Broken

Okay guys, it's Friday again and it's another episode of Five Minute Friday.  This week's theme is "Broken".  Scary topic really.  I am trying to think of anything that might be good or positive or even neutral and also described as broken. Let me know if you gals come up with anything.

If you want to join in, head on over to Lisa-Jo's site to join in the fun, then just click on the button.

Lisa-Jo Baker, Five Minute Friday

Remember

Somewhat fitting with this week's theme, I am wondering if you remember that last Friday I took a shot at the Five Minute Friday writing prompt from Lisa-Jo Baker's site? Well, it's Friday again, so I'm going to give it another shot. If you want to take a stab at it, follow the button.

Five Minute Friday

What Are You Reading?

In an attempt to address some of the stupidity that causes me anxiety, I should first admit that calling it stupidity is neither helpful nor compassionate, and rephrase.  So,...

In an attempt to address some of the issues that are swirling around in my head and causing me anxiety (better? I think so), I am putting some effort into becoming more self-aware and mindful.  Right now, I am reading like crazy and listening to podcasts to help with this.

Is It Just Me?

Does anybody else look at this 'cool' outdoor bed and think,....oh yeah, that's what I need,....another set of bedding to wash.  But wait, I also get to trek all the way outside and through the yard just to get at it.

Or is it just me?

HGTV

Rest

I have just stumbled across this fabulous blogger, Lisa-Jo Baker. She is many things including being a huge source of inspiration and motivation, especially for moms, but not exclusively. I am really excited about this 5-minute Friday idea that she has. Here's how it works: you check out the topic of the week (this week is 'rest'), then write for 5 minutes. You're not allowed to over think it, not allowed to go back, and not allowed to edit anything. Just write. Then share at her linky party. Sounds exhilarating and terrifying.  :)

So that's what's happening here today. I would love it if you would participate as well. Let me know if you do so I can check out what you've written.

5 Minute Friday

Here goes - 5 minutes - no editing.  (yikes)

REST

I am an anxious person. I worry about things, I stew about things, I obsess about things. And not even really important things. More like,...if I make a fabulous meal for company and there is one tiny thing that isn't perfect (like the chicken could have used a bit more salt), then the entire thing is a failure. Or, if I take the  puppy to puppy class, where she is surrounded by 12 others crazy little fur babies, and she acts up or is rude, well that's a mini-catastrophe.

My rational self knows that is silly, and if you were anxious about things like that, I would have the most compassionate, supportive pep talk to share with you. I haven't been able to get it to work with myself though. I struggle, but I still stress.

And it's tiring. So incredibly tiring to try to be perfect at everything. To be perfect for others, but also to be perfect for myself, because if there isn't perfection, then what is there?

So I need a rest. A big old rest from perfection, a rest from anxiety, a rest from that kind of pressure. Instead, I am striving to relax, to be more compassionate towards myself, and to strive for more healthy goals.

Like good enough. Have you heard that quote: Perfection is the enemy of good. (did I get close on it? I'm something of a paraphraser at heart). So instead of aiming for perfection, and stressing about perfection, instead, I am going to aim for good. Good and healthy, and give myself a rest.  (that's 5 minutes)

I must confess that I popped back up to fix the typos (I can't go cold turkey, lol), but I didn't change anything which is incredibly scary.

Those Are Flowers?

I stumbled upon this watercolour tutorial on Ink Stitch.  Denice does a great job with explaining this and I am amazed that such a simple process produces such a cool finished project.  This is Denice's version:

Ink Stitch

I started off with a piece of cardboard from a pasta box (one of my usual culprits because I'm cheap frugal).  So I started with coats of acrylic paint instead of watercolour in butter yellow to get started.

Then I did a haphazard spray of yellow at the top, red in the middle and green at the bottom.

Now, time to add in the flowers.  This was something close to hilarious.  After I saw my attempt (which someone in my house, who shall remain nameless, referred to as 'something a 4-year-old might do', lol), I pulled out a sketch pad and got to work making flowers.  Apparently, I need some practice in this area.

Here is how mine ended up:

I'll try this tutorial again when I get some watercolour paper because Denice's version is so pretty.  I'll let you know when I do.  What is your most recent,...uh,...room for improvement piece?