Finding Time for Myself

One of my fave solo photos taken by Alexa; can't believe this was 3 months ago!

I took an unplanned hiatus from blogging (aside from the occasional book review) because I've been dealing with a lot in my personal life.  My life these last three weeks has looked a lot like this: work, with my family, go home to my apartment to sleep and then repeat. After much pushing from loved ones to take care of myself too, I've gone on the occasional dinner with friends and indulged in some self-care (and retail therapy) but I don't see my day-to-day going back to normal anytime soon. I'm not complaining, just stating a fact. What it's made me realize though is that even if this is my "new normal" for the unforeseeable future, I have to make time for the things I need to still feel like me.

Working on this blog is surprisingly one of those things. I've sometimes wondered what it would be like to not maintain Hello, Chelly anymore. What if I stopped writing book reviews and just stopped writing period (for me blogging is my writing outlet)? Turns out I kind of missed it! I'm still glad I took the break and I'll continue to take breaks as I need them but I really do love having this bit of space that probably only a handful of people read nowadays. In fact, sitting down for a couple hours yesterday to draft posts was one of the most relaxing parts of my day. So even though I may be posting a bit less and formatting my reviews to be more concise (less is more, right?), I'm going to try and post at least twice a week.

Being with friends is another source of normalcy that I need. This past Friday, all Carina and I did was get pedicures, have dinner and then walked around Target buying a whole lot of stuff neither of us needed. I can't even tell you how much fun that was. It just felt so good to be out and about, talking face-to-face. I also went out to dinner with Alexa a couple times and we're planning to get ice cream this week too. It's these little moments that really bring me so much relief (and happiness) from the constant stress I've been under.

I've spent the last two Saturdays alone and it was glorious. I could've asked friends or cousins to hang out but I needed hours (let's be real, I need days) to recharge and just be in my own company. However, I made a point to take myself out. I took myself out to brunch, to the mall, got a spa pedicure, a massage twice (this past weekend I went for an hour long one and it was amazing), went book shopping at Barnes & Nobles and drove around. Maybe solo Saturdays will be a new ritual if I can't get my lazy Sundays back.

My nesting instinct is real and I hate to break it to you all but it's not a term just associated with being pregnant (which I most definitely am not). I've often said that the state of my apartment is usually reflective of my own personal state. Which means my apartment has been a freaking mess the last three weeks. This past weekend I made a point to find time to stay in and do some much-needed cleaning, mixed in with redecorating, while having Veronica Mars playing in the background. Just seeing how clean and organized everything looks fills me with joy.

Binging TV shows and reading is also a must. This might sound sad but I miss binging shows! It feels like forever since I last done that (ok, it may have been the beginning of July when I watched Jessica Jones but that feels so long ago now). I still need to watch Stranger Things, finish re-watching Veronica Mars so I can watch the latest season and check out The Boys, just to name a few. The only show I'm consistently watching is the The 100 because this season is excellent and I'm all for the Bellarke feels. Reading is obviously still more or less a constant for me although a tad slower than usual. I don't know if it's a symptom of the mood I've been in lately, but nothing has 5-star wow-ed me since June and I am itching for a read that will bring on all the tears or swoons. I'll take either at this point!

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Okay, when I sat down to write this I had planned more of a "life lately" post instead of writing about the things keeping me sane at the moment. But this is what came out and you know, it's a good reminder to myself and to others that when you're taking care of other people, you can't forget about you either. I'm totally guilty of not taking this advice but I know I need to. I can't help others to the fullest of my capabilities if on the inside I'm completely burned out. So hopefully this post is a good reminder, regardless of what's happening in your life right now, to find time for you. 

Happy Monday all!
What's something you've done just for you lately?