NST August - AB's Amazingly Aware August Challenge

academiablues

Hi all! Dolly, Fmess and Calling, I agree about mindfulness being difficult at first - it's not about being totally mindful all of the time, even a couple of minutes a day gives you a taster of it your mind will think about things, that's what minds do, you can't switch that off but you don't have to engage with every thought - it's more about being aware of your experience, which includes your thoughts Also Calling, that's totally unacceptable, can you e-mail the store to complain? You might get some vouchers (you deserve something!). Bob, your day sounds like it's been turtally awesome! Welshkitty, budgeting to pay it off sounds like a NST way of handling it - unexpected spends come up sometimes
First of the month and I've spent the self-care budget already! I got a massage this afternoon, which is the first one I've had since February and is something I know is good for my wellbeing. Went out for a nice tea with my parents tonight too, and they paid bless them. So a slightly spendy day, but not too bad all in all. Hope everyone has had a good Saturday!

mothernerd

A SFD. Another one who doesn't do hot drinks so have used a glass of sugar free lemonade I bought last week - very interesting.

Today I am grateful for seeing all three of my sons, DS2 came to pay me cash for a cheque I have sent off on his behalf and DS1 came to pick up his parcels and DS3 came home from his friends (and so far hasn't complained that I have 'disappeared' his quilt - it was disgusting). Had three quiet days so back to normal now.

abundant1972

Evening everyone!

Happy 01st August!!!

Thank you academiablues for the mindfulness explanation... Like a few others, it's something I've tried before... with partial success. Of late - my head has been so busy with one thing and another that it never seems to be 'still'.

One meditation teacher I remember, said to imagine the thoughts as clouds in a summer sky... acknowledge them - but let them drift by... Our mind seems to either dwell on things past or be speeding ahead and planning/worrying about things that haven't happened yet... Mindfulness is simply about being in the now... in the flow of time and experiencing it with your total being. For me - when I have done it - I feel recharged and at one with life, and things just seem to flow so much better...

So I will do that after I have finished chatting with my friend in a bit... and uhm... try and stay present as i am chatting lol

Claiming today as SFD number 1 (I did spend a bit out of my budget but that fell on yesterday's spend haha).

As to my inspiration... it might be a cliche but it's my Mum. Not that she did anything a million other Mum's don't do everyday... It's not until I've got older and looked back I see how many sacrifices she made... and how hard she worked just so that we could have days out and Birthday/Christmas presents... sometimes 7 days a week... sometimes doing 2 jobs. If i could go back now I'd say please Mum - take a break... sit down. Toys aren't important to me - rest up and enjoy your life too...
I'm truly grateful for the magic you brought into my life and the love you surrounded me with. I make a point of telling her everytime we talk that I love her lots xxx

nannygladys

Oh blow just lost my post!
Hi everyone, not typing all that in again so ....

Sfd for me, have to try harder with mindfulness as mind was flitting all over the place when I was having a go and think I will have to go back to sw as bp nurse not happy with my rising bmi. That's about it except I'm in bed with 2yr old dgd as its 1st sleepover and she wouldn't go to sleep!!!!
So nite all and I report in tomorrow
Nannyg

dolly84

Calling - hope your back feels better and you get somewhere with Morrisons.

Abundant - what a lovely thing to say about your mum.

It's a bit wet here today at the moment so the plan for this morning is to get some of the kids toys on ebay and any other things we no longer need.

Bobarella

Well done on all your low cost back to school shopping Dolly. So far I have spent £10 on uniform stuff. And that has got me 2 jumpers & 3 poloshirts. His shorts still fit and we have an Argos voucher for his shoes. Just need to get him measured before buying them there. I suspect he will need a new winter jacket this year as we bought one when he started reception, that did all that year and has just done Year 1. I always buy big sizes in things I can get away with and that way the cost is less in the long run. I think his last coat was about £20 in Waitrose but it's a lovely padded navy coat, very smart. I am also lucky that his school are pretty good about lost property and we've hardly lost a thing in 2 years.

The_Only_Girl

Hello and good morning fellow turtles.

It was SFD No. 1 yesterday. I was at work (extra shift/overtime) til 11pm so there was no opportunity to spend. I did give myself £5 sensory treat to be taken from my £20 allowance. My hungry hippos were invited to a birthday and post-baptism celebration and got me a take home bag from Nando's courtesy of my friend who hosted said celebration.

Hubby has also assembled the new bed while I was at work and we've tested it out last night. It is worth every penny and it gave us a very good night's sleep. Our living room is still looking like the 4th bedroom with the old king size bed right in the middle of it. Not sure if British Heart Foundation would take it with the mattress not in a very good nick although the divan base is still perfect. I called the council for bulky waste removal but they won't be able to pick it up before Monday, a week from tomorrow. Not sure if anybody from Freecycle would want it either.

Gloomy morning here and I think rain is forecast so my plan to sell in a car boot fair has been squashed. Will try again next week. One batch of laundry already chugging away, a couple more loads to follow, plus another mountain of ironing to tackle (last week's was only partially done) Hubby is defrosting the freezer. It's empty so big shop due today. I dread to think how much we will spend today, as haven't drawn up the shopping list yet. Hoping for loads of ys goodies again today. Fingers crossed.

I haven't posted my targets for this month yet but I will later tonight or tomorrow. Promise.

As we conquer today's battle towards being debt-free here's something to ponder upon:

"Poor is a state of mind. Broke is a place we are just passing through."

apple_muncher

Hello turtles. I did write a post yesterday but then couldn't upload it. Didn't get an NSD but am planning on one today, along with a quiet day: pruning, hoovering and knitting. Am living the high life!

abundant1972

Afternoon everyone!

Mixed day here... A date didn't materialise - although we haven't fallen out... and my mood took a nose-dive. It has taken some quiet reflection and yes, mindfulness to get me back on track - and really look at my feelings, and not fall into my usual 'I am worthless' spiral. Am pleased with myself for catching my mood and turning it about.

Today = SFD number 2

I'm pleased with myself as have just secured a new Current Account with NWide which has a fantastic 5% interest rate on balances up to £2500. I have my ISA with them... and this will now be my primary account. I've banked with NWest for 7 years but their rates/perks are non existent.

As I will be saving money each month for 'Annual Expenses' and a 'Holiday Fund' they may as well be earning for me. My ISA will continue to be my Emergency Fund for now, which I've now topped up to £500. Half way there!

Now talking myself into doing a workout at the gym before they close... May check in later, or else - see you all tomorrow!

academiablues

Good afternoon all! Mothernerd, I’ll have to try it myself with a fizzy drink, I bet the bubbles make for an interesting experience. Abundant, I love your meditation teacher’s explanation of letting thoughts drift by – you can imagine them like leaves on a stream if clouds aren’t your thing and what lovely words about your mum, I’m sure she knows how much you love her as well. Nannygladys, your sleepover sounds lovely, bet you’re a bit tired today though! Dolly, hope your toys sell well, and well done on your back-to-school shopping (well done to you too Bob, that’s a good haul for £10). TOG, I always think about defrosting the freezer, but fill it again just as quickly as I empty it! It’s a great idea to do it though. Fingers crossed for you for YS bargains, and thanks for the quote, that’s fab. Apple, the high life is sometimes quite low-key
Well, I’m running the challenge and it’s only the second day, and I have to get on the naughty step and stay there!!! I was passing my local cue-vee-see outlet and they had a certain well-known type of blender (a nutritious type, owned by ninjas) for £29.99. I have wanted one for AGES but as they are £70 I had decided to ask for one for Christmas, but I thought it was an absolute bargain and bought it. It won’t make a huge difference to my overall budget as I had some euros that I changed back that came to a similar amount last month, but it’s still a bit naughty I will do some mindful breathing and think about what I've done!