Uh oh….
This is one of those times. (Not that every OTHER post isn’t one of those times.)
You know what I’m talking about.
I’m talking about ME writing a post when I don’t know what I’m talking about.
AKA, the usual.
Gosh, I’ve been doing that for how many years now?
…how to make an easy ottoman (whoa! who was out of her league with that one?!)
…that time I made an overmantel for my family room (the one that turned out beautifully except for how I constantly worried that one of the extremely over-fastened mirrors would dislodge and decapitate a family member)
…or making a spectacularly perfect mailbox using outdoor Modpodge… except the Modpodge turned milky when wet (and it’s known to rain frequently outdoors in the environment where, erm, the mailbox is kept).
…and let’s not talk about that Hosta shade garden (no photo; NOT talking about it…SEE)!
SO…to be perfectly candid, I am not remotely sure what to share about this month’s “Where Blogger’s Live” topic, “Self-Care at Home.”
I’m at a loss here. Self-care? At home? Other than this?
I mean… I floss regularly; occasionally put nail polish on my feet; sit on my, uh, greatest asset while looking at inspiration on the internet…. I lose at least 6 games of backgammon per day, solve the daily Wordle, Quordle, Octordle, or Sudoku. I give Connections a try (the words with missing letters get me EVERY time!). Also, all those hilarious kid videos, quickie updo’s, you-can-be-an-artist tutorials, and JimmyandClarence reels on Instagram…
Does any of that constitute actual “self-care?”
I Googled it…and found with this graphic:
and shrieked to discover that I have almost completely FAILED self-care! Well, I didn’t “shriek”. But I did sense my inner toddler was having a minor temper tantrum.
Dessert for Breakfast? Checks the wrong boxes on at least three questions (but what a very HAPPY inner toddler!)
Finding inspiration for a new project? Not always reasonable…. Will almost certainly cause problems in the future.
An adult beverage or two? …too much NO, not enough YES (for the rubric, that is. The toddler was fine with it, however).
Chocolate? See “Dessert for Breakfast”.
Can someone throw me a bone here? I am completely out of my depth on this one.
Wait! Did someone say “throw me a bone”?
Yes, that was you, Idiot!
I’ve got it! THIS is my self-care at home:
I’m not sure if it checks ALL the official boxes…but it sure checks the ones that matter to me!
——
Now that we’ve established I’m out of my element for this topic, please join me in checking out:
Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Leslie at Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
Sally at Within a World of My Own
Iris at Iris’ Original Ramblings
Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Who doesn’t like to peek behind the scenes and see inside people’s homes?
The second Friday of each month is when this group of seven bloggers link up to share their workspaces,
homes, towns… or whatever our fearless leader, the fabulous Bettye, proposes.
Make sure you visit everyone to see where the magic happens!
Oh, my friend, you always hone in what really matters in this life. Chocolate, projects and activities, family, and pets. If my kitty would sit with me like your pups are curled up beside you, he could be grand selfcare for me. But he wants to lay across my chest and nibble my neck by the hour!! I love how you really have no limitations to the scope of your projects – you work and work until they are right and beautiful and perfectly completed.
Gee, Leslie, my regimen doesn’t actually sound so lame when I hear it in your words.
I guess I was thinking that everything I do has to fit in these traditional self-care categories, but actually few of the things I do, do (🤣doo doo). I’m not sure how many things will contribute to my longevity, but they certainly keep me sane-ish.
It makes me so happy that most of you included your animal family members as part of self-care. I agree, but felt weird including it since I haven’t had an animal for years (sniff). That’s a common question in my classes, “do you have a pet,” or “do you have a dog or a cat at home,” just as dialogues prompts. And I always have to say no…but I always want to add BUT FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS I ALWAYS HAD ANIMALS, MANY ANIMALS, SO MANY ANIMALS…like they’re judging me as “one of those NON-ANIMAL people,” when nothing could be further from the truth.
And herein ends another segment of Bettye Can Make Anything Be About Her.
xoxo Bettye
Bettye does NOT Make Anything Be About Her. Most of everyone’s posts, particularly with these kinds of group-addressed topics, give us the opportunity and inspiration to reflect back on our own experiences and compare and contrast.
I wish you could have at least a cat! How therapeutic would that be! Are they allowed in your building? Could you take it with you if you moved on to a new destination? (As if you wouldn’t already have one if you could…. and me with the “helpful” suggestions.). Hey, if you want to try a turtle, I know who you should NOT consult for tips.
Your posts are the absolute best, Em! I think your definition of self-care needs to be more like: Finds something to create out of nothing; Uses left side of brain to solve right side of brain ideas; Plays chess (or is it checkers) on giant board outside; Lives life large! But, I do love your version of self-care. My little white self-care package always seems to know when I need some.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I think I may need to revist this post and include “reading Marsha’s comments” as self-care!
You say the nicest things. At the end of a sort of sucky week, this makes me VERY happy! Thank you for taking the time to send a little love my way! 😘
I LOVE your ‘self care at home’. Actually that fits me pretty good too, though I only have one dog and one cat – and both love to cuddle with me. Sounds like that’s the best care I can think of.
Iris
You are SPOT on, Iris!!! 🎯
Em, you’re my kind of girl, except with more energy!
Very high praise, Vee! (Although I’m a little light in the energy department this week…definitely feeling my decade!). Thank you.
First, I didn’t know you were related to Rob with the constant worry that something he put up will fall and kill people, hahahahahahahaha
But I LOVE that we both included our fur babies. Of course, you’ve known this all along. I’m new to the fact.
BTW, we need to work on your inner toddler, is there ever a time out, LOL?
XOOX
Jodie
My inner toddler runs the show.
Oh, Rob SO gets me! I can spoil any accomplishment with “what ifs.” Letting go of my worry about that overmantle was the BEST part of our chimney fire! I have the same fear about light fixtures I install…especially overhead ones (not to mention electrocution). I’m currently searching for a powder room mirror and am rejecting anything that doesn’t have a cleat to hang it…yet how many powder room mirror catastrophes do you ever read about? 🤦🏻♀️
Snuggling with a furry mammal is just such great self-care – stress-relieving and definitely grounds you in the now. I hope some day to re-introduce this to my own self-care routine!
Me too, Sally! A nice little bunny sounds perfect!