Over the past while, I’ve found myself not moving as much as I normally do. I’ve been stretching and strengthening my creativity more than my body and now it is time for a change. To kick-start my return to moving and grooving, I thought I could use some structure and support so off I went yesterday on an exploratory mission to a local fitness spot.
The experience was great and as I recounted to the director how I’ve been tending (and not tending) my well-being, I knew this was just the right move. She gave me some simple tips for making a good start, from having a protein and a produce at every meal to getting up from my computer every 2 hours to do some simple but effective hip and lower back movement. Perfect.
As I walked home, I was planning a new structure to my day, imagining early morning workouts and then time in the studio for writing. I was feeling encouraged and motivated, ready to make a fresh start right away, when I slipped on a thin covering of snow on the sidewalk. For a moment I caught myself and almost stayed up. Then I lost control again;my feet slipped from beneath me and I landed hard on my hip, a hip with deep memories of old dance injuries and pain.
Ouch.
After that, tending myself looked very different yesterday. I lay down gently and rested, rested, rested, allowing everything in the studio to wait. I get pretty grumpy when I can’t get to it but I had to giggle when my friend Bridget responded to my plight with “My body also tries to injure itself when I mention the gym!”
Today I’m creaky but my hip is improving. I thought it wise to have another gentle day in the studio but managed to get a few things done, like cuddling with the kittens.
It was exciting to spend some of the day packaging up journals to send to girls around the world. Today I prepped parcels for girls in Florida, Minnesota, Virginia, Ontario plus India and Australia! There’s nothing like sitting down with a cup of tea and a dream come true!
My husband, Justin, also has major changes occurring in his work life and today was a pivotal day. That made it the just-right day for cookies. Thank you to my sister Shannon who just happened to leave a package of Pillsbury chocolate-oatmeal cookie dough in our fridge!
Cookies, journals, change and cuddles: all in all a pretty good day.
Today’s Prompts for Your Studio…
- What is your body hungering for? How can you give it more of what it needs?
- If you sit a ton at the computer, set your timer and ever 2 hours get up and move.
- Cuddle with kittens, if you can. Puppies are good too. (PS “Kittens” and “Puppies” can be terms of endearment for your grown-up furry friends!)
- Participate in Give a Girl a Journal
- Bake cookies.
- Take or make a picture that shows today’s weather.
Oh Jamie! So sorry to hear about your fall. Hope you are feeling better. I understand when hubby said he wanted to start going to the Y and using the machines my body cried. So I told it not to worry, we would go to but we would do water aerobics. Now my body is happy! LOL Take care and Rest.
Hi Jamie… Please buy yourself some Arnica cream at the health food store. It will help the brusing heal quicker. Hope you feel better!
Hi, Jamie….I am enjoying the “Studio Diaries” but I must admit I miss your bright, smiling face on the BTS episodes! I am so glad the “Give A Girl A Journal” project is so successful! I am glad that my contribution helped send a girl a journal.
Hope your hip is not too bad! And please keep those wonderful kitty photos and videos coming! They make my day!