The Positivity Project

For the last week I’ve been carrying out what I’m calling my Positivity Project: At the end of each day I write down the things I've done. When I look back on them, I've achieved a lot!

The idea is to keep positive about the position I’m in at the moment – to see it as a good thing rather than a bad thing. To see it as an opportunity, to be proud of myself for the little things I manage to do for myself, and to appreciate the good things.

It’s been a busy week anyway – my lady Te Huia was over from Australia so spent quite a bit of time hanging out with her. Then on Saturday two of my besties from Auckland, Ange and Freya, surprised me by turning up at my door quite unexpected! So I spent most of the weekend with them. I had visits from Dad, Scott, Jake, Nic and Janise, too. All in all it’s been a good week for having cool people to spend time with.

Things I’ve achieved this past week: Got my Death Cab For Cutie review published; remembered to do my physio exercises more regularly; went fruit and vege shopping, to the library (which was painful but awesome), to the supermarket, and out for dinner a couple of times; found a way to sit at the bench to do some dishes and tidy up a bit; downloaded some educational podcasts and got some NZ geographic magazines to look through; read a bit of the Catherine Manfield book I got from the library and made quite a bit of progress on my knitting; made pancakes with my friends; went to the pier and spent time by the sea.... and that’s just the best stuff!

The snag in my positivity came on Thursday night, when I fell over in the rain while trying to get out of the car. I didn’t fall directly onto my hip but in my attempt to steady myself I stumbled and took a couple of steps. It hurt really really bad. I was so angry with myself for being so careless; if I’d damaged it I would’ve had nobody to blame but myself. It seems to be alright, but I’ve definitely taken it as a warning that I need to make sure I don’t get so over-confident on my crutches and keep being careful!

I read a book called Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (the woman who wrote The Time Travellers Wife - an all-time favourite of mine). It was good but, without giving anything away, I was most disappointed with its conclusion. Things were wrapped up, but they were most unsatisfactory. The pretense wasn't always as believable as it should have been, either. I think I expected more from the author because of previous stuff I'd read. To anyone considering it, I'd recommend giving it a go but don't get your hopes up.

Things that are awesome: pain levels receding, spending time with great people, snow frogs (I read about them in National Geographic).

Things that are not awesome: not being able to put my own socks on - try as I might, Mum being away on camp, sometimes forgetting the ways I’m not allowed to move because they don’t hurt much anymore.