Half-way through July! I’m finding ways to keep myself active, learning, and content during this stage of the pandemic. I had a bit of a pause on the blog but I’m back now!
Today, I share some ways I’ve been spending my down time, in case you want to join me:
Yoga: you gotta start somewhere
After decades of declaring I wanted to “get into yoga,” the time is finally here. Thanks to the “Yoga & Movement Encouragement Group” I started on Facebook, I can finally say I have a personal yoga practice. I’ve been enjoying Sarah Beth Yoga on Youtube (she’s got a nice list of Beginner yoga videos that are just 10-15 minutes, which is right for me at this time).
I did 21 days in a row then thought I would go to 2-3 days a week and increase the time I spent on my mat on those days. Well, unfortunately that plan didn’t work out: I ended up doing ZERO yoga for nine days in a row. So, now I am back to the mat with a “daily yoga routine.” Even in just nine days without yoga after 21 days with yoga, I noticed my body was a bit more achy and tight, so I’m excited to be back to the mat. This time around, I’m using the mindset of “I do yoga every day” rather than counting days.
Arm Workout: 5 minutes a day
My pal Samantha Lamb, who is part of my movement encouragement group, shared the daily arm workout program she liked . . . now I’m hooked! I’m already noticing a difference. While I’m not a fan of the title of the course (and guessing the site named it, not the teacher, as Sarah Rector has zero body-shaming in her program), the DailyOm 14 day arm challenge offers arm workouts using small weights at just 5 minutes a day. I did the 14 days and the restarted the program and plan on continuing this for the days to come. Being just 5 minutes a day makes it easy to do it and get through it.
What I’ve been watching
Thank you to the creators of Netflix Party! I’ve enjoyed watching shows with friends while staying home and staying safe during the pandemic (connecting via the chat feature while we watch the show together). Some of the shows I’ve enjoyed watching via NP include
- Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat – travel to Italy, Japan, Mexico, and California with the charming and approachable chef and author Samin Nosrat.
- Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker “The inspiring story of trailblazing African American entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker who built a haircare empire that made her America’s first female self-made millionaire.” – IMDB
- Hollywood Not for the faint of heart. A wild ride with delightful casting.
- Dead To Me (Season 2) Dark, twisty, funny.
- When They See Us Intense and based on a true story. This mini-series was recommended to me by multiple antiracist mvoies/shows to watch lists.
Other shows I’m watching or recently have watched that I recommend include:
- Dear White People (the series) “At a predominantly white Ivy League college, a group of black students navigate various forms of racial and other types of discrimination.” – IMBD
- Hannah Gadsby: Douglas (if you haven’t seen Hannah Gadsby: Nanette yet, watch that first). One of the best solo performers of our time, maybe ever.
- The Morning Show. Great casting. An inside look at a morning tv show, centering around #MeToo plot lines.
- Upload Goofy sci-fi with a fun concept. “A man is able to choose his own afterlife after his untimely death by having his consciousness uploaded into a virtual world.” -IMBD
- Palm Springs It’s not often I laugh out loud at movies and shows but this comedy is so good!
Curling up with some good books
I discovered Scribd this year (basically the “netflix” of books/audiobooks/magazines/sheetmusic). I’m hooked! They normally just give 2 weeks for free but if you sign up with my link you get TWO MONTHS free (and if you’re on a budget you can cancel before your two months runs out and you won’t be charged). I love being able to read and listen to my hearts content, rather than subscription plans that allow just one audiobook a month or charge you if you want more. Sign up with my link here: https://www.scribd.com/g/8gjtsr (You get two months free of Scribd and I get one month free!)
I just finished The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (WOW so good!) on Scribd and am now enjoying Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb. My mom (Seattle Pockets blogger Jeanne Deller) and dad recently listened to The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia and The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (narrated by national treasure Tom Hanks). They recommend both of these books.
Seattleite I’m inspired by
Journalist Omari Salisbury has been doing an incredible job covering the protests in Seattle, including the experiences at CHOP. His livestreams and replays are an excellent source of news of what is truly happening in Seattle. Check out his links, here.
I’ll be back to blog again soon. Sending love to you, reader! Drop me a line or send me a message if you have suggestions of (safe) entertainment in the coming weeks and months. More about me: linktr.ee/keridwyn – Keridwyn
Seattle Pockets 