It has come to my attention, yet again, that my self-esteem could use some work. This is common enough that it shouldn't continue to surprise me. And yet, here we are. My low self-esteem has once again been challenged, and once again I am surprised. This particular time stemmed from a misunderstanding. Someone mentioned an … Continue reading Day 15: Self-Esteem
Depression/Anxiety
Cleaning House Without Distractions
Last October, I wrote a post about my cleaning strategies. After having read the book, Unf*ck Your Habitat, I see now that the marathon cleaning sessions I would engage in once every rare while were the cause of my problems, not the solution. Twenty-minute cleaning sessions are far more effective, even if I only do … Continue reading Cleaning House Without Distractions
Days 12 & 13: The Really F*cking Hard Stuff
Cleaning out a closet is all well and good, but what comes next? The before and after photos are enviable but what you don't see is what's going on just out of frame. What is it that you aren't seeing? Why, all the piles of shit that aren't going back into the closet, of course. … Continue reading Days 12 & 13: The Really F*cking Hard Stuff
Days 10 & 11: Unf*cking Happens
The goal for 2020 is to unf*ck my habitat. All of it. Clutter in my home is amazing. Closets, cabinets, and drawers all *can* close, but barely. And I'm rarely able to use what's inside without excavating and doing an archaeological dig. This results in me not being terribly eager to put things away. I … Continue reading Days 10 & 11: Unf*cking Happens
Day 9: Depression Lies
Knowing depression and anxiety make you think and feel things that aren't true and you can't easily distinguish from the truth isn't new information. And yet, the times when you're confronted with truth still can be jarring. The lies don't only occur when you're in a noticably depressive or anxious state. The lies are pervasive. … Continue reading Day 9: Depression Lies
Day 8: Relinquish Control
When half your department has come down with something and you find yourself wanting to go to bed at 7 p.m. with a headache and an inexplicable need to get warm, it's admirable if you do not ask too many questions and you just go for it. My thing that I'm proudest of yesterday is … Continue reading Day 8: Relinquish Control
Day 7 Accomplishment: Not Doing a F*cking Thing
Sometimes the accomplishments of a day are the exact opposite of the ones you set out to achieve. You may wake up thinking you have a relatively easy work day ahead, and that your big successes of the day will occur in the evening when you will make progress on various projects at home. Then … Continue reading Day 7 Accomplishment: Not Doing a F*cking Thing
Day 6: Surviving Mondays
Heading back to work after a few days off is difficult for most people. For those with ADHD, it's far worse. This is true even if you like your job, your commute, your office, the people you see and work with. It's known that folks with ADHD have trouble changing the channel in their brains. … Continue reading Day 6: Surviving Mondays
Day 5: What would Anne do?
Yesterday was day 5 of the Honoring Achievements challenge. The good days should be celebrated and honored, it’s true. The not-so-good days are the ones it’s harder to find joy in. Saturday was an amazing day. Yesterday, for a hilarious variety of reasons primarily having to do with realizing the new season of “Anne with … Continue reading Day 5: What would Anne do?
Day 4: The Unf*cking Continues
Yesterday was day 4 of the challenge to honor achievements rather than focus on failures, and I proudly made progress in this regard. Did you? The hope/goal is by the end of 2020 I'll have unfucked my habitat. Perhaps other aspects of my life, as well. My Christmas tree has been taken down. The floor … Continue reading Day 4: The Unf*cking Continues
Day 3 of Celebrating Successes: The World That We Knew
Alice Hoffman's The World That We Knew traverses all the areas of France in which I traveled earlier this year, takes place in the past, centers around women's experiences, and includes a magical being. It is all the things I love most in a book. I am completely enraptured. It is good that I have … Continue reading Day 3 of Celebrating Successes: The World That We Knew
Honoring Achievements: Day 2
This year, I’m going to practice changing my unhealthy mindset. Instead of judging myself for what I do not do, and calling myself lazy, a slob, disorganized, stupid, and so on, I’m going to direct my focus towards things I’ve done that make me feel proud. I’m going to attempt to think less about what … Continue reading Honoring Achievements: Day 2
New Series: A Year of Daily Accomplishments
Yesterday, I did a bunch of chores I didn't feel like doing. Housekeeping isn't something I do well, but I made some effort and I got a few things done. It didn't feel like I did nearly enough. There was more I wanted done and I didn't do it. This made me feel terrible about … Continue reading New Series: A Year of Daily Accomplishments
Surprise! I like brandy.
It appears I like brandy. This is a surprise to me. I recall having tried brandy before, with eggnog. The Narcissist was a huge fan and would always have some of each in the house at this time of year. I tried it but never developed a taste for it. One of the friends who … Continue reading Surprise! I like brandy.
Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present
It is Sunday evening of Thanksgiving weekend and I have a glass of eggnog heavily dosed with brandy beside me. My Christmas tree was bought and decorated this weekend. I am admiring it as I type. Oliver the Cat is unimpressed A couple of friends helped me with the tree. We decorated while sipping a … Continue reading Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present