Charlottesville

Surthival*

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I am okay. Is that okay?

Yes. It’s okay that I am okay.

And it is more than okay if you are not okay.

I am okay because I’m an introvert, a homebody, a busybody, someone who long ago figured out how to workout at home, a lover of outdoors and Spring, a gardener, a cook who had lost my zest for cooking due to the work week hustle, a sister with amazing siblings who envelop me in love from afar always, a daughter with healthy and sweet parents.  I have the most amazing girlfriends who are more present with me and for me than perhaps ever before. I am okay because I still have some income producing work, although massively decreased. I am okay because Tate and I have arrived at a steady, healthy, functional place with sharing space allthetime. I am okay because I have the time and space right now, in my life and in my brain, to sleep when I need, waking up naturally; an incredible gift to someone who suffered crippling insomnia for almost a decade and still struggles with quality sleep. I am okay because even though this years income is going to drastically different than last years, I am not financially stressed.  I am okay because over the last month I’ve “finally” had the time to give an old injury some serious attention and have made great strides in healing. I am okay because I’m reading more then ever and it feels healthy and cozy and satisfying.

I am okay because my disposition actually kinda thrives in an environment that requires ingenuity, alone time, detachment from schedule. This is simply an observation. This is simply the cloth I am cut from.

The fear, uncertainty, anger, grief, and anxiety still sits in my gut many mornings or sucker punches me right in the heart almost daily.

When this happens, I talk to myself as I would a toddler who just skinned their knee, purring “you’re okay, you’re okay” in my most reassuring inner voice.

It’s important to me that the pronoun in that purr is you/I, not it.

Because it’s really not fucking okay right now.

But even then, I’m okay.

 

*The title of this post, Surthrival, is borrowed fromDr. Mark Hyman because did I mention most of my ‘reading’ is taking place in the form of Instagram quotes? Just kidding. Sort of. 😉

 

 

How’d You Move?

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Morning!

Anyone out there remember December’s comment commit?

Comment Commit is a forum for supporting each other in our exercise/healthy living goals and ambitions.  It’s a way to give myself-and you-a little accountability, recognition, and a place to brag a bit about our accomplishments.

I have set some lofty exercise goals for this month and I would love your help accomplishing them.  You can help me by leaving a comment with your exercise plans/goals for the week.  Seeing your motivation to move will help motivate me to move, and hopefully visa versa!

We will set our goals on Mondays throughout June and check back in on Fridays to acknowledge all of our valiant effort.

It’s super simple to participate.  On Mondays I will state my weekly goals in a post and you submit your own goals in a comment to that post.  Same same on Fridays except here we will brag about our accomplishments or lament about our obstacles.

In fact, identifying obstacles is part of the game.  Did you set realistic goals or was it in a Monday morning fog when you decided a triathlon a day sounded doable?  Do you need to workout in the morning because it’s too easy to get distracted later in the day?  Do you try to do certain activities because you know it’s good for you but actually you despise it and in turn end up skipping out?

Identifying obstacles each week will help us set realistic and attainable goals, resulting in a sense of accomplishment rather than a sense of falling short.

Since it’s Friday I thought we’d start this thing out on the upswing.  What movement goals did you accomplish this week?  Even if you didn’t set specific goals on Monday I think most regular exercises have a sense of their workout week.

I had great 20-30 minute strength training sessions on Monday and Wednesday, sweaty 4.5 mile runs on Tuesday and Thursday, quick Pilates workouts Monday and Thursday, and 20 minute yoga sessions Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  I really enjoyed all of these workouts and with the exception of Tuesday’s run (too hot!) they left me feeling energized, strong, healthy, and happy.

Today I will run, practice yoga, and strength train for a combined workout of just over an hour.  Tomorrow is active rest; whitewater rafting in West Virginia!  Tate and I are hauling a few carloads of Cville friends back to our old stomping grounds for an outdoorsy weekend (we got together while we were both working as raft guides in Fayetteville, WV-in the ’90s!).   Sunday’s workout plan is run + yoga.

How’d you move this week?  Tell me all about it!