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Slow Down and Smell the Roses God Already Knows What We Need

Slow Down and Smell the Roses God Already Knows What We Need

by myconcretedove | Jun 4, 2021 | Blog, Christian, Serve, Writing

Hi Friends, How have you been? I’ve slowed down a bit lately, thought about writing, gathered ideas and quotes to write about, but haven’t actually written much lately, just a few short Instagram posts I tagged you in, here and there. I wonder why we slow down...
Don’t Worry About Your Broken Writing Routine, It Will Be Okay

Don’t Worry About Your Broken Writing Routine, It Will Be Okay

by myconcretedove | Apr 25, 2021 | Christian, Writing

So, what do I mean by a broken writing routine? Just that it isn’t fixed yet, that’s all. Settled might be a better word for it, though. I haven’t settled into a writing routine that sticks. Have you ever thought you had to fix something but...
How to Keep Your Creative Life Moving Forward Despite Your Fears

How to Keep Your Creative Life Moving Forward Despite Your Fears

by myconcretedove | Mar 12, 2021 | Christian, Joyful Living, Prayer, Writing

After spending the last month writing daily while participating in a writing challenge, I took a week off to rest my brain. Well, that was last week, but this week my keyboard was still collecting dust. Could it be that the law of motion applies to our brains,...
Joyology 101: Getting a Clear Perspective On Your Writing Progress

Joyology 101: Getting a Clear Perspective On Your Writing Progress

by myconcretedove | Feb 23, 2021 | #Write28Days, Christian, Joyful Living, Writing

Today is almost the last installment of this #Write28Days Writing Challenge. I can tell you that I’m not done yet. I believe there is so much more to learn about joy that I can’t stop exploring now. This was me a couple of years ago: I’m often gung...
Joyology 101: A Fun Way to Rest and Recuperate

Joyology 101: A Fun Way to Rest and Recuperate

by myconcretedove | Feb 21, 2021 | #Write28Days, Christian, Joyful Living, Writing

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. –Mark 2:27 (NIV) It’s been a busy year, with learning how to do life in a pandemic. With the extra time at home, many of us are completing projects we otherwise wouldn’t...
Joyology 101: No One Else Gets to Determine the Worth of Your Experience

Joyology 101: No One Else Gets to Determine the Worth of Your Experience

by myconcretedove | Feb 18, 2021 | #Write28Days, Christian, Joyful Living, Writing

“Unused creativity is not benign. It metastasizes and turns into grief and shame and judgment and hard things. Because someone did not put value on your work does not change the worthiness of that work or us.” –Brene Brown My writing experience is limited to the...
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❌Family Caregiver, have you given up on the basi ❌Family Caregiver, have you given up on the basics? 🌟Skincare is one of the basics. Why not catch up with a 5-minute facial, LIVE on Wednesday, June 7th at 12 NOON (EST). It's not unusual for a caregiver to give up on skincare. Especially if your primary job is taking care of a loved one. It can feel like, and actually be, all-consuming at times. That's what happened to me. Believe me, there were some days I wasn't sure if I washed my face. Let alone use moisturizer. Moisturizer? That might be because you don't get out much when you're in the throes of caregiving. For me, I started to say things like this: - Why bother? - It doesn't matter. - I don't have time. - I don't deserve it - No one is going to see me anyway. 😞ALL LIES! -You are a child of God. -You matter. -Take the time. -You do deserve to care for yourself, too. -God sees you. 😊ALL TRUE! 💜Don't give up on the basics, my caregiving friend. 👉Please join my friend @suzannejoffrion & me for a 5-minute facial LIVE on Wednesday, June 7th at 12 NOON (EST). . . #skincareisselfcare #caregiverstrong #selfcareisimportant #selfcare101 #selfcareisntselfish #selfcareisnecessary #selfcareforcaregivers #caregiverselfcare #selfcareisimportant #sandwichgeneration #caregivinglife #selfcareforeveryone #selfcareis #familycaregivers #familycaregiving #caregiverstress #skincareisimportant #skincareishealthcare #takecareofyourskin #takecareofyourself
Coming soon! A Five-Minute-Facial Family caregive Coming soon! A Five-Minute-Facial Family caregivers, join us LIVE on Wednesday, June 7th, at 12 NOON (EST). When was the last time you had a facial? Well, my friend @suzannejoffrion will show us how in just a few minutes. I can tell you from experience that skin care was the last thing on my list. There were some days I forgot to even wash my face. We'll talk about: 🙎‍♀️ Why skin care is important. 🙎‍♀️ How easy it can be. 🙎‍♀️ How little time it takes. . . #skincareisselfcare #caregiverstrong #selfcareisimportant #selfcare101 #selfcareisntselfish #selfcareisnecessary #selfcareforcaregivers #caregiverselfcare #selfcareisimportant #sandwichgeneration #caregivinglife #selfcareforeveryone #selfcareis #familycaregivers #familycaregiving #caregiverstress #skincareisimportant #skincareishealthcare #takecareofyourskin #takecareofyourself❤️
💜THANK YOU💜 ❓️What did you do with your 💜THANK YOU💜 ❓️What did you do with your free day? Today was DAY 31 of our 31 Days of Seeking Self-Care for Caregivers. Thank you for joining me on this journey of discovering self-care & finding respite. I hope you discovered Self-Care activities you enjoyed and will continue. . . .#selfcare101 #selfcareisntselfish #selfcareisnecessary #seekingselfcare #selfcareforcaregivers #caregiverselfcare #selfcareisimportant #sandwichgeneration #alzheimerscaregiver #caregivinglife #selfcareforeveryone #selfcareis #enjoyrespite #familycaregivers #familycaregiving #caregiverstress #caregiverburnout
DAY 30 - RECAP We did a lot these last thirty day DAY 30 - RECAP We did a lot these last thirty days. I summarized it in a post on my feed. Head over there for a more detailed recap. . . Did you participate in ANY or MOST of 31 Days of Seeking Self-Care? . . #beingmindful #selfcare101 #31daysofselfcare #selfcareforcaregivers #takecareofyourself❤️ #mindfulmondays #mindfulmonday #enjoyyourday❤️ #caregiverburnout #caregiverstress #caregivertips #caregiverstrong #familycaregiver #selfcareisnecessary #walkingformentalhealth #journalwriting #keepsmilingalways #prayerwalk #behopeful
💜DAY 30-RECAP DAY 31 DAYS OF SEEKING SELF-CARE 💜DAY 30-RECAP DAY 31 DAYS OF SEEKING SELF-CARE Discovering Self-Care & Enjoying Respite The goal of our 31 days together is to explore self-care and discover what works best for you to develop a habit of self care in the months & years ahead. Over the last four weeks, we: ⭐️Started at five minutes a day and then increased to twenty minutes a day. ⭐️Prayed ⭐️ Practiced mindfulness ⭐️Got outdoors ⭐️Had a manicure ⭐️Focused on Hope ⭐️Meditated ⭐️ Incorporated movement through walking, stretching, pilates, stretching, and HIIT ⭐️Read ⭐️Gratitude ⭐️Tried journaling ⭐️ Tapped into our creative side ⭐️ Learned to rest on Sunday 🌟🌟🌟We all have to start somewhere. If you did any of these activities, you get a gold star today. Screen-free Sundays may be my favorite so far. ❓️What was yours? Caregiver friend, we haven't scratched the surface yet. So, caregiver self-care will be a continuing theme on my feed and blog. 💫Look forward to a LIVE (Yes, LIVE😨) 5-minute facial on June 5th. In the meantime be sure to take care of yourself. . . . ✅️Click the link in bio for all the free self-care stuff. -Calendar -Playlist -Hope coloring pages -Newsletter sign up . . #beingmindful #selfcare101 #31daysofselfcare #selfcareforcaregivers #takecareofyourself❤️ #mindfulmondays #mindfulmonday #enjoyyourday❤️ #caregiverburnout #caregiverstress #caregivertips #caregiverstrong #familycaregiver #selfcareisnecessary #walkingformentalhealth #journalwriting #keepsmilingalways #prayerwalk #behopeful
🍉DAY 29-MAKE YOU LOW-INGREDIENT (LOW STRESS) RE 🍉DAY 29-MAKE YOU LOW-INGREDIENT (LOW STRESS) RECIPE Take care of yourself and others with an easy recipe for the holiday barbecue. This is the watermelon salad from my post on 5/26. Easy peasy! *Watermelon *Feta cheese *White balsamic vinegar *Mint *Salt Toss & enjoy. 🇺🇸Enjoy your Memorial Day barbecue, and remember those who made it possible. . . #easyrecipeideas #memorialday2023 #caregiverlife #caregiverselfcare #selfcaretips #easypeasyrecipe
DAY 27 - 4 ACTIVITIES YOU SHOULD TRY ✴️ We ar DAY 27 - 4 ACTIVITIES YOU SHOULD TRY ✴️ We are up to 20 minutes this week and next. Do what you can at your activity level, with the energy and time available. All at once or in 10 minutes in the morning and evening. 𝕎𝕒𝕝𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 👟👟Get your walking shoes on! Walk for 20 minutes without headphones. Listen to the birds singing, leaves rustling on the branches above, squirrels scurrying across lawns, and enjoy the breeze on your face. Try @WalkAtHome 𝕊𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 -Avoid mobility problems -Improve range of motion -Help manage pain and discomfort -Improve circulation -Improve posture (health.harvard.edu) @yes2next & @CarolineJordan have great short stretch routines and more. ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕤 This workout targets your core muscles-very important for maintaining balance and preventing falls. 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 -Helps relieve tension in your shoulders, back, and legs -Boosts your body's natural ability to burn fat -A way to cross-train and prevent injury -Promotes mindfulness and body awareness -Low barrier to start-all you need is a mat Try standup pilates for beginners with @thegirlwiththepilatesmat ℍ𝕀𝕀𝕋 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕜𝕠𝕦𝕥-High-Intensity Interval Training–short bursts of intense exercise followed by a short rest period. Cardiovascular focused. 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 -Overall cardiovascular fitness -Improve Bone density/decrease risk of fractures -Reduce abdominal fat -Improve overall mental health -Reduce blood pressure (aegistherapies.com): Check out @supremefitness_az Whatever you decide to do, be sure to include regular movement/exercise as you develop a habit of self-care. Your body will thank you later. Are you in the habit of exercising/walking/streching your body? 🎥Check out YouTube videos of those tagged above. . . ✅️ COMING IN JUNE! The Caregiver Strong newsletter for family caregivers (past, present & future). Click the link in bio! . . https://healthtree.org/myeloma/community/articles/top-7-benefits-of-making-stretching-a-daily-habit https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/walking https://www.houstonmethodist.org/ https://aegistherapies.com/blog/what-is-hiit-training-and-is-it-safe-for-seniors/
DAY 26-PLAN AHEAD, KEEP IT SIMPLE & GET CREATIVE DAY 26-PLAN AHEAD, KEEP IT SIMPLE & GET CREATIVE ⏱️ This should only take 20 minutes. Today, we're planning ahead to make the holiday weekend easier. But we are also tapping into that creative side again…because that is so much fun & good for you. 👩‍🍳 Have you ever considered cooking (baking/preparing) food as a creative outlet or self-care? Well, it can be. We want to be creative but not scared away by toooooo many ingredients. 🌭The holiday barbeque should be fun, not spent in the kitchen. #amiright? 😮 But a holiday weekend can be a stressful event for a caregiver. It’s something extra to do, but it can be less stressful and more fun when we plan ahead and keep it simple. I’m all about reducing stress. Family caregiver, are you with me? 🍔 So, what are you bringing to the barbeque? Remember, we’re keeping it simple. - Look for a new low-ingredient recipe - Check your pantry/fridge to see what you might already have - Make your holiday weekend shopping list or order what you need 🍉Here’s a healthy suggestion from 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻, with only 5 ingredients & no actual cooking: 𝕎𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕞𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕟 𝕊𝕒𝕝𝕒𝕕 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕄𝕚𝕟𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔽𝕖𝕥𝕒 4 cups watermelon cubed or use a melon baller ½ cup mint chopped ½ cup Feta cheese the creamier the better! Sea salt White Balsamic lightly drizzled over melon approx. ½ cup 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:Use a melon baller or cut watermelon into cubes. Sprinkle with desired amount of crumbled feta, and chopped mint. Drizzle lightly with white balsamic vinegar, sprinkle lightly with sea salt, toss, and serve. (https://www.theorganickitchen.org) 𝙏𝙄𝙋: You can prepare the watermelon ahead of time or buy it already cut up. Enjoy the rest of your day! . . Do you plan ahead or do you wing it? . . #planaheadmeals #planaheadandprepare #reducestress #reducestressnaturally #keepingitsimple #simpleisbetter #selfcare101 #lessstressed #becreatives #beingcreativeisfun #creativecookingathome #cookingforfun #caregivertips #selfcareisessential #selfcarehelp #caregivinglife #caregiverstrong #enjoyyourday❤️ #takecareofyourselffirst #takecareofyourself❤️
📚DAY 25-READING WINS EVERY TIME 📖 Pick up t 📚DAY 25-READING WINS EVERY TIME 📖 Pick up that book you’ve been trying to read and actually read it for 20 minutes today, tomorrow, the next day...you get it, right? 🕘 We might think, "I don’t have time to read!" But think about it. How much time do we spend scrolling Instagram or browsing Netflix? Why not read instead instead? In just 20 minutes a day, your eyes will take in “1.8 million words yearly, leading to increased general knowledge, communication, and analytical skills, and you will obviously enrich your vocabulary, substantially.” (Basmo.app) 📖 Paper pages provide the greater benefit over screens, but READING wins every time! 🧠 Mather Hospital says reading is good for you because it: -Improves brain and memory function -Keeps your brain operating more effectively as you age -Enhances connectivity in the brain -Reduces stress -Promotes relaxation -Improves sleep -Has the potential to decrease the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s And if you can manage more time: “...some researchers are now advocating for what they call “slow-reading” which is 30-45 minutes of daily reading away from the ever-present distractions of technology. Daily “slow-reading” can engage the brain, reduce stress and improve concentration.” (matherhospital.org) Are you fiction or nonfiction? . . 👀 If you are looking for something to read, sign up for the Caregiver Strong Newsletter. ✅️ Just click the link in bio to get yours. . . . Would you share this with a friend so she can have her own? . . #readdaily #readmorebooks #readingisfun #readfiction #readnonfiction #readpoetry #readingbooksisfun #selfcareforcaregivers #selfcareisimportant #selfcareideas #selfcareposts #selfcare101 #selfcarehelp #caregivinglife #caregiverstrong #enjoyyourday❤️ #takecareofyourselffirst #takecareofyourself❤️ #familycaregiver #caregivertips . . Credit: https://www.matherhospital.org/wellness-at-mather/diseases-conditions/your-brain-on-books/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/read-slowly-to-benefit-your-brain-and-cut-stress https://basmo.app/does-reading-improve-vocabulary/
Day 24-Journal about your 31 Days of Seeking Self- Day 24-Journal about your 31 Days of Seeking Self-Care How's it going so far? We are in the tough days, now, towards the end of May. It may start feeling harder to keep at it now. Or, maybe you see a habit forming. THAT IS THE GOAL! 𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗮 ❤️ 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴? Think about what is working, what you are enjoying or find challenging, and why. It will all unfold in the writing. 𝔸𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕁𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘: It’s a healthy way to process life. Not just the good stuff or just the bad. It is a form of self-care and takes practice to develop. But journaling is something you can go back to when you need it, like a good friend, your favorite chair, or the quilt your grandma made for you.👩‍🦳 🥵😩😥😰Being a family caregiver produces a LOT of stress and maybe even anxiety for most of us until we learn how to handle it. Journaling can help. 𝕃𝕚𝕜𝕖𝕝𝕪 𝕓𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕗𝕚𝕥𝕤 (according to Medical News Today): ✏️lessen feelings of distress ✏️improve their mood and overall well-being ✏️reduce stress ✏️recognize anxiety-causing triggers ✏️become aware of unhealthy thought patterns ✏️challenge their thoughts ✏️prioritize and understand their fears, problems, and concerns ✏️plan ways to resolve issues So, why not get yourself a pretty notebook, one from the dollar store, or open a Google Doc and start journaling your way to well-being? 📝 Visit my friends: ✅️ @johanna_devotedtomaker to learn more about journaling. ✅️ @stepstotrusting for an excellent bible journaling resource. . . May is mental health month, and journaling can help. . #journalingformentalhealth #journalformentalhealth #journalingyourway #biblejournalingdaily #biblejournalinglife #journalingyourway #biblejournalingdaily #selfcareforcaregivers #selfcareisimportant #selfcareideas #selfcareposts #selfcareclub #selfcarehelp #caregivinglife #caregiverstrong #enjoyyourday❤️ #takecareofyourselffirst #takecareofyourself❤️ #familycaregiver #caregivertips . . Credit: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-journal-for-anxiety#benefits
DAY 23-TAKE AN AWE WALK ❓️Have you ever taken DAY 23-TAKE AN AWE WALK ❓️Have you ever taken an awe walk? My youngest son and I spent several Saturdays taking awe walks the summer before he went off to college. Only we didn’t know that’s what we were doing. We simply enjoyed our time together and the natural surroundings of nearby nature trails. “An ‘awe walk’ is a stroll in which you intentionally shift your attention outward instead of inward. So, you're not thinking about the tight deadline, the unfinished project,” (Robinson, 2020), or the strain your role as a caregiver puts on the different areas of your life. The good news is you can have your own awe walk. Make it even more awesome by dedicating that time to being with God. Pray, meditate, and be in awe of His creation. In this way, walking in ordinary places can produce extraordinary results. Give it a try. ✅️ Six benefits for the mind, body, and spirit: 1. Time communing with our God. 2. The sheer joy in seeing the different birds, the sounds of wind gently blowing through new leaves, the single blooming Redbud tree among the other slow-to-awaken Maples. 3. Gratitude manifests as deep, aching awe in the face of creation. 4. Mindful moments, noticing even the tiniest of flowers. 5. A sense of accomplishment and well-being for having made it through your planned route. 6. Walking is good for our overall health. ⁠ 💜 Life is hard, my friends. So, allow God to make meaningful moments. Take awe walks. Include family and friends when you can. 🎁 Learn to savor them as gifts from God.⁠ And smile because they are good gifts. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. –James 1:17 (CSB) . . . #WalkAtHome #walk #walkingformentalhealth #walking #walkingforwellbeing #walkingforexercise #walkmore #selfcare101 #selfcareisnecessary #selfcareforcaregivers #selfcareisimportant #caregiverburnout #caregiverstress #awewalk #takeaways #prayerwalk #meditateonscripture #takecareofyourself❤️ #mindfullliving . . . Credit: www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-right-mindset/202011/what-are-awe-walks/
Mindful Monday--The dishes can wait... Linger a l Mindful Monday--The dishes can wait... Linger a little with family and friends. It's a wonderful world, enjoy it with the people you love. Enjoy being with them. . . . #beingmindful #selfcare101 #selfcareforcaregivers #takecareofyourself❤️ #mindfulnessmonday #mindfulmondays #mindfulmonday #mindfulnessmatters #enjoyyourday #caregiverburnout #caregiverstress #caregivertips #caregiverstrong #caregiverawareness #familycaregiver #friendsdinner #familydinnernight #thedishescanwait #caregiverselfcare
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