The Friday List (nice things you’ve done for yourself this week)
Sorry I’m late posting this morning, but it’s because I did what I’ve been doing all week: slept for 7 solid hours.
Remember The Great Sleep Experiment? Well, somehow I got away from that. And this past week–my first full week at home after weeks of traveling–I instituted the program again, and I feel SO MUCH BETTER.
I’m out of town again right now, up in Phoenix for four days of talks and teaching, and I have pledged to myself that I will take proper care of my body. It’s so easy when you’re on the road to live on restaurant food and coffee and no exercise and too little sleep. And then you drag home and it feels like you’re getting over a cold for the next several days, until all those ragged out-of-town cells can be replaced by the healthy in-town ones.
But there’s really no need for that. Yes, airplane and car travel can wear you down, and getting away from your regular routine can mess with the system, but sometimes it’s just a matter of deciding to sleep more to let your body do its own perfect job at restoring everything to balance. At least that’s what I’m experimenting with right now.
So anyway, I was out way late last night, but I made up for it by sleeping in this morning, and all is well.
And you guys? What nice things have you all done to make your lives happier and more peaceful this week?
Technorati Tags: The Friday List, Self-Care, Self-Pampering, Self-Kindness, Sleep Experiment
Does buying myself those little candy corn pumpkins count?
Also, I let my son bring home dinner to me: a salad from Quiznos. He got the huge, sloppy meatball sub and spent the whole night going on and on about how fabulous it was…the best in the universe! Living with a 16 year old is a treat.
I actually LIKE those Quiznos’ salads, Sarah.
Robin: Sleep is the key to happiness and health. I think it’s probably more important than diet or exercise. We’re only now understanding how truly important it is. All I know is that a) if I get 8 hours or more, I feel young and healthy and b) if I get 6 hours or less I feel old and tired.
This has been a big week for me in terms of “nice things” I’ve done for myself. I have said “no,” I have quit some popular clubs who are doing great work despite the fact I’m afraid I will no longer be popular, and I’m being a tough woman in car negotiations. (True, I’m only accomplishing this by negotiating by phone. I’d cave at the dealer’s.)
WooHoo! Happy Friday, everyone.
Aargh, Sara, excuse the “h.” I write to two Sara/hs in the kidlitosphere, one with and one without. It’s just a reflex to misspell it everywhere.
Not muc this week… did some writing! that’s always good! But other then that… noting I think… =/
I got rid of some excess baggage, metaphorically. We’ll see how it goes, for better or for worse, but it’s the nicest thing I’ve done for myself in a long time. Those who wish to know more will have to contact me for details. (hint hint).
I found the FITtv which has bunches of yoga videos, though none of the Poses of Destruction persuasion. I’ve been wanting to see some yoga videos.
They also have Shimmy, which is a belly dancing fitness class. I didn’t DO the Shimmy class, but it is mesmerizing.
Kelly, I like the salads, too, especially with the toasted flat bread. And no problem on the “h”…I’m plenty used to it. I bet you get Kelly spelled all different ways, too. Care for candy corn pumpkin?
I keep telling myself that I’m going to do this adequate sleep thing, but then I keep getting caught up in things and staying up later than I should. It would probably help if I had a clock in the living room.
I had a whole lot of deadlines this week, and the nice thing I did for myself was decide that I wasn’t going to keep up with the dishes or the laundry or any house stuff and let myself concentrate on work. It felt good, and I got my work done.
Sara, you know I’ll all for the food indulgences. Always happy to hear about yours.
Kelly, HUGE bravo on quitting popular clubs even though you’re afraid you won’t be popular anymore. You know what I think? I think when your light shines the way yours does, people will come to you. You don’t always have to be so out there. You can concentrate on developing your talents and giving yourself adequate time to do what really matters to you, and the people who need what you have to say will seek you out. And good job on the car negotiations! That would make me sweat!
Dylan, writing is always a nice thing to do for yourself! Yipee!
Emily, if you’re saying what I think you’re saying, then high five to you. If you’re happy being free of the excess baggage, we’re happy for you–right, gang?
Patrick, glad you’ve found something new to occupy your time. Watching a shimmy class seems way better than all those Law and Orders you were getting sucked into. But I think we can all agree that you need to DO the shimmy class, not just watch it. I’ve seen the cover of Diana’s new book, and if you’re hoping to pose for it on your blog, you’ll need to work those hips.
Adrienne, double-high-five on letting the house go while you satisfy yourself getting work done. Sometimes that’s the only way to get through the work and meet deadlines. Laundry will always be there. So will the dusting. And soon enough you’ll look at those as your leisure activities, as a break from work. Balance, baby.
I’m gonna need an arc, if I am going to pose for it.
That’s my new cover rule.
you mean watching won’t get me in great shape?
I made brownies with mint chocolate chips in them this week, just because… It’s not much, but I did think of the Friday list as I was deciding to do it.
I joined the community band. I doubt this will make my life more peaceful, but I enjoyed band a lot in high school and I’m hoping this will be as much fun.
Yeah thanks Robin! BTW Sorry but I wont be able to make it to your class… =/ long story! O_O BUt I hope you’ll come again and I can hopfully make it then!
Sara, I love mellowcreme pumpkins and candy corn. They are a staple around my house during the month of October, and I gorge myself on them entirely too much.
As for the sleep issue, I long for more than 5 hours a night, which is how much I get most nights. The kids are only part of the problem. I work late, get in bed, take at least 30 minutes to settle into sleep, wake to feed the baby, have trouble settling again, and then am awakened by the kids at 6:30 to start the day. I’ve got to discipline myself to get in bed early.
My nice things? Writers’ night on Monday. Good conversation, mandatory writing time. I spit out about 300 words. Then my 30th birthday party last night. My husband planned an elaborate theme party–Pirates of the Caribbean. I’m shamelessly in love with Jack Sparrow, and he even ordered himself the costume. I wore my own “pirate wench” dress and hat, and our guests dressed up as well. John had a tent-covered patch of sand in the backyard complete with colored lights, inflatable palm trees, good food, good drinks, and the inevitable video montage of semi-embarrassing photos of me throughout my life. He did an incredible job. He’s an incredible guy. Here’s to beginning the next decade of my life!
My big thing was forcing myself to rip out (or cut oh-so-carefully out) the shoulder seam on my first knitted cardigan, so I could re-do it better. It had been sitting in a heap waiting for this treatment for ages, and it was horrendous while I was doing it – took hours and Not Fun At All. But – when it was done and I’d washed and blocked it I felt fantastic. Partly the relief of one less thing in life giving me guilt in generous gobs, and partly encouragement that with all I’ve learned, the Mrs Darcy cardigan will go more easily.
Also found Spanking Shakespeare at Betterworld and ordered it, which is win-win of the nicest sort!
Just arrived home from AASL yesterday. My nice things this week:
going to a national conference, buying a dragonfly batik print shirt at the PDX airport. I noticed it previously, on my way to Chicago. Going to bed at 7 PM last night and sleeping almost to 7 AM this morning. The poundage of the books got to me. Have a great week.
Nice thing? I have not stressed out about Nanowrimo once this week. I’m actually looking forward to it.
Patrick, I think it’s reasonable to ask for an ARC if you’re going to pose for the cover. Diana is a little busy planning for her wedding next weekend, but I’m sure she’ll hook you up when she’s done with all that. Because Patrick the Cover Boy is too good to pass up.
Jen, brownies with chocolate chips sounds fab! Very homey, too. Nice autumn treat.
Nicole, how cool that you joined a community band! I joined a community orchestra for a few years, just to play piano with a group like that again. What fun–good for you!
Kelley, happy birthday!!! Sounds like such a fun party! You picked a good husband. Cheers on the start of a new decade. And I’m so sorry about your sleep story! Babies–so selfish, huh?
Lady S, I still giggle every time I see that there is such a thing as a Mrs Darcy cardigan. I think I need to order one of those. And yeah, ripping out seams and stitches is a total drag. All that lost work. But I’m so glad it turned out so well.
Jone, I love that you bought that shirt! Passing up things that you want can really grate at you. I think it’s a good practice to buy yourself little treats like that, just because you love you. Yay that you got a second chance, and yay that you took it!
Dylan, sorry you couldn’t come to my class! Next time.
You don’t need to order the pattern – it’s free on the internet! Even if you don’t knit (or know someone you can commission to do it for you), it’s worth having a look here – pattern As far as I know, Mary’s still in high school, which makes her creativity even more impressive. (Hope that link worked okay!)
I kept checking on Friday because I finally had something huge to post — and then I forgot to keep checking. But I decided the nicest thing I could do for myself last week was to give myself permission NOT to run the half-marathon I’d decided to run in December. I don’t particularly like them, and I *really* don’t like training for them, and I don’t know why I let myself get sucked in to another one. So I’m out and feeling relieved!
Lady S, that’s so pretty! And so girly! Maybe I’ll ask one of my knitter family members to make me one for Christmas. Thanks for the tip!
Laura, the sound you hear is me applauding. BRAVO. SO good of you to take that pressure off yourself. It’s like all these other things we do–reading, writing, etc.–they’re supposed to be fun. When it starts feeling like a chore, something has to change.