What Makes You Your Best Self?

Posted: July 28, 2011 at 4:00 pm

Remember back to my post Monday morning? Those lamentations of not feeling like myself? Well, here we are on Thursday afternoon and things have not really changed. I have been in funky town all this week. And not the groovy “won’t you take me to Funky Tooown!” funky town of my disco-dancing mother either. The I’m-in-a-funk-please-get-me-out funky town. Frankly, I have had enough!

I needed a little bitch slap out of my Negative Nancy attitude and I knew this post topic would do just the trick. A reality check to help snap me out of the funk and back to the real Tina. If I want to feel like myself again, I need to look at what that means and do something about it. Time to put up or shut up, folks!

In order to get back to feeling like myself, I need to know what the even means. What makes me my “best self”? Well, here goes nothing!

I Have Faith: Well ain’t this little exercise already an eye opener. Guess who has slacked on the prayer time this week? *raises hand* Note to self: Whine a little less. Pray a little more. I even picked up a new Bible study book today at the library to help out!

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I Treat My Body With Respect: Typically this means working out regularly and being careful about the foods I choose to eat. Well, with a killer headache this entire week I have managed one workout and threw up following it. My appetite has ranged from wanting no food to craving hefty chicken salad sandwiches. Very different from the norm and it made me feel unlike myself. But now, after thinking about it, I’m still like myself because I’m giving my body the rest it asks for and honoring my cravings. I’m still choosing to respect my body, albeit it in a different manner. That’s still being myself. Huh. What do you know?

I Enjoy Loving Others: With not physically feeling my best, I haven’t had as much energy as I like for playing with Makenzie & Braedon, talking to friends & family, or reading blogs and supporting you all. Who am I?!?! I think this is the biggest way I feel out of sorts. So, my sister is coming over for dinner tonight. Peter and I had an impromptu picnic lunch date with the kids today. I got to chat with a good friend. I’m feeling reconnected already! And it really does help me feel more like me.

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I Have Passion and Work Hard At It: I must admit I feel pretty good about the commitment I have given to my blog writing recently and studying for personal training. But it’s also okay to take a little mental break. This exercise helped me realize I have been feeling a little guilty this week for not studying as much. I will let that go riiiigggghhhhtttt….NOW! Gone! 🙂

Acting Humble & Grateful: It’s funny how when I don’t focus so much on “me, me, me” and what I do and what I have, things feel more right with the world. The whole negative mindset of “poor pitiful me” leaves me sinking further and further into a black hole because appreciating life is something I feel so strongly about. Um. Wow. Feeling down and out only makes me feel less and less like myself so I feel even more down and out. What a vicious self-fulfilling prophecy!


photo here only because I stumbled across it somewhere and busted out laughing

Sooooo….this whole “my best self” idea has given me more of a reality check than I bargained for. Good thing I suppose. I feel a tina bit more like myself already. Ha! Sign I’m feeling better = lame-o puns. Anyone else in need of a good slap back to reality? Apparently I do a pretty decent job.

  • What is something that makes you your best self?
  • How do you snap yourself out of a funk?

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31 Comments to “What Makes You Your Best Self?”
  1. I am so sorry to hear that you are in a funk, Tina! I hope you get out of it soon. Don’t worry – it happens to the best of us!

    PS – That picture is the cutest thing ever! 😀

  2. You are so inspirational! I wish I lived closer so when I’m a mama we could hang out. Your good vibes may rub off on me!

    Hmm, when I’m in a funk, I do a moderate workout (something I can feel successful at), get a pedi, treat myself to a latte, and go for a walk with my dog.

  3. Glad you’re feeling more like yourself! I definitely think that connecting with loved ones makes me feel more like myself because they will call me out on it, and then somehow spin it around and make me feel better. I love that! I want to look into that book you got 🙂

    • Tina says:

      I know exactly what you mean about loved ones calling you out on things but still making you feel good.

  4. I saw the twitter feed earlier and am glad you decided to use “bitch slap”, perfectly appropriate 🙂

  5. Usually if I’m in a funk I let myself wallow in that self pity for a while and then I just kind of snap out of it — maybe I start to get annoyed with myself and decide to get over it and move on? I’m not sure.

    I love that last picture of M — what a cutie!

    • Tina says:

      I think that is what happened with me. I wallowed for a bit, but then got annoyed with myself and said “snap out of it, woman!!!!”

      PS – I wanted to say how I can’t wait to meet you at HLS. 🙂

  6. Maren says:

    I’m usually in a funk until I slap myself and actually pull myself out of it. It sound’s like that’s exactly what you did. Good job!

  7. I did the one month to live book with 7 other girls from my church acouple months ago!! It was amazing!! I love to cook, bake, dance or swim to get myself out of a funk. Prayer time always helps me clear my head and get out any frustrations 🙂

  8. Rebecca says:

    I hate when funks happen. 🙁 But I usually manage to snap myself out of it. That or someone will give me a good reaity check or something and help me out of it. 🙂

    We went through One Month To Live last year with church. It’s really interesting. There were a few points that I blogged about, actually… 🙂 You didn’t happen to get a DVD with that book, did ya? The DVD sessions were tough for our freshman girls–they kept getting distracted by random aspects of the speakers and whatever. But I think it was good that we went through it. Several of the clips made us think really hard! I think you can find them on the website.

  9. I’m sorry you’re in a funk right now…those are the worst feelings to feel. I’m my best self when I’m spending quality time with my hubby and family…I cherish those moments the most and when I’m in a funk, they always seem to do a good job of getting me out of it and putting things back in perspective for me 🙂

    I hope you feel better and *we’re* all here for you 🙂

  10. It sounds weird, but to snap out of a funk I usually need to just be by myself! I love my friends and family but I’m not the type of person that always has to be around someone. I actually love how independant I am. Sometimes I just need a couple of days to myself to relax and recharge and face the world.

  11. Cindy says:

    Hi Tina! I’m sorry you’ve been out of sorts this week! I think the headache alone is enough to throw anyone for a loop. I love the steps you’re taking to “get back to yourself.”

    I’ve been burning the candle at both ends the past few weeks, because my Dad (who lives with us) had unexpected open heart surgery, and I’ve been driving my mom to/from the hospital (down in the city…remember I live close to you? lol) and staying all day…every day. After about 2-1/2 weeks of that schedule, coupled with the worry, etc…I was just at the end of my rope. I found myself exhausted, weepy, angry, anxious…etc.

    I’m still in re-connect mode, myself. I’m spending more time with my daughter (who is 14), making sure I communicate with my husband, and let him know how much I appreciate him, and catching up on my sleep. The book you showed a picture of today sounds JUST like something I need. I’m going to look for it!

    I want to tell you that I get so much inspiration from your blog. You are a living example of what my goals for myself are…and it gives me such a “I can do this!” feeling whenever I come check in.

    Thank you. <3

    • Tina says:

      They had a few copies of it in our county library if you’re interested in the book. Although not sure if we’re same county too though? Regardless, the library should have the book. 🙂

      And I think when I burn the candle at both ends is what will set me off too. I almost wonder if a busy few weeks trying to cram too much in is what got me in the funk this week. Here’s to both of us feeling better soon! Which, btw, we need to get together being so close and all! I did tell you about the blogger lunch tomorrow right?

  12. Errign says:

    Exercise and respecting myself for where I am RIGHT now, doing what I’m doing RIGHT makes me my best self. Like this quote in my yoga studio says – “you are meant to be where you are, doing what you’re doing or else you would be somewhere different, doing something different” – I love that!

  13. I’m sorry your funk has continued, and I’m glad you were feeling more back to yourself today. And I love that you say you needed to ‘bitch slap’ yourself out of it. Not one to mince words, eh? 🙂

    More often than not, when I feel really out of sorts, I am short on sleep. So, I’d say getting a really good night of sleep is one thing to help me snap out of it. My little ones also work wonders at snapping me out of it. They can be a source of my exasperation sometimes, I won’t lie, but they can also show me how much I have to be thankful for.

    Here’s to a better day!

  14. I love this:

    Whine a little less. Pray a little more.

    Love, love, love it! (Yes, I just read my daughter an Eloise book at bedtime…sorry.)

    • Tina says:

      Makenzie always asks for Eloise books at the library. I always try to steer her away because her and Caillou drive me CRAZY!!! LOL

  15. Cailin says:

    I read often, but don’t normally don’t have a chance to comment.
    Sorry you are feeling funky. Not sure if you are nursing/weaning, but my doctor told me there are a lot of hormonal shifts during feeding/weaning and that can cause moodiness etc. I know for me that is the case (plus the lovely AF trying to makes it’s way back). Just a thought. Hope you feel better. love your blog!

    • Tina says:

      I didn’t even think of that but it does make sense!!! Especially since I’m around the 6 month mark when I know things shift. Thanks for the perspective. That really could be affecting me. I felt like I’ve been on PMS overdrive this week. LOL

  16. I’ve been in a funk lately too. I definitely haven’t had enough prayer time lately and I can tell. I’ve felt especially lost lately, and I definitely need to dedicate some time to God and getting back in touch with Him!! Plus a glass of wine always makes me feel a little better 😉

  17. Your little girl looks just like you, I love it! I’m jealous because my boys look nothing like me. They are ALL daddy.

  18. This is a beautiful post! It sucks when you don’t feel your greatest. I was having a week like that, and I really couldn’t put my finger on what was really wrong with me.

    I don’t have a big answer on my best self… but you definitely have me thinking! 🙂 It might call for a little journaling before I get to the answers.

  19. Tina, hope that the weekend brings more feelings of yourself back and lots of good family time to reconnect! So funny how your blog often feels like it hits right where so many of us are at! This was a funky week for me too – PMS like crazy, like making me cry at country songs and cry in the bathroom. What crazy hormones! This verse was in my devotions this morning from the Message: “You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.” Then I read your blog and it fit in perfectly – I’m going to make a list of what feels like the “real me”. Thanks for your encouragement!

  20. Justine says:

    Tina, I love your blog. It seems like whenever I’m in a funk or something’s up in my life, you have a perfect blog that day to lift my spirits or help me feel like I’m not the only one who sometimes feels this way. Hope you have a great weekend!

  21. Cindy says:

    I had to giggle about your library comment. I’d already gone to the library website to reserve a copy…and it said “3 of 4 available.” and I thought to myself…”I think I know who has the 4th one!” lol

    Thank you for inviting me to the lunch! I would love to come, but my dad is coming home from the hospital today. (my parents live with our family.) I just know that tomorrows gonna be a busy day. I would love to get together sometime though!!!

  22. GREAT post! Isn’t it amazing what a big difference it makes to just look at things from a different perspective? This is similar to what I do when I don’t feel like myself. Just yesterday, I caught myself whining (to myself ha) about various things, and I said (out loud) “quit being so selfish and think about how this matters down the road….it doesn’t! so stop focusing on yourself and if it really bothers you, then DO something about it!” Nothing like a little pep talk. 🙂

    I am going to try out that Bible study book – I’ve been looking for something new!

  23. Rhonda says:

    Thanks so much for this. I needed so badly to read this today. Life is about transition and change and the uncomfortable feeling that comes with it if we want to experience growth. I’m going through that right now as I follow my passion. Thanks for the reminder to keep my attitude positive!

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