Tag Archives: Workbooks

Not So Exciting Friday Plans

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is almost six thirty in the morning here in Seattle. Sadly, I did not sleep very well last night. I wish I wasn’t struggling so much with sleep. Sleep is essential for good health, both physical and mental health which is why I wish I could sleep especially since I am not feeling well. I am sadly dealing with a stupid cold.

Since I am not feeling very well today, I am going to take it easy. I am not sure what exactly what I will do today but I know cuddling with my cat, Billie will be one of thing that I will most definitely do today. Hell, cuddling with my cat, Billie is something I do on the daily basis, and I am so grateful that Billie is such cuddle bug.

Speaking of cats, I will be doing a shift with Alley Cat Project later this morning. I am on the incoming calls team. The thing the incoming call team does is return phone calls to people who have called, emailed or an online submission. Most of the time the calls returned are regarding stray and feral cats in need of some kind of help and the incoming calls team then puts the person in touch with the appropriate person to help.

Another thing I plan on doing today is continuing to do continuing education course regarding my chosen career path of being a peer support specialist. I hope the course I start today is something that I can use in a job or at least in my personal life. I am not sure what course I will start today but I will figure that out later.

Besides working on continuing education courses, I plan on working on a workbook or two that is related to improving myself and/or recovery related to the mental health challenges I deal with. Self-improvement is key to a person’s recovery no matter the type of recovery a person is in. I enjoy working on my self-improvement and recovery by working on recovery related workbooks as I find them quite helpful especially in between sessions with my therapist.

Today is not going to be all work and no play as everyone needs something fun or enjoyable to do. One of the enjoyable things I plan on doing at some point today is some form art. I am not quite sure what type of artwork that I will do but it will either be color or diamond art/painting or maybe both but of course not at the same time.

I do not have anything else to discuss or write about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be continuing to write my blog. Again, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

A Day of Learning

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! It is a few minutes after three o’clock in the afternoon here in Seattle. I haven’t really done very much of anything due to not feeling well which means I have not left my apartment. I haven’t left my apartment as I don’t want to give other people in my apartment building or anybody else my cold. On a plus note at least my take home Covid test are all coming back negative which makes me so freaking happy.

Since I haven’t really left my apartment today due to not feeling well, I have been trying to stay productive with various educational opportunities and some personal growth opportunities as well as some training opportunities. I really enjoy being able to have learning and training opportunities as I enjoy being able to learn. As personal growth opportunities go, it can be quite challenging at times but well worth it in the long run.

Sadly, the training I was hoping to start and finish today, I could not do, due to a technical glitch that is not on my end. The training I was hoping to accomplish today is one for PAWS Cat City. It will allow me to learn more about cat behavior as well as being able to work with some cats who may be bit more socialization for various reasons. It is my hope that by the end of next year (2026) I can complete the various levels of training to be able to work with some of the sassier cats. On that note I am not sure if I have to wait a certain amount of time to take the next “level” of training and I am okay if I have to wait so I can get more hands-on experience after doing the online training.

Speaking of training, I did a continuing education course regarding my career path of being a peer specialist. I am not too sure about the course that I have been doing but I am learning something. Some of it is applicable to being a peer specialist and sadly I feel like the particular course I am taking is missing some vital information. I am hoping that when I finish the course that the vital information is discussed.

As far as the personal growth opportunity goes, I am doing a workbook for queer people who identify as trans or nonbinary, but I do know queer folks who do not identify as trans or nonbinary. The workbook’s focus is to build resiliency in your identity. Building resiliency can also be a part of other areas of life. The section I did today was quite challenging for me and I know it will ultimately help with accepting myself as well help me with my mental health recovery. I am grateful I have workbooks to do to help me improve myself.

I do not have anything else to discuss or write about in the particular blog post. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated on my end that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be continuing to write my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Thinking About Self Improvement & Recovery

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is a few minutes after four o’clock in the morning here in Seattle. I am not sure why I am up so early, but I am and sadly I am not feeling very well. It appears to me that I have a cold as I did a home Covid test last night as well as this morning and both tests came negative. I will be taking another take home Covid test this evening as I want to make sure that I don’t have Covid and if I do then I will self-isolate to make sure I don’t give it to anyone else. I am wearing a mask in public because I don’t even want to give this cold to anyone.

Even though I am not feeling well, I am still planning on doing what I want to accomplish today or at least start what I want to accomplish. There are a couple of continuing education course I want to take through the State of Washington that is for already certified peer support specialist. I am wanting to do this just to learn more as well as needing to take them for future trainings as peer. Plus, I love learning especially when it comes to my career of choice as a peer specialist.

Speaking of my chosen career choice, I have been applying for jobs as a peer support specialist. In fact, I have two job interviews next week for two different teams at the same agency. One is parttime and is not temporary job while the other if fulltime but temporary that last 18 months. In all honesty, I really hope I get the parttime job for various reasons. One of which I think I could succeed in the particular job.

Since I brought up wanting to succeed in a future workplace, I have been setting some goals for my recovery. One of those goals is to continue to work my way through some recovery related workbooks. I enjoy doing workbooks as a form of self-improvement as well as to help me with my recovery especially in between sessions with my therapist. Plus, completing recovery related workbooks allows me to help clients with improving themselves and I can inform them on how the workbook helped me with my own recovery.

Another way that I am focusing on self-improvement, and recovery is by watching TED Talks videos. There are so many TED Talks that I can learn from and not just with self-improvement, but other topics as well including how to deal with grief as I recently lost both of my parents. Hell, there is even a series for cat people like me.

Speaking of cats, I got approved to take the next level of cat behavior training for PAWS Cat City. It is online and I am looking forward to it. I can do it at my own pace, which is a good thing, but my plan is to do it in one sitting later today. I really enjoy working with cats or in this case volunteering with cats and not just with PAWS Cat City but Alley Cat Project (ACP) as well. Even though my volunteer position with Alley Cat Project (ACP) doesn’t have me directly working with cats, I am still helping cats. On that note I am really excited about taking the next level of cat behavior training for PAWS Cat City especially since I do have direct contact with cats at PAWS Cat City.

I do not have anything else to discuss or write about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be continuing to write my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Insomnia Strikes Again

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is a few minutes after two o’clock in the morning here in Seattle. I am sadly unable to sleep again due to insomnia. I am not a big fan of not being able to sleep as getting a good night’s sleep is crucial both physical health and mental health.

Speaking of mental health, since I am unable to sleep, I have been working on a recovery related workbook. I find that working on recovery related workbooks help me with my recovery and allows me to look inward on how I can improve myself and lessen the symptoms of my mental health challenges. The recovery related workbooks also helps me in between session with my therapist.

In addition to working on recovery related workbooks, I have been reading. I am reading the second book in a dark queer fantasy series. I am really enjoying the book as well as the series. Reading helps me get out of my head and is a way for me to focus on something other than my current problems.

I do not have much more to discuss or write about in this particular except that I am going to curl up with my cat, Billie and read. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be continuing to write my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Goals for 2024

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I know I am posting this almost two weeks into the New Year of 2024 but I thought you would be interested in what my goals for this year are.

My goals are as follows:

~ Clean my apartment and keep it clean. (My apartment is a disaster area and gets the way it does due to the fact that I struggle with the upkeep of my apartment when my depression acts up.)

~ Get a job in the social service field, preferably as a peer specialist. (Yes, I know I am currently unemployed by choice to focus on my recovery however working will help once I am a little bit more stable on my feet.)

~ Continue volunteering at PAWS Cat City. (This is a no brainer as I really love volunteering with cats.)

~ Start and complete at least three workbooks regarding my recovery. (This is to not to take the place of attending therapy on the regular basis but to help with my recovery as well as help aid on what I need to work on in therapy.)

~ Read at least four books. (I really enjoy reading and want to do my best to incorporate reading on the regular basis and into my daily life.)

~ Learn about Tarot and practice it. (I just feel like this could help me with my everyday life as well as my recovery with mental health challenges.)

~ Continue practicing mindfulness on a daily basis. (This is to also help me with my everyday life as well as my recovery with mental health challenges.)

~ Continue morning walks. (Of course there are many benefits to walking and I really enjoy it.)

~ Continue regular sessions with my therapist. (Another no brainer especially since I want to continue to work on my recovery with mental health challenges.)

~ Continue regular appointments with my psychiatric nurse practitioner. (Again, another no brainer especially regarding my mental health recovery.)

~ Continue paying off credit cards. (Who doesn’t want to be debt free?)

~ Do one logic puzzle a week. (To help keep my brain active.)

~ Color two regular posters and one giant poster. (Creativity is always a good thing.)

So Far It’s Been A Productive Day

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! It is just after twelve noon, Seattle time and I feel like it has been a productive day so far. I am beyond grateful that I have done a great deal. In fact the day is barely half over and I still have a few more things to accomplish today.

I started off my day cleaning for about an hour which surprised the hell out of me as I normally clean about fifteen minutes at a time. I then worked on a workbook to finish up the first chapter which I am happy to announce that I did. I read a couple of chapters in a book followed by attending an online group. After the online group I worked on an art project I am doing for my therapist. The art project I am doing is that I am coloring a giant poster for my therapist as an appreciation gift for all of her help.

I do not have much else to write about in this particular blog post and have other things I would like to accomplish today. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be continuing to write on my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Structuring My Time

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! I haven’t been unemployed for a full week yet and I am wanting and needing more structure in my daily schedule despite me doing my best to structure my days. At this point in time I do not regret quitting my job as it was not the best fit for me for reasons I rather not disclose at the moment. I know ultimately leaving my job was the best decision for me.

Yes, I may not have the structure of work that I may need but I am doing the best I can to structure my days. As part of my daily schedule doing mindfulness meditations and walking will continue. I will also be doing workbooks as a part of my recovery. I will also be setting out some time daily to read as well as some art work. Specifically, I will be coloring a giant poster for my therapist. Of course, I will be attending therapy every other week. Let’s not forget, I get to spend more time with my cat, Billie.

I do not have much more to write about in this particular blog post.I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Managing Through a Tough Day

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! It has been a rough day so far and it is not even twelve noon yet, here in Seattle. I think part of the reason why it has been a rough day is partly due to PTSD symptoms as well as depression symptoms. Both depression and PTSD symptoms suck but I think a factor of the depression symptoms is due to the current weather here in Seattle. It is currently cloudy with a great deal of rain. On that note at least it is not cold enough to snow as I am not a big fan of snow.

Since it hasn’t been the greatest weather outside, I have been doing some things to help myself through this tough day. I have been doing some mindfulness meditation practices as well as doing workbooks to focus on different aspects of my recovery. I have found that both the mindfulness meditation practices and doing workbooks have been quite helpful. Of course my cat, Billie, has been a major help.

Speaking of cats, I go back to volunteering at PAWS Cat City later today after taking some time off. I will be doing some sub shifts and hopefully, will be back on a regular shift soon. Volunteering with cats is awesome and I enjoy it immensely.

I do not have much more to write about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Weekly Plans

Posted on by Gertie

Sunday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice via the Calm App
  • Read the Seattle Times
  • Cuddle with my cat, Billie
  • Work on Step 1
  • Art (color)
  • Read
  • Work on a workbook (TBD)
  • Dinner with my family

Monday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice via the Calm App
  • Read the Seattle Times
  • Breakfast with grandpa
  • Work
  • Read

Tuesday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice via the Calm App
  • Read the Seattle Times
  • Work
  • Read
  • Art (color)
  • Work on Step 1
  • Work on a workbook (TBD)

Wednesday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice via the Calm App
  • Read the Seattle Times
  • Work
  • Read
  • Art (color)
  • Attend a twelve step meeting

Thursday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice via the Calm App
  • Read the Seattle Times
  • Work
  • Art (color)
  • Meeting with sponsor
  • Read
  • Work on workbook (TBD)

Friday

  • Mindfulness meditation via the Calm App
  • Read the Seattle Times
  • Work on Step 1
  • Art (color)
  • Work on a workbook (TBD)
  • Attend a twelve step meeting
  • Read

Saturday

  • Mindfulness meditation via the Calm App
  • Read the Seattle times
  • Go to the U-District Farmers Market with friends
  • Work on a workbook (TBD)
  • Read
  • Attend a twelve step meeting
  • Lunch with friends
  • Art (color)
  • Work on Step 1

Too Awake to Sleep

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I am way too wake to sleep or as other people would say, I am wide awake. I am wide awake partly because of insomnia and the other reason is because I ended up taking a late nap that lasted about three hours. Yes, I have attempted to sleep but I am unable to.

Since I am unable to sleep, I have been keeping myself busy. I have attended two online twelve step meetings. Ironically, both meetings focused on step one. I say ironically because my sponsor and I started doing step work together and I am working on step one. I really enjoy attending the twelve step meetings as they are quite helpful for me and my recovery.

Attending online twelve step meetings and working on step is not the only way I have been working on my recovery. The other way I have been working on my recovery is doing recovery based and skills based workbooks. Doing workbooks helps me build upon the skills I already have and reinforce the skills that I already have.

I have also done other stuff besides recovery focused stuff. One thing I have been doing is reading. I am currently reading two books but the book I have been reading tonight is Pet Cemetery by Stephen King. Since it was Friday the 13th and Halloween is coming up, I decided to read a horror book. I am really enjoying Pet Cemetery.

Not only have I been reading but I have been doing some artwork. The type of artwork I have been doing is coloring. I really enjoy coloring and I am coloring a giant poster I bought from Stuff2Color.com. As I colored I listened to some music. I listened to my childhood playlist. My childhood play list consist of music that I listened to that brings back happy memories.

I do not have anything else to write about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!