It's OK to Be Nice to Yourself

 Look at me, perhaps pulling off 2 blogs within a week of each other. Wow. Go, Paddy, Go. Note, this blog has some graphic language, so if you are going to be offended, please skip it :)

I had an entirely different post planned for follow-up to my mental health one, but I am going with this one instead. Why, you might ask? Well, because I picked up my mail and got a parcel that gave me an idea to write about. So, here it is.

Every year, if I get a bonus at work, I try to carve out a little something that is just for me. It doesn't pay the bills, it doesn't have a practical (or generally not) reason for it, it's just something I want or fills me up in some way. I had planned to buy myself a new chair as I spend a lot of time in front of my fire reading in my arm chair and the old one was falling apart, but my lovely hubby bought me one for Christmas, so that was off the table. (Lest anyone think we gift too extravagant, something of that size is not the norm, more of a once in a blue moon surprise that one of us will get for the other).

I wanted to get myself a new potty mouth and inspirational mug while I was shopping for others at Christmas, but my mama always told me, Paddy, don't go buying yourself gifts right before Christmas. So I held out. And, I didn't get any mugs for Christmas. So, I went to one of my favourite cheeky mug vendors online last week (they are in Edmonton area, so local-ish and supply one of my favourite stores in Stettler - Fresh Wife Collective) and looked through their sale and their not sale stuff. FYI - The Store is called Days With Gray!

Ok, so some may say I got a little carried away, but boy was I excited to open that box today. So first things, first - my Be Kind and Don't Tolerate Bullshit mug! Dr. Jody Carrington (yes, I am a bit of a fangirl), used to say that a lot on her lives that she did throughout Covid and it stuck with me. Working with the public in the pandemic was incredibly challenging and I ran this through my head A LOT. Be Kind and DON'T tolerate bull shit. So, of course, I had to have the mug! And, I think it's a pretty damn good motto for life.

The next mug I ordered is in homage to one of my favourite book series and movie franchises, Harry Potter. This mug says, Not Today, Muggle Fucker. You know what? This will be a great one for the days where I have to get through something that I just don't want to do or a day when I know I am going to have an interaction with one of my less than favourite people in life. Or, let's face it, I might just do it because I want to. 

One of the joys of working at home is that I can have my mugs and just strategically cover the words if I happen to drink my coffee or tea on camera. I think there is something to be said for having a little reminder during the day that you are a badass and good at what you do and this mug makes me think, try me, I've got this. I don't have a lot of days where I feel I need that reminder anymore, but I will take it when I need it and I will smile when I use the mug even if I don't! Given it's HP origins, it also reminds me that everyone needs a little magic in their day. Sometimes we have to make it ourselves and this little inspiration is going to help.

#3 (yes there's 3. ok, there are actually 4 (oh and a popsocket for my phone, lol) is a mug from one of our favourite TV Series, Yellowstone. Every time I see a TikTok about a husband and wife with Rip in it saying this, I think of my husband and what a saint he is to put up with me most of the time. Oh sometimes he drives me crazy and sometimes I feel the same about him, but for some reason it just feels more appropriate for how he likely sees me some days! 

If you haven't watched this series and you like hot cowboys and fantastic horseflesh and a good story line with violence, swearing and a family dynasty - you should. Rip is a pretty good example of someone who built their life up after being handed a shit sandwich as a kid and turns out to be a good guy - I mean aside from the murdering and branding people and stuff, though done out of a place of loyalty, not sure it's the best way to handle every situation.

 This mug says I Don't Have The Energy for You Today and it resonates with me beyond my hubby into being aware of when we need to step back from something that is stealing our sunshine or sucking us dry. Sometimes we need to shelf it and say, I don't have the energy for this one today. I need to do something else and then come back to it. That's not a weakness, it's a strength in my book to have the self awareness that not every fight or struggle has to be dealt with in the moment it arises. Sometimes we just need to take a step away and clear our minds before we deal with it.

Last mug - I promise. The last one says "I will not be remembered as a woman who kept her mouth shut and I am so fucking fine with that". This one jumped out at me as I have had a number of people try to quiet my opinions and thoughts throughout my life and I gave up people pleasing a while ago (thank the universe). I like to think in my current career role, I also don't keep my mouth shut. I use my thoughts and opinions in a constructive way to try to make things better for the people that I work with and the customers they face daily. Sometimes my wishlist items are not reasonable or at least not reasonable in the time frame I want to see them dealt with, but I feel better knowing I have stood up and vocalized.

Every day is an opportunity to stand up and say something, to try to right wrongs, to put your voice forward for others who haven't found theirs yet. I am proud that I have embraced that and moved into my own truth. I 100% filter depending on the audience, but I do not shy away from saying my piece when I feel it's warranted.

So, my advice today is do things that bring you joy, even little things, like drinking from a cheeky mug. Be Kind, but don't tolerate bull shit. Tell yourself and others I don't have the energy for you today, or Not today, muggle fucker. And use your voice when you can and when it is important to you to do so!