At the end of September,  I introduced you to Kacey Bradley and her Become Your Own Best Friend And Hero.

I decided to take her challenge, modifying it where necessary.  This week was a true bust, because I only looked at my list once, and then not again until Friday. 

[tweetthis]All week, I was nose-to-the-grindstone, locked in my office working on technical documents.  [/tweetthis]

Day 8: Rearrange a Room

Has your furniture been in the same place for so long that it’s left permanent indents in the floor beneath it? Take some time to rearrange one of your rooms to give it a fresh new look.Acht!! Not only did I fail to do this, but I haven’t purchased my postcard stamps yet, and I missed a couple of birthday.  

Yesterday, Day 8, I didn’t even look to see what I was supposed to do to love myself.  Yet this morning, when I walked through the living room, I thought to myself, “time to move the couch and get the area rug out again.  And, I want to put up the fall decorations.  Halloween is coming. Sunday, the decorations went up.

Day 9: Buy New Undies

Even if no one else sees them, there’s something fantastic about strutting around in new matching undergarments. Treat yourself!

This is something I used to do when the kids were growing up and I was not in a relationship.  I felt pretty good treating myself in a way that nobody could see.  Now that is a good memory.  But did I do it this week.  Nuh-uh. Nadda.

Day 10: Get Your Haircut

You don’t need to spend hundreds on a cut and color — just a simple wash, trim, and blow dry can be enough to turn your day around.

Well, I have a regular hair appointment with my stylist Renée.  She’s been my stylist for over 16 years, and she’s a hoot.  I’d follow her almost anywhere. No need for a haircut, but my bangs are getting a bit long.  Maybe I should stop in and let her wield her magic.

Day 11: Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being in the moment, and not worrying about the past or the future. Try a five-minute mindfulness meditationto help get you started — YouTube has a ton of them, so keep searching until you find one you like!

Day 12: Laugh, Then Share the Laughter

Laughter is the best medicine. Find something that makes you laugh and share it with a few friends so they can join in on the fun.

I love laughing.  No one needs to prompt me on this one.  

I decided I’d spend a little more time looking out the window.  Windows are all around me.  So this week, I spent some time watching the grackles gather in a group at the top of the hickory tree.  I also saw a beautiful red fox take a drink from our water garden. 

Day 13: Dance!

Put on your favorite music and dance like no one is watching — even if someone is. Who knows, you might inspire someone else to join you on the dance floor, wherever that happens to be.

Sweet!  I love to dance. I’m listening to tunes after breakfast, while I work.

Day 14: Write Some Affirmations

Pick your favorite affirmations and write them on sticky notes. Put those sticky notes where you’ll see them every day — on your bathroom mirror or the cabinet above your coffee maker. Whatever works for you!

Okay, I can do this.  I’m going to write one of my favorite bible verses:

Psalm 139:14New International Version (NIV)

How’s your progress?

I began using the Bedtime app on my phone.  In order to get 7 hours of sleep, I set my wake up time, and my phone plays me a few bars of lullaby an hour before I should go to bed.  In the morning, it wakes me to a sweet melody, instead of my favorite news on NPR.  My day starts out in a much happier place now.

I’m learning that I’m pretty bad at following directions and staying on script. And, I’m not that bad about loving myself.

How about you? Tell me, how’s the love going?