Realizations and personal milestones
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posted by Erin @ 8:45 PM
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Into a Writer's Head
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Who said all multi-tasking is bad?
Imagine that.
But the last few days I've been testing out a new theory. This theory is that not all multi-tasking is bad. For example, putting on your favorite dance music while cleaning can, in fact, make things better. Alas, I'm not hear to talk about how to make your daily household chores more palatable. Instead I'd like to talk to you about how you can improve your writing while exercising.
I know, the two are pretty much mutually exclusive, unless you have one of those fancy writing treadmill desks (which, fyi, I want...I'm just sayin'). We all know that turning up the volume on faced paced music can not only get us moving faster, but it can also provide incentive to get our buts on that treadmill or elliptical machine.
The other day, rather than turn on the tunes when I started my weight routine, I decided to turn on a workshop from RWA '11. I ordered the CDs over the summer, and I've had them downloaded to my iPod for months. But had I listened to a single one yet? Of course not. Who has the time?
Except I did. Sort of. I'm doing my weight routine twice a week now. It takes between 30-45 min. to complete. That's 30-45 min. I could spend listening to a workshop (almost all of which are under an hour). So I decided to give it a try. I've now worked through three different sessions, and I have to admit this may be my new thing. First of all, I'm not getting tired of my music. Second of all, because I don't have to "think" as much when I'm doing my weight routine, I can pay attention to the workshop. And since I'm not walking or ellipticalling (is that even a word?), I don't have to worry about my pace.
It's a win-win I figure. So here's my weekly challenge to you: find time to perfect your craft in a way that is non-writing related. Listen to a workshop at the gym. Go for a walk with a friend and brainstorm your heart out. But do something different.
Labels: healthier mind, healthier you
posted by Erin @ 6:48 PM
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Saturday, October 15, 2011
Take time, take 2
A couple of months ago I talked about taking care of yourself. In the past, this concept has mostly fallen by the wayside in the fall when I start back at work. I find that I'm often working longer hours during that time. Add in time with friends and family (relaxing), and that leaves less time for actually taking care of myself. In this case, I'm talking about things like getting enough sleep, eating right, and exercising often enough. Let's face it, it's easy to let these three things slide. We want to see friends so we go out to dinner. Mamma Mia is on t.v. so we stay up late on a work-night to watch it. Since we went out to dinner with our friend, and because we're tired, we skip the gym.They add up.
This year I challenged myself to not fall down that path. I challenged myself to get my 8 hours of sleep a night, to not eat out as much, and to keep up with my exercise. It's not always easy, and takes a lot of planning. And let's face it, most night it's more like 7 or 7.5 hours. I'm still seeing friends and family, just not as frequently. Instead, I'm making myself a priority.
The funny thing about it? My friends totally get it. I thought they'd feel left behind, or upset that they didn't see me enough. Instead? They are either looking for activities we can do together that let me get my workouts in (hike anyone?) or they're meeting me for a quick coffee instead of a full meal. It takes a little less time, but let's me still get to meet up with my friends.
So I challenge you: put yourself first. Put your writing, your body, your needs first. Believe it or not? Those who love you will be more supportive than you think. And you will reap the benefits.
Labels: healthier mind, healthier you
posted by Erin @ 2:26 PM
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Monday, September 19, 2011
New find...
Anyone else fall into food/drink ruts? Especially in the school year, I end up eating a lot of the same foods all the time. I'm convinced I'm missing key vitamins...but that's not what this post is about.It's about my newest find: Trader Joe's bottled White & Green Tea. With a hint of mint, and a little bit of splenda, it's my newest love. It's especially coming in handy as I'm trying to stay away from pop again. As I work on becoming the healthiest me possible, one of the keys (to me) is finding those little substitutions that give me the most bang for their buck. I love tea, and I really love ice tea in warmer weather. While fall is definitely on its way in, there's still enough sun around here to keep on drinking it.
So what's your latest keeping you healthy find?
Labels: healthier you
posted by Erin @ 8:02 PM
1 comments
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Quick check...
The school year is back in swing, which means I'm back to waking up at 0-dark thirty. Which also means that I'm more tired on day two than I was on the first day. I'll get used to it soon enough, but until then it's a struggle to do anything, let alone take care of myself.So, what do I do to combat this? I make myself a deal. I know myself well enough to know that if I come home (in this frame of mind), I won't leave again. It'll take too much energy. Instead I give myself twenty minutes. That's it. Twenty minutes of some kind of movement. If all I can do afterward is collapse on the couch, so be it. If, after twenty minutes, I have more energy and can go longer I do.
What does this all have to do with writing? Well, it's simple. Give yourself twenty minutes. You don't have to keep track of the pages. You don't have to stay up all night. Just spend twenty minutes writing. If, at the end, you're ready for bed then go to sleep. If you're not? Well, maybe you can do another twenty!
Remember, in exercise as well as in writing, something is better than nothing.
Labels: healthier you
posted by Erin @ 8:25 PM
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Monday, August 22, 2011
Creativity...
For example, several years ago I knew several scrapbookers. They were very talented, and I loved their creations. But they found that when they spent time scrapbooking, it left little creativity behind for their writing.
Which of course, got me thinking. Is it truly that there was no creativity left? Is it that they only had so much energy and time to spare? Is it that their brain needed an outlet, and once achieved went to sleep?
I don't know the answer for sure. But I do know that when I'm in the thick of things, and writing my heart out, I don't have the time or desire to spend putting together photo albums. I have to put all my creative juice into my writing.
What about you? How does your creativity work?
Labels: healthy writer
posted by Erin @ 2:57 PM
1 comments
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Make time to take care of you...
Well, it's time to take a step back and re-evaluate. It's no secret I've dealt with hand problems for the last several years. It's also no secret that in recent months I've finally moved a whole lot closer to being back to normal.
The reason? I started taking care of myself. For years I've talked about going to get a massage once a month, or once every other month, you know the drill. Then a month passes and funds are low, so I don't go. And I don't go. And again I don't go. Let's face it, few of us can afford the $70+ it costs for a good one hour massage. Instead they become little treats that we hold out for. Last spring I stopped making excuses for not taking care of myself enough. I had a choice. I could continue to lived a stress-filled, pain-filled life, or I could do something about it. About that time I saw a physical therapist and started taking advantage of a little known benefit in my health insurance...massage therapy.
That's right folks. For simply the cost of a co-pay, I'm getting twice monthly massages, and I feel great! My stress levels are lower, and most importantly my body feels good.
Now, I'm not telling all of you to go get a massage every other week, or to spend lots of money. What I'm telling you to do is to start making the time for you. Make that doctor appointment. Go see a chiropractor or acupuncturist. Go get a manicure, or treat yourself to lunch out. Don't break the bank, but do treat yourself well.
So tell me, what have you done lately to take care of you?
Labels: healthier you
posted by Erin @ 2:27 PM
2 comments