Living a Healthier Lifestyle

It can feel overwhelming sometimes. 

All of the advice and guidelines

Eat the rainbow

Drink 8 glasses of water per day

Get 150 minutes of exercise per week 

Sleep 8 hours

What if you can't achieve all of that?

You might feel defeated. 

Like, why even try

You might procrastinate

Feelings of failure could lead you to make bad choices

I know I can't drink 8 glasses of water per day.

I think my diet is good, but could be improved.

What helps me is to focus on doing the best that I can.

And taking at least small steps to improvement. 

Doing at least ONE extra thing a day can give you a sense of accomplishment. 

And tiny steps are a way that you can build habits.

So I have a goal now.

Do at least one extra thing per day.

Something for my physical health

Something for my mental health 

I started yesterday.

The extra thing was strength training.

Probably spent less than a minute doing it 

But it was something 

And I was proud of myself.

Today I did ten leg lifts on each leg when I was doing my bed exercises.

Took me how long?

Thirty seconds maybe?

But I could feel the stretch.

I am one day into possibly making that part of my routine

Making it a habit

But if not

At least I did it today

Every little bit helps.

librarianintx

In This Political Climate...

My advice if you are in the minority...

And by minority, I mean anyone who is not...

Male 

White

Christian 

Cis

Wealthy

Keep a journal

It doesn't have to be handwritten

There are journaling apps

Some are free

Day One is an example

Some have the ability to upload audio files

If you can't physically type or have a reading or writing disability 

Maybe you don't like writing 

Maybe you think you don't write well

Doesn't matter

Write anyway

Journals are records

Of personal history

And what is happening in the world around us

Journals communicate our:

Thoughts

Emotions

Fears

Failures

Triumphs 

Journals teach future generations:

What we experienced

What we endured

How we survived

They are trying to:

Intimidate us

Silence us

Shame us

Devalue us

In some cases erase us

Your voice

Your accomplishments 

Your humanity

Your essence

Will live on

In your journals

Get to it

librarianintx

Super Bowl Performances - My Thoughts

A LOT of chatter about the Super Bowl - the game and the musical performances 

My thoughts:

The Game:

Whoa

I thought it would be WAY closer.

And I thought KC would win.

The musical performances:

I'll say this:

Just because I don't care for a band or singer / artist doesn't mean they suck or are talentless.

It simply means they aren't my cup of tea.

Lady Gaga:

I adore her.

"Hold My Hand" was an absolutely beautiful, heartfelt ode to anyone who is struggling.

Lauren Daigle:

I don't know her, but I thought her rendition of "America the Beautiful" was lovely. 

Jon Batiste:

I'm a big fan.

I think he's a genius.

I didn't mind the jazz spin on our National Anthem.

I'm not an anthem purist.

He's from New Orleans, performing in New Orleans.

It made sense to me.

His version certainly wasn't disrespectful in any way to me.

Kendrick Lamar:

I don't know his music.

I like some rap, but he's not my cup of tea.

That being said, I don't think he's terrible or talentless.

He's won multiple awards,  including Grammys.

I know his music has messages.

But unfortunately I couldn't understand him most of the time, so I didn't get what he intended to convey.

It's perfectly fine to like what you like, and give props to your favorite artists.

But that doesn't have to mean that what you don't care for is terrible. 

You can be respectful of what others like and value.

One more thing:

I am not a Swifty, but I like Taylor.

I think she is very talented and very generous.

And I think she and Travis are a beautiful couple.

I'm happy for them, and I hope fame doesn't ruin their relationship. 

Now their fashion sense yesterday - that's another story :)

librarianintx