Embracing the middle-age spread

I don't know if it's because I turned 39 last month or the fact that I spent the majority of the second half of 2018 lying supine, eating candy, but one thing is clear: my body is changing. My hips have gotten wider, there's a permanent roll on my tummy when I'm sitting down, and my cellulite is starting to spread to the front of my thighs. I also recently noticed that I seem to have a tiny roll/skin fold/third bum cheek? under my right buttock, which feels very strange but also kinda hilarious.

Hey, you gonna be okay

We have reached this stage of winter where crisis mode is setting in. Over the last few days I've had conversations with five different people about how hard everything is, which is a clear sign that everybody is struggling right now.

Here's what I want you all to remember: it will get better. Spring will arrive eventually, and until it does grab your favourite dog/cat/kid/human/pillow and get some extra cuddles in.

Yoga for flexibility

As some of you may know, I have two big fitness-goals this year: handstand and splits. I've been working towards both on and off since 2015, but since I barely did yoga last year I have lots of work to do.

A note on that: I don't believe in beating myself up about the past. I could be mad about "putting myself behind" by not practicing last year, but what would be the point of that? It doesn't change anything, except that I'd feel bad about myself.  Nope, there's no point at all. 

We go through different seasons in life, and we won't always be able to do everything we'd like to do, and that's okay. 

The Mental Health Tag

Lauren from This Stuff is Golden recently participated in the mental health tag, and I liked the questions they asked, so I'm doing it too. 

1. What is your mental health issue?

I have depression and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

Life with Lily

We have a lot of dogs. Always have, always will. Dogs are family to us, and we like having a big family. In my opinion, there's no other creature in the world that spreads as much joy and makes you feel as happy as dogs do. They are exuberantly excited to see you every single day! They never hold grudges! They are the true masters of living in the present and loving life, and surrounding yourself with that infectious quality is life-enriching.

I love them all equally, just like a parent loves their children equally. But just like a parent, I have my own special relationship with each one of them, and today, I want to focus on my relationship with Lily. Because Lily is special.

Learning to be bored

Can I make a confession? I get pretty bored on these weekends when I'm away from home. The town is so small there is literally nothing to do, and since I have to be at the hospital within 20 minutes when they call me in I can't just head outside of town. It feels a bit like I'm under house arrest, and sometimes that does strange things to your mind. 

We can all stop trying so hard

Have you noticed? There is something in the air. Over the past week I've read several blog posts and articles about giving the collective middle finger to the hustle, and I'm all for it. My first newsletter of the year is about quitting the hustle, about less doing and more being, and I'm pumped that I'm not the only one who feels that way! It feels like a small revolution is brewing, and I say it's about damn time.

Stand tall

It's day 4 of the brand-spanking new year, and this is what's happened so far: I received 4 books of poems in the mail from one of the best-known contemporary poets in Germany who I went to school with. She has her own Wikipedia page! I'm completely in awe of her and her creative genius. Thank you Nora! A thank-you note is on its way to you. 

Yes, I wrote a thank-you note. I love thank-you notes, they are so old-fashioned and classy, and I intend to write more this year.