Prepping For New Seasons

 

This is a time of transitions and changes for many of us. Of saying goodbye to summer and saying hello to fall and all that fall brings. I find this to be a productive time of year for me. I often take this time to rethink what is serving me and what I should let fall away. 

This often looks like sorting/organizing. I am getting quite a pile that I will share on my local buy nothing group or donate to a local resale shop where purchases go towards providing free HIV testing. Ex some reusable tote bags from groups (I don't need 50+ LOL)

It also means I am really thinking about how to make my space more functional (like not using my floor as an extra space to store odds and ends lol) and getting a new planner (18 months so goes threw the end of 2024) so that I can stay on top of all my activities.

On top of that my focus for September is going to be creating unboxed bento boxes for lunch each day. (Don't have a bento box so probably just on a plate) with the goal of having 4 components as part of lunch each day in order move eating from a chore to something yummy.

So as August draws to a close this might be a good time to rethink how well your life is working for you. Is there anything that no longer serves that you could let go of? Any small changes you could make that will have a big impact on your life? Have a wonderful fall everyone.

Elul And Reflecting On A Year

 

We are currently about a third of the way through the Jewish month of Elul. Elul is traditionally a time of introspection and personal stock-taking. I am someone who can't get enough of such personal stock-taking and have looked forward to Elul for the past few years. 

I find fall is the perfect time to start taking stock before the Jewish New Year. (Honestly I really enjoy having a month to review my past year and using September, October, November, and December to try out New Year resolutions and see if I want them for 2024 or if they need to be modified)

I get a daily email throughout the month of Elul via the Jewish Studio Project with reflections and journal prompts. One such email was around celebrating small victories.

It can be exceedingly difficult to recognize the ways in which we’ve changed from year to year. The pace of transformation is slow and our memories are short. That said, sometimes we re-encounter a challenge and we have the opportunity to see ourselves respond differently. This happened to me in the last couple of weeks, and while, on some level, I would have preferred not to experience the frustration and sadness again, I did have the opportunity to witness my growth. I was undeniably less reactive, more accepting and more patient. I share this not to toot my own horn [insert shofar joke], but to say that noticing our small victories, celebrating our successes, is an important way of keeping track of the ways in which change really happens. (Rabbi Jordan Braunig)

When thinking about the past year (last Elul to now) I found my successes fell into two main categories:

Growing Social Connections

• Joined Three Avenues book club
• Joined two library book clubs
• Joined a monthly craft class at library

Growing Vocationally

• Got a new freelance client and now for the first time get bi-lines for my work (which is amazing and makes showing examples of my work much easier)
• Going through an amazing job interview process which while did not turn into a position did leave me feeling encouraged and like I do have skills and talents that I bring to the table

It really is neat to think back on my small sucesses from the past year. It is nice to see I have grown in the past year and wonder in what ways I will grow next year. My hope for everyone is that you continue to grow gradually into the most connected, loving, and kind person you can be. 

Celebrate National Wellness Month

We observe National Wellness Month* in August, emphasizing self-care, stress reduction, and the promotion of healthy practices. To feel like our best self, we need to adopt healthy behaviors and prioritize self-care. The concept behind National Wellness Month is that self-care is essential if we are to accomplish great things in the world, creatively, personally, professionally, locally, community wide, or globally. 

*Ok National Wellness Month is basically a hallmark holiday created by a wellness spa in 2018 BUT the idea of a National Wellness Month feels important so I am running with it even if it is more an idea of a month than a actual official awareness month :) 

  

Since it is easy for us to fall into ruts and forget all the possibilities available to us here is a collection of a few self love activities to spark your creativity. I have broken them down by category (Embodiment/ Sense of Touch, Sense of Smell, Sense of Hearing, Sense of Sight, Sense of Taste, Mental Wellbeing, Connection/Community and Caring For Your Physical Space) depending on what you are seeking.

There is no right or wrong way to practice self love. If the term self love stresses you out remember to expand your definition of self love. And in most cases self love is gentle nudges not a totally reframing of your life. In the end whatever you choose to do can be a form or self love, and your self love can look like anything you can dream up. 

Embodiment/Sense of Touch:

• Movement: Yoga, Walking, Biking, Dancing, Etc.
• Self Massage 
• Using Lotion
• Weighted Blanket
• Walking Barefoot (On Grass, On Sand, In Water Etc.)

Sense of Smell:

• Smelling Flowers, Fruits, Nature
• Burning Candles or Incense
• Baking or Cooking Something That Smells Yummy
• Opening Windows For Fresh Air
• Using Essential Oils 

Sense of Hearing:

• Listening to Music (Live or Recorded)
• Listening to White Noise (Waves Crashing, Thunderstorm, Etc.)
• Listening to a Podcast
• Listening Poetry or Short Stories Being Read
• Listening to Silence

Sense of Sight:

• Enjoying an Art Gallery/Museum
• Wearing Your Favorite Color
• Walking Around a Garden
• Watching a Cartoon, TV Show, or Movie You Love
• Coloring 

Sense of Taste:

• Savoring Your Favorite Foods
• Savoring Your Favorite Drinks (Tea, Coffee, Hot Cocoa, Juice)
• Brushing Your Teeth With a Nice Tasting Toothpaste
• Enjoying a "Tasting" With A Professional
• Creating Your Own "Tasting" Pairings

Your Mental Wellness

• Journal
• Meditate
• Try Therapy
• Make Art
• Have a Dance Party

Connection/Community

• Join a Book Club
• Go to an Open Mic
• Join a Club/Class
• Hang Out At Your Favorite Library/Bookstore
• Hang Out (In Person or Online) With Others Who Love Your Fandoms

Caring For Your Physical Space

• Do a Micro-Cleaning Project (Put Away 5-10 Items)
• Donate or Trash What Has Become Clutter/No Longer Brings Joy
• Adding a Plant or Cut Flowers to Your Space
• Changing Your Sheets, Towels, Decorative Pillows, Etc.
• Moving Furniture Around To Gain A New Looking Space