1) I'm going to sort my eating out and not eat shit any more. Crappy foods badly affect my mental health (as I wrote in my other blog here). If I stick to a healthy diet I feel proud and strong AND my mood is more level. This is a no-brainer. I must stop looking at crap as 'treats' and start seeing it as 'toxic' (which it is for me). I am an alcoholic and my body chemistry is what it is. Also - because I have removed so much bad crap (sugar, alcohol, coffee).. when I put some of it back in (sugar mostly) I am far more negatively affected by it that I used to be. So my body is becoming a temple. Slowly. And hopefully my brain will catch up.
2) I'm going to remember to stay loving and open and kind and generous with all the people around me. Especially Mr D and our boys. Doing this makes all of us feel happier.
3) I'm going to start reading novels again and tip the balance back in favour of enriching activities - not just depleting ones (like endlessly checking my online sites).
4) I am going to go to the gym DEFINITELY two times a week, sometimes three if I can manage it.
5) I am going to keep working on providing warmth, encouragement and stimulating reading material to members of Living Sober and people who visit my various online sites (but not over-check them all day and remembering to do other things like read novels see above ha ha).
6) I am going to make myself a green juice at least once if not twice a week. They taste good but also I feel healthy and functional when I go through this process.
7) I am going to put little 'gratitude' notes in my gratitude bowl next to my desk every day. Gratitude works. Remember all the good things I have in my life and even the tough ones that teach me lessons.
8) I am going to keep looking forward, upwards and outwards. Not inward, backwards and downbeat (i.e. positive not negative)
9) I am going to remind myself that I am a good person who works hard and has done well, not just in getting sober but also in family & professional endeavours and give myself a mental pat on the back (especially when I am lying on the sofa watching crap TV playing Words With Friends on my iPad and not reading a novel ha ha)
10) I am going to make more lists because making lists is fun!
Love, Mrs D xxx
Dear Mrs. D,
ReplyDeleteMaking lists is the best!
xo
Wendy
Sounds like a good balance of taking care of yourself and others you've got going there. I'm especially cheering on the "read more novels" part of the list. I always find that such a restorative thing to do. Have you read Colm Toibin's most recent novel "Nora Webster"? It's fantastic! Also Colum McCann's "Transatlantic" is wonderful. OK, and now some women writers: Marilynne Robinson's latest novel "Lila" is a masterpiece. And if you want a brilliant sad book by an Irishwoman, "The Gathering" by Anne Enright is one of the best there is. Lydia Davis writes some seriously funny and sometimes just seriously good short pieces--you cold try her collected stories and just sample a few to see if she's your cup of tea. (OK, former bookstore clerk/library worker hat taken off here. You can read what you want, of course! I just sometimes find other people's recommendations get me started when I've fallen off the reading.) Good luck with the goals, and make sure you keep being kind to yourself high on the list. Big hug to you! xo
ReplyDeleteI am going to keep looking forward, upwards and outwards. Not inward, backwards and downbeat (i.e. positive not negative) I'm nicking that Mrs D! :) xx
ReplyDeleteI love making lists!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love THIS list...because I love you!!!
Awesome, awesome, awesome woman - so proud you're my friend.
Sherry
I'm a Listaholic myself! One of my few non-destructive addictions. Love this!
ReplyDeleteListened to your interview on The Bubble Hour the other day, Mrs. D. Brilliant :). Hoping you make another appearance soon (hint, hint!).
Thank you so much for this post! I could have written it myself, I have the same sensitivity to crap food especially sugar, yet I have been rewarding myself with it. This is exactly what I needed to hear today!
ReplyDeleteExcellent list Mrs D! I really need to make one myself. I too need to get a handle on my food intake. It's just as hard as giving up the drink! A x
ReplyDeleteI should admit that the internet and blogging and checking stats and comments can be addicting. But I'd rather have that addiction then drinking wine and passing out on a couch.
ReplyDeleteGreat list. Now if we can only stick to our goals. :)
If you want some rum with a good taste, then chill it and drink it alone, repeat process as much as necessary. Some famous alcoholics have said that it is really interesting and pretty inexpensive too.
ReplyDelete