• The Recovering Pessimist | Back to Center: Update 7 | www.therecoveringpessimist.me | #amwriting #recoveringpessimist #optimisticpessimist #backtocenter
    Back to Center

    Back to Center: Update 7

    2020 has been one hell of a year.

    I’m stressed, my anxiety is a hot mess, and writing this blog post has been a struggle.

    It’s felt like an endless gut punch. Kobe died, COVID-19 hit the streets, and an election year have all weighed on my spirit.

    I’ve struggled with my creativity throughout the year. It comes in waves where I don’t want to do anything & waves where I get a rush of ideas at one time.

    In between the gut punches, there have been some bright spots.

    1. The pandemic sent my job home to telework, something I’ve wanted to do for years.
    2. I got my 2021 Passion Planner in the mail & I look forward to using it to not only keep me organized but also a creative outlet.
    3. I learned to give myself a lot of grace this year.
    4. I made adjustments in my home in anticipation of the upcoming cold weather months.

    I don’t expect 2021 to be the start of everything suddenly better. What I do expect to do remain focused while being gentle with myself. That’s all we can do at this point, right?

    Until next time,

    Joy

  • Home With Joy

    Preparing My Home for Fall/Winter #HomeWithJoy

    The Recovering Pessimist | Preparing My Home for Fall/Winter | www.therecoveringpessimist.me | #HomeWithJoy #HomeDepot #Lowes #Target #Homeowner #Homeownership #AtJoysHouse #HomeWithJoyFaves #WelcomeHome #homedecor #HomeMaintenance #Pinterest

    This summer has been one for the books. With the evenings getting cooler, I’m starting to prepare myself and my home for the cold months ahead. I wasn’t too prepared last year and felt bleh.

    Lesson learned.

    I started thinking about what I want my home to look and feel like during the cooler months in July. I knew I wanted it to feel cozy all around. To get that coziness, I realized that I needed to enhance the senses.

    How do I enhance the senses?

    I’m a big fan of the “small change yields big results” mentality. Here are a few things I’ve done + plan to do:

    • I purchased these Philips color-changing Wi-fi light bulbs.
      • I brought these bulbs to add some color to my home. The Wiz app that operates these bulbs has a Schedules feature where I can put the bulbs on an alarm to wake me up with the bulb color of my choice. Much more gentle than waking up in darkness.
    • Add more texture.
      • I want to buy some faux sheepskin rugs like this one from IKEA.
      • I want to get some slipcovers for my sofa and loveseat in a velvet or velvet-like texture.
    • Bring nature inside.
      • I’ve been purchasing houseplants throughout the spring and summer. My favorite places to buy houseplants are Lowe’s, Home Depot, local greenhouses, and nurseries.
    • Smell goods
      • I’ve accumulated quite the stockpile of smell goods. As of this post I have fabric sprays, room sprays, oil plugins, and candles. I can’t wait to amp up the cozy factor.

    Do you prepare your home for the colder months? If yes, what do you do to get ready? I’d love to know.

    Until next time,

    Joy

  • My Faves

    What I Love About Spring

    The Recovering Pessimist: What I Love About Spring. -- Spring is the gateway season to months of warm, long days. | www.therecoveringpessimist.me #amwriting #recoveringpessimist #optimisticpessimistThe Spring Equinox of 2016 begins March 20th. As I’m writing this, I’m imagining the warm breeze on my skin and the smell of blooming flowers as I sneeze from the pollen activating my allergies.

    *squeals with excitement*

    In honor (yes honor) of the upcoming Spring Equinox, I wanted to share with you a few things I love about Spring.

    Enjoy!

    Longer Days

    Daylight Savings Time (DST) began March 13th, and you know what that brings? That’s right, LONGER DAYS!!!!! For the next six months or so, where I live it will be sunny when in the morning and sunny when I get home from work.

    I feel more energetic, which boosts my productivity.

    When I get home during the fall/winter, the sun is going down. My body thinks it’s time to wind down for the night, even though it’s 5-6 hours from bedtime. During spring/summer, when I get home it still looks like midday outside. So although it’s still 5-6 hours before bedtime, I have enough energy to work on side projects, do housework, etc.

    Longer days = more time outdoors.

    Here in #RVA, people are always out and about. More so during the warmer months. Nothing makes me happier than spending a Saturday afternoon sunning it up on Brown’s Island & Belle Isle with a good book, a cool beverage, and some good snacks.

    Shed Layers

    Spending six months draped in layers isn’t fun. I don’t like wearing socks…or shoes for that matter. Spring allows me to shed those layers. My skin gets to absorb Vitamin D as it proceeds to get its bronzy tan.

    Festival Season Starts

    In VA, festival season tends to kick off in March. Crowds of people + cool/warm-ish weather + music + food + beer = WIN!  Besides longer days, this is my second favorite part of Spring.

    Those are a few of my favorite things about Spring. Tell me, what do you enjoy most about Spring. I would love to hear about them!