Kristie's Craziness

All the random things in life that I think we should talk about.

Recent Posts

  • Relieving the Pressure of Spring Expectations

    Relieving the Pressure of Spring Expectations

    Happy Spring Equinox! I am so excited to see flowers creeping up outside and warmer temperatures in my forecast. We are not talking about the chance of snow next weekend.

    My excitement is based on all the grand plans I am making for not being cooped up indoors. Making plans is a good thing, because goals give us something to look forward to, but sometimes I over commit or forget to allow for chance and compromise when I am setting my goals, and then I become stressed, disheartened and depressed.

    I was journaling strategies to avoid this trap last night and thought I’d continue brainstorming with you.

    Balancing Spring Expectations with Personal Grace

    • Go easy on yourself: Just because it’s nice outside, doesn’t mean you have to walk 5 miles a day. Start slow with exercise goals or yard work. Remember that every step forward is progress, even if you can’t touch the finish line yet.
    • Get organized: I have so many calendars to keep me organized that it’s ridiculous. I have a huge desk calendar at work, a shared family calendar on my phone and a meal planning calendar on my fridge. I plan to add spring cleaning goals to the family calendar so everyone knows what we need to accomplish before we have fun. One Saturday we will wash all the dog beds and give them a bath. Another weekend we will organize the garage. You’ll be amazing how clear your mind is when your home is clean and organized.
    • Take time for yourself. If you have joined me ob my journaling journey, spend a few minutes sitting outside and writing your thoughts. Take a solo walk. Heck, send your family outside and have a cup of coffee in the house by yourself, whatever makes you feel relaxed. Spring fills up with breaks, and sports and end of school year stuff faster than you realize and you can’t be fully present if you never take time to take care of you.

    I would love to read how you balance your spring expectations. Leave an idea in the comments.

    Wishing you a bright and blooming spring.

    Kristie

  • 25 Spring Rebirth Journal Prompts

    25 Spring Rebirth Journal Prompts

    Hello Lovelies.

    Spring is just around the corner, although you wouldn’t know based on the freezing temperatures here in Michigan. I’m so tired of snow flurries and icicles on my car. It’s time for Mother Nature to bring back the sunshine, flowers and baby birds.

    Since I can’t control the weather, I’m going to snuggle up by the fireplace and do some journaling. Here are some writing prompts to help you envision new beginnings this spring.

    1. Which habits are you ready to “spring clean” from your life?
    2. What are some goals you want to accomplish by the end of spring?
    3. What steps can you take this spring to grow personally?
    4. Which habits would you like to develop this spring?
    5. How can you bring more balance into your life this spring?
    6. Describe the perfect spring picnic and who’s on the guest list.
    7. What are some creative projects you want to start this season?
    8. How can you support growth in your community this spring?
    9. What is your favorite spring flower and what does it symbolize for you?
    10. Describe how the changing season affects your mood and energy.
    11. What outdoor activities are you looking forward to this spring?
    12. How does the rebirth of spring inspire your creative energy?
    13. Describe the sounds, smells and sights of spring in your area.
    14. What lessons can you learn from the natural changes that occur in spring?
    15. What are you most excited to wear when the weather warms up a little?
    16. Write about the growth you’ve experienced since last spring.
    17. How can you invite more light into your home this spring?
    18. How can you nourish your mental health this spring?
    19. Discover an aspect of spring you’ve never noticed or appreciated before.
    20. Make a list of 5 things you can do in spring that you can’t do in winter.
    21. What meals or snacks feel like spring to you?
    22. Name one thing you’d like to accomplish between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.
    23. What does “April Showers bring May Flowers” mean in your life?
    24. What are your favorite spring activities for rainy days?
    25. Write a story from the perspective of a flower walking up after a long winter sleep.

    I’d love to hear the ideas you’ve brainstormed.

    Sending you peace and healing energy.

    Kristie

  • Why Journaling Matters

    Why Journaling Matters

    According to my Fitbit, I’m under training and not hitting my cardio load. On the other hand, I am still working on self care in ways my swollen joints can handle.

    Today I want to talk to you about why journaling matters. I know most people start to journal in January to help focus themselves on New Year’s resolutions. I want to present a different approach with this list of reasons to journal now:

    1. Life is busy and journaling gives you the opportunity to slow down and listen to yourself.
    2. Writing offers clarity by forcing your brain to organize the chaos of your mind into language.
    3. Listing your hopes creates an opportunity to explore the intentions behind them.
    4. Journaling lets you capture the vision of nature’s rebirth in spring and encourages your own rejuvenation.
    5. You are not just documenting events, but allowing your inner voice to guide you, give yourself advice and determine where you stand on different topics.

    Don’t let the idea of daily journaling intimidate you. No one expects you to write a full page everyday nor should you expect yourself to have something exciting to document all the time. Sometimes all I write is:

    • Today was hard. I hope tomorrow is better.
    • New meds haven’t kicked in yet. Too sore to sleep.
    • My kids crack me up. Laughter really is the best medicine.

    Start with just a sentence and see what kind of self care your mind is saying you need.

    Sending love and positive energy to you all.

    Kristie

  • Curiosity over Criticism

    Curiosity over Criticism

    Having an autoimmune disease is not for the weak. I can defend myself from attacks from other people, but I can’t defend against my own body attacking me. It’s easy to give in to negative thoughts during an extended flare.

    My bad days have out numbered the good ones over the past month. I wake up with a migraine 5 out of 7 days a week. I can’t wear my wedding ring because my hands are swollen and I’m struggling to focus on anything but the pain.

    I feel like I’m failing. My mind is full of negative thoughts, like, “I don’t have the energy to be a good wife. I’m too cranky to be the kind of mom I want to be.” I’m terrified I’m going to miss something at work and let everyone down as well.

    I’ve been looking into strategies for keeping the depression and negativity at bay, and came across The Curiosity Hack. It suggests treating negative thoughts like a chat with a friend. Here are the steps.

    1. Pause and Notice the Thought: Instead of suppressing the negative thoughts, acknowledge them. My negative thought I feel like I’m failing.
    2. Shift to Curiosity: Ask yourself where those thoughts are coming from and why they are so negative. My questions:What specific thing are you struggling with? Is someone asking you to do more than you are able to? Are you giving yourself the same grace you give to others?
    3. Thank the Thought for It’s Intentions: Acknowledge that these negative thoughts are trying to protect you and thank them for the effort. My gratitude: Thank you for making me slow down. I really am feeling overwhelmed. Maybe I should ask for help.
    4. Reassure and Reframe: Give yourself new perspective. My positive spin: Yes, there are a lot of things on your to do list, but you can tackle them one at a time. Asking for help to meet deadlines isn’t a failure, it’s part of being a team.

    I’m not trying to tell you this is a cure for depression, nor am I trying to say I will never have down days. I’m recommending this as a coping strategy. I’m pointing out that there is a root cause to our thoughts and we need to acknowledge that in order to function and heal.

    Sending you all love and positive energy.

    Kristie

  • St.Patrick’s Day: Would You Rather Questions

    St.Patrick’s Day: Would You Rather Questions

    Hello lovelies.

    I feel so guilty right now. I had been working so hard to create and post every day for 2026 and then it all went to the garbage. Between my migraines that I can’t keep under control, my husband breaking a tooth, one daughter, having an autistic meltdown, and the other one, dragging us to cheer, time got away from me.

    Before I disappeared, I have been working on a series of would you rather game questions and Irish recipes. With tomorrow being St. Patrick’s Day, I do not have time to finish all of the recipes. They wouldn’t like to share the rest of the game with you though.

    These are the questions my 10-year-old and I came up with this weekend.

    • Would you rather be a leprechaun or catch a leprechaun?
    • Would you rather drink a gallon of green ketchup, or eat a meal prepared by dogs?
    • Would you rather eat green eggs and ham or rainbow pancakes for breakfast?
    • Would you rather find a pot of gold or a four leaf clover that’s actually lucky?
    • Would you rather eat Lucky charms every morning for breakfast or corn, beef, and cabbage every evening for dinner for the rest of your life?
    • Would you rather have one wish granted, or give three wishes to your best friend?
    • Would you rather write a leprechaun story or build a leprechaun trap?
    • Would you rather have a leprechaun beard you can’t shave or wear a giant green leprechaun hat for a week?
    • Would you rather only wear green clothes or have green skin for a month?
    • Would you rather have a refilling pot of gold or the superpower of invincibility?
    • Would you rather tour Ireland with a leprechaun guide or tour Ireland with a fairy guide?
    • Would you rather have a rainbow slide that goes out your window or a bed made of clouds?
    • Would you rather swim in a pool of skittles or swim in a pool of Jell-O?
    • Would you rather have green hair for life or green teeth for a month?
    • Would you rather learn to dance an Irish jig or learn to play the bagpipes?
    • Would you rather share a room with the Grinch or share your room with a messy leprechaun?
    • Would you rather sound like a leprechaun or only be able to speak in rhyme?

    She is super excited to play this game while we eat dinner tomorrow. It counts as her word game for March is reading month for school so we are multitasking over here.

    Have a great St Patrick’s Day and let’s hope I get lucky and find time and energy to get posting again.

    Kristie