Category: fun

Go Team 2025: Find The Fun Part
advice · fitness · fun · goals · habits · motivation · self care

Go Team 2025: Find The Fun Part

Christine Hennebury

Hey Team,

In my Go Team posts, I tend to spend a lot of time reminding you (and myself!) that it is ok to find things challenging and I like to share ideas for how to face those challenges in a way that lets us be kind to ourselves.

It’s true that making change/expanding our lives will involve some challenges but those challenges are only part of the story.

Changing/expanding/enhancing our lives also involves FUN.

It can be exciting to add new elements and activities to our lives.

It can be fun to have new experiences and try new things.

It’s interesting and inspiring to build new skills.

There are all kinds of great things that happen in the habit-building process.

And just as it doesn’t serve us well to pretend that the process is easy, it also doesn’t serve us well to treat it as an unrelenting ordeal that requires extensive work at every turn.

Just as it is important to prepare for challenges, it’s important to recognize the fun in our new habits, to add extra fun where we can, and to celebrate the good feelings that arise in the process of expanding and enhancing our day-to-day lives.

So, Team, today I am inviting you find the fun part of your habit-building process and inviting you to add extra fun wherever possible.

Here are a few places to start:

  • Do you get to listen to good music, a good book, or a good podcast while exercising?
  • Is it fun to look forward to your practice or your workout?
  • Do you enjoy the feeling of working your muscles, of sinking into your meditation, or getting your words out of your head and onto the screen/page?
  • Is it good to be outdoors? Or is it good to be exercising indoors when it’s cold outside?
  • Do you get to spend time with different people? Or get extra time alone? Or do you get to choose good company each time?
  • Do you enjoy how you feel after your practice?
  • Is learning something new fun for you?
  • Can you put a gold star sticker on a chart for each practice?
  • Do you enjoy how your workout/practice clothes feel on your body? Do you have anything special or fun that you wear during your sessions?
  • Are you playing a sport or game that you enjoy?
  • Do you get a sense of satisfaction from taking good care of yourself?
  • Are you proud of yourself for learning how to rest?
  • Can you pat yourself on the back for learning to recognize that you have more energy on some days than on others and that that is perfectly ok?
  • Can you add any elements that will increase your fun – different lighting, a candle, a fuzzy sweater, better socks, really good recovery snacks?

Some of the the fun of the habit-building process will be obvious, some might require a bit of digging, and some might be a conscious choice on your part but it all counts as fun and it all adds to your enjoyment of your practices.

So, go ahead and colour in the edges of your journal when you are done writing, call your friend so you can both brag about how great your workouts were, wrap yourself in a warm blanket for meditation, wear your ‘Maybe Swearing Will Help’ shirt* while you do your strength training, bop around your kitchen to 80s pop songs.

In fact, do whatever fun thing you want to do in the habit-building process. There is no virtue or glory in pretending that the whole thing is a joyless slog of challenges.

Nothing is lost by celebrating the good parts and it’s always good to add more fun to your activities.

So, Team, here is your gold star for your efforts today, whether those efforts are to celebrate fun, to add fun, to find existing fun, or to promise to keep an eye out for fun in the future. (You can also have a gold star if you think fun is pointless, I’m not gatekeeping here.)

Go Team Us!

A drawing of a small gold star with black lines radiating from its edges.
A photo of a small drawing of a gold star with thin black lines radiating from the edges of the star to the black outline at the edge of the paper. The drawing is leaning against a dark green upright surface on a white desk.

*Yes, this is strangely specific. Yes, I do have a tank top with that phrase on it. 😉

boy in white shirt holding hands of girl in yellow long sleeve shirt Dancing (in the kitchen)with Christine
Dancing · fitness · fun · holiday fitness · holidays

Dancing (in the kitchen)with Christine

Christine Hennebury

In case you were wondering, there is zero overlap between Dancing with Christine and Dancing with the Stars.

I mean, unless you count all the gold stars that I have hanging up in different places in my house. Technically, dancing in my kitchen is dancing with stars…or near stars.

ANYWAY!

I like dancing in my kitchen when I am cooking, baking, or just hanging out and here are a few of the songs that I have been flailing around to lately.

I’m offering them to you in case you feel like flailing around in your kitchen right now, too. Flailing in other rooms of the house is also highly recommended, I just tend to flail in the kitchen most often,

A few years ago, we came across JD McPherson’s Christmas album ‘Socks’ and I have been dancing around to it ever since.

The song All the Gifts I Need is linked below but consider also giving Socks and Ugly Sweater Blues a try. Or just dance to the whole album – you won’t regret it.

Brenda Lee’s Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree is an obvious choice but still a VERY fun one.

And again, I am not breaking any new ground here but All I Want for Christmas Is You gives me a ‘put bells on my sneakers because I’m a cheerleader in the Santa Claus parade’ feeling (even though the didn’t come out until I was several years past my cheerleading days.)

If you can’t stand Christmas music or if you don’t celebrate Christmas, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

Here are some totally non-holiday songs that I also like flailing around the kitchen to.

The second song in this list refers to a funeral and alcohol consumption, and the third one also refers to alcohol consumption. If these things are sensitive topics for you please take good care of yourself and avoid clicking the links.

Charming Disaster’s Baba Yaga is not only a fun song, it has all kinds of great folklore in it.

Great Big Sea’s The Night Pat Murphy Died may not sound like a good dance topic but my sisters and I have baffled many other dancers at weddings while flailing around to it.

And finally, Spirit of the West’s Home for a Rest will always get me into full-flail.

Do you already flail around to these songs? If not, give them a try and let me know what you think!

Also, please feel free to put your songs to flail along to in the comments.

Have fun out there!

A person holding a light blue box with a card on it. BY Melody Jacobs for Unsplash. It’s back: silly fitness and wellness gifts, 2024 edition
equipment · fitness · fun · gadgets · holidays

It’s back: silly fitness and wellness gifts, 2024 edition

catherine w

Gift giving can be a process fraught with uncertainty. Many of us admit failure and dole out cash or gift cards out of fear of disappointing our friends, family and coworkers. This is why we at Fit is a Feminist Issue are here to offer you our version of the seasonal gift list. Our mission is to wade into the deep-end of the internet shopping pool, so that you don’t have to.

In keeping with our general theme of feminist wellness and activity swag, here are a few items that caught our notice, with varied price points.

Does anyone on your list already have an ice roller? I doubt it. There are lots of ice rollers to choose from, in many shapes and sizes. Each one comes with detailed instructions. I’ll say this for them: they’re cheap (the one below retails for $8.99 USD) On the other hand, a DIY ice cube is cheaper. But who am I to judge? Take a look for yourselves.

A pink plastic thingie with a cold cylindrical thingie attached to it.
A pink plastic thingie with a cold cylindrical thingie attached to it.
The science of ice rolling-- any polka dots beneath the skin will disappear.
The science of ice rolling– an exercise for the viewer.
Roller head use instructions-- freeze it, attach to plastic thingie, roll it wheverer.
Roller head use instructions– freeze it, attach to plastic thingie, roll it wheverer.
Glad to read it's multifunctional. Confused to see human calves referred to as "shank".
Glad to read it’s multifunctional. Confused to see human calves referred to as “shank”.

If you love love love the concept of the ice roller, but are looking for something a bit more upscale, theres a set of Cryo Sticks that retails for $134. Yes, they’re a bit pricey. But in return for all that cash you’re laying out, they have clearly employed someone who spent one semester as a physics major to write their marketing copy. To wit:

Made of stainless steel, Biologique Recherche Cryo Sticks work as conductors, storing thermal energy. By storing the Cryo Sticks in ice or the refrigerator and applying them to the skin, the cold energy is transferred to the skin.

Yep, thermodynamics in action.

A pair of Cryo Sticks, shaped like juggling clubs but made (allegedly) of stainless steel, with handles. Also there’s a small inset of a person placing the cryo sticks over their eyes. Unclear if anything good is happening.

Continuing in the ersatz recovery gift category, have you considered compression boots for recovery after exercise for that special someone? Here is a pair from the fine folks at Normatec, on sale for $699 USD.

Normatec 3 air compression boots, remote-controlled (obvs).
Normatec 3 air compression boots, remote-controlled (obvs).
Close-up of the sexiest remote control ever for air-compression boots In black (obvs).
Close-up of the sexiest remote control ever for air-compression boots. In black (obvs).

Hmmm. What are these things for, exactly? And do they actually work? Here’s what Normatec has to say:

Backed by science, used by the best. Copy reads: Designed by an MD, PhD, Normatec is the original, most tested, and most scientifically backed dynamic air compression system on the market. Designed to provide improved mobility and profound restorative healing results, Normatec has long been the most trusted system by the world’s top athletes and consumers everywhere looking to advance their wellness.
Backed by science, used by the best. ‘Nuff said.

But, if you aren’t content to rely on self-reports, here’s the 4-1-1 on them, courtesy of our investigative journalist friends at GQ.

The idea behind compression boots is to facilitate flow of fluids through the legs to reduce swelling and after-workout soreness… One 2014 study … concluded that these devices are promising at accelerating and enhancing recovery following a rigorous training program.

However, other studies suspect that these devices might be .. [a] placebo. For example, a 2022 literature review found that compression had little effect on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and a 2021 study found that they may provide short-term… but not continued relief from muscle damage.

If you have expendable income and want a passive recovery tool that you can wear while you wind down in the evening, compression boots do offer a lot of benefits… But there are also much cheaper ways to drive out swelling, like active recovery. “You know what also drives out swelling?” Longworth says, “Muscles contracting. Movement.”

Yeah, ’nuff said.

Sometimes it’s easier to go practical on gift-giving. And what’s more practical for your ball-sports-playing besties than gear, plain and simple. But sometimes plain and simple just won’t do. In which case, check out these tempting offerings:

Prada tennis ball case— with a can of Prada tennis balls (included, I think) for $480 (*cough, sputter, cough*)

A black (obvs) nylon tubular bag, designed to hold a black (obvs) tennis ball container. By Prada.

You can also get a Prada basketball (with its own harness carrier) for $925 USD or a splurge on a Prada volleyball (same harness setup) for $1200 USD (I wasn’t brave enough to do the calculation for cost in Canadian dollars).

Prada basketball in black (obvs) with a little black harness.
Prada basketball in black (obvs) with a little black harness.
Multicolored Prada volleyball (no account why) with its own little black harness, presumably to take it for a walk.
Multicolored Prada volleyball (Colors! Eek!) with its own little black harness, presumably to take it on walks.

I know– as appealing as these high-end accessories are, sometimes a basic and low-cost gift is better all around. Lululemon has just the thing: the (small) towel, for $18.

It's a (small) towel. And what is adaptive pink?
It’s a (small) towel. And what is adaptive pink?
Why did they make this? Because their profit margin would be huuuuge.
Why did they make this? Because their profit margin would be huuuuge.

Not that there’s anything wrong with (small) towels, but 1) it is very likely that your proposed giftee already has a bunch of (small to medium) towels hanging around; and 2) if you want to buy them a new hand towell, this one from Land’s End looks much nicer, is on sale for $8.97 and comes in many colors, including a non-adaptive pink shade.

Holiday shopping is hard. So I hope this gift guide will be useful, at least inasmuch as you know what to avoid. Honestly, if you’re stuck for what to buy, I think a pretty scarf is always welcome.

ADHD · fun · goals · habits · motivation · self care

Go Team 2024: At Loose Ends

Christine Hennebury2 Comments

Is it weird to write a Go Team post when I am already doing Making Space posts this month?

Maybe.

Am I doing it anyway?

Obviously!

I am following my own advice this month and doing what I can to make space for myself but I still found myself at loose ends on Monday morning.

I know where the feeling came from – I overdid something on Saturday and woke up on Sunday with a very unhappy back. As a result, I had to dial most of my plans way, way back and I spent way too much time being still.*  I didn’t get to do the fun things I had planned and I also didn’t get to have a sense of accomplishment from doing the few important tasks I had on my list for the day. 

So, on Monday, I didn’t have any momentum from the day before to help me get started.

And since my back was improving but still tricky, I had to be careful – I couldn’t dive right into a lot of the things that would normally get me in gear.

I had a lot of things on my list that I was perfectly capable of doing but I just couldn’t make myself start them. (ADHD? What do you mean? 😉 )

Sometimes this kind of feeling would mean that I needed a rest but that definitely didn’t feel like the solution today. 

I was writing my sister (Hi Neece!) to vent about all of this when I remembered the advice that she and I regularly hand back and forth to each other. 

Do something fun first. 

So, that’s what I did. 

I spend 13 minutes drinking some tea while reading a mystery novel and then things did feel a bit more doable but I felt a bit overwhelmed by all of the things I wanted to get done.

At that point, I fell back on another piece of advice that I often trade back and forth with friends: 

Stick to the basics. 

So, that was my next step – a little bit of writing, a little bit of meditation, a little bit of movement and a little bit of work on my most pressing task** 

And that’s what I did – some journaling, some meditation, some stretching, and then a short, timed work session. 

Perhaps this is the point where you are asking, “Christine, what does this have to do with fitness?”

And *this* is the point where I would answer, “Everything!”

No matter how dedicated you are to your fitness or to your well-being there will be times when you will be at loose ends, when you have no motivation, when you are just plain cranky. 

And even though you know that you will feel better once you exercise or meditate or whatever, you just can’t make yourself do it. 

That’s when it’s time to a) start with something fun and then b) stick to the basics. 

You don’t need to tell yourself a story about what you *should* be feeling or about how this “always” happens or about what this temporary feeling means. **** 

Digging into those kinds of thoughts at a ‘loose ends’ moment can often make the whole situation feel more tangly. 

Taking action – doing something you enjoy and then doing a few basic things to get yourself in gear – can make all the difference when you feel a bit stuck and unmotivated.  

(I feel like this is all connected to the Fun Scale but I will have to leave that exploration for another day.)

And I wonder if creating a list of fun things and a list of basics in advance might be a good way to prepare for a ‘loose ends’ kind of day?

Anyway, Team, whether today finds you motivated or kind of meh, I hope that the combination of adding fun and then completing some basic tasks helps you to feel more satisfied with your day.

As always, here’s your gold star for your efforts:

a drawing of a gold star with a smiley face and a background of overlapping green lines.
image description: a drawing of a gold star with a happy face and freckles against a background of overlapping green lines with a green frame.

*and not in a good ‘seek stillness’ kind of way, either 

 **the one that I can *feel* looming – it may or may not be the most important one or the one with the closest deadline but it is the one that is lurking at the edges and needs to be dealt with before I can work on anything else. 

***In fact, all of that stuff was timed. I know my brain and I didn’t want to end up spending an hour on each thing and run out of time/energy for my other important stuff today.

****Yes, sometimes questions about these types of things are helpful but give the fun + basics plan a try first, just in case.

fitness · fun · stretching

Christine is just hanging around…sometimes

Christine Hennebury

My shoulders have been cranky again lately – tight and sore and really, really particular about how I sleep.*

When my shoulders especially unhappy with me earlier this week, I decided to take some stretching advice that I read recently and hang by my arms from our chin-up bar for a little while to see if it would help. 

And since I’m trying to do three minutes of fun movement every day for the next few weeks, I hung there for a bit longer than I would have otherwise. It was really hard BUT it was also really helpful and I felt much better afterwards.

a series of stick figure drawings depicting the authors exercises over a four day period.
Some of my fun movement drawings – note my weird lengthy arms after my session of hanging around. Image description: My visual record of my exercises this week. On the left hand side of the image is text reading ‘Move Towards Fun’ with small dots and accent lines around it. Then there are 4 drawings 1) a circle with 4 wiggly lines coming from it, text next to it reads ‘wiggly dance’ 2) a stick figure balanced on one leg with the other high in front of it, text next to it reads ‘high kicks’ 3) a drawing of my closet doorway with the chin-up bar across it and me hanging by my hands from the bar. My arms are ridiculously long and bent oddly and my legs look really short because they are bent behind me. Text next to it reads ‘hanging stretch (hard!) I felt like I was on the rack!’ 4) a stick figure standing on one leg with the other leg bent out to the side. Text next to it reads ‘flippy knees’ – this refers to me pointing my knee inward and then outward while standing on one foot.

In case you were wondering, what I was doing is called a modified dead hang (a name which sorta skeeves me out) – I was lightly resting my toes on the floor behind me while I bent my knees toward the floor. 

I was modifying because the bar is not high enough (and I am not strong enough…yet) to do a full dead hang and this approach puts most  – but not all  – of my body weight on my hands, arms, and shoulders and gives me a good stretch without being entirely too difficult. 

I always liked that swing-by-my-arms kind of movement when I was a kid and I would like to be able to do more of it now but it is entangled in the whole ‘need to build upper body strength – gotta have pre-existing upper body strength in order to do the movements I enjoy’ conundrum that tends to plague me when it comes to exercise but I’m working with it.

Speaking of conundrums, after doing the modified hang I discovered that there are just as many people saying that activity is bad for your shoulders as there are people who are saying it is good for you. 

I recognize that every person’s body is different and that it is hard to give all-purpose advice but it would be swell to have a little less fuss about every damn thing. 

Anyway, all of this is to say that my fun movement challenge is going well and that I am one of the people who will benefit from hanging around like that.

How about you? 

Any fun movement lately? 

Done any hanging around?

*Sometime last year I learned that curling my arm under my pillow while I sleep (as I have done for as long as I can remember) is actually a terrible thing to do to my shoulder.  (Apparently that position is one way that various physical therapists stress a shoulder joint to determine range of movement.) So I had to teach myself to sleep with my arms in a different position (not easy!) which took a lot of getting used to. And I still end up with cranky shoulders – just less cranky than they used to be.

ADHD · fun · habits · play · self care

Christine and the end-of-year idea

Christine Hennebury2 Comments

In January, a dear friend of mine set a very fun resolution for 2024 – to try a bunch of different types of tea to find one that she enjoyed. Previous to this resolution, she would happily drink coffee or hot chocolate but she had always found tea kind of bland and dull.

I’m happy to report that her resolution has served her well. She has found a variety of teas that she likes and she highly recommends taking on resolutions of this sort – the kind that lets you try new things with little or no risk.

My friend’s resolution came to mind this morning as I was thinking about the fact that there are only about 6 weeks left in the year and that I am, once again, planning to Finish Soft instead of trying to hustle through to the end of 2024.

I think I would like to take on some sort of end-of-the-year resolution that matches the low-key spirit of my friend’s tea explorations but is about movement/meditation /well-being and that will add a bit more fun into my day-to-day without feeling like another big project on my to-do list.

a small mug of tea on a small placemat
For the record – this is my cup of tea, it isn’t part of my friend’s tea adventures. Image description: A cup of tea in a white mug with a red trim that has an image of a grey-hatted gnome in a red robe standing in a forest of grey tree trunks on it. The mug was given to me by my friend Elaine and it is resting on multi-patterned mug rug that my Mom made for me.

So, in a tea-sized end-of-year resolution, I’ve decided* that I am going to do 3 minutes of fun movement every day between now and December 31st.

What will that include? I have no idea!

I’m going to have to take it day-by-day – an plan that both delights and terrifies my ADHD brain – and let anything count.

And to add to my fun, I’m going to make a visual record of teeny drawings and text to keep track of what I did.

Got any ideas for me?

*I literally decided this while writing. The initial draft of this post said that I hadn’t decided yet – What a daredevil I am! (bahahaha – I assume you can read the sarcastic tone there.)

a selfie of a middle aged woman who is smirking at the camera Christine Thinks That Sorta Spooky Workouts Are A Fun Idea
fall · fitness · fun · holidays · motivation

Christine Thinks That Sorta Spooky Workouts Are A Fun Idea

Christine Hennebury

Okay, these workouts aren’t spooky at all but since I’m a fan of Halloween, of costumes, and of anything that really leans into a theme, I thought it would be fun to share a few Halloween-inspired workouts.

If you want to celebrate Halloween in a fitness-y sort of way, these YouTube videos and Instagram posts will let you mix some extra fun into your workout.

You could even try working out in costume – but maybe hold off on the facepaint until it’s time to trick or treat, I don’t know if sweaty makeup would be very much fun.

Anyway, here are some ideas for you to try:

This 30 minute video features Ella, the host of Ella’s Wheelchair Workouts, and she’s wearing a witch hat, a cape, and she has a spider drawn on her face. Ella uses a wheelchair and her videos are filmed in her living room.
This Halloween Chair Workout from Chair One Fitness features three people in costume (two in witches hats, fitness clothes, and stripey socks and one in a red wig and fitness clothes) sitting in chairs for their workout.
This Halloween Hits Dance Workout video from MadFit has the instructor in slightly spooky workout clothes – black shorts and a black top with a skeletal rib cage printed on it.
Adriene from Yoga with Adriene posted this ‘Yoga for Lizards’ video earlier this week and seeing her in her lizard costume cracked me up. She also has a Halloween Yoga playlist that’s an interesting way to explore a Halloween theme.

This post from Anderson Town Leisure Centre provides a list of HIIT exercises related to the letters in the word Halloween for us to try for one minute each with one minute rest between rounds. H- High Knees, A- Alternating Lunges, L – Lateral Jumps, L- Leg Raises, O- Overhead Press, W – Wall Sit, E – Elbow Plank, E- Explosive Burpees, N – Narrow Push-ups.
This post from Get Fit with Jess has a Halloween-themed circuit to repeat three times. 1 minute walking lunges, 30 sec tricep dips, 1 minute squats, 30 sec pushups, 1 minute jumping jacks, 30 sec bicycle crunch, 1 minute elbow plank, 30 sec mountain climbers.
This post from Impulse Rehab Wellness has a funny reason for us to do each exercise in their “Halloween Survival Workout – Zombies! Run! – 30 seconds fast feet, Flying bats, better duck! – 15 squats, Hold very still – 30 second plank, Zombies again! – 30 seconds fast feet, Jump over the graves – 10 tuck jumps, Stay low to the ground – 10 push-ups, Try to sneak by – 20 lunges. Oh no here it goes again! – Repeat three times.

I get that you might not want a silly theme for every workout (but I think *I* kinda do) but it could be a good way to shake things up and add a little extra enjoyment to your fitness plans this week.

Enjoy!

A Slow First-Season Finish
cycling · fitness · fun · goals · WOTY

A Slow First-Season Finish

elan.paulson2 Comments

For the past week and a half I had my bike inside, parked right between my kitchen and my living room, creating an unmistakeable reminder to cycle just 18km more before the end of my first outdoor season.

But fall is busy, winter sports have started, and I just haven’t found the time or headspace.

Some things work against me: a busy job that has me traveling some early mornings and evenings. I live near busy, cyclist-unfriendly streets (at least two people have sadly lost their lives near me in the past few years). A number of my club’s rider development rides were rained out this summer.

I think I psyched myself out too, a little. I struggled on a ride early in the season and convinced myself I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the excellent women riders in the group. I tell myself I’m not good at routine, but sometimes I wonder how much I am just excusing myself from committing to one.

I learned that my hybrid is heavier and slower compared to most road bikes. Also, no clips may account for my slowness.

These things, all adding up, left me getting out less often, and less longer, than I’d liked.

So, I’m finally calling it. Here I am after 8 months: 382 kms and just shy of 23 hours clocked on my bike. What I managed in a season some club riders do in a single weekend.

A screenshot of a cycle app. Profile for Elan Paulson. Member since March 2024. 23 rides. 2,404 M climbed. 22h 42m time riding. 383km travelled.

But SLOW was my Word of the Year (WOTY), so I’m giving myself permission to be a slow rider and have a slow start (and finish) in my fire season.

I moved my bike downstairs when I realized a friend had recently gifted me his old trainer, so my “season” doesn’t have to end: I can get to that 400 mark before the end of 2024.

I had very good time in my first riding season with the London Cycling Club. I met a few new people, rode in some new locations, and shared in a cycling birthday party for Sam. Cyclists I’ve met has been friendly, helpful, and supportive.

My best ride wasn’t my longest or fastest. I was riding in town one late summer afternoon with three friends. The warm sun and the green trees were all around me, and as I coasted down a big long hill I felt like a kid again, without a care in the world. It was just simply fun.

When I think back to when I was a kid riding around my neighbourhood on bikes, I had never cared about my cycling stats, how fast I was going, or whether I had clips or not. Maybe I will have more fun cycling next year if I care a little less about those things as an adult too. 🙂

My hybrid bike, now downstairs and waiting patiently to be put on the green trainer, behind the chair, over the winter.
picture from wikihow with two women, one with arm around the other, indicating I got you. Throwback Thursday: feel-good memes we can all use
fitness · fun

Throwback Thursday: feel-good memes we can all use

catherine w1 Comment

This week has been rough, and it’s just barely Thursday. It seems like there’s way too much unhappiness and strife and stress for an otherwise lovely week in October. Well, what better way to cheer up than with the classics? Here are some memes from long ago and not-so-long ago to help us make it through until the weekend.

First, the Chanel of memes: the classic “hang in there, baby”.

Yes, that kitty has been hanging in there since the 70s. Good job, kitty!
Yes, that kitty has been hanging in there since the 70s. Good job, kitty!
If you need the power of the meme while on the go, you can get the hanging kitty on a T shirt.
If you need the power of the meme while on the go, you can get the hanging kitty on a T shirt.

Then there’s one of my favorites, from Sandra Boynton.

Don't let the turkeys get you down (another throwback, this to the 80s).
Don’t let the turkeys get you down (another throwback, this to the 80s).
Yes, there's merch, too-- get a mug to keep you cheery AND caffeinated.
Yes, there’s merch, too– get a mug to keep you cheery AND caffeinated.

And then there was you got this.

The penguin knows that you got this.
The penguin knows that you got this.
So does Ryan-- hey girl...
So does Ryan– hey girl…

At Fit is a Feminist Issue, know that anytime, anywhere, we got you.

We got you, babe. Even if the rainbow is a little faded.
We got you, babe. Even if the rainbow is a little faded.
Even your bathroom toiletries got you. In a good way.
Even your bathroom toiletries got you. In a good way.
A close-up photo of a dog against a white background National ‘Just Because’ Day
celebration · fitness · fun · self care

National ‘Just Because’ Day

Christine Hennebury

Apparently, today is National ‘Just Because’ Day so this is your official permission to do something you’ve been waiting for a good excuse to do.

For example, for my own amusement, I can post this picture of my nephew’s Guinea pig, Powder, in full drama mode.

A black and white Guinea pig looks through the bars of her cage.
Image description: my nephew’s white and black Guinea pig looking through the squares on the side of his cage. Powder has his front paws on a ledge and he is looking slightly to the side. His long hair is flipped back over his head so his large black eyes seem to be emphasized and he looks oddly dramatic and glamorous.

Maybe you can use today as a reason to eat your lunch outside.

Or as a reason to text a friend to join you for a walk/for a new class/for an afternoon on the beach.

Perhaps it’s an excuse for extra rest. (Not that *need* an excuse but it can sure as hell feel that way sometimes.)

Maybe you can spend extra time reading.

Perhaps you can challenge someone to a race or to a dance-off.

Maybe you can try a new-to-you meal or play your favourite music or watch a movie you love.

Or you could spend extra time playing with your dog (technically National Dog Day was yesterday but let’s be realistic here, every day is National Dog Day!)

You could say you’re going to meditate ‘just because.’

You could journal or draw ‘just because.’

Two monster drawings on index cards taped to a red box
On Saturday, my friend Mary and I represented our community arts organization and hosted a table at a local art crawl held by an artist-run gallery. A lot of people took us up on the invitation to try squiggle art…just because! Image description: two monster drawings on index cards taped to the side of a red box that contains markers. The box is sitting on a purple tablecloth in the sun.

Whatever you decide to do on Just Because Day, I hope you have a grand time with it.

Because you deserve some ease and some rest and to have the joy of moving your body and you deserve to enjoy a challenge and you deserve good things.

Why do you deserve those things?

Say it with me…

JUST BECAUSE!

💚💚💚