“Negative thinking is always expensive -- dragging us down mentally, emotionally, and physically -- hence I refer to any indulgence in it as a luxury.” Peter McWilliams

Thankfully, I am not a parent (yet). We still have at least ten more years for that. But, in researching different ways to pamper myself, I've stumbled across a few helpful websites that just so happened to be aimed at-you guessed it- Moms. I've gotten some great suggestions like;

Drink a cup of tea and watch a mind numbing show.
Call an old friend and catch up.
Take a warm bath (ew).
Buy a treat at the grocery store (or make one?).
Read a good book or magazine.
Have an at-home date night.
Get a massage.
Light a pretty smelling candle specifically for when you're stressed.

Among others, these were a few that I would like to try. Aside, of course, from the bath suggestion. I don't know if I'll ever be able to relax in my own body nastiness. It seems, however, that taking a bath has been used for centuries as a stress relieving technique. I may consider trying to cope with it (as long as I can take a shower afterward).

Speaking of drinking nice, hot drinks, I've already gotten started on that! As of now, I'm drinking a nice warm cup of joe. Joe has always been a friend of mine, and although B. isn't Joe's biggest fan, it's something he'll have to deal with. As long as I'm around, so is Joe.

After my nice hot shower tonight, I plan on spending five minutes meditating. Pure positivity and meditation will fill my room for five whole minutes. Of course, that may be difficult, as I am not the calmest person in the world. I always have thoughts bouncing around my noggin.

Until tonight, dearies! :)

Take a look at the articles below to see different ways to take the time out of your day and be pampered.

http://www.parenting.com/gallery/easy-ways-to-pamper-yourself
http://www.wikihow.com/Pamper-Yourself
http://simplemom.net/10-cheap-and-easy-ways-to-pamper-yourself/
http://parentables.howstuffworks.com/self/137-Ways-Pamper-Yourself-Lift-Your-Spirits-Recharge-Your-Life.html

“To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.” -Albert Camus

Baths are icky. I simply can not get passed the fact that you are sitting in your own filth, trying to be "clean". So, I will continue this project by taking extremely hot and relaxing showers.. Which I did tonight, and it felt wonderful.
Before I go to sleep, I'm taking my nail polish off (finally). Tomorrow night, I"ll be posting pictures of my refreshed and re-painted nails, and perhaps a hair-do attempt tomorrow!

I've been feeling pretty crappy the passed couple days, and my best friend, Meghan, took matters into her own hands. Tonight, I continued to "Have Katana Time" by spending quality time with her. We just giggled and cried for no reason, like teenage girls do, got a WONDERFUL banana split, drove around aimlessly (not really aimlessly, but it was fun nonetheless), and then I came home. I have to say, lately I've been loving the thought of coming home. I just didn't spend enough time just relaxing in my own home during the musical, and I've really missed it.

Weird.

Until tomorrow, my loves. <3

First Bath Experience..

Of course, I'm not going to go into detail of my bath. I still find it kind of gross to be sitting in your own filth. I suppose that's why I never really took baths in the first place.

Though relaxing, it was gross. Perhaps my next experience will be a little more enticing..

"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair." -Audrey Hepburn

I've always been pretty obsessed with my hair. I mean, it's gorgeous, what do you expect! ;) It's incredibly soft (thanks to conditioner) and I've always found pride in that. Right now, I'm using shampoo and conditioner by Tresemme. I've been watching Youtube videos on different hairstyles, and I plan on trying out a few of them this month and really mastering the technique if I like the way they look. One of my favorite people to watch is LetsMakeItUp1 (http://www.youtube.com/user/LetsMakeitUp1). A couple of the videos are linked below. I'll post pictures of what my hair looks like sometime soon!

Tonight, I plan on taking my first bubble bath to start the month of May off. ;) I'll let you all know how wonderful and luxurious it is!

Fun Fact! If you want to feel calm, relaxed, or fall asleep easier, try burning inscence or using the scents Lavendar, Clarysage, or Marjoram. If you'd like to feel energetic, use Rosemary, Pine, or Spruce. If you'd like to spark up your love life, use Jasmine, Sandalwood, or Ginger!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XSuvvi2Q6k&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGNDoUhPNgY&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzmpOIT3Bco&feature=plcp

Goal 1: Have Katana Time.

The school musical just finished its last performance Sunday, so effective immediately, I will have more time for me. Thus intertwining with my "Have Katana Time" theme for the month of May. This month's goal seems as though it's incredibly selfish. It seems as though I'm thinking about only myself, when in all reality, I'm just getting started. In order to affect those around me in a positive way, I've learned that I have to have a positive attitude at least 99% of the time as well. In order to do that, I have to make myself happier. Not necessarily just with myself and image, but happy in general. The cliché birds singing in the morning, dancing while I dust the house type of happy, perhaps. Everyone has their own version of happiness, and I'm here to find my own.

Little Goals to Help My Big Goal

Take more baths.

To a woman, a bath can be the most relaxing way to wind down after a long, difficult day at work or school. Dealing with problems, knowledge, and people for eight hours straight can be incredibly tiring for some people. Women love to find comfort in baths, I've learned. I've never been much of a bath person myself, but who am I to judge? How can I say this method of relaxation is silly when I rarely experience it myself?

I can't.

Meditate.

Meditation has always been a chore for me. My mind is always racing, filled with thoughts that began six hours ago. I tend to dwell on certain ideas and events that fill my day, so it makes it difficult to wind down and just meditate. I plan to meditate for only five minutes a day at first and hopefully increase to at least twenty. Research says that meditation causes your breath rate to go down to a level of rest twice that of a deep sleep. Meditation is used to relax and (commonly) to learn how to be one with oneself and surroundings. Gillian Anderson said that "meditation and yoga is about connecting to the higher part of you, and then seeing that every living thing is connected in some way."

Paint my nails. Do my hair. Take the time to take care of myself.

Young girls always feel the need to look pretty. They feel like they need to impress the people around them through their image. Lately, I've been neglecting such an image to an extent that should never be reached. "Have Katana Time" is all about improving the way I see myself and taking time out to make ME feel good. Taking the ten to twenty minutes to paint my nails would do that, however small the task seems. The same thing should be done with my hair. It can be worn in a simple fashion. I wash my hair, condition it, then let it air dry or blow dry it. That's it. But, I should do more. And finally, I want to buy at least five frivolous clothing pieces I don't really NEED. In return, however, I must get rid of two pieces of my wardrobe for each one thing I buy (i.e. Five frivolous items=Ten wardrobe items).

For the love of God (or any other deity), clean my room and keep it that way.

Cleaning can be incredibly therapeutic. It gives you a sense of peace and serenity knowing that you've organized a space where you spend a lot of time. My ONLY problem is keeping it that way. I'm a teenage girl. In the morning, I never know for sure what I'm going to wear to school. Of course items of clothing will be tried on, and then thrown back into the closet. Key word: thrown, not hung up, or placed neatly. The same thing happens with my drawers. For at LEAST one week of this month, I would like to clean my room, and keep it that way. Thus, bringing a sense of organization, control, and peace to my life and heart. One website that I'd like to ponder using: Clean Home Ideas - Your Source for Cleaning Solutions!

If I think of any more, I'll be sure to post them. If YOU think of any potential goals, contact me via Blogspot or e-mail and let me know your suggestions!

thelovexproject@gmail.com