Sherri Ross

11
Nov
2018

How I Unwind at Home

I’m a tightly wound person. My husband can tell you that, my therapist can tell you that, and my family can tell you that. I’ve worked for years to learn how to unwind in my day-today, but I still get tense a lot. I have a few at home remedies I like to try when I feel a tension headache coming or the familiar ache in my shoulders.

Baths: We have a great claw-foot tub that is perfect for long, hot baths. I keep bath bombs and foam on hand to make them even more relaxing. Some of my favorite bath bombs come from Lush and my favorite bubble bath is Dr. Teal’s Soothe & Sleep Lavender Foaming Bath with Pure Epsom Salt. I light candles, turn on my “spa” station on Pandora, and slowly sink into the tub until I turn into a human prune.

Meditation: When I am super stressed or having a panic attack I turn to my calming apps to bring me back to earth. If you have an Apple Watch the Breathe app is a great app. You can set it to trigger at random times throughout the day, or you can manually kick it off any time you want. It’s good for a quick check in with myself and to focus on how I’m feeling at that moment and why. For longer meditations I use the Simple Habit app on my phone. I’ve fallen in love with this app (thanks to recommendation of friends) and they add new meditations all the time. I use the free version and it works great for me. They have series you can follow for different needs you may have and I’ve found them all helpful so far.

Praying: Some people may categorize this with meditation, but I don’t. Praying definitely relaxes me, because I’m talking to (my) God and basically venting. It’s almost like therapy for me. I’m able to let God know what’s on my mind, what I’m happy about, what I’m upset about, and what I don’t feel I can manage right now. I always feel better after I pray.

Reading or TV: If I have some extra time I like to read or catch up on my “fluff” TV shows. Fluff shows are the shows I don’t have to think about – comedies, usually. They are just feel good shows that usually have a happy ending. Thinks like “Manifest” or “This is Us” are NOT fluff shows and I think a lot or cry a lot during both of those.

I’m interested to hear about how you relax at home. Feel free to let me know at sherri@yougotrossed.com.

*This post contains affiliate links.

09
Nov
2018

Who Wants Free Hugs?

categories: #bloglikecrazy, free hugs birmingham

I *run* (and I use that term loosely) a fun little venture here in town called Free Hugs Birmingham. I stand around town with my sign, wearing my t-shirt, giving out free hugs to passersby. Or I just wear my t-shirt out and about giving free hugs to whoever sees me and wants one. Or I just start a random hug-a-thon at someone’s birthday party for fun.

I’ve modeled this after the original Free Hugs campaign, but don’t do it nearly as often as he does (or as often as I’d actually like to). So, that brings me to my poll below. Who’s in need of a hug? I know I could use some after all the news lately. I’m presenting a poll below to get an idea of when the best day and time of day you think would be to find me out on your corner with some free hugs.

Keep an eye on the Free Hugs Facebook page to see when I’ll be out next. I will definitely be making an appearance soon since the weather is finally cooling off!

Take Our Survey

08
Nov
2018

Throw-It-Out Thursday

categories: #bloglikecrazy, health

Sorry folks – I had a post for today from my editorial calendar all ready to go, but I wasn’t feeling it and threw it right out the window. I woke up feeling some kind of way, saw the news, got a kick in the gut at work, and decided to let loose on here. This picture is exactly how I feel – female problems and all!

I’m not going to get into a discussion about gun control on my blog, but I am devastated for the families of the victims of Thousand Oaks, the Tree of Life, the Tallahassee yoga studio, and all the other shootings in the last week, month, year, DECADE! It’s sad that it’s such a common occurrence that it hardly raises eyebrows anymore unless it’s someone you know or you were part of it. We’re numb to it because we’ve gotten so use to it being news these days. That breaks my heart.

I also found out today a friend of mine at work is leaving. I’m going to miss them terribly even though I’m extremely happy and excited for them. When they told me I basically just burst into tears. HOW CRAZY IS THAT? We’re not even that close, but this is one of the good ones. One of the GREAT ones, actually, who really works hard to make a difference and make sure things are done right. They are one of the greatest examples we have of a model employee and I hate that we’re losing them. What I hate worse is losing a friend, confidant, and mentor. But that’s life and they’ve worked hard and deserve this.

So today has just been one of those days. All will be fine and life is still great, but today’s a day and I’m allowed to have it. So are you. If you’re having one of those days, let yourself. You’ll feel better, I promise!

05
Nov
2018

A Love Letter to My Massage Therapist

categories: #bloglikecrazy, health

I’ve composed this letter in my mind a hundred times, usually on the table during a massage. I’ve always chickened out putting it into the world, but I’ve finally decided to do it.

We all have insecurities, especially when it comes to our bodies. For some of us, the older we get the less we care what others think. But those insecurities never fully go away. The negative thoughts I have about my body run rampant on the table.

A massage can be a very vulnerable experience. You’re allowing someone you don’t know (usually) use their hands all over you to help work out kinks, reduce pain, release toxins, and promote wellness in your body. You’re welcome to wear as much or little clothing as you like, but you’re covered by a sheet except for the specific part the therapist is working on.

It took years for me to be comfortable getting a massage and my friend Amy was instrumental in that. Since then, I’ve received a lot of massages and I have the same thoughts every time: Thank you for not judging me and my body. Even if my massage therapist is judging me by chance, they never act like it or show it. My insecurities are running through my mind the whole time: I know I’m fat. I know I have dimples and cellulite. I know I have cysts that aren’t fun to touch. I know I have a fatty neck that rolls when you massage it. I know I’m overdue for that pedicure. I know my manicure left the building last year. I know you see the varicose veins on my back where most people don’t have them. If my massage therapist only knew all the things I’m silently apologizing for on the table while she works on me.

But she never needs my apology. She never acts disgusted or put off. She never leaves the room, makes a face, or coughs uncomfortably. Massage therapists are professionals and they are kind. Extremely kind…even when I do verbally apologize for my lack of pedicure or manicure. It’s that kindness and warmth that always triggers this love letter in my head. I have a special place in my heart for people who can touch other people all day long and see the healing side of it over anything superficial. They are truly special people and I am so thankful there are people who want to do that line of work. Massage therapy has been absolutely essential for my self-care and well-being.

Thank you to all my amazing massage therapists over the years, my many massage therapist friends who heal every day, and those who will continue to carry on the practice. You are like none other and you are LOVED!

04
Nov
2018

The Blogger Who Doesn’t Blog

categories: #bloglikecrazy

I’m terribly inconsistent in my blogging. If you’ve followed me for any time at all you know this already. I do really well for a while and then life gets busy and I slow down or stop completely. Well, this year was a doozie in the inconsistency department. I last blogged on January 1st. CRAZY SAUCE! When I attend blog events I like to call myself the “blogger who doesn’t blog.”

This year it was even worse because I found out some things were “broken” on the backend of my web site and blog when I logged in to do #bloglikecrazy at the end of October. So, if you’re one of those wonderful people who’s noticed my crazy URLs, tried to click on an actual blog title, look at archived posts, or leave a comment, you’ve received a “Page Not Found” error. YAY! GO ME! Imagine my surprise when I came across those hairy spiders after updating my widgets and engine the other night. I am aware of them and am desperately trying to fix then. I know they are atrocious, ugly to look at, and just plain unacceptable – especially coming from someone in the biz! I’m going to get this sucker figured out and FIXED.

As I work on getting these crazy kinks worked out please bear with me. I know you are only able to view the current day’s post on the Blog page. But I’m still committed to blogging and posting every day even though the site is a bit of a mess and the issues are driving me nuts. I WILL be a blogger who blogs, at least during November’s #bloglikecrazy challenge, and I hope to keep it going even after it ends. And hopefully I’ll have the Comments working again soon so you can give feedback and ask questions. Until then, hang in there with me please!

Hugs!