#mamavation monday – the Valentine’s Edition

I’ve been neglecting my blog lately… shame on me… but I’ve been busy.  That someone I met a while back?  The someone I think is pretty fantastic… yeah… he is.  and we’ve been spending so much time getting to know each other that I’ve been on cloud nine.  or cloud 99…. I haven’t really discussed with him his occasional appearances in this space that I share with all of you… and should probably do that… so I won’t go into too much detail except to say that I am super happy.  But most of all, I’m happy with who I am… and that’s a HUGE change.  We’ve seen each other a ton over the last 3 weeks…  and every time we are together, it’s been perfectly wonderful.  I don’t want to gush too much… (I mean I do… I want to shout from the rooftops… but I won’t.)  Just know that I’m happy.  I think he’s happy.  Things are progressing quite nicely.  He accepts my crazy… I accept his… and I think my friends who met him this past Friday put it best when they said “He’s interesting.  I want him to keep talking because I’m genuinely interested in what he has to say.”  Yep… me too… In a lot of ways, he allows and even encourages me to embrace my strength… which is awesome… but accepts my inner 15 year old school girl who does silly things to make him laugh.  I’m happy.

And you know the best part?  That happiness is spilling out into other areas of my world.  Work is going well.  My house is comfortable… and this is a big one… My mom always says that when your house is in order, your life is in order.  (yes mom, I listen to you… I just don’t always do what you think I should) But I like keeping my house up and I like being in a comfortable, clutter free house and lately, cleaning hasn’t seemed like a chore.  It’s nice.  I’m happy.

And then the whole weight journey.  I was SHOCKED when I stepped on the scale.  I shouldn’t be.  I’ve been eating well and know what that means since my time with Alysa (@inspiredRD) and have learned what it means to enjoy great food but to keep it in proper portions… I’m also the SLOWEST eater in the world… which might annoy some… but it’s amazing how much less I eat when I do.  So simple.  I don’t feel deprived in any way.  I eat good foods.  I savor the flavors.  But by eating slowly, my brain and stomach are clearly communicating, so when I’m full, I know it.  I’m not stuffed and uncomfortable.  I’m just satisfied.  Amazing.  Simple… but amazing.

I’ve also been following along with the Mamavation Mom workouts which continue to kick my butt.  Mark (@Mrbookieboo) is such an amazing cheerleader to the Mamavation Crew and is such a blessing to the group.

And about that scale… Be on the look out for a post about my new scale.  I can’t wait to tell you all about it because seriously, it’s very VERY cool and you will ALL want one. But back to the point.  I stepped on the scale and this week, I’m down another 2.5 lbs!!!! 

Yep.  I’m happy.
But something else I’ve become acutely aware of – and this is a new place for me – My happiness is NOT dependent on anyone or anything else.  Yes, my new relationship is fun and exciting and I love spending time together, but if I don’t, I’m still happy.  And yes, things are going well at work right now and that is fun and exciting, but if they don’t, I’m still happy.  and YES the scale went down but even if it didn’t, I’m HAPPY.  

I’ve been doing things that just flat out make me happy.  Happy for me.  and they don’t have to be big things either.  And it ties in with today’s question for the Mamavation Monday post.

What is your favorite way to relax?

Because taking time for me to relax, helps me to hang on to my happy place.  For me it’s little things… a new manicure is one of my favorites.  (a) I LOVE having pretty nails.  Seriously love it.  for me, it’s one little way I can feel put together even when I’m not.  It’s also a reflection of my mood… or even a way to change it.  For me, if I’m in a dark and gloomy place – which the weather outside has been contributing too lately – a nice bright color can make me smile.  Or- like my latest endevour, a soft pink with hot pink hearts reflects where I’m at or the season we’re in.  (b) When I give myself a manicure (and yes, I do them myself becuase I change them soooo often) I’m forced to sit still and quite for at least 15 minutes.  There may be laundry piling up or dishes in the sink, but I can’t do anything about them because my manicure needs to dry.  Forced relaxation is sometimes what is needed.

Other things that take me to my happy place… The #365Thanks project that Alysa inspired.  Every day.  Every. Single. Day. Find something that you are thankful for.  Because it is always there.  No matter how dark the clouds are, there is always something to be thankful for and the trick is to find it.  It’s not always easy.  It IS always worth it.  I try to start my day with gratitude.  It makes as big of a difference as starting my day with a workout.  I know I know… I’m queen of the midnight workout.  Yep, I was the one who never would get up early.  Until now.  Now I’m up by 5 most mornings… 6 at the latest.  and since I have a flexible schedule at work, I get up, throw on my workout clothes and get my sweat on.  Then take my shower and spend a few minutes – as long as it takes – to just reflect on my life and be grateful for it.  Some might call it prayer or meditation or whatever label you want to stick on it.  I call it Me time.

I also have been known to light a few candles and take a bubble bath with a good book.  That is another way to refresh myself and relax.

Or, take the time to nap.  Have a day that is just Easy… Easy Like Sunday Morning… which coincidentally happened Sunday afternoon and it was UTTER bliss. *sigh*

And what I didn’t know years ago but embrace now – taking time for me makes me a better person to those around me who need me.  My kids.  My family. My friends.  Look at your list of priorities.  Where do you fall on it?  As a mom, we tend to put ourselves last… Ok, that’s a topic for another post.  One I will write soon.

So how are you going to take time for you?  How are you going to spoil and pamper yourself without relying on another to spoil an pamper yourself?  Trust me- it’s the most important thing you can do for yourself and those in your life that you care about.

This post is sponsored by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway