Weekly Therapy

Weekly Therapy: Ain’t no sunshine

- Mel

the week:
OK, we’re going to talk about the weather this week because I think I speak for most of us when I say this shit is for the polar bears. Winter, I love you but I am OVER you. Looking ahead to the 10-day forecast though and I am all SUNSHINE AND GIMME THE BUTTERFLIES.

winter red lips

And yes, all the bright lipstick.

weekend:
After a cheese plate happy hour tonight, we’re going to hit up the Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show, but otherwise I plan to RUN. OUTSIDE. Next weekend is the RnR 5K in DC, and I am so far from even thinking about attaining a 5K PR. So I’m going to go all out in my St. Patrick’s Day silly gear and have some fun with my friends.

Don’t forget to “spring ahead”!

52 books in 52 weeks:
#7 Finished one of my textbooks, Careers in Psychology: Opportunities in a Changing World
This actually would have been a great class semester ONE in the psychology program… not class “almost finished.” Weird context from this perspective. Alas.

seven things, seven days:
1. I’ve had a tab for the Niagara Falls International Marathon open on my computer for an entire week, hoping to make a decision on running that this fall. I. Am. Terrified. (But I still want to do it!)
2. We lost our power for 20 minutes this week. Was fun for… one whole minute.
3. Bill Withers live at Carnegie Hall (1973). Mmm-hmm.
4. Rug sale (again) and found a large jute rug for the living room for only $60. SCORE!
5. Holy crap, there’s a MOOC course about superheroes and their impact on pop culture from Smithsonian featuring Stan Lee! I AM EXCITE.
6. You guys! I started tearing up at my desk when I read this adorable story. Animal Rescue League program has kids read to cats. {via CBS Pittsburgh}
7. Signed up for this month’s Creative Soul Connection, hosted by Britt Reints of In Pursuit of Happiness and the Happiness Conspiracy.

Weekly Therapy: Rooted in Reality

- Mel

the week:
Starting the week on a 4-day stretch of headaches was no way to jump start my training routine! I think I’ve only had one migraine in my life, but this felt dangerously close to one at times — Tylenol wasn’t working, a massage didn’t work, coffee only subdued it temporarily (cheese plates made me happier, but depressingly do nothing for headaches either). My eyes were super light-sensitive and unfocused; the pain radiated from behind my eyes all the way to the innards of my cranial cavity. I can tell you that wine all but made it disappear, but returned with a roaring vengeance the next morning (with a noxious hangover, natch). Since nothing alleviated my symptoms, I’m left to think I was glutened something harsh last week, and darn it if I can’t figure out from what! See also: hormones.

The reality is that I’m now a week behind in my training for the 10-miler, and I’m just going to dust myself off and try it again (and so far, on schedule!).

Wine course from our Bar Marco dinner last weekend.
Wine course from our Bar Marco dinner last weekend.

weekend:
Birthday celebration tonight for a friend downtown (there may be more champagne with sparklers). The National Aviary is having one of their 21+ events too, Party in Paradise, which I’m also hoping to attend (albeit late).

I am also SO looking forward to a scheduled (and “free”) facial at my massage place for continuing my membership (yeah, those monthly massages are splurge-worthy AND necessary for this 30-something body).

And holy CRAP do I have a laundry list of shit to do and homework this weekend.

seven things, seven days:
1. Someone finally came over and took away my old couch (bittersweet, a bit). But YAY! My new sofa is finally in my living room (and now all the decorating re-begins).
2. A lunchtime dentist appointment brought about the scheduling for replacement of two silver fillings from, like, 20+ years ago. I seriously have A HOLE in the filling of my last molar. This reality? WHOLE PAYCHECK.
3. This week the Cultural Trust announced their 2015-2016 PNC Broadway Across America season (and specials) with a fun party at the Byham.
4. YES. >> “Books like The Secret are like McDonald’s for the mind. They’re easy and make you feel good, but they also make you mentally fat and lazy, and emotionally, you die a much more painful death.” {via the ever-provoking and awesome Mark Manson}
5. 30 YEARS of reality television, of which I have consumed with much guilty pleasure — a retrospective via Pacific Standard.
6. What you need to know about limiting beliefs: a really great post from Belief Alchemy, with includes some helpful exercises. How can you change your reality?
7. The research of walking vs. high-intensity interval training in The New York Times.

Weekly Therapy: I promise I won’t mention the weather.

- Mel

the week:
Has this felt like the longest short week to anyone else?
I feel as though I have accomplished nothing, and yet, SO BUSY AND FRAZZLED. It hasn’t helped my brain or my training much, the fact that I experienced an awful onset of DOMS from Monday’s CrossFit workout. I was in so much pain, I spent my training week healing and rolling and stretching… and ARGH. Frustrated.

Why do these taste like chewable Flintstone vitamins? Blech.
Why do these taste like chewable Flintstone vitamins? Blech.
Also, why do my iphone pictures STILL upload sideways (even after editing the image). This has been happening for nearly the lifetime of an iphone. Fix it, wordpress!

weekend:
Massage Saturday, then dinner at Bar Marco — I’m considering waking up for a yoga session at SHPY too. BIG PLANS FOR NOTHING on Sunday.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#6 Elite Minds by Stan Beecham. FIVE STARS. I’m going to read it again, it’s SO, SO good.

seven things, seven days:
1. I’ve really been scoring with deals on work clothes on Poshmark.
2. …and I finally sold a pair of shoes on the dang app.
3. I made a new friend at happy hour this week who grew up in the same city in Ohio!
4. I also mad an investment on new thermal running pants because this shit seems to be sticking around.
5. How are your resolutions going? (Terrible!) You still have 10 months to meet one goal per month this year! {via The Chalkboard}
6. As someone with three sisters, this was a WOOOOOF (that would be air deflating)… and then tears. Forty portraits in forty years {via New York Times}
7. “Visualize the proverbial curtain rising.” 5 Ways Thinking Like a Ballerina Can Bring Balance to Your Life {via HuffPost}

Weekly Therapy: short on willpower, long on intentions

- Mel

the week:
Drop/Add. Drop a class, add a class. Drop a run, drop another run… add in feeling really overwhelmed. Order from the gluten-free menu, add all the nightshades (and enjoy every bite of intoxicatingly-hot pickled pepper and spicy sausage).

Back to that theme of balance… Ahem. I have been really enjoying my new routine of walking to work and listening to Psychology podcasts — yes, even in winter — but this bitter cold is all TOO MUCH. I decided to skip out on the Cupid’s Undie Run this weekend too because… NOPE.

Needed this inspiration this week.
Needed this inspiration this week.

weekend:
OMG LONG WEEKEND!

After working late Friday, finishing up my final assignments and reflection paper on Saturday (and probably imbibing in something buttery and/or chocolately), I will be looking forward to that extra day off. We’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day by going to see Casablanca with the Symphony on Sunday evening.

Bee tee dubs: If you’re in the Pittsburgh area — and I KNOW you need to stock up on toilet paper and bread for this snow storm — head over to Giant Eagle on Sunday to sample Annie Chun’s Seaweed Crisps (one of my new favorite snacks!). Stay tuned this week for an Annie Chun’s giveaway!

seven things, seven days:
1. Bought my first pair of ballet shoes since, I don’t know… Kindergarten? INTENTIONS.
2. Went to a networking event from some new local organized event company, and it was quite blah. Also, I couldn’t eat any of the food, didn’t want gin or cheap rum (with the ONE free drink ticket), and they changed the venue at the last minute! Had more fun “networking” with my friends elsewhere… see #3.
3. Heck yeah, I bought a bottle of champagne for me and my friends this week to celebrate. Life is pretty great right now. (And I cannot resist a sparkler.)
4. So much awesome in the mail this week with both my PopSugar Must Haves box and Ipsy sampler.
5. First paycheck!!!
6. “This is going to be the best day ever” and “thank you”: How 11 words and 5 minutes can make every day the best one ever. {via Muse}
7. What it feels like to have iron willpower {via Summer Tomato}

Weekly Therapy: overloaded

- Mel

the week:
First full week of my new job, and I’m (hopefully) filling into my role. I have business cards!

On the school front, I had to drop my first class in the program. I was feeling really overwhelmed with some of the course requirements — especially at already taking 16 credit hours. I’m hoping to get into another class that starts later this month, but my advisor has been completely MIA (which is a whole other unnerving thing in itself) and my student status is considered “overloaded.” STORY OF MY LIFE.

me_blue chair

weekend:
Friday night was the ballet — Beauty & the Beast — and then half marathon kick-off weekend! Wow. It’s here. So I want to take my weekend full of “down time” to be active and OUTSIDE. Because we are all excited about 30-degree temperatures in this place.

seven things, seven days:
1. First evening CrossFit session, and I felt BEASTLY. Maybe there’s something there.
2. One group presentation out of the way!
3. I had a volunteer info meeting this week, which I thought was downtown, so I didn’t drive to work. And then I realized said location was not downtown at all, but in Oakland. Woof, my perception of things.
4. Feeling SUPER meh about my last StitchFix box. Even with notes to my stylist about needing new work pieces and redefining my classic style, this Fix fell WAY flat — as in, not work-appropriate for me at all. Also: another really cheap bracelet for $30 kinda pissed me off. Also-also, they sent me the SAME dress I already purchased from another box, but in a different color. What the heck?!
5. There’s nothing like waiting for a package from USPS… and finding it face-down, frozen in the ice in your side yard. Yeah, they basically just tossed it over the fence without care or regard. SIGH.
6. Oh, hey, it’s OK to be an overbearing pet parent (and yes, there is some merit to the “crazy cat lady” title) {via Science of US}
7. I loved the message behind this post from the Greater Good blog: Be divergent, not perfect.

Weekly Therapy: plan for greatness, but also don’t forget to adapt to reality

- Mel

the week:
Well, I’m glad my two new classes are rolling out slow this week, as I hit my midway point in my Coaching class (and have another paper due this weekend), AND I started my new job on Wednesday. I have a lot of nervous energy, but through my peer coaching sessions, I made some good measurable goals to take me through this transition with (hopefully) little anxiety and a lot of success and openness.

I have to say, I am loving the autonomy and flexibility that comes with this position (no more asking for bathroom or lunch breaks). But holy crap, you guys, I have been EXHAUSTED.

weekend:
I’m excited for a Trigger Point workshop hosted at the new yoga/spinning studio Urban Elements on Federal Street (North Shore) on Saturday — it’s targeted to runners and athletes with and emphasis on myosfascial techniques and work on mobility and flexibility or injury points common with runners.

Then, I’m GETTING MY HAIR DONE! (finally.) It’s also the Super Bowl this weekend, if you’re into that…

52 books in 52 weeks:
#5: Coaching & Mentoring at Work: Developing Effective Practice — my required textbook for my Organizational Coaching class, but finished the book in advance of some intense assignments coming up for the next couple weeks.

seven things, seven days:
1. Snow, YAY! LOTS of snow. Woah.
2. I tried out three different modes of commuting to work this week: car, walking, and bus. It’s certainly a benefit that I have options!
3. Is it silly that the thing that made me most nervous about my first day at work was lunch with my boss because of all my diet restrictions. (edit: it went fine — but of course I had to return my salad when it came out with tomatoes.)
4. LOTS of fancy deluxe-size sample goodies came with my Bergdorf beauty order, and my feminine side is all SQUEE.
5. Received — and LOVE — my new furniture from West Elm. Now I need to get this old couch out of here!
6. Some perspective we all need to consider: How to embrace Plan B {via Carrie Cheadle}
7. As I have been exploring more about the topic of Authenticity, I came across: The Authenticity Paradox {via Harvard Business Review}

Weekly Therapy: what do you want?

- Mel

the week:
I went to a wonderful Levo League event this week focused on goals and resolutions for 2015. With the help of a life coach, we did partner exercises similar to what I’m learning in my coaching class — using the 5-W Questions to help one another get to the root cause of our resolutions. For many of us it’s an emotion or feeling that is underlying, and well… MAN it is difficult to actively listen and figure out what to ask next. That said, I got a LOT out of the session, and I really put myself out there to be receptive to the process. It is difficult enough to leave the house to meet new people, but recently I’ve felt re-energized in my pursuits to own my weaknesses and face them (mine: social anxiety and looking foolish in front of strangers) and meet new people. Anyways… wow, this could easily be its own post.

Regardless, I left with one big personal takeaway from the emotional session, prompted by the discussion from the coach: BE MORE FUN.

That’s loaded, eh?

weekend:
I have Pippin tickets tonight, and that is complemented by the Gallery Crawl; I will probably eat all the fried things at Grit & Grace too, since they’re batter everything with tapioca flour. My last day at work and farewell party is Saturday… it’s bittersweet. I promise that I’m getting in a training run on Sunday though! OH yeah, and homework natch.

52 books, 52 weeks:
#4. Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck. There were some really good parts in this book about how to reframe your situation — especially when emotionally (over) charged — and lesson on how being the nicer person is better for everyone (but more-so yourself). Most of the wit felt forced, however, which left a lot of intended jokes not so funny. Also, that dating chapter, while partially rooted in sociology and science, made me visibly cringe; I felt those topics to be wholly unnecessary and, frankly, out of touch. But I am neither author or sociologist.

seven things, seven days:
1. My application to be a FitFluential Ambassador was accepted! WOO!
2. I was also asked to be a Sweat Pink Ambassador to their community too. Two amazing communities of which to be a part.
3. My favorite coach is leaving my CrossFit gym. I have the sads.
4. BOB SEGER! Life achievement seeing him in concert: unlocked.
5. I need to make a decision on car vs. bus for commuting to my new job. I first typed “car vs. bar” I’ll have you know. That’s a fun slip.
6. Did a little (bit too much) credit card damage this week, since I need office-appropriate clothes and shoes for my new job. It’s been fun trying to figure out what my Office Style is at this stage of my life.
7. Wow. A striking read on marriage, middle age, and happiness. {via Pacific Standard}

Weekly Therapy: change is not a bad word

- Mel

the week:
A lot can change in a week. As an adult, I think it is important to be able to change your mind, your answers, your direction, or the field — whatever and whenever necessary. I made some big decisions this week as result of my life (and career!) going in a new direction. I do not fear change; in fact, I needed a whole lot of it in my life! Because I suppose I fear complacency more.

Also in change: we bought some new living room furniture on a fun binge at West Elm. I’m getting a blue couch! SQUEE!

weekend:
Friday, joining the ladies for the 21+ night at the Carnegie Science Center, and then joining the Steel City Road Runners Club for a training run on Saturday morning! And then it’s back to my usual “all homework Saturdays!”

52 books, 52 weeks:
#3. Mindy Kaling’s “Is Everyone Hanging Out With Me?” A new fan (and binge-watcher) of The Mindy Project, I was hoping for continued hilarity, like her, but this book was pretty abysmal and pointless; while easy to read, I found myself skimming a lot just to finish. It felt really forced and… bluff. MEH.

seven things, seven days:
1. I have no idea how I got this subscription of Sunset magazine, but… somebody wants me to move out West? I was quite excited to see a gluten-free orange cake on the cover, however!
2. I WANT THIS HOUSE. And I’m REAL SAD that it is already contingent.
3. Stopped into my NEW JOB to meet my team and other employees, and do a little orientation. I am SO excited about this position, you guys! I start officially on January 28. AND I HAVE AN OFFICE!
4. I also completed my first peer coaching session with a classmate. This class is so hands-on and scary and intense, but the course and different coaching frameworks are so interesting.
5. We got to celebrate a little with brunch at Eden in Shadyside. I have dreams about their chickpea pancakes smothered in cashew butter!
6. No One Is Successful to Spite You: How to be Happy For Others {via PsychCentral}
7. I swear, every time I read Nicole Antoinette’s blog posts, an internal fire gets lit inside me (is that redundant?): What Makes Your Life Better, Easier, & Way More Fun? {via Life Less Bullshit}

Weekly therapy: This is not recess. Everyone is accountable.

- Mel

the week:
Winter semester (and, well, WINTER) is upon us. My first class started on Monday, and in a couple weeks I’ll begin two more. Two semesters to go! Also, this week marks the return to roller derby. Can you believe tryouts are already next week? We held our introductory meeting (in my tiny house!) this week, and I announced my final season and leaving my post as team Captain. I loved our leadership team last season, but I really needed to step down from those responsibilities to maintain extra focus on school and upcoming graduation.

weekend:
Looking forward to the Frigid 5 Miler in North Park this Sunday!

52 books in 52 weeks:
Let’s try this again, shall we?
1. Coaching for Performance: GROWing Human Potential and Purpose by John Whitmore. Recommended/required as part of my Psychology course this semester — yes, I got a head-start on my reading — this book provoked a greater interest in performance as it pertains to organizational coaching through Whitmore’s GROW framework: goals, reality, options, and will — through context of awareness and responsibility.

2. Making Sense of People: Decoding the Mysteries of Personality by Samuel Barondes. It was an quick easy read — with a lot of footnotes and references (almost 100 pages!!!) — but not very instructional in “how” to actually read people. Not required or technical reading by any means, but informational to the novice or “armchair” psychologist. I enjoyed the profiles of Benjamin Franklin and the comparisons of presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama; likewise, the expanding of the Big Five personality traits was engaging (and I followed a link to another personality quiz included in the book). Otherwise, the book left me unsatisfied.

I also started and abandoned two other books because, boring… and WOW are we dead at work right now.

Does anyone else love the movie Less Than Zero as much as me?

seven things, seven days:
1. HOLY SKATE BAG SMELL, sMEL.
2. Surprisingly not very sore after my first derby practice back… and I had to re-test my minimum skills. Won’t take a 90+ day break again!
3. We had two weather-related work delays this week, at two hours a piece. The days did not go any faster, and, well, it’s fricking freezing.
4. I put in my notice at work, by the way. MORE LATER.
5. Because of winter, I finally got to break in my new Sorel boots. These things are legit!
6. The subtle art of not giving a… well, you know. Strong language alert, so likely NSFW. {via Mark Manson}
7. Long-form, interesting and a must-read: Has Technology Killed the Jewelry Industry? {via Pacific Standard}

Weekly Therapy: holiday detox

- Mel

the week:
Recovery is the theme of the week. I still haven’t been motivated enough to play with all my Christmas “toys.” I wasn’t able to work out for a week because of the holiday and changed schedule implemented as result of the holiday week — and it was basically driving me crazy town. No runs because I’ve either been working during daylight hours or driving around from crazy town-to-crazy town. This is the part I hate about the holidays.

weekend:
Work (duh), but we have a game night planned with our neighbors.

52 books in 52 weeks:
Did I really only read 9 books this year? That’s embarrassing. Of course, that doesn’t count all the reading for my classes and corresponding textbooks. Alas… finished “On Top of Your Game: Mental Skills to Maximize Your Athletic Performance” by Carrie Cheadle this week in preparation of the new derby season and upcoming tryouts.

seven things, seven days:
1. New Year’s Eve: asleep by 11pm…
2. And an eye sty for good health!
3. YAY! My sister from Phoenix came to visit for a night!
4. Catching up with friends these last couple of weeks of break has been so valuable.
5. I finally went to the Cathedral of Learning and visited its nationality rooms! It was so beautiful — especially that the building was still decorated for the holidays.
6. This New Year’s post from TWLOHA was like a punch in the gut. In a good way.
7. 7 Psychological Tricks to Make Your Resolutions Stick {via Time}