I’m assuming we all do, because there’s been such a vast reduction in hugging for TWO YEARS.
People need hugs to feel comforted and connected with others. Yesterday, in my therapy groups, I asked people to give themselves hugs during the mindfulness exercise. (If they didn’t feel comfortable hugging themselves, I suggested they give themselves mental hugs).
Several people spoke about how much they yearned to be in the same room together again. I hugged myself as I admitted that we had no idea of when that might be.
Do you see anyone who needs a hug in my images for today?
I’ll tell you one thing: I’m not hugging any squirrels today.
This is what I find on YouTube when I search for “who needs a hug.”
Now I REALLY need a hug.
I hope my gratitude, here and now, feels like a hug to you.
Note to self: Write about yesterday’s therapy group, when people sent letters to themselves starting with “Dear (your name here)” and ending with “Love, (your name here).”
Note to self: It can be very healing for people to send themselves important messages with love.
Here’s my note (or letter) to myself for today:
Dear Ann,
Remember to balance other people’s needs with your needs. And stop mindlessly snacking on popcorn and sunflower seeds to distract yourself.
Love,
Ann
Note to self: Share the images for today.
Note to self: In my groups today, do that mindfulness exercise where people hug themselves, in honor of National Hugging Day.
(Note to self: Make sure you have the date right before you publish your blog post. )
Because I can’t seem to break my habit of worrying about (1) possible catastrophes, (2) not responding quickly enough to everyone, and (3) inexplicably high numbers for my weight and my INR, I am telling myself (and anyone else who needs to hear it) to chillax.
If you don’t know what “chillax” means, chillax. Here’s a definition.
These days, I can dance to my favorite tune or chillax, but I can’t have friends over because of Omicron.
Yesterday, in a remote Coping and Healing therapy group, we helped each other chillax by consciously letting go of fears and accepting our own worth.
I recently committed to doing another remote Open Mic on Friday and doing a presentation about my groups in February, so I need to chillax about both of those. I have a tendency to get nervous about performances, even though I’ve done so many before, so (say it along with me, please) …
Chillax.
After I get up every precious morning, I chillax by creating this blog. Do any of my images for today help you chillax?
I don’t know what “World Quark Day” is, but I’m going to chillax about that. Also, I’ve been eating way too much popcorn lately, which might explain the weight gain, so instead of eating popcorn on National Popcorn Day, I’m going to chillax.
Joan chillaxes by fetching her favorite toy.
What helps you chillax?
Ending each daily blog post with gratitude helps me chillax, so thanks to everyone who is visiting here now, including YOU.
Projection, in psychology, is when people ascribe their own thoughts onto others.
My projection is that you might want some definition of “projection,” here and now.
That second definition describes projection as a behavior rather than as thoughts, which reflects people’s thinking that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all interrelated.
I think there is a lot of projection going on these days, making it difficult for us to understand other people’s differing opinions and choices. I think the best we can do is to be aware of our own projections, so we can leave room for the fullness and complexity of other beings.
Do you see projection in any of my images for today?
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In honor of National Thesaurus Day, here are synonyms for “projection.”
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Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “projection.”
My final projection of this blog post is to assume that others are grateful, every day, for wonderful people like YOU.
My intuition tells me to start this blog post with a definition of “intuition.”
My intuition told me to ask this question on Twitter last night:
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My intuition tells me that we could all use a laugh these days.
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My intuition tells me to blog every day and share images like these with you:
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It looks like the Daily Bitch’s intuition has not served her well.
24 years ago, my intuition told me to get tested for endocarditis (a very dangerous heart inflammation) when I was eight months pregnant and running a fever. I had never had endocarditis but, for some reason, I felt like I might have it. The doctor told me I had the flu and that was why I had the fever but “since you’re here and because of your heart, I’ll test you.” A few days later, I got a phone call, “come into the hospital immediately, you have endocarditis.” They put me on IV antibiotics for six weeks and told me, “This might make the baby deaf.” It didn’t.
After my son was born, I said to my cardiologist, “Why do you think I asked to be tested for endocarditis? There was really no logical reason for me to do that.” He said, “I think somebody up there is looking out for you.” My intuition told me that it was my late father, who had died the year before.
This is what I find on YouTube when I search for “intuition.”
My intuition tells me I will get some great comments on this post.
Thanks to all who have good intuition, including YOU.
Twitter is one of my favorite wastes of time, so I asked this question last night:
Some replies pointed out that doing something you enjoy is never a waste of time, and I agree! I explained that I was thinking about this great song by Marshall Crenshaw, “You’re My Favorite Waste of Time.”
Another one of my favorite “wastes of time” these days is the TV show Ted Lasso.
When I saw my Primary Care Doctor recently, she told me she’s watched both seasons of Ted Lasso many times and how that’s been helping her get through the pandemic. I completely trust my doctor, so I’m taking that TV Rx and I’m loving it.
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 