I make my bed because I need something to believe in. I need something to remind me that one day, I can look back and say - through it all, I found a shred of normal. I was there, buried beneath the throw pillows and blankets and the colours of my room where I went to find even a shred of normal from a life we used to know.

I'll keep making my bed. Every day.

#HandlewithCare2021, Blog 013 Podcast 008 

On the Socials @CarefulChatting #weightlossjourney #healthymind #healthybody #healthysoul

Take the nap. And the selfie. And extra time when you run through the next drive-thru for a coffee just for you. Use a bathbomb, and read a book, and make time for just yourself. And while you're at, you'll find yourself asking: where have I been all my life?

#HandlewithCare2021; Blog 012, Podcast 007 #weightlossjourney 

I hope you remember that they call it a journey for a reason. Stay focused on your course. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Being authentically you is sexiest of all. Pooch, no pooch, flat, pierced, rock hard or jiggly. You are lovely. And so is your tummy.

- #HandlewithCare2021; Podcast Episode 006, Blog 011 #weightlossjourney

I read once that our words become their inner voice. Language counts. When they stare at the mirror and question everything they thought they knew, who will they hear looking back at them? Make sure it's your voice reminding them that you love them, that you're proud of them, and that they only thing you expect from them is that they respect themselves. 

#HandlewithCare2021; Blog 009 Podcast 005 #weightlossjourney

This time, it felt like I just couldn't take care of business anymore. I could not handle being me anymore.  I couldn't sleep, couldn't think, couldn't wife. The only part that kept me hanging on were my kids. The responsibility to them and my career was all that I left to focus on. The job kept the food on the table. The table was where I fed them. These two factors - my job and my kids - that was all that I was running on. And I was running on clear ass empty.

- #HandlewithCare2021 Blog 009; Podcast 004 #weightlossjourney

"You have to remember that you are capable of being both - awesome, and not awesome. You can be terrific and terrible. But you must be able to accept both, be humbled by either, and aware of each."

#HandlewithCare2021; Blog 8, Podcast Episode 3 www.carehumphries.com @carefulchatting

Regardless, I feel like each of us will walk away from this with a new perspective on ourselves. Either stoic in the nostalgia of what a year locked down meant for our mental well-being, or grateful that we endured the brink of disaster and came back with a better understanding of how to care for our fellow human. Our partners. Our kids. Our families. Our colleagues. 

- Handle with Care, Blog 008 Podcast 02