Weekly Therapy

Holiday Therapy: it’s Christmas… ALL OVER. Again.

- Mel

Christmas:
Heading home to Ohio just for Christmas Eve, which means a lot of driving in one day. I am looking forward to relaxing in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day in front of our tree (and piled on the couch with three snuggly kitties). Trying not to stress out about one gift that hasn’t yet sent me a shipping notification. *sigh*

xmas tree

New Year’s Eve:
We decided to stay home again this year (“home,” aka: neighbor’s house) playing games and listening to ridiculous records. Since I have to work both NY Eve and Day, and most restaurants have fixed menus on the holiday, I have no desire to get dressed and dolled up for a few hours of drinking. I can also then bypass all the drunk idiots.

seven things, seven days (or maybe eight crazy nights?):
1. More therapists recommending cooking to treat anxiety, depression, and other psychological conditions. {via WSJ}
2. 10 Mantras to get you through the holidays (and stressful family situations). {via PsychCentral}
3. Is your holiday happiness influenced by social media? {via Science of Relationships}
4. I had so much fun both ice skating outdoors with the boyfriend (he actually enjoyed it too!) AND doing a social run downtown around all the sights and lights. I know it’s cold for most of you, but I can’t emphasize enough to just GET OUTSIDE and enjoy some winter activity. I find that it is better to embrace the winter than to hide from it.
5. The Inspired Room has some ADORABLE (and free!) printable gift tags.
6. The holidays can be especially tough for some (including myself) when experiencing depression. PsychCentral offers some guidance on how to approach this time of year when you’re depressed.
7. Gluten-free SPICY gingerbread cookies. Will be making a home in my belly for these guys this week. {via Gluten-free Canteen}

Weekly Therapy: “it’s not a 15-foot inflatable Rudolph, but it will do.”

- Mel

the week:
I honestly don’t know how I’m surviving this week. I am beyond exhausted after working six days straight, with events two nights in a row; now, an interview and finishing up final papers to wrap up my last class for the semester.

That two week winter school break is right within reach…

weekend:
Looking forward to three days off in a row! You bet I scheduled a 90-minute massage for my weekend.

We’re also going ice skating at PPG Place with two other couples, and attending an eggnog party Saturday night (making a gluten-free eggnog cupcake to bring!). I plan to get a couple fun runs in too — one with some derby friends and another with SCRR.

PS: for the BEST eggnog recipe, I use go by the Velvet Tango Room standard.

seven things, seven days:
1. Finishing up some Christmas shopping, but mostly finished. Bah humbug, give me a hamburger or something.
2. Our last Happiness Conspiracy was Wednesday night, and it was bittersweet. You should definitely consider signing up for the next set of workshops! This experience — and the connections — was so valuable to me. Psssst, there’s an early bird special discount code until 12/31/14!
3. One of the cats already peed on the tree skirt. I GIVE UP!
4. The holiday run for Fleet Feet downtown was SO MUCH FUN. I need more nighttime social runs in my life.
5. Still waiting for my Stats final exam grade. Don’t make me all caps something else…
6. A really amazing write-up about roller derby — and the awesome Fisti Cuffs. {via Medium}
7. The secret to learning while you are distracted {via PsyBlog}. I think I mastered this growing up the eldest of 7 children.

Weekly Therapy: excuses and mulligans.

- Mel

the week:
So, I didn’t run the virtual Christmas Story 10k last weekend. I really wanted to, but it was raining in Buffalo. I had all my winter running stuff, but was not prepared for running 6+ miles wet. And then it didn’t stop raining in Pittsburgh, but after doing some Christmas shopping, I was flat-out exhausted. I’m hoping to get a run in this week, but, you know, FINALS WEEK. I will try not to beat myself up too bad for not really doing much else outside of homework and studying.

I did eventually run my 10k this week, so more on that in a later post!

weekend:
FINALS! And a handful of holiday parties (that I’ll probably end up canceling on account of exhaustion). And working.

seven things, seven days:
1. If this isn’t a week for a massage, I don’t know what is.
2. I participated in an #instabestie gift exchange, and I was so pumped to shop for my unknown “bestie.” It’s all based on personal Instagram account, so it will be interesting what my shopper gleans from my photos. Also, we had a minimum charity gift as part of the exchange, which added more holiday cheer to the experience.
3. Oooh, my first full-time paycheck from my new position!
4. Booo, working 6 days in a row!
5. I did FRAN this week at CrossFit. HOLY CRAP.
6. And I booked a derby camp IN AUSTIN at the end of February. (YAY!)
7. I really enjoyed this list (I fell for the bait!): Alas, 7 Morning Rituals to Empower Your Day {via LifeHack}

Weekly Therapy: the final countdown

- Mel

the week:
Feeling really sleep deprived, but inspired and grateful and hopeful about a lot of things (see what some new paint and some shopping can do?!). There are three weeks left in Fall semester before a two-weekish break. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…

We legit opened up a mini bottle of champagne and toasted the end of this construction. I slept in until 9am on my day off this week. Ahhhhh.

weekend:
Off to Buffalo to do some early holiday gathering and socializing. I’ll also be running the Christmas Story Virtual 10K while I’m up there — for the full Cleveland experience, if you will.

seven things, seven days:
1. Any one else tired of their inbox this week? UNSUBSCRIBE.
2. But definitely not the reminder email about the Naked on the Run palette. MINE!
3. Received an early Christmas present at Thanksgiving — 16 (16!!!) champagne flutes. Err, I guess we have to host a brunch or NYE party now (or maybe we should have invited the neighbors over to toast our renovation). WHO WANTS MIMOSAS?!
4. Yes, I know, YELLING. I am nothing if not emphatic.
5. StitchFix WIN this week: a winter coat, black collarless blazer, lace-sleeved blouse, velvet-flocked animal print pants and another light sweater.
6. Well I guess I picked a good activity! Here’s to growing old and awesome and active! {via NY Times}
7. Benefits of being a curious person {via Huffington Post}

Weekly Therapy: fueled by turkey

- Mel

the week:
This Thanksgiving week has been cray-zay, and I’m happy to be on the other end of it. Bring on the holiday madness and anxiety! And cheese plates. More of those, please. Approaching Thanksgiving was really stressful, and I had to deal with some last-minute disappointment (which I ran off in an anger-fueled 5-mile Turkey Trot); alas, keeping some perspective, I am so thankful for so many people in my life and my present opportunities and future prospects. And we had one helluva gluten-free, nightshade-free Thanksgiving meal.

Did you run enough?
Did you run enough?

weekend:
I feel overwhelmed by homework (story of my life), so I’ll be consumed by two-sample hypotheses and group conflict (in more ways than one). THREE WEEKS left in this semester.

seven things, seven days:
1. Upgraded and ran the Turkey Trot 5-miler this year! I love having runners-as-neighbors too, for the camaraderie to approach the start line.
2. I also love being able to walk to/from the start/finish line.
3. Received my virtual race packet for the Christmas Story 10k. I’ve never done a virtual race, and this race swag is sweet. SO EXCITE.
4. Having reverse heat problems now where the bedroom is the warmest room in the house, which… NOPE.
5. Also, we finally had a plumber out to fix the calcified water line to the house humidifier (since the furnace company doesn’t have its own plumber, #dumb), and when the furnace is switched to “winter,” the furnace doesn’t work. HOORAY, OLD HOUSES!
6. Another week before the glass doors are installed in the new shower, but we’ve basically moved in. SO HAPPY to not have to run to the other side of the house in the middle of the night to pee!
7. On Life Lists and Bucket Lists and such: Why you’re more likely to run a marathon at an age ending in “9.” Crisis of Meaning is an interesting spin on things. {via Research Digest)

Weekly Therapy: just a little further…

- Mel

the week:
Guys. The contractors have promised me that the master bathroom, bedroom wall, hallway, and master closet will be DONE before Thanksgiving. Praise, baby turkey Jesus, I need to clean my house.

AIRPLANE EARS!
AIRPLANE EARS!

weekend:
Woof. Another mid-point statistics exam today. Send me some wisdom, Math Gods! There’s also Light Up Night (and its usual hijinks). Since taking on a full-time role at work, I will regularly work over the weekends — though I’ll still get out in time to enjoy Friendsgiving dinner Saturday night. The contractors are planning to work Saturday too so that our home is in working order by Thanksgiving (that will certainly be something in which to give thanks!). Homework and a long run planned for Sunday, and I fully intend to move into my NEW WALK-IN CLOSET.

If you’re in Pittsburgh and into social media and blogging and podcasting (and not working, like me), you should go to PodCamp!

seven things, seven days:
1. The East Nash Dash I ran in Nashville sent me such a wonderful letter about the benefitting charity Progress, Inc. ALL proceeds from the race go towards the organization — how amazing is that?! I wish more organizations stayed in touch this way.
2. Happiness Conspiracy this week left me feeling… well, less happy. I don’t know if I can really explain it, but I feel as though I am lacking in self-awareness, identity, and confidence. I need to work on my authenticity and living an authentic life.
3. Current status: sleeping in the guest room because of the work (and dust) in the master. Everyone should sleep in their guest room to ensure it’s comfortable and cozy. Mine is probably the coldest room in the house besides the kitchen, so I hope you’re into that! Or, you get an air mattress in the attic.
4. Anticipating the end of this project, I have been on something of a spending spree. Probably has something to do with winter hibernation, right?
5. 9 Quotes About Life from the Movie “Garden State” – wisdom from one of my favorite movies. {via PsychCentral}
6. Some call it “ghosting,” some call it “pancaking.”
7. I’m (still) fascinated by (and want to study) motivation — this research is in reference to the motivation behind selfies {via The Red & Black}

Weekly Therapy: run for yourself… but also run for all the chocolate.

- Mel

the week:
Holy recovery! All things considered, I didn’t feel too bad this week for running 10 freaking miles. My hip was really bothering me the day after the race, so I’ve been foam rolling all week and stretching between customers at work. I would also really, really like to get a short 2-mile-ish run in before the end of the week to “stretch” everything out.

weekend:
Race weekend is finally here! There will be all the hot chocolate with ALL THE MARSHMALLOWS.

seven things, seven days:
1. New gluten-free bakery in Columbus? CHECK. Gimme all of your Oatmeal Creme Pies!
2. Basically, I will be in a sugar coma until Wednesday.
3. Did I tell you that I signed up for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon? Yep. DOING IT.
4. MY MASTER BATHROOM IS ALMOST DONE. Up next: master bedroom walk-in closet. What.
5. Have any advice for how to manage extreme hunger during long runs? I seem to be an anomaly, whereas other runners don’t think about food for ALL THE MILES.
6. The age-old question: Can Money Buy Happiness? Well… kinda. But you’re probably doing it wrong. {via The Wall Street Journal}
7. The Psychology of the Supermarket. Don’t shop hungry, Phil. {via Bon Appetit}

Weekly Therapy: diagonal*

- Mel

the week:
I’m recovering from a wild weekend of roller derby in Nashville. We didn’t play in the Championships games, but I was probably just as exhausted! My friend booked the Gaylord Opryland resort for our vacation — a place that I fell in love with nearly a decade ago — and it was every bit as amazing as I had hoped (and we got a fantastic rate on the room AND an atrium view AND I ordered room service twice).

opryland, nashville, hotel, gardens

Already decorated for Christmas.

weekend:
My training starts tapering off after this weekend in preparation of the Hot Chocolate 15k next weekend in Columbus, but I still need to get in a long run before Sunday. I’m considering doing the EQT 10-miler in Pittsburgh. Am I crazy?!

seven things, seven days:
1. I missed two different events this week due to being overwhelmed, exhausted, and stressed out (and, forgetful). Is it time for winter break yet?
2. At least I didn’t spill wine on me (or my seatmate) on either of the flights? Even if the flight attendant confiscated my concourse sippy.
3. I’ve been treading A/B waters in Statistics, but this week I finally drowned in confidence intervals. Someone send a life raft!
4. The contractors said the bathroom should be done next week (hooray!). Though we have to wait another 2-3 weeks for the glass shower doors.
5. Shazam for BIRDS! {via gigaom}
6. My new quote when needing motivation: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas Edison
7. In other words, I’ll be re-doing all of my statistics assignments from last week because there’s another exam coming.

*does everyone else know the secret code for “Bed All to Yourself”? That is referred to as “diagonal” amongst my circle. HELLO, VACATION!

Weekly Therapy: what is your greatest fear?

- Mel

the week:
I finally went to Scarehouse! Four years of being in Pittsburgh, and a friend who works there took me. We also did The Basement, which… well, I’ll leave it for you to experience.

Question for you to ponder: What is your greatest fear?

While we were visiting Scarehouse, we were asked to participate in a research study about fear emotions. The researcher hooked us up to an EEG headset, and as a pair, we took a series of “tests” before and after touring the haunt. Interesting addition to an already-interesting evening, nonetheless.

scarehouse bunny selfie
Scarehouse is scary.

weekend:
Friday night was the season opening of Pittsburgh Ballet, with Sleeping Beauty. How awesome for the boyfriend, to celebrate his birthday with me and the ballet? *wink* Have I mentioned how much I want to do adult ballet classes? I think I’m going to start soon, especially since we get a discount with our subscription to PBT. We had dinner before the show at Grit & Grace downtown, which I am just in love with — and I can find multiple items every visit that are gluten-free! See also: ONION RINGS (!!!)

Otherwise, I’ll be getting a head-start on assignments, so I’m not concerned with them while I’m traveling next weekend (ha, right).

seven things, seven days:
1. I ran five miles. Does that deserve an exclamation point? Less than a month away from my 15k. I had to query other runners about nipple chafing, btw. So…
2. Apparently you make a lot of friends on twitter when you ask people about nipple chafing.
3. We cleaned the fridge TWICE and cannot find the source of a deathly smell. The boyfriend and I will be flipping a coin to see who opens and cleans the ice maker.
4. 90% on my Statistics mid-term. WHO AM I???
5. Non-petroleum jelly does NOT effectively combat nipple chafing. TMYK.
6. Finished Redirect: The surprising new science of psychological change. I don’t think I’ve highlighted so much information in one book!
7. A topic that I’ve been talking a lot about lately with friends and family. Because, I don’t think many of us are prepared. We’re older, but not wiser about menopause. {via

Weekly Therapy: two steps forward, two steps… harder.

- Mel

the week:
Well, that was a short week. Thankfully, I was able to switch my Monday shift to visit friends up in Chautauqua for some fall outdoors and boating fun. But whew, I have been feeling like unmotivated crap since. Thanks, sugar.

weekend:
Both the boyfriend’s parents and my dad and aunts are visited this weekend, separately. I opted not to attend a neighbor’s chili cookoff (not much there for me anyway). I also fit in homework (a research paper AND a proctored exam). What was that about me wanting to take a full-time position at work? Remind me about the money. Also, also: I had this bright idea to run the Fineview Step-a-thon race. 371 steps and 5+ miles. WHO AM I?!

You know that whole thing about “my weekend needing a weekend”? Yeah, that.

seven things, seven days:
1. Trying new cat boxes and litters… again. And new Feliways in a couple new spots. I’m determined NOT to put my cat on anti-depressants.
2. This gluten-free food study scares me and makes me SO MAD.
3. The personality trait that doubles Alzheimer’s risk. Welp. {via PsyBlog}
4. After two-and-a-half years in my part-time role at work, I’m moving into a full-time position. Not the dream, but it will get me through the end of school.
5. Speaking of school: OMG FINANCIAL AID. Why is there a lapse in communication with students ALWAYS. Until they need money.
6. Been thinking a lot about being mindful since my last Happiness Conspiracy. This Psychology Today article about How to Spend the First 10 Minutes of the Day makes sense.
7. Why resilient people are happier: And how to be more like them {via The Muse}