Wellness In Progress: May 2025

[itsfi]

Hello, BIC! We have another month of wellness bingo!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and, for this month, we're adding a few new ways to go about caring for our mental health. Some activities are ones that have been part of previous BIC BWell bingo cards; some are activities from past months, reframed in new ways; and some squares include new ways to care for ourselves.

Whether you elect to check back in with activities you've done this month; whether you'd like to work through the activities in the privacy of your own space; whether you're doing this on your own, with a friend or group; whether you've been on here for a while or this is new to you, welcome! So great to have you here!

For more information on how to go about wellness bingo and for a brief description of the activities described in the squares, check out these posts: 

• How To Play / Participate
• Description of May 2025 Wellness Bingo Activities

Spoiler

@ather @blackkitty2014 @byme4u @caitbird @CorgiMommy @curlychiquita @danielledanielle @Mellmars1185 @peculiarzmakeup @PrettyPaint @Samtian @Shosh85 

Apologies if I inadvertently forgot to tag someone. Please feel free to tag anyone I've missed or anyone you think would be interested. 

[caitbird]

@CorgiMommy  thank you so much! He really is, he's the best 💜

[itsfi]

Wow @caitbird, you got a few BINGO's and are so close to picking up a few more; congrats!!

Fingers crossed and well wishes that your new evening / bedtime routine will help to bring quality sleep. Journaling is such a wonderful practice to include in your routine!

Hoping that NIH article and checklist will be helpful. Self-care is a process and sometimes, we make giant strides and others, it's baby steps along the way. 

Speaking of baby steps, I've been taking that route this month, trying different intervals at a time. Eye opening how much I rely on my phone. 😲

Oh my goodness, how adorable are you, Bailey?!!! 

[caitbird]

@itsfi  thank you so much - I love bingo kitty! 😻

Baby steps is often the name of the game for me. I just try to remind myself that a little progress is better than none!

Bailey has my heart, he is the sweetest 💜

[itsfi]

Absolutely @caitbird! Baby steps is a fantastic approach to take - finding what works for you, be it an activity, a schedule, etc. that takes time, and that changes from time to time. Taking it a little bit at a time as needed is a marvelous way to care for yourself. 

I saw music kitty and knew we needed to tailor it for you - a true bingo moment! 

[Samtian]

Woot got a bingo!

newly added-

• Brain Teasers- Turns out I deleted the logic puzzle app I had, but I do have the clue game on my phone. It's been a long time since I played it. But it is a logic game and I love it. Turns out they added two new locations so I need to pick those up sometime.
• Spring Stroll- took our dog for a walk around the block. 
• Pamper/Fun in the Sun- Mom and I went to a Comic Con in Boise today, it was a blast. Not exactly sunny, but it's storm time here in Idaho. Pictures below. Bought somethings I didn't need but wanted haha. And got to meet some actors I like!
• Gratitude- Grateful to be a live and grateful for a friend who sent me some popsicles!
• Speak Kindly- As a female factory worker, sexism is still very much alive. So, I like to boost myself up when I tell people what is going on wrong, and what I think the solution is. And when they don't listen, but I end up being right. Most the time I just purse my lips and roll my eyes.  I also like to remind myself I am a tough patient person because very very few people actually like the line I run. 
• Emotional Wellbeing- We ended up losing our kitten Roscoe on the last day of our trip in April. It's always a challenge to get over grief. I think due to the unhealthy way I processed my Dad's passing I am able to suppress it and "recover" easier than others. It's been a heavy depression month so I did the best thing...got a tattoo haha. 
• TV/Movie- Mom and I finished watching the current season of Next Level Chef, I am very happy with the winner. I also took time away from the computer (though still a screen, but not stress) and watched White Chicks and Blades of Glory. Stupid movies like that are some of my favorites. 

Spoiler

[curlychiquita]

I’m sorry Roscoe died, @Samtian. 😔 I do love your Comic Con pictures! You look amazing!

[byme4u]

@Samtian  Love Clue, may look into the phone app.  You've really done great!  Sorry for your loss of little kitty.  I can relate to how grief takes hold of you and doesn't seem to want to let you go.  

[caitbird]

@Samtian  great job, congrats on bingo! You are doing amazing! I'm glad you and your mom got to go and have fun at Comic Con, it looks like it was a great time.

I am so, so sorry to hear about the loss of Roscoe. Sending you all hugs and good thoughts 🤗💜

[Samtian]

@caitbird ❤️ thank you so much, appreciate it. 

[CorgiMommy]

So sorry about the loss of your kitty.  @Samtian 

[Samtian]

@CorgiMommy thank you. 

[itsfi]

Ahhh, BINGO - congrats @Samtian! You are a tough, patient person - you're amazing!!! 

Those are bingo balls, not pool balls

Blades of Glory is a classic! 💜

I'm so sorry about Roscoe. 😥 We all process grief in different ways, at different times. Sometimes tears are a profound expression of our grief. Other times, tattoos. 👊 Hugs to you. 

[byme4u]

@itsfi bingo kitties, so cute!

[Samtian]

@itsfi Thank you! Love the photos!

[byme4u]

 ✔️

[Samtian]

@byme4u Mmm blackberries! Great work!

[itsfi]

@byme4u, great work on keeping wellness top of mind. 100% agree on the benefits of unplugging before bed. Hope this week is less stressful. 

[PrettyPaint]

@byme4u I'm exactly the same way with exercise! 

[CorgiMommy]

@byme4u exercise is a must for me too.  I need that endorphin rush.  Great job on working on your wellness activities!

[CorgiMommy]

 May has been a great month for me (knocking on wood while I write this).

Highlights of my May wellness journey. 

Screen free day - happened by accident as I was traveling and I believe nine hour flight would qualify as a screen free day.  ( I know it is a bit of a stretch but I am taking it)

Fun in the sun - I took that much anticipated trip to London and the weather was perfect so we walked everywhere and spent a late afternoon in Hyde Park looking for corgis. 

Catch up with an old friend - spent two days with a bunch of friends that I hadn't seen in awhile.  The conversation just flowed.  

Arts Crafts Hobby - took a million pictures on vacation and worked on getting them to be framed and lit correctly. 

Brian teasers - i am addicted to the New York Times games:  Wordle,  Sports Connections,  Connections,  and Strands.  My day isn't complete until I have worked on all of them.

[caitbird]

@CorgiMommy  wow, amazing job! You completed the whole board! 🎉 I am glad May has been a good month for you. And glad you were able to take a trip to London, it sounds like so much fun!