100 Days Project

100 days.  It's a long time isn't it?  99 seems so much shorter when you compare both numbers together.  

About a week ago I completed the 100 Days Project, whereby the idea is to choose one creative exercise, and then repeat it every day for 100 days.  Record each daily effort and see what evolves in the work and in the self over time. 

I decided to use photography as my medium and used the 'Five Ways to Wellbeing' as my theme.  Under the Upbeat Collective guise, I purposely chose this theme as a way to explore five actions that are important for building the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities.  I will explain them in greater detail over the coming months, but in the meantime you can check out this link for more information on them.  http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/page/1180-five-ways-to-wellbeing

In a nutshell the 5 actions are:
CONNECT.  Talk and listen, be there, feel connected. 
GIVE.  Your words, your time, your presence.
TAKE NOTICE.  Remember the simple things that give you joy. 
KEEP LEARNING.  Embrace new experiences, see opportunities, surprise yourself. 
BE ACTIVE.  Do what you can, enjoy what you do, move your mood. 

Below are some of the photos I took during the project.  Coming up with new ideas to portray each of the actions wasn't too difficult (I love being creative) but after day 75, I noticed it was becoming more tiring to be disciplined each day.  Nevertheless, I made it (woo hoo!) and I'm pleased to share it with you.  You can see the whole collection by going onto the Upbeat Collective Facebook page, or check out the 100 Days Project website:  http://100daysproject.co.nz/project/2014/1748

Day 3:  Chop Suey 101.  Keep learning.

Day 14.  Hello.  Give.

Day 16.  Avondale.  Be active. 

Day 28.  Oh deer.  Connect.

Day 30.  Beach Therapy.  Be active.

Day 38.  Rangitoto. Be active.

Day 48.  As seen on campus 2.  Take notice. 

Day 60.  Grapefruit.  Take notice. 

Day 71.  Doubtful Sound 2.  Keep learning. 

Day 93.  Selfie.  Connect.

Today was a hard day

Okay.  I'm putting it out there.  I had a really crappy day today.  

Call it Mondayitis if you will, I honestly found it difficult to get into second gear and consequently I felt flat as a pancake.  It was as though my vase full of energy had been knocked over and I couldn't stem the flow, everything just felt too hard to contain.  To make things more difficult I had individual client sessions and a workshop to run today, so I was pretty depleted by the afternoon.  

When I put things into perspective I know my woes aren't the worst in the world and that I have support around me, but when you're in the thick of it, things become so distorted that your woes do become bigger than they seem. 

I do not wish to use this post as a rant of the woes of the world, for that would be at the expense of using more energy.  I wish to use it as a point of reflection whereby I can be honest about how things can feel at times. 

Many people regard me as a kind-hearted and generous person who supports others.  I love playing that role and it's an important part of my DNA - I am a humanitarian at heart and nothing gives me greater pleasure than making a difference to those around me.  But when I tend to give and give some more, my energy levels get sapped up quickly and I can veer on burnout.  It can feel hollow and it's not the best feeling to have. 

Over the past month I've noticed I've been busy at work and also in my outside interests and projects.  I enjoy having variety in my life but the volume of work has been creeping up and I have a tendency not to say no.  I began noticing I was craving for my weekends and when Sunday rolled around I started feeling 'blah' about the week ahead.  I also noticed I was snapping at my loved ones and was constantly telling people I was so 'busy'.  It was as if busy was a constant condition. 

More alarmingly I noticed I was starting to get regular headaches and my sleep wasn't as restful.  I was also starting to exercise less and I was being too liberal with the snack box at work (eeep!).  

As a constant giver I know for a fact that at times I am not the best of seeking help for myself when I am overwhelmed, but it gets tiring when the brave face and the smile begins to slip.   

I know I wasn't at my best today but a part of me was glad I was seeking people out for support and reassurance.  In my late teens and early twenties I battled with insecurities and being a perfectionist, I would've baulked at the idea of telling others how it was for me.  So with my peers today I told them I was feeling exhausted and explained some of the pressures.  I didn't expect them to fix things for me but just to be aware of how I was and to lend a supportive ear.  

After moping around for most of the day I've consciously decided I do not wish to wallow and allow my exhausted self to think negatively about things.  I think experiencing depression in my early twenties taught me how to cope with the negative distortions, however irrational they are, and to refocus the thoughts on what is practical.  

I'm aware I need to rest.  It seems so simple, but sometimes I am terrible at having 'proper rest'.  I am an active relaxer and normally flit from activity to activity, so having complete stillness can be a struggle at times.  I actually appreciate it when people tell me when I'm overdoing it.  I'm not always good at reading my signals and I know people have my best interests at heart. 

In the next day or two I will reflect on what I need to do to rebuild my energy and to get the vase full again.  Many of you will know this as a self-care plan.  With the work related issues I will chat with my manager and prioritise work.  With my extra commitments I will have to put some on hold.  But most importantly, for my health I will make sure I eat better, sleep more, get active and surround myself with my loved ones.  

Wow, writing this blog post has been invigorating and it's nice to share things in a thoughtful and open way.  I may be a helper at heart, but helpers do have their bad days too and I guess it's part of being human.  

Thanks for reading this through.  I appreciate it xx  

  
For those if you who want to know more about coping with burnout and building resilience strategies, here are some useful articles:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11168359
http://www.grownups.co.nz/read/health/health_wellbeing/kay-douglas-burnout
http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/page/1180-five-ways-to-wellbeing




 

A project is looming...

Do you know what a Rainbow Loom is?  

About a month ago I had no idea what it was, but all of a sudden all I seem to see are colourful bands in the form of bracelets, animals, fruit, Hello Kitty, Batman, unicorns, the Smurfs, and the Incredible Hulk... I am in awe of the creations being plastered on Facebook and it seems if you can think of it, you can make it.  

During her tour of New Zealand this year,  the Duchess of Cambridge was seen wearing a Rainbow Loom band bracelet  leading to a spike in sales in UK school.  In 2013 it was named the most searched toy on Google.  Rainbow Loom has been banned at some schools in US due to students being distracted in class and animosity growing in the playground.  Who knew rubber bands had a purpose other than tying things together or using as a slingshot?

You may be wondering why I'm raving on about a school yard craze.  Well I'll tell you. 

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week (6-12 October) and the theme is KEEP LEARNING.  The whole idea is that learning new things will make you more confident as well as creating a sense of achievement.   Continuous learning is identified as one of the key ways we can maintain wellbeing and this can range from simple activities such as book reading and watching a documentary, to more challenging activities like mastering French, learning how to wind surf or attempting to make a croquembouche!  

For more ideas on what you can do extend your learning then check out the Mental Health Foundation website:  http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/page/995-home

To mark MHAW I have challenged my colleagues to learn something new this week and then next Monday we'll have morning tea and trade stories about what we've learnt.  

How can I forget... the Rainbow Loom... on the weekend I caught up with my inlaws and god-daughter and they had made a few colourful loom bracelets.  They gave me one and told me how they stumbled across it when browsing through the toy shop.  Instantly my creative brain perked up, they picked up on this, so they bought me a loom kit too!  

My challenge this week is to master the art of making a Rainbow Loom friendship band.  I'm also keen to make an elaborate animal or superhero character too.  Will this be easy to learn?  I'm not sure, but I'll keep you posted at the end of the week. 

Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō tātou – Seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing."