Category Archives: Self Care

Life, new year, Self Care

Wasting my time….

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Friendships are not hard. Relationships are not hard. In fact it’s so simple that we make them SO much more difficult. I’m a pretty direct person most of the time. There ARE times when I need to think before I say something important and that takes time but most the time it’s quick. SO here it goes: I don’t need my friends to text me daily, call me daily, reach out daily in any way. I need my friends to show up to plans they make with me, not make vague loose plans with me, and respect my time.

In my life TIME is my greatest gift to you. I could be spending that time on myself, making money, going to the gym, learning a new hobby- enriching. Instead I’m giving it to you because I want to spend that time with you. Showing up late without calling, texting or cancelling when I’m on my way is rude- doing it more than once is insulting. The number of times it’s happened to me is embarrassing because I let it happen. It won’t happen in 2023. The answer will just simply be- sorry, no.

I care too much about others and I USED to people please. We’re not doing that in 2023. The helper is burnt out folks. She doesn’t want to do things for people that won’t help themselves, that take advantage of her kindness, and who never appreciate it when she does help. 2023 is about lack of effort for others and more effort towards myself.

If you want to find me in 2023 I’ll be in the gym, reading a book, talking to my friends that do prioritize me and not dealing with people for lead me on in both a friendship or relationship possible scenario.

❤

covid-19, Life, quarantine, Self Care, travel, Uncategorized

The projects we start….. during Quarantine

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Let’s face it- we’re all to that stage of quarantine where we’ve done SOMETHING project-like. If you’re reading this I can almost guarantee you’ve done one of the following:

  • Organized
  • Purged
  • Replaced something
  • Renovated something
  • Sold something
  • Did lawn care
  • Planted a garden
  • Deep Cleaned
  • Painted
  • Crafted
  • Baked
  • Learned a new recipe
  • Finished a TV series or Subscribed to a streaming service

I’ll stop there because I’m sure I covered everything. I ripped up carpet from a flood the first weekend in quarantine. This caused me to have to organize and purge. It caused me to “attempt” to replace something- more about that later on. I started a Pinterest board to renovate my half bath. I always sell something so I’m not a statistic there. We’re not to the lawn/planting phase yet. We’ve cleaned. I’ve been tempted to buy paint- luckily I can’t decide on a color. I’ve been crafty with Scentsy- coming up with themed gift and mystery bags. I baked Banana Bread from scratch tonight. Kylie and I are making Ropa Vieja this week. I finished Elite on Netflix. Oh and what isn’t on this list- I made TikTok coffee. I said it. 


So that’s fun. I’m a statistic lol. Ripping up carpet was a three weekend project so I can say I’ve managed to keep myself incredibly busy. The one thing I can say is that I absolutely hate when it’s rainy or cold as I can’t go outside. Oh and when I have to go to a store and the majority of people aren’t in masks and don’t respect the social distancing guidelines. I do know not every believes. I know not everyone cares- if they get it they get it. I know most likely everyone will get it or has had it. I just would prefer to not have it until there is a vaccine since I have asthma and an autoimmune disease. You’re wearing a mask helps me- not you. My wearing a mask helps you not me. Coming right in front of my face to grab cheese doesn’t help either of us. They want you to reduce the stress on hospitals. I rightfully should have stayed home knowing I’m high risk- but somethings you cannot get the items on your list delivered. Time to switch topics. I’m not trying to be a Karen.

I’m making some new friends. I’ve adopted 4 seniors to send some fun things to from my old school district- this is a fun, creative project that may be happening in your local area. A friend added me via Facebook Group so check for those if you use that platform. I love giving back and since my senior year was 9/11- I feel for these poor kids. I picked two girls and two boys but I have an extra surprise up my sleeve for another. One loves smells and NYC, One loves old books and vintage items, One loves OSU, and One loves everything but the color yellow lol.

I decided I needed to not wait for Ikea to open back up to get a Cube Organizer. I made a grave mistake here. This error in judgement caused me a great deal of frustration tonight. I paid 9ish dollars less for something held together by pegs and it broke as soon as I flipped it up right. The issue is the delivery fee for Ikea for the Kallax System was 49.99. Well this one will go back to Target. I will buy Kallax once Ikea reopens in Polaris and be a patient little Kelly. Lesson learned.

This cute little puppy of ours- she kept trying to come down to the basement to see what I was doing. I’ve nicknamed her Baby Quarantine after one of those your name and birthday charts gave her Baby Quarantine. It suits her. She was supposed to be social, not needed, able to be kenneled. Yeah- thanks COVID. She’s spoiled, anxious when we leave, and needs to touch someone to go to sleep. We are in trouble when we have to go back to work.

That’s basically what’s up in the Wanderless World of Kelly. I miss travel. I’d love to Quarantine at a beach. If I could find someplace that I could drive too, that is warmish and has an open beach I could walk- it’d be worth it for a week. I just need a change of scenery. Maybe If it gets warm next weekend I can drive somewhere here with water. It’s been chilly however and rainy. I cannot believe the next time I post it will be May. We’ve still not heard about the first stage of reopening Ohio and we’ve been told movement will happen May 1. I suppose we’ll have to find out within the next 4ish days.

❤ Stay Safe all.

Kelly

covid-19, Life, quarantine, Self Care, travel, Uncategorized

Learning to Relax- How Quarantine is teaching me self care.

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We all have different ideas of what self care is. Some of us spend so much time worrying about others that we don’t even have a vision of what self care looks like for ourselves. I’d hear my friends talk about getting their nails done, going to a masseuse, taking a yoga or attending a reiki healing session and thinking I just don’t have time to do those things. I’d attempt to go to a movie but knew that something would happen that required my attention during the 2-3 hour window of time that I just couldn’t miss that I never turned my phone off- merely silenced with the vibrate on. Was anything truly that serious- no. I didn’t figure that out until this Quarantine however.

We’ve seen all the posts of people saying that what God wants is for everyone to slow down. I’m not one to go into religion so that’s the only point of reference there- no need to leave the blog. I do think the message of slowing down was one a true type A personality needed to digest. Things like – being a hero means sitting on your ass and watching Netflix- do it for ‘merica. Lord I just typed that. Bless my own heart. Funny- I’ve barely Netflix’d during this. So here’s how I learned what self care is to me personally. It may look different than yours- and that’s okay, since I like that we’re all different and not the same. I may even try one of your conventional self care methods eventually. For now these are mine to share, so enjoy.

TikTok

Yes- I’m in my 30’s. No- This app was not aimed at my generation. Did that stop me from joining- *shakes head no*.  My handle is @kellyndodds (original I know lol) Have I posted anything – not really. Will I- eh, I have some ideas. I don’t want to be a direct sales chick on TikTok so Scentsy won’t be a focus if I do. I have a cool idea for a quick take that Karen lol but I’ve got to get up the nerve to film it and post it. I’ve gotten as far as filming it….. lol. What I like to do is send them to my friends and watch them before bed. #realoldgirlshit lol

Zoom

I love people. I need people and connection and no I don’t want it from people who work at my day job but from my friends that I miss seeing. I love Zoom so much that I pay for the premium version and randomly post a link on my socials like hey come talk to me please. No but seriously- I can pretend like I’m anywhere with the virtual backgrounds. I found out two of my friends MOVED while on a zoom this week! Like say less. Plus pants are OPTIONAL. I get to see my people, hear their voices and see their faces. We stan Zoom.

Music and Podcasts are getting me through the work from home day. There are days when 3 of us are in this house through the week and this is why the other 2 aren’t dead. My newest obsessions- 2000s throwbacks playlist and Rachel Hollis- RISE podcast. Some amazing gems on both counts. We love some old Drake and Motivation in the mornings.

 

Scentsy Soak Baths

Meet my new(er) BFF. Pink Himalayan Sea Salt & Epsom Salt soothe and relax. I love a bath. You can’t do too much else while submerged in water. That apple watch isn’t calculating movements since it’s not waterproof honey. I mean mine isn’t waterproof – if yours is- snaps to you. Some of my best ideas come from bath time. I love that I don’t have to clean color or glitter up out of the tub after I use it like I do most bath products too. This one leaves me feeling moisturized as well. I may have 6 bags with 6 more on the way…….. What else do I have to spend money on right now but food?

 

The Fitness Marshall has been basically the only activity I’ve done since Quarantine. Ohio is cold and rainy currently. Going outside is a rarity – though it has happened a few times and for that I’m #blessed. I still have those pesky Apple Watch Rings to close and 30 minutes of Caleb goes by far faster than 30 minutes on a stationary bike hunty. I may mess around and join the Booty Army before this is done. I’ve been randomly using his quick videos since starting Weight Watchers in 2018. Scentsy then brought him to our Family Reunion last year in Austin, TX as a fitness event and I loved every minute of it. PS that is the SOFTEST tshirt I’ve ever had still to this day. ❤ Oh and he has a coffee seating dining table ordeal that I may copy.

And lastly,

Makeup

This is a constant. I’ve slowed down on it since I can’t exactly strut into an Ulta at any moment of course but I may have an 80$ order heading my way. 2 mascaras, 4 face masks, a hair mask, acne stickers, foot mask and pumice stone, magnetic lashes, makeup remover sponge, and shower steamer bar. What an array of products to try that I’ve never used before. I love to help people. Some do not realize how many of us utilize reviews before we spend money on a product. I’m not always one of those people but if I am leery on a product or it’s got a decent price tag I AM that person. I’ve been reviewing products I get via subscription boxes or that I purchase and you can too. I highly recommend following me and getting started too here- Influenster .

And for now- this is it. This is how I have opened up to Self Care while the state of Ohio is closed for business. When it re-opens going to the gym and seeing my friends will be on this list, as well as traveling. It’s not a bad list though once you look at it. What’s on your list? Let me know in the comments below!

<3, Kelly