Weekly Therapy: Pick Your Therapy

May 23, 2015 - Mel

the week:
I barely made it through my first week back to school without having a serious breakdown from stress. (I almost typed “breadown” so maybe I need a sandwich.) One assignment took me TWO HOURS LONGER than I expected, and both classes have major assignments of the week due on Thursdays instead of Sundays. Anyway, it just screws up my schedule a little bit, and I have to readjust. But I had to cancel on my fun Thursday night event, and I’m still reeling from how crazy, out-of-control I felt.

weekend:
While it was only in the 40s early Friday morning, THE POOL OPENS THIS WEEKEND! I have a lot of being lazy on the veranda happening. And I’m going to play some golf with the boyfriend.

Also, TEDxPGH is Saturday at the Byham.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#16: Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think by Brian Wansink. This book covers a new category of interest, food psychology! I highlighted a LOT, as there a lot of realistic ways to change your eating habits by being mindful of portions and labeling (they trick us!), and taking the role of gatekeeper for your household more seriously.

The irony is that the day after I finished this book, I was walking behind two women conversing about eating habits. One of them BLAMED HER CHILDREN for having bad food in the house. Pretty sure they’re not doing the shopping, and this is where these healthy eating habits can be learned. Although, it’s important to note that the foods we take comfort in can be realized at any point in adulthood — it’s not only a trigger from childhood.

Pet Therapy Booth: Best thing to happen to your lunch break, ever

seven things, seven days:
1. Went super blonde for summer!
2. Sooooo… where my Bachelorette-watching friends at? (Watching it with my boyfriend, by the way, is a hilarious experience.)
3. Trying to stay away from all these email deals for the holiday weekend… never mind, too late.
4. There are so many options for outdoor yoga in Pittsburgh this summer — Saturdays in the park by my neighborhood too!
4. Speaking of yoga: Yoga & meditation in detention centers.
5. OMG There was a therapy booth set up in Market Square at lunch today, and I got to hang out with some little kittens. I was very SQUEE.
6. Oooh, the myths of self-development. {via a daring adventure}
7. I’m seriously considering this Foodist Kitchen program to finally get over my inability (or unwillingness) to cook for myself.

Weekly Therapy: The thrill of getting caught… up.

May 15, 2015 - Mel

the week:
Feeling incredibly inspired this week. And, like, fist-pump-the-sky happy. I feel like I’m going to accomplish a lot of crap this weekend. *fist bump*

weekend:
Oh my, do I have some relaxation planned for my weekend! I’m also looking forward to Beauty Slap’s LP release at Cattivo on Saturday night AND finally getting in at my tailor for alterations (seriously). It’s only taken me since January!

52 books in 52 weeks:
#15: The Three Marriages. I disliked this book. A lot. The author both exhausted and bored me. I am glad that I finished it, however, as the final chapter had some valuable insights.

I love that Goodreads has a book tracker function in its yearly reading challenge, for me to set my goals and see how many books I’ve read so far. Not too terrible on my challenge, by the way, only 4 books behind schedule.

Moving on…

seven things, seven days:
1. Welp, I’m officially signed up for my second half marathon. Destination: Cleveland.
2. Submitted my application for graduation. Guess I should start seriously looking at grad programs.
3. Ahem. Another straight A semester!
4. For my birthday, the boyfriend bought me my first outfit from lululemon. Ladies, I *totally* get it now, why you spend $90 on a pair of yoga pants. These things are AMAZING (for my butt).
5. I am also the proud owner of a new iPhone 6 and matching rose gold MacBook (shipping TBD). Hashtag, spoiled.
6. There’s so much outdoor yoga happening this summer around Pittsburgh. Yoga every weekend!
7. I like this: The unexpected pleasure of doing things alone. {via The Atlantic}

Weekly Therapy: Fröhlichen Geburtstag!

May 8, 2015 - Mel

the week:
It’s my birthday week! I ran a half marathon this week! This week is also payday! It’s also finals week, but… eh. I’m basically already done (and looking forward to a week off). It’s a good freaking week! Everything with exclamations!

And dessert.

weekend:
Waking up early tomorrow for a BIRTHDAY MASSAGE. (And then, yes, I can stop milking this birthday week.) I have a party planned at Howl at the Moon, and I’m super-excited about one opening in downtown Pittsburgh. I am a sucker for dueling piano bars and celebrations! Then my Dad is coming into town; hopefully we can find better tickets to the baseball game on Sunday.

The irony is that it’s Mother’s Day, and I’m hanging out with my dad. Have I mentioned that I’m a Mother’s Day baby?

52 books in 52 weeks:
#14: Breaking the Fifth Wall — my boss handed me this soon after starting my new job, and since it’s related to what I do at work I could read it at my desk in between projects. Quick read, easy to understand concepts about knowing the appropriate marketing tools to reach your art audience. I enjoyed it.

seven things, seven days:
1. Uber came and picked up three huge bags of clothing donations that have been sitting in my basement for nearly three years — they partnered with Goodwill for this donation drive. OMG, this was quite possibly the best thing ever. Please deliver me burritos, kthxbai.
2. Bonus: we had a contractor haul away all the excess paint cans sitting in the basement from this house’s previous owner. You guys, I CAN WALK IN MY BASEMENT.
3. Upon forgetting to bring my charge cord to work AGAIN for my phone, purchased this cool gadget.
4. Went to a breakfast seminar, everything was gluten. #storyofmylife
5. Nerded out to Neil deGrasse Tyson last night (!!!). He talked for over three hours and is a fantastic lecturer. I can have him as my teacher?
6. Early birthday dinner at ELEVEN. Disappointed that I didn’t receive my birthday coupon this year (this has been an annual tradition since moving to Pittsburgh), but my meal and experience, as always, was wonderful.
7. Among the generational tags, I’ve never felt the categories “fit.” Oh, but this one does: The Oregon Trail Generation

Weekly Therapy: I am a runner.

May 1, 2015 - Mel

the week:
This week’s been a lot to take in. I’ve been hyper-anxious, overly excitable — with a severe case of NO FOCUS and HANGRY. I guess my focus is on the finish line, as they like to use in running metaphors and motivational posters. And also, what the hell I’m going to wear.

weekend:
Obviously, it’s Race Weekend — so I’ll be taking on the Steel Challenge of running a 5K on Saturday and a half marathon on Sunday.

52 books in 52 weeks:
NOPE. Somehow, I’ve started four books and have nothing to show in the way of finishing anything reading-related. Oh, but I’ll be finishing a marathon AND a winter semester, so then I have some time to relax with my freshly-started books.

seven things, seven days:
1. A new treadmill… that looks exactly like a treadmill. {via Science Daily}
2. Marathon leggings from Dona Jo Fitwear — from a Pittsburgh-based company! {via NEXT Pittsburgh}
3. NEXT also profiled Marathon CEO Patrice Matamoros.
4. Is anyone else really hungry?
5. Also, hey thanks, ovaries!
6. The secret to a longer life and faster metabolism? CHEESE. {via The Telegraph}
7. I can’t focus anymore. Thinking about dinner.

Weekly Therapy: Taper Madness?

April 24, 2015 - Mel

the week:
To-do notes EVERYWHERE have been saving my sanity this week. I’m finding myself being overwhelmed very easily right now and scheduling my days down to the hour. Taper madness, perhaps?

weekend:
MY BEST FRIEND IS COMING IN FOR HER BABY SHOWER! Imma be snuggling up to baby belly this weekend. And drinking some fine ass tea (and fake-eating crumpets) during her party.

If you’re in Pittsburgh, tonight is the quarterly Gallery Crawl and PDP Night Market downtown.

seven things, seven days:
1. La Bayadere was the most beautiful ballet that I’ve ever seen. I was moved to tears in Act III. Bravo, Pittsburgh Ballet.
2. I rearranged my attic because I need an office space and there is no better way to procrastinate on homework than moving furniture around by yourself!
3. Return of Run/Yoga Club together and on Wednesday evenings at Urban Elements!
4. Kind of freaking out about not getting an email confirmation from Pittsburgh Marathon peeps. While I can look my bib number up online and pick up with my ID, I feel… left out.
5. And my apologies that I can’t really spend the time that I want on this post today…
6. This seemed appropriate for the week: Self-affirmations may calm jitters and boost performance.
7. And what IS the right dose of exercise, btw? {via NYT blog}

Weekly Therapy: take a picture, it’ll last longer

April 17, 2015 - Mel

the week:
My main goal this week was to get a massage. Of course, my usual therapist is on vacation, so I scheduled a late-Tuesday appointment with another lady in the office. I’ve been stretching and rolling and walking and generally still feel pretty crappy. Considering I don’t normally feel soreness after my runs, this is giving me major anxiety about the half marathon in a couple weeks.

weekend:
Boyfriend and I have ballet tickets for La Bayadere tonight; otherwise, Holy moly, I don’t have anywhere to go or be, and I’m going to keep it that way. (Naturally, there will be homework.)

52 books in 52 weeks:
#13: Finding Ultra by Rich Roll — if only for this passage, but for so much, much more:

“Surrender is a beautiful movement in which you gracefully, willfully, languidly fall, only to find midway that you have been gathered in some unimaginable embrace. Surrender is letting go, whether or not you believe the embrace will occur. It’s trust to the hundredth power — not sticking to your idea of the outcome, but letting go in the faith that even the absence of an outcome will be the perfect solution.”

The first Rich Roll podcast I listened to, I was immediately drawn to him (and his voice provokes some sort of meditative trance). Of course I had to read his book. I don’t think I’ve ever been more affected so soulfully by someone’s story to find my own meaning and what I am capable of — this book has transformed so much of my thinking. Some chapters I found myself unable to breathe; some weird empathetic response? No clue. But something in me has changed.

seven things, seven days:
1. THIS APP >>>>> Disposable Camera.
2. Decision Fatigue: The struggle is real, 30-somethings.
3. Thinking about (planning!) a 30-day challenge for after the half AND a 100 Day Project.
4. Made a MAJOR splurge for one of those special edition PopSugar MustHave boxes. Aaaaand I’m now on a spending freeze.
5. Last week of Social Sciences research! I really wish I had the time and opportunity in this class to do a content analysis. Another day, another course possibly.
6. A fascinating series The Ten Today, referencing the Ten Commandments of modern society, the “Thou Shalt Not Covet” article about money and its connection to happiness is mostly old news — but goes deeper about what DOES buy happiness. {via Deseret News National}
7. In the essence of savoring the moment, Stop Multitasking. {via Entrepreneur}

Weekly Therapy: Do the Thing! Win all the Points!

April 10, 2015 - Mel

the week:
Hey guys? It’s BASEBALL SEASON! I walk past PNC Park every day on my way to work, and I couldn’t be more excited — watching as updates and clean-ups have occurred in and around the stadium. I’ve been able to see the flags hoisted, the lights and scoreboard checks, and yesterday they were testing PA announcements. While it’s not the homestand of my beloved Cleveland Indians (RIP, The Jake), I can get behind some gluten-free burritos at the ballpark this summer!

Now if you don’t mind me, I’m heading home to curl up with a glass of wine and some MLBTV.

weekend:
It’s Cherry Blossoms weekend in DC and my first long race of the season. Every time I think about it, I get nerves, so I’ll have to save those emotions for another post.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#12: Need To Know: Social Science Research Methods — another day, another textbook. I’ll just say this: this book helped little for preparing me for course assignments or quizzes. Ugh, the worst.

seven things, seven days:
1. Speaking of sports, did you guys see that Hostess twitter post this week? I thought it was brilliant and hilarious.
2. Attended an info session with the local Girls on the Run affiliate and looking forward to being involved with the organization. That is, if they can place me for a coaching position.
3. Rejected a previously-RSVP’d-yes blogger invite this week upon receiving an email that stated “dress to be photographed” in the “can’t wait to see you!” update prior to the event. NOPE. Although I’m sure the event was cool, that’s just not my scene.
4. I failed the “why did you unfriend me?” test when asked on FB. And now I feel even shittier for not being honest.
5. Speaking of which, I don’t know… if Facebook makes you feel depressed, why are you using it? The Psychology of Healthy Facebook Use: No Comparing to Other Lives {via The Atlantic}
6. I am VERY excited for extraVEGANza to open in Pittsburgh. {link is to their indiegogo campaign with some sweet perks!}
7. “Comfort in our failures allows us to act without fear, to engage without judgment, to love without conditions.” The Confidence Conundrum {via the ever-amazing Mark Manson}

Touchdown, Cherry Blossoms!

Weekly Therapy: “Everyday we have the opportunity to create a living masterpiece.”

April 4, 2015 - Mel

the week:
I had big plans for my week… but I cannot get over this stupid cold/sickness thing. Then I started having some weird mouth inflammation (I don’t know how to describe it) that I’m unsure if it’s illness-related or a food allergy (oh, god help me) or something else weirdly related to my getting two old silver cavities replaced a few weeks ago (mercury poisoning?).

In any event, I’d like some of feeling normal back, please.

weekend:
Off to Ohio for family and holiday things. And apparently some more winter-like temperatures. *groan* I’m also planning to run around Columbus for a couple short runs (maybe a portion of the Hot Chocolate 15k route?).

seven things, seven days:
1. The first Arts & Drafts event was AMAZING — and I wrote about it for Pittsburgh Happy Hour!
2. It was fun to get away from my desk at lunch one day this week too, even if Six Penn took away their daily pizza special (they have a great gluten-crust, be-tee-dubs).
3. So I officially submitted my derby retirement paperwork. Felt weird to make it “official,” but at least I don’t have to stress about being in some weird purgatory. And I can still attend practices and do contact if I want. And I can always go back full-speed if that’s what I decide to do. So… That’s that.
4. Placed an order with Bake Me Happy for some gluten-free goodies (and a full-size carrot cake) on my return to Ohio this weekend.
5. I had to find a new team already (in just Week #1) for group project in this HRM course; two people in my first selected group have already dropped the class (Imma guess it’s the phonebook-sized book).
6. I’m listening to this Rich Roll podcast with Michael Gervais (again) because it just has me stopped in my tracks. There is no doubt that performance psychology is where I want to go, in terms of education path.
7. How to stop buying crap you don’t need (like a box full of gluten-free sweets? NAH.). {via lifehacker}

Weekly Therapy: “whatever you encountered on your way here, let it go”

March 27, 2015 - Mel

the week:
I am currently over-dosing on orange juice to combat this cold or whatever plague is fighting with my respiratory system. It’s the nasty kind of pre-sickness, where you’re super exhausted but toss-and-turn in bed for 8 hours unable to sleep.

If I end up napping in child’s pose this weekend during yoga just LEAVE ME BE.

weekend:
Two special yoga sessions scheduled: LA’s return to SHPY and a blindfold session at Urban Elements.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#10 Kluge: The Haphazard Evolution of the Human Mind — required book for one of my theory classes, but it was actually a really interesting look at the “clumsy” evolution and nature of our brains.

#11 The Art of Mental Training: The Guide to Performance Excellence. This book fell flat on several levels, but there were some good take-aways and practical exercises. Although, man do I hate chapters full of conversational quotes — this is why I read non-fiction! I don’t want to read a movie script.

seven things, seven days:
1. Hallelujah, it was house cleaners week!
2. Went to #burgh this week at Point Park University, and it really invigorated some creative ideas on how to better use our social space at work. I love being inspired like that. Also I got to meet @sree!
3. Received a dividends email from REI, which prompted me to buy a waterproof jacket for spring running. Mostly because I do not want a repeat of that RnR race. Ever.
4. Finishing up one of my classes this week (woo!), and starting some kind of torturous human resources management course next week.
5. Speaking of new classes, a new low on required textbooks: this one cost me over $200 (just ONE book) and it’s seriously 3-4 inches thick. For a SIX WEEK COURSE. (Double-u, tee, eff.)
6. Maple Water: IS THIS REAL LIFE?! Heck yeah, I’ll buy this.
7. My friend did a really amazing thing this week — 235 burpees for charity!

Weekly Therapy: SPORTS and spring and all the things.

March 20, 2015 - Mel

the week:
Happy First Day of Spring! And Happy International Day of Happiness! And Happy International Macaron Day (freebies at both Jean Marc and Gaby et Jules, by the way). And OMG Gaby et is setting up a location within the new fancy-schmancy grocery store opening in downtown next month). (I’ve had a lot of sugar today, including chocolate-caramel popcorn from Pittsburgh Popcorn Company.)

Oh yes… it was also my 6-YEAR anniversary this week! We celebrated by going for burgers at Benjamin’s (I drank almost a full bottle of wine, save for the glass that I knocked over and the glass I gave to my neighbor) and went to see Cold War Kids. Ah, blissful normal-ness.

weekend:
OMG does my house need some spring lovin’ (that’ll be me up on a ladder, trying out the new fan blade cleaning trick with a pillow case that I saw on Pinterest!) I also have to tweak the living room layout, clean the wood floors, lay down a new rug, replace my one off-sized window panel, vacuum EVERYTHING… I’m putting the boyfriend to work outside to clean up the courtyard. Because, SPRING!

seven things, seven days:
1. Registered for the Niagara Falls International Marathon in October. Half-excited, half freaking out.
2. Also getting more serious about training now, and signed up for coaching through Steel City Road Runners.
3. And so long as I make it through this year’s longest of long runs, I’m planning for Prague Marathon in 2016.
4. I also now have a mentor through AASP.
5. While we’re on the topic, The Sports Psychology of March Madness. {via Sporting News} FWIW, I’m in the “Sleepers” bracket category at work for only properly guessing 9 out of 16 in the first round. First prize is a free vacation day. GIMME!
6. Designer juice is for assholes. YES, THIS. {via The Financial Diet – add to your blog reader!}
7. The Methodology for Psychology Podcast gets me moving (and smarter!) in the morning. But as the days get nicer, I’ll be walking to work more, and I’m already going through more episodes than there are sunny days. Have any interesting psychology podcasts to recommend?