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).
As you know, my FL plans include getting a Pub sub of my own instead of sitting back and raging with jealousy while I read about you and Jenny getting them.
Doggy kisses! That’s the only thing that I’m missing right now.
I am so glad you got to have your Pub sub(s) and enjoyed them so much. That makes me very happy!
I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this cyst issue, but so glad you were able to get an appointment quickly. And, yay for meeting Birchie! It’s so exciting seeing all of these blogger meetups (and, to be transparent, the nice weather as we get ready for a snowstorm up here haha)! Have a great weekend!
The weather was SO NICE for Birchie’s visit. I know she was happy to walk around in shorts and a short-sleeve tee in February!
These are some wonderful FIGS, Stephany! I’m looking forward to reading about your meetup!
It’ll be in this week’s FIG recap! 🙂 We had a good time together.
WAIT. There’s another blogging meetup this week??!!!
Thanks for being part of the F.I.G. Collective. Also, that salad is literally making my mouth water. In fact, I’ve decided it is officially time for lunch 🙂
Birchie was AMAZING to drive all the way to the other side of Florida to meet me and soak up some of our good weather. I was so happy!
Yay for all of this! Doggie kisses, time with friends, hanging with Birchie, time with your mom, everything! OK, not the cyst, but glad that it started draining on its own AND that you got in quickly to see your doctor.
It was a pretty good week, I must say! And the cyst is not bothering me at all anymore, so I am so glad about that!
OMG, the highlight FIG of the week, you met up with Birchie! Aww! I love it… and you have a day planned together. How wonderful! Enjoy!
I love reading everybody’s FIG posts. It’s so easy to get emotionally pulled into the abyss right now but these FIG posts are delighful.
It was so amazing to open Feedly on Saturday to see all of these FIG reports and everyone talking about happy things! It’s a reminder that we can find joy in the midst of this terribleness.
Yay Birchie!!!
I used to teach a lot of hatha yoga and I loved it. Such a beautiful, grounding practice!
I’m so sorry about the cysts 🙁 that really sucks.
I was thinking about you when I took this class! The teacher was so warm and accommodating, and I can’t wait to go back!
Ugh! Those sounds so uncomfortable and annoying. It sounds like a good plan to have a standing dermatology appointment. You can always cancel if they resolve but at least you have one so you can get them taken care of promptly.
I love that so many of us got to see Birchie this week! I’m envious of all the time you got to spend with her, but I’m glad I got two hours with her!
I am so tired of all these cysts. We have a good plan moving forward at least, but I am ready for my body to stop being so annoying.
Birchie was our little traveling FL blogger this week!
Ugh – the cysts sound so uncomfortable and frustrating, Stephany! I am very impressed that you managed to find some gratitude in there — I probably would have wallowed, but you have a very positive attitude.
The friend meetups (Birchie!!!!!) and puppy kisses definitely sound like highlights. I hope this week brings you even more joy!
I was definitely wallowing about the cysts and just so annoyed that I have to go through this process over and over again. But the FIG practice helped me to find some joy in the midst of my pain. 🙂
Puppies! Birchie!! It sounds like you’re having the best week!! (I mean, cysts and the general state of the world be damned, right?)
It was a great week even in the midst of the shittiness of life, which is what this gratitude practice is all about!
Yay! I am so glad that you finally got to meet Birchie and can’t wait to hear what you got up to the “next day!” I am sure it was fun! Also those puppies are cute; there is something so special about the unconditional love of a pet, isn’t there?
We had a good time together!
And yes, there’s nothing like the way Chip and Lucy love me. <3 Makes a girl feel real special!
What a beautiful initiative! I’ve been trying to hold on to my joy and failing miserably; I should try this.
Aww, I saw your stories (I think?) with Birchie and it looked like you had a lovely time. Yay! What a great week with so many connections. And I am personally very excited about the full sandwich LOL!
I’m sorry it’s been so rough for you – please know you can vent to me at ANY TIME. <3 It has been really helpful to think about the big and little joys of my everyday life.
How wonderful to have a loving community in these times. Human (and canine!) connections are exactly what we need to get through this horrible timeline!
The best part of pets is that they have no idea that our democracy is under attack! It’s very nice to be around them. <3