5 Ways I Take Care of Myself (FFF)

Each Thursday I reflect on the previous week. I look for the blessings. This week I noticed a theme to the blessings. They are ways I “take care” of me.

How do you take care of yourself? To list your blessings go to Living to Tell the Story and link it here.

Writing. I like to write. But many times I get stuck or fed up with my content, or don’t make it a priority. This week I signed up at Heroic Destiny for the 750 Challenge. I have committed to myself to write 750 words every day. I am hoping to make this daily writing a habit. I am grateful for these external pushes to move forward in life.

Moving past fear. I let a lot of little things hold me back in life: business, fear, preoccupation, procrastination. Well, I’ve decided to do something about the fear issue. I am not letting fear make my decisions for me anymore. Yesterday I spent time thinking about January and came up with a few ways I actually did live out of my comfort zone. Tomorrow (Saturday) I will post that list. I am grateful that I am finally able to make progress here.

Need to unwind. If I try to go to bed without winding down first, I get what I call “bing eyes.” Currently my favorite way to unwind is to watch a movie (no TV reception). When the weather is nicer, I will go back to taking a walk. This week I watched Secretariat – very inspirational. I also watched a spy movie, Red. I like the idea of being a spy so it was fun to watch this.

Create. I am no artist. I don’t have original thoughts or great talent. BUT. I am good with following instructions. And I feel great satisfaction during the process and when I create something. I was pleased this week to find out about the Creative Pay it Forward Challenge. It will give me some focus and much-needed “permission” to get back to some crafting. P.S. It isn’t too late to be a “winner.” Go here to see an awesome artist who also is in this challenge.

Can’t do it alone. In order to be successful with my work responsibilities, I need to have a wide base of committed volunteers. It is scary since I really like to do it all myself. But I am seeing that people like to help; to belong to something greater than themselves. I’m grateful that people still express their excitement and pleasure about helping out. I am learning how cool it is to be part of such a big team. Go here to read 3 Reasons Why Every One Needs Support Sometimes.

Entry filed under: Friday's Fave Five (FFF), Main. Tags: Friday's Fave Five.

I’m Not Letting Fear Make Decisions For Me January’s “Out of My Comfort Zone and Loving it”

28 Comments Add your own

1. Denise Drake | . at .

Watching a movie is a great way to unwind. They say that watching any media causes very slow brain function– which is why we shouldn’t watch it all the time. Some of my favorite movies that few people have heard about are Inn of the Sixth Happiness (Ingrid Bergman about the missionary Gladys Alward) and Auntie Mame (super funny movie about a wealthy crazy woman during the depression).

The movie Red looks fantastic. What did you think of it?

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2. susan2009 | . at .

Several years ago I did a paper on Gladys Alward. I even interviewed someone who knew her! I haven;t seen the movie though and it sounds like I should see it! I saw Auntie Mame decades ago so I barely remember it. It is another one to put on the list as I like “super funny.”

The movie, Red, is not fantastic. It is more of a “junk-food” movie with it’s silliness and lack of deep content. There a few swear words.

But it doesn’t have blood and gore and sexualized scenes. I could watch this movie with my son and not be embarrassed. I was entertained and laughed at some of the episodes. It had a (mostly) happy ending and at the end of the night, that’s what I am looking for.

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3. David Crandall | . at .

So glad to have you as part of the challenge! I can’t tell you how free I’ve felt since committing to the 750 words. My writing has been at its best lately (at least in my opinion, ha!) and I credit it to this challenge.

Hoping you feel the same elation. 🙂

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4. susan2009 | . at .

Yes, I am having a great time blogging as far as content, following up on ideas and the amount of writing I am doing. Plus, it is fun to do this in community. Seems like everyone else if having “success” too.

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5. Lisa notes... | . at .

The 750 Challenge sounds like a wonderful idea. I like to write too. I’m trying to learn how to move past fear more this year than ever. I’m so tired of being afraid of things. It doesn’t hinder me too much in the doing, but it does in the thinking. What a great list you have here! It has blessed me.

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6. susan2009 | . at .

I’ve enjoyed reading posts at your blog. You’ve given me much to think about (like your post on what you want for your daughters).

I am hoping to move past the fearful thinking too. It definitely takes away from the abundant life we are meant to have.

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7. claudiawjohnson | . at .

Hey, thanks for including me in your post! I loved reading your about page and visiting your church site. I know several of the CMA missionaries here in Bangkok. Have an awesome night!

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8. susan2009 | . at .

Isn’t fun that is is such a small world!

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9. Karen | . at .

This is a great list and I really like the ‘theme’ you have going. Also, you included some interesting links. I’m going to check some of these out.

I like your blog, Susan. I’m going to bookmark it.

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- 10. susan2009 | . at .
  
  I like your blog as well, Karen. I spent about an hour checking out the various posts! It will be fun to stay current on your writings.
  
  Thanks. I had fun doing this FFF. I wanted to write it in a creative manner and so am glad it worked out that way.
  
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11. Melissa | . at .

This is so important. I think we–women–tend to be so busy taking care of others that we forget to take care of ourselves. I’ve been learning that if I don’t take care of myself, I have nothing to give to anyone else.

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- 12. susan2009 | . at .
  
  I believe you are right about women putting themselves last. It is so important that we talk about this and show how much that type of thinking and acting hurts us all (male and female).
  
  I am rereading the book Boundaries. It points out the same as you said, “if I don’t take care of myself, I have nothing to give to anyone else.”
  
  Praying you take care of yourself well so you can give well. 🙂
  
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13. Ellen | . at .

I have to accept challenges and then stay accountable to get them done. Enjoy your 750 words! I’m glad you have figured out a way to go to sleep without bing eyes :o)
I am so bad at delegating but it’s so important in some jobs…
Have a great weekend…

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- 14. susan2009 | . at .
  
  I am hoping it gets easier to delegate as I “practice” it more and more.
  
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15. 'Reggie Williams | . at .

Good question. Off the top of my head, I would answer that I take care of myself, but then when it comes to listing those things I couldn’t. So, I either need to think on this more or I need to take care of myself more! Hmmmm

Good food for thought, Susan!

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- 16. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Welcome to FFF, Reggie. I hope to see your list next week. 😉
  
  I find for a lot of things, I have a hard time giving an answer when it requires reflection. Lots of times my brain is too tired to do this thoughtful type of exercise.
  
  I look forward to seeing your answer. Maybe it will be a blog post.
  
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17. Brenda | . at .

All of these things are so true, but the ones that I can most relate to are moving past fear, taking time to unwind and not doing it alone. Such important principles to live by.

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- 18. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Brenda, I bet three ways you unwind are biking, having a cup of something hot, and watching your cat play. Maybe a fourth one is baking?
  
  If I lived in SF my number one way to unwind would be walking along the shoreline!
  
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19. cindy | . at .

Great post and it is going to help you. I can relate with the moving past fear, however it still keeps me from a lot as well. I love to skate and on ponds and creeks everyone heads and I just can’t go, as a kid I had no problem but I can’t go anymore. So I’m listening to you watch tv without any reception and wondering why? we used to call them mosquitoes this was the black and white non reception that came across all our channels when we had no cable. Thanks for the laugh.

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20. susan2009 | . at .

I used to love skating (both land and ice) when I was younger. There is truly something magical about gliding on the ice. But now fear of falling keeps me on my two feet. Maybe not all fear is a bad thing, at my age (almost 53).

Last year sometime analog tvs no longer got a signal. You either had to get cable, a digital tv or a box to reconfigure the signal. I didn’t do any of the above. Which is probably a good thing, cuz I am too easily enticed to watch something on the boob tube.

You are welcome for the laugh. 🙂

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21. Laura | . at .

I read to unwind — and I loved Secretariat, too! You’re right, we all need help sometimes but all too often we’re too proud and want to do it all ourselves. Great reminder.

Have a great week ahead.

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- 22. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Besides being proud I am embarrassed to ask for help. Sometimes a little fearful that I’ll be turned down and made fun of for asking/needing help. The sad thing is, I know that the people in my life today wouldn’t do those things. I am slowly growing up in truth.
  
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23. mamamanuscripts | . at .

I think that I’ll have that a look at that 750 word challenge. I used to write a lot and everyone always said that I would be a writer but it is something that I’ve let slide. 750 words a day seems like a nice goal to aim for.

I also love that you aren’t letting fear hold you back. I tend to be quite phobic (especially of people, talking in groups) and I’ve taken a few steps to get out more and meet people. Takes me out of my comfort zone but so far, so good!

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- 24. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Yes, do try it, Katrina. 750 words is a manageable goal. But to be truthful, I don’t always count the number of words. As long as I finish a post I am happy with my writing time.
  
  Congrats on tackling your fear issues too. It always encourages me to hear of others doing this. It shows me more and more that I can do the same.
  
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25. Susanne | . at .

Moving past fear is a biggie. Good for you for taking an intentional effort to do that!

I like to read to unwind before bed.

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- 26. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Thanks, Susanne. I have been getting a lot of support to accomplish this year long goal.
  I like to read before bed too – usually blogs.
  
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27. Willow | . at .

I applaud your decision to move beyond fear! I think that’s a great goal to focus on the rest of this year.

Taking care of yourself is important–we often wind down by watching a movie too.

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- 28. susan2009 | . at .
  
  I am looking forward to how I’ll change this year, Willow, as a consequence of concentrating on this goal.
  
  Btw – On your blog have you ever written about your time in the jungle? I haven’t read all your posts yet to see.
  
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