Walking has always been my favorite way to de-stress and stay in shape. As much as I love this activity, on occasion it is hard to get going. I'm new in town and often lacking a workout buddy. Walking the loop in my apartment complex can become tedious...and quite boring at times. Yes, I'll remind myself that the weather is beautiful and many people up north are snowed in. This helps to change my perspective but sometimes it's not enough. So yesterday I came up with an idea. I was in another area doing my shopping and decided to find a local park. Fortunately, I keep a stash of workout clothes in my car and there are plenty of parks in the Tampa Bay area. So I headed to Crescent Lake Park which was within five minutes of where I was doing my shopping. Walking around the lake, seeing people outdoors with their kids, dogs, and kites absolutely invigorated me. Let's just say my forty minute walk turned into an hour and five minute walk because I didn't even stop to check the time. Next time your workout seems boring and mundane, tweak it a bit like I did...sometimes a simple change is all that is needed to get going again.
Like many others, when I have nothing to do or a few minutes to kill, I log onto a social media site to see what is going on with others. Now I'm usually doing this out of boredom and not for any particular real reason. Not one to chat, I am popping in to simply see what others are doing.
Well, this is one of those habits I've decided to break and I'll tell you why. While I stay on social media to keep in touch with friends and family who live in other cities, I find that most of social media simply makes me cranky. No one tells the whole story on there and seeing everyone so "happy" doesn't do much for your self-esteem when you are bored out of your mind, possibly overwhelmed, and perhaps a little lonely. While I occasionally log on there and see a recipe I'd like to try out or giggle at someone's funny post, the more prevalent feeling is inadequacy. Now I'm not an insanely jealous person but I do want to make myself feel better rather than feel worse. So the solution I've come up with is to keep my social media accounts but limit my use. No more visits out of boredom and maybe I'll make it a rule to only go on when I'm in great spirits. I'll let you know how it goes. In my early forties, I am just now beginning to speak my mind. It has never come easily. Whether in line at a grocery store or making a shared decision with coworkers, I have often been "run over" by others. Saying something...anything...is not always easy. Even writing about this issue seems painful and uncomfortable. What I have learned, mostly though watching others and their interactions, is that how you say something matters more than what you say. Smiling goes a long way. So does respectfully disagreeing. Not up for a debate? Fine. Simply say "We're all entitled to our opinions." A hard lesson for me has been the realization that there will always be criticism, negativity, and malcontent...the key is to navigate it and not let it permeate into your own being.
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As a brand new wellness coach, it is my goal to apply my newfound knowledge to my passion in life: helping other singles. Check back each week for wellness tips that will inspire and encourage all. Archives
September 2018
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