Have you seen the “If you lived here, you’d be home” banners roped to apartment buildings? I think they’re dumb. As it took two shampoo washings to do the top and bottom half of my breast-covering long hair, I’d had enough. If only the top existed, I’d be home.
Fast forward, and I booked a haircut appointment in 45 minutes from now.
The idea of self-care enchants me. It’s a melting feeling like heated candle wax meandering into a river into a water slide. It’s an “Oh yeah, I do this” kind of thought where I remember taking care of myself is where it’s at.
Going to counseling, attending AA meetings, getting a massage, and taking myself for a coffee were all things I used to do that felt good. But now? I hate to say it, but I’m running a deficit.
I thoroughly enjoy plucking my eyebrows. Gazing in my extra zoomy-in mirror to wrangle runaway rascals, I thought, “How fun this is!” But I also felt a tinge of guilt hearing Evelyn whining, resisting Dave in the bedtime routine. And then, I argued with myself about the necessity of plucking them, especially when I feel as though I should write a progress note and this blog.
Thankfully, I solved that problem with my laptop just to the left of the mirror and rewarded myself with plucking for every paragraph I wrote. Winning!
Not to toot my own horn or anything, but this was a stellar idea. Taking breaks between plucks and paragraphs creates a more deliberate approach. Two to three sentences, then two to three hair strands, equals the perfect brain rest between tasks. Now, how about that progress note?
Having the laptop so close also means I caught an eyeworm! “A hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles,” which Google tells me is a Peter, Paul, and Mary song. How in the heck do they get in there anyway?
“An earworm, also known as a brain worm, stuck song syndrome, or involuntary musical imagery (INMI), is a catchy piece of music or saying that gets stuck in your head and plays on repeat without conscious control. Earworms are usually about 20 seconds long and can start when you least expect it, like while brushing your teeth.”
Or when you’re plucking your eyebrows.
I’ll see you here tomorrow! Love, Jaclynn.
Going On 40 