Wellness In Progress: November 2024

[itsfi]

Hey there, BIC! I don't know about you, but keeping up (or even just doing) things for my own wellness or self-care can slide off my radar or just get pushed aside for some other activity. That happens even more often at the end of the year and with the holidays.

Here we have a game of wellness bingo for November. I thought it would be a fun way to try to keep at it, or to keep it top of mind, by making a little game of it. I also thought this might be a good way to get a leg up on resolutions for the new year. Wellness takes work - let's do the work together, BIC!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

🌻  There are a couple of ways to participate. You can aim every week (or every month) to try to check off a different 5-boxes in a row - vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. OR, to add a different take to this wellness challenge, you can use this sheet to see how many boxes you can check off this month. Those are just 2 ways to participate; I'm sure there are other ways and if there's an approach that you find works better for you to get in a little more self care, more regularly, please do share! 

BONUS CHALLENGE: This challenge is certainly one you can do on your own. It's also something we can take part in together! Share about the activities you did to earn each square. I love hearing from this Community - I learn about new things I wouldn't have thought of otherwise. Or, share challenges or questions.

🎀  We are all at different stages of our wellness / self-care journey. I'm not at expert at all at this and if there's an activity that is not something you are ready for or that you shouldn't engage in, make the adjustments you need to, or just skip the activity. For instance, the first square is to take a walk outside - if it's storming outside or you're in an area where it is not safe to walk outside (e.g., weather advisory, shelter-in-place, etc.), then skip this one and stay indoors. Be safe. For some of these activities, particularly the physical ones, please consult with your physician or health care provider before starting, if and as appropriate. 

⏲  The time periods I included are arbitrary - if you want or can do more than a 10 minute walk outside, go for it. If you're starting out or if you're crunched for time, aim for 5 minutes and work up when, if and as appropriate for you.

🗒  Wondering about the activities mentioned in the squares? Check this out - Wellness In Progress: November 2024 - Activity Summary

[Mellmars1185]

@heartsmyface Thanks for sharing. It is good that you are moving and making time for it. I am not too sure what barre is. I will google it. I got sick a little while ago and am recovering from an injury. I am finding it hard to get back into things. The endorphins are absolutely the best when I get the workouts in ☺️

[itsfi]

Ooouh, what scent(s) were part of your aromatherapy @heartsmyface?

[heartsmyface]

@itsfi  I have been growing rosemary and leave sprigs of it in the sauna and the whole sauna smells of it.  The scent is supposed to bring mental clarity but it just makes me drool.  😋

[itsfi]

Your sauna sounds more and more relaxing every time you speak of it @heartsmyface! 😊  What are leave sprigs? 

[peculiarzmakeup]

I ❤️ Wellness 

I did from the top left diagonally to meet the bottom right.

Take a walk outside for 10 minutes- I did something similar since it’s kinda chilly, I walked on an indoor treadmill while looking at a picture of outside not on purpose there’s just like an actual photo there next to the treadmill. I must sound like a goof 🤣

Stay Hydrated- I drink a lot of water throughout the day I could limit it on the diet cokes but it’s a lot better then it used to be so I’ll take that. Hydration is also so important for the skin and just overall health so I really appreciate this

Free space- poetry writing I love writing poems it’s very healing and it helps me express myself just like makeup does and interacting with all you amazing people here at BIC

practice gratitude- with thanksgiving coming up it always reminds me of gratitude but having gratitude everyday is extremely helpful, holding space for the things that are meaningful in my life and trying to let go of what doesn’t serve or align with what’s for me

body care- I’ve been using a lot of sugar scrubs and lotions I think a lot of dryness happens around this time of year, I also think stuff like dressing for weather conditions is body care I used to never check then I’d be cold! 

it’s great to be mindful and it makes me feel a lot more accomplished in my wellness by thinking about it this way.

❤️❤️❤️

[caitbird]

@peculiarzmakeup  awesome job, congrats on your wellness Bingo! You are doing great!

I love what you said about holding space for the things that are meaningful in your life and letting go of what doesn't serve you or align with what's for you. That is such a great mindset to have! I will definitely have to remember that.

Also love that you used writing poetry for your free space. I used to write poetry in high school and even took a poetry class, but I haven't written any in years. I miss it sometimes, and I think I'd like to try getting back into writing poetry. It can be such a great and fulfilling way to express yourself.

[peculiarzmakeup]

Thank you so much! Holding space for one’s self is truly so important! That is so neat that you took a class, you are very talented, that would be something fun to get back into!  I’m really appreciate your encouragement! Everyone’s wellness bingos are so amazing to read! I’m so glad to be a part of this! Your so kind ❤️❤️ @caitbird 

[itsfi]

Yaaaay @peculiarzmakeup! BINGO!!! 🎉 Fabulous job on getting your squares!

Great job making the necessary modifications for the chilly weather. 👊  I love how you used the free space. Your poetry is beautiful and it's wonderful that it is healing for you!

[peculiarzmakeup]

Curb your enthusiasm is so funny! I love that! Thank you so much 😊 ❤️ great challenge!! @itsfi 

[Mellmars1185]

@peculiarzmakeup Congratulations on your Bingo! Walking on a treadmill is a great alternative to the cold outdoors. What an inspirational bingo!

[peculiarzmakeup]

Thank you I appreciate it ❤️🥹 @Mellmars1185 

[Samtian]

Working on it!

• Mask Time- I've been trying to do at least one sheet mask and normal wash/leave on mask a week. 
• Read- I just finished Bourne Supremacy the other day. Onto Ultimatum. 
• Treat- Bough some mixed chocolate in a tin the other day. And got the SEPHORA COLLECTION Essential Brush - 05 Highlighter during the sale. 
• Free
• Get Outdoors- I had a photoshoot on Sunday that involved some walking. No SPF 🙈
• Music- Jamming to feel good music on my way to work. 
• Digital Detox- Had a really bad day the other day and stayed off electronics, I also deleted Facebook from my phone, can only access it from my computer now.
• Catch up- Caught up with @sprocketta the other day. 
• Eat- Well I have eaten my veggies, that'll I share in the What's on your plate? thread.

[caitbird]

@Samtian  great progress, you are doing amazing! Sorry to hear you had a bad day, I hope things are better now 💜🤗 social media can be a mixed blessing for sure! Digital detox is also one of the things I struggle with - for me it's easy to waste hours and miss sleep with too much mindless scrolling (especially when I can't sleep, even though I know it just makes the insomnia worse).

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Amazing progress! You will have a full card before you know it! I am sorry you had a bad day. Sometimes deleting social media helps me too. Oohh veggies! Did you have any avacodos 😁?

[itsfi]

Hahahaha! Yes @Samtian, did you have any avocaDOs? 🥑 @Mellmars1185 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Amazing wellness week! You accomplished so many great things. I always appreciate your kindness and I love interacting with you. Great job 🙂 @Samtian 

[itsfi]

Wow!! Look at you @Samtian! 👀 Nicely done!!! 👍🏼

I’m very sorry you had a rough day. 😔 I hope things are better, or if not, that you are in as better a space with it as you can be. 

You’re almost done with the original Bourne series, woohoo!! 🙌🏼 Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the books. 

[Samtian]

@itsfi Thank you! Maybe I'll pop in to the BIC book club! and share my thoughts. As for the bad day, I apologized to the spirits/gods and the one I hurt hoping that they would understand that what happened was an accident, I would give anything to change what happened, and I felt like a lot of not nice words. I did try to make like a promise and hoped they would forgive me. 

[itsfi]

Yes, yes, if you're up to it, definitely share your thoughts on BIC book club! You know we're always happy to hear about what people are reading. 

Oh, I'm sorry @Samtian. You apologized and that can be a step in moving forward and mending hurt feelings and relationships. Hoping the two of you will have an opportunity to talk things through and work it out. 

[Samtian]

@itsfi Thank you, I shared them. It's not the kind of thing involving relationships or anything like that, but it's depressing so I'd rather just not mention it. But thank you, I do feel better/numb about it. 

[caitbird]

Here are the activities from this challenge that I was able to check off this past week:

• hand care - I couldn't find the Burt's Bees hand cream I had been using, so I tried a new one: The Creme Shop Hello Kitty Chocolate Covered Strawberry hand cream. It smells delicious, and seems to absorb well.
• stay hydrated - I have 2 reusable Life Factory water bottles, and I bring one with me wherever I go. They really help me to keep up my water intake all day, every day - plus they're better for the environment!
• treat yourself - I stopped at Dunkin Donuts on my birthday to get a drink and a croissant, yum! 
• aromatherapy - I have been burning scented candles whenever I have a couple of hours free; so far this month, I've been enjoying East West Pumpkin Chai Spice, DW Home Spooky Spiced Cocoa, and Nest Pistachio & Wild Fig (yes, apparently I'm on a gourmand kick!)
• listen to music - I try to do this every day that I can, either browsing YouTube for new music or playing my music library on shuffle. There is so much good music out there, I feel like I could listen to music all day every day and never even scratch the surface!
• eat your fruits and veggies - last night with dinner we had roasted brussels sprouts and carrots, and pears. Very tasty!

Hope everyone is doing well and able to keep up with your self care as needed as the weather gets colder 💜