New Things, Fun Things, Living Our Best Life - and Resolutions Update!

Today, my biggest thought is, "if I stopped eating things, I might stop sounding like Tchaïkovski's  1812 Overture from behind. 

How delightfully ironic, that just as I'm discovering all this self empowerment around my body, I feel so unsexy. 

Occasionally, I have experienced moments of insecurity around my digestive function, but it's been short lived; fleeting. After all, love me at my best and gassiest, right?

Right.

As of late, though, I feel really gross over it. The older I get, the more volatile my stomach becomes. 

And Daddy tells me that it doesn't affect how attractive I am to him, but I don't think he dealt with such vocal rear views in his previous life; and that is toying with me. 

I do believe what he tells me, though; and his actions genuinely reinforce his message. And I know I definitely do not need the negative self talk; I've caused myself enough grief playing the "Am I as good as..." game with Swedish women (RIP, @horrorbarbie. Forever thankful). Is she actually deceased? Probably not, but I can always offer Lilith and Lucifer some extra-curricular activity options...and like a cat, I prefer to toy with my prey forever before terminating it.

Aside from the psychological impacts of my irritable bowels, it's immensely uncomfortable - physically.

I am bloated, all the time. Gas cramps can be as strong as labour pains. I swing from constipated to needing the bathroom within a 5 foot distance. I've been getting headaches, and I am exhausted most of the time. Clearly, my mental health is not exactly where it should be. Granted, this isn't a function of IBS, but, like everything health related, the Venn circles overlap. 

Being the first day of March, I'm going to do my best to troubleshoot my guts and eliminate things that I am finding to be directly linked to my rich intestinal choir. 

I'm removing refined/processed sugars. I have been reading that there is a very close correlation between IBS and levels of sugar in the diet. I can relate; any and all candy/chocolate has me sounding like an air raid is coming. 

I have drastically reduced my dairy intake, but I will pretty much eliminate it over the next 30 days. 

Most processed food is out; no takeout, no drive through (unless it's coffee), no candy. For the most part, nothing that I don't make at home. 

Nothing fermented, no cabbage family stuff. Fruit is still in, as are non-cruciferous greens. Any and all proteins are still safe. Oddly enough, I don't get egg farts. Go figure.

I hope to report back in 30 days, a less gassy witch. Still sassy, though. 

Onto less foul smelling things...

Daddy has been officially PR'd!  He has his Permanent Residency, and we're all thrilled about it. There's no escape, now! We celebrated with a bit of a Lebanese feast (pretty much our favourite food), and we're all sleeping a little easier, now. 

I was approached by a new Canadian fitness brand to be an ambassador for their gear - Step Up Can. I responded, and I don't regret it. The clothing is wonderful quality and affordable. I am going to own so much of it. 

It's also run by a Portuguese kid (we're pretty much the same age, but whatevs), and so I knew that I could definitely jump on board. I have a coupon code, too...so if you go to www.stepupcan.ca, and pile your cart up full of amazing gear, you can enter Sarah15 at checkout for 15% off your WHOLE order. 

Follow @stepupcan on Instagram.

P.S. buy some pants. 

I feel as though there is more...but I can't remember, and I'm nursing a baby migraine, so I'm not going to think too hard. 

I will update errbody on my resolutions, though!

"I will wear a crop top."

Ongoing. I now have...three crop tops. Two of them, I wear out of the house. I am making it happen!

"I will work out in a sports bra and leggings.  At the gym."

I have not. I just can't bring myself to do it, yet. I am not comfortable enough with my fluffy back. I am starting to look really solid from the front, but my whole back is so stubborn.  Maybe this March experiment will inadvertently thin me out a bit?

 "I will learn to bead, and I will learn to make Moccasins and Mukluks".

I can bead! I have learned a few different things, and I am on fire beading pairs of earrings for dear ones. I have a pile to ship away to various locations. I promise folx, soon! This last week was too much, and the weekend flew by. I will make it to the post office THIS WEEK. Mukluks and moccasins are still on the bucket list, but that will come in time. 

 "I will become more confident in my role at work.

One day at a time. The folx I work with tag me in Satanic memes, regularly. I'm calling that a win. 

"I will learn as much as I can about Indigenous traditions"

I learn something new every week! What I feel is really amazing? I'm learning about how you can work somewhere and feel loved and appreciated and find heart in your colleagues. I'm happy. Here is a peek from Festival du Voyageur, where we met Wab Kinew and Jagmeet Singh!

"I will continue to advocate for things I believe in.  I will continue to work on setting boundaries and sticking to them."  

Oh, so much work being done here. I am loving this part of my journey, and I love making my own rules, and shaking off the ones that I have felt obligated to follow. Live deliciously, kids!

 "I will commit to having beautiful hands."

Yes!!! I am doing this! I had a setback after my first set of talons...timing and conflicts and whatnot, and I ended up having pulled them all off in the weeks leading up to my 2nd appointment with Alaina. 

But I went back, and I have some super cool potion-looking nails! This time, I booked for three weeks, and so I will keep these babies on for an actual fill! I'm excited to look for my next design/colour.

"I will get one pedicure a season."

It happened on the last day of February, but IT HAPPENED. Daddy and I got pedicures together, and I have princess toes, now! It was lots of fun, and we'll go for another foot pampering in a couple of months. I think I'll sneak monthly pedis in over the summer...

"I will do my best to only say nice things about myself."

Yeah, erm, does it count if I just don't beat myself up, too much? Because I haven't really been too awful to myself, but I haven't been consistently building myself up, either. 

A little better, everyday. 

"I will wear a swimsuit, come summer." 

I will. 

"I will save as many pennies as I can."

Immigration fees are paid, so we're cleared there! Filing taxes is next, and once that's cleared too, we save. Daddy bought a 1983 Volvo for refurbishing (I'm pretty excited about it, myself), but it's not too cost intensive. 

"I will own my self worth."

And I am learning my value. This is exciting, and it's gonna be a party.

 "I will continue to develop my spiritual path."

I feel this a lot. 

I have been so busy and so tired, that I have fallen a little off giving regular day attention to my altar, the way I want to. I have added some small things to it - baby Baphomets and La Santíssima is now wearing a Lilith pendant... but I need to get back to meditation at the altar and burning offerings regularly. It balances me. I feel the pull of it, and I will come back to connecting with those energies. In the meantime, my kiddo has become engrossed with this path, wearing his new tee proudly, and requesting a hoodie like mine, in his size (it's totally on the way). He even wrote a Valentine to Satan ❤️ My kid is the coolest.

Ave Satanas!

Well, I am now the proud parent of a migraine, so I'll leave you all here. 

Happy March! Spring is coming, and with it comes the sun.

Hail yourselves!

S