Project Do eeet!

I am posting this blog on the way to a local park to try out our new (to us) child carrier on an easy hike.

I should probably mention that I get motion sickness. I made the 10-10-10 commitment so I guess bring on the nausea induced burps!

An important part of my life is getting outside and moving my body in some capacity. As my particular depression was onset by an extended time of stress in my life, I go to great lengths to keep my stress levels under wraps. This means that I do not choose to punish my body through exercise but rather choose daily to engage in anything and everything that brings me back to the bliss of childhood. Swing sets, slides, swimming pools, splash pads, games of chase, and dancing are among the many activities I do. Today we add hiking back into the mix.

Wish me luck as I strap on a 30 lb wiggly toddler to my back and wage war against any insects that come my way.

Project Me, myself, and I

Today’s blog is brought to you @selfaesthetics with my forever friend Tanya Lilley-Chan. I am so grateful to have Tanya back in my life during my seemingly mid-life crisis. She makes me feel body confident and teaches me to age with grace… and Botox!

I facetiously named this blog narcissistically because I HATE making everything about me. I have the best people in my life. True forever friends who have seen me at my worst and at my best. I love doing life in tandem with my lovely gal pals. Feeling alone does NOT have to be a thing. Depression or no… I am not alone. It takes a village. Thank you Tanya Lilley-Chan for being my friend since we were preschoolers. Love you to the moon and back forevermore.

Ps here is a shameless pitch for @selfaesthetics … if you have pondered the freedom of laser hair removal DO IT! If you wondered if Botox makes you look like Tim Allen in Skipping Christmas… you won’t. If there is a little something you would like to lift, tighten, brighten, augment or just plain feel a little better please do call Tanya @selfaesthetics (204) 237-1388

Project Splash and Bubbles

I am not usually one to enter a room quietly. I am more of a ‘taaaa-daaaa’ kinda gal. Today’s blog comes to you live from the splash pad in my community. Thanks to my gal pal Elizabeth for chasing mister while I eek out a wee blog.

Recently, I heard the expression from Crystal Thompson @flourishintoyou that when we hide (whether literally or figuratively) because our bodies aren’t presenting themselves to the world the way we would like that we fail to show up authentically and thus don’t accomplish what we were placed in this world to do. (Rough paraphrase… sorry Crystal!!! Also the bold was accidental but I am also half chasing a toddler.)

I don’t want to half show up. I don’t want to not show up. I want to embrace my life Calling and show up with a ‘taaaaa-daaaaaa flourish!’

Depression makes it very hard to show up sometimes because some days it takes every ounce of your being to perform the most basic of tasks. You can’t give from an empty cup. So my flourish today including choosing NOT to vigorously workout, to nourish myself in a way that listens to my body cues and to walk in strength and dignity which includes just peacefully being me.

May you enter your day with a taaa-daaaa too.

Project la vie douce

I have a dirty little secret…

I hate socks.

The only time I regret this choice is when I accidentally slip in dog drool. (Do you need me to repeat that? I said “slip in dog drool.”)

My husband faithfully purchases me socks every Christmas. (Did I mention I slip in dog drool? Often?) One does not slip in dog drool while wearing socks.

La vie douce for me is wearing socks almost never and shoes only when it is deemed necessary.

I love the feel of the earth under my bare feet. Those feet have carried me thus far. And I am grateful.

La vie douce. It is good. So very good.