The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Tag: Self care

  • To Have or To Listen?

    Hello Honeybees,

     

     

    I admit it I have been seriously slacking in taking the time to read. Taking the time to actually sit down with a REAL book in my hand.

    I love to read, always have thanks to my mother. I’m fortunate enough to have passed the love of books down to one of my sons. But finding, NO making, the time to sit still and read a book has been really hard for me lately. Whether it’s an actual book or an ebook sitting still is rough.

    I prefer an actual book to an ebook but lately I’ve been listening to books. I use the Libby app. It’s a free app that lets you check out books as long as you have a valid library card, from any library system that is participating. You can check out a book electronically to read or to listen. I don’t have the space in my home to store a lot of books so Libby is a good option for me.

    I read my forever First Lady’s, Becoming Michelle Obama when it first hit the shelves but I also wanted to hear her read it. I wanted to hear the emotion in her voice on certain parts. The book itself was a long read and the audio was a long listen, but I did it and I’m glad I did. It was worth it. Hearing the author read their words is a worthwhile  experience.

    Not every book is available on audio which is the biggest drawback. Also just like the regular library your book may not be available. You can put it on hold and it will pop into your “shelf” when it’s available. You have 21 days to listen. I like to listen when I’m cooking or cleaning and when I at work, especially when I’m working with numbers.

     

    I am challenging myself to read or listen to at least 24 books this year. So far I’m at 3! Some have been short but that’s okay, I’m expanding my genres this year to include a little of everything. Follow me on IG to keep up. Also, if a book really moves me I’ll do a review here on the blog.

    Drop me some suggestions of a few good books in the comments and I’ll add them to my library.

    Beewisdom- “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King

  • Forgive Yourself

    Hello Honeybees,

    We are all a work in progress. No one has it all together no matter what their Instagram feed or Facebook page says. I know that I am definitely a serious work in progress. I’m working on me! One of the major things that I am working on is forgiving myself.

    The weird thing is that I will forgive, not necessarily forget, a person that has done me wrong. But when it comes to me forgiving me that’s where I have a block. I hold myself to a much higher standard than I do other people because I can only control me & my actions.

    I’ve made some huge mistakes in my past that I am still trying to forgive myself for. I have asked God for forgiveness & I believe that He has forgiven me, so why am I still holding on? The holding on is keeping me from moving forward. I need to leave all of that baggage in the past where it belongs. Y’all that stuff is heavy, too heavy for me to keep carrying. It takes up to much mental & emotional space. I need that space to enjoy my NOW.

    So as you are reading this know that I am one gigantic step closer to forgiving myself, to letting the past go and moving forward. From this day forward I will no longer entertain what I use to do. I will only entertain what I do now and in the future. I’m leaving the past where it belongs….in the past. I forgive ME!

    What past mistake are you holding on to? What’s stopping you from letting them go?

    Beewisdom-“Never forget that to forgive yourself is to release trapped energy that could be doing good work in the world.” -D. Patrick Miller

     

    Photos: Desiree @mocha_divas  

  • Motherly Advice

    Hello Honeybees,

    Growing up my mother always told me to buy myself something out of every paycheck. It didn’t have to be anything expensive or over the top but something. “A tube of lipstick or pair of panties” Her exact words not mine.

    Her thought process was that you deserve to reward yourself for all of the hard work you’ve put in for that paycheck. After paying your tithes and obligations you deserve something for you.

    For the most part I have listened to that advice. Unfortunately for me that reward usually comes in the form of food. Don’t judge!  I say unfortunately because I think that I would feel better if I rewarded myself with something more tangible. Say a new pair of shoes that are on sale or a makeup brush. You get the picture. I look at rewarding myself as a form of self care. It brings me joy and puts me in a good mood, thereby making me a happier person.

    I keep my paycheck rewards to under $30. I really try to stay around $20. I like the thrill of finding something that makes me happy but stays within budget. Now if I want a bigger reward I save up for it and sometimes the act of  saving can be my reward.

    No matter which way I decide to say thank you to myself for making it through I know that my mother is proud of me & smiling down from heaven saying, “She listened” Yes momma I listened and I just bought a pair of shoes on clearance at TJ Maxx for $22.

    As I was writing this post I got to thinking about some of the many lessons that my mother taught me and the advice that she gave me. So from time to time I’ll share those stories on the blog. They will live under the Growing Up Bee section. I hope you get as much out of them as I do.

    What’s your favorite piece of motherly advice?

    Happy Mother’s Day!!

    Beewisdom- A mother is a woman who shows you the light when you just see the dark. Grimaldos Robin