I’m excited about this easy little crafty post, because it has so much meaning to me. Along the journey of life a few years back, we chose to seek out help from a psychologist who said something very interesting: “The thoughts you think, control the chemicals your body releases. If you are able to change your thoughts, you can change your chemical balance. If you can’t change your thinking, then medication can help make it easier.”
Stress is my enemy. A little spurt of stress can put me in bed for a few days, too weak to even walk unassisted. I can’t control all my stress, like when someone cuts me off in traffic and nearly causes an accident; when a bat gets in my house and flaps around my bedroom; or when someone I love gets sick or dies. But there is a lot I can control.
This past week, a lot of stressful things were going on in my life. Here’s what I wrote in my Fit Yummy Mummy journal: Oh Girls, Life has kicked my tail… My grandma is on hospice and they don’t think she will live through the night. She is 90 and forgot who I was long ago, but I remember who she is. Her daughter, my Auntie, was on death watch for a short time last week, but miraculously recovered for a little while longer and has been moved to a rehab facility. …my mama hurt her leg mysteriously and can’t walk very well…. I tangled with some poison ivy last weekend and am COVERED. Plus the school district has denied to test Heather for learning disabilities even with all the private testing records I sent them and doctor reports. They said they don’t accept any outside of the district assessments and they haven’t observed her long enough to decide what to do about her. I’m so sad realizing that they are waiting for her to fail again before they intervene even though her records transferred from her old school show a clear pattern and need. I’m taking her to another clinic the next state over on Saturday to test her eye/brain connection. It’s so expensive, but if there’s a chance it will help her we’ll find a way to earn the money. I’m trying not to stress about everything, but I’m feeling all the feels anyway and it has zapped my strength. So that’s where I am. Not sure how to pick up the pieces from here while my body has checked out.
That wasn’t even all of it, but it started to feel ridiculous writing so much complaining down. What if instead of that, I had written down all the things that were going RIGHT? I can tell you THIS, I spend way more time thinking about the things going wrong than I do the things I have to be thankful for. I’m sure that has a lot to do with my health struggles.
It’s hard to admit that I am a negative person. Yuck. Just admitting that makes me not like myself very much, so I’m making steps to change. 4o years of consistent negative thinking isn’t going to change easy, but I’m choosing my hard.
I’m starting with this fifty cent notebook. It’s just a composition notebook from Wal-mart. I made a little cover for it by merging this and this. I printed it on regular paper, then trimmed it down slightly to fit the cover.
I placed a piece of wax paper inside the notebook, so I wouldn’t get modge podge all over the pages and stick them together.
Then I put a thin layer of modge podge ($1 in the Target spot bins) over the back of the picture, and stuck it to the cover, starting on one edge and smoothing it over to prevent air bubbles. Then I took my brush and put a thin layer of glossy modge podge over the top for durability.
Here’s the best part, the brush strokes in modge podge are visible after it dries, giving printed art a hand-painted affect. To take full advantage of this, I went back once more and added brush strokes to the water color flowers, following the natural curve so each flower would look hand-painted.
You GUYS! I’m feeling so clever right now. When it dried I trimmed the corners and added a matching cover to the back.
Before I thought of this little project, I looked on Amazon for a gratitude journal I could buy. There were several good ones like this, this, and this. They were each less than $10, but the DIY one was the more affordable option for sure. Karen at A House Full of Sunshine has a different idea for a DIY journal cover that is darling for all you washi tape lovers. She also had some good thoughts about gratefulness that are worth clicking over to read.
Here’s what I’ll write tonight:
- Heather’s new Irlen filters that are helping her read better
- Family cooperating for Grandma’s Funeral
- A chance to sing with my daughter and my sister-in-law
- Free flute lessons for Heather that make her so happy
- Our cars are both repaired and running well
- A supportive church family
I’m all about reducing stress, not adding to it, so I’m not writing in complete sentences, telling stories (unless I want to), or giving myself a quota. If I’m too stressed to think, I might just copy down a scripture verse or hymn that I’m grateful for, or tape in a coloring page. And if I need to skip a day, that’s A-OK, since none of the pages are pre-dated.
P.S. If you want to hear more about gratitude journals, Sherry talks about hers in the “We’re Digging Section” on episode #11 of the Young House Love Podcast.
Hugs to you!!
Angela,
Thank you so much for this post. I love the idea and I also appreciate you opening up your “other side” to help all of us that have stress in our lives. We are planning on having the women make testimony journals with the spirals we will be giving them at Women’s Retreat this coming weekend and I will mention that they can do a gratitude journal as well. Do you mind if I share that I got the idea from you and how you did it. I have a lot of scrap booking paper that I think I will take and let them use for their covers. I guess they can print whatever they want on the front.
I am sorry to hear of your grandma’s passing. I will be praying for your family as it sounds like you really got dumped on. Law 94 – 142 states that school districts have to provide the best educational setting for those that are handicapped. A learning disability is a handicap. You might check into state laws and see how the law reads. Sometimes districts will put people off and not comply with what federal and state law says. This district has been sued for not complying to state laws before. Just something to think about. Blessings to you and yours in the weeks ahead.
Deana, I would love for you to share the idea! I don’t need any credit 😊. Also thank you for the statute number. I’ve been trying to figure out how to look up the law. Apparently they believe they can deny the fact that she has a disability and then not have to take action.
Love this and want to try it as well..so interesting that you can change your chemistry! Such an insightful post… Thank u.
I know you should focus on the good but lets be real, you have a lot going on. Don’t discount that. A few more good things – your grandmother has entered her eternal and restful life – what a blessing! What a reason to celebrate that she is with her heavenly father. Also, thank god you have the ability, strength and common sense to take your daughter to the place for further testing. What a blessing your child has in you! You can do this – just remain strong and pray. Pray for thanksgiving and pray for strength and let it go to god… take the steps in which he guides you and you cannot go wrong.
Kristy, those are such good ideas to add to my journal. It is such a tricky balance to allow myself to grieve and work through the healing process without dwelling in overwhelming negativity. That’s what I love about the gratefulness exercise. It doesn’t take away the bad, just puts it in better perspective.
Love your journal, what a great idea. I just listened to a podcast yesterday that I think would really help you and your daughter. Brain Tap technology is the topic. Dr. Patrick Porter is offering a free trial through Dr.. Robin’s website. The podcast is free and she is so positive and faith based. Please check it out at http://www.DrMichelleRobin.com. She has many resources via email plus a great Wellness center.
Christy
Christy, Thanks for the recommendation. That podcast sounds right up my alley.
Our youth leader has had the junior and senior high kids keeping gratitude journal for over two years, now. He also has encouraged the whole congregation to do so. I had done it many years before, but I decided to do it again at the beginning of the year. I’m like Angela, I see the glass half empty instead of half full, and I’m trying to do better! Also counsel in Proverbs 17:22 endorses this. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” You are so talented, Angela! I enjoy your posts very much. Thank you for sharing your talents with others.
I just want to tell you that you’ve encouraged me today. I to have been going through a stressful time, some days I feel lost. I continue to pray though and every time I see something or hear something positive, I consider those messages from God. I write them down in my walmart composition book. Your message today helped me know that I’m not alone, so thank you for sharing.
That’s a lot happening at once, be gentle with yourself! A gratitude journal is an amazing idea. I keep an informal one strictly about my husband at the moment. We hit a rough patch a couple of weeks ago, so I am really trying to focus on the positive here. We also take time sharing one thing we are grateful for before every supper (us and the kids). Hope things get better for you soon.
http://www.littlegiantsteps.com This christian website gave me wonderful tools to help my children with learning issues. Maybe it will give you some too.
I don’t know if you remember my daughter, Deanna. We had such a struggle with her in her earlier years, but we had access to several good support networks for learning and development. I know it is a struggle, especially when there are other children with their needs as well. But keep on keepin’ on. Now Deanna has an associate’s degree in education and is working as a substitute teacher, often with the kind of kids she was a peer with before. I know every child is different, but the keepin’ on will pay off in the long run and your daughter will amaze you with what she can and will do. Beth
Angela,
email me I can help you get the school district to cooperate they are breaking the law btw. If your daughter has been diagnosed with a disability by a Medical Doctor or Psychiatrist by law they have to accomodate her. I can help.