Ah yes, my continued journey to optimal health. It's been a bit of a struggle with the decluttering as I love my stuff. So much stuff. Stuff that is so everywhere that it is suffocating. I especially love my books. Not that I've read even half of them, but I love them. They smell good, they look good, they feel good in my hands. Once I put my mind to clearing them out, I had to be honest with myself and take a hard look at what I had in my collection. There were books I had no interest in even reading, but I felt like I should. To be considered well read, one is expected to read the classics, or those (usually sappy) books on Oprah's Book Club list. In the end, I pared down 160 books and one book case. I did the same with my collection of movies and got rid of another bookcase worth of those from my home. Movies that no one watched, but could be great entertainment for someone else. And clothes too, an entire dresser of clothes gone. Clothes that I have been saving as my "inspiration clothes" to lose weight (hahaha). That's fine with a couple of pieces of clothing. but not an entire dresser full! I sold some things, and what I did not sell I donated. I'm so happy and I feel so much lighter without those possessions possessing me.
Next I decided to go for massage therapy. Since my back has been feeling so awesomely amazing from my chiropractic adjustments, I wanted to get those muscles relaxed as well (plus I have a small amount of coverage from my employer). I asked around for recommendations and decided to go see Mara Wingrove RMT. I had only gone to one massage appointment ever before so I really didn't know what to do or what was expected, but Mara was very kind and patient and walked me through everything that was going to happen before we started. My first appointment ended up being a 30 minute bit of Heaven. I was even a bit light headed afterward, which is apparently happens sometimes. I've gone back twice since then, and never asked for anything less than an hour long appointment. When I leave, I feel like I'm standing up straighter and I feel lighter. There's that word again.....lighter. I love that my tension is completely gone by the time I leave Mara's.
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| Mara :) |
Sooooo I'd heard that volunteering does a heart good. However, the type of volunteering I like doing is the type that makes you feel good without too much work behind it. I know, I know that sounds totally self absorbed and lazy, but I actually don't care. My friend Christa had recently started volunteering at the local cat shelter, and I thought it might be something I'd like as well. I told them I would be open to fostering cats until they are ready for adoption. I mean, there are about 80 cats in that house so I figured they would benefit from the quieter atmosphere of my home. I ended up taking home a mommy cat and her two kittens. The kittens were a week and a half old and their eyes were barely open. All I could think was, I don't know what to do with these little creatures!! Yes, I'm a nurse of small people and I don't feel competent to take care of some healthy wee kitties. I have had to consult some friends with their development at times, but overall it's been a really great experience. We have had them for five weeks now and they are like part of the family :)
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| Sophia |
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| Cordelia |
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| They sleep on me and keep my up lots of nights |
My last step on this part of my journey has been to do things as naturally as possible. I got rid of all of my room freshening sprays, aerosols, floor waxes and chemical cleaners. I took them all down to the depot at the dump and started fresh. I have made room sprays with essential oils, and cleansers from mostly vinegar and baking soda. I'm not going to lie, I still have my comet cleanser (mostly out of habit), but almost everything else is au natural, including my hair spray. I feel so amazing knowing I am putting less chemicals on my body, and when I run out of laundry soap I am going to try making my own. Wish me luck!!
