What makes you feel good?

Summer is in the air and in my hair. I began riding my bike and what a great outlet that is. An outlet, is it really that simple? I also have been eating better and taking better care of myself.

I have been told this countless times by my therapist and others that I have been feeling anxious and so stuck in my own head because I just wasn't doing anything different, I was in "blah" mode and not feeling excited about anything that I was doing or wanted to do.

What are some things that you do( or would like to do) to release the anxiety and make you feel good?

Inspirational photo day! Yay!

I think it is good to just look and admire photos of things that make you smile, amuse you, make you laugh, make you say "awww" out loud. I hope you have such reactions.

YUMM!

We do this too much, yes we have obligations but why push ourselves to be with people that just bring you down or you just do not plain like. I am going to try to just say "No" more.

Walk in the park more, nature does nurture.

I hope this one makes you say "awww" out loud. 

Do things that made you happy as a child, don't feel silly. Be who you are, do what makes you feel good. I bought a jump rope the other day, gave me such a huge smile. I want a hula hoop next. 

AWW. Get a pet, they are the pure essence of love. Once I can, I will get a Pug and love it to pieces!

This is the last puppy. Haha, increases my mood for sure.

Go to APlaceToLoveDogs if you want to love dogs some more.

Exactly.

Have a GREAT weekend lovelies.

xoxo,

Jess

All these photos came from miscellaneous sources on tumblr.com

Nitika Chopra; Goal setting and Accomplishing!

Nitika Chopra, I want to talk to her more.

Check out the Beauty Bean, she is one of the writers, along with some other great ones.

Interesting articles.

TheBeautyBean

I am so sleepy.

Although we’re all certainly surrounded by talented people who go after their dreams, we also find ourselves (often, frustratingly so,) surrounded by people who only talk about their dreams. You know, those people who say they want to get healthier but never work out or eat well or the ones that complain constantly about their jobs but make little effort to look for a new one.  Does any of this sound like you?  (Don’t worry, it sounds like a lot of us too!)

Read more...

Goal Setting (and Accomplishing!)...by Nitika Chopra

This is what causes so much anxiety, maybe we do just "think too much".

Make-up Free mondays, is a cute idea. You see more of that on the facebook and blog.

Here, some tips on getting started with setting goals and accomplishing them! :

Set a goal. Write down the ultimate dream you have for yourself.

Make a daily plan. Figure out an action that you can take every day that sets you on the right path. If you want a new job, maybe make a goal to speak to at least 1 person per day regarding his or her profession.  Remember, you don’t have to suffer to get what you want; it just takes commitment and discipline. Over time, small actions will lead to big results.

Write down a long-term plan. It can be a plan for the whole year or simply a month long journey. Do not, however, use this plan to beat yourself up if there are goals you do not reach! This plan is meant to hold you accountable and ensure you’re headed in the right direction.  If you find that you are not moving forward the way you intended to, allow yourself to reevaluate your plan.

Have compassion for your journey. This is the most important point of all: when you bring love to your experiences, you bring life to those situations and allow for more growth.

Get started. So what are you waiting for?  The world is waiting for you to make your mark. Start today!

From her article in TheBeautyBean.

Rescue Remedy

It sure is hard to come up with anything happy when I am not feeling it but I went to Rescue Remedy by Bach and thought this was nice.

I have this and use it sometimes. It does help.

Cool, Calm and Relaxed

If you feel like you've “had enough”, follow these simple tips to restore focus and regain inner calm wherever you are:

Relax - Take 10 deep breaths. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly.

Exercise - Learn some basic yoga techniques or just take a 10 minute walk.

smile - Think of a happy time. It is near impossible to keep frowning while smiling and laughter stimulates the production of mood enhancing endorphins.

calm - Let your imagination take you to a calm and tranquil place that exudes peace, serenity and beauty.

Use Your Lunchbreak - Take time out for yourself. A walk in the park, especially if it is sunny, can do wonders for your mood. It will help you work more efficiently in the afternoon too.

Escape - If you are able to, walk away. Removing yourself from a stressful situation can give you time to restore some perspective.

YOU

I want your feedback, what are your anxieties, fears or depressions and so on? What are some things you do to ease these unsettling feelings?

Interesting links

Some interesting finds on the internet world:

• http://www.hugmobile.com/  "The world would rather hug you than hurt you"

• http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2010/06/sunday-life-mindful-eating/ --mindful eating
• http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/flying-high-with-paper-planes---Paper Plane installation.

,

• http://trueslant.com/matthewnewton/2010/06/10/attack-of-the-brands-logorama-takes-global-advertising-to-task/---Attack of the advertising, this is a really interesting video made by Mathew Newton.
• http://blackjadefury.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/happy-to-be-nappy/---Accepting your hair the way it is!! 
• http://prettystarrynights.tumblr.com/--REALLY great quotes!!

Photograph the path

Photographic evidence of change or resistance?

I just want to compare and contrast a photo I had taken in 2008 to 2010.

2008

2010

In 2008, I was clearly not feeling any connection with religion, or trying to see what others saw when they stepped inside a church. I felt blocked out. I was still drawn to a spiritual place, on a drive with my camera. I tend to question everything until my brain hurts. I was driven toward darker days, even when I wanted to be happy. Anxiety addiction.

In 2010, I block out myself entirely by a clock, time. I turn myself into time and I am overly concerned with time, where things are going, where they went, what will or will not happen, be here at this time and leave by that time. Time is a huge anxiety of mine now, maybe something I was not completely concerned with in 2008 when I felt comfortable enough to look for answers, as for now I am just running from them. Also, I block out my face entirely. I do have many days of feeling like I am completely slipping away, I still self-destruct with a massive amount of thoughts, as much or even more so than I did in 2008.

...Or maybe I just like to take photographs as an outlet. Maybe it just eases the anxiety as an act itself; pointing and shooting. Constructing a canvas with my eyes and recording it. 

What I am really trying to say is how important it is to remain creative...I let it slide, I let the drive almost disappear. Your passion, what you enjoy doing when you are not at work or maybe lucky enough to have that job that makes you, you...

Construct, in order not to self-destruct.