day 336.

December. The last month of the year, and the last month of this project. I can’t believe it is nearly over, and yet January of this year truly feels a world away. My goal for the month is to write here daily again, even if it is just a one line statement about what self-care looked like for that day.

Today self-care looked like buckling down and completing hours worth of homework. I finished the majority of my assignments for the term and only have three left to complete by Wednesday. Totally doable, and it feels so good to be so close to done. And then I let myself forget about homework for the rest of the night and spent time with friends watching Breaking Dawn Part 1 (an utterly ridiculous movie, so bad it was good), eating yummy food, and crafting. All in all, a pretty great Saturday.

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day 153.

Today self-care looked like going to the new farmer’s market that opened today in my neighborhood, buying delicious treats and beautiful herbs, and eating ice cream while listening to a brass band. And then eating ribs (from the local meat market) on my new front porch with Wyatt. We were both covered in sauce by the end of it. So good. Did I mention that I love my new neighborhood? It is treating me so right right now, and I think the summer is going to just keep getting better.

I also planted a bunch of strawberry plants that I had dug up from my old house and ripped out a shit ton of invasive vine from the side yard. Gardening is so satisfying. Head-clearing, present in my body, de-stressing, satisfying.

And then I did a big chunk of homework that has been looming over my head and I feel so much lighter and like I might actually get to have a bit of fun this weekend. I love it when I’m actually slightly ahead of the game. And now early to bed so I can tackle more homework tomorrow!

day 98 and day 99.

I had such a full weekend of homework, good food, and friend time.

Some highlights:

I went skating at open skate on Saturday, which felt amazing after not having been on skates in a few weeks. I treated myself to some new wheels as I’m pretty sure my old ones were the cause of some recurring shin splint issues, and that shit is just no fun. And I caught up with my friend, which is always just so good.

Sunday I spent time in the sunshine, got all of my homework finished on the earlyish side (I’m trying to get off to a good start this term), caught up with my bestie who I hadn’t seen since before Spring break, and made delicious curried veggie rice noodles for my lunches this week. I’m really trying to prioritize cooking on the weekends, and it felt so good to make it happen.

And also, I just have to say it, sunshine makes everything better. Portland is so not disappointing me this Spring. It has just been beautiful out.

day 77 and day 78.

Another jam-packed weekend.

Saturday I worked for this amazing youth arts camp at a weekend intensive they were having in Portland. I have spent my last two summers working at this camp as a youth advocate, but Saturday was the first time I got to present a lesson as an artist. It was a truly amazing opportunity and it was so great to see the youth get engaged in fiber arts. I’m super bummed I won’t be there again this summer, but grad school is my main priority right now. I do get to head to camp at the end of April for another intensive, so at least there’s that.

Self-care was a bit low on the list on Saturday as I was so busy all day and also just exhausted from the festivities of the night before. But I did manage a nap post teaching and some general relaxation time. And I made it to bed early, which is pretty awesome on the weekend.

Sunday was about wrapping up the last of my homework for the term. I drank delicious tea and got so much work done with friends at the tea house. I finished my big final project and feel so amazing about wrapping up my first term of grad school. Then I took one of my besties to get birthday pedicures! My feet needed that. Then we picked up another bff and went out for wings and ice cream. Kind of the perfect way to wrap up the weekend. And I was in bed by 10:30, with all of my homework done, ready to face my last long Monday of this quarter (although next term’s Mondays are going to be even more intense, yikes!). Can’t beat that.

day 74.

It’s nearing the end of the term and I feel like I barely have a minute to slow down. Today was about catching up a bit and getting a lot of work done. I did a good chunk of homework, finished planning the art class I’m teaching this weekend, worked on a birthday gift, and worked on the semi-surprise birthday party I’m throwing for my plp Wyatt on Friday. Oh, and relaxed at acupuncture. Not a bad Wednesday for self-care at all. Now to just get through the next week in one piece!

day 70.

Today self-care looked like getting lots of homework done so that I can actually relax on Sunday, treating myself to pho and an avocado shake, and laughing hysterically in bed with my platonic life partner (plp) instead of going out dancing. We made funny videos, came up with new abbreviations to use, and ate delicious ice cream together. The best.