Life Update Ft. Hydro Classes & Saying No

 Hello dear friends!

It has been a shamefully long time. I will be the first to admit I have neglected my poor little blog, and my dear blogger friends. I have sorely neglected reading all your marvelous posts that I know are still being published. I promise it is not for lack of interest that I refrain from reading them. Quite honestly, it is such a difficult choice to determine whether one uses their precious 15 minutes for whipping up a speedy blog post that details one's absence from the literary world, or to catch up on as many of my friends' endless amounts of posts that have been compiling. I decided, for today at least, to do the former, as I couldn't possibly get around to all my friends, and this will at least reach as many of them as will take the time to read it. 

So! Where have I been? What's been happening? Am I in another play? Have I thrown out my laptop or given up blogging? (For the latter, a clue: no.)

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I'm not sure if the answer will disappoint or excite you. There is, in fact, no one particular answer. Work is perhaps the one word that covers up a multitude of the time that has elapsed. I still continue to work at my two jobs, putting in roughly 40 hours a week. I continue to do my tap dancing lessons and singing lessons, and daydream about getting on stage again. 

Which leads me to saying that no, I am not in another show as of right now. Indeed, I have but auditioned for one small part since the ending of Anne of Green Gables, which did not amount to anything. There have been several casting calls come and go, but none that called my name. I have decided that, despite my passion for theatre, it is not so important that I will sacrifice what I consider to be a good show, good morals and a good message for another opportunity just to feel the spotlight on my face again. That may seem rather obvious, but believe me, it can be hard. When you are truly craving to tell a story onstage, it's very difficult to see an opportunity, and choose to pass it up, not knowing when the next one will come your way. But, prayer and patience have led me to where I am. I believe if we are faithful in what God calls us to do, He will be faithful in making a way for us. I have seen Him do it time and time again. 

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Saying no, in general, has always been difficult for me. It's the hardest two letters I ever have to say. And I rarely say it, much to my disadvantage. An opportunity? Yes! A new friend? Yes! A new challenge? Yes! 

But I completely ignore the fact that, in saying yes to something, you automatically say no to something else. And you don't even realize it, sometimes. But in saying yes to that extra social event, I'm saying no to more time with family. Or, in saying yes to working back late, I am saying no to getting any time for reading that day. (Or week... or month. 😭) I swear I re-prioritize my life basically every other week. And I'm not proud about it.

One thing I have said yes to, however, is hydro classes. Yes, those "do-a-workout-in-a-pool-with-a-group-of-strangers" situations. (I know, I can't believe it either.) But, you see, my justification was that it is now coming closer to summer, the weather is already heating up, and I'm getting sick of strength workouts & pilates. So, I decided, I would mix up my fitness routine (also creating more motivation) by taking up swimming 2-3 times a week at my local pool (that's roughly a 6 minute drive from my house). I signed up for a 3 month pass, thinking I would finally become a stronger swimmer and get a total body workout each time. Little did I know that my pass also encompassed access to a gym, and 7 or so other pools around my area, AND hydro classes/gym classes. (To be honest, I'm probably going to skip the gym, because I prefer to do that at home, by myself.) 

So, I walked into my local pool's office the other week, half wanting to run back out and drive home because I felt so stupid and scared, and half wanting to run into the bathrooms and hide till it was over. But I jumped into the pool, right as they were about to start their aqua kickboxing class. Nervously, I scooted my way over to that side of the pool, and was silently but smilingly welcomed into the group. And I haven't left since. ;) The classes are short but pack a lot in, and I can do it around my work hours (most of the time), which makes it convenient. And the sun is setting right around when we wrap up, and I have discovered that a sunset swim after a stressful day at work is just what the doctor orders. (And believe me, it would be way less desirable if the pool wasn't heated - but thankfully, it is.) 

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So there you go; I highly recommend you try a hydro class if you've always been wanting to, and I also encourage you to practice mindfulness when you say yes to something, and when you say no. 

I could go on and on about some of the crazy good shows I've been able to see the past couple months, or how much music I've been practicing, or how I went wakeboarding/tow-surfing for the first time... but we'll leave that for later. ;) I'm sorry it's been so long, and I'd like to make blogging something I can do more than once every 3 months! But till next time, take care of yourselves and find something to smile about today! :) <3

How to Handle Stress/Anxiety

I thought I'd write something a little different today, but hopefully it will be helpful to some. In today's day and age, the two words 'stress' and 'anxiety' are very common, and it's so saddening. To think that with all the opportunities and privileges we have in the 21st century, we're all struggling maintaining positive thoughts and healthy mindsets... maybe it's because we have too many opportunities. At any rate, it's no joke. 

I've had my fair share of handling stress and anxious thoughts, and I'm sure we all have times where the struggle is a little more fierce than others. So I wanted to share twelve things that have helped me, and may aid you if you ever feel like your life is caving in around you and you have nowhere to go.

(Also, I have to add a disclaimer that anxiety comes in different ways and levels to different people. There are some who experience this so much deeper than I ever have, and I cannot speak to how they feel. I am no professional and this is not an exhaustive list. But please, if you ever sink so low you can't get out, don't ever, ever be afraid to ask for help. Call a friend. Call Beyond Blue. Don't believe the lie that you are alone and unloved and unseen. You are not, and you never will be, no matter how dark life seems to get. <3) 

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1. Sit down, close your eyes and breathe. 

I know this sounds stupidly obvious, but I'm serious! God himself says in the Bible to "be still and know that [He] is God". Sometimes some deep breaths and reminders of God's truth can really help fight the devil's lies.

2. Prayer. 

While staying calm and having a clear head can help you deal with any stress, prayer will help you fight it. Let whatever is troubling your heart spill out. Give it over to God; He will carry it for you. You don't have to do this alone.

3. Read the Bible and quote your favourite verses over and over to yourself.

If I'm REALLY freaking out and just need to get my mind off something, I will read my Bible, or if that's not practical, I will say some of my favourite verses out loud, over and over. Even if you don't know it word for word, the words "Take heart and have courage, God will neither leave your or forsake you, Jesus has overcome the world" have POWER. Feed yourself truth.

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4. Talk or write it out.

Sometimes when we ask for an answer from God, He sends a friend instead. Use the people He has placed in your life to help - if they love you, they will listen and help you through it. Sometimes we need another human being to help us find peace; we weren't meant to do this alone. And if you aren't able to talk to someone, write it out in a journal or on a scrap of paper. Get it out of your head, get it off your heart.

5. Write a truth for every lie.

I love this one, and it's a tip that I've only recently discovered but oh, it helps so much. Make a list of everything that is worrying you, then write a truth beside each one to help shift your perspective. For example:

• I'm a failure - you tried and that's enough. Learn from it, forgive yourself and move on. No matter how much you fail, you are still a child of God.
• I fear what the future brings - trust in God and His perfect timing. He has NEVER failed you before, why would He now?

6. Put on comfy clothes.

I know, random, but sometimes, you need to have that physical comfort to remind you of internal peace. It's not possible to do so at any given time, but if you are able, put on your comfiest clothes or wrap yourself in a soft blanket and pay attention to your physical need for comfort as well as spiritual or emotional.

7. Listen to uplifting music.

Music is balm for the soul. Words are powerful, but music has magic of its own. Put on some worship music, or your favourite songs with a positive message. I have a Spotify playlist specifically for calming me down, so I recommend creating one of your own for such an occasion.

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8. Make yourself some soothing beverage/food.

While I don't advocate emotional eating or consuming junk food for stress management, sometimes a hot cup of your favorite tea, coffee, or even hot chocolate can help relieve any stress. Often times sipping a hot drink will remind me of other times I've done the same thing with a clear mind, and I can re-evaluate my thoughts.

9. Get lots of sleep and rest.

A lot of times I get stressed from burn-out and lack of rest, sometimes even literal sleep. If you suspect you're needing to catch up on a few hours, allow yourself to have a nap or go to bed early. If you've simply gone overboard with the hustling, allow yourself to unwind and spend time relaxing, like reading a book, playing a game, or watching a movie. Rest is a gift.

10. Make time for what you love/what you need.

Self-care is not selfish. Remember to do the things that bring sunshine to your soul. Give yourself time to enjoy your passions and interests, and not just do all the boring jobs. Go outside. Make music. Organize an adventure to the beach or a mountain climb. If you're an extrovert, organize a social outing, or call a friend. If you're an introvert, schedule in some more quiet time alone. Occasionally, we need to have that extra spark in our lives to brighten up our darker thoughts and shed some light on our perspective.

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11. Exercise.

Don't hate me for this one! But I pinky promise it is worth a try. It may not work for EVERYONE, but it definitely helps me. If I'm feeling stressed and a little angsty, I'll find a cardio kickboxing workout and punch out my worries into the air. If I'm feeling anxious and overwhelmed, I'll do a gentle yoga and pilates workout. If I'm feeling stressed but with energy to burn, I'll tackle a challenging strength workout and sweat and puff out everything that has been weighing me down. (For the record, whenever I need this, Fitness Blender is always the website that supplies all my workout needs in that area. If you need any recommendations, give it a look!) 

12. Give yourself time, and forgiveness.

You cannot force yourself to push through anxious thoughts or legitimate fears. People who tell you to just 'get over it' do not understand or care to empathize. Remind yourself that it is okay to feel this way, but time will heal many hurts. Be gentle with yourself, and forgiving. 

I hope these suggestions have helped you in some way. Feel free to just use a few that you think would work for you. My hope is that next time you're struggling with some anxious thoughts or symptoms of burn-out, these will help you fight it, and help you know God's peace during it. 💙

12 Tips on Health and Fitness!

Hey friends!

So I've mentioned on a couple occasions that I'm rather enthusiastic about health and fitness, and I really wanted to share a few tips and ideas that have helped me a bunch in the past few years! Because I'm pretty sure it's not just me that likes the IDEA of staying fit and healthy, but actually doesn't want to do all the nasty hard work to get there, right? ;)

Well, today I want to encourage you all by saying that it's actually not as hard as you may think! There are so many ways you can start where you are, even if that means starting small, and building it up.

The first thing I would recommend is not to have a goal of "losing 12 pounds/5 kg", or achieving a certain weight. You can do that if that's what you really want, but I don't think it particularly helpful. You see, once you hit that goal... then what? You move back to your old way of living? You stress that you're going to gain it all back again? Or maybe you start questioning if maybe you should lose even MORE weight. I think a more effective motivator is to workout and eat healthily because it allows you to live your life better.

Research indicates exercise and clean eating affects SO many parts of our lives - mood, sleep quality, energy levels, reduced stress etc. And your body will only thank you for it later!

But the million dollar question is always the same - how? I get it. Maybe you don't have access to any gym or gym equipment. Maybe you have no money to buy it, or "no time" to do it. Maybe you are low on motivation and find you can't keep up a habit of being healthy. I feel you, and you are not alone in that. So here is some friendly advice from someone who was there myself!

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1. Start small
This deserves to be in the first spot, because it's so important and I've seen so many people make the mistake of starting out way too hard, way too fast. Maybe right now you have no exercise schedule and your 'healthy' eating consists of one banana a day, and maybe a green for dinner if you're feeling good. Know that that is okay - we all have to start somewhere. But don't schedule in six workouts a week and go on a no-sugar diet. Because sooner or later you're going to get frustrated, exhausted and burn out, then go right back to where you were before.

The key is to start implementing small, simple changes that you can keep up. For example, make a commitment to have at least three different veggies a day, and two pieces of fruit. (You could have them scattered all across the day - it doesn't have to be at EVERY meal.)
For exercise, try scheduling in one small, 10 minute workout a week (or twice a week, if you're up for it). It can be short and simple, but the key point is you DID it and you committed to doing it.

2. Schedule it into your day
I know not everyone likes lists and organizing their days like I do, but it's highly recommended that you pick a time of day (and maybe even specific days) that you are going to exercise. I know lots of people who get up early just to do their workout but I personally do NOT have the motivation for that, so I do mine in the late evening (around 5PM) when the temperature is cooling down and it's just before I have my shower.

3. Find your groove
This really helped me. When I first started exercising, I did what was recommended - I worked out 4 to 5 times a week, doing cardio, strength training and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)... and to be honest, even though I stuck to it, I disliked it a lot. There's nothing that will drain your motivation like dreading your workouts. So I found something I enjoyed instead - pilates, yoga/stretching, strength training and fun forms of cardio, like kickboxing or dancing!

The point is, you don't have to do something you really don't like (especially if you've given it a fair go) - there are MANY types of training out there; just experiment and see which one you like best. There are the usual types - strength training, cardio, HIIT, pilates, but then there's also yoga, dancing, walking, running, sports - even self defence! You can be creative! Just get up and move your body! I highly recommend mixing things up occasionally, to challenge yourself.

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4. Simple food changes
This is vastly different for everyone, because we all have our own tastes and preferences. I personally don't go for diets - I like to have freedom in what I eat, but I also want to eat what makes me feel better rather than worse. It's a very individualistic topic, though, so what works for me might not be what's best for you. Play around with different things. If you find you feel worse after eating more dairy or gluten, try lowering the your daily intake of them and see if you feel any better. I was having severe problems for many years with my gut health (which takes affect on many different parts of your body), and only this year (9 years later) did I discover, after consulting a dietician, that I am lactose intolerant, and it's best for me to avoid lactose if possible. I also can't take a whole lot of rich, creamy or greasy foods.

It's really important to know what makes YOU feel better. But one general recommendation I have is that you choose to eat less processed foods and go for more whole, real foods. What I mean is food that doesn't come from a tin or packet or box. Eat as much food as you can that comes straight from the source - fresh fruits and vegetables, grain, meat, as little processed dairy and carbs as possible, and less packaged food.
If you think about it, the idea is to eat more of the simple, real food that God has created, and less of the food that has been treated and processed.

5. Find a source you can trust
I spent quite some time finding a source I liked and could trust. Some people are only interested in going to the gym (which is fine, although I personally have never stepped inside one and don't intend to), and some people would never DREAM of working out in front of other people - let alone strangers. (*raises hand*) In that case, the internet is full of companies and YouTube channels for people who work out at home. There are many out there with rather dodgy information (trying to sell gimmicks) so I would adjure you to approach it with caution. That said, there are also some fantastic ones out there.

My personal favourite that I recommend to everyone is Fitness Blender. You may have heard of it; they have millions of followers. They're qualified personal trainers and have degrees in nutrition, so they also give you handy information as you do your workouts such as the correct form, what muscles they're targeting, and many misconceptions. They also provide recipes and other helpful articles. They have over 500 free workouts in ALL sorts of training styles, difficulty levels, durations and equipment (or no equipment). And the best part? It's 100% free. Highly, highly recommend.
A few others I've come across are Blogilates, Yoga with Adrienne and PopSugar (mostly for their dance workouts), which I will occasionally do just to mix things up.

Fitness Blender power couple Kelli and Daniel - via Pinterest

6. Find an accountability partner or a community
So many people struggle to have the self motivation to keep up with a schedule of exercising, and that's when this comes in handy. Find a friend or family member who is keen to try exercising like you, and do it together (or send each other messages or workout selfies to encourage and keep each other accountable). If you don''t have anyone that you can think of (which was my case!), maybe try finding a community. Fitness Blender has a great forum that I used to help keep me motivated and inspired. The people are from all over the world, and it's a very encouraging atmosphere, where lots of people are happy to help you.

7. Water & Sleep
I know, I know, EVERYONE says this... but for good reason. ;) I drastically changed how much water I was drinking over the course of 1 year - from about maybe 1 litre a day to easily 2 litres or more a day. And it made me feel so much more energized! I also found it stopped cravings for food that I had been snacking on that I really didn't need, so if your goal is to eat healthier, drinking 8-10 cups of water a day would be one of my first recommendations!
Also, don't forget to get in 7-9 hours of sleep. It's super important! If you're working out and pushing yourself hard but not allowing your body to rest and restore itself properly, you could actually be undoing all of your hard work. Be gentle on your body and let it get the rest it needs.

8. Give grace to yourself
This is SO important! If you are just starting out on your health and fitness journey, or are trying to maintain one, don't forget to give grace to yourself. It's okay if you've eaten junk food three days in a row, or you haven't worked out for two weeks. We all struggle sometimes. Forgive yourself and move on. Keep your chin up and do the best you can. Sometimes what your body needs most is rest and forgiveness. Remember you are doing it to take of yourself and not to punish yourself.

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9. Everything in moderation
This goes for EVERYTHING. Eating clean - in moderation! Allow yourself that chocolate or that piece of cake if you want - just don't eat the whole block. ;) Keep a healthy mindset - not one that makes you want to do 2 hours of cardio after you've stuffed yourself at a friend's party, or you consider food to be "good" or "bad". Food is not morally good or bad. You're just trying to put things into your body that will fuel it efficiently and keep it energized, healthy and happy.
Also, exercising - in moderation! Don't overdo it! You DON'T need to workout 6 days a week. 3 to 4 days is totally acceptable - and just between me and you, I have only been working out 2 days a week lately. ;) (Sometimes counting a dance practice or lengthy light pilates/stretching routine.) Make sure you are getting in rest days. Everything in moderation.

10. Remember your why
This is for those days when you have no motivation and are strongly considering giving up all effort you have thus far put forth. Remember your why, and if you don't have one, choose one. You will need it at some point. Everyone has a different why, but here are some examples:
"I want to live the best life that I can"
"I want to live as long as I can and not have to say no to opportunities due to my health"
"I want to be healthy for my kids or family"
" I want to be strong enough to do the things I want to do"
"I want to take care of the body God has given me"

11. Keep a record
This is helpful even if you never share your records with anyone else. You can take pictures if you want, (I've done this to track my flexibility progress) or you can write down some goals or simply some things you find hard and see how far you can get. For example, your goal might be "be able to hold a plank for 10 minutes" or maybe it's "be able to go for a challenging hike without puffing and looking like I'm going to pass out". ;) Every now and then go back and check how you're doing. You'll be surprised how much you may have already conquered! After two years of exercising consistently, I could go for mountain climbs and make it to the top with enough breath to hold a conversation while I was at it. ;) I could carry heavy things at work, I could help friends move house, I could assist my parents or grandparents in moving heavy objects or furniture - and it makes you so proud to know how far you've come!

12. Don't forget everyone has their own journey
As you get further along your health and fitness journey, you'll soon realize that although we're all in this together, we're all on paths of our own. No two people have the same life, body or circumstances, and it's not fair to compare any of them. Don't beat yourself up because your friends have long, skinny legs and you were born with some rock-solid muscely thighs. (Who's to say one is better than the other?) Don't compare your strength and endurance to some personal trainer on Instagram.
Your body is unique; fearfully and wonderfully created by your Creator. This journey is between you and God (who made you!) and not the rest of the world. Cheer others on in their own journey, but don't follow them down it. You have your own God-given journey that is yours alone.

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And there you have it! 12 of my best tips for starting your own health and fitness journey. I hope this may have encouraged someone if they're struggling, or at least reminded them they're not alone.

Do you have any tips you would add? Who else is keen to live their best life?

5 Reasons Why I Journal (+ a little message)

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Well, I guess it’s kind of obvious I’m talking about journaling today. Are there any other journalists (not in the career sense, haha) out there? ;) Or maybe it’s just old-fashioned me?

Perhaps I should make it clear, before I start, that when I say ‘journaling’ I don’t necessarily mean “Dear Diary, today I...” That’s a diary. There’s a difference. To my knowledge, diaries are for everyday use of the more mundane experiences, merely keeping records and recording things such as daily habits and the weather. Journals are used for more important experiences; they’re generally more personal and involve more of one’s feelings and thoughts. Not that it really matters, but y’know, I like to be accurate. :P

I started journaling when I was 10 years of age. My very first entry was the day my little brother was born (I only intended to enter important and interesting information, so that seemed like an obvious choice at the time). To being with, I was terribly inconsistent, and sometimes would write a few times a year, and other times would write multiple times a week. I’ve had ten journals since then, and that was over eight years ago. I later went through a phase (of a few years' worth), where I would faithfully write in it every day. When life got busier, it turned to ‘whenever I have time’. I recently started a new journal and decided to go back to a daily entry, as I find that suits me best. So here I get to my first reason:

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1. Mental organization – Literally, journaling gives me extra brain room. No joke! I get to the point where I have so many thoughts, ideas and emotions swirling around in my brain that I can’t even concentrate on a book. That’s when I know it’s time to write it down. It’s like a form of self-care for me; it helps me get it off my chest and see my feelings and thoughts clearer. Often times I understand myself better when I make myself write it down.

 
2.  Accurate information – Because sometimes, it’s important to know whether or not you wore your white dress or your navy dress to your cousin’s wedding. ;) And sometimes flicking through your old journals can help solve family debates about certain events (whether or not we REALLY had three tubs of ice cream for dessert that one night or not). A number of times I’ve even used my old journals for things like remembering when I went to the dentist last! (Yeah, maybe I should organize that information outside of my journals... :P)

3. Clearer memories – This is partly sentimental for me, but I love being able to remember the smallest details about things that no one else remembers, simply because I wrote them down. Just like photos help us remember what something looks like, journals can also help us remember what it looked like outside of the photo, how we felt, what we noticed, what we smelt, what was said, what we experienced... all the precious memories that get lost. I love recording funny, totally random conversations I have with people (even strangers!) because I know I’ll forget them, and I don’t want to. I want to remember what I’ve learnt, and store up everything I’ve experienced. 

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4. An improved memory – Okay, so this one is very similar to the one before, except that I mean it in the present tense. The one before was about memories you look back on – this one I mean your actual MEMORY. I have a MUCH better memory for things if I write them down... just like how my Mum made me write down notes for science in school, and the definition of every list word I had to spell. It sticks a lot better. So I’ve found that whenever I have a conversation with someone, and later record the main points of it in my journal, then I’ll be much better at remembering what was said to them next time I see them. It’s so much less awkward than repeating yourself constantly, and it also makes the other person feel special because you remembered them.

5. Sentimental Benefit – Honestly, being able to flip through my journals and find out exactly what I was doing and thinking five years ago, three years ago or even one year ago, is reason alone for me to journal. I’m a sentimental sop, I’ll admit it. But I’m truly blown away every time I do it – to think that one year ago my biggest fear was driving, or to think that two years ago I was struggling with the exact issue I'm struggling with now... Journaling helps me to see clearly how far I’ve come, how each season of life feels challenging, and yet we still make it, and then THAT season prepares us to face the next, until we’re staring our giants of five years ago in the face, realizing that... they are no longer giants. They are what have helped us grow the most, and be who we are now.

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      So I want to leave you, friend, with this little message. Don’t run away from the things that scare you, because chances are, those are the things that are going to change your life and grow you like nothing else will. Stand firm, have courage, and ride that wave. You were born to do great things. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and work hard – it will only push you forwards. And soon you’ll look back, and be amazed at just how far you’ve come!  

      So tell me! Do you journal? And if you don’t, have I convinced you to give it a go? ;) Hope you all have a fantastic Thursday!