Glow Up Level 1 - 60% Completion
I mean 3 out of 5 isn't too bad, right?
It’s been a bit over a month since I started the process of at least getting myself back to stability, and well this update has become quite overdue.
When I wrote the first post back in August, I was incredibly deep in the hellish overly sour parfait that consists of alternating layers of burnout and depression. -Now with sprinkles-
Yes I did actually eat lunch today, but that makes it an easier transition into the list of basics that will help me consider my level one of this Glow Up complete. For a reminder my expectations were:
Actually having a decent sleep schedule (which is hard because I work nights and I currently can’t change my work schedule)
Attempt to eat 3 healthy meals a day. . . but still be super proud of myself for eating at all. (Yep, I’m fighting off that irritating eating disorder too.)
Hydrate . . . or I will die-drate.
Make time for daily movement again. (I legit miss running and doing yoga but haven’t had the energy.)
Figure out ways for me to reduce my work stress with what I currently have. (Because as stated earlier, quitting my job is not an option at this point)
So a couple things have happened since then. First, my job itself kinda got reworked as we had a couple team members leave so a chunk of my job description got removed, which you know isn’t super bad. (?) My work stress has backed off a bit, however I’m still needing to get the remainder of it under control.
Second, I’m still working through the therapy. I’m about halfway through it at this point and it has helped a little. It is pretty CBT based which I haven’t had much luck with previously, however the breathing exercises are currently very helpful.
Now with the rest of the list:
Actually having a decent sleep schedule (which is hard because I work nights and I currently can’t change my work schedule)
Okay, so they did let me change my schedule after all. Shocker to me. But they didn’t let me have my preferred hours still. I’m still working on getting in a better sleep schedule and that first step is having an earlier bedtime, which it’s getting there. I’m not staying up until 2 AM now, more like 11 PM or midnight at the latest. A win is a win. Now if I could get it to be actual restful sleep then I will say I’ve successfully achieved this portion of my list. And with school starting back up for me, getting up at 5 AM is going to be needed to have school work done before I start my work shift.
Attempt to eat 3 healthy meals a day. . . but still be super proud of myself for eating at all. (Yep, I’m fighting off that irritating eating disorder too.)
Now this one, I’m getting a bit better at. My schedule change involved me having two days off back to back so I actually have the spoons to grocery shop and meal prep now. So far I’m on week one and I’ve only ordered take out maybe once. Which isn’t too bad! I’m on the lookout for cheap and easy meal prep ideas that isn’t just chicken, rice, and steamed veggies. (I need flavor my dears) But the main thing is I’ve been packing my snack boxes again which is good. I’ve got a set that is all fruit for when I want something sweet and then I have my own version of a Lunchables box when I want savory. The goal is just to make sure I’m eating regularly throughout the day because I will allow myself to go without food if I let myself.
Hydrate . . . or I will die-drate.
Though I do still have days where I will drink nothing but caffeine to power through, I’ve been pushing to drink water more often. One of the best things that has worked so far is trying to make drinking water not only a necessity but also make it as easy as possible to have it be the first thing I do in the morning. I have an old decanter that I never use and decided to try having it full of water on my bedside table. I usually end up having a glass on the table from the night before anyway so I don’t really need to get up out of bed yet for it. Somehow it’s turned into a convenient but also aesthetically pleasing solution as well. (I will admit, having a fancy decanter of just water next to my bed does create a feeling of luxury for me. But it is the small things.)
Make time for daily movement again. (I legit miss running and doing yoga but haven’t had the energy.)
I have been an absolute failure on this point and my knees are currently punishing me for it. These last 3 weeks, I’ve begun to have issues with my knees and dealing with pain and weakness with them every time I walk.
My arthritis is getting a bit too much to handle some days and sitting all day for work is really not helping at all. Today in particular my knee started giving out on me a bit so I’m trying to keep my braces on when I can to at least support the muscle. Tomorrow, in the hopes that it’s gotten some rest, I’m going to start trying to exercise again focusing on healing and restrengthening my knees. But I’ll also need to be exploring knee friendly exercises as well.
Overall, 3 out of 5 isn’t too bad. 60% is definitely over halfway and some of these has been incredibly hard for me to get started on. (ie. a good sleep schedule and getting movement back in. My hope is in the next couple weeks, I will be able to start checking off those other two important pieces and begin the ground work for level two.