You guys, I really think I want to move somewhere warm year-round. Every summer I think, "wow, this is so nice, but I couldn't live somewhere without snow! I love snow! I love fall and watching the leaves change, and that smell the air gets when it starts to get chilly. How do people even spend December if it isn't snowing? Haha, crazy!" And then February rolls around, and I'm like
Can you blame me? Look at it outside. Go to your window, right now, and look at that absolute nonsense. It's like Snowpiercer out there. Or The Day After Tomorrow. Or any of those other natural catastrophe movies I can't watch because they give me horrible anxiety.
I went outside for a brief moment today, and I fell in the snowdrifts walking the 15 feet to my mom's house. And it wasn't a soft, fluffy snow landing, either. No, I cut my freaking hand on the crusty ice. That's fun, right? Not only do you have to worry about frostbite, but the ground is also trying to shank us! There is danger everywhere outside right now, and it is cold and wet and COMING FOR US ALL.
With all that going on, it's easy to let the winter overwhelm us. I don't know if you can tell from that earlier rant, but I'm certainly guilty of letting the winter blues get to me. Self care is always important, but I find that for these days of blustery weather and down in the dumps feelings, it's especially important to carve out time to relax and be kind to myself. Bubble baths after my daughter's bedtime are a huge help, and even something as simple as freshly washed sheets can really cheer me up!
Something else I find extremely useful is repeating affirmations to myself. So, partly because I'm too lazy today to come up with anything else for a blog post, and partly because I'd like to share some with you, here are five affirmations that I think are worth remembering.
I approve of myself, and love myself deeply and completely.
Happiness is my choice.
No success is too small to celebrate, and I will revel in the little wins today.
It isn't selfish to be kind to myself.
The only moment that truly exists is right now, and that is enough.
Ah, yes. Honestly, just typing that made me feel a lot better! Some days it's tough to pick yourself up and do what you need to do. Remember, you're never alone in that. We're all only human, and none of us are making it out of here alive. It's okay to struggle, and it's okay to take it slow sometimes. Very often, it's the expectations we set on ourselves that hinder us the most, and cause us the most misery. Today, do me a favor, and take some time to appreciate yourself for all your are, and all you do. Don't compare yourself to anyone else, and don't add any qualifiers after you thank yourself. Just take one moment, and be thankful for everything you have in your life. The blessings that keep you going, and the obstacles that make you stronger. Then, go out and spread the inner peace.
Thanks for reading this one! I appreciate you!