Ninja Saving Turtles Challenge August 2025

grandmanerd

Wednesday 6th August 2025

10 Small Things To Do To Find Joy In Life Again
This is taken from an article by Tickled Think. It's quite a long article (worth a read) so I've just listed the points and put a brief precis of the content. I hope I haven't distorted the views of the original creator.

During difficult times in life we can end up living on auto-pilot, just dealing with an endless series of problems. Finding joy and choosing happiness does not mean ignoring the problems but just accepting the problems and knowing they do not define your existence.

1)    Learn to Focus on What You Can Control
Trying to control every single aspect of your life can be exhausting. The solution is not finding the perfect system or organising style. You don't need to abandon your long term goals but in moments of crisis, focus on what is in front of you. Do the best with what you have and be open to changes and surprises along the way.

2)    Take One Day at a Time
Overthinking and worrying about every possible situation dissipates your energy. Take a step back and allow yourself to focus on the present and work on what you can do today. 

3)     Focus On Things That Make You Genuinely Happy
Spend time with people that bring you joy and happiness and include activities that you enjoy. There is more to life than constant striving.

4)      Practice Self-Compassion
Constant criticism can destroy your self-esteem and confidence. Please know that you deserve the same love kindness and understanding that you give to your loved ones

5)     Set Small and Achievable Goals
Setting over ambitious goals and adhering to too strict schedules will make you tired and overwhelmed. Small steps and steady progress will get you there in the end, without burn out.

6)     Embrace Vulnerability
Stop bottling up your feelings and pretending everything is okay. Sit with your feelings and learn what they are telling you.

7)     Make Self-Care a Priority
Looking after yourself isn't an add-on. When life is challenging, looking after yourself can slip down the list of priorities. But looking after yourself will help you face the challenges and upsets of life and deal with them 

8)     Focus on Small Pleasures
Achieving your big goals gives pleasure but then you switch to chasing the next goal. Happiness and joy are found in the quiet moments. Imagine coming in soaking wet through, taking off the wet layers, towel drying your hair and sitting down to a comforting bowl of your favourite soup. Slow down, savour the small moments. Recording your gratitudes each day can help.

9)    Make Kindness Your Superpower
Kindness uplifts others and nourishes your soul. Everyone is fighting their own battles. Practice kindness.

10)  Cultivate Hope
Nurture a belief in the possibility of a brighter future, even when your current circumstances are bleak.Hope gives us the strength to carry on, find joy in the midst of life's challenges and embrace the journey with resilience and courage

DawnW

Thanks for this @grandmanerd.

Lots done today. Dog walk, cleaning, sowed lots of seeds for autumn / winter veg (it isn't too late), put lots of things away, watering, fed the veg, deadheading flowers, picked loads of tomatoes, labelled and put away the jam I made yesterday, and lots of other things too small and boring to mention!

Still on NSD #2.. Not today though, as my kitchen timer has broken and OH dropped and broke the spoon rest, so a couple of small purchases ordered. Both items came from charity shops many years ago, and I used them both extensively, so no guilt about the £10 or thereabouts spent.

beanielou

@Thrifty_Taylor.  Sorry the boat wasv cancelled.  Hope you manage to get a cabin for FRiday xx

grandmanerd

Took a taxi to the infirmary and ordered my repeat prescription. When I came out of the building the bus was at the bus stop so took the shortest route and did my best hobble and made it there. Got off at the Community shop - bought 9 ready meals (3 for a £), my 5 veg for a £, 50 x 2 finger choc wafers, cooked chicken breasts, some back bacon, 2 packs dor-ee-toes and renewed my membership. Walked home very slowly. Sat on the church wall and drank my can of pop (had taken it with me but never had a chance to sit down). Food moved to kitchen.

I have hung out washing on the line. Last wash load has gone in. This morning I attended to my right foot - the hard skin over the injury split and I think I extract a tiny sliver of china from the wound. Will still need antiseptic cream and a plaster whilst it heals up.

I have cooked chicken stew (nearly a whole cabbage, most of a head of celery, 4 leeks, 3 red onions, a bag of carrots and most of a box of mushrooms. Filled my 10 l stock pot. The Community shop had small crates of mushrooms (would either be free or a £) but I didn't want to end up with too much to do. 

Grateful for gorgeous stew, lovely volunteers at the Community shop, my foot hurting a lot less. 

f0xh0les

I dropped in at the food rescue place, got fruit and veg and some frozen bits, all for free. 

Went to T0sC0 and spent £30, should do me for the rest of the week.  I have tomatoes, cukes, beans, and courgettes growing outside in pots. 

Went charity shopping and got some clothes for work and a new bag. V1nted came through with a pair of boots bnwt for £13 delivered to my doorstep.  Feeling slightly more prepared.  

Got booked for 2 more jobs today, and as I now have 3 employers, I decided to waste the last 90 minutes trying to apply for another temp position starting on Monday.  It is only for 3 days, starting next week, but it so annoying when everything works on a site in one browser, except for the final 'apply' clicky button.  Grrr! Ended up changing browsers and writing a good cover letter.  What will be will be - I am harnessing my inner Doris Day. 

Grateful for :

Coffee Maker machine every single morning

finally feeling like I am getting somewhere, 

Sweet potato fries in the air fryer

beanielou

So wish we had a community shop.
@grandmanerd Have you tried calendula cream ?  Fantastic for all cuts & sores.  I always have a tube or two on the go.

Thrifty_Taylor

Thank you @beanielou. It's highly unlikely that we'll get a cabin on the way down, they're usually snaffled up by Shetlanders, who get on the boat before people from our group of islands, so booked in advance. Maybe on the return trip though 🤞

Thank you for today's post @grandmanerd. I needed this today, as I've struggled a bit.

Went to town, got 2 free items fr the bakery counter & free expensive tomatoes with my L1DL app. Another free bake to collect on Friday, when I go shopping. Spent the morning with a friend, we walked to donate clothes in a collection bank. You'd have laughed at us trying to squeeze the two bags in when it was quite full! 🤣 Then we chatted, are carrot cake, I cried & we crafted. Popped to see mum & cried again.

Had a quick dinner, then went for a massage. Ate tea, then went to the cinema with a friend.

Grateful for supportive people (including you lot), relaxing, time to grieve

Rowan9

Lots of love thrifty. Hope your boat journey tomorrow is smooth. 

Thanks so much for that list grandmothernerd it’s so helpful. 

Haven’t had a NSD yet but we are eating planned food and the freezer is going down. 

Lots to be grateful for including DH checking the car over before a journey north tomorrow, the excitement of seeing my dsis tomorrow, sunshine for the street performers at the fringe

grandmanerd

Thursday 7th August 2025

Respect your body when it's asking for a break. Respect your mind when it's seeking rest. Honour yourself when you need a moment
(spirituality.org)

beanielou

Will be thinking of you tomorrow @Thrifty_Taylor xx