The BLUGH: December 28, 2022
“ ‘But do you know how old I will be by the time I learn to really play the piano / act / paint / write a decent play?’―Person making excuses
’Yes . . . the same age you will be if you don’t.’ ”
WARNING: Self Help and Self Help adjacent material follows. Proceed at your own potential improvement and possible inspiration! Given that we are about to transition into the new year, reflection and resolutions are top of mind and as I have stated before, if it’s on the brain, it’s in the BLUGH!
I wish there were another term for self help because it is such a turn off for some people. To the point where they reject it immediately. Like you don’t want to help…yourself…? Whatever you want to call it, I am a big consumer of materials geared towards improving one’s life. I eat it up because positivity and tools for working through life’s inevitable problems are delicious to me.
THINGS I DO TO TRY IMPROVE MYSELF OR JUST FEEL BETTER:
READ SELF HELP-Y THINGS: My faves include, The Four Agreements, John Livingston Seagull, A New Earth (you’ve see it in the BLUGH), anything Stoicism, particularly This.
WATCH MY FRIENDS/PEOPLE I ADMIRE SUCCEED: For me, seeing my friends succeed in their creative pursuits and self-development INSPIRES me. Like, they are doing it, therefore I can do it! So when you are doing good thing, know that others will also benefit from just seeing you succeed! P.S. this wasn’t always the case for me. I used to see people succeed and whether I liked them or not, I felt envy, not inspiration. I am glad this changed but it took a while! Feeling happiness for others does not always come naturally but it feels better than the alternative lemmetellya.
EXERCISING: Knowing I have have a hot bod does wonders for my peace of mind. JK!!!!!! But I do have to sweat it out. Or stretch it out. I feel so lucky to have a healthy body so I want to use it! Yoga, hiking, and exercise classes are my top three.
SAY NO: I recently let go of a commitment I had been doing regularly for about 2 years. It felt AMAZING. Sometimes I find myself basking in the enjoyment of having let go of that thing!!! Stretching ourselves thin regularly is not good for us, our activities, or those to whom we have committed our time.
I want people to not give up. I see people not wanting to try new things or a healthier outlook on life because they are a certain age or because they have always done something one particular way. You can do it! You HAVE done it before and you can do it again!
🚶♂️LEARNING FROM THIS WEEK: Walking it out is essential. When I take a break from a problem at work to go on a walk, I come back with superhuman knowledge. GO FOR A WALK NOW OR BETTER YET AFTER FINISHING READING THE BLUGH.🚶♂️
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION
There are many apps out there and I think most or all are excellent. I am recommending this one because it is what I have the most personal experience using. You’ve probably already heard of Headspace, an app known primarily for its guided meditations. If everyone would take a minute (even just one literal minute) to slow down and focus just on their breath on a daily basis, the daily drama would decrease significantly (I love drama but it’s over the top right now). The app is easy to use and low pressure. You just get right to meditating and don’t worry if you’re doing it “right”. ALSO, NO APP OR PURCHASE NECESSARY TO MEDITATE. JUST BREATHE.
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BOOK RECOMMENDATION
The Self Help books that a person could list! There is an endless supply, I have so many on my bookshelf yet to consume. I have chosen The Artist’s Way because I think it is so important to CREATE and this is an excellent guide and tool for just that. It is both a book and a program that you complete and is challenging and eye-opening! Rumor has it that God himself was inspired to create Earth and its habitants as a result of completing The Artist’s Way.
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SELFHELPTOK
All of these are self help-y in some capacity so if you’re looking for dogs, you will not find them this week (self help tip: get a dog or 5).
Gratitude: Dolly Parton Edition
Helping others: keep giving CPR!
You were doing all these things before you watched this
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Sometime in 1992
anger.
Me before I decided to embark on my journey of self discovery, improvement, and development.