It’s kinda’ funny how we, as human beings, can forget to take care of or treat ourselves in little, simple ways- especially with how hectic, stressful or distracting life can be at times. We get so wrapped up in the bigger picture and agonizing over all the details that go into making that very same picture that we can often (and unintentionally) deprive ourselves from smaller things that make us happy along the way- enjoying our favorite meal, singing along to our favorite songs, savoring a quiet evening walk after a tough day at work- or even something as frivolous as getting a long overdue manicure and pedicure.

All of those things are activities that bring me a bit of joy but have been subsequently put on the back burner as of late while I’ve been working overtime at my full-time job and actively trying to repair not only myself- but my longtime friendship/connection with someone very near and dear to me, too. At the end of May, I briefly talked about moving forward with love and forgiveness in regards to the recent crossroads I had arrived at with someone in my life, and while it has been challenging at times to stay upbeat and optimistic through the transition towards whatever lies ahead- especially given some recent circumstances and previously unknown information about the past coming to light- I’m doing my best and I’m trying.

However, It feels nice knowing that I’m not trying by myself. It helps ease the uncertainty and makes the future look a little bit brighter to know I’m not the only one fighting to make things better.

While pouring myself into work and patching up my personal life- I also took some time to have a couple of suspect freckles checked out for signs of skin cancer as part of my company’s recent “Global Health Week” activities and also for my own peace of mind. For those of you who didn’t follow my old, long-since-purged blog- I got a really, really bad sunburn a few years ago. The sunscreen my friends had brought for a day at the beach had expired without any of us knowing- making our multiple re-applications useless. I fell asleep on my towel- and was rendered bed-ridden with a serious case of sun poisoning and heat stroke for a week afterwards as a result. My skin was fried, split, and I couldn’t move for days.

Since then, I’ve had a few small freckles appear in a couple of the areas were I was badly burned. For the most part, they appear relatively normal (and I check them often to stay on top of things) but I wanted to be sure and have a professional take a look at them, as well. Given the toll cancer has taken on my family- I was a nervous wreck throughout preparing for my biopsy, the actual biopsy itself, and waiting for the results after the fact.

Thankfully- my results were good- and I’m still catching my breath over it. I can’t stress it enough though: replace your sunscreen and replace it often.

Finally, right before taking this past Tuesday off for some long overdue self-love and pampering- some rapscallions or whippersnappers (side note: I actually have my own suspicions of who did it) messed with/vandalized my car while it was parked and unattended in Western Massachusetts. The damage was minimal and easily fixed- but even still- it was an unnecessary headache on top of an already omnipresent migraine.

That’s why on my day off this past week, I said enough is enough and devoted my day to enjoying the little things to center myself and get my state of mind back where it needs to be and where it’s strayed from for the past couple of weeks: indulging in my favorite food, blasting my favorite songs while I drove through picturesque Massachusetts, and stopping just long enough to get my first manicure in months and my first pedicure of the season in bright, Summery colors- and I gotta’ say- it made me feel so much better. It’s wild how something as simple as enjoying an iced chai latte in the sun, listening to The Killers at maximum volume, or a fresh coat of polish and a floral design on your toes can just brighten your day and relax you almost instantly.

PRO-TIP: Make the time to enjoy the little things and treat yourself. You deserve it. We all do.

Now that I’m feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, and much more de-stressed- I’m ready to tackle some plans I’ve got in the next couple of weeks with a clearer mind and much more focus.

But first- I’ve got work and some dinner plans tonight.

‘Til next time!

xx