OCTOBER FEATURED CAUSE: Y*O*U

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

Mbali's Throw Me a Bone post on our forum inspired me to make our cause of the month for October YOU. Yes, you read that right. YOU are our featured cause and October is now officially declared Self Care Month at 29 Gifts.

So this month, pay attention to YOURSELF. Give to YOURSELF. Love YOURSELF.

You can continue your giving to others, but I myself have fallen into a pattern of overgiving the past two months, which has left me feeling drained, angry and resentful--not the ideal energy to be giving from. So I'm going to make a mindful effort to give something to myself each day this cycle.

Here are 29 suggestions for ways to practice self care.
Please feel free to add comments to this string and make suggestions of your own.

1. Meditate daily (If you want to meditate with a group, check out the events tab. We've got two meditation telecourses starting in October--Meditation for Health and Healing and Meditation for the Entrepreneurial Spirit).

2. Pray daily.

3. Take a nice, long leisurely walk.

4. Enjoy a bubble bath.

5. Talk to yourself -- but say NICE things.

6. Write yourself a love poem.

7. Take a day--or even a few hours one day--off work.

8. Read a good book or two. (I highly recommend the 29 Gifts book :-)

9. Go on a bike ride.

10. Take a hike.

11. Go to the park and swing on the swings.

12. Cook yourself a yummy meal.

13. Let yourself off the hook if you make a mistake.

14. Write in your journal (or blog).

15. Light a candle and just sit and watch the flame.

16. Take some fun photos and make a collage.

17. Do something for yourself that you've been procrastinating.

18. Sit and BREATHE for five minutes a day.

19. Take a nap.

20. Dance in your living room to your favorite song.

21. Draw or paint a picture.

22. Write a story.

23. Throw yourself a party -- just because you deserve one.

24. Call a good friend and ask for support.

25. Spend some time in nature.

26. Sit quietly and let yourself rest.

27. Buy that little something you've been longing for and enjoy it.

28. Bring some fresh flowers into your house.

29. Kiss or hug someone you love.

[sharon]

Great suggestions!
Lately, I am reading your book, and taking it ever so slow, to make it last!(1)
2-I also color in coloring books, I have a special one with Native American Artwork Cartoons in it,
3-Bought myself the 64 crayon box I never had as a kid. Crayon Sharpener included...
4-I do sudoku and wordfind puzzles. I also do Jigsaw puzzles for fun and relaxation.
5-I love taking a trip to the Saltwater fish store to spend an hour looking at all the gorgeous fish, live rock and anemone.
6-There is a special treat for me always waiting at Rita's Frozen Custard.
7-Candlelit bubble baths are great.
8-Long walks with my dogs, I did an hour last night in a misting rain.
9-I create cards with stamping.
10-I play scrabble online.
11-I put Indian Dancing bells on my ankles and dance to music around my house.
12-I go out and find things to take "Artsy" pics of.

13-I cuddle with my cats.
14-I roll in the floor with my dogs.
15-I make up new yoga poses.
16-I call a friend and make a coffee date.
17-I invite a girlfriend over and we have a tea party with an oriental tea set and special teas.
18-I do the "tearoom with a special friend and share my favorite experience, a "full afternoon tea".
19-I take my dogs on a play date or the dog park, or a patio cafe.
20-I buy myself a new purple blooming African violet.
; )
-sharon

[Melissa]

This is a great list..... Did you know they have 96 big box of crayons... I have been eyeballing it for quite some time...

Peace to all

[sharon]

Oh, NO, I might need to check that out!

[Gemi]

wow, i want to be sharon when i grow up. :)

[sharon]

[Christi U.]

This is the perfect time of year for this. The natural world around us is slowing down and preparing for the rest of winter. At the same time, the human culture is getting psyched for the holidays. If take now to relax and give to ourselves, then we may actually enjoy the celebrations of the end October through the beginning of January. Good idea. Let's start celebrating ourselves now, so we can give even more over the next couple of months.

[Dawn]

i just now happened on this discussion (halfway through the month LOL) but i guess better late than never! i've been feeling pretty bah-humbug for a while now, could be you're on to something, Cami! Hugs, Dawn

[Jes]

1-
On a rainy day open one room of your house up ( the windows- the closet- desk drawers- clothes drawers) put a towel under the door on the way out if your worried about heat escaping to other parts of the house and leave it like that for a few hours, when you come back start closing things-the desk- the closet -then the windows last- its feels like a fresh breeze has gone threw all of your belongings and you can start fresh then lay on your bed right in the middle like a butterfly!
* It feels AMAZING!

[Dawn]

what a neat idea! i will have to try that out. Hugs, Dawn :-D

[Darcee Santicola]

this was perfect for me to see tonight. I''m really stressed and while I'm not complaining, I have felt like I've been doing so much for others and not much for me and I'm really feeling it. So drained.. I know If I plan something each day I just might be able to do for Me. Thanks Cami

[Dawn]

i love to make things with fabric and thread. today i gave myself the gift of taking the time to finish up a veritable mob of rag dolls. it was so much fun - each of them has her very own personality. here is a picture of them. hope you enjoy it as much as i did making them! Hugs, Dawn

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

These are adorable. I think you should send one or two of them over to Operation Teddy Bear Care, one of our "sister" projects that grew out of 29 Gifts.