Everydayjoyandme

11/08/2021

This month's posts haven't been as detailed as I'd planned as I need to rest. I was fortunate enough to be able to go to the hairdresser's last week as going to a christening on Sunday to be a godmother! Which is wonderful but am completely spent. I can feel my wobbliness and have been and will continue to rear as much as possible until Sunday and then afterwards.
So this is your reminder to go and get some rest. Ditch any self imposed deadlines that are non essential. Ask for help where needed and rest.

Image description. Dark green leaves on background. One yellow sunflower plant on the middle of the page. Underneath in white writing it says now rest, Wednesday wisdom

09/08/2021

Today's
is all about small joys.
What is something you can do today that will bring you joy?
Listen to some music/rain sounds/ocean noises/podcast.
Have a dance around the room/in your head?
Read a poem/book/magazine/article.
Paint your nails/spray your favourite perfume/wear a face mask/spa treatment.
Watch something funny on reels/tiktok/YouTube/TV.
Pick/buy some flowers.
Eat/drink something delicious.
Message/ring/email a friend.

There are so many ways we can bring joy in. What will you do today?

Image description: white background with black writing in the middle that says small joys. Top of image has abstract shape which is peach coloured. Bottom of image has abstract shape which is sand coloured.

02/08/2021

The are a phenomenal charity who provide a range of services and have saved countless lives. Their volunteer lifeboat crews provide a 24-hour rescue service in the UK and Ireland, and their seasonal lifeguards look after people on busy beaches. Their Flood Rescue Team helps those affected by flooding.
They are Augusts charity of the month. You can support them in a number of ways by donating, fundraising or raising awareness of the work they do. A simple retweet or share can help people become more aware of their important life saving work.

Image description. White background. In the centre of the page is a photograph of waves crashing on the sea. Black writing says royal national lifeboat institution, charity of the month. Dark blue circle in the top right corner and two half circles next to the photograph.

28/07/2021

For today's I want us to focus on how we can amplify others be it their voices, their work, achievements or loved experiences. How can we share and celebrate them? I will be sharing on my stories more of my favourite creators, later today. I want you to pick three creators to amplify today. Share their work on your stories/in a link/comment or connect with them to tell them how much you appreciate them. Let's spread some much needed positivity and let people know how important they are whilst they're still here.
Let me know how you get on

Image description: an orange BRE background. White scrap of paper on the middle that says amplify others in black writing. Bottom of the page says Wednesday wisdom on black writing

26/07/2021

Over the last few years, I've been trying hard to be mindful of my spending. Looking at whether I need an item, how it's made, its eco-credentials, and where it's from. Sometimes this is much easier than others. That item you need might only be available from the big incorporation with dodgy ethics whose ex-owner prefers to go to space than pay their workers fairly....

https://www.everydayjoyandme.com/mindful-spending-etsy-favourites-july-edition/

Over the last few years, I've been trying hard to be mindful of my spending. Looking at whether I need an item, how it's made, its eco-credentials, and where it's from. Sometimes this is much easier than others. That item you need might only be available from the big incorporation with dodgy ethics....

19/07/2021

I know today has been extra hard for so many. Seeing parts of the UK taking part in freedom Day as if it's all back to normal when for so many it is not. Sending love to all who need it.

For today's
I wanted to share something I do every day. At the end of the day I look back and choose at least three things I'm grateful for, they can be small, medium, large, boring or exciting. Picking out three things every day has really helped my mental health. Particularly on rough days, it has helped me be grateful for what I do have in amongst all the hardship. Gratitude doesn't negate or ignore the difficult (no toxic positivity here) it helps us make our way through it.
So what are your three things? Let me know in the comments below.

Image description pink background with light pink swirls. Dark writing says mindfulness Monday, fill in the blank, three things I'm grateful, for comment below.

12/07/2021

Kind self talk or as I like to call it positive brainwashing is essential. So much of our internal and verbal dialogue about ourselves is so easily negative and critical. As with anything we practice often enough it becomes a habit and then a deep seated belief.
This is true for everyone but even more so when you are chronically ill/disabled and your brain and body no longer works as you want or expect it to. The frustration and anger that this creates can cause us to lash out at ourselves and create an untrue, harmful narrative that we belief and repeat.
The good news is that it's possible to change this. To stop the negative thoughts we need to challenge them and replace them. Speak truth and kindness to ourselves.
So today's task is recognising a negative thought pattern, challenging it (is this true) and replacing it.
Talk to yourself as you would a friend, family member, loved one. And let me know how you get on.
A longer post on this will be available on my blog this evening (link in bio) with more examples.

If the negative talk you have is constant or is about harming yourself and/others please seek professional help. On my previous post on the hub of hope there are contact details of people who can help you. Please know you're important and loved.

Image description White background with abstract shapes and a leaf shape in shades of yellow and pink. Black writing says kind self talk, mindfulness Monday

07/07/2021

Something that I've really been enjoying recently is tapping in to my creativity. There are so many times that I've been too exhausted to even consider anything creative that when able to have the energy to use my imagination I embrace it. Creativity comes in so many forms. It can be something you do physically or mentally. You might not have the energy to make something physically but even designing and thinking about the idea in your head is a way of being creative.
The way you use your creativity may not look the way you used to or how someone else uses theirs but that's what's part of the joy in the process. Adapting and pacing creativity in a way that enables you to enjoy it is what it's all about.
Read more on my blog link in bio.

How do you like to embrace your creativity? I'd love to know. Let me know in the comments below.

ID
First photo. Pink background black writing says, seeking joy in creativity, Wednesday wisdom
Second photo. Yellow wall, black hexagon shelf, beige inside with painted glass vase with green leafy stems in
Third photo. Yellow wall black hexagon shelf, beige inside with painted abstract shapes, green, yellow and brown. Corner of poster just shown
Fourth photo. Yellow wall, black hexagon shelf, beige inside outline of woman sat down from stomach to legs. Flowers sprouting from stomach painted green and yellow. Tile on wall with abstract shapes
Fifth photo. Gold beetle on wall. Hanging in green, brown and pink with a circle, half moon and smaller circle shapes
Sixth photo. Jar of pink topped matches inside and white label says I burn for you

24/05/2021

Today's is a nice and easy way to start the week. All you need is a hot drink and a quiet space! Then follow the instructions and let me know how you got on.

For today's mindfulness Monday you will need a hot drink and a quiet space. Sit with your hot drink in the peaceful space and let yourself feel the heat move from the cup to your skin. Notice the taste, the colour, the heat of the drink. As you sit there let yourself be free of distractions, no screens, no pressure, just be.



Image description: teacup with tea in, yellow block with black writing on- mindfulness Monday.

17/05/2021

Today's mindfulness Monday is a lovely relaxing one after the excitement of yesterday's
Today I'd like you to take a moment, find some Ocean sounds to listen to, get comfortable in a safe space and close your eyes. Whilst you listen to the crashing of the waves, slow down your breathing, relax your jaw and muscles. Allow yourself to fully relax.
Visualise yourself by the sea (all accessibility needs met). Where are you? Are you alone? Are you sitting or lying down, are you by or in the water?
You can use one of the breathing techniques from a previous Mindfulness Monday or just slowly inhale then slowly exhale.
I'll link my favourite ocean sounds in my stories but you can ask Alexa to play ocean sounds, search for ocean sounds in youtube or Spotify.
I'd love to hear how you get on. Let me know in the comments.

05/05/2021

Today's quote is by the phenomenal Dr Maya Angelou. Try today to bring a little joy to someone else. In real life or online. Interact with your favourite creators, let them know how much you like their content. Share your favourite posts/reels. Whatever it is I'd love to hear how you choose to be a rainbow today.

Alt image: rainbow coloured background, white cloud with black writing in that says be a rainbow in someone's cloud. Maya Angelou

28/04/2021

Wednesday Wisdom from Charles Dickens. No blogpost today as am resting after yesterday's trip to the doctors. I hope today has been a good one and if not that you can do something this evening that makes you smile, no matter how small. And if possible that you can spread a little joy.

Alt image (No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
– Charles Dickens, with pink rectangle on a white background).

21/04/2021

Today's Wednesday wisdom is about identity. When you become chronically ill one of the things that can become really confusing is working out your identity. All the things that you may have defined yourself with such as relationships, work and hobbies are changed. You can't do most, if any of the things you used to do in the way you used to do them. It can also make your reactions and feelings so much more complex and different to who you were previously. So if you're not the person who you thought you were then who are you?
Going to do a blogpost on this later link will be in the bio. I'm really interested to hear your thoughts on this.

Alt text, beige circle with black writing on Oscar Wilde, be yourself everyone else is already taken. Background is dark pink with illustrated flowers on.

14/04/2021

I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know
Everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold, hey
I'll be fine once I get it, yeah, I'll be good
This by has been on repeat in my head since I saw today's quote. And truth be told there's a whole big blogpost or two I want to write about it. But quick reality check here in that I am too darn tired to write it. So please have some Wednesday wisdom with a side order of blogpost to follow at some point. Cos every now and then I am sensible and do rest before I crash!

Alt text ( pink and white background, cherry blossom on left, small picture of pink balloons on a dull sky on the right. Pink writing says Happiness is not by chance, but by choice.”
– Jim Rohn ).

12/04/2021

Today's mindfulness Monday is a really lovely and simple way to pause what you're doing and relax. Sky Gazing can be done anytime of day, outside or inside (as long as you're near a window) or even watching sky streams on YouTube!
Make sure you're in a safe space. Get comfortable and lift your gaze to the sky. You can use one of the previous mindfulness breathing techniques or just take slow deep breaths to help you fully relax.

Image description, Blue sky with white clouds background, white writing that says Mindfulness Monday sky Gazing. Next few slides all show blue skies with white clouds taken from Lucy's bedroom window.

09/04/2021

Today's eco-friendly edit is all about and how you can recycle hard to recycle items such as crisp packets and cheese packets. And a particularly relevant item for all of who are chronically ill/disabled you can now recycle blister packs/pill packets! Link in my bio

09/04/2021

08/04/2021

Mindfulness Monday hand breathing.
I find this a really soothing way to ground my breathe and help me focus.
Follow the tips on the post above or personalise it by doing the following:
Use light to moderate pressure.
When finished do the reverse by starting with your thumb.
Swap hands.
If you can't physically trace your hand then close your eyes and visualise a hand and moving up and down each finger.
I'd love to know how you get on.
Image description (sunflower background with a black square with white writing on that says 'Stretch out your left hand.

Using the index finger from your right, slowly trace the fingers on your left hand.

As you go up your finger, slowly inhale.

As you go down your finger, slowly exhale.

Repeat for all 5 fingers.

How do you feel?

If needed repeat until you feel calmer

and more relaxed'.)