Gratitude Project - 8th November

Today was a day for feeling unheard and under appreciated; either that or I have a serious case of the "End of Year Grumps"... it's 50/50.

Things I am grateful for today:

1. The return of my workplace bestie! She's was on holiday last week, and I hadn't realised how much I missed her. Work is far more manageable now she's back - I've got someone to vent to, and to have morning/afternoon tea with!

2. The gym at work. I whinge and moan about going to the gym - but by crikey I'm happy it's only a short walk to get there for a lunchtime class. Occasionally I go out for a run, but I'm not always great about forcing myself to go. Having the gym "just there" and a workout buddy who won't let me get out of it means that I'm more likely to exercise than not - and I can feel less guilty about the afternoon tea snacks!

3. A cooler night for sleeping. Snuggling down and being cosy is my favourite way to sleep - the warm nights are ramping up and I struggle to get comfy when I'm too hot... the broken sleep is probably a big factor in my recent grumpiness. There's been some rain today and the evening has been cooler, and I am excited about the potential for a great nights sleep :)

How are you today? I hope you've been getting enough sleep and keeping the grumps at bay! How do you keep cool during hot summer nights? I'd love some tips :)

Gratitude Project - 1 April 2015

I'm excited to be doing this project again. I really think that spending just a few minutes every day reflecting on the good things that are in my world with make a huge improvement to my overall outlook on life... Well, here's hoping anyway!

I've been struggling to find enjoyment in my work for the last little while. I know it's because of my current head space, but it's really added to my funky mood. Which adds to my lacklustre approach to work... Which feeds the mood, and so the cycle continues.

But through my counselling sessions, I'm hoping to break the cycle and notice an improvement in how I view my job, and maybe get some of the enjoyment back; I spend too much time there to not enjoy what I do. And I did once, so I'm sure I can again.

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Mr M's career change. He's now home to help with school drop offs and pick ups (not to mention breakfasts and dinners!), which has been a huge help.

2. My workplace bestie (who is also a real life bestie). Without her, my working days would be downright miserable... We talk about everything and anything, crack hugely inappropriate jokes with each other and she is one of the best people I know to bounce ideas off of. She is totes amazeballs!

3. Exercise. I did a 5km lunchtime run heading towards the beach. The temperature at the moment is just perfect for running, and with the sun and a very slight breeze I came back to the office tired but refreshed.

Also, I was grateful for this sunrise:

Where did you find your moments of gratitude today?

Gratitude Project - 7th April

Gosh Monday rolls around fast, doesn't it? Why are weekends so short!?!

It was a very normal and uneventful Monday in the office today, so not much to report. 

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Having a loooong laugh with my work bestie today, and possibly having created a new inside joke too. We'll have to give it a few test runs to see if it will stick ;)

2. My new slippers from Next.com. Not only are the cute and comfy (not to mention warm!), but they are machine washable!! Is it weird that I am happy about that?

3. Making milo muffins. These are pretty much my new favourite things, and so yummy with my afternoon cuppa! And they are so quick and easy to make! I'll post the recipe up for anyone who's interested :)

How was your Monday?

Gratitude project - 22nd to 27th February

Sorry for the five days of silence - I was spending some wonderful time with my brother and his drop dead gorgeous family! And then I was back at work, trying to catch up before I have the next two weeks off to properly spend time with my bro...

I've been a bit narky the last few days. I'm not sure why, maybe it's a little "relapse"?? All I know is that poor Mr M and the kids can seem to do nothing right at the moment, and it makes me feel worse because I know that what I am perceiving as their "bad" behavior is all in my head.
I feel like I am so angry at everything and everyone on the inside, whilst at the same time having arguments with myself to clarify what it is that I can really be angry with and what it is that my brain is making up.

Meanwhile, on the outside I am trying desperately to make everyone think that I'm all ok. GAAAHHHH! It's freaking exhausting!

~~~~~*****~~~~~*****~~~~~

I have five days of gratitude to catch up on. Rather than list 15 things (three for each day), I am just going to do a short blanket list to cover what I have been grateful for. Let's face it, for most of that time I was with my brother, and I am so immensely grateful for that time with him that it probably counts for at least ten of the items I am grateful for :)

So, things I am thankful for:

1. My brother. Two and a half years (almost) since I last saw him... As small as the world can seem with the magic of the internet and Skype and Facetime, nothing, not a single damn things, is as wonderful as the physical person in front of you. Being able to see the subtle body language during a conversation, to see the laughter lines around eyes, to just cuddle him because I can.
I tell you what, someone was really looking out for me when they were dishing out brothers. I got the best one.

2. My nephews. Oh. Emm. Gee. Cutest kids ever! So clever and gorgeous, and cuddly and funny. Watching my two boys playing with their cousins was a sight that filled my heart with joy. I cannot wait for two weeks of watching them :)

3. Two days away from work. Well I think you can all understand why I'd be grateful for that! (apart from prattling on again about hanging with my bro!)

4. Mr M. He's been home poorly for the last two days with a nasty cough (it makes working on a TV set very difficult!). And he hasn't done a thing around the house; which has contributed to my feelings of anger, no doubt. But he has been very good about giving me space in the evenings. He's not hassling me, he's just loving me from a distance whilst I scowl my way through the evening. And then he holds me tight in bed without saying a word.

5. Running in the rain. Normally I avoid running if it's already raining before I leave. But today, I did it. And I got soaked! But I was running with a bestie, and we were having a wonderful child free catch up whilst exercising - it was brilliant! :)

I think that'll do for now. You guys get the gist - I'm so happy to see my bro, that everything else I am thankful for is a bonus :)

What have you been up to these last few days? What has jumped out at you as something to be truly grateful for?

Gratitude Project - 5th February

It started off as a good day and then I got a call that my Mum wasn't feeling well. Thankfully she works about a two minute walk from me, and there's a medical centre on site. It was just a dizzy spell (thank goodness!) but the doctor ordered tests just to make sure everything was ok. 

We spent three hours hanging out at the medical centre waiting for tests and sitting through tests. The whole time Mum kept checking in to make sure I didn't need to be back in the office. In the end I said, "Pretend like we had all won the lotto and work wasn't an issue. Would you want me here with you? Or would you want me to go away."

After a moments pause she quietly said, "Stay."

It was nice to be able to help my Mum for once - she's done it enough for me recently!! And she told me that having me there was a great anxiety relief for her.

I totally rocked at being a daughter today!

In other news, I told Mr. M about my current state of mind. He's going to help in whatever way he can. I'm so lucky to have him. 

So my gratitudes for today - they're all people

1. My Mum. Even though it was nothing serious, today was the first time I've ever really seen my Mum as mortal. I don't take her for granted, but you'd better believe I'm going to be making the most if all our moments together!!

2. My Husband. He listened, he acknowledged. He delved into the issue without just "pooh-poohing" my thoughts or feelings away. It felt good to tell him. 

3. My amazingly talented and delightful work bestie. She's an inspiration (she got me back into writing on here! I'll explain how in another post), she a hoot, she's supportive and she's my soul twin for sure :)

How was your Wednesday?

What are you grateful for today?