I have been drawing since I was very little. I love to draw and usually can draw anything I really see (I mean really, really look at). However, over time I have come to realize that I cannot draw cats. I have tried and tried to do so, but with only a modicum of success. My cats look like cats in general, but not like the cat I am trying to capture.
I think that cat’s faces are so expressive that I am unable to capture that. I just know that I cannot draw cats and make them look like what I am seeing. Do you have the same problem drawing cats or can you draw them correctly?
Here are some examples I have pulled from my camera over time. You will quickly see what I mean. Here are the guidelines I use to draw cats.
My cat drawings
Drawing Cats:
Start with a circle for the head and an oval for the body. They should overlap slightly.
Start with the circle for the head and add a smaller circle for the snout that also should overlap slightly.
Draw a vertical line and a horizontal line across the center of the head circle. These lines will help you place the cat’s facial features correctly.
For the eyes, draw two almond-shaped ovals along the horizontal line. Leave enough space between the eyes for the cat’s nose.
Below the eyes, draw a small triangle for the nose. Add two small circles inside the triangle for the nostrils.
Add the cat’s whiskers by drawing three to four long, curved lines on each side of the face.
For the ears, draw two triangular shapes on top of the head. Add smaller triangular shapes inside the ears to show the inner ear.
Finally, add some details to the eyes by drawing a smaller oval inside each eye. Shade in the pupils and add some lines around the eyes to show the fur.
Remember to adjust the size and placement of each feature to make your cat’s face look unique. You can also experiment with different shapes and expressions to bring your cat to life.
Connect the head and body with a curved line for the cat’s neck.
Add the legs and paws, using small circles for the joints and rectangles for the paws.
Draw the tail, which can be curved or straight depending on the cat’s pose.
Refine the details, such as the fur texture and patterns, and erase any unnecessary lines.
This is a very basic instruction for drawing cats, but if I use it, I do get an animal that looks quite like a cat. However, it is in the refinement that I seem to lose my cat. These below examples show some improvement, but I am still missing something. Here is a video showing you how to do it:
Getting better
Any Suggestions?
Cat’s faces express what they are thinking about. I know, many people feel cats are inscrutable, but if you take the time to watch one, you will quickly see them talking with their faces. I think this may be my problem, but I really don’t know how to fix it. Do you have an suggestions? I would love to hear them if you do because I really would like to be able to draw cats!
Here is another tutorial about drawing cats for you. I hope it helps you.
My last blog post was about finding an artist who uses regular cardboard to make art, specifically she makes gorgeous pigeons. The artist I am talking about is Cheryl Cochran and I was very inspired by her work, so I decided to see if I could copy some of it to learn how to do it. This is how they turned out:
How it make these pigeons:
I used regular boxing cardboard and it was difficult to cut out, but doable, and Ithink they turned out really great. This was a process and I learned a lot about doing this particular art. They are currently up on my wall by where I am typing right now.
Here is my process:
After finding the piece of cardboard, I drew a pigeon shape on it and cut it out with my knife carefully. Once all the pieces were cut out, I painted them by looking at photos. I used gouache to paint these birds because I like the matte finish it gives and the ease of use. It took no time to dry, which also made this a simply process. I glued the pieces together using Art Glue because it holds well and dries really quickly. I think this went well and I decided to make more birds the next day!
Here are the other birds I have made so far:
These where made with thinner cardboard from the backs of pads of paper and the back of an old desk calendar. They were all made the same way, except instead of painting the chickens, I used colorful paper to cover the bodies. Then I painted the other parts. And I am telling you, I love this. I plan to keep making these forever. They all now reside up on my wall so I can look at them all day. They make me happy.
Why I made pigeons:
In my previous post, I said I was drawn to the pigeons because of my experiences in Germany. Here are some photos that show you what I am talking about: Pigeons were everywhere. Anytime we went somewhere outside, pigeons surrounded us. After a while, you could see that they have a social system and that each bird has a personality. I sat in the center of town at a bench for hours watching these silly birds.
So, this is my post about making art using cardboard, specifically making pigeons from cardboard. I hope you are inspired to try this out because it is really fun. And this is something you can do with children.
I recently spent time on Pinterest looking at art and artists’ work. You can lose yourself there if you don’t be careful. On Pinterest, I found out that you can make the most beautiful art with only paper, paint, water, scissors, and imagination. I found artists’ works using paper to make paper-mache statues. They were stunning. They were creative and some were funny and others were just beautiful. Then there are artists using paper and scissors to make beautiful birds and beautiful animals; while others use the same tools to make gorgeous collages. Lordy, they are so wonderful.
But my favorite thing I found was an artist who makes pigeons out of cardboard. Yep. Regular, old cardboard can be used to make art. Her work is stunning. She shows these pigeons at art shows around the country and they sell like crazy. Heck, I would buy one if I had a chance to get my hands on one. I will post below some of her work as well as some of the other work I found.
A new way to see Art Supplies:
This all gave me pause to think about art in a new and different way. These artists literally used what they had on hand and turned out the most creative and colorful artworks. Amazing! Now I look at all my recycle with a new eye. It really does get you thinking about ways to use what you have on hand to make art. Now, it seems I have no excuse to put off making art; usually the number one excuse most people make is that I don’t have the supplies I need. Well, now I see that I really don’t need much and if I do need something, I can probably pick it up at the Dollar Store for really cheap. No more excuses.
I have always had an affinity for paper and paper products. My family jokes that I must have been a Druid in a previous life because I worship trees. Although they are probably wrong, I do not think the Druids were wrong. In fact, I think they were onto something with their tree worship.
My Cardboard Art Inspiration
So today, after I finish my house chores, I think I may dive into my recycle and try my hand at making some cardboard birds. They don’t have to be fancy. They are relatively simple shapes. I should be able to do this. I will try to take pictures as I go to post next week for you to see. In the meantime, I want to show you the work that got me started with all of this:
by Cheryl Cochran
Aren’t they wonderful? I think they remind me of my trip to Germany to visit my daughter and family when they were stationed there. We sat outside in the central courtyard and watched so many different kinds and colors of pigeons. They were like pet cats. They would come up to you and beg for food. We spend hours and hours just watching those silly birds and laughing at them!
Other types of Cardboard Art:
Now I will show you some of the other artists that I found who also make cardboard art:
Aren’t they wonderful and fun? I can’t wait to try my hand at this. I hope you have enjoyed seeing these as much as I have. If you try it, won’t you please show me your work, too? Don’t forget to check out some of my previous posts here.
In previous posts, I have explored art journaling; ways to do it, why to do it, and what you need to do it. Today, though, I want to focus just on the journaling aspect. Maybe the thought of art journaling is too intimidating or scary. Maybe you have been told all your life that you can’t draw or be creative. If so, then let’s just talk about what journaling can do for you and your health.
There are many ways to keep a journal. The easiest and fastest way to do so is with a cheap lined notebook that you can keep handy. Here is the type I am talking about.
If you have never kept a journal, using something that you don’t consider “precious” is helpful. That way, you can write with abandon and not care if you make a mistake or make a mess. When you are journaling, you want to be able to write without thinking about your supplies, what you are writing, or if what you put on paper is grammatically correct. This is your place to express your feelings and thoughts, so just let them spill out onto your paper. No pressure, no rules, no worry.
Most girls I know have had a diary at some time in their lives. I know I did and I loved to write in mine until my older sister found my diary and read it out loud at the dinner table. It mortified me. I have had difficulty writing down anything personal ever since and I have struggled with feeling safe in my journals. It worked out. I used my journals to learn to trust again and to feel safe again, but it took me a very long time. Even now, as I grow into a senior, I experience moments when writing down my thoughts or feelings gives me a moments pause. It is okay. I just wait for it to pass and go on with my journaling.
Here is an excerpt from an article on the positive effects on your health from journaling:
Why is Journaling Good For You?
Journaling is a widely used non-pharmacological tool for coaching and counseling and the treatment of mental illness. Two forms of journaling are particularly commonplace in psychotherapy (Sohal et al., 2022):
Expressive writing
Typically performed over three or four sessions to access the client’s innermost feelings and thoughts; focusing on the emotional experience than events, people, or objects.
Gratitude journaling
Involving a focus on the positive aspects of life through capturing situations, events, and interactions for which we are grateful.
Keeping a record of personal thoughts and feelings is particularly helpful in supporting mental health by (WebMD.com, 2021):
Reducing anxiety
Breaking away from a nonstop cycle of obsessive thinking and brooding
Improving the awareness and perception of events
Regulating emotions
Encouraging awareness
Boosting physical health
The positive effects of journaling can even be felt when not performed daily – helping the individual better understand their needs and boosting their wellbeing (Tartakovsky, 2022).
Research on Journaling
Studies show that by capturing our thoughts and feelings on paper, “participants often reveal a considerable range and depth of emotional trauma” (Baikie & Wilhelm, 2005, p. 339).
Indeed, while the experience of writing can be upsetting, clients report they find it valuable and meaningful and, ultimately, a valuable part of the acceptance process.
In fact, based on client self-reports, research suggests a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits from expressive writing (Baikie & Wilhelm, 2005):
Not only that, but research into gratitude journaling suggests that “study participants who regularly drew their attention to aspects of their lives that made them feel blessed increased their positivity” (Fredrickson, 2010, p. 187). However, a caveat exists. Recording what makes us feel grateful every day can become monotonous, even zapping positivity. A few days a week may be sufficient.
There are scientific studies to determine the effects of journaling on the body. Some of the findings promote that journaling helps with anxiety and depression, with stress relief, can improve your memory, and may even boost your immunity. Here is an article about that.
When should you journal?
The quick answer is whenever you feel the need. I know that is a non-answer for most of us when we are looking for specifics. So, for us let’s examine when we need to journal.
The best thing is to decide you are going to journal daily (or weekly). Putting it down on your to do list or calendar can help, but if that feels to exposed, just make a mental agreement with yourself that you will journal at a designated rate–either daily or weekly. The next thing is to determine what time of day is the easiest and the best time for you. We all have internal schedules that we have to function around.
I am a morning person, so I would need to journal in the early morning when I have the most energy and my mind is clearest. My children are night owls and would then need to journal later in the evening because that is when they feel more energized and alert. You need to discover when you feel the most alert and clear headed. That may be the time you need to journal. Okay, let’s say that is in the middle of your work day. Bummer. However, journaling can be as simple as a single line, or as complex as you want. It really should not take you very long to write in your journal. If it does, you are thinking about it too hard. Find your time and make it work.
What should you put in a journal?
This is when it gets to be creative. There are so many ways to keep a journal that you may need to try them all out to see what works best for you. It may turn out that different types of journaling will work for you at different times during the week. I use many types of journaling throughout my week. It just depends on what my thoughts are and what is happening around me.
Let’s look at types of journaling:
Brain Dump Journaling:
The first type is called a “Brain Dump” and it is exactly what you think it is. You sit down and just put every thought in your head down on paper without any worry of thought about it. This type of journaling is good to get things out of your head and out of your way. I find that this type of journaling works for me when my inner critic starts to interfere with what I want to do. If I just pour out all the negative things my critic is saying to me onto paper, I can see it for what it is and move past it. You may find this type of journaling is helpful for you to get negative thoughts out in the open so you can see that they are just that, negative thoughts, and have no power over you.
Bullet Journaling:
The second type is call “Bullet Journaling” and there are many articles and videos available to you to explore this type. Basically, bullet journaling helps you to focus on tasks you need to get done without applying pressure on yourself. This type of journal helps you get or stay organized; it helps you set and keep your goals; it allows customization to meet your needs and not the needs of anyone else. It is a combination of lists and writing, as well as doodling and stickers. This allows both catharsis and progress in your day and also allows for some creativity on your part, but not quite like an art journal.
Gratitude Journaling:
The next type of journal is called a “Gratitude journal” and the focus here is to write about all the good things you have in your life and around you. Things that make you happy and things you truly are grateful for. This type of journal is beneficial for depression and anxiety because it removes the dark glasses and lets you focus on the light around you in your life. This journal can be as structured or unstructured as you want. Some people simply write one line a day to show that every day has something to be grateful for.
Diary type Journaling:
Another type of journal is the diary type of journal where you simply write about your day and all the things that happened to you as well as your thoughts and feelings related to those things. I find this type of journal is the hardest for me to keep because of my trust/safety issues. Because of this, I try to include this type of journaling interspersed in my weekly output.
Creativity Journaling:
There is a creativity journal where you write poetry, songs, doodle, draw as ways to express your feelings. This one is the closest to an art journal as you get. I think that if I am going to do this, I might as well be art journaling; but you may not feel that way. It’s okay because there are no rules.
List Journaling:
There is also a type of journal that is just lists. This is a good way to stay on top of things, but I don’t find it as useful personally. You, however, may absolutely love list making and choose to make this a way to journal.
I hope that you take away from this post that journaling is an individual process and can be as simple or as involved as you want it to be. There is no right or wrong way to journal except to not do it at all. Journaling frees your mind and soul, helps your body and makes you feel prepared for whatever life wants to throw at you. I highly encourage you to take this up as a way to execute some form of self-care. In today’s society, we all need to be able to do self-care to destress, control anger, and give us the break to breathe that we need. Journaling will do all of that and more.
In my last post, I talked about art journaling–what it is, how to do it, and why it is good for you. It’s a good post and I recommend it to anyone who wants to start an art journal but is fearful, or confused about how to get started. The rule is–there are no rules! Just start where you are and go with it. That being said, I thought I would post here about how you can make your art journal yours and not feel like it is someone else’s.
There are so many blogs and videos online that tell you how to make an art journal, how to do an art journal, what to put into an art journal, etc. I thoroughly understand how a person who has never done anything remotely “arty” might be off-put or confused by the amount of and difference between all the information online. So, here I just want to clarify something for any person who has ever thought about starting an art journal and been stymied and never started; an art journal is what you want it to be. There really are no rules and you can make it however it serves your purpose.
Here is a good article on what is an art journal. You might want to read it, but remember this is her way to do it, not necessarily your way.
One Little Word
Let’s begin with what you want to accomplish with your art journal:
Do you want to use an art journal to play in?
Do you want to have an art journal to express your thoughts and feelings?
Do you want an art journal because you always thought it would be a cool thing to do?
Do you want to art journal because you need stress relief?
Do you think an art journal will be therapeutic for what you are dealing with right now?
All of these are a correct reason to start an art journal. If you just want to play, this is the place. If you want to learn to express yourself, this is the place, If you think it will be a cool thing to do, this is the place. If you need stress relief, this is the place, If you need therapy right now, this is the place. I hope you got the message that art journaling is for any and all reasons.
Let’s talk about what you can use to art journal:
Now we get to the nitty gritty. An art journal can be made on or out of anything. Surprised? I know people who use old magazines or sales catalogues; I know people who use a $.50 lined notebook; I know people who use individual pages that later are clipped together; I know people who use store bought journals; I think you will only be restricted by what you can find or have access to. There are even people that journal on playing cards! Think about that for a second.
Your art journal needs to meet your requirements. Do you want to only journal at home in a safe place? Do you want a journal you can keep with you at all times? Do you want to journal big? small? tiny? Once you figure out what you can use and the size, you are ready to get started.
Let’s talk about what you will need:
Here we can really get lost.
You can art journal with only a pencil and paper, or pen and paper. I have seen examples of such journals that took my breath away in their simplicity and beauty.
You can choose to use papers and collage for your art journal. I have seen artists who do entire portraits out of collage and entire landscapes out of collage, so there is no limit to what you can accomplish with using just paper. If that is your style, you will only need papers (trash, containers, magazines, mail, as well as store bought paper) scissors, and glue.
Then there is the person who wants to use paint in their journal. You go! Get yourself a very cheap set of acrylics for $2 at Walmart and get going. Make a mess with paint, or paint what you are seeing or feeling. Do use paint, you will need paper that can hold up under the paint, paint brushes (get those at the craft store of Walmart too), and something to hold water in. I use a bottle top from my laundry bottle. It’s free and it works, so I am confident you can find something for free in your own house. Let’s not forget that you can use watercolor or gouache paints too, but I find acrylics work best for me. You do you.
Then there is the person who likes to mix things up and use all of the above. My kind of art journalist. This type only wants to play and use various supplies to express themselves and their moods. They need all the above and usually have them already because they have dipped their toes in before but got distracted by life.
The bottom line is that everything can be used in an art journal, you decide what makes you happy and that’s what you do!
Let’s talk about how to get started:
Okay, you have your journal (paper or whatever), you have the supplies you need. Now what? Well the best answer to that question is just get started; but I know from my own experience that answer is not helpful. So let’s get real here. Maybe you need some inspiration. Go look online at other art journalists to see what they are doing, go watch some videos online to learn new tricks to try out, but my favorite is to find a quote somewhere that speaks to you (you know what I mean here I hope) and start there.
When I find a good quote, I usually think about it for a few days and images start to fill my head. After a while, I just have to get started putting them down on paper. Sometimes I draw, sometimes I collage, sometimes I paint. There is no rhyme or reason to it. It just happens. I play with it until I feel satisfied that I have done all I need to do. Then I move on to something else. It is not unusual for me to make 2 or 3 pages in one sitting, but that is me. You may take days and days just to finish one page. Again, you do you, boo!
However you find to get yourself started, just make sure you do it instead of putting it off for later. Later never arrives. You will be standing in your own way of progress.
Let’s talk about what you get out of art journaling:
You should get a sense of satisfaction that you created something that did not exist in our world before.
You should get a feeling of relaxation and decreased stress.
You should get a feeling of accomplishment: You did that!
You should feel happy and relieved.
You should have a release from the issues you were dealing with in that page.
Mostly, you should just be pleased with yourself.
Art Journaling is so good for your feelings of self-worth, self-esteem, and connection. When you play in an art journal, you receive so much back that you will wonder why it took you so long to get started.
So, now my question is, What are you still doing here? Go get started!
In this post, I want to talk about art journaling. There is quite a lot of information available online and on YouTube about doing art journaling and making an art journal; but here I just want to break this process down to the bare bones so as not to overwhelm anyone.
Basically, and art journal is a type of book (it can be any kind of book, even a magazine) that you use to express your thoughts and feelings about your life or just about your day. There are very few rules to an art journal since it is yours to do with as you wish. When I first started out, I was confused by all the talk about pockets, tags, journal cards, etc. Then I discovered that none of that was necessary. I went to the Dollar Tree and got a lined book in the school section and that is what became my first art journal. It wasn’t the best choice since that paper did not hold up well to the addition of paints, but I used it until it was full up. Because I chose something that only cost me a dollar, it wasn’t precious to me and I did not mind making a mess of it.
That first art journal turned into a place for me to explore my style. To develop my style of art. It didn’t matter if it was any good because no one would ever see it. It was a place for me to spend time drawing, painting, journaling, and collaging. I would find artists I like on Instagram and try to make things in that style, then make it again with changes I liked. I would use it to perfect my drawing (especially perspective) and I didn’t care that some of my drawings looked like a child drew them. It was my private space to play, to grow, to practice my art.
Here are some ways others have used their art journals:
Document your experiences and memories through art and writing
Experiment with different art techniques and materials
Practice drawing or painting from observation or imagination
Create art to express your emotions or feelings
Record your personal goals and aspirations
Collect inspiration and ideas for future art projects
Use your art journal as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth
All of these will work for your art journal. I know some people with mental health issues who use theirs to learn more about themselves and their illness. People with chronic illness sometimes do art journaling to get relief from pain and to give them a break from their illness. There are so many reasons to art journal, surely you can find one that fits you.
Things that you can put in your art journal to help you:
Drawings, sketches, and paintings
Collages made from found materials (e.g., magazine clippings, old photographs, ephemera)
Handwritten notes, lists, and journal entries
Quotes, poems, or song lyrics that inspire you
Doodles, patterns, or decorative elements
Mixed media elements, such as washi tape, stickers, or stencils
Photographs or prints of your artwork or artwork that inspires you
The list could go on and on, so don’t limit yourself to these. You will find that as you journal, your mind will open up to more and more possibilities on ways to fill it up. Go with it!
Places to look to find your items:
There is the obvious craft store or art store
There are many online stores that specialize in art journal ephemera (some of my favorites are Amazon, Temu, wish, Target, Michaels, Shein, etc.)
Collect old magazines from the recycle stack
Find online free journaling pages
Look for old photographs, either your own or some you found online (this is my favorite–I like to make lives up for the old photographs I find)
Thrift and Charity stores have a wide selection of items that can be used in an art journal.
Here are some YouTube videos that explain exactly how to make your own art journal if you want to do that:
https://youtu.be/scCvJFcmQMI
There are so many more there for you to check out. Now that you know how to do this, go get started. I can’t wait to see what you do. Please leave a comment below and tell me about your journey with your art journal. I have another post about this subject here. If you want to see someone else’s art journal, you can check it out here!
It might seem like self-care is just a buzzword in recent years, but it is so much more than that. Self-care is a way to practice self-love and compassion for yourself. It is time
you set aside purposely to take better care of your emotional and physical needs. It can include health, nutrition, gentle movement, nurturing your emotional and mental health,
nurturing your body, pampering, and much more.
With regular self-care added to your routine, you are able to improve your mindset, your health, and your longevity.
The best thing about self-care is that it is for everyone. No matter what your lifestyle is like or what your preferences are for how you spend your time, there is a way to fit self-
care into your routine and actually enjoy it.
Here are some things to know about self-care and how you can find the right self-care practice for your lifestyle.
1. Why Everyone Should Practice Self-Care
Self-care is such an important part of setting yourself up for success. There are many benefits to practicing on a regular basis, preferably daily but at least as often as possible.
Here are some of the top benefits to adding self-care to your routine.
It is a Way to Be Kind to Yourself
When you practice self-care, you are practicing self-compassion, which is something everyone could use more of. It is so easy to get caught up in your life, with ll the
schedules and kids’ play dates and homework and all your home responsibilities, that you aren’t spending enough time for yourself.
Not to mention actually being compassionate to yourself. If you find that you think negative thoughts about yourself, whether your personality traits, what you think are
flaws, or physical traits, you need to be kinder to yourself. Self-care is a great way to do that.
By practicing self-care, you are forced to think more about yourself and your own needs, and you will benefit greatly by understanding how important you are to yourself.
You Give Yourself Time to Rest and Relax
It is also a good way to schedule time for yourself, when you otherwise would not make yourself a priority. Spending more time on everyone but yourself is extremely common,
but is also a bad habit you want to break. You can’t possibly be your best, most authentic self for other people in your life if you don’t care to your own needs as well.
With a regular self-care practice, you schedule in time for your self-care activities, so you will naturally begin to relax more and have that rest time in each day or on a weekly
basis.
It Often Includes Activities You “Don’t Have Time For”
Self-care is not just activities you enjoy, but frequently includes those special ones that you rarely make time for. Maybe you do read from your book every day, but you don’t
often have time for more creative activities. Or you might find that you don’t get enough pampering in and can’t remember the last time you set aside extra time for a face mask
or to get your nails done.
This is why it is a great idea to make a list of any activity you have been wanting to do for yourself, but haven’t had the opportunity in a while.
Self-Care Can Boost Confidence
When you start practicing more self-care, you may notice a big boost in your self-esteem and confidence. This is a wonderful side benefit! It doesn’t always happen right
away, but the more you practice self-compassion and put aside this time for your own needs, the more you will begin to feel better about yourself.
It is not just those pampering self-care activities that boost your confidence, but self-care itself where you are spending more time on your own needs. It really does shift
your mindset drastically.
It Prevents You From Burnout and Overwhelm
If you have been struggling with burnout lately or feel overwhelmed, self-care is a great place to start. With this extra time you set for rest and relaxation, you have no choice
but to unwind and just rest for those few minutes every day. It might not seem like much, but it really can make all the difference when it comes to burnout.
2. How to Fit Self-Care Into Your Routine
The big question is often what self-care activities to include and how to actually fit them into your routine. Just like any new habit you incorporate into your life, it is a matter of
figuring out what your current routine is and where you might have space for a new activity. This isn’t going to happen overnight, so think of it as a process to adding a new
habit into your current lifestyle.
Here are some tips for fitting self-care into your routine.
Analyze Your Current Daily Routine
Before you can fit self-care into your daily routine, you need to have a better idea of what your current routine looks like. Take some time writing down the basic activities
and schedule you have on a consistent basis. Start with your work schedule, including when you get ready in the morning, what time you leave the house, your commute, what
time you have during your work day, and when you get home in the evening.
Do the same thing even if you work from home, but adjusting it slightly for when you tend to start and stop working for the day. You can then write down anything you do
every morning or every evening, from brushing your teeth and taking a shower, to putting the kids to bed or taking your dog for a walk.
The objective here is to understand your habits and routine, and at what time you do them. You are looking for times when you do activities that might not be completely
necessary, when you tend to waste more time, and when you might have a free window.
When Do You Tend to Procrastinate or Waste Time?
There is likely a time of day or certain task that tends to take a little more time and energy away from your regular routine. Maybe it is in the evening, when you sit in front
of Netflix for 2 hours before you go to sleep. Could this be the time of day when you schedule in 20 minutes for a little self-care?
Think about the schedule you just wrote out and when you might be able to fit in self-care because you were wasting time on something that didn’t need to be done, or taking
longer than you really needed to.
Morning and Nighttime Routines
Many people like to fit their self-care into either their morning or nighttime routine. These tend to be more flexible, because you aren’t at work or tending to your kids. Adding self-
care to your routine doesn’t have to require a lot of or energy. It could mean 5 or 10 minutes a day, even broken up into multiple segments.
Weekly and Monthly Self-Care
Another option is to do self-care less often, but still fit it into your schedule. This is for people who either don’t feel like they need it every day, or simply can’t find the time. If
this sounds like you, start with self-care just once a week or even once a month or so. This still allows you to focus on yourself and your own needs, but without a big time
commitment in the beginning.
3. Self-Care Ideas for Every Type of Person
Now for the fun stuff – finding the right self-care activities for you! Included below are 8 different types of people and lifestyles, so you can get an idea of what types of self-care
might be best for you.
But keep in mind you don’t have to stick to these specifically. They are simply a way to give you an idea of what self-care might look like in your lifestyle, but there are an
endless amount of possibilities when it comes to self-care.
Self Care for Homebodies
If you are a homebody, you might be someone who either prefers to be alone most of the time, or you just need to recharge more often when in your home. There is nothing
wrong with that! For you, the more traditional self-care activities are going to be great for you.
Say no to social events – Yes, just turning something down without needing a reason can be a form of self-care! Especially when you are a homebody or introverted person,
this just gives you a relief of responsibility and more time to do something at home that is only for you.
Pampering activities – Since you spend more time at home, it makes sense that your self-care would include those indulgent, pampering activities. This might be taking a long bubble bath once a week, doing a face mask, painting your nails, or sitting in front of the fireplace on a cold evening and enjoying the quiet time.
Watch or read something – Self-care for you may also be to watch or read something new. It takes you away from work and other responsibilities and allows you to just relax
in your favorite way.
Self Care for Social People
On the other hand, you might be the complete opposite, and actually get more energy when you are around other people. If you tend to be more of an extroverted, social type
of person, then the opposite self-care activities will be best for you.
Spend time with friends – The first way you can practice self-care is by setting up a time to be with friends. Maybe this will be a new weekly hangout, or you call up
someone you haven’t seen in a while.
Go on a weekend trip – Another option is to get out of the house and see the sights. You can go on a quick weekend trip either with your family or friends, see a new place
in your area you haven’t been to in a while, or just take the opportunity for a quick
l hike to go on. Look for a new trail and explore it alone or with some
friends. Make a day vacation.
Plan a creative activity with family or friends – If you don’t want to go anywhere, but still be social, you can instead find a creativity to participate in with friends or at home
with your loved ones. This might be a new craft or taking a painting class.
Artistic and Creative Types need Self Care, too
Naturally, if you are an artistic person or you like creative activities, your self-care activities will follow suit. But this is also a great time to explore new things. Here are
some ideas:
Try a new hobby – If you already do something artistic every day, it might not feel like a new self-care activity. Instead, find a new hobby or think about something you wanted
to try doing, but never really had time for.
Do something you haven’t done in a while – Think about creative activities you enjoyed in your youth that you haven’t explored in a while. Was there a phase in high
school or college where you really liked watercolor? Now is a great time to pick up the paintbrush again.
Bring your art outside – A great option for self-care is to combine a creative activity you enjoy with nature. Both of these together offer amazing benefits to your mind and
soul.
Working Parents
For busy parents, your self-care activities might look a little more like getting a break or just finding a way to recharge. While other activities are actually with your kids.
Extra time in the shower – This might seem like such a small thing, but as a busy parent, you probably don’t get much time to yourself. You are so used to rushing with everything you do not related to your kids, that you are really neglecting your own needs. Something as simple as giving yourself 5 extra minutes in the shower can make a huge difference in how you feel.
Self-care with kids – It’s not always possible to have self-care time alone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something fun with the kids and still make it part of your self-care routine. Maybe you love being outdoors, so you bring your kids to the local park or the lake. Or you decide to have a fun family game night at home.
Coffee with friends – If it’s possible to have someone watch the kids for an hour a week, try to schedule time out of the house with friends or just by yourself.
People Who Love the Outdoors also need Self Care
If you are someone who loves to be outside and be a little more adventurous, these self-care activities are for you:
Take a walk in the park – The great thing about this is that it is free to do and doesn’t require much. Just put on some comfy clothes, walk or drive to your nearest park, and
enjoy a nice little stroll. Just a few minutes in nature can make you feel refreshed.
Find a new hiking trail – For a bit more fitness in your self-care routine, you might want to find a local trail nearby so you don’t feel rushed.
Go for a scenic drive – You can also just jump in your car and go for a drive. Don’t have a destination in mind, and instead just drive the scenic routes where you live.
Workaholics definitely need Self Care
Being a workaholic is not really something to brag about, since it can be really hard on both your physical and mental health. But if you use this just to describe having to work
a lot of hours, the following self-care activities will definitely benefit you:
Take mini breaks during the day – With a busy schedule, it might not be possible for long breaks, but you can take little 5-minute breaks a few times during the day. Make
sure you put your phone away and don’t look at your computer during this time!
Get out of the office – Whether you are taking a break or choosing to work somewhere else, get out of your office for your self-care activities. It is really important to physically step away from your work.
Avoid working during your lunch break – The best thing you can do for yourself might be to simply not work during your breaks. If you eat lunch in your office,
sit away from your computer, or try to find somewhere else to eat so you aren’t as tempted.
Take a power nap in the afternoon – Give yourself a few minutes every afternoon to shut your eyes and take a quick nap to recharge.
People Who Get Bored Easily should try these out
If you are someone who tends to get bored very easily and can never really stay entertained when you have free time, here are some ways to incorporate fun activities
into your self-care.
Take your creative activities outside – You might already be good at scheduling time for art and other creative endeavors, but you may be bored of your surroundings. Now
is a great time to had outside! You can get new inspiration and explore the differences in creating outdoors. Plein art painting is done outside and is a wonderful change.
Read a new style of book – If you are an avid reader, try switching up from your usual genre. If you typically read self-help and non-fiction books, grab a new fiction thriller or
series and see how you like it.
Learn something new – You can also expand your mind and knowledge by learning something new.
Meditation
People with Stress should remember Self Care activities for stress
Everyone has stress at least some of the time, but if you tend to get chronic stress, you need a little more pampering, self-love, and calming. These activities will do wonders for your high stress levels.
Meditation and mindfulness – Adda daily practice of meditation or mindfulness, or combine them together. This gets you into a calmer headspace and allows you to reduce stress by acknowledging the present moment without being overly critical of it.
Yoga or tai chi – For a little physical activity, try adding yoga or tai chi to your daily routine. This can calm your mind and reduce both stress and anxiety.
Write in a journal –For you might look like spending 5 or 10 minutes every morning writing in a journal. You can explore your own thoughts, come up with new ideas, and spend this time learning more about yourself.
And if this isn’t enough, here is a link to an article that goes more in-depth on this subject.
There are so many AI, or artificial intelligence tools available for your use today. Of course, the most know is ChatGPT which is all over the internet. You can’t go anywhere it seems without someone talking about ChatGPT, so we are not delving into that tool today. That said, there are many tools to choose from so below, I have listed some of the most useful artificial intelligence bots for you to check out and see if any of them will be useful to you.
Artificial Bots now available to you
Jasper and Writesonic are both AI tools that focus on helping people with speech and language. Jasper is designed to be an AI personal assistant that can help with tasks like scheduling appointments and setting reminders. Writesonic, on the other hand, helps people improve their writing by providing suggestions for grammar and vocabulary.
Runway is an AI tool that allows people to create their own AI models and experiment with machine learning. With Runway, people can upload their own data and try out different algorithms to see what works best for their specific needs.
Quillbot and Genei are both AI tools that focus on helping people write and generate creative content. Quillbot provides suggestions for writing and helps people rephrase sentences, while Genei uses AI to generate ideas and content for writers.
Wordtune and BlazeToday are both AI tools that help improve people’s writing. Wordtune focuses on helping people with grammar and vocabulary, while BlazeToday helps with writing in general, giving suggestions for sentence structure and flow.
Introspexion and CrowdStrike are both AI tools that focus on security. Introspexion uses AI to monitor a company’s network for potential threats, while CrowdStrike uses AI to protect against cyber attacks.
Descript is an AI tool that helps with audio and video editing. With Descript, people can transcribe audio and video recordings, edit the transcripts, and then use the AI to automatically sync the edited text with the original audio or video.
Otter.ai is an AI-powered voice-to-text tool that transcribes audio and video files into written text. It helps people save time and transcribe interviews, meetings, and other audio files easily.
Fireflies is an AI tool that helps people create custom videos with minimal effort. It uses AI to suggest video templates, animations, and even music that match the user’s brand and style.
Fathom is an AI tool that analyzes data and presents it in a clear and concise manner. It helps businesses and organizations make data-driven decisions by creating graphs, charts, and other visual representations of data.
Flexclip is a video creation tool that uses AI to help users create professional-looking videos in minutes. It has a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for anyone to create videos for their business or personal projects.
Synthesia is an AI tool that helps people learn how to play musical instruments. It provides personalized feedback, such as timing and accuracy, to help users improve their skills.
Ai.writer is an AI-powered writing tool that helps people create written content quickly and easily. It uses AI algorithms to suggest sentence structure, vocabulary, and other elements of writing, making it a great tool for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills.
Article Forge is an AI-powered content creation tool that creates unique and high-quality articles on a variety of topics. It uses AI algorithms to generate articles, allowing users to save time and produce a large amount of content quickly.
If you still aren’t clear on just what AI is or what it can do for you, check out the article here to read more about the benefits of using it.
In summary, these AI tools all use artificial intelligence to help people in different ways, but they all have the common goal of making tasks easier and more efficient. Whether it’s helping with speech and language, creating AI models, or generating ideas and content and are designed to enhance the way people work. AI tools are improving writing, increasing security, and helping with audio, transcribe audio files, create videos, analyze data, play musical instruments, improve your writing skills, or create content, there’s an AI tool that can help you. These tools are designed to make tasks easier and more efficient.
If you missed it, there is another post about AI here.
Artificial intelligence–it seems that you cannot go anywhere online without running into the term AI or ChatGPT. If you are confused, don’t worry. This post describes what AI is exactly and the different types of artificial intelligence currently in use. Despite its potential, AI is still a relatively new technology, and many people are still unfamiliar with it. It is important for everyone to understand the basics of AI and how it can be used in their daily lives. Learning about AI can help people understand how it is used in the modern world and how it can potentially benefit their lives. If interested, here is an link to Wikipedia’s page on Artificial Intelligence–(warning)it is long and dry, but very thorough.
What is AI?
AI, also known as Artificial Intelligence, is a type of technology that allows machines to learn from their environment and complete tasks with minimal human intervention. In recent years, it is becoming increasingly popular and is used in various industries and applications.
Where is AI being used?
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way we live and work. AI makes it easier for businesses to automate mundane tasks and increase productivity and also creates more efficient and accurate customer service.
Chatbots provide customer service 24/7, allowing businesses to save money on hiring employees. Additionally, it is used for predictive analytics, which helps businesses make decisions based on data-driven insights.
How does that affect online users?
AI is also becoming increasingly popular in the online world. It is being used to create more personalized experiences for online users. The algorithms are being used to make recommendations based on a user’s search history and interests. It is also being used to create virtual assistants, such as Alexa and Google Assistant, which help people manage their day-to-day tasks.
What does the Future of AI look like?
The future of AI looks very promising. It is expected to continue to revolutionize the way we live and work. It will be used to create more personalized customer experiences and automate mundane tasks. AI will also create smarter and more efficient robots, which will be used in various industries. AI is also expected to be used in the healthcare industry, which can help doctors diagnose illnesses more accurately. Additionally, AI can be used to create autonomous vehicles, which can help reduce traffic and make transportation safer.
Some of the AI currently available include:
1. Natural Language Processing (NLP)
NLP is a type of AI that allows processing and understanding of human language. NLP uses algorithms to analyze text and other forms of language to understand the context and meaning behind the words. It is used in applications such as virtual assistants, chatbots, and search engines.
2. Computer Vision
Computer Vision is a type of AI that is allows the processing and analyzing of images. It uses algorithms to recognize objects and patterns in images, as well as to identify faces. This type of AI is used in applications such as facial recognition, autonomous vehicles, and medical diagnosis.
3. Machine Learning
Machine Learning is a type of AI that uses algorithms to learn from data. This type is able to find patterns and make insights from data, as well as to make predictions about future events. Machine Learning is used in applications such as predictive analytics, pattern recognition, and recommendation systems.
4. Robotics
Robotics is a type of AI that allows the control of robots. It uses algorithms to understand the environment and to complete tasks with minimal human intervention. Robotics is used in applications such as manufacturing.
I know that this article is dry and seems more educational than entertaining. That is because this is fast becoming a major player in our lives and we need to know exactly what it is and what it does for us. Once upon a time, the type of AI that we have right now was considered science fiction; but
as with most science fiction, there is always a bit of fact and truth in it and if you live long enough you will see it come to be.
In my 20’s I was a avid science fiction reader. Today’s use of artificial intelligence is reminiscent of the book, I, Robot by Isaac Asimov. Not the movie but the book. I encourage you to read it and see if you agree with me.
This is the first post about AI, but if you are interested in affiliate marketing, goal setting, or any art type activity, check out my previous posts here.
oDogs make your life so much better. If you know me at all, you know that I am an avid fan of dogs but of all animals really. Both of my babies are rescues and my children all have rescues. I believe that the number one reason dogs end up in shelters or in rescues is because they have never been trained to live correctly with people. Dogs, like babies, need direction, love and encouragement to learn the proper ways to act so they can meet our expectations. Here is an article that describes the most common reasons dogs end up in shelters.
My Babies!
There is a product available now that addresses these needs and to follow her program does not require long, time-consuming periods of training. She helps you train your dog in short bursts which really matches with the dogs attention span. By building positive experiences upon more positive experiences, your dog understands what you want and expect from him. Check it out and see what you think. It is affordable, so that objection doesn’t count.
Below is an article written by the designer of the training program. If this resonates with you, go ahead and check out her product today. Your dog will truly thank you for this help.
Is your dog giving you deaf ears? When this happens, avoid repeating the command over and over and imposing yourself until you get a response; instead, take a step back and consider the following scenarios which are some of the most common issues encountered when training dogs.
1) Low Value Treats: Are Your Treats Worth Working For?
It’s a romantic and hard to debunk myth that dogs work for us just to please us. In reality, as opportunistic beings, dogs are most likely thinking “what’s in it for me?” according to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). The right use of treats can really make the difference between a dog who is eager to work and one who couldn’t care less. The use of low-value treats (such as kibble) can be detrimental if your dog isn’t excited by them, especially during the initial stages of learning or when there are distractions around, so make sure your treats are worthy of attention.
Also remember to stick to treats which are soft, smelly, and in small bite-sized pieces. This allows your dog to quickly gobble up the reward and focus his attention back on you, rather than being distracted by a longer-lasting treat.
A suggestion? Try to use what respected veterinarian, trainer and writer Dr. Ian Dunbar calls the Ferrari of dog treats: Freeze-dried liver.
2) Low Rate of Reinforcement: Are You Missing Out on Rewarding?
In the initial stages of learning or when there are lots of distractions around, your dog may find sniffing the grass, looking around, marking territory and pulling on the leash more rewarding than training. Why is that? It’s probably because there are stimuli that are extra interesting and are worth paying more attention to. If your dog has received little training in the past, he may have been doing this for a good part of his life. Increasing the rate of reinforcement during this time by giving your dog more treats for his training efforts may help to motivate him, and will teach him to pay more attention to you than to the distracting environmental stimuli.
A low rate of reinforcement can also cause your dog to get frustrated and give up trying; remember, during the initial stages of learning you need a continuous rate of reinforcement (giving rewards for every success), and only once your dog shows signs of responding well can you move on to a variable schedule (only giving treats for success every now and then).
3) High Criteria: Are You Asking Too Much at Once?
This is where the saying “be a splitter and not a lumper” comes into play. It is often tempting to try to teach new behaviors all at once in a single evening. When your dog stops working for you, you start thinking: “Am I asking for too much at once?” Truth is, often when dogs fail to respond to a command it is because it is too hard for them. So try not to ramp up the difficulty too quickly; rather, break the objective down into several attainable steps to help your dog succeed. As an example, if you were trying to train your dog to touch the tip of a target stick with his nose, you could reward him for touching ANY part of the stick at first. Over time once your dog gets a hang of this, you could then move on to rewarding him only for touching the rounded tip at the top of the stick.
Try your best to prevent your dog’s progress from stalling, and do not make your training sessions too long – keep them short and sweet!
4) High Level of Distractions: Is there too Much Going on?
Dogs learn best when there are little to no distractions around, so be sure to start your training sessions in a quiet room where there is not much going on.
Once your dog is able to perform the behavior in the quiet room, build from there and gradually start asking your dog to perform the behavior in a noisier room. Then, progress to the yard, a busy street, the dog park and so forth.
If you start on a busy street or at the dog park right away, your dog may not respond because you have not yet built a foundation for the behavior.
5) Lack of Training: Has Your Dog Ever Been Trained Before?
If the handler has a history of being inconsistent and not following through with the dog, there’s a chance the dog may have learned he could get away from certain behaviors and has learned to ignore the handler. Dogs who have never been trained and have been allowed to do as they please for a good part of their lives often find the initial stages of learning difficult, since the concept is entirely new to them. It is up to the handler to become interesting and worth listening to by investing in reward-based training methods, like the ones taught in Adrienne Farricelli’s Brain Training for Dogs course.
6) Unclear Cues: Are You Confusing Your Dog?
Dogs thrive on consistency, so make sure you always use the same command cue and that all other people training the dog are on the same page. If you ask for a command and your dog just stares at you, consider if that command has a history of being used consistently.
In classes, it is not uncommon to encounter a family where the wife uses “come” to call the dog, the husband uses the dog’s name, and the kids just say “here!” Don’t ask for behaviors in multiple ways, and make sure your body language is congruent with the verbal command. Dogs find body language more salient then verbal cues.
Also, try your best not to repeat commands over and over, otherwise your dog will learn not to listen to the first time you say it, but will wait for you to finish your sentence instead!
7) Frustration Buildup: Are you Getting Frustrated?<
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Dogs are masters in body language and they can easily detect frustration. When the handler’s frustration builds up, dogs often shut down instead of becoming more compliant. In this case, it helps to ask the dog for a behavior he knows well (such as a sit) followed by a reward to end the session on a positive note. You can try the exercise again a little bit later, possibly further splitting the exercise into smaller sections if it was too hard for your dog.
Also, keep in mind that if you start raising your voice, bending down or getting into your dog’s face, you are intimidating him dog and he will feel the need to send you appeasement signals and default behaviors, rather than listening to your commands.
8) Emotional Problems: Are Emotions Getting in the Way?
If a dog is fearful, anxious or nervous, his emotional state may interfere with training. This is because the dog is often in a fight or flight state which affects his cognitive function, impairing his ability to learn. In such a case, you may need to work in areas where your dog is less likely to be frightened and then gradually introduce more and more stimuli in a way which does not cause him to react.
As an example, if your dog was frightened of thunder, instead of immediately exposing him to recordings of thunderstorms on full volume, you should first play them at a very low volume, where he acknowledges the sound but does not become scared. After rewarding your dog while the sound is played, you would, over time and numerous training sessions, increase the volume at which you play the recording. This process is known as desensitization and is a common technique used in dog training.
9) Health Considerations: Is Your Dog in Pain or Uncomfortable?
If your dog ignores you, he may be feeling unwell or uncomfortable. If your dog has always been obedient and is now slacking off, it is best to have your veterinarian rule out any medical problems. Sloppy sits or a reluctance to lay down may be indicative of orthopedic problems.
Aside from medical problems, some dogs may not like to be trained on certain surfaces, or perhaps the weather is too hot, too windy or too cold – there are a multitude of possibilities. Often, a distracted dog may simply need to relieve himself or get a drink of water. Consider how well you could perform in an exam if you were busting to use the bathroom!
10) Are You Forgetting to Brain Train Your Dog?
Many owners are not aware of this, but when it comes to dogs, idle minds are the devil’s workshop. Yet many owners are happy to leave their dogs bored by the fireplace all day, leading to untold behavior problems. The simple secret to a well-trained dog is engaging their mind and getting them thinking.
In the wild, before domestication, dogs would spend much of their lives performing tasks necessary for survival. Even in more modern history, dogs had special roles to perform in their relationships with humans. You can still see these natural drives in dogs today! For example, you will notice how beagles love to follow scents, how some terrier breeds love to dig, and how treeing coonhounds bark upon noticing prey up a tree. Unlike humans who perhaps dread the 9 to 5 grind, dogs actively WANT to work, and when they do not, they become prone to behavior problems, disobedience, and poor psychological well-being. Many owners spend THOUSANDS on dog training when the solution could be as simple as providing Rover with more mental stimulation!
There is a solution to all these issues:
Fortunately, Brain Training for Dogs offers a solution to this problem. Written by professionally certified trainer Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA (who’s work has appeared in USA Today, Everydog Magazine, Nest Pets and more), Brain Training for Dogs is one of the first training programs to not only teach obedience, better behavior, important skills and tricks, but to also work on increasing intelligence and engaging the dog’s brain too. Through 21 fun and simple games, the novel and scientifically-proven methods taught by Adrienne are sure to improve the lives of both you and your dog! By the end of Brain Training for Dogs your dog will be able to tidy up his toys, play the piano (yes, really), and identify his toys by name – all while being a better behaved and more obedient dog.
Here is a short video showing one of the trick she uses to teach your dog:
Want to get started with brain training? You can check out thecourse by clicking here:
As seen, there are many reasons why your dog may not be listening to you. Don’t quickly label your dog as stubborn, don’t begin shouting commands like a drill sergeant, and don’t give up training altogether – instead, try to give your dog a break and consider what may really be going on. A better understanding of how dogs learn should pave the path to better training.
Another type of journal is the diary type of journal where you simply write about your day and all the things that happened to you as well as your thoughts and feelings related to those things. I find this type of journal is the hardest for me to keep because of my trust/safety issues. Because of this, I try to include this type of journaling interspersed in my weekly output.
hout someone talking about ChatGPT, so we are not delving into that tool today. That said, there are many tools to choose from so below, I have listed some of the most useful artificial intelligence bots for you to check out and see if any of them will be useful to you.
Chatbots provide customer service 24/7, allowing businesses to save money on hiring employees. Additionally, it is used for predictive analytics, which helps businesses make decisions based on data-driven insights.
