mind, body and pretty handwriting!

xoxo, E