This blog post is all about the little things and going back to the basics - I've realised that my life is a combination of just too much going on in one go and still feeling I'm never doing enough. In today's world, nothing is good enough and we always feel we should be doing more than what we already are.
I recently reeled off all the things I was doing/wanted/needed to do to someone close and their response took me by surprise - 'well, how's that actually working for you right now?' And it was then I realised it wasn't working. Why do we strive to do more and more? Why do we never take the time to just... enjoy? Why can't we look ourselves in the mirror and give ourselves a pat on the back for what we've accomplished rather than hating ourselves for all that we haven't done?
Don't get me wrong - this is easier said than done, and despite taking some 'time out' I'm still struggling with the concept of stepping back and being mindful of what I am doing in the present moment. I toy frequently with the age ol' 'well I should be doing this ...' but I'm starting to see a different side, a different viewpoint. I must admit, it's a very wonderful viewpoint too. Here's a little snippet of the things I've been doing to try and go back to the basics.
Scotland is beautiful! I spent some time with my wonderful man and we explored all around Loch Ness, Drumnadrochit and Invermoriston. We found a gorgeous little stony bridge that needed a lot of tactile moving to walk on safely and a family of highland cows. The sun has been shining most days, with a wonderful 22 degrees some times. I even got my flip flops on at one point. The picture on the far right surprises me still when I look at it, as I seem to look healthier and more 'with it' shall we say. It's a nice feeling.
Walking was always lovely back home, especially with our dogs, but finding somewhere new was a beautiful experience. I felt calm being by the water and when you breathed in the air, it almost felt different - cold, clean, fresh. My other half got me to stand by the waterfall and shut my eyes for a moment to really take it in, and just taking that moment to be present in the moment felt so soothing to my very busy mind.
If you're feeling under the weather and can manage some time out, go explore. I enjoyed having my man with me, but if you like to wander alone, go explore some place new perhaps. Inhale the smells, take the time to notice the details around you. It's extremely rejuvenating and is a fantastic way to ground yourself.
One afternoon I even put aside to write letters. I can't even remember the last time I would have done this. I've spent so much time throwing myself into doing everything at once that I barely find time to send a text message some days, which is terrible. So this was so special. It was amazing to sit with the sun on my face, feeling the grass in between my toes and writing some special cards to my loved ones. It not only gave me the chance to be mindful, but it allowed me to recognise how fortunate I am to have such beautiful people in my life. I'm so grateful for how so many people stood by me when I was in hospital and since I have left and whilst I might be far from some people right now in distance, my heart is with them.
I really do recommend you blocking out an afternoon to do this. Writing letters to loved ones allows you to recognise the good you are surrounded by and of course, receiving a letter is a wonderful feeling. It's a good way as well to let people know that you're still around even if you've been a bit of a hermit recently! I've found that I haven't always wanted to talk and just needed some quiet time, so this is a good way of staying in touch without being stuck in front of a screen of some sort.
This one might not be suited to everyone's way of going back to basics, but for me, it was really important. I can't remember the last time I had eaten a decent meal when I came to Scotland. My depression leaves me either not hungry or not having the energy to cook. I could go a few days before I realised I'd not eaten a vegetable or drunk water, having spent most of my days surviving off of coffee and snacks. Admittedly, this photo shows only one decent meal but the point is still valid! I'm very lucky that my mum has kindly made me a meal almost every night which then helps with my energy levels. It's also good considering the tablets I'm on too, so I've been tucking in happily. Yes the cakes might be naughty, but who cares? It's representative of spending time with very special people and watching the world go by without having to be a part of it.
If you're struggling with depression and finding the energy to cook or prepare meals, don't be afraid to ask for help. Friends may be able to make some frozen meals you can quickly pop in the microwave and these days, the growing number of healthier ready meals in the supermarket mean you can have a stock pile to avoid you having to worry too much about going to lots of effort. That way, you know you're managing to have three meals a day which is important to keep those energy levels up, plus it can help with sleep too. If I'm too hungry, I lay in bed, shattered but with the shakes from low blood sugars - not nice!
My last bit of advice is sleep. Now I'm going to be honest - I'm not one to be able to provide much advice on this one, but being here in Scotland does mean I've been able to take advantage of slightly later mornings which helps particularly if I've had to take some additional meds. My sleep is often broken (I'm a bit chatty in my sleep...) but I make sure I take a nap if I'm desperately tired and take rest breaks in the day. Make sure you do the same, but try and keep in a routine if you can. Don't feel bad about a lay in at the weekend or having a lazy Sunday, it's all part of looking after yourself.
So there we go - going back to basics. What do you do to look after yourself which is simple, straight forward and based on being kind to yourself?
It's easier said than done to put a lot of these things in to practice, so I have discovered this past fortnight. But what I have found is when I give into them and embrace the simplicity of being kind to oneself, it has been extremely beneficial. I'm not as tense and I find relaxing just that little bit easier. It takes time and practice, but be kind and love yourself.
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