New app!

I just downloaded the Blogger app and now I can blog on the go. This will make things easier and more fun. Cheers!

Little Miss Sunshine

Source: http://blog.postcodelottery.com/

I've been bumming lately, I suspect it's the weather and the amount of work I have to get done in very little time. Tonight I stayed home to do laundry (finally) and knit. I know, I know, crazy night. I did lock myself out of the apartment but luckily, my adorable neighbor was home to help me out. He then stopped back to bring me a new screen since we had to rip mine to get in.

I have plans to hike tomorrow with the dog and the most recent ex. I'm looking forward to getting out of the city. I might even stop out at the Methuen MSPCA and walk a few pups while I'm out. I'm trying to feed myself good food, happy thoughts, and healthy activities. I'm doing everything I can to keep my spirits up and my soul full.

What do you do to cure the winter blues?

Busy like a lab rat... Or something.

I've been working on my thesis. Classes are over and thesis work time is at an all time max, which means... STRESS! Anxiety! Panic! Or, I just chill and get it done. I choose the latter. I have a snuggly dog who sits next to me snoring while I type away or read articles or analyze data. Fun stuff, I'm telling you!

I do get to go to an orientation for the local MSPCA. I get to walk dogs! I'm also going to check into fostering animals. All I need is the approval of my landlord and I can be a foster mom to dogs that need socialization.

I've felt a need to volunteer lately and give back to the community. And since kids aren't my thing, I decided that I would volunteer at the animal shelter. Saturday is the orientation and I am incredibly excited!

Crunch time!

This is what I look like right now. My thesis is due by mid/late January. RUH-ROH. If you need me I'll be jacked up on caffeine snuggling with my laptop and my mountains of research.  

Work Hard and Be Nice to People.

Today I donated dog and cat toys to a local animal shelter. I have been itching to get out and do something for a larger cause, rather than my own self interest. Of course, I reap benefits from donating. I get to go check out the dogs for adoption, swoon over the puppies, and feel good about doing it. But I feel as though it is time for me to be concerned with more than just myself and my dog.

What ways do you help out your community? What else can I do? I have been asking everyone I know to collect items to donate to the animal shelter. I'm hoping this will pan out and I can have a nice car load to donate in the next few weeks.

So if you have anything you would like to donate or want more information about your local animal shelters, email or tweet me! thatgirlblogs@gmail.com OR @kerryedaway 

Or if you know of something else I should get involved in, let me know! 

Morning pages

This is my first attempt at writing first thing in the morning. I could have waited until I got to work, but I decided to wake up early, put on my full spectrum light, and get to it. I think mornings are the most difficult time for me. I never want to get out of bed. I have trouble motivating myself. I typically find that in the mornings I am incredibly negative and my thoughts race about things I never really needed to be thinking about in the first place.

Its usually when I am walking the dog in the morning that I find that I am able to slow my thoughts and give myself a reality check. Its a struggle every day to get myself to be more positive and not let my negative thoughts consume me.

I run a CBT group every Thursday and I mainly subscribe to a CBT way of practice with my own clients. I suppose it is a good thing that I actively use the skills in my own life.

I shouldn't complain about the fact that I need to motivate myself every morning and that I hate to get out of bed. I'm not a morning person, I never have been. I know that I have slept for eight hours the night before and that is plenty for me. I guess I just associate being tired with being depressed.

How its 620 already is beyond me. Time flies when I'm busy doing things other than watching the clock. Time to get a move on with the day.

Point Zero

The points in green are optimal satisfaction with the six areas in the circle. The gold is where I ranked myself on those areas. Work is great, I love it. I know I made the right decision. Friends are alright, things could improve, but I'm working on it. Physically and spiritually, I'm in the same place I have been for years. I'm not ready to tackle that yet. Fun is low and adventure is low. 

These are two areas I want to look towards improving on a daily basis. I try to have fun everyday, doing things that I enjoy and helping others to do the same. Adventure doesn't come by as often as I would like it. If I had my way, I would set out for an adventure every weekend. Small things, hikes, time out of the city, exploring the city more, doing something new. I crave adventure and need to take the time and make it happen. 

Trying new things is difficult. Fear creeps in and I like to retreat, back to the comfortable, back to where I know I will succeed. But that's not adventurous. I need to be less fearful. Lets embrace adventure!