How I Take Care of Myself

I feel at my best mentally when I take the time to take care of my body as well as my mind. These two are very much connected, and I’ve always been able to tell a significant difference in how I feel mentally when I workout regularly and when I don’t.

My workout routines have come and gone a bit over the last year. I had a really good summer/fall last year, got my heart broken in November, fell out of it all (as one often do), got back on track again this spring, and then I’ve been a bit back and forth. I started to get back on track with the good routines again a few weeks before I went on my summer vacation, and while I’ve been away, I’ve slowly, but surely been finding my way back into a good routine when it comes to both what I do with my body and my mind, as well as what I put into my body.

A lot of people have the misconception about veganism as a form of lifestyle that just automatically makes you eat only healthy food. Yes, I eat a lot of greens, but there is plenty of unhealthy vegan food as well. Let’s just mention Orio’s and Ben & Jerry’s. I’m not saying I don’t enjoy those things, because I do, but in moderation.

So now that I’m getting into a good routine, what does that mean for me?

Yoga

I love yoga. Not just for the physical results it gives me, but for how it makes me feel. The focus on breathing and getting rid of the tension in the muscles is amazing. When I actively do yoga, I manage stress so much better. I take the time to check in with my body more often, and I’m a better listener whenever my body tries to tell me something.

You can do yoga pretty much anywhere and without any equipment. A mat is nice to have, but definitely not a must. You can easily use a towel or just soft grass.

And if you need a little bit of guidance, then I would recommend YouTube. When I need a little bit of a push and guidance back into yoga, I always turn to Yoga with Adrienne. She’s amazing, and I love how easy her guided yoga sessions are to keep up with.

Meditation

When it comes to coping with stress, meditation is also a great way to train oneself to handle it better. I usually do a meditation session in the morning before I get out of bed. It’s a great way to start the day and to set your focus for the day.

If you feel like you could use some guidance through your meditations, there are numerous videos on YouTube and apps for both Android and iPhone. One of my favorites is Headspace. Headspace is a great way to start getting into meditation, and you can choose the length of the session so it fits the time that you have available.

Click the Headspace logo if you want to find out more:

Run and walk

I’m finally getting back into running, which is something that I love to do when I just get into the routine of it. It’s such an amazing feeling to just turn the music on and run. I prefer to run in the forest. It’s easier on the body than running on asphalt, and I love being so close to nature.

Another great way to just stay active is to walk. I often choose to walk instead of using public transportation if I can. It’s a great walk to workout without even feeling like that’s what you’re doing. And with a good audiobook or some great music, it’s even better!

I use Audible for listening to audiobooks when I walk. If you want to try Audible, you can click the on the box below and you’ll get a 30-day free trial with 2 audiobooks of your own choosing included!

❈❈ If you buy via my affiliate links, I get a small commission ❈❈

 

Take Time Off

This is something that I’m not always really good at. I tend to get lost in all of my projects and I will work and work until I’m on the edge of getting burned out. After getting completely burned out a couple of times though, I’ve learned to listen to my body more, and I prioritize taking much needed time off. I disconnect from social media, I read, I spend time with people that I love and I devour art as a way to recharge. And sleep, don’t forget to sleep and get your rest! It’s so important for your body and your mind!

❤️

And the last, but maybe the most important things that I do to take care of myself is to LOVE, to practice GRATITUDE, and to LAUGH!

Don’t underestimate the power of the simple things in life💛

 

The Shitty Side of Being Single

I know that I write a lot about self-love, taking myself out on dates and personal growth while being single, and I stand by all of that! I think it’s so incredibly important to learn to love oneself! I think it’s important to grow and be mindful of the situations that you find yourself in!

That being said, there are moments in single life (as well as in relationship life) that are just shitty. So in the name of honesty, here are some shitty sides of being single:

💩 No Spoon Sundays

I’m not saying you can’t spoon someone on a Sunday even though you’re single, but there will be Sundays when you wake up alone and all you wish for is for someone to big spoon you all day on the couch while you both eat junk food and candy, and watch Netflix. Sometimes those days are a little shitty.

💩 The Ghosting

Anyone who’s ever been through the dating game for a while will have been through the shitty experience of being completely ghosted and it sucks! I’m not talking about going on one date, not feeling it and then moving on. Even though I wish we were all that upfront and honest about our feelings. I even wish I was that bold!

No, I’m talking about the settings where you’ve dated for a while, you know you’re super into the other person, and you’re pretty confident that they feel the same way (or even better; they tell you that they are *melt*) and then all of the sudden *POOF* they’re gone. No explanation, no heads up, they just disappear. It’s one of the really shitty and unfair sides of being single and dating. People have so little respect for other people’s feelings that they do not dare to voice their own. It’s a bloody shame, and I’m pretty sure we can do better than that!

💩 The Shareable Memories

You know that moment where you find yourself watching an extraordinary sunset, you travel and something unbelievable takes place, or there’s just a regular day where something small, but beautiful happens. I love moments like that, but sometimes I come across them and I just wish that I had someone that could experience it together with me. Someone that I can later sit and reminisce with. Someone to share the moment that will soon become a memory with. Although I want to mention that each and every moment like that makes me so grateful to be alive and there ❤️

💩 Couple’s Nights

That moment where you find out that you’re the only one at the party who arrives alone. Sometimes you just own it, other times, it feels a little shitty.

💩 Paper (t)Issues

When you find yourself on that white marble seat, needing some toilet paper, and then realizing that you left the newly bought pack of 18 rolls in the kitchen. That’s just shitty, plain and simple. Knight in shining armor (with toilet paper to the rescue), where the fuck are you when you’re needed?!

💩

So there you have it; Some of the shitty sides of being single.

It’s not all laughs, adventures, hot escapades and smiles… But most of the time it’s a pretty awesome life if that’s what you make it into ❤️

Love yourself and the pieces of shit that comes your way won’t matter all that much❤️ Just clean it off, put on a smashing new outfit and rock on! You got this!

 

 

Let’s Talk About Changes

Or rather the constant change in our bodies. I’ve gone through some ups and downs when it comes to weight. I went through pregnancy at age 19, and a whole lot of changes happen through that time, and for a while after as well. I’ve had periods of time where I’ve been quite fit, and then some when I have been “just slim”.

It’s a weird thing how we look at ourselves so differently through our changes, but also how we perceive ourselves through the the changes in our lives. If I’m having a shitty day, I very rarely look at myself in the mirror and think “But damn! At least I look good!”

Our moods and our feelings shines through with our body language. And it never fails that the days where I feel good and grateful, those are the days where the unexpected compliments suddenly make their appearances.

I’ve been noticing a few new changes in my body over the last weeks, mostly because I’ve been focusing on taking better care of both my body and my mind. And I think it’s important to think about how removing toxic elements from your life can make just as much of a difference to your confidence as removing the toxic food that will show healthy changes in your body.

To be clear, I’m not talking about dieting. I’m talking about being mindful about what you put into your body.

Our bodies and our minds are so fascinating and wonderful in so many ways. It’s about time we started to treat both as they deserve. And I know it’s not always easy. Toxic elements have a funny way of sneaking up on us and hang around for way longer than we should’ve allowed them. But the more we focus on body positivity, healthy lifestyle and making good changes, the easier it will be to love yourself and to make good choices!

Love your body and your mind enough to take good care of both, and be mindful through the changes ❤️

What I Have Learned From Pain

A lot of people have a very strong fear of the feeling of psychological pain, and that is completely understandable. Other have a craving for it. I wouldn’t say that I fall into either of the two categories.

I don’t particularly enjoy the hurt, but whenever I come across it, I choose to be very mindful of the pain. It’s not the same as wallowing in it, or making it into a bigger deal than it is. It is about being open to the lessons that are there to be learned because of the pain. It’s about daring to say: You know what, I’m not okay, but that’s okay too!

In a lecture by Alan Watts, he talks about how there is no wrong way to feel because feelings are something that comes to you, and that happens (very often) without your ability to control it in that very moment. You can control how you choose to act on it, and thereby shift your path into new ones that will come with other emotions, but what you are feeling is a 100% true to you. I really like that way of thinking, and I believe that kind of mindset is a way to be very mindful of your emotions.

Don’t shut them out. Don’t hide them. And don’t be embarrassed by them. Meet them at the door and instead of telling them to leave, ask them why they have come. Ask them what they can teach you, and how you can grow from it ❤️

That is what I have learned from my painful experiences; that no matter how much it hurts or how hopeless everything feels in the midst of it all, I always come out on the other side as a stronger and more aware person. Through all of the experiences, all of the emotions (good and bad) and all the people I meet, that is the way that I grow. And if there’s one thing that I will always strive for, it is to continuously grow for as long as I get to wander this earth❤️

The Big Escape ● POEM

This is waking up

Eyes opening

Fingers reaching

Finally feeling

●

This is realizing

Lies exposed

Truth coming clear

Impossible to unsee

●

This is escaping

Wings spreading

Soul soaring

Breaking free

©Christina de Vries

Take the Time!

When I’m in the zone with my creative work, I sometimes have a hard time with taking breaks and letting things go! I can get so invested in the things that I’m working on that I can forget to eat and sleep, but somehow I always remember to fill up my coffee cup. Funny how that works!

Recently I’ve been highly motivated and with a creative drive that I haven’t had in a long while. It’s been amazing, but it has also taken its toll on me. The struggle to fit more hours in a day is very much present, even though I know it’s not possible. I have a full time job, and I’ve now worked out a pretty hefty schedule when it comes to my creative work as well.

And in between that, I have to be a mom and try to make time for my dear friends as well. And the one thing that I have to be very careful not to neglect is me-time!

Heck knows, I’ve done that mistake many times in the past. This time around though, I choose to believe that I’ve somewhat learned from those mistakes.

That is why I’ve set aside time this weekend to just relax. I’m doing a lot of writing and some filming too, but I’m also taking the time to just lounge on the couch with a good book, play games with Leander, cuddle with Mork, write in my journal and to sleep in.

I just started reading The Secret Life of Cows and it’s truly fascinating, and equally horrifying when knowing how badly most of them are treated.

I’m even going to set aside some time to get back into yoga and meditation again. I’ve been neglecting that lately, and my body does not approve!

It’s so important to take the time to listen to one’s body. To relax and to enjoy! Life is not all about working, it’s about living that great story! And sometimes the story doesn’t have to take you far away to be great, sometimes it’s happening right at home.

Take time to be with you! Love yourself!

And when you struggle to find the love, know that I’m here, and I love you! ❤️

The Mindful Vlogs ❣ #1 Less is More

Run Forrest, Run!!

Well I’m not planing on strapping on my running shoes and leave everything behind for an unknown amount of time, but I have been getting into running again. I started running again right before my vacation started, and I brought my workout clothes with me so that I could continue on with the good habit even though I’m away from home. And so far I’ve been doing really good. I’ve been out running every day  this week, and I can already feel a difference in my pace and endurance.

And one thing that I’ve noticed after I started taking my purple shoes out to get some air more often, is that my writing is flowing more smoothly. I’m very well aware that a healthy body helps out when it comes to a healthy mind as well, but I think the main reason why it’s having such a wonderful impact on my creative process, is this;

When I run, my mind clears up. I move through the forest and my thoughts run off to everywhere and nowhere all at once. It’s a form of meditation. A way to disconnect and silence all the inner voices that I shouldn’t listen to, and to connect with all that is good for me. The deeper into the forest I get, the deeper into my own mind I dive. And in the inner, most silent corners of my mind, I find the important parts. The thoughts that hides away in fear of being seen. The ones that shines brightly as soon as they are lifted out of the dark and into the light.

So that is one of the main reasons why I now drag myself out daily to sweat it out under the trees shadows.

I run because my mind need it. I run because the sounds of nature silence the words of doubt and fear. I run because I love how it makes me feel, and how it makes me write.

Sometimes You Just Have to Bake

Today was not one of my best days. I just felt tired and slightly ill all day. Had a headache creeping up on my all day at work and it just didn’t want to let go! But as the positive person that I try to be, I tried my best to have a big smile on my face and pretend like I wasn’t in any sort of pain. It sort of worked, but as soon as I got home, had my dinner and Leander went out to play with some friends after he finished his homework, I just got so tired. I considered taking a nap, but felt like I had way too many things that I had to do. I wanted to cram in a little bit of writing, but my brain just wasn’t able to put words down onto paper at all, so I gave that up.

I stood a full ten minutes just staring out the window before my body started working without the mind really paying attention. It went to my cupboard and started picking out ingrediens for vegan cinnamon swirls. I then started to listen to one of my current listenings on Audible (which is Bird by Bird by Susan Bennett, if you were wondering) and then I just started baking. There was something so therapeutic about it. I definitely rediscovered my love for food and baking after I decided to go vegan, and the meditation of baking is just something that happened out of the blue. I tried a few recipes and then it just happened by itself. Now I find myself getting lost in the textures, the smell and taste. The joy of sharing what I make with friends, family or coworkers just gives me so much joy!

So my not so great day turned into two trays of cinnamon swirls! Not so bad! Not so bad after all 🙂

Being a vegan is making me angry!

I’ve only been a vegan for 2 months now and (as I’ve mentioned before) it’s been an amazing journey so far! But it also has me raging, wanting to scream at the top of my lungs! Because one of the really interesting things about committing to going vegan, is the need to become educated. And when you walk the path of knowing, you can never unwalk it again. You learn what you learn, and you can choose to believe it or not, but you can never choose to have not learned it.

My road of education has only just begun, and I do my very best to learn new things every day. I don’t ever want to be a person that thinks that there’s nothing more I need to know. There’s always more to know. And you can never be fully educated when it comes to life and lifestyles.

So I read, I watch and I listen. I talk to heart and I choose my paths thereafter. I think the most important documentaries I’ve watched about plant based diets are these three:

Forks Over Knives

 

PlantPure Nation

 

Cowspiracy

 

And it’s just so infuriating to watch how politics and money plays such a huge part in not making this all public knowledge. It’s scary to see know how much power agriculture has. And how they silence the people that devotes their lives that wants the truth to come out. And yes, that makes me ANGRY as hell!

We need to wake up and see the truth. We need to change our lives. We need to change the way we live and the way we eat if we really want what is best for our environment, our kids and our health.

My best friend (and amazingly talented fine art photographer) Kirsti has an Earth Hour project going on, on her blog. It features beautiful pictures every day and with it comes some tips for us all to live a better life. I highly recommend you check it out! http://hegrebackman.wordpress.com

And I know a lot of people are thinking:

‘But what the hell do you eat?’

And I think the answer might surprise you, in a good way! Living a plant based lifestyle is not about having a salad for every meal. I’ve never made so much tasty and wonderful food as I’ve had now that I committed to this. And I want to share it with you guys!

Don’t worry, this blog won’t be just about food from now on, I’m still just as obsessed with books and poetry as I’ve always been. But this place here, is my little corner of the internet. And with my personal corner I want to get even more personal with you guys and talk about what matters to me. And this MATTERS!

So I will be sharing some recipes with you. Some in video form, others in picture/written form. Because sharing is caring! And even though I do get angry in this process, I’m also filled with hope for a  better future 🙂

I love you all, and I hope you’ll join me on this adventure!