Mental games are all about changing what seems destructive to helpful, daunting to calming. A wave of homesickness has hit me this weekend BUT that meant for me a weekend of flipping that. How?
- I have talked to my mom everyday. Normally, I avoid this because it makes it worse but I have loved hearing her reassurances, I mean even her voice in general made me less anxious. I am counting down the days till she comes. I keep begging her to visit, let’s hope it is within the next month’s time.
- I rented a mindless movie. This may seem odd, but when I got my first root canal they had me watch The Ugly Truth. I am not a chick flick girl, I would never have rented this. Well, I didn’t really remember the movie and didn’t get through the whole thing so I rented it at the library. Mindless movie watching Saturday night is the best.
- I had some glorious runs. The antibiotics leaving my body makes my legs feel 1000x better. No lead legs. Boo-ya.
- I actually experimented in the kitchen. I decided to try some stuffed mushrooms and peppers. Number one let me say, I haven’t had mushrooms in ages but they are my favorite. However, they are super expensive. This week a whole box was $1 GET ME AT EM. So I filled the little tops with no salt added tomato sauce from the can (25 cents a can), little fat free cream cheese ($1.50 for a whole block) and some cut up turkey bacon. HOLY MOSES I found a winner. Roasted to perfection.
- I walked and explored. I visited probably about 10 stores in like a five mile radius of my apartment. Got to love just getting out and about.
Short and sweet. The less plugged weekends I am liking. Don’t forget to enter my giveaway that ends Monday night!
Questions: What were you up to this Saturday? What do you do to switch your mood?
talking to someone is the #1 way to turn my mood around. I find when im in a bad mood, i’m usually alone and stuck in my own head.
So true, when I get stuck in my head it is like a downward spiral. The amount of times I text my mom is unreal just to vent something.
I’m glad you talk to your mama! It is so evident that you miss her and truly love her. So touching.
Yesterday I had plans to hit the gym and do some shopping. But I decided that I was going to enjoy my weekend and relax at home with my family. I did go on a peaceful walk too. It was lovely 
That sounds like a great way to spend a weekend, especially since you are so busy with school.
I am so glad you are feeling better now that you don’t have to take the antibiotics anymore! Generally,this post finally sounds positive again and I love that. It made me smile today,thank you,Alex!
Haha, the ups and downs are so present. Always has to happen, my stomach still hates me but one step at a time.
So glad you’ve been talking to your mom! I always use to feel better after a phone call with mine when I was in college. (now I live right next door! lol) And I have to say, awesome runs are my absolute favorite way to relieve stress, and they instantly put me in a good mood. Good for you!!
Oh man, I wish I lived next door to my mom! What a lucky duck.
Love the anti-social vs. selectively social picture — that is SO me!!
I find that in the past, when I became upset, I would numb out (and resort to my eating disorder to cope). These days, I’m more likely to integrate myself with the world and engage in some kind of activity – whether it’s a yoga class, sitting in a crowded Starbucks with my laptop or a book, going for a run, or taking a blanket out to sit in the park during the summer. Basically anything to get me out of sitting alone at home.
I am the same way, I am so much better about getting out and spending less time in my apartment. It really does make a huge difference.
Sounds like you’re having a good week! The one thing I love about cities is that you can basically walk out of your house and be somewhere. Even if you don’t buy something while browsing shops, it’s still fun to just look around. And your mushroom concoction sounds wonderful!
It was so good, I was just happy I got to buy mushrooms. they are usually so expensive. I love being able to walk everywhere.
aww I love exploring! And talking to your mom always makes things better… I get homesick during vacations and such, so that definitely helps hearing a comforting voice
I am the same way,I hate admitting I am 22 and still get homesick.
I LOVE stuffed mushrooms! and talking to my mom sometimes calms me down or sometimes makes it worse, but the first week away (like now) it makes it better. And I LOVE the movie The Ugly Truth. Super mindless yet so so so funny. Gerard Butler gets me every time
Your Saturday sounds so much more relaxing than mine. My ride was a rain fest and my parents had to come to the rescue… But I am safe and having a blast with my roomie before school starts tomorrow! O and I will be emailing you for shopping tips ASAP!
I was bummed when I saw you were hitting rain, so hard when moving in. Makes it that much tough for sure. I was more happy about the budget mushrooms I found, so delicious to say the least and super easy to make. It was a great mindless movie to watch.
Those stuffed mushrooms sound DELICIOUS! My Saturday flashed before my eyes, but it was great nonetheless: lie in, spa day including manicure, pedicure and blowdry, went into the office for the 2nd half of the day, a few family members came over for drinks and then hit up a bar with some friends
!
Gah that sounds like a freaking amazing Saturday, the mushrooms were delicious for sure. Yummmy
When I need to switch my mood, sometimes I just need to take a little of time to myself. I really like going for walks. Something about it just really calms me down and makes me super happy!
I am the same way, I am such a walker. I seriously just go outside and walk to clear my head. a lot.
There is a lot to be said for unplugging. I think my body forces it sometimes. Like today… I slept til 1030a for the first time in YEARS.
That is so awesome, I wish my body would do that.
Those mushrooms sound really delicious! I’m glad you can walk so many places from your apartment, that’s a really neat thing and I guess one of the luxuries of being in a city (one of the few, too). And you’re right, it is really mind clearing.
Nothing wrong with talking to your mom every day. I’ve been out of college 5 years and I still talk to mine probably 5x a week.
I don’t have a car so this location was ideal for that, I have about three different neighborhood places I can go. I spend about five hours just walking and exploring.
That sounds lovely and glad you had a good time. I talk to my mom and dad most days and I just find it so relaxing!
It def settles me down no matter what is going on.
I always talk to my Mum when I’m feeling down – mums are great for that! Your stuffed mushrooms sound amazing!! I looooovvveeee mushrooms
I seriously can’t get enough but haven’t been buying them because of the cost, this was a major deal.
That roasted mushroom thing you made sounds delicious! Were they large Portobello’s ? For a dollar? Because that’s a CRAZY GOOD deal!
No they were actually the little ones but turned out good! I wish, but portobellos are so expensive.
Talking to my mother, even at my age, I still want to be around her.
So glad that you have been having some great runs! I am going to spend next weekend with my parents, so I hope to do both. Have some great runs and spend some time with my family. 
Aaaand do a little exploring myself!
Family is the best, I seriously crave family time a lot.
I totally agree, I love just strolling around and exploring
When I am feeling down I need to get outdoors and sweat it out. Those mushroom cups sound delicious!!
I just need my space, walking always helps. I love just window shopping and going in to explore. They were so good!
I love how close you are with your mom. One of the only things that is keeping me at home, is knowing that once I move out my mom and I will probably only have a conversation like once a month. I don’t want that to happen so I am trying to stay at home until our relationship can be stronger. On a lighter note: I LOVE mushrooms too, I am so glad you were able to find some at a good deal
that is tough, even talking over the phone isn’t the same. there is something about being with her that really makes a difference. mushrooms are freaking amazing, I haven’t had them in ages so that deal was born for me.
Selectively social – love it!
ha it is so true for me, so true.
The mushrooms you made sound soo good! Can I come over for dinner?! Lol. So glad the antibiotics are getting out of your system and you can enjoy good runs
My stomach sadly has no relief but at last my legs have. You are always welcome here!
I’ve talked to my mom like 10 times today, and I just left home a few hours ago! I always call my mom 3 or so times a day at school. I just get bored and like to talk to her.
I skype her and the puppy too.. I’d say your relationship is super normal. The mushrooms sound so good! And yay for exploring!
Yay for moms! I love that about you, I do the same thing
mmm those mushrooms sounds fantastic!
They were, roasting them was the best idea!
Your meal sounds delicious. Look at you being a top chef & all
I love love how close you & your momma are. Moms really are the greatest, and have the best advice. It’s almost September girl, so that means you’ll see her soon!!!! I know your excited!!
Runs/Cleaning(weird)/Talking w/ the hubs always switches up my mood. Oh & maybee eating a little snack helps too
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I love your list, cleaning is the same for me. Strangely I cleaned my whole bathroom Saturday, I am the only one who would enjoy that. More reasons we are the same person
Ha Ha, yes another reason that we can add to our crazy list we already have! Only 7 months!!!! ((is it weird that i’m already counting down for us?? haha)
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO I have the countdown marked.
The race is the 17th I believe.. so mark it on your calendar for my arrival to D.C. being either the 15th or 16th
Oh boy I am pumped. I need to sign up for the race asap!
Ehh can’t wait. I can’t believe you didn’t realize I was being serious this whole time!
Seriously, had no idea.