P.O.P. Day 166: Act Like You Want To Feel

Print by Aimee at one of my most favorite shops, Artsyville

There are lots of people out there trying to be "happier". That state is almost impossible to sustain though, as it is not really quantifiable. I am try instead to just see things in a more positive way. That being said, I do read books and blogs by people like me. I am currently reading (among other things) The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. She has a section entitled "Act The Way You Want To Feel."

I have been struggling lately to focus on having a positive outlook regularly (as you may have noticed by the lack of blog posts). This chapter spoke to me, though.

I decided earlier this week that if I want to be treated like both an artist and an athlete, I should act like both those things. I registered for all my fall races, I wrote out my 1/2 marathon training plan (in a few places), I began researching new running shoes. I scheduled studio time that I committed to. I may not be selling a ton of pieces daily, I need to keep creating. I updated my Etsy shop,  I made a ton of new pieces for The Holiday In Homer, I sketched new designs.

I am acting like I have already achieved my goals. To me, I am an athlete. I am an artist. What are you? How do you want to feel?

P.O.P. Day 165: Accomplishments

print by artist Mike Joos

It hardly seems possible that it has been nearly 3 weeks since my last post! It has been a hectic time for many reasons, primarily in the week leading up to The Boilermaker.

To me, the "big race" was all about setting a personal goal and working towards it. Something that was essentially JUST MINE. No one else was holding me responsible and no one else that would really be effected by the outcome. Even though I trained smartly, ate properly, and hydrated to the extreme, there was a lot of self doubt at the end. I was unsure if the smaller goals that I acheived would be enough to carry me through. I had planned, but didn't know if that was enough. My self-confidence was not as high as it should have been going into an event like that.

So the week before, I walk on hot coals, I ziplined, I ran extra miles, and I drank A LOT of water. And you know what? I did it. I ran the entire 9.3 miles. I finished in the time alloted, even though I would have liked to go faster. My accumulated goals helped me to achieve the big one.

I made a bargin with myself that if I ran the entire race and finished in less than 2 hours, that I would do a half-marathon in the fall. Looks like I need to start racking up those smaller goals again ;)

Sarah (the best support crew ever) and I after the race.

P.O.P. Day 145: Facing Fears

Print by RebecaMoxie



So everyone knows that it has not been a great driving year for me. But hey, I didn't die and got a new fun car out of the ordeals. I have had increased driving anxiety since then though. But this weekend, I have the opportunity to show one of my favorite cities to a good friend. Problem is that it is a busy city surrounded by very busy roadways. Yikes.

BUT, I don't want to be limited in my world. If I just stay around Homer/Ithaca, life will get pretty boring pretty fast. Plus, don't I teach kids to work through their fears and excel? Shouldn't I practice what I preach?

I have gotten through a lot of things that I never thought I could in the last year and a half. Living alone. Making ends meet. Running races. Putting myself out there. Meeting new people. Doing shows without the support of my spouse. Going to lots of doctors alone. Do I want driving to be what holds me back?

I want to face this fear. Will the drive be easy or comfortable? Probably not. But, I want to do it. I hope that I can. I'll keep you posted.

P.O.P. Day 144: Pick yourself up and dust yourself off

Collage by artist Becky Rife

No, I didn't fall off the Earth. Well, not literally anyway. I have just been having a hard time celebrating my positive moments when my negative ones are so much more overwhelming. I am valiently trying to break that cycle.

Regardless of tests, diagnoses, trips to doctors, and general malaise, I DO have things to celebrate. I DO have the opportunity to make every day special. I have just not been taking that chance lately.

I am extremely proud of the cast and crew of Maccers and their many wins at the Cortland Rep Pavilion Awards. I am proud of myself for completeling two 5Ks so far this year. These are the types of things that I need to remember when I am feeling like I have nothing going for me. My students rely on me to be a positive and motivating force in their lives.

So, here I am, back to doing something that I love. And living for the moment. And making that moment the best that it can be. Now to strap on those sneakers and get that part of my life back too!



P.O.P. Day 132: You Deserve It

Print by Keep Calm Arsenal

You! With the huge to-do list and not nearly enough time. Yeah, you. Put down the list, pick up some bubble bath or nail polish or lotion or good book or whatever and do something to pamper yourself. You deserve it.

It will make you better able to focus and get things done if you occasionally put them down and do something JUST FOR YOU!

P.O.P. Day 130: Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...

Sign by Carrie of Scaredy Cat Primitives

So nothing too heavy or deep today, just a reminder: no matter what is going on in your world, there is always something that can make you smile. It may be a cookie, a run, a pair of shoes, David Tennant (maybe that's just me), time with your kids, a photo, a song...

Smile. Your face and mood will thank you :)

I even made an Etsy treasury to remind the whole world.

P.O.P. Day 129: Stay the Course (Or: You Are Your Own Biggest Fan)

L-O-V-E this print by Aimee at Artsyville Doodle Shop!

It is nice to be told that you are doing well. It is heart-warming to hear that others are proud of you. It is narcissistic but great to hear that you inspire someone.

But sometimes, you don't hear those things. Maybe no one is close enough to you to do so. Maybe people are just embarrassed to express themselves. Maybe they figure that you already know.

It is easy to get discouraged when you don't have someone at home cheering you on. That is when you have to both dig into yourself for encouragement and reach out to you friends and family for that bolstering word. With others, you may have to actually ask for it. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed to admit that you need it.

So far as pulling encouragement out of yourself, look...it is already there. Everytime that you lace up your sneakers, open that book, pick up that pen, or whatever you do, you are telling yourself that you are strong enough, smart enough, creative enough, and awesome enough to shine and excel.

You should be proud of yourself and your accomplishments. I am proud of you. And you know what? I am proud of me too.