It’s the final week of The F.I.G. Collective! I am a bit sad to see this gratitude challenge come to an end because it was such a good practice of sitting down at the end of every day and reflecting on the moments of goodness and light in an otherwise dark time. A very special thanks to Elisabeth for hosting, and I hope we do it again soon!

Saturday, February 22

Today started off on a high note: I went to the gym and had a really great workout. I climbed 150 stairs on the stair climber in 5-and-a-half minutes and didn’t feel like I was dying afterward. And then I did 20 minutes on the elliptical and 20 minutes on the bike while streaming a show on my phone.

And then things got drastically worse. As I was pulling out of my parking space in the very busy parking lot, I misjudged the space and clipped the rear bumper of the car next to me. Ugh, I felt like such an idiot! Ruby got a little scratched up but I didn’t see too much damage on the other car. Still, I left a note on the driver’s windshield and now I’m dealing with that headache.

Anyway, I felt like shit for most of the day but in the evening, I got together with my mom, my brother, and my younger nephew for game night. It was a great night! We had pizza, played a few games, and enjoyed cake and ice cream to celebrate my nephew’s birthday (which was the day before – he turned 10!).

Sunday, February 23

I had a lovely day with my mom! We went to yoga class, out for brunch, and then to Trader Joe’s. I wanted to get some freezer/easy meals to have on hand for those nights when I don’t feel like cooking or didn’t meal plan correctly. This way, I won’t have to resort to UberEats! I don’t go to Trader Joe’s too often (the parking lot sucks and it’s always so busy) but I love stocking up on some fave items every now and then!

Monday, February 24

My day started in the sweetest way: I found out that one of my writers had to start paternity leave a week early! His wife had their baby over the weekend and he sent me the cutest photo of the little nugget. (My writer is a huge baseball fan and somehow got the baby’s first footprint on a baseball!)

Other good parts of today: a delicious meal (thanks, Birchie, for the inspo!), starting an audiobook that I was immediately drawn into, changing out my Valentine’s decorations for St. Patrick’s Day (I only have a few things, but it adds a fun touch to my home), and a 30-minute power nap on the couch.

Tuesday, February 25

I had a lovely evening! My plan was to go to the library to hang out with two of my friends and their kids. On my way there, one of the friends texted that her kiddo was complaining of a headache and could I stop somewhere and pick up Children’s Tylenol? Otherwise, she’d need to battle Walgreens with two kids (one of which wasn’t feeling well). I was more than happy to oblige, and this reminded me how good it is to ask for help because it makes the other person feel so good to deliver it! I felt like a superhero!

Our library date was wonderful. We hung out in the children’s section and I did a scavenger hunt with the big kiddo and then we played a few Bluey-branded games, which was fun! The kids were good sports and nobody got their feelings hurt (not even when we ended one of the games early because the children’s area was closing). Oh! And the big kiddo gave me a Valentine she made for me, which made my heart fully explode.

Wednesday, February 26

I had a really great HIIT workout tonight! My mom couldn’t make it and I’m always sad when my favorite workout buddy isn’t there, but I got through it on my own okay! I joked with my trainer a lot and felt like I was able to power through some of the circuits more than I usually can. Those warm-ups are working!

Also, tonight was the premiere of Survivor 48! I love this show so much, and I’m so glad it’s back.

Thursday, February 27

A lot of little moments of figgy happiness today: A meeting getting canceled, freshly laundered sheets, Eloise being super cuddly and barely leaving my side, lots of Lila snuggles in the morning while I was waking up, making a simple but delicious dinner, really nice weather, and a very dramatic episode of The Traitors.

Friday, February 28

The last FIG (at least for now?)! I met up with my brother to drop off my younger nephew’s birthday present and we had a nice little chit-chat. He was mostly venting about some of the stuff he’s going through with his kids, but I was happy to be a listening ear for him!

Another really great moment today was when I laid down on the couch with my books, put on an ASMR room on YouTube on my TV, and set a timer for an hour. I was able to zoom through 110 pages in that time, which made me feel very accomplished after not reading much this week.

Tell me a little moment of joy from your day today!

Another week has passed, which means it’s time for another collection of FIGs. As a reminder, Elisabeth started the initiative so we could find some positivity in a hard time. The F.I.G. Collective stands for Finding Joy in Gratitude.

Saturday, February 15

Today was a great day. I had book club – we started at a bagel shop and then meandered over to the Little Words Project to make bracelets. This was so much fun! I chose the word “power.” I want to always remember that I am powerful and have the power to make changes in my life. Nobody can take that from me. Other words that my friends chose: rising, choose, breathe, and resilient. It was a very positive and uplifting morning! Afterward, we found a picnic table outside where we talked about the book we read this month (Good Material by Dolly Alderton) and then chose our book and activity for next month!

After book club, Mikaela and I did our weekly writing date at a nearby cafe and I made some good progress on my podcast outlines. Then, I went home and took a blessed two-hour nap.

Sunday, February 16

Bri and I recorded podcast episodes today and it was so nice to be back in the “studio” (aka, Bri’s home office) and chit-chatting with her. It was a great time, and afterward, her husband made us dinner! Another bright spot of today was getting my nose re-pierced – I am so happy to have my nose piercing back and I hope I can keep it in for good this time. (I had to take out my nose piercing when I started using my CPAP machine in September. The piercing pressed against the mask and made things super uncomfortable. I had a hoop piercing at that time and I’m hoping the stud piercing will fare better.)

Monday, February 17

I had President’s Day off for the first time, which was such a delight! I was able to take care of some errands (washing and vacuuming my car and doing my weekly grocery shop) and then I came home, did a little blog work, ate lunch, and took a beautiful 3-hour nap. It was so nice! I also started working on installing the floating bookshelves in my bedroom. By started, I mean that I opened up the box, pulled out all of the pieces, and put together one of the bookshelves. (I didn’t hang it up, just screwed together two pieces to make one shelf.) Progress is progress, right?!

Tuesday, February 18

Today was a hard day for many reasons, but Facetiming with my mom was a bright spot. I called her around 9 a.m. to tell her I needed to complain for a bit, which she was happy to let me do, and then we talked twice in the evening. There is nothing that fills me with more joy than seeing her name pop up on my phone!

Wednesday, February 19

I was really nervous about a meeting all day long and it wound up going really well! I had to be somewhat of an “expert” on the call and I’m always worried they’re going to throw me a question that I should be able to easily answer but can’t for whatever reason. Plus, I struggle with word retrieval at times so I just made sure to have my notes ready to reference, but I didn’t really need them!

My other FIG of the day was my HIIT class. I felt so much stronger and more limber thanks to warming up my body beforehand!

Thursday, February 20

Such a fun mail day!

I received a postcard from Julie.

I received my February box from Book of the Month.

And I received my supplements!

Friday, February 21

I got to snuggle with Lila today while we waited in an exam room for the vet. It was a standard annual appointment, but I did find out that this chonk is 16 whole pounds. !!! I must start working on a diet plan for her, ugh.

I also took a delightful nap today, enjoyed a hot bubble bath, and sat on the couch watching TV and coloring in my coloring book. A very low-key, easy Friday!

What word would you have chosen for a bracelet like the one above?

The Finding Joy in Gratitude (F.I.G.) Collective is Elisabeth’s brainchild. In February, she is challenging us to find at least one thing to be grateful for every day. Times are tough right now, which is why I think engaging in a gratitude practice is even more imperative for us. This administration wants to take a lot of things away from us but one thing they cannot take from us is our joy and our gratitude. Now, let’s get onto my first seven F.I.G.s of February:

1 – I had such a lovely afternoon with my dear friend Mikaela. We had our usual writing date and then afterward, we strolled around Barnes & Noble for a bit before having lunch. It was nice to spend extra time with her!

2 – I went to a Hatha yoga class that was exceptional. I love that it focused mostly on deep stretching and it all felt so good on my lower back and hips. One of the things I love most about yoga is how it focuses on being present in your body, which is something I don’t do too often. I like that I had to spend 45 minutes silently being in my body and giving it the kindness of stretching.

3 – I’m relieved that I was able to snag an appointment with my dermatologist for Wednesday afternoon. Another cyst popped up on my body (two days after I had an appointment, of course!) and it is so, so painful. At this point, I think I need to have a standing weekly appointment with my dermatologist to keep things in check.

4 – My friend Mikaela has been such a support in my journey to reduce my sugar intake. Today, she shared with me her delicious iced coffee recipe and even checked the sugar contents for me!

5 – I went to my mom’s after my dermatology appointment. She’s working from home this week, so I filled her in on what happened at my appointment (nothing much to report, considering the cyst decided to start draining on its own this morning) and then snuggled with the dogs while we chatted for a bit. Here’s a funny story: As I was getting ready to leave, Lucy was in the backyard and Chip was inside. I was giving Chip all of the kisses and love, and then we heard Lucy barking. We turn around to see she’s right at the patio door, so my mom lets her in and she runs over to me with her whole body wriggling! I picked her up and she showered my face with kisses. It was almost like she was saying, “You were going to leave without saying goodbye to me?” Such a sweetheart. I love those babies so much!

6 – Two great things happened today. First, I was able to use GoodRx for the first time to get a prescription nearly half-off. (It rang up as $65 but with my coupon, I got it for $34.) Second, I placed an online order for a half-size Pub sub and when I got to the counter to pick it up, they had made me a whole size for the price of a half! Cha-ching.

7 – I met Birchie today! We went to a local Italian restaurant for dinner where we chatted about all of our blog friends and life off the blog. It was so nice meeting her and we have a very fun day planned tomorrow (which is today, when I publish this post).