this is going out to all my OS friends, particularly those
of us who struggle daily with anxiety and depression.

I'm not one for traditional New Years Resolutions, but I still find myself brimming with excitement whenever I start a new calendar off.  The tabula rasa, the sheer expanse of space and time to come --- it thrills me deeply.

And so in the vein of new beginnings, I want to contemplate some itty bitty steps I can take to help keep me on the path to happiness.  I'm struggling to keep doom and gloom at bay, especially with anxiety nipping at my heels.  Since I love my To Do lists and Brian's been keeping me hopping with his Top 10's, why not make one myself to help keep me on the mental health fast track?

1. Strive for itty bitty bits more of patience.  When I can stop myself from RE-acting to my children's petty nonsenses and be more patient with them (and myself), things are less stressful.
2. Try for itty bitty bits of exercise daily, even if it's just a wicked round of hula-hooping on WiiFit.  We all know then endorphins do us good.
3. Try to pamper myself an itty bitty bit more.  As a mom, I'm often putting my needs at the end of the list.  I say, more bubble baths with a good book and a glass of wine.  Yippee! 
4. Be willing to open myself up an itty bitty bit more to new friendships, for they do the soul good.   'Nuff said.
5. Try to turn around the negative self-talk, even an itty bitty bit.  Be more self-aware when I start in on the woulda-coulda-shoulda's, and stop it in its tracks.
6. Eat itty bitty bits of chocolate, at least once a day.  Not enough to feel yucky or FatAssed about it, just enough to savour the deliciousness.  Closing my eyes while I eat it will garner me bonus points.
7. In spite of #6, try to eat an itty bitty bit less of junk.  I know that nasty white carbs act on my blood sugar levels to ramp up my anxiety and deepen my depression, so be good to my body and just say no.
8. Much as I love it, it doesn't love me.  So try to limit my caffeine intake an itty bitty bit.
9. Fake it'til I make it.  If I smile and project happiness an itty bitty bit more, it's bound to pay off.
10. Be willing to let go of my perfectionist ways, at least an itty bitty bit.  Any pressure I can take off of myself is bound to be worth it in the end.

 cookie photo added on behalf of Foodie Tuesday
and because cookies are my friend