Make Sure You're Hydrated

I have once again failed to keep up with my blog. Not much has been going in my life since December as we are still in pandemic times, but with more restrictions being lifted I’m going out more. Fingers crossed it continues to go well.

I celebrated my 31st birthday a few weeks ago and it feels weird to say I’m in my 30s now, especially since I didn’t get to go all out as I would have when I turned 30 last year. But that’s when the restrictions weren’t really allowing socializing and it definitely sucked because I would have liked to enter my next decade of life in a more “me” way, which I was able to do for my 31st. I took the day off, hung out with my good friend, and tried new food (which was Thai food and I loved it, despite how hot it was for me), and had my Starbucks, and walked around Ann Arbor briefly. It made me so happy to go out, even if it was just for a little bit. I know I’m an introvert, but I do love having that balance of recharging by myself at home and people watching. God, it felt so good to go out.

And I will say… being able to get cocktails to go is so nice. My brother and I had a hang out on Friday, a week after my birthday, and we go food to go and cocktails and it was so nice because we were able to take them to his place and socialize with each other. It’s the same as going into a bar and doing the standard people watching and small talk with your waiter (which I don’t miss as much because I think I’m bad at small talk - hehe), but it just felt so good to do more than FaceTiming one another. I am pleased. It’s been a good month actually.

I do feel more relaxed now. It’s a year and some change into being primarily at home, not as high-alert anxious as I was last year (and I’ve definitely had my anxiety moments this year, let me tell you). I got vaccinated and that made me feel so relieved and provided me with a peace of mind that I can be around my family now and close friend(s). I still mask up when needed, but it’s that added layer of reassurance that definitely gives one that additional layer of protection.

I also treated myself to an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. I want to try drawing digitally and I’m starting with the drawings I’ve done previously as I continue to get comfortable with it. It’s a bit trickier than I thought but it’s so much fun to have. My therapist told me that I find my peace time more when I’m drawing as opposed to just being still. I couldn’t agree with her more. I definitely feel like if I try calming myself and centering myself in a “shh, let’s be quiet” sort of way, that I just do not connect. My mind is too active and it actually shuts off more when I’m drawing. Even if I’m working on something I’ve done, it’s more relaxing to me to do that. Nothing wrong with that. It’s nice to know what I need to do to feel more attuned and relaxed with myself.

Sigh. I can’t believe it’s almost June. This year feels like it’s gone faster than last year. Maybe because I’m more acclimated to things being this way? Possibly. It’s wild. I know this isn’t much of an update, but I’m trying. It’s something (hehe). But yes. I’m going to continue to try and draw or paint at least once a month. I might be a little behind actually, by one month, but I’m glad I’m doing something. And I’m still going to draw by hand and watercolor, it’s just nice having an alternate drawing method.