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

[itsfi]

@caitbird, that’s so great to hear!!! Made my day, thank you!!

I have absolutely loved reading what folks are doing for their self-care, beer as part of the routines, we’re trying out one of the activities in squares. 💯 

Ohhh, that candle smells so good. 😊 I picked up a larger size; I’m going to pay more attention to see if I pick up something other than just chocolate. I mean, not that chocolate is bad - it’s great - I am just curious to know whether I pick up anything other than chocolate. 🍫 

[Mellmars1185]

BINGO! 🎉

This past week I was able to:

Take a walk outside - This is something I have been wanting to do more. I walked to the convenience store near my house to pick up some lottery.

Mask time  - This week I used innisfree Super Volcanic AHA Pore Clearing Clay Mask 3.38 oz / 100 ml (the older packaging) twice. I followed with a serum and a skincare device.

Quiet time - Last week I might have over did a workout and slightly injured my back. After work this week I decided to listen to my body and have quiet/rest time. Usually I feel like I need to get things done after work before I relax but this week I leaned in to the quiet.

Hand care - I painted my nails on Thursday. I want to build on this. I would like to use cuticle out and learn how to take care of my hands and nails more.

Speak kindly to yourself - This builds off of the category "Quiet time". I usually feel guilty when I don't follow a structured routine. I gave myself grace instead of feeling guilty about slowing things down. 

I can definitely see myself getting a few more B-I-N-G-O's this week. I look forward to sharing!

[peculiarzmakeup]

Congrats on bingo I hope your back is okay I like speak kindly to yourself! I hope you’re doing better ❤️❤️❤️ rest! @Mellmars1185 

[Mellmars1185]

@peculiarzmakeup Thank you very much for your support! I am feeling a bit better everyday 🙏

[peculiarzmakeup]

I’m glad! That can be so hard, I am so glad to hear that! 😊 @Mellmars1185 

[Samtian]

@Mellmars1185 Woo congrats on the Bingo! I hope your body is feeling better. 

[Mellmars1185]

@Samtian Thank you! It is s l o w l y getting better 😊

[caitbird]

@Mellmars1185  this is great, congrats on your bingo! Love hearing about everyone's self care wins, so inspiring! Sorry to hear you hurt your back, I hope it heals and you feel better! 💜

[Mellmars1185]

@caitbird Thanks very much! This is a fun way to play Bingo. I played actual Bingo at the end of October and did not win. At least in this version I get some swlf care in ☺️

[PDXXXX]

@Mellmars1185 yay to the BINGO! You doing your nails is inspiring me to get in a little hand care as well. Bonus points for listening to what you needed as "quiet time" too - I like how you put that and also need to work on it myself.

[Mellmars1185]

@PDXXXX Thank you so much! Quiet time can be much needed and well deserved. I find sometimes I can feel worn down when I am always on the go. Yet when I am not busy I feel guilty for some reason. Here is to more quiet time!

[itsfi]

YES @Mellmars1185! Love, love, love your Bingo this week! 😍🙌 Excellent, excellent job! 

Thank you so much for sharing. I am so sorry you hurt your back - are you feeling better? I'm really happy you listened to your body and gave yourself some time to rest. 100% agree on giving yourself some grace. #inspiring

Good luck with the lottery! 🤞

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Thank you! This was a fun challenge. It definitely helped me be more mindful with my decisions in a fun, pressure free way!

My back is getting better. I took a few days off of working out and I am slowly working back into it. I am doing about half of what I used to do so I don't make the injury worse.

Unfortunately no lottery win! Thanks though ☺️. More to come about my poor luck in my next Bingo line hehe

[itsfi]

Ohhh @Mellmars1185, there feels like a story (or stories) coming about your next line of bingo. We’re here for it!! 🤗 

[ather]

@itsfi  You are so creative I love it! This is a perfect challenge for November when the holidays are coming up fast. And we all need to be more self conscious about our health! 

Lots of the squares are perfect and things I love to do!! As well as some new ones that I can’t wait to incorporate into my routine! 

I started doing yoga every night before bed for the past month and it was been delightful. But since this just crossed my path today I will not count that! I have a few candles and aromatherapy oils that I just got today so I will take some pictures and start this journey tomorrow!! 

[itsfi]

@ather, oooh new candles? Fun! Candles and oils would be great for aromatherapy. Do you use them when you do yoga? You should count your yoga for one of the squares. 

[ather]

@itsfi  Candles are old! I have a really great friend who send me a Cranberry Pine scent and it is my absolute fav. Especially this time of year!! The oils are Christmas themed as well! I should mark off one of the squares for yoga!

Tomorrow I will try and take a break to mask for some self care. And I can mark that one off too!! 

[itsfi]

Ooooh, a cranberry and pine scent pairing @ather? That sounds very festive and what a great way to unwind and get in the holiday spirit! Yes, get that yoga square and the mask too! Just wanting a fun way to keep our wellness / self care top of mind at a time when it can get really busy for so many. 

[PDXXXX]

 My self-care so far this week...

.

 Not taking this challenge in any particular order this week I really enjoyed...

Treating myself to a sample of Le Labo's, "Gaiac 10." I love perfume and this has to be the most decadent, thoughtful presentation I've  ever gotten with a sample! The wrapping and personal note make it feel so special....

Doing a Baby Foot Mask under my Uggiest Uggs while trying to stop my dog Finn from licking the slime (any one else both terrified and in love with Baby Foot?)....

My princess pup Edie after a short dog walk outside...

Music (especially headphones - I wear them because I'm Autistic to block out noise a lot but am also a musician and think getting to blast music privately can be therapeutic for anyone)....

And, aromatherapy with my diffuser in the kitchen. This time it was a blend of vanilla, sandalwood and oud. Anyone have any go to diffuser oils they love?

OK, time to go rinse the Baby Foot off and make sure I still have feet, lol. This has been good motivation for me.

[peculiarzmakeup]

You did a great job at your wellness week, I am sensitive to noise as well, music can be so soothing. These are all such helpful activities. You did a great job! ❤️ @PDXXXX 

[PDXXXX]

@peculiarzmakeup thank you 🙂