How's Everyone Feeling Right Meow?

[ApeNotKillApe]

Shit day yesterday, good day today.

[Athene]

Content. 

Having a wonderful holiday hanging with family, and chatting with sweetie.

[account_inactive]

Feeling good.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I've enjoyed the holiday with my family today. Passed up the dominoes game tonight after getting my ass beat twice yesterday; they're still dropping rocks and talking shit. I did restring Brownie earlier today, and got a little playing in too. Enjoying a little coffee to counteract the turkey hangover, and looking forward to talking to my woman in a little bit -- the ten minutes here, ten minutes there just leaves me wanting more.

[Astreja]

I was initially feeling a bit miffed because I had put on a few pounds (serves Me right for weighing in late in the afternoon, rather than in the morning as usual).  After sulking a bit, I had an epiphany:

This has been one hell of a year.  If you're familiar with the life event stress scale where you add up all the stuff that's happened recently, I'm on shaky ground.  From early spring to the present:

• Mother (85) became ill and then passed away in hospital. Responsible for funeral arrangements and settling estate.
  
• 17-year friendship crashed and burned (which, oddly enough, turned out to be a good thing).
  
• Elected to executive of a local organization.
  
• Paid off mortgage and started an investment account to build up retirement funds.
  
• 2 cats died within a week of each other, one from injury, the other from old age.
  
• Drove self to distraction trying to figure out tax forms for another deceased relative's estate.
  
• First major vacation in many years, flying to niece's wedding.
  
• Started taking language course.
  
• Hurt knee through overuse, including insane things like schlepping mass quantities of concrete rubble to the city dump after building new front landing.  Got the knee back in working order with physiotherapy, but now I have a sore foot.  *sigh*
  
• Lost final cat to illness and old age.
  
• Through it all, keeping up usual responsibilities including 3 bands, music lessons, and a day job.
  

I know that it's wise to eat sensibly, get some exercise and get a good night's sleep, but I also know this isn't a good time to beat oneself up over any failings in those areas.  Anyone have advice on how to do genuine self-care and put aside the "what does not kill me makes me stronger" mindset for a while?

[Thumpalumpacus]

Astra, when I have emotions pressing me close into the corner, I focus on mindfulness and serenity.

Mindfulness, to my understanding, is knowing that my emotions are not myself. I can have unpleasant or unsettling emotions, and for me the trick is to not become too attached to any one emotion -- to experience it, but not to be it. I can feel sad, or happy, or angry, or hurt, or whatever, but the real problem comes when I cling to that emotion -- because that's when it presents the danger of being a self-definition that I may or may not want.

Instead, I find value in observing my emotions -- "Yes, I'm feeling sad, but sadness is not me" -- and then letting those emotions go. They wash through me, and even perhaps over time change me (just as water washes over a rock and slowly shapes it through erosion), but the water is not the rock.

Self-care? Eating well, sleeping well, and exercising is a great recipe. The only thing I'd add to that is including some "me" time -- carve out a little of your schedule simply to do what you like to do, be it nothing, a hobby, some hiking, whatever. That's what works for me. No doubt your mileage will vary, and I'm sorry if this is not very helpful.

[c172]

Bit too much family time, but I'm OK.

[Mystical]

I feel frustrated that turkey, pain meds both narcotic and Tylenol, muscle relaxant, and a xanex over a two hour period hasn't knocked me out for the night! The pain won't go away, I don't want to be awake. Turkey was good though I might go sneak a leftover bit..

[Mystical]

Welcome back Jello!  It's great to see you.

And OMG it's good to hear from you again too Luckie!

We're both pink

Myeahhh I noticed that! I had it first though! x)
Maybe I'll ask sir Tiberius to change mine to Lilac..I mUst have a one of a kind color, I'm a graphic artist dammit!

[Joods]

Injection is done. My back is numb. So is my right leg. This should be a fun day.