Last night I sat down after a long day of running around and happened to read Carla Birnberg‘s post. She is one of my favorite people I’ve gotten to know in the blog world and her posts often make me think. Yesterday’s post was about what she and her daughter would put in their “emotional” first aid kits. I loved how her daughter immediately knew and that it was totally different from Carla’s choices.
It got me thinking. What would I put in my emotional first aid kit?
- Running shoes – This one is kind of a no-brainer. I suffered from postpartum depression with my first child and running helped me turn the corner. To this day, anytime I’m struggling a short, easy run can put me back in a place where I can cope with whatever is going on.
- A chic flick type of novel – I don’t have a lot of time to read and I try to read interesting, thought provoking books, but when I’m in need of a mental pick up? Hand me Joanne Fluke, Nora Roberts, or Barbara Frothy and I can practically feel my brain take a deep sigh.
- My phone – Not so I can play on my smartphone. I’m happy with any phone or computer as long as I can reach my parents on the other end. Yes, I’m 44 years old and I still want to talk to my mommy and daddy anytime life is a little bit wonky. Sometimes it’s because I know they’ll have a solution, but other times it’s just to have someone who won’t judge what I’m feeling.
- A beer and chocolate – Yes, sometimes food is the emotional band aid I need. There’s something about pouring a glass of good craft beer and sitting down to enjoy it that helps me cope. It’s not even about the alcohol – most times I struggle to finish an entire beer. It’s more about the memories and relaxation I associate with it.
- My fuzzy robe – I can’t be stressed in it. It just makes me feel so warm and cozy and loved. It’s both the physical sensation of being comfy and the memories associated with it that help me.
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Linking up with Running with Spoons for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.
Oh my goodness this made me smile. I swear the very notion of a personal first aide kit is so obvious now that I have one 🙂 and yet before it occurred to me I didn’t realize what a gap I had in my world it would fill.
You know 🙂 if that makes any sense at all…
I just loved your daughter’s kit. I’d totally put my parents in the kit, but I made do with my phone. ;o)
Love your list–it seems so, YOU! Which I think means that you have a good understanding of who you are, something I believe is the key to happiness. Well done!
(and which shoe is that?)
It’s the Altra One2. I love it. Like running on puffy clouds, but still a lightweight zero drop shoe.
I like your first aid kit! I think I’d do ok with most of your items….but instead of the robe, I’d bring flannel pjs.
Anything warm and comfy works. I’m in super soft (really unattractive) athletic pants today and I’m very happy that way. ;o)
I could relate to all of your items but I would add a pony tail holder, weird I know but when I get stressed I have realized I have this incredible need to put my hair up and out of my face……….go figure.
Funny! I never put my hair up except when I’m running (and usually twist the ends when I’m stressed.)
I’m seriously loving the idea of an emotional first aid kit. A young adult fantasy book would be in mine. And chocolate. And my favourite tea. And a colouring book with wax crayons. And a journal. And my snowboard 😉
I love that you have such a great relationship with your parents – I hope that my boys always feel that way about us!!!
I love the idea of an emotional first-aid kit 🙂 Fuzzy robes are a must!!
Carla got me thinking, and now you did too! Every time I see that beer at the store I think of you … one day I will buy it!
Love this. Chocolate is definitely in mine as well as running! And I have a super soft hoodie that I love to snuggle in too!! I have the same relationship with my parents and it’s awesome! I wish they lived closer!
Running gear is always on that list. Running is my first go-to solution so I can clear my head and get my anger out of the way. Wine would also be on that list. Sometimes running’s not quite enough to unwind from a stressful day.
I’d have a lot of the same but I’d ditch the beer for tea, the book for my Kindle and I’d add some music.