On Stress
Sometimes, I get tired of people (and Doctors) telling me that I’m stressed. I mean, I went to school – stress is that feeling when you have a million exams and tests piled up, right? I haven’t had that school-stressed-out feeling in a while, so I just assumed that I don’t get stressed much anymore. But lately, I’ve been re-thinking that. Perhaps stress just feels different now, especially because I stress about different types of things? I think I can finally identify adult stress as that ‘worked-up’ adrenaline feeling I get when I’m rushing and doing a million things at once. I used to think that that feeling of adrenaline was good because it motivated me to push past tiredness and get more things done. But if I’m not mistaken, adrenaline was designed for real fight or flight responses back in the day, not me attempting to shave five minutes off of my morning routine or speeding to get to a spinning class before its full.
So, the point of this rant? I’m just trying to slow down. Matt’s been telling me for years that rushing is bad for my health and yet I continue to rush to try to do it all. I obviously read a lot of lifestyle blogs with topics about ‘how to squeeze in a workout when you have 20 minutes’ and ‘how save time and money at the grocery store.’ I love the internet, but it stresses me out. I’m trying NOT to feel like I have to squeeze in that 20 minute workout and take a walk instead. I do a lot of passive relaxation (aka time on the couch), but I want to do more active relaxation, like making sure I have time to wind down at night before going to bed, getting massages every once in a while, listening to more calming music on my drive to work, and taking time to breathe.
And I need to use the time I save microwaving instead of cooking dinner to eat more slowly rather than woofing things down!
How do you de-stress?
Read MoreIt’s 5 O’clock Somewhere aka Naptime
It was one of those days were I just wanted to come home from work, sit on the couch, and eat. So I did! It’s ok to eat dinner at 5:05, right? I heated up some leftover sweet potato and black bean enchiladas. I swear everything we made for our fiesta tastes better days later. Yum.
I battled the urge to fall asleep for almost an hour, and finally let myself take a ten minute nap. I just crash after work and wish I could be like normal people (note: maybe the people I know who train for their half marathons after work aren’t actually normal and are actually super human). The good news is that I skipped over to the gym for 45 minutes of biking after waking up. I didn’t break a sweat, but it was nice to get moving. Especially since my legs are terribly sore after Matt made me do some workout from a men’s health magazine. I was limping through the halls today in heels. I do squats a couple of times a year and then never feel inspired to do them again.
The other good news is that I’ve finally found a doctor I like. I’m starting a new drug for, well, digestive issues, and finally having my hormone levels tested. Keep your fingers crossed that I’m miraculously cured of my terrible twenties tiredness and suddenly have the energy of a college student again (yeah right). Speaking of energy, it’s that time again – good night, sleep tight!
Read MoreFailed Run + Hanging Worms
I’m on spring break yall! Not that it means that much when you work part time, but still, it’s nice to have next week off and no babysitting because the family is traveling. Matt still has classes and it’s not like we’re rolling n dough, so we’re not vacationing or anything. But, we are going to Charlottesville to drink wine and hang out with Kath and Kanz! But first, a lovely Thursday night dinner on a beautiful spring night. I had sweet potatoes on my mind this afternoon and simply had to have them for dinner. Roasted pillows over rice and black beans with shredded fontina, jalapenos, and tequila lime salsa. Dinner bowls are the best!
I was super productive at work today. Working a third day this week helped tremendously. Now if they’d only hire me for that third day, I could get sooo much accomplished. I still can’t believe I haven’t even been working for 3 months and I’ve nearly completed ten evaluations. Crazy! Last year I did 13 in an entire year and I was full time. I guess the point is that I was quite tired after work (what’s new). But the weather was so nice that I knew I wanted to exercise outside. So I went for a run on the Washington Duke trail. And it lasted 12 minutes. So sad. Greek yogurt is my absolute favorite afternoon snack because it’s fun to eat and keeps me full, but it’s not good right before bouncing your stomach up and down. Oh well, the hills were too hard anyway. I ended up walking the 3 mile loop and just enjoyed the ride.
Speaking of being outside, hanging worms are everywhere! Matt commented last night that he had three people pick them off him on his walk from school to the parking lot. He was quite upset, saying that people always “flick them” instead of gently removing them and putting them back in nature. It seems the worms heard that Matt was standing up for them, because I found this one on his pillow just now.
I’m off to bed so I’ll be rested for vineyards tomorrow. Have a fantastic weekend!
Read MoreBud, Bbq, Bball
Hi,
In case you were wondering, the beer tasting went well (duh). The Moo Hoo won by a long shot and I’d definitely buy it again. Matt actually picked out a fancy Southern Tier beer for me too (but I’m saving it….). We must know each other well!
I’m back to being overwhelmed at work, so I wasn’t in the greatest of moods this evening. I def. have a love-hate relationship with working part-time. I feel phenomenal having more time to myself, but I’m extra stressed trying fit so much work into so little time. But I did feel a bit better after a good spin session. And then I met Matt at Cameron for a Fuqua bbq before the Duke women’s game. The food wasn’t anything special (well, expect for the three-bean baked beans), but it was nice to have an after work activity. I’ll even admit that I drank a small Bud Light. I mean it’s hard to resist a keg and a man with a pitcher walking around with refills….
I need an early bedtime tonight to get the energy for a long day of report writing tomorrow. And so I can stay chipper through the rainy day. Adios.
Read MoreLasagna and Motivation
Hello, hello.
I made lasagna for my valentine, since he has class tomorrow night. I need to make this more often – it’s so easy and so good. I assembled it earlier in the day and just popped it in the oven this evening. However, I forgot that it takes an hour and it was torture smelling it when I was hungry and waiting for it to cook!
This was kind of a last-minute decision, so I used shredded carrots, arugula, and spinach instead of the more hearty vegetables (that I didn’t have on hand). It was still good, just not as thick as usual.
Off to a Good Start
Happy Happy Friday! I’m usually not very spontaneous, but yesterday, as I was dreaming about my night with the tv and a salad topped with leftovers, I got a text from my previous co-workers reminding me of their after Christmas party. I never thought I’d be able to leave my job and still go the parties:) So I made a detour on my drive home and found myself with a large glass of wine, veggie lasagna, and one of the best milk cakes I’ve ever had (made with Bailey’s). It was wonderful to see everyone again and it made my night.
I was having so much fun, that I decided to continue the festivities at a local bar, where I enjoyed fabulous conversation over malbec and hummus. It was just one of those nights where everything was right in the world. The girls night got my weekend off to a great start. I’m off to spinning and then I’m hoping for a beer.
Have a good one.
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Welcome to TBT!
I've created this blog because I'm in a bit of a quarter life crisis. Since graduating from college in 2008 and earning an advanced degree in school psychology in May, I still don't know what career path to follow. All I know is that time is moving way too fast and I find myself living only for the weekends. Bear with me as I attempt to reclaim my twenties by finding pleasure and balance in the work week and incorporating my passions of food, fashion, fitness, and fun into everyday life. 
She said what?