It’s an interesting topic this week. Talking about my bad
habits. I’m sure if I lived with someone, they would be able to rattle off
quite a list. However, given it’s just me, myself and I that live together, I’m
claim to be somewhat blind to what you might call a bad habit. Why, well
because it’s just me. What is a bad habit to one person, may not be to another.
It’s weird like that. So, I’ll dig deep and see what I can come up with.
Of course, I’ve scratched the surface and have found a few.
My top three bad habits complete with a life lesson and words of wisdom at the
bottom. Enjoy:-
1)
Not making my bed in the morning
2)
Magazine mounds
I love magazines. I’m not even
sure what it is about them that I love. I can’t resist a good headline, latest
diet or celebs without make-up feature. There are regular ones I buy every
month such as Super Food Ideas, Healthy Food Guide and Good Health. Love them.
Only problem is, they do seem to stay around for quite a while. Yes, I can be
somewhat reluctant to throw them out. I have this growing pile of magazines in
the lounge room, on the dining table and in the study. It never quite gets completely
out of control, but I’m sure it goes close.
3)
Not washing my hair
Now, this one may sound gross.
But don’t just screw your nose up, just yet. There is a story here and it’s
important to hear.
I don’t like washing my hair.
It’s curly, so I get away with washing it only a few times a week (and that’s
at a push). This isn’t something that’s developed from childhood. This came
about because I lost over half my hair several years ago.
I was completing a uni degree
part time, working full time, a part time fitness instructor on the side, going
to the gym regularly and having a social life topped off with ensuring I gave
my family some time as well. It was a recipe for burn out and that’s what
happened.
I always had thick, gorgeous
curls that were the envy of most girls. Especially when I was a teenager, perms
were all the fashion and girls were spending a fortune to get what I had
naturally. Everyone commented on my hair.
I was always driven and pushed
myself quite hard. Too hard. I started to develop health issues and wasn’t
listening to my body. I ignored signs of how I was feeling and pushed even
harder. When I wasn’t listening to my body, it screamed at me even louder. As
hair isn’t a critical function in the body, it diverts the nutrients to other
areas where it’s more needed and hair misses out. My hair was falling out in
handfuls and handfuls. As the handfuls of hair came out, the more I stressed,
the more I stressed, the more handfuls that came out. I cried and cried, till
there were no more tears to cry. I tried doctors, naturopaths, trichologists
and dermatologists. I hide inside, learned how to wear hats and struggled to
socialise. I lost alot of my confidence. The worst part was people. Some people
were dreadful with their comments and remarks.
I began to hate washing my hair.
I learnt by not washing it and very carefully combing it, I could minimise what
would fall out. So that’s what I did.
To this day, I still struggle now
to wash my hair. I even struggle to sit at the hairdresser. I can’t stand people
touching my hair or playing with it.
It’s still getting there and
slowing growing back. I hope that one day it will be back to the thick maine
that I once had. It was a hard experience to go through, but it’s taught me
alot. I’ve learnt to stop, breathe and relax. I’ve learnt that nothing is as
important as I am and my health. I’ve learnt that taking time out to do what I
love, is actually okay. In fact, it’s more than okay, it’s essential for me.
I’m no good to anyone, if I haven’t made time for me. I’ve also learnt that I’m
much more than my hair. If people can’t see past that, then I have no time for
them.
My parting words of wisdom this week are to ensure you take
time for you. Don’t get to such a point like I did. It wasn’t living. It was a
stressful existence.
Grab your diary or calendar for this week and block in some
time for you. Time for you to do what you want to. Let your partner, husband,
mother, sister, brother or friend help you out. Insist they do. Do not feel
guilty. Repeat after me, I WILL NOT FEEL GUILTY.
Drop me a line and let me know how you spent your “me” time!
I’d love to hear all about it!
Jen xoxo
Well said Jen! I can also be prone to not making the bed on those particularly busy days - but no big deal for me on that - I always give it a good fluff up before I hop in! :)
ReplyDeleteOh yeah....a good fluff is as good as making the bed. Every day seems busy for me. Ah well.. that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
DeleteI'm with you on not making the bed and having mounds of magazines and paper everywhere - I've learned that's how I am! Thanks for the reminder to relax and listen to your body, that's a message that I struggle to take notice of normally. Thanks so much for sharing Jen x
ReplyDeleteI agree Kirsty, that's how I am. Take me or leave me. Oops...I wonder if that's why I am still single :).
DeleteSometimes we need a reminder about what's really important. It's easy to get caught up in the everyday. Thanks for having me.
I'm not to the stage that my hair is falling out (much) but you know I think I was really close. I've given myself some much needed time out and only doing the fun stuff when I can manage it. I've gone from not being great at saying NO to hardly saying Yes at the moment. It's what I needed to do and I'm hoping it will help get my health back on track eventually.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this post. Just what I needed to hear!
You know what. If that's what you need at the moment, then that's okay. I'm glad you have realised this. Look after your adrenals, they are very valuable. Read up on Adrenal Fatigue and all those tips will help.
DeleteGlad I could help and be a friendly reminder voice :)
Oh goodness Jen, what a tough time that must have been with the hair falling out. You are so right about the importance of me time. Sorry you had to find out the hard way though. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely
ReplyDeleteLove the fair wishes and butterfly kisses. Many thanks. Yeah, it's knocked the old confidence a bit. Although, I learned so much! Thanks for reading.
DeleteHow awful to have your hair fall out but I know exactly what you mean about getting to the point where enough is enough !
ReplyDeleteI don't make our bed in the morning either - I used to be so anal about this and then one day wondered why and I couldn't come up with one good reason to do it - so I stopped !!!
I have a pile of WW next to my bed that I keep promising myself I will read (they come each month because I subscribed !!!) but never seem to get around to them - am thinking of taking 2 or 3 to Townsville this weekend and can just leave them there when I am finished !!!
Have the best day !
Me
Definitely take the mags away with you. Love a good magazine read on the plane.
DeleteWho could be bothered with the bed, the Queen doesn't come and visit me. I don't even think I could be bothered if Queenie was coming. At least the bed gets made when I put new sheets on it.
My hair falls out too, but not quite to the degree of yours. That must have been quite distressing. Hope you're feeling a lot better and your hair grows back.
ReplyDeleteI rarely make beds either and I don't even go to work, so don't feel too bad!
Ha ha...thanks Ness. The hair thing was awful. However, I can tell you every nutrient that your hair needs to grow! Women should always check their iron levels and your doctor can help with that. Glad there are other un-made bed people out there. Hope all is well :)
DeleteHey I don't make my bed in the morning either. What's the point? I'm only going to get into it again!
ReplyDelete