The Millennial Cure to a Dreary Day

Here we go:

1. Make coffee.  Even if it involves dishes, moving, or perhaps even leaving your bed, consume caffeine.  (Note: if you are some sort of medical anomaly who doesn't consume caffeine, you probably don't need this list.)
2. Write down all the things that you think you need to do.  Pick three.
3. Figure out one thing that you have in your control that would make the day suck just a little bit less.  Do that now.
4. Reach out to your friends.  Even when you feel like you can't.
5. Play with pets.   *bonus points if they're actually your own*
6. Eat something because you probably haven't.  Even if you can't afford it, you need food.
7.  Shower.  It sucks, but it will make you feel better.
8.  Think about something you want and someone you admire who's doing what you want.  Research them and see how they did it.  Learn from them, follow their Instagram, reach out if you can.  We're all on a different path, but if they found your true North, let them be your compass.
9. Let it be okay that you are not there yet.  It takes time.
10. In fact, think about the last year.  What are five badass things you did that make you brave, and fierce and incredible.  (If you can't think of any, ask your best friend to name them for you.)

Last but not least, love yourself.  It's the only love you can always rely on.

(two out of ten of the list.  And yes I still have the cat, and yes that's a Luke's Diner mug)

Staying Positive

It's been really hard to reintegrate myself into the real world. As happy as I am to be here, it's been hard to adapt back to the hustle and bustle of busy people with busy lives, when I'm still dizzy and weak and having weighed this little since middle school.... (Not even touching on the stress of having to move)

BUT. I did manage to have a lovely moment today. I was alone at a Coffee Bean, taking in the sounds of the busy world, when a man in an automated wheelchair accidentally knocked over his drink.  He immediately started apologizing, as they had to come mop up the drink and make him another. 

Personally, I'm still very weak and know that if I were to knock something over, I can't bend down to pick it up.  And asking for help in those moments just sucks. 

So I turned to the man with a forgiving smile and said "eh, it happens. I was just in the hospital and am still pretty dizzy, so I'll end up doing that like three times today.  So you've set the expectation for me and now I don't have to worry. Thank you :) Plus they're very sweet and don't mind."

He smiled for the first time since the spill and thanked me. He asked what happened that sent me to the hospital and how long I was in for. I gave him a little synopsis that allowed him to know that I could empathize, and he related to me on how long of a stay that is. 

We were complete strangers, and yet somehow this coffee spill let both of us feel more connected to each other, as well as more "allowed" in this world with people that function at a difference pace.

It was a serendipitously lovely movement.  So I'll consider that today's victory.